Tribal Heartlands of Vietnam & China

Xin Chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam. Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

The capital of Vietnam is a charming city with a population of over six million. Hanoi is famous for its beautiful lakes, shaded boulevards, verdant public parks, and thriving Old Quarter, which is an architectural museum piece with blocks of ochre buildings retaining the air of a 1930s French provincial town. As Vietnam develops to compete with other Southeast Asian countries, the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake reflects the contrasts of modern office buildings, old Buddhist temples and the tangle of ancient streets on its still surface.

Enjoy dinner at Cau Go Restaurant this evening, a restaurant hidden on the 5th floor of a small building overlooking Hanoi’s famed Hoan Kiem Lake. The restaurant is more than just a great view, however. The décor, like Hanoi itself, is a mix of Old meets New in its chic lines and modern furnishings juxtaposed against antique fans, distressed French shutters and vintage staff uniforms. The chef takes a contemporary approach to traditional Vietnamese cuisine, beautifully presented in every dish of the country’s specialities. Here you will meet your tour leader and the rest of your group, and there will be a briefing introduction to the adventure that lies ahead!

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

2 nights at the Hanoi Pearl Hotel or similar

Services

Airport transfer

Sightseeing: Beautiful lakes, shaded boulevards, verdant public parks.

historic charm, modern office buildings, ancient Buddhist temples, and old streets.

Approximate Travel Time and Distance

Hanoi Airport to Hanoi Pearl Hotel: 30 km | 40-60 minutes

Heart of Hanoi

Today you will explore the city of Hanoi, with its ochre-coloured colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes. Stop at the old coffee shop in the Old Quarter to learn about the daily life of Hanoian. Then visit the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument of marble and granite built to house the preserved body of beloved revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, affectionately known to the Vietnamese as “Uncle Ho”. Tour the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built in 1049 of wood in the shape of a lotus blossom and set on a single stone pillar, considered by many to be one of Vietnam’s most iconic pagodas. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s House nearby, a simple wooden house in a tranquil setting where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. Some of his belongings are on display and visitors can walk up the steps to see his bedroom. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university built in the late 11th century. The picturesque temple is an example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote.

Water Puppetry

Water puppetry is a unique art that originated in Vietnam’s wet rice civilisation. Drive 30 minutes from your hotel to a local house situated in a small alley of Hanoi to meet with a water puppet artisan. Born into a family with a tradition of performing water puppetry in Nam Dinh province, Mr. Liem Phan acquired a passion for this folk art in his childhood. He inherited the talent and tradition from his father and he has a profound passion for playing with puppets, making puppets by creating a mini stage for water puppetry and bringing his solo performances to several countries outside Vietnam. Sit down for a cup of tea and learn his stories about how the water puppet originated, and his memorable experience travelling to different corners of the world to bring Vietnamese culture and folklore to international friends. Witness a 30-minute show seeing lion dances, buffalo fighting, rice farming, boat racing, etc. at his private mini water puppet stage on the top floor of his house. After the show, get yourself into the artisan’s role to handle puppets in the water or join with Mr. Liem Phan to make and paint the puppets.

Relax and Unwind at Omamori Spa

Following the water puppet show, you will be transferred to the Omamori Spa for a relaxing massage. Omamori Spa is a social enterprise, that provides a safe and dignified work environment for blind people. The specially trained Masseuses here are vision impaired and provide quite an experience with a level of gentleness and body awareness that differs from traditional practitioners.

Hanoi’s Street Food

Eating on the street is a very typical activity for Hanoians and makes up an important part of the city’s unique culture. Depart from your hotel at 18:00 for a leisurely walk with your tour guide to the Old Quarter. Chit-chat with your guide to get an insight into street food in Hanoi & the typical culinary habits. Make a first stop at a local coffee shop to try the local brew. Then walk a little further to taste some typical Hanoi snacks such as Pillow cake, and fried sweet cakes. Next, stroll through the streets lined with many food vendors and make your way to a steaming bowl of Pho Ga (Vietnamese noodle soup with chicken). This is practically Vietnam’s national dish and is a dish enjoyed morning noon and night. Next move on to try Vietnam’s 2nd most popular food – the Banh Mi Pate or baguette sandwich with pate

at Banh My Lan Ong, one of the most famous shops in Hanoi. Later head to Dong Xuan night market which is well known for all types of goods including souvenirs. Try your hand at bargaining for a good deal before heading off to Beer Corner in the old corner to try a cold glass of Bia Hoi (fresh draft beer) like a local.

Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation

The Hanoi Pearl Hotel or similar

 Services

Private vehicle with English-speaking guide

Approximate Travel Time and Distance

Total Distance: 14.3 km

This morning after breakfast you will leave the hectic pace of Hanoi and journey to the fresh mountain air of the Mai Chau valley (approx. 3hrs). There are great photo opportunities along the way and you will have time to stop at a lookout for a great view of Mai Chau. If time permits, you may also have the opportunity to help local farmers plant rice seeds in their fields.

Mai Chau is home to a variety of minority groups with their own unique culture and languages. Enjoy a traditional lunch with examples of local cuisine in the village of Pom Coong, where your local guide will introduce you to your hosts and provide information on the region’s people, lifestyles, customs and culture. This is a great opportunity to experience the local area, chat with your hosts and gain a real insight into life in this fascinating and picturesque region.

After lunch, there will be some time to relax before saddling up for a cycle trip to explore nearby villages. This picturesque ride takes you on small footpaths and through rice paddies surrounded by the spectacular mountains of the valley, you will also have many opportunities to interact with the locals as you cycle your way through the villages.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation

Overnight Mai Chau Ecolodge Hotel or similar 

Services

Private vehicle with English-speaking guide

Approximate Travel Time and Distance

(140km) 3.5hrs

Moc Chau

Today starts with an early morning departure for Moc Chau. En route, you will have the opportunity to visit a village of local H’mong people and witness the unique peach gardens and spectacular roads that twist around the mountains. Enjoy lunch in Moc Chau town, before continuing to Son La City.

Son La City

Upon arrival in Son La, visit the French colonial Son La Prison. Its inhabitants once included revolutionary soldiers and political prisoners, yet this notorious jail known as ‘hell on earth’ became somewhat of an institution of stamina and solidarity for the Vietnamese prisoners.

Mong Village

From Son La, you will visit Mong village, where you will immediately notice the spectacular scenery of mountains and rivers. The village is also surrounded by ancient forests and colourful orchid flowers. Each spring, apricot flowers, plum flowers and ban flowers show off their splendour, and during winter Vong Gai flowers bloom, filling the forest with a burst of bright red colour.

Hot Springs Experience

Whilst in the area, feel the breeze in the air while immersing yourself in the local hot springs whilst overlooking the red stilt houses and Vong Gai flowers, a most relaxing way to ‘soak in’ the wonderful surroundings!

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation

Overnight Muong Thanh Luxury Son La Hotel or similar

Services

Private vehicle with English-speaking guide

Approximate Travel Time and Distance

Moc Chau to Son La City: 120 km | 2 hours

Following breakfast, you will depart for Dien Bien Phu. The drive itself showcases the stunning scenery of northwest Vietnam, passing the lush, expansive terraced fields of corn, beans and bananas, as well as the many colourful roadside ‘shops’ as the locals sell their wares. You will have opportunities along the way to stop for photos, stretch your legs, and visit local villages, where you can learn more about their unique cultures. You will then continue the drive through the impressive Pha Din Pass at the height of 1,500m, it offers a fantastic panorama of the charming valley encompassed by the year-round cloud, as well as passing roads of colourful wildflowers.

