FAE – 01NOR
The Roof of Vietnam: Ha Giang and The Far North - 5 Days / 4 Nights
Tour Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Tour Operates: Year Round / On Demand
Hanoi - Ha Giang - Meo Vac - Dong Van - Lung Cu - Tam Son (Yen Minh)
Traveling through some of the north's most dramatic scenery, our Roof of Vietnam: Ha Giang and the Far North tour
package is a fantastic journey into this mountainous region. Encounter fascinating hilltribes, be captivated by the
pristine landscapes and gain an understand of the intense relationship between these people and this land. If you are
ready to discover an incredible corner of Asia, bring your camera and your sense of adventure and join us on this
Vietnam tour.
Climb into the mountains on the first day of your Vietnam tour, leaving the Red River Delta area of Hanoi for the town
of Ha Giang. You'll spend two days making your way to the Chinese border town of Meo Vac. Villages of the Tay,
H'mong and Tay people dot the road and there will be plenty of time to stop enjoy the scenic views and wander
through the hilltribe hamlets.
Your Vietnam tour journey continues with a short drive along the Chinese border to Dong Van, the country's
northernmost point. Have your camera read as you climb what is known as 'Heaven's Pass' and meet with more
curious locals near the border.
It is here in Dong Van area, amid the towering hills, that you will discover one of the most diverse stretches of the
north. In one day you'll rub shoulders with vendors from several area hilltribes as they trade their wares at the market,
step back in time at the palace of a former H'mong king and see traces of Chinese influence in Pho Bang where the
local houses reflect old Chinese style. A truly memorable part of your Vietnam tour.
On day 5, the final day of your Vietnam tour, drive through the Tam Son Valley where you will take a short trek to a
H'mong village. Passing back through Ha Giang at midday the road then begins to flatten out as you approach Hanoi
and the buzz of the city.
Scenic beauty coupled with diverse cultures, our Roof of Vietnam tour is a sensational journey into one of the
country's most remote regions.
Day 1 - Hanoi - Thai Nguyen - Ba Be (L)
Depart your hotel this morning at 0730 for a 02 hour drive to Thai Nguyen. En route visit the Thai Nguyen Museum of
Ethnology to learn about the tribal people in the mountainous region of northern Vietnam.
Continue 105 km drive to Na Phac and Cho Ra enjoying picturesque landscapes along the road. Stop for a late lunch
in Cho Ra Town.
After lunch head to Ba Be and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Ba Be National Park and lake on a local boat
cruise.
At the end of the day, transfer to the village of the Tay in Pac Ngoi.
Homestay overnight in Pac Ngoi Village.
Distance & timing: Road transfer 217 km, approx.5 hours/ Stop and sightseeing 1hour/ Boat trip 3 hours
Day 2 - Hanoi - Thai Nguyen - Ba Be (B,L)
After breakfast drive 79km to Tinh Tuc. On arrival, enjoy the stunning scenery of Colia Pass and take a short walk to
visit a village of the Zao Tien before having a coffee break. Head to Bao Lac for an hour walk around the village of
San Chay ethnic people. Lunch break in Bao Lac.
After lunch continue to drive along Gam River for 21km to Ly Bon traveling up steep mountains discovering the
remotest land of Cao Bang to Meo Vac town let of Ha Giang province. Take an hour walking through the fascinating
valley of Niem Son and discover the cultural life of Nung ethnic people.
Overnight in Meo Vac.
Distance & timing: Road transfer 233 km. approx.6 hours/ Walking and sightseeing 3 –4 hours
Day 3 - Meo Vac - Dong Van - Yen Minh (B,L)
If on Sunday, spend 2 hours in the morning to attend the week-end market of local tribal people in this town let.
H’mong, Zao and some Lo Lo peoples in their best traditional costumes go to the market not only for shopping but
also for socializing.
If on the date of the Tiger and Monkey, leave Meo Vac at 07.30 for 17km drive to Lung Phin to attend the most
crowded and famous market in the region.
