VIETNAM – Easia Collection – Hidden Villages & Markets of Northern Vietnam 13D12N

Discover the wonders of Northern Vietnam from a different point of view!

Theme

Classic

Country - City

Vietnam

Level of difficulties

LEVEL 1

Price level

$$$$

Seasonality

March to November

Max number of person(s)

6

Market segment

Thematic Leisure

Arrival City

Hanoi

Departure city

Hanoi

Number day and night

13 days - 12 nights

Day by day description

This itinerary combines some of the most beautiful regions of Northern Vietnam, highlighting diverse landscapes and minorities. From rice terraces to cinnamon plantations and ethnic minorities markets, travelers explore several hidden treasures of Northern Vietnam while avoiding the classic, overexposed destinations. This program offers travelers a deep understanding of the different faces of Northern Vietnam with overnight experiences in a local homestay to understand how to grow cinnamon or how the Hani minority build their houses at an altitude of almost 2000 meters and why.

 

Day 1: Hanoi

In the morning, you will be welcomed by your local guide at the airport, followed by a car transfer to the hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, you will have the chance to experience the life of a Hanoian in the 1950s and travel through the Old Quarter on a cycle rickshaw for 45 minutes. Discover the bustling streets of the “Quarter of the 36 guilds” – a place of unique charm and endless activity: artisans, stalls, tinsmiths, jewelers, calligraphers, carpenters, mobile kiosks, leather or rattan goods, people selling fans, votive objects, lacquer ware, silk, mats, paper, pipes and so much more. Then, you will stroll around Sword Lake and stop to visit the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple on an island in the middle of the lake, accessed via a red wooden bridge.

Day 2: Hanoi

Discover Hanoi through the lens of a Polaroid camera today. Start by heading to the old city gate before walking through an old neighborhood and discovering a small, bustling market. Then, after visiting one of the oldest temples in Hanoi, you will stroll through the small alleys of the Old Quarter, where you’ll see (and possibly buy from) many food stalls and street vendors. Walking, you will also visit some of the city’s most iconic monuments from different eras, from an old Chinese-style temple to a French-inspired colonial hotel. Occasions to use the Polaroid are countless, but remember to snap a few specific places mentioned in your “Polaroid Pack” to get complimentary tea or coffee. You will finish the walking tour at the Opera House.

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu in Vietnamese), once known as the first university of Vietnam. Built in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, the university was opened exclusively for princes and mandarins. With its ancient courtyards, altars, and roofs, Van Mieu is an excellent example of Vietnamese architecture. Then you will proceed to the Ethnology Museum. Founded in November 1997 at the Francophonie Summit, it is both a research center and a public museum featuring the 54 ethnic groups found across Vietnam.

In the late afternoon, you will have a chance to understand what makes Hanoi’s Old Quarter such a captivating place. Here, you can taste various Vietnamese specialties, such as banh cuon (steamed rolled rice pancake) and banh mi (the famous Vietnamese sandwich that even appears in the Oxford Dictionary). Then, stop at a bia hoi (beer club) on Ta Hien Street and taste the fresh Vietnamese beer that is incredibly popular with locals and travelers alike. Afterward, head to a pho shop, where you can choose between regular pho or pho tron (noodles with chicken without soup). Then, make your way along Hoan Kiem Lake for one of the tastiest ice creams in Hanoi. You will then say goodbye to your guide and explore Hanoi by night alone.

Day 3: Hanoi – Duong Lam – Nghia Lo

You will travel from Hanoi to Duong Lam village. Upon arrival, ride a scenic bicycle to Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung King temples and the Mia Pagoda (“sugar cane” pagoda). Built in the 15th century, the Mia pagoda is surrounded by nearly 300 statues representing Buddhist gods. Continue your journey to Nghia Lo and Yen Bai region, one of the four most fertile valleys in Northern Vietnam. Along the way, you will cross medium-altitude areas marked with red-dirt hills, corn fields, cassava, and tea plantations (depending on the season). Arrive in Nghia Lo in the middle of the afternoon and have a chance to visit numerous sites with remains of the French colonization and the battle of Nghia Lo, which took place during the Indochina War.

Day 4: Nghia Lo –  Mu Cang Chai (Nam Khat)

In the morning, you will head towards the Mu Cang Chai area. Along the way, you can go hiking in La Pan Tan, a quaint village in the Mu Cang Chai district, home to some of the most beautiful rice terraces in Vietnam, often called the “road of the photographers.” You will cross the most picturesque landscapes and enjoy splendid views before enjoying lunch at a homestay. After lunch, continue to the Ecolodge. Upon arrival, enjoy a short walk around the area before dinner time to discover this area.

Day 5: Mu Cang Chai (Nam Khat and its surroundings)

Today you will discover the villages, magnificent rice terrace landscapes, and valleys of Mu Cang Chai during a 15-kilometer walk. Along the way, you will explore the Hmong hillside villages before reaching Sang village, where you will experience the village life of this ethnic group together with the fantastic mountain landscapes.

After lunch, continue your walk towards the Thai village with a beautiful view of Chang Valley and where the rice terraces dominate the valley and the river. You will walk through the town and see the beautiful wooden stilt houses. Return to the Ecolodge in the late afternoon.

Day 6: Nam Khat – Ta Giang Phin

In the morning, you will enjoy your final exploration of the area with a short drive to a Hmong village – Hang Co Bua, and a walk along the rice paddies, through a pine forest, and see the wild orchids. In the town of Hua Khat, you will meet with the inhabitants and discover their simple way of life. Climax your journey by traveling through the landscapes of rice terraces before returning to the Ecolodge. After a lunch break, continue to Ta Giang Phin. En route, several stops can be made to take pictures of the splendid mountain landscapes. You will arrive in Ta Giang Phin in the late afternoon.

