Amazing Vietnam mountain loop
Is this trip for you?
Trip length: 9 days | Trip code: VHAP-06
Trip Style: Explore | Physical Rating: 3/5 | Trip Price: Upon request
Places visited: Mai Chau - Moc Chau - Nghia Lo - Mu Cang Chai - Sapa - Bac Ha - Ha Giang - Quan Ba - Yen Minh - Dong Van - Meo Vac
BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 01: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Moc Chau (Hotel/lodge in Moc Chau)
Day 02: Moc Chau - Nghĩa Lo (Hotel in Nghia Lo)
Day 03: Khau Pha Pass - Mu Cang Chai (Lodge in Mu Cang Chai)
Day 04: Mu Cang Chai - Sapa (Hotel in Sapa)
Day 05: Sapa hill tribe trek - Bac Ha (Homestay/lodge in Bac Ha)
Day 06: Bac Ha - Quan Ba (Homestay/lodge in Quan Ba)
Day 07: Quan Ba - Dong Van - Meo Vac (Hotel/lodge in Meo Vac)
Day 08: Meo Vac - Ha Giang City (Hotel/lodge in Ha Giang)
Day 09: Ha Giang - Hanoi - Trip ends
Highlights
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Travel through breathtaking landscapes of mountains, valleys, and passes in the most spectacular part of Vietnam.
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Engage with various ethnic minority groups, experiencing their unique cultures and traditions firsthand.
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Visit vibrant and colorful hill tribe markets along the way.
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Discover the amazing terraced rice fields of Mu Cang Chai, Sapa, and Hoang Su Phi.
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Explore the rugged landscapes of Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark.
TRIP MAP
Day 01: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Moc Chau
8.00AM: Depart from the bustling cityscape, journeying through awe-inspiring vistas of rural countryside and verdant mountains en route to Mai Chau. Nestled within a picturesque valley, Mai Chau is home to ethnic Thai minority villages renowned for their rustic allure and cultural authenticity.
Upon arriving in Mai Chau, enjoy a home-cooked lunch. Then, take a leisurely stroll through the village, sightseeing, photographing local life, and engaging with the friendly locals.
Continue with your drive passing the breathtaking beauty of pristine nature to Moc Chau. You will have stops to visit villages of the Hmong, who live on hillsides in wooden houses surrounded by farms of peaches, plums, corn, and dry rice, and the Thai people, who live along streams growing wet rice. Moc Chau is known for its fruit and flowers in Son La province and is said to be one of the best regions for tea in Vietnam.
Visit the Moc Chau tea plantation and sit down at a local tea shop to enjoy a cup of green tea.
Check in to your accommodation and relax.
Note: You can choose either to stay overnight in a local house or opt for a resort/eco lodge facility for tonight. Please let us know your choice, and we will arrange accordingly.
Inclusions: Private vehicle, Tour guide, Lunch & Dinner, Accommodation, Entrance fees
Day 02: Moc Chau - Nghia Lo
After breakfast, bid farewell to Moc Chau and continue your journey ascending higher, crossing the Black River by ferry then passing through the quaint towns of Phu Yen and Van Chan. This off-the-beaten-track route offers stunning scenery and provides spectacular views of local life. You'll have several stops along the way to capture photos of the landscapes, visit local hill tribe villages and local houses, having a cup of tea while chatting with residents to learn about their daily lives and traditions.
Arrive in Nghia Lo by mid-afternoon. Nghia Lo is a charming provincial town nestled in the lush Muong Lo valley, home to 12 ethnic groups including Thai, Viet, Tay, Nung, and Muong etc.
Spend your time visiting and leisurely strolling through the vibrant local market, interacting with locals, and soaking in the sights and sounds of daily life.
Check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Inclusions: Private vehicle, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch & dinner, Entrance fees, Accommodation
Day 03: Nghia Lo - Mu Cang Chai
After breakfast, bid farewell to Nghia Lo and embark on your journey to Mu Cang Chai, celebrated for its UNESCO-recognized terraced fields. Along the scenic route, stop to visit local villages and observe traditional cottage industries.
Following lunch in Tu Le, ascend to the Khau Pha Pass, a breathtaking mountain route offering panoramic views of majestic peaks and cascading terraces. This iconic pass is renowned for its winding roads that traverse the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, providing spectacular vistas of rice fields carved into the mountainsides. Be sure to have your camera ready to capture the spectacular scenery unfolding before your eyes.