You will arrive at Dien Bien in the late afternoon where you will have free time to relax or you may wish to do some exploring around the city.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation

Overnight Muong Thanh Holiday Dien Bien Phu Hotel or similar 

Services

Private vehicle with English-speaking guide

Approximate Travel Time and Distance

153km | 3.5-4hrs

Today after breakfast you will continue your scenic journey north to Lai Chau. Arriving in the afternoon, you will have some free time to explore the back roads providing a great way to explore the real Vietnam, where you will likely see mostly rural dwellers, who are just as interested in finding out about you, as you are of them, and very few other travellers.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation

Overnight Muong Thanh Lai Chau Hotel or similar 

Services

Private vehicle with English-speaking guide 

Approximate Travel Time and Distance

Bien Phu Hotel to Lai Chau: 200 km | 6 hours

Scenic Drive via Tram Ton Pass

Leaving the wild of Lai Chau, you will make your way toward Sapa, driving through picturesque scenery and villages, and traversing Tram Ton Pass. At 1,900m, it is the highest pass in Vietnam and is often referred to as ‘Heaven’s Gate’, with its picturesque landscapes and sheer magnificence resembling a gate to the Heavens. You will have the opportunity to take a break here to admire the incredible views.

Tac Tinh Waterfall

Opt to stop en route to visit Tac Tinh Waterfall starting at the height of 130 meters from the Hoang Lien Son Range and ends with a 100-square-meter lake. Climb up for about 15 minutes to have the best view of the waterfall.

Trek to Hill Tribe Villages

In the afternoon, you will head off on a guided moderate trek (approx. 2-3hrs) to the hill tribe villages of Ta Van & Giang Ta Chai. Sapa’s terraced rice fields are often considered as some of the most magnificent in the world. Depart Sapa for the breathtaking Muong Hoa Valley, home to the largest terraced rice fields in the area. If your visit is between May and October, it will coincide with the local planting and harvest time, a chance to see the local farmers in action. Hike to the Ta Van Village to visit the Zay, an ethnic group known for their brightly coloured clothing. Observe their way of life and the local traditions before continuing your trek featuring magnificent views of the terraced fields and impressive Mount Fansipan. Visit the Red Dzao village of Giang Ta Chai and notice the square piece of fabric on the back of the shirts worn by both men and women symbolising that they are children of God. The Dzao women also wear red turbans adorned with silver coins and red tassels. Return to Sapa by car.

In the late afternoon, you will return to Sapa where you can relax in your hotel.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation

Overnight Aliana Boutique Sapa Hotel and Spa or similar 

Services

Private vehicle with English-speaking guide

Approximate Travel Time and Distance

Lai Chau to Sapa: 40 km | 1.5 hours

Tram Ton Pass to Tac Tinh Waterfall: 10 km | 15 15 minutes

Return to Sapa: 20 km | 1 hour

Tour duration: 4 hours

Total trekking distance: 4km (2 miles)

Today you will travel to the Bac Ha market (Sunday only) which is the largest minority peoples market in Northwest Vietnam. Alive with the bright colours and extravagant costumes of the local people, here you will meet different tribal groups such as Flower Hmong, Black Dzao, Tay and Phu La, as well as other minority groups who come from far and wide to buy and sell a wide variety of goods and livestock. You will have time to wander around the market, enjoy the atmosphere and have fun trying out your trading skills with the friendly local people.

In the afternoon, you will embark on a 2-hour walk to visit Ban Pho – A Flower Hmong village where the villagers live a simple life but are renowned for their kindness and hospitality. Situated on a mountain cliff side, the rooftops of nearly 500 village homes appear as nests along the escarpment. It’s here where the beauty of the highlands is most captivating, and paired with the serene village backdrop makes a lasting impression.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation

Overnight Ngan Nga Hotel in Bac Ha or similar

Services

Private vehicle with English-speaking guide 

Approximate Travel Time and Distance

Bac Ha Market to Ban Pho Village: 15 km |  2 Hours

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the border town Ha Khau in the Hekou County of Honghe

which is situated in the southeast of Yunnan and borders Vietnam’s Lao Cai Province.