Day 7: Ta Giang Phin – Y Ty Market – Muong Hum

In the morning, after arriving at Y Ty, you will visit the Y Ty market, a weekly market of local ethnic groups in this area. The market is colorful, with locals in ethnic costumes selling farm products and housewares. Despite not being a large market, the deeper you move inside, the more you discover. One area presents beautiful traditional clothes, and one place freshly picked vegetables. At the same time, in the square, people from the same minority sit chatting together – all of this creates a unique Y Ty market. 

After the market, visit a village in the nearby valley, which is also the home of the Ha Nhi people, the owners of the unique clay houses in the mountainous area of Vietnam. Hike downhill, passing by some fields along the way, to find yourself in the middle of the village. Following the road, you will have the opportunity to see the local life here, together with their impressive houses. By the end of the road, discover an inspirational viewpoint of the valley below. This is also one of the most photogenic spots of Y Ty and is very famous among Vietnamese people. After enjoying your picnic lunch, if the time allows, you will also visit another village by crossing the fields nearby.

On the way to Muong Hum, continue your hike in Ky Quan San, a beautiful rice terrace valley surrounded by a range of high mountains. Challenge yourself by walking around this area, passing through some villages, and climbing higher for a better view of the whole valley.

You will arrive at the homestay in the late afternoon, and dinner will be served after time to refresh.

Day 8: Muong Hum – Vinh Yen

In the morning, you will visit the weekly Muong Hum Market. The market is very active, lively, and colorful. It offers a great chance to interact with local people from different ethnic groups, like H’mong, Ha Nhi, Red Dao, etc., who wear various colors and designs in traditional outfits. These locals are mainly from the villages around Muong Hum. However, some come from Sapa to this market to sell and buy their wares. You will see many products, from farming equipment to clothes or essentials such as bowls and spoons. Enjoy exploring the market to understand the tradition and culture of this area.

After the market, you will go to Vinh Yen, a lovely region in the East of Lao Cai Province, where you will enjoy the end of the afternoon at your leisure. 

Day 9: Vinh Yen

In the morning, you will head to the cinnamon plantations surrounding the lodge. You will receive an introduction to cinnamon and a more precise understanding of how cinnamon is harvested in the area. Depending on the time of the year, you can gather your cinnamon. Continue your walk and pass through several valleys inhabited by the Thai minority before returning to the lodge for lunch.

Head to the Khuoi Phuong region in the afternoon and walk in the rice fields. The broad valley offers beautiful views of the rice fields covering much of the area. Groups of Thai minority people working in the fields are a common sight. During your walk, you will reach a village with many stilted houses where you will find a small waterfall, the perfect place for a quick swim. End your walk after crossing a bridge and locate the main road for a short return to your lodge.

Day 10: Vinh Yen – Hanoi

After breakfast, you will enjoy your morning freely at your leisure. If you wish, go for a walk in the countryside and discover some of the rice fields of the valley next to the Cinnamon Ecolodge, where you will see small rice terraces. Local people might work on maintaining the areas or watching their buffalo. You will walk back to the lodge by crossing a small bamboo bridge over the river or by way of a typical bridge (the bamboo bridge can be an adventure in and of itself, so that you can decide on the spot with your guide).

In the afternoon, you will travel back to Hanoi.

Day 11: Hanoi – Halong– Lan Ha Bay

In the morning, you will travel to Halong and arrive around noon. You will embark on a cruise there in the must-see Lan Ha Bay, a part of Halong Bay. This world-famous bay is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam, with its giant rock islets covered in luxuriant vegetation overlooking the waters. Halong Bay includes some 1,900 islands and islets of rocky peaks, often uninhabited and unvisited. This scene creates a spectacular marine landscape, which earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994. You will be served lunch and dinner aboard with freshly caught seafood from the bay.

Day 12: Lan Ha Bay – Halong – Hanoi

Early in the morning (depending on the season), you will wake up to enjoy the sunrise over the aquamarine waters of the bay. Then the cruise will tour the bay until you disembark at the end of the morning. After that, you will then return to Hanoi.

Day 13: Hanoi

After checking out, you will meet your driver and travel to Hanoi airport for your outbound flight.

Selling points

  • Incredible landscapes with the most beautiful rice terraces in Vietnam, large mountainous valleys, tea plantations, cinnamon plantations, etc.
  • The north without mass tourism; the itinerary includes remote locations and off-the-beaten-path experiences yet very accessible hikes
  • Some of the most beautiful markets in Northern Vietnam, with various ethnic minorities (Hmong, Hani, Red Dzao, Thaï)
  • It a heaven for photographers with limited transportation (for Northern Vietnam), yet diverse minorities and landscapes
  • Different options for accommodations, from homestays to small eco-friendly lodges

Selling points

  • Incredible landscapes with the most beautiful rice terraces in Vietnam, large mountainous valleys, tea plantations, cinnamon plantations, etc.
  • Without mass tourism, the itinerary includes remote locations, off-the-beaten-path experiences, and accessible hikes in the north.
  • Some of the most beautiful markets in Northern Vietnam, with various ethnic minorities (Hmong, Hani, Red Dzao, Thaï)

Pros

  • Amazing landscapes and minorities during the itinerary are probably some of the best itineraries we can have when avoiding Ha Giang & Cao Bang (due to the transportation time)
  • The schedule of the itinerary matches the market days; this trip should start on a Sunday (arrival in Hanoi) to be in Y Ty on Saturday and Muong Hum on Sunday.
  • We have a good mix of accommodations (with two nights at Mu Cang Chai Ecolodge & 2 nights at Cinnamon Ecolodge) with two nights in a homestay in the middle of the trip (in Ta Giang Phin & Muong Hum)
  • It’s possible to replace the nights at Mu Cang Chai Ecolodge with homestays in Tu Le, La Pan Tan, or Than Uyen.
  • The end of Cinnamon Ecolodge is much more relaxing than the beginning.

