Northern Vietnam Off The Beaten Track

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The Best Northern Vietnam Off The Beaten Track Services

Duration: 12 Days

Trip Code: ORG_NOFF12

Best places to visit:

Hanoi → Mu Cang Chai → Sapa → Ha Giang → Cao Bang → Ban Gioc Waterfall → Hanoi

Overview

Discovery the stunning natural beauty and immerse yourself in the culture of remote hill tribes with a tour of northern Vietnam off the beaten track.

This is special designed to venture off the well-travelled tourist path in Vietnam. It’s a great ideal for those wanting to discover a side to the country. That most visitors haven’t even heard about. That you can exploring and experiencing local life and for many. Especially you will discover an area of outstanding natural beauty where tourism is yet to impact and traditions still hold strong. This itinerary follows an incredible route into the more remote mountainous regions of the North of Vietnam. Such as Mu Cang Chai and Ha Giang. The real Vietnam is to be found in the north.

The highlight for many being the opportunity to interact with traditional hill tribes. Whose way of life and custom hasn’t changed for centuries.

Notes:

This itinerary is a private tour. It shows you what is possible to travel and visiting with our guide and driver
We CAN also tailor made this trip as your requirement and budget such as accommodation, its inclusions…

Northern Vietnam Off The Beaten Track Travel Map

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival - Welcome To Vietnam. O/n In Hanoi

Congrats and a warm welcome! On Day 1, you are welcomed at Noi Bai international airport by Origin Travel team. We will be there to receive you, and we are so excited to have you there! We will handle everything for you right from transferring you to downtown, check-in hotel.

You are free to enjoy and have your own exploration on the first day around Hanoi city and visit one-of-a-kind things of Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, night life, etc. Or you may join to Hanoi street food tour to explore Hanoi cuisines. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi - Duong Lam Ancient Village - Nghia Lo. O/N In Nghia Lo (B/L/D)

Morning activities

At 8.00 am leave Hanoi with our tour guide and driver for Nghia Lo – the second beautiful valley of rice fields in the North of Vietnam. En route you stop to visit the Mia pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam with over 250 statues. And then travel to Duong Lam ancient village, that’s renowned for its historic houses constructed with laterite blocks.

Afternoon & evening activities

Continue to process to Nghia Lo through the Trung Ha bridge. Stop alongside the way to discover the daily life and activities of White Thai minority people. Have lunch on the way.

Arrive at Nghia Lo late afternoon. Check in stilt house. Have dinner with local minority family. Homestay at stilt-house in Nghia Lo.

Day 3: Nghia Lo - Mu Cang Chai - Sapa. O/N In Sapa (B/L)

Morning activities

Breakfast at the family. Let start the day at 07:30 am to leave Nghia Lo for Tu Le ~40 km. It is an easy hike to visit the village of Thai ethnic people at Tu Le. It’s a tranquil village with beautiful scenery and terrace rice fields. Meet locals and visit a Thai family.

Continue to Mu Cang Chai around 40 km via the scenic landscape of terraced rice fields, especially from April to October (there are lovely seasons: the rice water and the harvest seasons). Have a stop for admire and shoot photo the lovely and scenic rice terraces. In particular on the neck of Khau Pha Pass with an amazing view over the valley and the most amazing rice terraces not only in northwest Vietnam but also in the country. These are inside the villages La Pan Tan and Che Cu Nha. Have lunch on way.

Afternoon activities

Process to Sapa town (~160 km) passing through fields of lovely tea. In Than Uyen the roads climbs up to the highest pass in vietnam (2047m) with terrace fields and views. Have a fast stop to experience the freshness and to admire Mount Fansipan. Arrive at Sapa town late afternoon, there’s some free time on your free entertainment and discovery. Lied at 1,650 meters above sea level and enjoy a cool temperate weather, Sapa town was an vintage resort created by the French in the region of Fanxipan Mountain ~ 3143m sea level which is known as the roof of Indochina. Have dinner at local restaurant.

Evening activities

Evening is the time for the experience around Sa Pa town to get the beautiful of famous Sa Pa town. Overnight at 3* plus hotel in Sapa.

Day 4: Sapa Trek To Hang Da - Thao Hong Den Village. O/N In Sapa (B/L)

Morning activities

Have breakfast at hotel. At 08:00 you begin the tour from Sapa town. Take a short road on the main road about 4 km with a stopover en route for lovely stunning scenery of Fansipan Mountain and Muong Hoa valley. Trekking uphill along a large and rocky path for 2 hours to Hang Da village (The home of the Black H’mong) which hides itself beneath lush trees on the way to Den Thang Mountain. Visit and discover the village, have a visit at local families. Have lunch in the village.

Afternoon activities

This afternoon you continue trekking on the same trail which goes on the high mountain side for approximately an hour which gives a splendid view of Muong Hoa valley until arriving at Thao Hong Den also the village of the Black H’mong people for visit some families and interact with them. Keep go downhill to Pho village on the middle of Hau Thao commune. You’ll be picked up and transfer via avenue again to Sapa. You are back hotel in Sapa around 16.00pm. Free to have your own dinner. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.

