Northwestern Vietnam is a mountainous region featured by high mountains, deep canyons, rivers and fertile valleys. Visitor will be overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of the country's natural setting. However, the real attraction of this region is more than 30 ethnic minority groups who live in primitive villages still remain their traditional custom. The trip should be organized in dry season from November to April. (The average temperature during this time is around 15C)


Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau
Transfer to visit Mai Chau - a peaceful town where settling the Thai ethnic group. The whole district lies in a green valley of paddy fields dotted with rows of house on stilts. Thai communities here cultivate the fertile valley Stop to visit Lac village of Thai. Lunch at the local resident. A hand-loom brocades is often seen by windows where is the woke place of young girls? Dinner and O/N at Lac village, in the local stilted house.

Day 2: Mai Chau - Son La
Upon leaving Mai Chau, the roads begin to deteriorate. However, many villages dot the hillsides and the undulation terrain markets for an interesting journey. Stop for short trek, visiting H'mong and Muong people. Acrossing Moc Chau plateau, we pass many tea plantations which is the speciality of the area. The town of Son La situated along Nam La River is where we stop for Overnight. Here we can visit the nearby Tham Ke Cave. Lunch and dinner provided at hotel in Son La. O/N in Son La

Day 3: Son La - Dien Bien Phu
Before transfer to Bien Bien Phu, we have time to visit Sonla Prison built in 1908 by French - a remain from the French colonial period. To reach Dien Bien Phu, you have to cross Phadin pass which will make you a really amazing experience. Phadin according to the local language is where earth and sky meet. Stop for lunch at Tuan Giao and continue the road to Dien Bien Phu, the site of decisive battle in Vietnam's struggle for independence from the French in 1954. Lunch and O/N in Dien Bien Phu.

Day 4: Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau
Visit Dien Bien Phu town with its relics from the battle including French Tank, artillery pieces?Lunch in Dien Bien Phu before transfer to Lai Chau with stop-over at Thuan Chau market where ethnic people gather for trading. Dinner and O/N in Lai Chau

Day 5: Lai Chau - Sapa
Transfer from Lai Chau to Sapa. Stopover at Scenic suspension bridge of Nam Na and Tien Son cave in Binh Lu. Visit to H'mong and Thai minority villages and have lunch en route. O/N in Sapa

Day 6: Sapa
Sapa war founded in the early years of this century as a hill-top retreat for the French administrators during hot summer. At an altitute of over 1,000metres, there are warm days and cool evenings. With its remained architectures such as church, villas, small hydro-electric station, this place still has the air of an old French town.

Discover Sapa with Ham Rong Mountain - where you can take the overall view of area and the Fancipan peck - the Alpe of Tonkin, Cat Cat village where settled the H'mong people on the bank of Cat cat stream?their steep terraced vegetable gardens. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, you will visit Silver waterfall. Dinner and O/N in Sapa

Day 7: Sapa - Hanoi
Visit Sapa market where ethnic people gather to sell their embroidery pieces and share local news. Return to Hanoi by road following the Red River. It is rather long journey through the changing terrain from the Tonkinese Alpe to the delta region. Lunch enroute. O/N in Hanoi