Beyond Bac Ha

Make your own way to Hanoi train station for your overnight train in a 4-berth cabin to Lao Cai.

You will arrive in Lao Cai early this morning, where you’ll meet your guide for breakfast at a local restaurant. Following breakfast, you will head toward one of the region’s vibrant local markets, depending on the day of the week: Coc Ly (Tuesday), Lung Phin (Friday), Can Cau (Saturday), or Bac Ha (Sunday). These bustling gatherings serve as vital social hubs for the Hmong, Phu La, and Tay hill tribes, who convene to trade local goods and share news over bowls of steaming noodles.

After exploring the market, you will enjoy lunch at a local homestay before beginning an afternoon hike through the hills of Ban Pho village. The trail winds past terraced rice fields and plum orchards, leading you between traditional wooden Hmong houses. Here, you can observe residents maintaining their ancestral lifestyle of corn cultivation and spirit distillation. As you trek, you’ll experience the quintessential scenery of northern Vietnam, characterized by wandering water buffalo and locals dressed in intricate traditional costumes.

Important Notes

• Market Atmosphere: While Bac Ha is the largest market and attracts significant crowds, the markets in Lung Phin, Can Cau, and Coc Ly offer a more intimate and local experience.
• Footwear: Sturdy, appropriate footwear is mandatory for the trekking portion of the trip.
• Weather Contingency: Please be aware that the itinerary may be adjusted if wet weather conditions make certain paths unsafe.
• Flexibility: The trekking route is flexible and can be adapted to suit various fitness levels.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you will depart for Vinh Yen to begin a scenic hike through the valley of Doi 9 village. This region is the heartland of the Tay people, Vietnam’s largest hill tribe group with a population of approximately 1.85 million. As one of the earliest inhabitants of northern Vietnam, the Tay have roots in this area dating back over 2,000 years; unlike tribes that settled at higher altitudes, they traditionally inhabit these fertile lowlands and lush valleys.

The trekking trail winds through fragrant cinnamon plantations and vibrant rice fields, offering a firsthand look at daily agricultural life against a dramatic mountain backdrop. You will observe farmers tending their fields and locals going about their everyday routines—a reflective scene that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

During the walk, you will pause for a break at a hidden waterfall before enjoying a traditional lunch hosted by a local family. Afterward, you will return to the lodge, where you can spend the remainder of the afternoon soaking in the peaceful atmosphere of the surrounding plantations.

This evening, gather for a “family-style” Vietnamese dinner featuring a selection of regional and seasonal specialties.

• Footwear: Appropriate trekking shoes or boots must be worn for the hike.
• Weather: Please note that programs may be adjusted if wet conditions affect the safety of the trails.
• Flexibility: The trekking route is adaptable to accommodate different fitness levels.

After enjoying breakfast, you will set off for a morning trek through the surrounding countryside and lush cinnamon plantations. Depending on the season, you may find the local paths lined with harvested cinnamon bark drying in the sun outside traditional stilt houses, filling the air with a distinct, sweet aroma.

Following a local-style lunch at the lodge, you will have some free time to relax. In the mid-afternoon, you will discover the secrets of the cinnamon harvest firsthand. Local experts will demonstrate the traditional methods used for cutting and preparing the bark, offering a unique insight into this ancient regional industry. To conclude the day, you will head to a local viewpoint to watch the sunset, providing a breathtaking panoramic view of the terraced rice fields and rolling hills.

Dinner tonight will be another “family-style” Vietnamese meal, featuring a new selection of regional dishes for you to sample and enjoy.

Important Notes

• Footwear: Sturdy, appropriate footwear is required for the morning trek.
• Weather Conditions: Please note that if conditions are particularly wet, the daily program may be adjusted for safety.
• Trek Customization: The trekking route is flexible and can be adapted to suit your specific fitness level.

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will begin your journey away from the mountains as you transfer back to Hanoi. The approximately 5-hour drive offers a scenic transition, where the rugged peaks of Northern Vietnam gradually give way to the sprawling, fertile plains of the Red River Delta.

A stop for lunch will be made at a local restaurant along the route to break up the journey. You can expect to arrive back in the capital city in the late afternoon, leaving you the evening to relax or explore the vibrant streets of Hanoi at leisure.

Journey Summary

• Departure: Post-breakfast from the Northern Highlands.
• Route: Scenic descent from mountain terrain to the Red River Delta.
• Travel Time: Approximately 5 hours (including a lunch stop).
• Arrival: Late afternoon in Hanoi.