Note: The itinerary of trekking can be adjusted depending on the weather conditions, your age and your health status:

Option 1: Lao Chai / Ta Van (5 km, soft trek, very touristy)
Option 2: Cat Cat / Y Linh Ho / Lao Chai / Tavan (14 km, medium trek)
Option 3: Xau Chau / Sa Seng / Hau Thao / Giang Ta Chai (14 km, medium trek, off the beaten track)

Day 5: Sapa - Y Ty - Sapa. O/N In Sapa (B/L)

Morning activities

After breakfast at hotel, this morning you will make a trekking to Y Ty village. First the driver transfer you about 2 hours to reach Y Ty village. From there you start to have your walking 3km more to visit the village of Blue H’Mong people. Have picnic lunch

Afternoon activities

You will have more time to see beautiful terrace fields at the village which less touristic than other villages in Sapa. You have more 4km trek to Ha Nhi people village and learn more of their daily life as well as their house architecture uniquely. Get more enjoyment and then trek back the main road where the driver wait for transfer back Sapa town.

Note:

Trekking distance 7km and road difficult : 4/5
Avoid visit on Sunday because the local authorities don’t work on this day so we cannot ask the permission for visiting or overnight at stilt house

Evening activities

You have more free time in the evening to get more experience the romantic atmosphere in Sapa town. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Sapa - Bac Ha Sunday Market. O/N In Bac Ha (B/L/D)

Morning activities

Have breakfast at your hotel. At 08:30 am you leave Sapa town for getting on the road to Lao Cai (~35 km). You will make a short stopover at Cau Kieu – the frendship bridge that links Vietnam and China. Continue to Bac Ha about 65 km and visit the old H’mong King house to learn more of traditional style and its history. Then check-in local H’mong home (1.5km from Bac Ha). Enjoy lunch and have some chatting time with friendly host members.

Afternoon & evening activities

In the afternoon walk around to visit nearby Hmong minority villages, visit their houses, have a cup of tea and visit their green vegetable fields. Have dinner with the family and overnight in local home.

Note: Homestay is basic condition, no private room, clean mattress, pillow and blacket are provided for guests.

Day 7: Bac Ha Sunday Market - Ha Giang. O/N In Ha Giang (B/L)

Morning activities

Have breakfast at the family. At 8.00 am start the visiting Bac Ha Market right in the heart of Bac Ha Town. It is the largest minority market in this area. Every Sunday, the different and colorful minority people group all come here to sell their homemade products or buy something for their family. They are Hmong, Phu La, Back Dzao, Tay or Nung minorities. Some of these ethnic minorities can’t be met in any other areas. You can buy something at the market for souvenir and shoot photos of different groups and activities. Then you leave Bac Ha for Ha Giang Province and pass through Pho Rang for lunch.

Afternoon & evening activities

Afternoon is the continue time to Viet Quang town where is the entrance plateau of Dong Van. Arrive in Ha Giang. Have dinner and overnight at the stilt house.

Note: If your travel time not fall on Sundays, we can flexible to replace the market Bac Ha by Can Cau market which is open on Saturdays morning or other markets from Monday to Sundays (each market open only 1 day of the week).

Day 8: Ha Giang - Quan Ba - Yen Minh - Dong Van. O/N In Dong Van (B/L/D)

Morning activities

Have breakfast with the local family. At 08:00 am you walk & enjoy the Phuong Thien nursery, infirmary and village. Then you depart for Dong Van Plateau via Quan Ba and Yen Minh. The remote region of Dong Van is a land of rugged mountains and beautiful hill tribe villages. You can see this region being remained unchanged for centuries.

Afternoon & evening activities

You travel to northwest out of Ha Giang Town towards this northernmost tip of Vietnam. The former Hmong royal house at Sa Phin is a primary attraction of the region. It is famous in some Vietnam film scene. It is the blend of the hill tribe people’s colourful costumes and the majestic mountainous landscapes make this long and sometimes bumpy trip an unforgettable experience. Have lunch on the way. Once arrive in Dong Van, have dinner and overnight at hotel in Dong Van.

Day 9: Dong Van - Lung Cu - Meo Vac. O/N In Meo Vac (B/L)

Morning activities

Have breakfast at hotel. At 08:00am you visit the market and the old district of Dong Van for more experience. Next you continue the excursion to Lung Cu where has the Chinese border. View the panorama of the whole scenery from the top of Lung Cu Flag Tower. Back to Dong Van for lunch.

