Northern Vietnam Tour 5 days: Explore Sapa, Bac Ha and Hoang Su Phi

At 8:00 a.m., embark on a morning journey to Bac Ha Town in Lao Cai province, renowned for its vibrant tribal markets held on weekends. Lunch will be served en route. In the afternoon, enjoy a brief boat ride upstream along a picturesque river (approximately 20 minutes, subject to water levels). Disembark for a leisurely stroll through a hill tribe village before returning to your private car bound for Bac Ha town. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel for some well-deserved rest. Conclude the day with a delightful dinner and an overnight stay in Bac Ha.
Note: In case the boat ride is not feasible due to water levels, an alternative plan awaits. After check-in, you'll embark on a brief trek to explore Ban Pho Village.

If it falls on a Sunday or Saturday, your morning will be dedicated to exploring the vibrant Bac Ha Market, renowned as the largest hill tribe market in Northwest Vietnam. Here, you'll find a kaleidoscope of colors and extravagant traditional costumes worn by the local people, especially the Flower H'mong. Members of various ethnic communities from nearby villages converge here to engage in lively trade, offering a diverse array of goods and livestock. It's a common sight to witness the trading of buffalo, cows, goats, horses, and other livestock.
Post-market exploration, we'll journey to Xi Man Town for a delectable lunch at a local eatery. In the afternoon, our adventure continues with a drive to Hoang Su Phi. From there, embark on an approximately one-hour hike to reach Ban Luoc, a charming Tay ethnic village where you'll spend the night in a welcoming stilt house.

This morning, following a delightful breakfast with your host family, we embark on a trek along a scenic dirt trail that winds through the mesmerizing rice terraces of the Ban Luoc region. This area is recognized as one of the core zones of Hoang Su Phi's national rice terrace heritage. The landscape truly comes alive during the yellow season, which typically graces the region in the early half of October. After this picturesque trek, your car will be ready to pick you up for a short transfer to Vinh Quang Town, where a local restaurant awaits to serve you lunch.
In the afternoon, prepare for a scenic drive to Nam Son Commune, where your next adventure begins—a two-hour uphill trek to reach a welcoming homestay within a different ethnic minority community. Here, you'll enjoy a hearty dinner and spend the night in the comfort of a local house.

Your day begins with a delightful breakfast served right at your homestay. After bidding a fond farewell to your gracious host family, it's time to embark on a full-day trek that promises to showcase the breathtaking rice terraces of Nam Khoa Commune. While the trek is considered moderate, it may present some small challenges along the way, making it a rewarding adventure. This journey will occupy approximately 6 to 7 hours of your day, and a well-prepared picnic lunch will be enjoyed at a local house en route.
As the late afternoon approaches, you'll reach your final home-stay destination of the trip nestled in Nam Hong Village. Here, you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of the Red Yao ethnic minority people. After checking in, take some time to rest and unwind.

Feel free to enjoy a leisurely morning at your home-stay before indulging in a satisfying breakfast. Around 9:00 AM, it's time to check out and begin packing up as you prepare for the long journey back to Hanoi. A delicious lunch will be provided during your journey. Upon arrival at your Hanoi hotel, your remarkable adventure comes to a close.