HIDDEN CHARM OF ETHNIC MINORITIES: DISCOVERING VIETNAM'S CULTURES

Start to descend into the beautiful valley facing the Retreat where you walk around tumbling rice terraces. Then we will walk through small paths shrouded in vegetation to slowly reveal a picturesque Uoi village sitting at the base of a towering mountain.

Continue walk down hill to a local home, where you can take rest then take a cycle to go cycling around Lan village. Cycling through the rice paddies and another village to explore the landscape surround. Ride back to the local home, where the car pick-up point. Back to Puluong retreat for lunch.

Transfer to Mai Hich in the afternoon. Checkin homestay, choose 1 of these activities to explore the rural:

Option 1: Cycling around the village, 12km village road (2h)

Option 2: Walking 3km to visit the village to learn deeply about Thai ethnic culture (2h)

Have a cozy dinner with local family and overnight at Mai Hich homestay.

After breakfast, depart for Nghia Lo. On the way visit Dai Yem waterfall and Moc Chau heart-shaped green tea hill.

You will be passing through the tribal lands of the Thai, Hmong and Dao before arriving Nghia Lo in late afternoon. Welcome by your local host, enjoy dinner and overnight at homestay in Nghia Lo.

Bid farewell to your local host and start driving into one the most beautiful region of Northwest Vietnam where you can admire the terraced landscape and mountainous life of local ethnic minority.

Through the Hoang Lien Son mountain range where has the highest mountain of Indochina. Stop at the valley of Tu Le to begin a short trek. You will cross rice terraces and suspension bridges to reach villages of the Thai and Mong. In traditional clothes, they will welcome you with enthusiasm. Have lunch at Tu Le.

Reaching to Mu Cang Chai, you will pass through Khau Pha pass which is often covered by cloud at the elevation of 1,200 meters above sea level. The road is rugged, winding, squeezing through the rolling mountains or pristine jungle, and especially the picturesque terraced fields of Che Cu Nha, La Pan Tan and De Xu Phinh embraced by three mountains Khau Pha, Khau Sung and Khau Than.

Spend around 4 hours trek and hike along a trail which connect villages to villages, meeting different tribal people such as White Thai, Black Zao, Red H’mong… The journey is absolutely a paradise of rice terraces.

Transfer to local host and spend the night at Mu Cang Chai

Immerse yourself into the most beautiful landscapes of La Pan Tan commune as well as traditional life of Hmong people. Trekking to Mam Xoi viewpoint, this place is likened to the fingerprints of heaven, Mu Cang Chai terraced fields are a creative artistic work from the skillful hands of the Mong people living on this land. Enjoy lunch on the way to Sapa.

Upon arrival, walking through village of Ma Tra - Suoi Ho in the afternoon, enjoy breathtaking view from the valley which carved by the Hoa stream, decked with a patchwork of rice terraces, and studded with fascinating minority villages.

Dinner with Sapa special dishes known as “sturgeon hotpot”. Overnight in Sapa.

Morning hike through Y Linh Ho then trek through the rice terraces and along Muong Hoa Stream to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai to see the spectacular landscape of Hoang Lien Son Mountain, head to Ta Van Village, home of the Giay ethnic people. On the way you will learn more about how is the rice cultivating, from when the seed sowed to harvested, until being served as cooked rice.

Depart to Bac Ha in the afternoon.

Overnight in Bac Ha.

[Sunday] Explore Bac Ha Market, which takes place every Sunday, is one of the biggest and busiest markets in the region.

Note: Bac Ha market only operate on Sunday. You can visit other weekly market (except Mon and Fri) depend on your day of visit.

• Tuesday - Coc Ly Market is a place to meet friends, exchange, and buy and sell goods of the Mong Hoa, Black Dao and Nung people.

• Wednesday – Sin Cheng Market. The market is a gathering place for many ethnic groups: Mong, Nung, Tay, Thu Lao... to interact, exchange and trade.

• Thursday - Lung Khau Nhin Market with mainly agricultural products such as corn, rice, soybeans, peanuts, vegetables, fruits... and brocade.

• Saturday – buffalo market which is held every Saturday morning. The Bac Ha Buffalo Market is a segment of the larger Bac Ha Sunday Market, one of the most vibrant and culturally significant gatherings in Northern Vietnam. It serves as a vital trading hub for the ethnic minority communities, particularly the Flower H'mong.

Begin your scenic trek to Ban Pho village, dramatically perched on the steep cliffs near Bac Ha town. Home to the Black H’mong and Flower H’mong communities, this tranquil village offers an authentic glimpse into highland life, traditional handicrafts, and unique local heritage.

Head back to Hanoi in the late afternoon. End of services.