Cons

  • Maximum of 6 pax for the trip since Y Ty is only accessible with a 16-seater minivan.
  • Cinnamon Ecolodge; 3 bungalows for 2 pax
  • Local guides are not professional in both Mu Cang Chai & Muong Hum regions.
  • Some of the hikes are affected by bad weather; in case of heavy rains, it will not be an excellent experience for travelers.
  • If the trip can’t start on a Sunday, we must change it since we do not recommend going to Muong Hum or Y Ty without the weekly market.

TIME AND TRANSPORTATION

From To Distance By Duration Road Condition
Hanoi Nghia Lo 230 kilometers Car 4h 14min Good
Nghia Lo Mu Cang Chai 95 kilometers Car 2h 24min Good
Than Uyen Ta Giang Phin 144 kilometers Car 3h 40min Good
Muong Hum Cinnamon Ecolodge 144 kilometers Car 3h 10min Good
Cinnamon Ecolodge Hanoi 270 kilometers Car 5 hours Good

Notes

All the notes regarding the destinations are already mentioned in the factsheet for every destination:

If you need to share the tour map with your client (to understand these remote regions better), you can share the following link.

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Number of PAX

6

Important notes

We need to double-check everything for the part in Muong Hum before the first bookings.

Contact

Mu Cang Chai Homestays:

1. Do Gu Homestay
Name: Do Gu Homestay
Contact: Mr. Dò – 097 736 33 45/ 08 534 555 35

2. Hello Mu Cang Chai homestay:
Name: Hello Mu Cang Chai Homestay
Contact: Mr. De – 037 929 2222/ Mrs. Ly – 0973 609 966

Muong Hum:

1. Homestay Muong Hum:
Contact: +84 98 945 1305

2. Nha Nghi Suoi Muong Hum:
Contact +84 356 930 399

Ta Giang Phình:

Ta Giang Phin Homestay- Ms.Hoà  -0989 103 098

Cinnamon Ecolodge:

Gioi is the “leader” of the project but is helped by his wife (who also speaks English)

+84 98 315 84 24

[email protected]

Special information

  • Please note the hotel and activities for Cinnamon Ecolodge in ERP are in Bac Ha region.

English

Day 1: Hanoi

In the morning, you will be welcomed by your local guide at the airport, followed by a car transfer to the hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, you will have the chance to experience the life of an Hanoian in the 1950’s and travel through the Old Quarter on a cycle rickshaw for 45 minutes. Discover the bustling streets of the “Quarter of the 36 guilds” – a place of unique charm and endless activity: artisans, stalls, tinsmiths, jewelers, calligraphers, carpenters, mobile kiosks, leather or rattan goods, people selling fans, votive objects, lacquer ware, silk, mats, paper, pipes and so much more. Then, you will stroll around Sword Lake and stop to visit the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple on an island in the middle of the lake, accessed via a red wooden bridge.

Meals included:
Accommodation:
Notes: Rooms will be at guests’ disposal from 14:00

Day 2: Hanoi

Discover Hanoi through the lens of a Polaroid camera today. Start by heading to the old city gate before walking through an old neighborhood and discovering a small, bustling market. Then, after visiting one of the oldest temples in Hanoi, you will stroll through the small alleys of the Old Quarter, where you’ll see (and possibly buy from) many food stalls and street-vendors. As you walk, you will also visit some of the city’s most iconic monuments from different eras, from an old Chinese-style temple to a French-inspired colonial hotel. Occasions to use the Polaroid are countless, but remember that you will have to snap a few specific places mentioned in your “Polaroid Pack” to get complimentary tea or coffee. You will finish the walking tour at the Opera House.

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu in Vietnamese), which was once known as the first university of Vietnam. Built in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, the university was opened exclusively for princes and mandarins. With its ancient courtyards, altars, and roofs, Van Mieu is an excellent example of Vietnamese architecture. Then you will proceed to the Ethnology Museum. Founded in November 1997 at the Francophonie Summit, it is both a research center and a public museum featuring the 54 ethnic groups found across Vietnam.

In the late afternoon, you will have a chance to understand what makes Hanoi’s Old Quarter such a captivating place. Here, you can taste a wide variety of Vietnamese specialties, such as banh cuon (steamed rolled rice pancake) and banh mi (the famous Vietnamese sandwich that even appears in the Oxford Dictionary). Then, stop at a bia hoi (beer club) on Ta Hien Street and taste the fresh Vietnamese beer that is incredibly popular with locals and travelers alike. After that, head to a pho shop, where you can choose between regular pho or pho tron (noodles with chicken without soup). Then, make your way along Hoan Kiem Lake for one of the tastiest ice creams in Hanoi. You will then say goodbye to your guide and explore Hanoi by night on your own.

Meals included: Dinner
Accommodation: 

Day 3: Hanoi – Duong Lam – Nghia Lo

You will travel from Hanoi to Duong Lam village. Upon arrival, take a scenic bicycle ride to Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung King temples and the Mia Pagoda (“sugar cane” pagoda). Built-in the 15th century, the Mia pagoda is surrounded by close to 300 statues representing Buddhist gods. Continue your journey to Nghia Lo and Yen Bai region, one of the four most fertile valleys in Northern Vietnam. Along the way, you will cross medium-altitude areas marked with red-dirt hills, corn fields, cassava, and tea plantations (depending on the season). Arrive in Nghia Lo in the middle of the afternoon and have a chance to visit numerous sites with remains of the French colonization and the battle of Nghia Lo, which took place during the Indochina War.

