Vietnam Ethnic Corlor

 

This 13-day tour through Vietnam’s northern mountains brings you to an array of colourful ethnic minority communities. Stay in local villages and visit lively tribal markets, while travelling through dramatic mountains and forest landscapes. With a two full days in Hanoi, this tour offers a wealth of excellent insight into the contrasting lifestyles of Vietnam’s minorities and city dwellers.
 

HANOI

Day 01: Visit Hanoi’s Temple of Literature, Ethnology Museum or Vietnamese Women’s Museum, Dong Xuan Market, and stroll the bustling Old Quarter. welcome dinner in restored French villa.
 

HA GIANG

Day 02: Leave early for 320km drive north to Ha Giang Province, stopping to view Mac Dynasty Citadel remains, overnight in ethnic Dao house in Nam Dan Village in Quab Ba.

Day 03: Explore Nam Dan Village, walk to viewpoint over karst formations of Dong Van Geopark, visit ‘karst twin towers’ and Nam Dan Lake.

Day 04: Join locals at markets in Tam Son, Yen Minh and Dong Van, gathering points for local ethnic minorities, visit Vuong Palace, overnight in Dong Van.

Day 05: Drive north to Lung Cu, visiting the flag tower at Vietnam’s northernmost point, visit Lolo village before cross scenic Ma Pi Leng Pass with views of Nho Que River, overnight in Meo Vac.

Day 06: Visit Meo Vac Market, continue on scenic route to Lung Phin and visit ethnic minority home, overnight in Ha Giang with time to explore the town.
 

BAC HA / SAPA

Day 07: Drive through dramatic mountain scenery, stop for lunch in Bac Ha, then continue to Muong Khuong, overnight at Confu hotel.

Day 08: Drive to visit Lung Khau Nhin Market and nearby minority villages, then drive on through Lao Cai to reach in Sapa, check in to your hotel and free time to explore town.

Day 09: From Sapa drive to Ta Phin Village, home to Red Dao and Black Hmong, explore Ta Phin Valley and stay overnight in Ta Phin with a Red Dao family.

Day 10: Drive to visit the colourful Can Cau Market, dominated by Flower Hmong, return to Bac Ha for lunch, walk to visit vegetable gardens and fruit orchards of nearby Ban Pho Village and try out the local corn wine, overnight in Bac Ha.

Day 11: Join the locals flocking to Bac Ha’s market and explore this maze of colour, lunch in Bac Ha, after a short drive, walk to visit Tay village of Trung Do, take a boat on Chay River to meet your car downriver for transfer to Lao Cai, where you’ll have a room to freshen up before boarding the sleeper train for Hanoi.
 

DEPARTURE

Day 12: Arriving early in Hanoi, you’ll be transferred to your hotel and have the day free to further explore the capital city, overnight in Hanoi.

Day 13: Free time until transfer to airport to catch your departure flight.

* ‘Single room occupancy’ refers to the accommodation element of the programme only, and applies to someone who is travelling with others but requires an additional room for him or herself. Single traveller prices are available on request.
 

Inclusions in brief:

  • Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room.
  • Meals as mentioned above
  • Experienced English-speaking guides
  • Private chauffeur-driven air conditioned cars as appropriate
  • Domestic rail ticket
     

Exclusions in brief

  • Visas and insurance
  • Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses
     

HOTEL LIST:

  • Hanoi: Silk Path hotel (**** conveniently located in Hanoi's 'Old Quarter', about a ten-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake - Silk Deluxe room)
  • Quan Ba: homestay in Nam Dam (private room without ensuite toilet in Nam Dam village, community-based tourism site, local standard)
  • Dong Van: Hoa Cuong hotel*** (local standard, ensuite toilet room)
  • Meo Vac: Hoa Cuong hotel (the best available in town, local standard, ensuite toilet room)
  • Ha Giang: Phoenix Hotel (*** local standard, in the town centre – VIP room)
  • Bac Ha: Congfu Hotel [Basic accommodation] (small hotel in the centre of Bac Ha town - Standard room)
  • Sapa: Chau Long Hotel [New Wing] (****standing on terraces on the side of the mountain, the stone and wooden construction of the hotel blends perfectly with the surrounding valley features of terraces rice paddies and blazing green fields and overlooking Vietnam’s highest peak – Mount Fan Si Pan (3,143meter) – Deluxe room)

Please note that Vietnam hotels do not recognise provisional reservations, so specific hotels cannot be guaranteed until you have booked your chosen tour. As many of the better hotels are often full during the October to April peak season, early booking is advisable.

 

Please feel free to contact us at anytime. We're always at your service. We're always available here to talk through WhatsApp: + 84 912 555 208 (24/7).   Do not travel until check out: www.blueswimmersailing.com

Local Contact:
Blue Swimmer Outdoors
237 Cai Beo Str; Cat Ba Island; Vietnam

Hotline: + 84 915 063 737
Gmail: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.blueswimmersailing.com

 

Tripadvisor reviews

"Amazing Experience"

Two days kayaking in Lan Ha bay. Spectacular. Kevin offered all the info and advice needed to plan the trip and make accommodations. They offer so many more options than what is listed on the website…kayak, bike, camp, bungalows; day trips or multi-day adventures. The equipment is decent. Kayaks are efficient and in good condition, but with finicky rudders and no spray skirt (although you might sweat to death with a closed deck, so I didn’t mind too much). Chinh is a fantastic guide who has spent a lifetime working the nooks and crannies of Lan Ha. The base camp bungalows are situated on a private island in the bay. Basic but quite comfortable and extremely quiet and private. This is not Outward Bound, Linbad, or Sobek…it’s VN. Don’t expect EPIRBS and extensive first aid kits or doting, fluent English speaking guides. DO expect guides with loads of local knowledge and a safety network of every family and fishing vessel in the area; a comfortable pace; a few mildly challenging open water crossings; wonderful fresh food. Bring an extra SD card, extra battery, and something waterproof for your camera. I came back with 1200 images from three days and I’m not usually that snap happy.

Dave D D (Bozeman, Montana)
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