Afternoon & evening activities

Afternoon you depart Dong Van for Meo Vac (30 km), in the heart of a mountainous region with a moderate climate, crossing the Mountain Ma Pi Leng pass at over 2000 meters sea level. You can admire a beautiful view over the valley with terraced fields of hemp, karst hills, stilt houses, and the minority people of Hmong, Dao and Nho Que River. This romantic and tranquil river takes its source in China to expand on the Vietnamese territory as a band of white silk. Arrive in Meo Vac. Check in guesthouse. Walk through the village enviroment. Have dinner and overnight in Meo Vac.

Day 10: Meo Vac - Lung Phinh Market - Bao Lac. O/N In Bao Lac (B/L/D)

Morning activities

After breakfast, At 08:00 am you travel to the Lung Phin market (9 km from Meo Vac). It is the largest and most authentic Northeast Vietnam market. Here you will be impressed by this market that attracts all the minority groups in the region as the Hmong, Dao, Cao Lan, Lo Lo, Tay minorities all come here… Back to Meo Vac for lunch.

Afternoon & evening activities

Then transfer to Bao Lac. Arrive in Bao Lac and free to have your own discovery and enjoyment of Bao Lac. Have dinner and overnight at hotel in Bao Lac.

Note: This route could be changed depending on Lung Phinh market days.

Day 11: Bao Lac - Hanoi. O/n In Hanoi (B/L)

Morning activities:

Breakfast at hotel. Leave Bao Lac at 08:00am and transfer to the village of Black Lolo via the road (10 km), and you have a 2 km hiking to visit this Lo Lo village. Continue to Ba Be Lake. Have lunch on the way.

Afternoon activities:

Afternoon you leave Ba Be for return Hanoi city, Arrive in Hanoi at about 19.00 pm. Check in Hotel & spend the last night in Hanoi

Day 12: Hanoi Departure (B)

Your last day! And a great experience! After having a memorable journey in the North of Vietnam you will have some free time to walk around Hanoi city to get more experience or just relax at hotel before the driver drops you off the airport for taking flight departure Hanoi.

This was pretty exciting, right? It’s time to say goodbye. It’s time to get back to your busy life! And we are sure that you will have an amazing trip with Origin Travel and we do hope to see you again in the future. Once again, we really thank you for choosing us!

Inclusions

PRIVATE door to door transport (new vehicle) with air-conditioned
Experience English speaking guide (Other langue on request)
Meals as mentioned above (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D = Dinner)
Homestay (Note: Stilt house for homestay is standard, it is a share with has the curtain to separate each mattress, share bathroom together. However, it is clean and safe for stay)
Good 3 star plus hotel in Hanoi, Sapa with daily buffet breakfast
Good selection Hotel inDong Van, Meo Vac, Bao Lac (Note: just standard guesthouse clean and safe)
Entrance fees, permission
Mineral water daily 2 bottle 500ml/per day
Permission
24/7 hotline support guaranteed
Bank fees if payment by credit card
Gov tax and service charge
No extra charge after final confirmation

Exclusions

International Air Fare in & out Vietnam if any
Domestic Air Fare if any
Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle
Other than mentioned in the itinerary
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, soft & hard drinks
Meals not mentioned in the program
Tips are welcomed!
Travel Insurance

Ms Angela

Ms Lucy

Ms. Angela & Ms. Lucy is our experts for this itinerary and as seasoned travellers she has the inside track on the most memorable adventures.

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The Best Northern Vietnam Off The Beaten Track Services

Overview

Notes:

Northern Vietnam Off The Beaten Track Travel Map

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival - Welcome To Vietnam. O/n In Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi - Duong Lam Ancient Village - Nghia Lo. O/N In Nghia Lo (B/L/D)

Morning activities

Afternoon & evening activities

Day 3: Nghia Lo - Mu Cang Chai - Sapa. O/N In Sapa (B/L)

Morning activities

Afternoon activities

Evening activities

Day 4: Sapa Trek To Hang Da - Thao Hong Den Village. O/N In Sapa (B/L)

Morning activities

Afternoon activities

Day 5: Sapa - Y Ty - Sapa. O/N In Sapa (B/L)

Morning activities

Afternoon activities

Evening activities

Day 6: Sapa - Bac Ha Sunday Market. O/N In Bac Ha (B/L/D)

Morning activities

Afternoon & evening activities

Day 7: Bac Ha Sunday Market - Ha Giang. O/N In Ha Giang (B/L)

Morning activities

Afternoon & evening activities

Day 8: Ha Giang - Quan Ba - Yen Minh - Dong Van. O/N In Dong Van (B/L/D)

Morning activities

Afternoon & evening activities

Day 9: Dong Van - Lung Cu - Meo Vac. O/N In Meo Vac (B/L)

Morning activities

Afternoon & evening activities

Day 10: Meo Vac - Lung Phinh Market - Bao Lac. O/N In Bao Lac (B/L/D)

Morning activities

Afternoon & evening activities

Day 11: Bao Lac - Hanoi. O/n In Hanoi (B/L)

Morning activities:

Afternoon activities:

Day 12: Hanoi Departure (B)

Ms Angela

Ms Lucy

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