Viet Nam is a real ethnic mosaic composed of almost sixty different ethnic minority groups. The western area is the haven of many groups who recently immigrated from South of China. Fiercely attached to their liberty and faithful to their ancestral life style, they live together peacefully in a serene and laborious atmosphere.  

    Through magnificent mountainous paths we will discover these   hill tribes - the H'mongs living in the high mountains, the Dzaos expert hunters, the Lu women ornamented with silver jewels and lacquered teeth and the elegant Thai women from the valley.

Day 01 Ha Noi – Mai Chau (L, D)

In the morning our tour guide picks you up at the hotel in Hanoi and drives you west, towards Hoa Binh province. This scenic area is home to many hill tribes, including the Dzao, Muong and Thai. We visit some of their traditional villages on the way to Mai Chau. We pass magnificent look-out points offering panoramic views over the valley. In the afternoon we arrive in Pom Koong, a village of the ‘White Thai’, who predominantly inhabit the area. In the evening you can enjoy a traditional dance and a drink called Ruou Can, the local rice wine. We have dinner and spend the night in the houses of the local people. Mattresses, blankets and mosquito nets are taken care of.

Day 02 Mai Chau - Son La (B, L, D)

The chickens and roasters in the village will wake you up in the early morning. After breakfast, prepared by our guest family, we walk around town to experience the true essence of daily life in the tribe. We continue our trip by car towards Son La. On the way you will see many more traditional settlements on the slopes of different hillsides. A stop is scheduled at the tea plantation of Moc Chau, to sip tea with members of the H'Mong tribe. On arrival in Son La we visit the old Son La Prison, where the French used to imprison Vietnamese revolutionaries in the latter part of the colonial era. We spend the night in a hotel.

Day 03 Son La – Dien Bien Phu (B, L)

Today we travel to Dien Bien Phu, crossing over the Phan Din Pass, known as the highest and longest pass in Vivanget Nam with an altitude of 1,500m. At the middle of the pass, we visit a multi-ethnic primary school and a village of White H’mong hill tribe where children in colorful traditional clothing welcome us with warm smiles. We continue to Dien Bien Phu, the site of decisive battle in Viet Nam’s struggle for independence from the French in 1954. On arrival we visit famous sites of Indochina War, the Ellianne Hill and the War museum which details the events that took place. On display are relics from the battle including old French tanks and artillery pieces. Of special interest is the reconstruction of the bunker where the French commander, Colonel de Castries, surrendered to Viet Minh forces. We spend the night in Dien Bien Phu, which has developed into a fast-growing frontier town. The Lao border is not very far away from here. 

Day 04 Son La - Tam Duong (B, L)

The picturesque road from Lai Chau to Tam Duong goes along the Chinese border and the Nam Na River. We visit some Black Thai villages, famous for their wooden houses on stilts. On the way we cross a beautiful footbridge leading us to a Kh'Mu village, an important hill tribe similar to the Laotians in terms of language and tradition. Arrival in Tam Duong where we spend the night in a guest house.

Day 05 : Tam Duong trekking (B, L)

Tam Duong is a frontier town, situated in a beautiful valley between limestone formations. This mountainous region is home to many tribes, including H'Mong, Man Tien, Lu and Cu Chu. A full day of trekking allows you to learn how self-sufficient life is in this area. We make a picnic stop and visit one of the tea plantations. Overnight in Tam Duong guest house.

Day 06 : Tam Duong - Sa Pa (B, L, D)

This morning a visit to the Tam Duong multi-ethnic market is planned, an ideal opportunity to meet the locals. Hill tribes from every part of the region come here to exchange their agricultural and handicraft goods. After this cross-cultural experience we leave for Sapa. We make a stop on the way to visit the Lu tribe village of ‘Ban Hon’. The people here have a bizarre custom, they dye their teeth black! Having black teeth here is considered as a symbol of beauty. During a hike we will again be exposed to local life and the daily activities. We cross magnificent bridges, cornfields and terraced rice fields on the way to Sapa. In the late afternoon we arrive in Ta Van, a village of the Dzay tribe, where we spend the night in a traditional house of a local family.

Day 07 : Ta Van - Bac Ha (B, L)

We continue our walk to the village of Giang Ta Chai. Upon arrival the driver transfers you to Bac Ha. During the ride we pass the Chinese border (Lao Cai) where you can get a glimpse of the Chinese town Hekou, just on the other side of the Red River. Bac Ha is situated in the highlands and is mostly populated by the beautifully dressed ‘Flower H'Mong’ tribe. We spend the night in a hotel in Bac Ha.

Day 08 : Bac Ha trekking   (B, L)

A full day of trekking is planned in this breathtaking area. Overnight in a hotel in Bac Ha.

Day 09 (Sunday): Bac Ha - Thac Ba lake (B, L, D)

Today we visit the lively Sunday market of Bac Ha, one of the most colourful markets in Asia! Again a wonderful opportunity to meet the locals. The Flower H’Mong predominantly inhabit the area. The Sunday market is a social gathering for all groups living in the high remote villages, here they meet, drink alcohol and trade goods. We continue our trip to Thac Ba Lake. The night is spend in a beautifully constructed stilt house down by the lakeside.
Day 10 : Thac Ba Lake - Ha Noi (B)

Thac Ba is the biggest man-made lake in Vietnam and captivates travellers with its incredible authentic beauty and more than 300 islands under lush vegetation. We participate in a boat trip and visit some Dzao and Tay villages. After lunch in a local restaurant our ‘expedition North West’ comes to an end. In the afternoon we arrive back in Hanoi.