21 Days - TONKIN ETHNIC MINORITIES DISCOVERY

DAY 01: ARRIVAL  HA NOI

On arrival at Noi Bai Airport , you are met  by our guide and driver and transferred to hotel. Ha Noi , Vietnam's capital, is a stylish and gracious city that retains a unique old world charm and some Asia ‘s most striking colonial architecture. Overnight  in HaNoi.
 
DAY 02: HA NOI - HOA BINH - MAI HICH (B, L, D)
The sightseeing tour of Ha Noi includes Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum , the One pillar Pagoda, the Temple of literature well known as Vietnam’s first university and the lake of Hoan Kiem. The afternoon we take a drive to Mai Chau, stopping at the villages of Dao Son Dau and Muong ethnic minority in Hoa Binh. The day ends with an evening traditional dance of the Thai hill tribe people. O/N in Mai Chau
 
DAY 03: MAI HICH - MOC CHAU - SON LA  (B, L, D)
Am: Following breakfast we take a 2-3 hours hike through verdant villages of White Tai, and
H'Mong hill tribe peoples. 
Pm: Drive to Son La. Son La is located in a scenic valley, inhabited by Thai, Muong and H'mong minority people. This area is historically important for its involvement in the Vietnamese struggle for independence from France during the first half the 20th century.
Overnight at hotel  in Son La.
 
DAY 04: SON LA - TUAN GIAO - DIEN BIEN PHU (B, L, D)
The morning we  visit Son La old prison and some nearby hill villages before we depart for Dien Bien Phu, the site of the decisive battle in Vietnam’s struggle for independence in 1954. Visit colorful market of Thuanchau.  The scenic roads climb over Pha Din Pass before dropping down to Dien Bien Phu where we have a chance seeing the former battle field and the display of war materials .Overnightin Dien Bien Phu.
 
DAY 05: DIEN BIEN PHU - MUONG LAY (B, L, D)
The journey continues to Lai Chau Town. The road conditions are  poor in part, but views of the mountainous scenery will make up for our effort. There are some stop opportunities en route to visit the Hmong, Kho Mu, Khang hill-tribe villages . Overnight in Muong Lay
 
DAY 06: MUONG LAY - MUONG TE - PHONG THO (B, L, D)

An early morning start to drive to Muong Te. This upstream area of Da River is pupulated by many ethnic minority groups such as the Thai, Ha Nhi, Cong , Si la, La Hu whom we may encounter on our adventure. They are all colorful and friendly. Overnight  at Lan Anh hotel in Phong Tho
 
DAY 07: PHONG THO - SIN HO - LAI CHAU (B, L, D)
Upon leaving Lai Chau we spend a full day travelling through Vietnam’s most beautiful mountainous region. There will be an opportunity to break the journey in Sin Ho to experience the authentic lifestyle of the Hmong, Black Dao, Mang hill tribe people. Overnight at homestay in Lai Chau.
 
DAY 08: LAI CHAU - TAM DUONG - SA PA (B, L, D)
After a two or three hour  walk to visit   the Lao, Lu hill tribe people  we depart for Sapa. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sapa is a former French hill resort and home to some of Vietnam’s most colorful ethnic minority groups. The afternoon is free to explore the town. Overnight in Sapa.
 
DAY 09: SAPA DISCOVERY (B, L, D)
Sapa is a former French hill station situated in the sweeping valleys near the Chinese border. Its high elevation of 1600 meters creates its cool climate which inspired the French to build villas there as a summer retreat. Today, Sapa still attracts visitors for its stunning scenery, comfortable climate, colorful markets, and a variety of ethnic hill tribes who live in nearby villages. Today we have enough time to visit Sa Pa market where the Red Dao, Black Hmong, Tay, Xa Pho ethnic minority people converge from the surrounding the mountainsides and valleys to trade their goods and enjoy a walk to some nearby hill tribe villages. Overnight in Sapa.
 
DAY 10: SAPA - BAT XAT - Y TY -  LAO CAI  (B, L, D)
The morning we travel by road through the breathtaking mountainous region to Bat Xat before we set off on a half day venturing into the Phu La, Dao and Giay ethnic minority people's homeland. Then, we travel by road  following Vietnamese border  to Lao Cai  Town Overnight  in Lao Cai.
 