Meals included: Lunch, dinner.
Accommodation:
Transportation: 200 kilometers – 5 hours

Day 4: Nghia Lo –  Mu Cang Chai (Nam Khat)

In the morning, you will head towards the Mu Cang Chai area. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to go hiking in La Pan Tan, a quaint village of the Mu Cang Chai district home to some of the most beautiful rice terraces in Vietnam, often referred to as the “road of the photographers”. You will cross the most picturesque landscapes and enjoy splendid views before enjoying lunch at a homestay. After lunch, continue to the Ecolodge. Upon arrival, enjoy a short walk around the area before dinner time to discover this area.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Mu Cang Chai Ecolodge
Distance and duration of hiking:
Morning: 5 kilometers – 1h 30min
Easia Level: 1
The difference in elevation: +346 meters/ -295 meters
Terrain: uphill and downhill, rice terraces, paved roads, and some village roads
Afternoon: 5 kilometers – 1h 30min
Easia Level: 1
The difference in elevation: +232 meters/ -224 meters
Terrain:  almost flat, paved roads, village roads, rice paddies, stream
Transportation: 78 kilometers – 2h 20min
Note: Possibility of a 9 kilometers walk  – 3 hours

Day 5: Nam Khat and its surroundings

Today you will discover the villages, magnificent rice terrace landscapes, and valleys of Mu Cang Chai during a 15-kilometer walk. Along the way, you will explore the Hmong hillside villages before reaching Sang village, where you will experience the village life of this ethnic group together with the fantastic mountain landscapes.

After lunch, continue your walk towards the Thai village with a beautiful view of Chang Valley and where the rice terraces dominate the valley and the river. You will walk through the town and see the beautiful wooden stilt houses. Return to the Ecolodge in the late afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Overnight at the Mu Cang Chai Ecolodge
Distance and duration of hiking: 15 kilometers – 6 to 7 hours
Easia Level: 2
The difference in elevation: +128 meters/ -128 meters
Terrain: uphill and downhill, rice paddies, rice terraces, paved roads, dirt roads; some parts are slippery after rain
Transportation: 21 kilometers – 45 minutes
Note: the route can be reduced to only a 3-hour walk from the Ecolodge to the village of Sang, combined with a drive back to the lodge with a visit to the Thai village.

Day 6: Nam Khat – Ta Giang Phin

In the morning, you will enjoy your final exploration of the area with a short drive to a Hmong village – Hang Co Bua, and a walk along the rice paddies, through a pine forest, and see the wild orchids. In the town of Hua Khat, you will meet with the inhabitants and discover their simple way of life. Climax your journey by traveling through the landscapes of rice terraces before returning to the Ecolodge. After a lunch break, continue to Ta Giang Phin. En route, several stops can be made to take pictures of the splendid mountain landscapes. You will arrive in Ta Giang Phin in late afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation:
Distance and duration of hiking: 3 kilometers – 2 hours (including transfer time)
Easia Level 1
The difference in elevation: +232 meters/ -224 meters
Terrain: almost flat, paved roads, village roads
Transportation: 170 kilometers – 5 hours

Day 7: Ta Giang Phin – Y Ty Market – Muong Hum

In the morning, after arriving at Y Ty, you will visit the Y Ty market, a weekly market of local ethnic groups in this area. The market is colorful, with locals in ethnic costumes selling farm products and housewares. Despite not being a large market, the deeper you move inside, the more you discover. One area presents beautiful traditional clothes, one place freshly picked vegetables. At the same time, in the square, people from the same minority sit chatting together – all of this creates a unique Y Ty market. 

After the market, visit a village in the nearby valley, which is also the home of the Ha Nhi people, the owners of the unique clay houses in the mountainous area of Vietnam. Hike downhill, passing by some fields along the way, to find yourself in the middle of the village. Simply following the road, you will have the opportunity to see the local life here, together with their impressive houses. By the end of the road, discover an inspirational viewpoint of the valley below. This is also one of the most photogenic spots of Y Ty and is very famous among Vietnamese people. After enjoying your picnic lunch, if the time allows, you will also visit another village by crossing the fields nearby.

On the way to Muong Hum, continue your hike in Ky Quan San, a beautiful rice terrace valley surrounded by a range of high mountains. Challenge yourself by walking around this area, passing through some villages, and climbing higher for a better view of the whole valley.

You will arrive at the homestay in the late afternoon, and dinner will be served after time to refresh.

Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Homestay
Distance and duration of hike: 

  • Y Ty: 3 kilometers – 1 hour to 1h 30min

Easia Level: 1
The difference in elevation: +0 meter/ – 215 meters 

  • Ky Quan San: 4 kilometers – 1h 30min to 2 hours

Easia Level: 1
The difference in height: +280 meters/ -340 meters
Terrain: mostly downhill in Y Ty, both uphill and downhill in Ky Quan San, paved road, village road, local village, rice field, mountains…
Transportation: 

  • Ta Giang Phin – Y Ty: 50 kilometers – 1h 50min
  • Y Ty – Muong Hum: 30 kilometers – 1 hour

Day 8: Muong Hum – Vinh Yen

In the morning, you will visit the weekly Muong Hum Market. The market is very active, lively, and colorful. It offers an excellent chance for you to interact with local people from different ethnic groups, like H’mong, Ha Nhi, Red Dao, etc., who wear various colors and designs on their traditional outfits. These locals are mainly from the villages around Muong Hum. However, some come from Sapa to this market to sell and buy their wares. You will see many products, from farming equipment to clothes or essentials such as bowls and spoons. Enjoy exploring the market to understand the tradition and culture of this area.

