Destinations: Hanoi – Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai – Than Uyen – Sapa – Bac Ha – Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi - Ha Giang - Dong Van - Meo Vac - Bao Lac - Ban Gioc Water fall - Ba Be lake - Hanoi departure
Highlights: In recent years, Mu Cang Chai has become one of the favorite destions of Vietnamese young adventurers, as well as foreign tourists. You will certainly be surprised by the natural beauty of the "Nghia Lo - Mu Cang Chai - Sapa" road, as well as by the diversity of minority ethnic groups that you will come across along the way. This 9 day tour visiting Mu Cang Chai - Sapa - Ha Giang - Cao Bang - Ba Be is a best choice for those who loves adventure and nature.
Brief Beautiful Northest and Northwest Vietnam tour:
Day 1: Hanoi – Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai (200Km – 5 hours)
Day 2: Mu Cang Chai – Than Uyen – Sapa (130Km – 4 hours)
Day 3: Sapa trekking tour
Day 4: Sapa – Bac Ha (170Km – 4.5 hours)
Day 5: Bac Ha – Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi – Ha Giang (170Km – 5 hours)
Day 6: Ha Giang – Dong Van (150Km – 4.5 hours)
Day 7: Dong Van - Nho Que boat trip - Trekking - Dong van
Day 8: Dong Van – Lung Cu – Bao Lac (150Km – 4 hours)
Day 9: Bao Lac - Ban Gioc Waterfall (180Km – 5 hours)
Day 10: Ban Gioc Waterfall – Ba Be (130Km – 3.5 hours)
Day 11: Ba Be – Hanoi (225Km – 6 hours)
This trip is really a great option for those who love visiting to entirely untouched and intact areas where you can enjoy only the spectacular landscapes of amazing rice terrace fields and rolling steep mountains, the diversified cultures of many different ethnic cultures who has been lived in those areas for thousands of years, the fresh and cool atmosphere, and ethnic colorful markets where selling local agricultural products or even dog, pig, chicken, duck, goat, cow, etc. Your Vietnam adventure tour is featured with paradise rice fields in Mu Cang Chai, Dong Van Stone Plateau, Ban Gioc Watefall & Ba Be Artificial Lake.
TOUR ITINERARY
Please contact us at info@vivutravel.com for booking and more information
NOTE: The above tour prices are estimated per person & applied for group of 2 persons! Depending on your favorite hotels, traveling dates & group sizes, the tour prices will be updated! Please contact us at info@vivutravel.com for further information!
Sapa, in the terraced hills and mountains of this area, the monotony of the expansive green landscape is enlivened by the colours of its hill tribe population. It is here you will find hands stained with colour from fabric dyes and shades of blue, red and green intricately embroidered and stitched into jackets, waistcoats, pants, skirts, caps, purses and leggings.
After breakfast, we will do one of the most beautiful Sapa Trekking Tours with the drive to visit Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai and Ta Van village of the Black H'mong and the Day people where you can enjoy fresh air, amazing scenery of the imposing mountain range, trek down the world's most beautiful terraced rice fields, visit some local family on the way and learn unique culture and life of these ethnic groups.
Get back to Sapa for overnight.
Leave Sapa, we head to Bac Ha town where you will see one of the biggest and most interesting markets in those remote areas named Bac Ha market. The markets in the Northern Vietnam are always the colorful meeting places for the hill tribes, spotlight for any Sapa Tours and of course, your unique Vietnam Tours experience. Minority people come down from the mountains to sell their products, or just for catching up on the latest news, gossip, drinking away troubles or seeking for lover.
After market tour, take a short trekking to Ban Pho Village that belongs to Flower H’Mong with unique lifestyles and cultures.
Overnight in Bac Ha.
This morning,we will take the time to discover Bac Ha colorful market, enjoy the atmosphere and have fun trying out your trading skills with the friendly local people.
Have lunch at the market before continue the trip by driving to Ha Giang mountainous province which the Vietnam-China border extends more than 275Km long. During the way, there are many grandiose mountains with unique formation of peaky rocks. Ha Giang is the location of 4 major ethnic minorities with Hmong, Tay, Dao & Nung that make the ethnical diversity and nowhere we can see more fusing traditions than Ha Giang. Especially, we will drive through Xin Man & Hoang Su Phi which is the best route to discover.
