The Best Hunting Terraced Rice Fields & Hill Tribes

Itinerary Overview

Embark on a thrilling journey through Mu Cang Chai and Ha Giang, two picturesque destinations that promise enchanting and awe-inspiring scenery for avid photographers. Immerse yourself in the captivating landscapes adorned with terrace fields in villages like La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, Y Ty, and more. Ensure your camera is ready to capture the breathtaking beauty of looming mountains, dramatic passes, and the splendid local homestay experience.

Experience an adventure filled with diverse and unforgettable moments.

Highlights:

• Explore the charm of Duong Lam ancient village in Hanoi city, providing a glimpse into traditional village life right in the heart of the capital.
• Unleash your creativity with non-stop photography, capturing the mesmerizing rice terrace fields in Mu Cang Chai and Than Uyen, where nature and human craftsmanship leave a profound impression.
• Discover Sapa town through trekking to ethnic group villages in Y Ty, enjoying homestay experiences in traditional stilt houses.
• Delve into the beauty of Ha Giang Province, unveiling the unique terrace fields, Dong Van Plateau, and the renowned flower fields that captivate observers from October onwards.

Notes:

This itinerary is designed as a private tour, showcasing the possibilities for travel and exploration with our knowledgeable guide and driver.

We are also flexible to tailor this trip to your specific requirements and budget, including accommodations and inclusions.

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Hanoi – Duong Lam Ancient Village – Nghia Lo. Overnight in Nghia Lo (L/D)

Morning Activities:

Commence your journey at 7:30 am with our guide and driver, heading towards Nghia Lo – the second beautiful valley of rice fields in northern Vietnam. En route, visit Mia Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam boasting over 250 statues. Continue the journey to Duong Lam ancient village, renowned for its historic houses constructed with laterite blocks.

Afternoon & Evening Activities:

Proceed to Nghia Lo via the Trung Ha bridge, stopping along the way to discover the daily life and activities of White Thai minority people. Enjoy lunch en route and seize the opportunity to visit the beautiful Muong Lo Valley with its captivating terrace fields.

Arrive in Nghia Lo late afternoon, check into a stilt house, and have dinner with a local minority family. Overnight at a stilt-house in Nghia Lo.

 

Note: Homestays in remote mountain areas in Vietnam provide basic amenities with shared mattresses and curtains between each mattress. Share the same toilet with other visitors, maintaining cleanliness.

Day 2: Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai – Sapa. Overnight in Sapa (B/L/D)

Morning Activities:

Enjoy breakfast with the family and depart at 7:30 am to leave Nghia Lo for Tu Le, approximately 40 km away. Embark on an easy hike to visit the village of Thai ethnic people at Tu Le, 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 away, witnessing the scenic landscape of terraced rice fields, especially from April to October. Marvel at the lovely seasons, including the rice water and harvest seasons. Pause to admire and capture photos of the rice terraces, especially at the neck of Khau Pha Pass, offering an amazing view over the valley. Motorbike through La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, Shoes shape hill, and Mam Xoi hill. Lunch is provided on the way.

Afternoon Activities:

Proceed to Sapa town (approximately 160 km), passing through fields of lovely tea. In Than Uyen, the road climbs up to the highest pass in Vietnam (2047m) with terrace fields and stunning views. Take a brief stop to experience the freshness and admire Mount Fansipan. Arrive in Sapa town late afternoon, with some free time for personal exploration. Dinner is served at a local restaurant.

Evening Activities:

Explore the beauty of the famous Sa Pa town in the evening. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 3: Sapa Trek to Hang Da – Thao Hong Den Village. Overnight Homestay (B/L/D)

Morning Activities:

Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel. At 8:00 am, start the trek from Sapa town, taking a short road on the main road for about 4 km, with a stopover en route to admire stunning scenery of Fansipan Mountain and Muong Hoa valley. Trek uphill along a large and rocky path for 2 hours to Hang Da village, the home of the Black H’mong, hidden beneath lush trees on the way to Den Thang Mountain. Visit and explore the village, interact with local families, and have lunch in the village.

Afternoon Activities:

Continue trekking on the same trail along the high mountain side for approximately an hour, providing a splendid view of Muong Hoa valley until reaching Thao Hong Den, the village of the Black H’mong people. Visit some families and interact with them. Descend to Pho village in the middle of Hau Thao commune. You’ll be picked up and transferred back to Sapa. Return to the hotel in Sapa around 4:00 pm. Enjoy your own dinner. Overnight in Sapa.

 

Note: The trekking itinerary can be adjusted based on weather conditions, age, and 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 4: Sapa – Y Ty – Sapa. Overnight in Sapa (B/L)

Morning Activities:

Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel. This morning, embark on a trek to Y Ty village. The driver will transfer you for approximately 2 hours to reach Y Ty village, where you’ll start a 3km walk to explore the village of Blue H’Mong people. Enjoy a picnic lunch during the trek.

Afternoon Activities:

Spend more time exploring the beautiful terrace fields in the village, which is less touristy than other villages in Sapa. Trek an additional 4km to visit the Ha Nhi people village, gaining insights into their daily life and unique house architecture. Experience the local culture and then trek back to the main road, where the driver awaits to transfer you back to Sapa town.

