Terraced rice fields and ethnic markets of Northern Vietnam

Journey to the northern mountains, discovering tea culture and the life of the Muong and Black Thai ethnic groups.

At 8:00 AM, we depart for Nghia Lo along scenic National Route 32. In Thanh Son, you'll meet a family on a tea plantation, learning the entire tea processing journey from leaf to cup.

After lunch, we'll explore a Muong village, an intriguing ethnic group that uniquely resisted Chinese influences. Our journey continues to Tram Tau. If it's longan blooming season, we'll enjoy a delightful lemon tea with honey at a local beekeeper's. Arriving in Tram Tau late afternoon, you'll stroll through picturesque rice fields and Black Thai villages, admiring their traditional wood and bamboo stilt houses.Your night will be spent in a comfortable bungalow boasting a breathtaking view of Ban Liu's terraced rice fields.

Exploring Bac Ha – Between Nature and Ethnic Traditions

After breakfast, you’ll head toward Bac Ha, following the Nam Chan River. The road winds through the beautiful landscapes of Van Ban district, with forested valleys, majestic mountains, and terraced rice fields.

Upon arrival, you'll discover a region rich in cultural diversity, home to several ethnic groups: the Flower Hmong, Phu La, and Tay. A short, easy hike will take you to the villages of Ngai Phong Tro and Din Thang. There, you'll be immersed in an authentic rural setting: traditional wooden houses, lush rice paddies, scenes of daily farming life, and the warm smiles of the locals. Visiting these remote hamlets offers a unique opportunity to meet the Flower Hmong and Phu La communities. With their vibrant clothing and enduring traditions, these groups live in harmony with their environment, preserving a way of life passed down through generations.

Dinner and overnight with a host family in Bac Ha

The Hmong, originally part of the San Miao group from southern China, migrated to Vietnam between the late 18th and early 20th centuries due to conflicts with Chinese feudal authorities. The Phu La followed a similar path, settling in Vietnam’s highlands during the same period.

If your stay falls on a Saturday evening, you’ll have the chance to freely enjoy a folkloric show of traditional dances and songs held in the market square — a festive, colorful celebration of the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Encounter with the Red Dzao – Handicrafts and Traditions

After breakfast, depart for Nam Hong, the land of the Red Dzao. On the way, stop in the village of Nghia Do to discover the daily life of the Tay ethnic group — stilt houses, local crafts, and the peaceful charm of Northern Vietnam’s countryside.

Upon arrival in Nam Hong, a walking tour will immerse you in the world of the Red Dzao. This mountain community will share its centuries-old traditions in a stunning natural setting.Depending on the season, you may: Join in tea picking and traditional drying methods with the locals, Or observe the ancestral technique of making votive paper from straw and plant resin. This paper is used in spiritual rituals to honor ancestors and deities.A stroll through the surrounding landscapes will offer views of cultivated terraces and allow you to soak in the serene beauty of the area. At the end of the day, enjoy a rare moment of well-being: a medicinal herb bath, passed down through Red Dzao wisdom, known to soothe the body and rejuvenate the spirit.

Overnight in Nam Hong, either with a host family or in a lodge.

Optional: The evening can continue with a performance of traditional music and dance, for a full immersion in the local cultural world.

In the Heart of the Terraced Rice Fields

After breakfast, depart for Ban Luoc, a true gem of Northern Vietnam, famed for its spectacular terraced rice fields carved into the mountainsides. This iconic location is a favorite among photographers seeking authentic landscapes. You’ll then begin a scenic hike through the valley, following a panoramic trail with breathtaking views. The walk leads to the village of Suoi Thau, nestled in lush greenery. Lunch will be shared with a family of the Black Dzao ethnic group, in a traditional home overlooking the rice fields. It’s a warm and enriching experience, offering insight into an ancestral way of life deeply connected to nature and local traditions.

Return to Nam Hong with a stop along the way to admire the terraced rice fields of Nam Ty. Overnight in Nam Hong.

Depart for Lam Binh, a still-unspoiled region known for its spectacular karst landscapes and lush natural surroundings. Board a boat for a cruise along the peaceful Gam River, in the heart of the Na Hang Reservoir — a hidden gem often nicknamed the “Halong Bay of the Mountains” for its dramatic limestone peaks rising from the water, surrounded by dense forest. Stop at the Khuoi Nhi Waterfall, where you can cool off and enjoy a unique experience: a natural foot massage from tiny fish living in the stream.

Dinner and overnight in Lam Binh.

Cycling through Villages and Journey to Du Gia

Enjoy a leisurely bike ride along small paths winding through villages nestled between striking karst formations. Soak in the serenity of the countryside and connect with warm, welcoming farmers.

Continue on to Du Gia, a peaceful village tucked away in the mountains of Ha Giang. Mainly inhabited by the Tay ethnic group, it offers an authentic immersion into rural life in Northern Vietnam. It’s the perfect stop for travelers seeking nature, tranquility, and meaningful cultural encounters.

Overnight in Du Gia.

