Landscape Excursion In Northwest Of Vietnam

Day one officially starts when our guide pick you up at your hotel and transfer to Mai Chau. This is a small town nestled in the midst of a lush valley enclosed by the breathtaking green rice paddies. First, enjoy the picturesque views changing on the way before stopping over Thung Khe Pass for a spectacular view over Mai Chau Valley.

Arrive in Mai Chau when lunchtime comes.

After lunch, take this as a great chance to visit the truly exotic Thai traditional stilt house before cycling to the villages of the Thai ethnic minority to learn about their daily lives and culture. This exciting activity is followed by a quick stop at a local village to learn about cloth-weaving technique, a unique traditional handicraft.

Move to the hidden Buoc Village afterwards to check-in at the local lodge before enjoying sunset by the swimming pool. Other than that, choose to cycle or walk around. Get ready for an exotic dinner at the lodge to call it a day!

Take a trip to Son La after breakfast. Pay a visit to the local villages, home of numerous tribes such as the Hmong, Thai, Muong and Yao and the vast greenish Moc Chau tea plantation.

In the afternoon, continue along the winding mountain paths to the enormous Pha Din Pass. This is iconically well-known as a historical site during the Second Indochina War and one of 4 greatest passes up and down the length of Vietnam. This, indeed, is a charming but harsh pass at an elevation of 1.300 meters obtaining a breathtaking look over of the valley down below.

Reach Dien Bien Phu late in the evening and spend rest of the day at your own leisure.

Spend the full third morning to discover Dien Bien Phu, a famous historical battleground where the Vietnamese successfully defeated the French and marked an end to the French colonial occupation lasting for nearly 90 years.

Move on with a short trip around a local market where you meet the charming Thai tribes in their traditional outfits. The following destinations consist of Dien Bien Phu Museum, A1 hill, Dien Bien Phu cemetery, General De Castries’s bunker, Old Muong Thanh Bridge and Nam Rom River to learn about the historic victory of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign during the second infamous Indochina War.

After lunch, head straight to Lai Chau along a bumpy road after passing an array of ethnic villages of Kho Mu (Xa), Huoi Chan, and Bung Giat. Take the scenic roads to get to Phong Tho District, crossing the junctions of the Da-Ma Rivers featuring the Chinese-built Hang Tom Suspension Bridge. From here, the road weaves its way northwards through the picturesque Na River Valley.

End the day with an arrival at Sin Suoi Ho Village, a border village of Hmong people, where your homestay is based.

On the final day, leave Phong Tho for Sapa. The road today is a bit bumpy at some points, but quickly compensated by the magnificent scenery. This is a vivid galley of the yawning valleys, winding rivers, and towering mountains – a photographer’s dream.

The drive to Sapa takes you up O Qui Ho – the highest pass in Vietnam which offers amazing view towards the Fansipan Mount – Indochina Summit. The fourth day of the trip allows you to visit the legendary Heaven Gate and Silver Waterfall – two representative symbols of the mountainous Northwest side of Vietnam.

Arrive in Sapa in the afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day to explore the dreamy town on your own.

The full fifth day of the journey is arranged for a 17-18 km trek which rewards you with an up and down winding journey through several poetic terraced rice fields of the Black Hmong ethnic minority. Today, do not forget to cast an eye over the daily activities of local dwellers.

And then, come across some local schools in Lao Chai Village to see the friendly waving hands of smiley native Hmong and Yao children.
Lunch in Ta Van Village is prepared before trekking to a romantic old hanging bridge crossing over the romantic Muong Hoa River.

After breakfast, spend the early hours in the last morning wandering off this hilly paradise before getting on a long and beautiful drive back to Hanoi.