 

 

 

Note:

Trekking distance: 7km, Road difficulty: 4/5

Avoid visiting on Sundays as local authorities don’t work on this day, making it challenging to obtain permission for visiting or overnight stays in stilt houses.

Evening Activities:

Enjoy more free time in the evening to immerse yourself in the romantic atmosphere of Sapa town. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 5: Sapa – Bac Ha. Overnight in Bac Ha (B/L/D)

Morning Activities:

Have breakfast at your hotel. Depart at 8:30 am from Sapa town, heading to Lao Cai (~35 km). Make a short stopover at Cau Kieu – the friendship bridge linking Vietnam and China. Continue to Bac Ha, approximately 65 km away, and visit the old H’mong King house to learn more about its traditional style and history. Check in at a local H’mong home (1.5 km from Bac Ha). Enjoy lunch and engage in conversation with friendly host members.

Afternoon & Evening Activities:

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

Note: Homestay offers basic conditions with no private room. Clean mattresses, pillows, and blankets are provided for guests.

 

Day 6: Bac Ha Sunday Market – Ha Giang. Overnight in Ha Giang (B/L/D)

Morning Activities:

Enjoy breakfast at the family. At 8:00 am, commence the visit to Bac Ha Market in the heart of Bac Ha Town. This market, held every Sunday, is the largest minority market in the area. Various colorful minority groups, such as Hmong, Phu La, Back Dzao, Tay, or Nung, gather to sell homemade products or shop for their families. Some of these ethnic minorities are unique to this region. Purchase souvenirs at the market and capture photos of different groups and activities. Leave Bac Ha for Ha Giang Province, passing through Pho Rang for lunch.

Afternoon & Evening Activities:

Continue the journey to Viet Quang town, the entrance to Ha Giang town. Arrive in Ha Giang, have dinner, and overnight at the stilt house. Overnight in Ha Giang

Note: If your travel time does not fall on Sundays, we can be flexible and replace the Bac Ha market with Can Cau market, open on Saturday mornings, or other markets operating from Monday to Sunday (each market opens only one day a week).

Day 7: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Yen Minh – Dong Van. Overnight in Dong Van (B/L/D)

Morning Activities:

Commence the day with breakfast alongside the local family. At 08:00 am, embark on a walk to explore Phuong Thien nursery, infirmary, and village. Depart for Dong Van Plateau via Quan Ba and Yen Minh, visiting Nam Dam village renowned for its homestay village, Quan Ba Heaven gate, Twin Mountain, and the pine forest road in Yen Minh. The remote region of Dong Van boasts rugged mountains and beautiful hill tribe villages that have remained unchanged for centuries. Lunch will be served on the way.

Afternoon & Evening Activities:

Travel northwest out of Ha Giang Town towards the northernmost tip of Vietnam. Nam Phin’s former Hmong royal house is a primary attraction, famous for its appearance in various Vietnam film scenes. The blend of the hill tribe people’s colorful costumes and the majestic mountainous landscapes makes this sometimes bumpy journey an unforgettable experience. Explore the Dong Van Karst Plateau upon arrival in Dong Van, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Dong Van.

Note: Accommodations in Dong Van are standard, similar to guesthouses.

Day 8: Dong Van – Lung Cu – Meo Vac. Overnight in Meo Vac (B/L/D)

Morning Activities:

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. At 08:00 am, visit the market and the old district of Dong Van for a more immersive experience. Continue the excursion to Lung Cu, where the Chinese border is located. Take in the panoramic view from the top of Lung Cu Flag Tower before returning to Dong Van for lunch.

Afternoon & Evening Activities:

Depart Dong Van for Meo Vac (30 km), located in the heart of a mountainous region with a moderate climate. Cross the Ma Phi Leng Mountain at over 2000 meters above sea level to admire the beautiful view over the valley with terraced fields, karst hills, stilt houses, and the minority people of Hmong, Dao, and the Nho Que River. Arrive in Meo Vac, check in at the guesthouse, explore the village environment, and have dinner. Overnight in Meo Vac.

 

 

Day 9: Meo Vac – Lung Phinh Market – Bao Lac. Overnight in Bao Lac (B/L/D)

Morning Activities:

After breakfast, at 08:00 am, travel to the Lung Phinh market (9 km from Meo Vac), the largest and most authentic market in Northeast Vietnam. Be impressed by the market, attracting various minority groups such as Hmong, Dao, Cao Lan, Lo Lo, Tay, and more. Return to Meo Vac for lunch.

Afternoon & Evening Activities:

Transfer to Bao Lac, arrive, and enjoy free time for your own discovery and enjoyment of Bao Lac. Have dinner and overnight in Bao Lac.

Note: This route may be subject to change based on Lung Phinh market days.

 

 

 

 

Day 10: Bao Lac – Hanoi (B/L)

Morning Activities:

Have breakfast at the hotel. Depart from Bao Lac at 08:00 am, heading to the village of Black Lolo via the road (10 km). Embark on a 2 km hike to visit this Lo Lo village. Lunch will be served on the way.

Afternoon Activities:

Continue on the mountain road for the return to Hanoi city. Arrive in Hanoi at approximately 19:00 pm. End our service at the hotel in Hanoi city. We hope you had an enjoyable journey with us and captured the beauty of Northern Vietnam through your photography!

 

 

 

 

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