Hekou derives its name from its location, it is the converging point of the Red River and Nanxi River and is a vital gateway for trade and travel between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

After seeing your Vietnamese leader, you will cross the border independently into China, where you will be greeted by your Chinese leader. On arrival in China, you will have a local lunch and then drive to Zheke village (approx. 4hrs) which is one of most traditional Hani villages in this region it is located in the middle of the mountain, we can experience the local life and visit the rice terrace there

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

2 nights in Wanshan Hotel or similar

Services

Private vehicle with English-speaking guide

Approximate Travel Time and Distance

Ha Khau to Zheke Village: 290 km |  5 Hours

Walking Time: Approx 1.5hrs

This morning you will rise early to make the most of the spectacular sunrise over the beautiful Yuanyang rice terraces in Duoyishu. The colours, shadows and the reflections on the water are constantly changing, creating an amazing way to start the day.

After breakfast, you will explore the local morning markets before spending the day trekking along the terraced fields and visiting some of the local minority groups on the way.

The Yuanyang rice terraces are on the southern slopes of Ailao Mountain and are a masterpiece of

the ingenuity of the Hani people with slopes varying from 15 degrees to 75 degrees, they extend to many towns along the south bank of the Red River. Known as ‘land sculpture’, these magical terraced fields have been officially acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Wanshan Hotel or similar

 Services

Private vehicle with English-speaking guide 

Approximate Travel Time and Distance

Driving duration: 44 km | 2 hours

Visiting and walking time: 4 hours

After breakfast, you will drive to Jianshui (approx. 4hrs), an ancient town in the Honghe Prefecture of Yunnan Province. With a history of around 1,200 years, the town enjoys a great reputation as a ‘Museum of Ancient Buildings and Residential Houses’.

Here you will visit Tuanshan Village, which is built on a small plateau on a hill and surrounded by a rounded-top mountain. The cobblestone streets of the village are lined with ancient family mansions and gardens, lineage temples and historical courtyards.

The valleys surrounding Jianshui are littered with old stone bridges, the crown jewel of which is undoubtedly the Double Dragon Bridge (or Seventeen Span Bridge). Built from local stone in the eighteenth century, it is nearly 150m long, paved in marble and the largest bridge of its kind in the Province. There are also three elegant lofts on the bridge with the middle one known as the ‘Grand View Pavilion of South Yunnan’, as it offers beautiful views of the surrounding green fields, majestic blue mountains and sparkling clear waters.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Overnight Jianshui Lin An Hotel or similar 

Services

Private vehicle with English-speaking guide 

Approximate Travel Time and Distance

Ha Khau to Jianshui: 137  km | 2.5 Hours

Visiting and walking time: 4 hours

Today, you will journey towards Kunming City, making stops at Xiushan Hill in Tonghai Town, Xingmeng (Mongolian Village), and the Stone Forest (World Natural Heritage) along the way.

Xiushan Hill

Xiushan Park, with origins dating back to the Han Dynasty, features a rich array of traditional temples and pavilions in styles reflecting Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The park, covering Xiushan Hill, offers a lush setting and historical depth with various religious and cultural structures.

Xingmeng (Mongolian Village)

Established in 1253, Xingmeng is the sole ‘Mongolian Village’ in Yunnan Province. Here, you will encounter a statue commemorating the arrival of the Mongolian cavalry and observe the Xingmeng Mongolians in traditional attire, practising their unique customs and daily routines.

Stone Forest (Shilin)

The Stone Forest, renowned as the ‘First Wonder of the World,’ is a vast karst formation over 200 million years old. Spanning 400 square kilometres, this site features towering stalagmite-like pillars and an intricate network of labyrinths, presenting a breathtaking natural spectacle. As you walk through this landscape, you’ll be amazed by the striking stone formations and their grandeur.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Overnight Cachet Boutique Kunming Artim or similar 

Services

Private vehicle with English-speaking guide 

Approximate Travel Time and Distance

194km | 3.5 hours

Train 2.5 hours

Visiting and walking time: 4 hours

The day is yours at leisure until it is time to transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Should you wish to continue your journey further and mingle with the remote Dulong tribe, please join our extension tour, Tribes of Yunnan.

Meals

Breakfast

Services

Airport transfer 

Approximate Travel Time and Distance

27km | 40 minutes