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Northwest Vietnam 7 days
North West Vietnam’s Mountain Discovery Tour
4WD Land cruiser or Fortuner
7 Days 6 Nights – Private Tours – Daily departures
During this cultural
expedition, you will enjoy the best of North West Vietnam in the areas of Mai
Chau, Son La, Dien Bien Phu, Lai Chau and Sapa.
The mountainous North
West provides the perfect terrain for trekking routes. The Thai minority, a
warm and friendly ethnic group, welcomes you into their homes and share their
ways of life.
The roads wind
precariously across the mountain ranges, capturing the intensely varied
lifestyles of the Vietnamese people. The final two days of your journey may be
spent trekking the Sapa Valley to stay in minority villages, or just relax and
enjoy strolling around the town and surrounding area.
DETAILS ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi // Mai Chau (Dinner
Included)
Leaving Hanoi at 7am we head west to Mai Chau. Arriving at about midday we
check into the White Thai ethnic minority village. We spend the afternoon
relaxing and walking around the village meeting the people.
Dinner and overnight stay in the Stilt house enjoying folk songs and dancing
together and drinking from the bamboo tube. Overnight stay at village.
Day 2: Mai Chau // Son La (Brekfast,
Lunch included)
Departing in the morning we say farewell to our village friends and hit the
road for Son La. Arriving in the mid afternoon we check into our hotel and have
free time to relax or to take a stroll around the town.
Son La is the site of an old French penal colony were anticolonial
revolutionaries were jailed. Although much of it was destroyed by the US
warplanes offloading their unused ammunition during the Vietnam US war, it has
been partially restored and along with the little museum makes for interesting viewing.
The surrounding area of Son La is home to several Montagnards (Mountain
people). The White Thai, Meo, Muong, and Black Thai people. A small display of
their handcrafted wares can be seen in the local town market. Overnight stay at
hotel.
Day 3: Son La // Dien Bien Phu (Breakfast
and Lunch included)
Moving on we head directly west towards Dien Bien Phu, one of the remotest
parts of Vietnam. Passing by the villages of the ethnic minority people, The
White Thai, Meo, Muong, and the Black Thai we take in the picturesque scenery.
Dien Bien Phu is 35km as the crow flies from the Laos border, and is situated
in the Muong Thanh Valley. For centuries it has been a major town on the
transit route for traders between Myanmar, China and the north of Vietnam, but
more recently in May of 1954 it became a place of special significance in the
creation of a modern state of Vietnam. It was the site of a decisive battle
that led to a 57 day siege of the French garrison and consequential end of the
French colonial occupation.
The history of Dien Bien Phu is the main attraction here and now being the
capital of Lai Chau province the once small town is growing considerably.
On the site of the battle there now stands Dien Bien Phu Museum were old French
tanks and artillery can be seen along with the re-building of the bunker
headquarters of the French commander Colonel Christian de Castries. Overnight
stay at hotel.
Day 4: Dien Bien Phu // Lai Chau (Breakfast
and Lunch included)
Heading north through Lai Chau province we are confronted by some of Vietnams
most spectacular scenery. Nestled in a beautiful valley and surrounded by a
magnificent mountain range we enter the small town of Lai Chau. On arrival we
check into our hotel and freshen up. Then if so desired we take a drive up the
mountain Pha Din. In the local language Pha Din means heaven and earth, and
according to the local legend, this area was the frontier between Heaven and
Earth. Climbing and descending the slopes with their many bends and deep gorges
amid such magnificent scenery is a really enjoyable and interesting trip and
makes for some good photos. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 5: Lai Chau // Sapa (breakfast
and Lunch included)
Departing Lai Chau and arriving at Sapa around mid afternoon we check into our
hotel, freshen up and have the rest of the day to explore the town and maybe
take a short hike up to the lookout over the Sapa Valley.
Here there is great shopping for local produce at the towns market, and many
handicrafts available from the hill tribes people selling their wares.
Day 6: Sapa // Visit surrounding villages (Breakfast and Lunch included)
Breakfast is served at hotel, we take whole day trip Trek through the Sapa
valley visiting some of the villages of the colorful Dao hill tribe’s people
and returning to the town in the late afternoon. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 7: Sapa // Hanoi (Breakfast
and Lunch included)
After breakfast at 8:30, we then check out hotel and heading back to Hanoi,
lunch on the way at a local restaurant in yen Bai. Stops along the road for
taking pictures. We reach Hanoi lat afternoon at 4:30 pm. Drop you to your
hotel in Hanoi.
Type of tour: Private tour, Culture & Nature style
Departure: Everyday
Notes: There
are only 2 stars hotels in Son La, Lai Chau and Sapa is 3 star or Homestay, Resort.
Inclusive: Private
car (4.WD) with driver, Entrance fees, English or French speaking guide, Meals
as mentioned above itinerary, Accommodation at the deluxe class of 2 and 3
stars base on double share, 1 night stay at home of Thai people in Mai Chau.
Exclusive: Drinks, Insurance,
Personal expenses, Tip.
Package Promotion Prices per person :
Size of
Group |
2
persons |
3 - 4
persons |
5 - 6
persons |
6 - 8
persons |
Price in USD |
540 |
450 |
400 |
350 |