Upon arriving in Mu Cang Chai, spend your time to explore some of the most stunning terraced field around La Pan Tan and Che Cu Nha communes, including the Mam Xoi Hill - Rice Tray view point. These meticulously sculpted landscapes reflect generations of agricultural ingenuity, harmoniously blending with the natural contours of the land. Capture the essence of local life as you interact with farmers and learn about their time-honored techniques for cultivating rice on steep slopes.
Check in accommodation and remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Inclusions: Private vehicle, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Entrance fees, Accommodation
Day 04: Mu Cang Chai - Lai Chau - Sapa
Get up early in the morning to capture stunning photos of the Mu Cang Chai terraces at dawn.
After breakfast, depart Mu Cang Chai and embark on a scenic drive towards Sapa, passing through Tan Uyen and Than Uyen. Along the way, stop in Binh Lu to visit a village of the Lu ethnic minority, known for their rich traditions and distinct customs.
Continue your journey by ascending the Hoang Lien (Tram Ton) Pass, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam at an elevation of 2,000 meters above sea level. As you ascend, you'll be greeted by cool mountain breezes and breathtaking vistas of mist-shrouded peaks and lush green valleys. The pass offers panoramic views of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, home to Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina. Pause at the summit to soak in the majestic scenery and capture memorable photos of the pass. Then, take some time to visit the Silver Waterfall (or the Love Waterfalls) before heading to Sapa to check into your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring this charming mountain town at your own pace, soaking in its unique atmosphere, and visiting local markets.
Overnight in a hotel in Sapa.
Inclusions: Private vehicle, Tour guide, Breakfast, Entrance fees, Accommodation
Day 05: Sapa hilltribe trek - Bac Ha
After breakfast, prepare for an exciting trek through the breathtaking landscapes of the Muong Hoa River valley. Along the way, you'll traverse beautiful hills, terraced fields, bamboo forests, and traditional villages inhabited by the Black Hmong, Dzao, and Dzay people.
During the trek, you'll witness locals working on their land and may even join them in their farming activities. You'll have the opportunity to visit local houses, gaining insights into their way of life and traditions, and capturing stunning photos of the landscapes and daily life scenes.
Depending on your fitness level, you can opt for an easier trek along the main stream or a more challenging route through rolling hills and hidden villages.
In the mid-afternoon, you'll be picked up and transferred to Bac Ha, another charming mountain town located approximately 2 hours away from Sapa. Bac Ha is home to the Tay and Flower Hmong communities.
Check into your accommodation and enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Inclusions: Private vehicle, Tour guide, Breakfast, Entrance fees, Accommodation
Day 06: Bac Ha - Hoang Su Phi - Quan Ba
Morning visit to one of the most vibrant and colorful hill tribe markets that are characteristic of the region (Bac Ha Market on Sunday, Can Cau market on Saturday). These markets are where locals from various mountain communities gather to trade their goods, showcase their traditional attire, and socialize. These events, held weekly in certain parts of the highlands, offer a glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of the region.
Continue your way along the zigzag mountain road to Xin Man then Hoang Su Phi, the place known for its terraced field designated as National Heritage. Of course, you will have lots of stop for photos and sightseeing.
Keep driving to Ha Giang city then up the mountain to Quan Ba. Stop at Quan Ba Heaven Gate for a stunning view of the picturesque town of Tam Son and the Twin Mountains. Then, visit Lung Khuy Cave, considered the most beautiful cave in the Ha Giang highlands. A 2km walk along a narrow path leads you to the cave, where you'll be amazed by the formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
Check in homestay traditional house of the Dzao hill tribe at Nam Dam village in the late afternoon. Relax and enjoy dinner of local tastes.
Inclusions: Private vehicle, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Entrance fees, Accommodation
Day 07: Yen Minh - Dong Van - Meo Vac
Today you will take a deep explore to the landscapes and culture of the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. The Geopark spans approximately 2,400 square kilometers, covering most of the Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Mèo Vạc districts, with about 80 percent of the area being limestone. This geopark is home to 17 ethnic groups, including Kinh, Hoa, Lo Lo, Tai, Nung, Chinese Han, and Dzao. These hill tribes have lived on this rocky terrain for generations, preserving their rich traditions and identities. The area remains largely untouched and retains its traditional rhythm of life.
After breakfast, say goodbye to your hosts and drive to Yen Minh. The landscape is becoming rugger and rugger as you enter the central area of the Dong Van Geopark. Stop at Tham Ma Pass, one of Vietnam's most stunning slopes, situated 1500 meters above sea level. Next, visit Pho Bang, a small town home to the Chinese minority. Once known as "the capital of opium," Pho Bang now rests quietly among the mountains like a sleeping child.