After breakfast, set off for the extraordinary Karst Plateau of the Dong Van Geopark. Located between 1,000 and 1,600 meters in altitude and covering an area of 2,350 km², this UNESCO-listed geopark showcases some of Vietnam’s most spectacular and unique landscapes.You’ll embark on a journey through time, crossing a region where ethnic minorities make up the majority. The road winds between dramatic karst mountains, deep valleys, and authentic villages. Along the way, you’ll witness scenes of simple rural life: men carrying heavy bundles of firewood, barefoot children walking along narrow trails. Despite the harshness of daily life, the region radiates a powerful charm — rich in preserved traditions and breathtaking vistas. From the town of Yen Minh, you’ll enter the heart of the geopark: lunar-like landscapes, towering limestone cirques, and winding mountain roads overlooking terraced fields. On the way, stop to visit a typical home of the White Hmong and explore traditional hamlets with earthen or stilt houses. You’ll then visit the palace of Hmong King Vuong Chi Sinh, built over 100 years ago. This historical leader once ruled a semi-autonomous region that prospered from poppy trade with China. Before reaching Dong Van, stop in the village of the Flower Lolo in Lung Cu, a rare ethnic group known for their vividly colored clothing and vibrant customs.

Overnight in Dong Van.

In the morning, visit Dong Van’s vibrant weekly market held every Sunday. This colorful market gathers many ethnic minorities who come to sell their products or make essential purchases. After trading, locals often gather to share a drink or a steaming bowl of Thắng Cố, a local specialty. A popular saying goes, “If they’ve had too much to drink, they hold onto their horse’s tail to get home” — a vivid image of the local friendliness.

Travel along the legendary “Road of Happiness” toward Meo Vac. Stop at the famous Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of Vietnam’s most spectacular mountain passes. From here, enjoy a dizzying panorama of karst mountains, the Nho Que River, and Hmong villages clinging to steep slopes. On clear days, the view stretches to the ridgelines marking the Chinese border, two valleys away.Take a cruise on the Nho Que River to admire the impressive Tu San Canyon, one of Southeast Asia’s deepest.

Optional: Take a 3-4 hour hike through one of Northern Vietnam’s most spectacular areas. Follow aerial trails dotted with stone forests and cross isolated Hmong villages perched on the mountainside. After crossing two mountain passes and visiting two hamlets, you’ll reach a viewpoint with exceptional panoramas of karst formations. The hike continues along a stony path through the countryside to a lookout overlooking the Nho Que canyon.Continue on to Bao Lac, with a stop en route to visit a Tay ethnic village.

Overnight at a hotel in Bao Lac.

Visit the Bao Lac ethnic market, held every five days. This vibrant market is a true cultural crossroads, gathering many ethnic minorities of the region: Black Lolo, Tay, Nung, Dao, Hmong, San Chi... Women compete in elegance with their bright traditional costumes, adorned with finely decorated metal headdresses and uniquely shaped bamboo hats. You’ll have the chance to discover and purchase local products such as cinnamon, dried mountain mushrooms, and handicrafts, supporting the local economy.

Continue to the village of Khuoi Khon, about ten kilometers from Bao Lac, the homeland of the Black Lolo ethnic group. This authentic village was featured in the French TV show Rendez-vous en terre inconnue. It offers a profound immersion into the daily life of this rare community with vibrant living traditions.

Drive to Quang Uyen, with a stop to visit a charming Dzao village known for its sapèques (traditional coin ornaments), quietly nestled behind a hill. You’ll be captivated by the richly decorated costumes of Dzao women, especially their ornaments resembling ancient coins. The village, made up of many stilt houses backed against the mountain, offers stunning views of the surrounding valley.Meet a local family to discover the traditions and lifestyle of this mountain people.

Overnight with a host family of the Nung An ethnic group in Quang Uyen.

Take a walk to the village of Phia Thap, renowned for its ancestral craft of making incense sticks. Then, you'll explore a paper-making artisan village

Then take a walk through the Tay ethnic hamlets along the Quay Son River. Enjoy the serenity of these picturesque landscapes, with limestone peaks covered in greenery and clear waters winding through the valleys.

Then head toward the Sino-Vietnamese border to admire the spectacular Ban Gioc Waterfalls, among the most beautiful in Vietnam. The best time to visit this waterfall is during the rainy season (from July to October), but the visit is incredible all year round.

Option: A short bamboo rafting excursion on the Quay Son River will allow you to get up close to the Ban Gioc Waterfalls.

Visit the Nguom Ngao caves with magnificent stalactite and stalagmite formations, considered one of the most beautiful in Vietnam.

Overnight in Ban Gioc.

After breakfast, you'll explore Co La Waterfall, terraced fields, and Tay ethnic villages. Then, hit the road to Lang Son. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, head towards Dong Khe, taking the famous RC4 road - "the blood road," which runs along the Chinese border and remains famous for its importance in the country's history. Along the way, you'll pass through the towns of Dong Khe and That Khe, sites of several battles in October 1950 against the French army, with stops at Luang Phai Pass, Bascou Bridge, and That Khe. Visit the remains of the French fort.

Then depart for Hanoi via Lang Son, with stops along the way to stretch your legs.