After the market, you will go to Vinh Yen, a lovely region in the East of Lao Cai Province, where you will enjoy the end of the afternoon at your leisure. 

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Cinnamon Ecolodge
Transportation:

  • Muong Hum – Vinh Yen: 144 kilometers – 3h 30min

Day 9: Vinh Yen

In the morning, you will head to the cinnamon plantations surrounding the lodge. You will receive an introduction to cinnamon and a more precise understanding of how cinnamon is harvested in the area. Depending on the time of the year, you can harvest your cinnamon. Continue your walk and pass through several valleys inhabited by the Thai minority before returning to the lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, head to the Khuoi Phuong region and begin walking in the rice fields. The broad valley offers beautiful views of the rice fields covering much of the area. Groups of Thai minority people working in the fields are a common sight. During your walk, you will reach a village with many stilted houses where you will find a small waterfall, the perfect place for a quick swim. End your walk after crossing a bridge and locate the main road for a short return to your lodge.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Overnight at the Cinnamon Ecolodge
Distance and duration of the walk:
Morning: 5 kilometers – 1h 30min (the time spent learning about cinnamon is not included in the course)
Easia Level: 1
Elevation gain: +195 meters / -197 meters
Terrain: primarily concrete roads, albeit with some off-road sections.
Afternoon: 4 kilometers to 10 kilometers depending on the traveller’s choice – 2 hours to 4 hours
Easia Level: 0 to 1
Elevation gain: +208 meters / -190 meters for the 4-hour option, almost entirely flat for the 2-hour option
Terrain: primarily concrete roads, 1 or 2 small rivers to cross (not rugged)

Day 10: Vinh Yen – Hanoi

After breakfast, you will enjoy your morning freely at your leisure. If you wish, go for a walk in the countryside and discover some of the rice fields of the valley next to the Cinnamon Ecolodge, where you will see small rice terraces. You might see local people working on maintaining the areas or watching their buffalo. You will walk back to the lodge by crossing a small bamboo bridge over the river or by way of a typical bridge (the bamboo bridge can be an adventure in and of itself so that you can decide on the spot with your guide).

In the afternoon, you will travel back to Hanoi.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch.
Accommodation:
Distance and duration of the walk: 3 to 5 kilometers – 1h 30min to 2 hours
Easia Level: 0
Elevation gain: +50 meters / -50 meters
Terrain: primarily concrete roads through local villages, albeit with some off-road sections on the rice terraces if you choose the bamboo bridge option
Transportation: 270 kilometers – 5 hours

Day 11: Hanoi – Halong

In the morning, you will travel to Halong and arrive around noon. There, you will embark on a cruise in the must-see Halong Bay. This world-famous bay is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam, with its giant rock islets covered in luxuriant vegetation overlooking the waters. Halong Bay includes some 1,900 islands and islets of rocky peaks, often uninhabited and unvisited. This scene creates a spectacular marine landscape, which earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994. You will be served lunch and dinner aboard with fresh seafood from the bay. You can enjoy a night fishing session on the boat.

Meals included: Lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Overnight on the boat
Distance: 170 kilometers – 2h 30min to  2h45min 

Day 12: Halong – Hanoi

Early in the morning and depending on the season, you will wake up to enjoy the sunrise over the aquamarine waters of the bay. Then the cruise will tour the bay until you disembark at the end of the morning. After that, you will then return to Hanoi. Meals included: Breakfast 
Accommodation:
Distance: 170 kilometers – 2h 30min to  2h45min

Day 13: Hanoi

After checking out, you will meet your driver and travel to Hanoi airport for your outbound flight.

Note: Check-out at the hotel will be noon at the latest

French

Jour 1 : Hanoi

Vous arriverez à l’aéroport de Hanoi, où vous serez accueillis par votre guide et chauffeur puis conduits à votre hôtel. Profitez ensuite de temps libre pour vous installer. 

En début d’après-midi, expérimentez la vie d’un Hanoïen des années 1950 et parcourez le centre-ville en cyclo-pousse pendant 45 minutes. Au rythme du pédalier, découvrez les ruelles bourdonnantes du vieux quartier et ses 36 métiers, un lieu au charme unique et à l’activité toujours incessante : ferblantiers, joailliers, cordonniers, confiseurs, tailleurs, forgerons, quincailliers, fabricants d’objets en rotin ou en cuir, sans oublier les vendeurs d’éventails, d’objets votifs, de laques, de soieries, de nattes, de papier, de bambou, etc. Vous emprunterez des rues bordées d’échoppes totalement ouvertes sur l’extérieur, où se croisent et s’entrecroisent vélos, cyclomoteurs, cyclo-pousses et piétons, auxquels s’ajoutent les marchandes ambulantes qui vous proposeront légumes et fruits frais. Flanez ensuite autour du lac de l’épée restituée (Hoan Kiem), un des symboles de la ville. Du matin au soir, par tous les temps, les abords du lac s’animent et deviennent un lieu de promenade et de rencontres. Les gens viennent y faire leur gymnastique matinale, y discuter avec leurs amis, ou encore partager une partie de pêche entre copains. Vous ferez une pause pour visiter le surprenant temple Ngoc Son, qui semble littéralement sortir des eaux sur un mince tapis d’herbe. 