Upon your arrival at Ha Giang city, check-in the Ha Giang resort.
Overnight in Ha Giang.
After breakfast, we head toward the most remote part of the north. Northern Ha Giang Province has some of the most picturesque and varied scenery. Our drive will take us over high passes and we can view deep valleys along the entire journey. We’ll stop along the way at The Vuong Palace, the beauty of Chinese-style architecture. This was the seat of government for the Hmong during the first Indochina war.
Overnight in Dong Van and take a walk around the town to the old streets.
After having breakfast at hotel, we start our trip at 7:30am today to visit Nho Que River by boat trip.
From Dong Van, we drive 10 minutes to get Ta Lang village, stop there then take “xeom” to get the pier of Nho Que River (20 minutes).
Nestled between the mountain of northeast of Vietnam, Nho Que River winding like green thread shimmering north from heaven. The length of 192 km, the river engraved name on 46 km across the strip of land in Vietnam, and flows through the rocky sloping limestone mountain of the global geological park system Dong Van stone. The Nho Que river carries a beautiful turquoise blue color. That shines through the bright green patches of the forest almost all seasons of the year (except the rain season from Apr till Sep).
The best time to see the river is from October till March the next year, especially Feb and March when the Bombaxceiba flowers in full bloom.
After 1 hour boat trip along the river and visit Tu San alley, we will take “xeom” to get back the car.
Optional: if you prefer to do kayaking, it is also a good idea.
Have lunch at local restaurant in Dong Van.
After lunch, we will drive to Ma Pi Leng for trekking in 1-2 hours. We will stop at Ma Pi Leng museum then start to trek through a small road. The trekking route is fabulous for anyone who loves nature and taking photos. Climb up to the nice view point on the top of mountain to see the sunset and take beautiful photos of Nho Que river. You will have the opportunity to meet ethnic children playing along the way, the hardworking women growing maize in the fields or grazing buffaloes and goats. After more than 1 hour for trekking, we will meet the car on the main road. Get on the car and back hotel for overnight in Dong Van.
This morning, take a short drive to visit the Northernmost - Lung Cu Flagpole. Located about 24km from the centre of Dong Van district, Lung Cu Flagpole is meaningful for domestic visitors where marks the extreme North of our country. From its top, visitors can see the whole of beautiful and spectacular landscape.
Back to Dong Van around noon for having lunch before heading to Bao Lac, via Meo Vac.
Overnight in Bao Lac.
Today, we drive to Ban Gioc Waterfall, a very scenic spot directly on the border with China. Half the pleasure of the visit to Vietnam’s largest waterfall is walking across rice paddy fields to reach the base of the falls. On the way back, we may have time to stop at several giant irrigation water - wheels that lies along the road overlooking villages. We also visit to Nguom Ngao Cave which is so natural and spectacular.
After end tour, we wll check in and overnight at Sai Gon Ban Gioc hotel.
Starting from hotel in Ban Gioc for transferring to Ba Be Lake, famous for its immense crystal water.
After 5.5 hours driving, we arrive at Ba Be Lake. The atmosphere here was something magical and fantastic, perfect retreat for the soul. Take the time to walk around the village
Have diner and overnight at homestay in Ba Be.
After breakfast with the host, we will spend the whole morning exploring the lake. This is a spectacular boat trip on the lake. We stroll along the riverfront, visit some lovely villages and hike the upper reaches of the lake, in an area marked by massive limestone cliffs and mountains.
Have lunch with the host and say goodbye then drive back to Hanoi. Note: We can drop you off at your hotel in Hanoi or drop you ff at the Hanoi airport for your next destination
* What about Cancellation policy?
In case of cancellation, we will not impose any charges if we are not being charged and possible to get refund from our suppliers but if our suppliers apply charges for cancellation, you will have to pay those charges that apply. Cancellation policies vary, depending upon the type of service, the time of year, and the reason for cancellation. We will pass on to you all details of any cancellation policy with our transparent reply upon demand.
General cancellation charges that applied by travel services in Vietnam and Indochina.
