DESCRIPTION

The Northwest of Vietnam is still relatively untouched by the outside world. With possibly some of the most beautiful scenery in Vietnam, those who visit see this region will be greatly rewarded. Rich in history, visit such places as the former French hill station of Sapa and Dien Bien Phu with its famous battlefields.

Travel along roads snaking through high passes, journey through fertile valleys, see incredible rice terraces and visit colourful ethnic-minority markets.




ITINERARY

Day 1: HANOI - MAICHAU
07.00 departure. Join highway 6 and start the journey. The road to Hoa Binh City is pretty flat and fast. Along the way, notice the different styles in cultural relics, the churches, pagodas and villages.
Driving pass Hoa Binh Hydro Electric City Plant – The biggest one in Southeast Asia. Stop at the village of Muong People along the way.
Another stop at Thubng Khe where you could see the spectacular panoramic view of MaiChau Valley.
We have home stay tonight. Have lunch in the village and spend an afternoon walking to village nearby see the living of Thai People in this area.

Overnight in MaiChau

Day 2: MAICHAU- SONLA
After breakfast in the morning we leave MaiChau for SonLa. The road will slowly start to climb, offering impressive views.
Continue onwards towards Moc Chau. The nation’s tea capital, sample a cup of the countries finest and freshest produce.
Arrive in Son La in the afternoon. Check in Hotel and visit Son La Jail and hot spring in this town.
Overnight in Cong Doan hotel in Son La.

Day 3: SON LA – DIEN BIEN PHU
08.00 departure. Start on the journey to Dien Bien Phu. After a windy and snaking pass, the road forks and an hour later you arrive in the Dien Bien Phu Valley.
On arrival enjoy a trip to the Army museum and then on to famous ‘A1 Hill’, the site which saw some of the fiercest fighting between French and Vietnamese forces.
Overnight in your hotel in Dien Bien Phu.

Day 4: DIEN BIEN PHU - LAI CHAU
08.00 departure. Boasting some of the remotest communities in Vietnam and skirting neighbouring Lao’s Xa Ly Province, Lai Chau is an interesting area and home to some of the countries rarest minority groups.
The drive to Lai Chau is spectacular, passing picturesque White Tai minority villages. Visit some of these hamlets and see how over time their life has changed little.
Overnight in hotel in Lai Chau.

Day 5 : LAI CHAU – SAPA In the morning visit the local market and have a glimpse of the H’Mong, Black Thai and Tay people of the area.
0800 departure. The road from Lai Chau to Sapa is fairly long and bumpy, the scenery however is magnificent, the fertile valleys surrounded by huge mountains are a photographer’s dream and the pristine rivers that run through the valleys are a refreshing sight.
Arrival in Sapa around 16.00. Free time to relax.
Overnight in your hotel in Sapa.

Day 6: SAPA
In the morning enjoy a visit to the market that has made Sapa so famous, see the local hill-tribes of the region and their coulorful traditional dress.
At 10:00 depart for a light trek into the Sapa Valley for a ‘Off the beaten track’ day trip. Journey by foot, horse or bicycle into the Sapa area. The choice is yours to what level your trek should be. Enjoy a Vietnamese lunch cooked by your guide in a traditional house. Try to catch a glimpse of the age-old technique of weaving hemp, the scene makes great photo opportunities!
Overnight in your hotel in Sapa.

Day 7: SAPA - HANOI*
A special thing to do in this trip is attending the Fair Market. This Market is hold only one time every week and it is great opportunity to get better understanding about the culture of some tribes over here.
- BACHA market on Sunday
- COCLY Market on Tuesday
- CANCAU market on Saturday.

So we will see the date and schedule for this trip.
If we leave Sapa early in the morning and attend this market we could get back to Hanoi in the evening. Enjoy the views and see how quickly the mountains level out into the flat plains of the Red River Delta.
(*) For a supplement the overnight sleeper train can be taken from Lao Cai Town to Hanoi.


COST (Cost per person based on double occupancy)

Number of Pax	2p	3	4	5	6 - 9p	10 - 14p	Single plus
Cost (USD)	330	280	250	230	220	200	82

BenThanh Tourist