Repas inclus :
Hébergement :
Note : Les chambres seront disponibles à partir de 14 h

Jour 2 : Hanoi

Vous débuterez la journée avec votre Polaroid en prenant la direction de l’ancienne porte de la ville, vous continuerez ensuite dans un vieux quartier pour découvrir un petit marché très animé. Après avoir visité un des plus vieux temples d’Hanoi, vous vous baladerez dans les petites allées du vieux quartier où vous pourrez observer de nombreux stands de nourriture et des vendeurs ambulants. Pendant cette balade vous découvrirez certains des monuments les plus importants de la ville bien que de différentes époques, d’un temple de style chinois à un magnifique hôtel colonial d’inspiration française. Les opportunités d’utiliser le Polaroid sont nombreuses, mais n’oubliez pas que vous devrez prendre en photos certains endroits mentionnés dans votre “Polaroid Pack” pour que le guide vous offre le thé ou le café. Vous terminerez cette promenade devant l’opéra.

Après le déjeuner vous découvrirez le Temple de la Littérature (Van Mieu). Van Mieu fut construite en 1070 par Ly Thanh Tong ; elle fut la première université du Vietnam destinée aux princes et aux mandarins. On trouvait à l’intérieur 116 stèles où étaient gravés les noms des lauréats des 116 concours pour l’obtention du doctorat. Aujourd’hui, il ne reste que 82 stèles. En 1802, l’empereur Gia Long transféra l’Université Nationale à Hué, la nouvelle capitale. Vous continuerez par la visite du Musée d’Ethnographie du Vietnam, qui est certainement l’un des plus intéressants du pays. Créé en novembre 1997 lors du sommet de la francophonie, il est à la fois un centre de recherche et un musée public présentant les différents groupes ethniques du Vietnam.

Dans la soirée, vous aurez l’opportunité de comprendre ce qui fait du vieux quartier d’Hanoi un lieu si envoûtant. Vous pourrez goûter une grande variété de spécialités vietnamiennes comme le banh cuon (des feuilles de riz roulées et cuites à la vapeur) et le banh mi (le célèbre sandwich vietnamien qui figure même dans le Dictionnaire d’Oxford). Vous vous arrêterez ensuite dans un bia hoi (sorte de brasserie) dans la rue Ta Hien pour découvrir le goût de la bière vietnamienne fraîchement brassée qui est aussi populaire auprès des locaux que des voyageurs. Après ça, vous irez déguster un pho; vous pourrez choisir un pho normal ou un pho tron (les nouilles du pho mélangées avec du poulet sans la soupe). Vous prendrez ensuite le chemin du Lac Hoan Kiem pour savourer l’une des meilleures glaces d’Hanoi. Après ce dernier arrêt gustatif, vous quitterez votre guide pour partir découvrir la vie nocturne d’Hanoi à votre guise.

Repas inclus : Dîner
Hébergement :
Note : Le Musée d’Ethnographie est fermé le lundi

Jour 3 : Hanoï – Duong Lam – Nghia Lo

Vous quitterez Hanoï pour vous rendre dans le village de Duong Lam. À votre arrivée, embarquez pour une agréable promenade à vélo jusqu’aux temples de Ngo Quyen et de Phung Hung King, ainsi qu’à la pagode Mia (ou « pagode des cannes à sucre »). Construite au XVe siècle, la pagode Mia est entourée de près de 300 statues représentant des divinités bouddhistes. Vous poursuivrez ensuite votre route vers Nghia Lo et la province de Yen Bai, l’une des quatre vallées les plus fertiles du nord du Vietnam. En chemin, vous traverserez des zones de moyenne altitude, ponctuées de collines de terre rouge, de champs de maïs ou de manioc et de plantations de thé (selon la saison). Vous arriverez à Nghia Lo en milieu d’après-midi et aurez l’occasion de visiter les nombreux vestiges de la colonisation française et de la bataille de Nghia Lo, qui s’est déroulée pendant la guerre d’Indochine : anciennes casernes militaires, cathédrale, etc.

Repas inclus : déjeuner, dîner
Hébergement :
Transport : 200 kilomètres – 5 heures

 

Jour 4 : Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai (Nam Khat)

Ce matin, direction la région de Mu Cang Chai. En chemin, vous aurez la possibilité d’aller randonner à La Pan Tan, un petit village du district de Mu Cang Chai qui abrite certaines des plus belles rizières en terrasses du Vietnam, souvent appelé la « route des photographes ». Vous traverserez des paysages particulièrement pittoresques et bénéficierez de vues splendides, avant de déjeuner dans une maison d’hôtes. Après cette pause pour le déjeuner, vous rejoindrez l’Ecolodge. À votre arrivée, il sera possible de faire une petite promenade pour découvrir les alentours avant l’heure du dîner.

Repas inclus : petit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dîner
Hébergement : Mu Cang Chai Ecolodge
Distance et durée de la randonnée :
Matin : 5 kilomètres – 1h 30min
Niveau Easia : 1
Dénivelée : +346 mètres/-295 mètres
Terrain : montées et descentes, rizières en terrasses, routes goudronnées et quelques routes de village
Après-midi : 5 kilomètres – 1h 30min
Niveau Easia : 1
Dénivelée : +232 mètres/-224 mètres
Terrain : presque plat, routes goudronnées, routes de village, rizières, ruisseaux
Transport : 78 kilomètres – 2h 20min
Note : possibilité d’une randonnée de 9 kilomètres – 3 heures.

 

Jour 5 : Nam Khat et ses environs

Aujourd’hui, vous partirez à la découverte des villages, des magnifiques paysages de rizières en terrasses et de la vallée de Mu Cang Chai, à l’occasion d’une randonnée de 15 kilomètres. En chemin, vous explorerez les villages du peuple Hmong nichés sur les collines, avant d’atteindre le village de Sang, où vous pourrez observer le mode de vie de ce groupe ethnique, ainsi que les fantastiques paysages de montagne.