- Domestic flights: 25% of the fares
- 3 star hotels, no charge if you cancel 5 -7 days before your arrival. (FIT)
- 4 star hotels, no charge if you cancel 10 - 15 days before your arrival (FIT)
- 5 stars hotels, no charge if you cancel 15 - 20 days before your arrival (FIT)
However, in peak season, we may have to pay the hotels one month before your arrival to secure the booking, and in this case, the cancellation policy will be based on the hotels' cancellation plolicies.
* Can we get refund?
For the unused services, Vivutravel will refund you the money.
Question 1: Best time for Northeast and Northwest Vietnam tour
The Northwest
The Northwest are very famous for their endless beautiful rice fields that look really like a picturesque landscape. And you can fully enjoy that beauty while traveling to those areas from May to Sep. In May & June, it is called the water falling season by the local people as it is the time they fill in the terraced rice fields with water. Everywhere is like a giant mirror reflecting the natural beauty and the sunlight. In Jul & Aug, the rice fields are being colored green and arising as a charming green picture. The most beautiful time to enjoy terraced rice fields in Sapa and the Northwest is at the end of August and in the beginning of September when they turns yellow – a perfect color of a masterpiece created by nature and human.
How about the other months? In fact, the other months are also a good time to travel to those areas as you can see many other amazing things like peach and plum trees & flowers in Spring time from January to March or snow sometimes covering everywhere in Winter time from December to February.
Just be aware that many days in Winter can be sunk deep in fog and frost with short views and make your trip out of our expectation. However, discovering the daily life of local people during Winter gives you memorable experience, for sure, as their hard conditions are really shown on those days.
The Northeast
Northeast region includes mountainous provinces in the far North of Vietnam where the weather is cool/cold all year round. It will be severely cold from December to February with average temperature of 8 degree C and cool in the rest of year with average temperature of 25 degree C.
Be aware that it will be wet and foggy in cold season and you can't enjoy the spectacular and beautiful sceneries. However, there will be drizzly weather during cold season only, not typhoon. Furthermore, visiting local ethnic people during cold days will be different experiences as you can see and entirely understand their life of deprivation and misery.
Rainiest months in those areas are July and August, however, those 2 months are also best time for traveling to the Northeast as you can enjoy yellow rice fields in other areas in general and in Bac Son Valley in particular. Ban Gioc Waterfall is also more beautiful during rainy season.
Question 2: Trekking routes and trekking distances
Trekking is a must-do activity while traveling in those remote areas, then it plays an important role in that trip, of course. So you should clear all information with your travel consultant or tour guide about your trekking tours as some of them are very hard and dangerous that are just suitable for young and energetic people only. A suitable trekking distance will help you fully enjoy the trip, the culture, the local people as well as the nature, otherwise, tiredness of a hard and long trekking distance will surely make you have many negative thoughts.
The trekking routes are also important as it should really be arranged based on your traveling time. In beautiful time, it is advised to do popular trekking routes even though they can be crowded with tourists as those routes pass amazing terraced rice fields that you have never seen. However, when the harvest season is over, you should consider the trekking routes that are not crowded and passing remote villages.
Question 3: What should be prepared for Vietnam Northeast Loop Tour
Clothes: Traveling in cool season, you should prepare summer clothes with some light jackets as it will be pretty cold in the early morning and evening. Whereas warm coats are highly recommended for traveling in cold season as it can be even dropped to 5 degrees under zero.
Rain gear: Weather in the Northeast is not stable that can be changed continuously. It can be rain in the early morning but sunny at noon and rain again in the late afternoon. Then rain gear should be well prepared.
Personal drugs: The far north is really lack of medical infrastructure as well as pharmacy. Then it is advised to bring your personal drugs as well as popular medicines like paracetamol, thermometer, anti-itching lotion, oral rehydration preparation and bandaids.
Mosquito and insect repellent: Those stuff are necessary as you may trek through the wet jungle or stay at local houses near the forest.
Question 4: Traveling to the Northeast in cold season
Hotel with heat: It is better to stay at a hotel with heater (of course, air-conditioner with heat is not available in those areas) if you are planning to travel to the Northeast in cold season. Homestay is not a good idea during that period as you can’t sleep well for sure due to low temperature and privation of warming facilities.
Question 5: Traveling in rainy season
You should consider traveling to those areas in rainy season as it can be dangerous sometimes. When it rains a lot in those areas for many days, erosion is pretty popular and may much affect to your trip.