Continue to Sa Phin Valley, where you'll visit Nha Vuong, the fortress-like palace of the Hmong chieftain who once ruled the mountains around Dong Van.
Drive further to Lung Cu, the northernmost point of Vietnam. Enjoy the magnificent mountain views from the top of the Lung Cu Flag Tower, then visit a Lo Lo hill tribe village to learn about their unique culture and customs.
Explore the mountain town of Dong Van before continuing to Ma Pi Leng Pass. Known as "Heaven’s Gate Pass," this pass is one of the most spectacular in northern Vietnam, offering the sensation of touching the sky. Afterward, embark on a boat cruise on the Nho Que River to explore Tu San Canyon.
Arrive in Meo Vac in the late afternoon. Check into your homestay or lodge and spend the remainder of the day exploring or relaxing at your leisure.
Inclusions: Private vehicle, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Entrance fees, Accommodation
Day 08: Meo Vac - Du Gia - Ha Giang
After breakfast, check out and visit the Meo Vac market, a bustling hub where locals from nearby villages gather to buy and sell goods. In addition to numerous shops offering beautiful local handicrafts, there's a vibrant livestock market where horses, cattle, pigs, dogs, and more are traded. The market is especially lively on Sundays and is known as one of the most colorful hill tribe markets in this remote region of Vietnam.
Next, drive downhill along Road 176, passing through stunning landscapes, mountain villages, and scenic passes on your way to Mau Due and Du Gia. Along the journey, make several stops for photos and to interact with locals, enriching your experience before returning to Ha Giang.
Check into your accommodation and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.
Inclusions: Private vehicle, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Entrance fees, Accommodation
Day 09: Ha Giang - Hanoi
Enjoy the morning at your leisure until check out time (around 10) then drive downhill back Hanoi. (6 hour drive including stops).
Arrive back in Hanoi around 16.00PM. Trip ends!
Inclusions: Private vehicle, Tour guide, Breakfast
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Hanoi Travel Guides
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Places visited: Hanoi - Pu Luong - Ninh Binh - Halong Bay
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Duration: 6 days/5 nights
Places visited: Mai Chau - Moc Chau - Son La - Dien Bien - Lai Chau - Sapa - Bac Ha
An exhilarating adventure from the serene beauty of Mai Chau and Moc Chau to the historic lands of Son La, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, and the vistas of Sapa. This journey not only reveals natural beauty but also provides a unique perspective on the historical significance of Northwest Vietnam.
Duration: 8 days/7 nights
Places visited: Ba Be Lake - Cao Bang - Ban Gioc Waterfalls - Lang Son - Binh Lieu - Halong Bay
Embark on an 8-day journey exploring both the hidden gems and popular highlights of Northeast Vietnam. Venture off the beaten path, discover the wild charm of less-explored areas, and gather extraordinary experiences while uncovering some of the country's finest attractions.
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Places visited: Ninh Binh - Hai Duong - Binh Lieu Mountains - Halong Bay
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Places visited: Hanoi - Sapa - Ha Long Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Can tho
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Hanoi Travel FAQs
Is it safe to walk around Hanoi at night?
Hanoi is generally safe to walk around at night, but it's always wise to take common precautions like avoiding poorly lit areas and being aware of your surroundings.
Hanoi which part of vietnam?
Hanoi is located in the northern part of Vietnam.
How much is it from Hanoi airport to the Old Quarter?
The distance from Hanoi airport to the Old Quarter is approximately 21 kilometers (about 13 miles), and the cost can vary depending on the mode of transportation, but a taxi ride or a private 4-seat car transfer usually costs around 300,000 to 400,000 VND (Vietnamese Dong).
How many days in Hanoi and Halong Bay should I spend?
A typical itinerary would include 2-3 days in Hanoi to explore the city and its surroundings, and 2-3 days in Halong Bay for a cruise experience.
Which is better, Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?
It depends on your preferences. Hanoi is known for its rich history, culture, and charm, while Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is more modern and bustling with activity.
Which is better, Hanoi or Danang?
Again, it depends on what you're looking for. Hanoi offers a cultural and historical experience, while Da Nang is known for its beautiful beaches and modern amenities.
What is Hanoi famous for?
Hanoi is famous for its centuries-old architecture, vibrant street life, delicious street food, rich history, and cultural heritage.
