Do you want to discover the most breath-taking region of Vietnam in an authentic and truly off-the-beaten-track way? Come with us for a 10-day trip to the North of Vietnam which includes the discovery of grandiose landscapes, meeting the locals, immersion, nights and meals with locals and walks in beautiful natural settings. A trip that you won't soon forget!

Authentic Northern Vietnam in 10 days!

***

Day 1: Hanoi – Bac Ha

In the morning, we leave the Vietnamese capital and its particular hustle and bustle and take the highway towards the far north of Vietnam. We arrive in the early afternoon at the mountain town of Bac Ha, perched at an altitude of more than 1000 metres. The afternoon will be devoted to visiting the former castle of the Hmong king Hoang A Tuong, a small palace built by the French at the beginning of the 20th century as a gift for this Hmong chief to thank him for his help in fighting the Black Flags came from neighbouring Yunnan. Then, a magnificent walk through the elegant rice terraces that tumble down from the mountains. Night at the hotel in Bac Ha.

Day 2: Ethnic market – Pan Hou Village

In the morning, we go to discover one of the three large ethnic markets in the region. That of Bac Ha which takes place on Sunday, that of Can Cau on Saturday or that of Coc Ly which takes place on Tuesday. No matter which market you visit, you will be amazed by its inimitable atmosphere and the shimmering costumes worn with pride by women from ethnic minorities, mostly colourful Hmong people in a remote corner of northern Vietnam. After having our fill of it, we hit the road again towards the Hoang Su Phidistrict. To do this, we cross the sublime Song Chay massif covered largely by sumptuous rice terraces. Arrival at Pan Hou Village, an ecolodge nestled in a remote valley.

Day 3: Pan Hou Village hiking

From the Pan Hou Village Ecolodge, we go hiking with a local guide in splendid settings of rice terraces, territory of many ethnic minorities such as the Tay, Hmong or Dao. We’ll have lunch with one of these ethnic groups which are distinguished from each other by the colours, patterns and cuts of their traditional outfits. When you return from this beautiful hike, you will enjoy the herbal bath and traditional massage offered at Pan Hou Village.

Day 4: Pan Hou Village – Ha Giang

In the morning, we take the road to reach the gates of Ha Giang, the capital of the eponymous province, in a magnificent village of the Tay ethnic group located not far from the Chinese border in a beautiful natural setting. After having lunch with a Tay family and a little rest, you can walk around the surrounding area to discover this charming village made up of traditional wooden houses on stilts and surrounded by beautiful rice terraces. In the evening, you’ll have your meal and spend the night at a local place.

Day 5: Ha Giang – Dong Van

In the morning, we say goodbye to our hosts and head by car to Dong Van Karst plateau, a member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. With an area of more than 2,000 km², this karst plateau is characterized by a succession of arid and bare limestone peaks which gives a spectacular lunar landscape. Numerous stops are planned to enjoy these extraordinary landscapes and to visit the fortified palace of the former king of the Hmong. It was built according to geomantic principles and composed of three houses on stilts of 2 floors each built of stone, and precious wood and covered with traditional tiles in the shape of Yin and Yang. Night at a hotel in Dong Van.

Day 6: Dong Van – Bao Lac

If it falls on a Sunday, we will be able to attend one of the most spectacular ethnic markets in northern Vietnam. Every Sunday morning, many ethnic groups, the majority of whom are Hmong and Dao, flock to the Dong Van market to buy and trade. Otherwise, we will take a dizzying hike above the Tu San canyon where the superb emerald-coloured Nho Que river flows.

After lunch, drive towards Bao Lac and the village of the black Lolo ethnic group of Khuoi Khon where the show Rendez-vous en terre inconnue (Meeting in unknown land) with Frédérique Michalak took place. Meals and nights with locals in their beautiful traditional wooden house on stilts.

Day 7: Bao Lac hiking

We take advantage of this day to go hiking in the beautiful surroundings of the village. Here, the mountains are carved with rice terraces and depending on the season, we can observe the locals working in the fields and rice paddies. Back at our hosts, we will help them prepare the meal. We will then share with them a few glasses of rice wine and great moments of conviviality around some local specialities. Night at a local’s place.

Day 8: Bao Lac – Ba Be National Park

We leave our hosts with whom we had an excellent time, not without emotion, to take the road towards the Ba Be National Park, one of the natural jewels of Vietnam. In the morning, depending on the schedule, we will be able to attend the Bao Lac market, small but very colourful with the many mountain ethnic groups who come there to trade. We settle on the banks of Ba Be Lake, in the village of Pac Ngoi, with a Tay family, in their wooden house on stilts. Tonight, we will dine and celebrate with family. Night at a local’s place.

Day 9: Ba Be National Park excursions

This day is devoted to the discovery, in part, of the fabulous Ba Be National Park, a reserve of abundant biodiversity surrounded by karst mountains and sheltering within it a freshwater lake. We first go for a beautiful boat trip on the lake to appreciate the extraordinary surrounding nature reflected in the waters of the lake. During this walk, we will discover the spectacular Puong and Hua Ma caves then we will admire the sublime Dau Dang waterfalls where we will enjoy some specialities in a restaurant located at the foot of the falls. In the afternoon, a superb digestive walk will allow us to discover some isolated hamlets of the Dao and Hmong ethnic groups where time truly seems to stand still. Dinner and overnight stay with locals in Pac Ngoi village.

Day 10: Ba Be National Park – Hanoi

After breakfast, it's time to thank our lovely family for their hospitality and hit the road towards Hanoi. Before reaching the Red River Delta, beautiful mountain landscapes are still available to us and remind us of how northern Vietnam is a region of breath-taking beauty.

Related articles:

>> Adventure travel in Vietnam – 6 Best Ideas to see

>> Golf in Vietnam: the marvellous beauty of Hoi An golf courses

>> Top 10 must-sees to discover when travelling to Vietnam

>> 12 best places for cycling in Vietnam