DAY 11: LAO CAI - MUONG KHUONG - BAC HA (B, L, D)

Drive to visit  Muong Khuong area. The road conditions are very poor in parts , but the stunning scenery and colorful friendly tribal people will make up for our effort to get here. Visit the Flower Hmong, Thu Lao, Yao LanTen, Tu Di (Boyei) hill-tribe people.This is colorful and unique experience you 've ever have. Overnight at local homestay in Bac Ha.
 
DAY 12 : BAC HA - HOANG SU PHI - HA GIANG (B, L, D)
This is a very long day travelling to Ha Giang. The  scenery is spectacular as we drive into one of of the most remote area of North Vietnam where local people still lead the life as it is for many years.  En route we will bumper into the Nung Ing, Tay, Red Dao, Dao Ao Dai, La Chi and Co Lao, just some of  Vietnam's most colorful ethnic minority groups . Overnight Truong Xuan hotel in Ha Giang.
 
DAY 13: HA GIANG - DONG VAN  (B, L, D)
The remoteness and the simple lifestyle of hill tribe people are a hightlight of Meo Vac althrough conditions are very basic. Visit Saphin village, H'mong Kinh Palace.
Visit Sungla village, home to Flower Lolo. Overnight at hotel in Dong Van.
 
DAY 14: DONG VAN - MEO VAC - BAO LAC  (B, L, D)

The scenery of the  north is unequalled. The morning we spend a few hour walk following the beaten track to find the  Lo Lo, Pu Peo ethnic minority people. Then, we shortcut  Yenminh. Visit the weaving village of White H'mong.  Overnight at local homestay in Bao Lac.
 
DAY 15: BAC LAC - BA BE (B, L, D)
An early morning  start to drive through Tuyen Quang to  Ba Be National Park.  The journey takes in Bacme, Baolam, Baolac. Overnight in Ba Be.
 
DAY 16: BA BE LAKES . (B, L, D)

The peaceful lakes of Ba Be  are surrounded by limestone and thick tropical  forests that are home to many species of rare birds and animals.Today, we enjoy a long boat trip on the Ba Be Lakes, which will  give us a great opportunity to relax for a while  and explore Dau Dang Waterfalls as well as  some nearby hill tribe villages.Overnight in Ba Be.
 
DAY 17: BA BE - PHJADEN - CAO BANG (B, L, D)
Our journey continues to Cao Bang Town. The roads  are very bumpy and zigzagging, but the spectacular mountainous landscapes with undulating terrace and hill villages make our hardship all worthwhile. Visit Tatslom , an old colonial house in Phjaden.  Visit Red Dzao village. Overnight in Cao Bang.
 
DAY 18: CAO BANG - LA VALLEE DE SON SON (B, L, D)
The scenic pass of Ma Phuc is visited before  we depart  for Lang Son. This border town was once destroyed by  war. On arrival in Lang Son we spend a couple of hour drive around the town, stopping at the bustling market of Ky Lua and the legendary rock formation named " wife waiting for husband" and the beautiful Ki Kung River, which is Vietnam’s unique river flowing to China. Overnight in Lang Son.
 
DAY 19: BAC SON - PHU LONG  (B, L, D)
We travel by road following the beautiful coast to Catba island. On our journey  there are some stop opportunities to visit the Tay, Nung, San Diu and Hoa hill-tribe people. Overnight at local homestay in Catba.
 
DAY 20: PHULONG - CATBA  - HA LONG - HA NOI (B, L)

Ha Long Bay boasts one of Vietnam's most impressive scenic sights. This morning, we embark on a cruise out to explore the picturesque scenery blending of the sky and some 3,000 islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. A long the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove. After a eafood lunch on board we return to Ha Noi, with stopover at Bat Trang pottery village. Overnight at the Queen hotel and Spa in Ha Noi.
 
DAY 21: HA NOI - DEPARTURE (B)

Following breakfast at hotel. There is a free time to relax and further explore Ha Noi. The tour ends after your transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure. End of our service

Prix includes:
    •    English local speaking guide
    •    All transportation by private car with driver
    •    All accommodation on twin/double share basis with breakfast at local homestay and hotel
    •    Meals as indication (B= breakfast; L= lunch; D=Diner)
    •    Admission fees and permits where applicable

Price excludes:
    •    Airfares & airport taxes
    •    Pre/post trip arrangement
    •    Visa and visa arrangement
    •    Travel insurance
    •    Other personal expenses