Highlights:
- Take to a border area crowded with incredible limestone mountains and populated by Nung, Tay and H’mong ethnic peoples in Ha Giang.
- Explore Ma Pi Leng Pass between Dong Van and Meo Vac, considered as the most amazing road in the entire country.
- Discover colourful local markets of the ethnic minority communities such as Lung Phin Market.
- Visit Ba Be Lake in Ba Be National Park where you can enjoy the rich natural surroundings and meet the local Tay communities.
ITINERARY:
DAY 1: HANOI – HA GIANG (-/LUNCH/DINNER)
At 08:30 Am: Our tourguide and car will pick you up at hotel in Hanoi and drive to Ha Giang. The drive to Ha Giang takes around 7 hours but is some of the most breathtaking in Vietnam. On the way we will stopover at some places to visit small villages and take photos.
Check in the family host upon arrival and time at leisure for a stroll around. Lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner and stay overnight at homestay in Ha Giang.
Inclusion: transportation, English speaking guide, meals: lunch and dinner, accommodation: homestay
DAY 2: HA GIANG – NAM DAM (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)
Breakfast at the homestay. The morning is dedicated to an easy walk around the village, visit traditional houses of Tay Ethnic Group and we can make stops on the way talking about the culture of the Tay people. Then, take a scenic drive to Quan Ba, a small town in the province with stops en route for photographs at Heaven’s Gate and the Fairy Mountain. Have local lunch on the way. Check in homestay at Nam Dam village at the end of the day. Have herbal bath by local herbal at lodge. Dinner at the homestay.
Evening, you will take part in “Le cap sac”, an initiation ritual marking a young man’s entry into manhood or a traditional wedding ceremony. Stay overnight in Nam Dam.
Inclusion: transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner, all entrance fees, entertainment at lodge and herbal bath, accommodation: homestay.
DAY 3: NAM DAM – DONG VAN – MEO VAC (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
Breakfast at the homestay. Morning, depart to visit Lung Tam weaving village. In this village of the H’mong minority, we will learn how to make hemp fabrics from locally grown hemp in Northwest Vietnam. There, you will have an opportunity to talk to the local people to learn about their way of life, culture and customs.
After that, continue the undulating terrain, between 700m and 1,300m in altitude, through extraordinary mountainous landscapes and terraced paddy fields. Stop at Sung La to discover a LoLo house and its people (the Lo Lo minority is one of Vietnam’s least-common ethnic people and are only found within this region). Afterwards, visit the impressive ancient H’mong King Palace before reaching Dong Van town. Lunch at Dong Van town.
Afternoon, leaving Dong Van for Meo Vac. An absolutely unforgettable day! The road climbs on 15 km up to the top of the Ma Pi Leng Pass, through a gigantic maze of limestone peaks, “stone forests”, and canyons, a unique landscape of the world. Dinner on your own. Overnight at homestay.
Inclusion: transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast, lunch, accommodation: homestay.
DAY 4: MEO VAC – BA BE (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)
Breakfast at hotel or local restaurant. 08:00: Depart to Lung Phin market which is regularly open on the days of the Tiger or the Monkey following the lunar calendar. This market is located 17 km from Meo Vac and is one of the most typical hill tribe markets is Vietnam where thousands of people from Hmong, Dzao and Chinese flock to every week. Local products for sale or barter are carried on horseback, buffaloes such as blacksmiths, saddlers, traditional medicines, clothing, food. At the market, a lot of people can be seen eating “Thang Co”, a popular dish of the Hmong people. The market is really a must-see for all tourist to Ha Giang.
Then, continue snaking through the mountains to reach Cho Ra and then down to a village of Tay people located on the shore of Ba Be Lake.
Check in the local house and time at leisure. Lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner and night at the local family.
Inclusion: transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast, lunch, accommodation: homestay.
DAY 5: BA BE (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)
Breakfast at the local house. Morning, cycling to visit Hua Ma Cave (6km), the biggest one in Ba Be National Park. Lunch at the local family. Afternoon, walk around Ba Be lake shore and try to capture some great photo shots of the sunset. Dinner and night at the local family.
Inclusion: transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast, lunch,dinner accommodation: homestay.
DAY 6: BA BE – HANOI (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
Breakfast at the local house. 08:30: Boat trip in the lake. Visit to An Ma Temple then enjoy the bamboo rafting and swim in the fresh water in the third lake. You will pass through Puong cave and go along Nang River. Disembark at Buoc Lom wharf where the driver is waiting for you to take you back to Hanoi. Lunch at a local restaurant. Arrive in Hanoi at the end of the day. Tour ends.
Inclusion: transportation, English speaking guide, meals: breakfast, lunch, entrance fees.
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