Back to Meo Vac and drive over the Ma Pi Leng Pass to enjoy its magnificent and spectacular scenery en route. Visit
Ma Pi Leng II village of the Hmong people set amongst limestone rocks where the highest value of fresh water and
cultivating land can be seen evidently.
Arrive in Dong Van and enjoy an hour walking through this stunning valley, explore the market and the ancient street
of Dong Van before lunch.
After lunch, follow the narrow road through Ma Le and Lung Tao communes offers marvelous scenery of the Rocky
Plateau. Visit a small village of the Hmong at Lung Tao before heading to Xa Phin valley.
Spend an hour visiting the historical site of the Vuong family palace who ruled over the region, control opium
production and trading until 1945.
Then continue an hour drive through a series of magnificent valleys surrounded by wall-up mountain, enjoy another
walk to visit the Lung Cam Tren village where the Hmong changed their way of life from sifting into sedentary one from
about 100 years ago which help them to have better life than many others. There is possibility to meet the famous
village chief who play the KHEN and dance beautifully.
Leave Lung Can and transfer mostly downhill the Pho Cao pass for Yen Minh lush valley.
Overnight in Yen Minh.
Distance & timing: Road transfer 85 km or 119km if visit Lung Phin Market/ Walking and sightseeing 3 to 4 hours
Day 4 - Yen Minh - Quan Ba - Ha Giang - Hoang Su Phi (B,L,D)
After breakfast depart for Lung Tam while enjoying the breathtaking landscapes of Yen Minh Pass. Arrive at Lung
Tam commune which is set amongst perfect surrounding nature before visiting the workshop of Ms. Mai who gathered
over 100 Hmong and Zao women in difficulties and helped them to learn traditional weaving and embroidery for better
living.
Continue the drive over stunning Quan Ba Pass which offers the fascinating scenery en route visit another village of
the Hmong people. Arrive in Ha Giang at noon and stop for lunch break.
Enjoy an hour walk to explore the Me village which situated around a large valley near Ha Giang before transferring
105km to Quang Vinh town let of Hoang Su Phi district. Contrasting to the rocky land of Meo Vac, Dong Van and Yen
Minh, Hoang Su Phi district and its neighboring Xin Man district have very different scenery. Lying on the top of the
Chay River Massif, these two districts are covered by lush and green forest, tea farms and possess the most
impressive terraced rice fields in Vietnam. The road winds its way on high mountain sides and offers beautiful
landscapes.
Arrive at your hotel in late afternoon, check in hotel and enjoy dinner.
Overnight at Pan Hou Lodge in Hoang Su Phi.
Distance & timing: Road transfer 207km, approx.5 hours/ Walking and sightseeing 4 hours
Day 5 - Hoang Su Phi - Xin Man - Bac Ha - Lao Cai - Night train to Hanoi (B,L)
If on Sunday, spend 2 hours joining local market of Flower Hmong, Red Zao, Nung and Tay people which is famous
for its cattle exchanging on the large ground on the bank of the Chay River.
Leave Hoang Su Phi for 100km excursion along Chinese border through the Chay River Massif and explore local life
for the Flower Hmong, Tay and Nung. Spend 02 hours walking through Lung Cai commune which is beautifully set on
a high mountain range, overlooking down a narrow and steep valley where the Chay River winding its way between
Vietnam and China. Arriving to Bac Ha Town let at noon, paying visit to Hoang A Tuong Castle before having a lunch
break.
After lunch explore the mighty Ban Pho valley before driving another 2 hours downhill to Lao Cai. Day used hotel room
is available near the rail way station for you to refresh before boarding the overnight train back to Hanoi.
Overnight on the train in a soft sleeper compartment.
Distance & timing: Road transfer 175 km, approx.5 hours/ Walk, sightseeing 4 hours
PRICE: Rates vary frequently. Please CONTACT US to get the best possible price based upon your travel period and specific
touring needs.