Question 6: Traveling to the Northeast and Northwest with kids
Traveling to the Northeast with infants and small kids under 6 yrs old is not advised because of the simple life condition and poor infrastructure in those areas, but older kids and teenagers are really fine as they can bear a pretty hard trip and more important, a lot of life-time experiences are waiting for them.
Question 7: Is it safe for traveling to untouched areas
It is safe, for sure, while traveling to the Northwest Mountains or even border regions as those areas are highly controlled and protected by local government. That’s why you have to apply for permission before visiting to the border regions and it will be arranged by your local travel agent. The local ethnic groups are also friendly and hospitality even they can’t speak both Vietnamese and English.
Question 8: Interact with local people
Local people are not familiar with tourists but you are surely warmly welcomed by them as Vietnamese in general and ethnic people in particular are very open and kind and so love to see you as well as to help you in case you need. Then, you should show your good attitudes all the time if you want to visit their houses as well as make a short chat with them. Remember to ask for acceptance when you wish to take their photos.
Question 9: Road condition
Road condition is not a big problem when traveling in the Northeast and Northwest as they are mostly big and smooth roads
Question 10: Donation
Donation is highly recommended and it can be money or not. Normally, you can bring along warm clothes for both adults and kids as it is cold there all year round. Quilted Blanket is another great idea. Or at least, you should prepare some small gifts for local kids like cakes, notebooks, pencils, etc.
Unlike other popular tourisit destinations in Vietnam, tourism in those areas haven't been developed and so luxury and modern hotels are not available there. The available accommodation in those provinces are homestay, guest-house and mini-hotel with basic facilities. As below, we provide you with all necessary information of hotel accommodation in our Vietnam Northeast Loop Tour:
Guest-house & mini-hotel: They are quiet similar in architecture and facilities. All guest-houses & mini-hotels are small building less than 5 storeys with basic facilities of bed, mattress, pillow, mosquito-net, private bath room, hot shower, western toilet and air-conditioner mostly.
Homestay: As revealed through its name, Homestay means that you will stay at local houses with local ethnic minorities that are mostly stilt-houses. Private rooms are not available and you will have a small mattress with a pillow and a mosquito-net. The bathroom is sharing with hot shower and western toilet available.
And below is a list of accommodation's images in the Northeast areas:
Room at a mini-hotel
Room at a guest-house
Toilet at a mini-hotel/guest-house
Homestay
Sleeping space at homestay
Toilet at homestay
Tour guide and driver are Vivutravel's representatives and your travel companions during your travel in Sapa & Northwest Loop Tour who take care of our travel services and make your holiday a memorable time. Understanding this, Vivutravel always selects the best tour guides and drivers for such amazing trips to the far North.
Tour Guide:
We do understand that a good tour guide will make your holiday a beautiful time and tour guides who work with us are well-paid, experienced with a university background, eager to exchange our culture, lifestyle, knowledge...with travelers, and have a great passion for their country and understand the personal touch.
Then we always use experienced tour guides who are expert in guiding trips to those Northeast areas and will show you the most beautiful view-points, introduce to you unique cultures and lifestyles of local ethnic people as well as guide you to amazing trekking routes.
Transportation:
Vivutravel guarantees to offer the best means of transport during your Sapa & Northwest Loop tour. The safety, comfort and security of our customers come first. Furthermore, as all tourist sites are mostly far from towns and city centers, vehicle must be the latest modern one or it will be very difficult to manage in case it is broken on the way. Furthermore, checking the vehicle carefully before the trip is a must-do procedure in order that it will work well and stays away from all rising troubles. Our drivers must be very experienced and careful too as it is not easy to go around those untouched areas. They are all full time workers, government licensed in the tourism industry with at least 5 years driving experience.
Luxury restaurants are not available in the far North of Vietnam. Standard restaurants can hardly find. Then our meals are mostly at basic local restaurants with simple dishes. It is not expensive for having lunch/dinner there and it costs around 5-7 usd per meal only. Breakfasts are mostly not included at hotel and you will have breakfasts outside with Vietnamese popular dishes like noodle soup, sticky rice, bread, etc.
NOTE: Acceptable restaurants are all located at towns which are sometimes far away from our visiting destinations. So lunch can be arranged quite late at around 1pm or 2pm.