Après le déjeuner, vous poursuivrez votre marche jusqu’à un village de l’ethnie Thaï, d’où vous jouirez d’un superbe panorama sur la vallée de Chang et où les rizières en terrasses surplombent la vallée et la rivière. Vous pourrez vous promener à travers le village et admirer les charmantes maisons en bois sur pilotis. Vous serez de retour à l’Ecolodge en fin d’après-midi.

Repas inclus : petit-déjeuner, déjeuner sous forme de pique-nique, dîner
Hébergement : nuit sur place au Mu Cang Chai Ecolodge
Distance et durée de la randonnée : 15 kilomètres – 6 à 7 heures
Niveau Easia : 2
Dénivelée : +128 mètres/-128 mètres
Terrain : montées et descentes, rizières classiques ou en terrasses, routes goudronnées, chemins de terre, certaines portions peuvent être glissantes en cas de pluie
Transport : 21 kilomètres – 45 minutes
Note : le parcours peut être limité à une randonnée de 3 heures depuis l’Ecolodge jusqu’au village de Sang, puis un retour en voiture à l’Ecolodge avec une visite du village de l’ethnie Thaï.

Jour 6 : Nam Khat – Ta Giang Phin

Votre matinée sera consacrée à une dernière exploration de la région : un court trajet en voiture vous conduira à un village de la tribu Hmong, Hang Co Bua, où vous pourrez vous promener le long des rizières et à travers une pinède, afin d’observer des orchidées sauvages. Dans le village de Hua Khat, vous pourrez rencontrer les habitants et découvrir leur mode de vie simple. Vous terminerez votre circuit en traversant des paysages de rizières en terrasses, avant de rejoindre l’Ecolodge. Après le déjeuner, Sapa sera votre prochaine destination. En route, vous aurez l’occasion de faire plusieurs arrêts pour prendre des photos de ces splendides paysages de montagne. Vous arriverez à Sapa, une ancienne ville coloniale française, en fin d’après-midi.

Repas inclus : petit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dîner
Hébergement : Chez l’habitant
Distance et durée de la randonnée : 3 kilomètres – 2 heures (y compris le temps de transfert)
Niveau Easia 1
Dénivelée : +232 mètres/-224 mètres
Terrain : presque plat, routes goudronnées, routes de village
Transport : 170 kilomètres – 5 heures

Jour 7 : Ta Giang Phin – Y Ty – Muong Hum

À votre arrivée à Y Ty le matin, vous visiterez le marché, qui rassemble chaque semaine les groupes ethniques de cette région. Il s’agit d’un rendez-vous haut en couleurs, regorgeant de costumes ethniques, de produits agricoles et d’articles ménagers. Même s’il n’est pas très étendu, plus vous vous enfoncerez dans le marché et plus il vous fascinera. Une région où les tenues traditionnelles sont magnifiques et où l’on cultive de nombreux légumes, une place où se rassemblent les minorités ethniques… tout ceci rend le marché d’Y Ty vraiment unique.

Après la découverte du marché, vous irez visiter un village se trouvant dans la vallée voisine, où vit le peuple Ha Nhi, qui construit les maisons en torchis si particulières que l’on trouve dans les montagnes vietnamiennes. Démarrant par une descente, votre randonnée longera des champs avant de vous mener au milieu du village. En suivant simplement la route, vous aurez l’occasion d’assister à des scènes de la vie locale et d’admirer les impressionnantes maisons des habitants. Au bout de la route, vous profiterez d’un splendide point de vue sur l’ensemble de la vallée. Il s’agit aussi de l’un des endroits les plus photographiés à Y Ty, très populaire auprès des Vietnamiens. Après avoir pique-niqué pour le déjeuner, s’il reste suffisamment de temps, vous pourrez également traverser les champs à proximité pour découvrir un autre village.

En route pour Muong Hum, vous poursuivrez votre randonnée à Ky Quan San, une charmante vallée abritant des rizières en terrasses et entourée d’une chaîne de hautes montagnes. Une marche stimulante dans cette zone vous permettra de traverser quelques villages et, après une petite ascension, vous bénéficierez d’une meilleure vue de toute la vallée.

Vous parviendrez à la chambre d’hôtes en fin d’après-midi et aurez le temps de vous rafraîchir avant que le dîner ne soit servi.

Repas inclus : petit-déjeuner, déjeuner sous forme de pique-nique, dîner
Hébergement : Chez l’habitant
Distance et durée de la randonnée :
Y Ty : 3 kilomètres – 1 heure à 1h 30min
Niveau Easia : 1
Dénivelée : +0 mètre/ -215 mètres
Ky Quan San : 4 kilomètres – 1h 30min à 2 heures
Niveau Easia : 1
Dénivelée : +280 mètres/ -340 mètres
Terrain : principalement en descente à Y Ty, à la fois montées et descentes à Ky Quan San, routes goudronnées, routes de village, villages locaux, rizières, montagnes…
Transport : 80 kilomètres – 2h 30min 

 

Jour 8 : Muong Hum – Vinh Yen

Votre matinée démarrera par la découverte du marché hebdomadaire de Muong Hum. Il est très animé, vivant et coloré. Il s’agit d’une excellente occasion pour vous d’interagir avec la population locale, qui est composée de différents groupes ethniques, comme les H’mong, les Ha Nhi, les Dao rouges, etc., reconnaissables aux divers motifs et couleurs de leurs costumes. Ces peuples arrivent principalement des villages des alentours de Muong Hum, mais certains viennent d’aussi loin que Sapa pour vendre et acheter leurs articles sur ce marché. Vous trouverez ici de tout, depuis les produits agricoles jusqu’aux vêtements, en passant par des articles ménagers comme des bols, des cuillères et même… des cheveux ! Profitez de cette promenade à travers le marché, qui vous aidera à comprendre les traditions et la culture de cette région.

Après le marché, vous vous dirigerez vers Vinh Yen, une superbe région située dans l’Est de la province de Lao Cai où vous profiterez librement de votre fin d’après-midi.

Repas inclus : petit-déjeuner, déjeuner
Hébergement : Cinnamon Ecolodge
Distance et durée de la randonnée : 3,8 kilomètres – 1h 30min
Niveau Easia : 1
Dénivelée : +60 mètres/ -180 mètres
Terrain : principalement en descente, routes goudronnées, routes de village, villages locaux, rizières
Transport : 144 kilomètres – 3h 30min

 

Jour 9 : Vinh Yen

Après le petit-déjeuner, vous démarrerez votre journée en prenant le chemin des plantations de cannelle entourant le lodge. Une présentation de cette épice vous permettra de mieux comprendre comment la cannelle est cultivée dans cette région. Selon l’époque de l’année, vous pourrez peut-être en récolter vous-même. Vous poursuivrez ensuite votre randonnée dans les alentours en traversant plusieurs vallées habitées par la minorité ethnique Thaï, avant de regagner le lodge pour le déjeuner.

L’après-midi, vous vous dirigerez vers la région de Khuoi Phuong pour une promenade dans les rizières. Cette vallée très large offre un superbe panorama des rizières qui recouvrent une grande partie de cette zone. Il est fréquent d’y voir des membres de l’ethnie minoritaire Thaï travailler dans les champs. La randonnée vous mènera à un village comptant de nombreuses maisons sur pilotis, puis vous descendrez jusqu’à une petite cascade, lieu idéal pour une baignade rapide. Votre circuit se terminera par la traversée d’un pont, avant de rejoindre la route principale pour un bref transfert vers le lodge.

Repas inclus : petit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dîner
Hébergement : nuit sur place au Cinnamon Ecolodge
Distance et durée de la randonnée :
Matin : 5 kilomètres – 1h 30min (le temps consacré à la découverte de la cannelle n’est pas inclus dans la durée)
Niveau Easia : 1
Dénivelée : + 195 mètres / – 197 mètres
Terrain : principalement des routes bétonnées, mais avec quelques portions hors route
Après-midi : 4 kilomètres à 10 kilomètres, selon la version choisie par les participants – 2 heures à 4 heures
Niveau Easia : 0 à 1
Dénivelée : +208 mètres / -190 mètres pour la randonnée de 4 heures, terrain presque entièrement plat pour le circuit de 2 heures
Terrain : principalement des routes bétonnées, 1 ou 2 petites rivières à traverser (ne présentant pas de difficultés)

 

Jour 10 : Vinh Yen – Hanoi

Après le petit-déjeuner vous profiterez de votre matinée librement, si vous le souhaitez vous pourrez effectuer une petite randonnée dans la campagne vous donnera l’occasion d’explorer une vallée proche du Cinnamon Ecolodge, abritant de petites rizières en terrasses. Vous aurez peut-être aussi la chance d’apercevoir des habitants qui entretiennent leurs champs ou surveillent leurs buffles. Pour rentrer à pied au lodge, deux possibilités s’offriront à vous pour traverser la rivière : un pont classique ou un petit pont en bambou, si vous avez le goût de l’aventure (vous pourrez décider sur place avec votre guide).

L’après-midi, vous prendrez la route pour Hanoi.

Repas inclus : petit-déjeuner, déjeuner
Hébergement :
Distance : 95 kilomètres – 2h 15min
Distance et durée de la randonnée : 3 à 5 kilomètres – 1h 30min à 2 heures
Niveau Easia : 0
Dénivelée : + 50 mètres / – 50 mètres
Terrain : principalement des routes bétonnées traversant des villages locaux, mais avec quelques portions hors route au niveau des rizières en terrasses, si vous optez pour le pont en bambou
Transport : 275 kilomètres – 4h 30min à 5 heures

Jour 11: Hanoi – Halong 

Vous partirez le matin par la route en direction de Halong, où vous arriverez vers midi. Là, vous embarquerez pour une croisière dans l’incontournable baie d’Halong, à bord d’une jonque. Cette baie connue dans le monde entier constitue l’un des plus beaux paysages du Vietnam, avec ses rochers-îlots gigantesques recouverts de végétation qui semblent surgir de l’eau. La baie d’Halong comprend quelques 1 900 îles et îlots de pitons rocheux, en général inhabités et vierges. Cet ensemble crée un paysage marin spectaculaire, ce qui lui valut d’entrer au Patrimoine Mondial de l’UNESCO en 1994. Le déjeuner et le dîner seront pris sur la jonque : menu à base de fruits de mer fraîchement pêchés dans la baie. Pour finir la journée, une séance de pêche nocturne sera organisée sur le bateau.

Repas inclus : Déjeuner, dîner 

Hébergement : Nuit sur la jonque 

Distance : 170 kilomètres – 2h 30min à 2h 45min 

Jour 12 : Halong – Hanoi 

Selon la saison, il est conseillé de ne pas se lever trop tard pour jouir du beau lever de soleil qui illumine progressivement la baie, en révélant ainsi toute la beauté sauvage. Puis la croisière continuera au cœur de la baie, jusqu’à votre débarquement en fin de matinée. Vous retournerez ensuite à Hanoi.

Repas inclus : Petit-déjeuner  

Hébergement : 

Distance : 170 kilomètres – 2h 30min à 2h 45min 

Jour 13 : Hanoi

Après avoir quitté votre chambre, votre chauffeur vous emmènera jusqu’à l’aéroport d’Hanoi pour votre vol international.

Note : La chambre est disponible jusqu’à 12 h