Destinations: Hoa Binh , Son La , Dien Bien

OVERVIEW

This trip will take you through the most scenic beauty of the wild mountains of North West Vietnam and the colorful ethnic minority people. The North of Vietnam is characterized by green mountains, crystal clear lakes and rivers, and colorful ethnic minorities. The local living conditions are very rural.

Some accommodations will be in typical homes in local villages and will be basic, consisting of a bed with mosquito netting. A local guide will accompany you on any treks

ITINERARY

DAY 1 : Hanoi – Mai Chau (Lunch/Dinner)

08:00 am. We have departure from your hotel in Hanoi to Mai Chau, via the peaceful gateway to the northwest, Hoa Binh town. Mai Chau is the heart of a beautiful valley. As you emerge on the rice fields and rural areas, you will experience a real paradise. Most of the people are ethnic White Thai. The women are masterful weavers of the traditional-style clothing that is found in the markets and village center. The stilt houses border both side of the roads. The houses are quite large with palm leaf roofs and bamboo-slat floors. The kitchen is located in the center of the house, where the cooking as well as the weaving takes place. The windows are large and decorated with patterns. Each house also has a pond to breed fish. The Sunday market brings different minorities into the town and is an important social as well as commercial occasion.

We arrive in Mai Chau in time for lunch at our Thai home.

In the afternoon we will walk to nearby villages of Poongkong and Chieng Chau to experience local life in this area.

Enjoy a minority music show in the evening.

Overnight in stilt house of White Thai minority in Lac village.

Distance       Ha Noi Central – Mai Chau: 200 km => 4 hour transfer

DAY 2 : Mai Chau – Son La (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

07:00 am. After breakfast depart for Son La. On the way we visit Dao Tien and White Thai villages. Eighty percent of Son La province is covered with mountains and various ethnic groups, including the H’mong, Dao, and Tay live here. Upon arrival in Son La we check into the hotel.

In the afternoon we visit Son La Provincial Museum, which was originally a penitentiary built by the French in 1908. While initially it was only a small provincial prison, between 1930 and 1945 thousand of Vietnamese communists were imprisoned here by the French. There is also an exhibit of the historical and cultural traditions of the ethnic groups living in Son La province.

We also visit H’mong villages.

Distance        Mai Chau – Son la: 300 km => 7 hour transfer_moutain road

Hotels:

·         Hanoi Hotel 

DAY 3: Son La (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

08:00 am. Today we leave Son La and cross the Da River (Black River) on the ferry at Pac Uon village. We take a three hour private boat trip up the Da River, a major tributary of the Red River, to the Thai village of Lam Ma where we will enjoy a picnic lunch.  After lunch we will walk around the village to experience the daily life of these Thai villagers. 

Overnight home stay in Lam Ma village

DAY 4: Lai Chau (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

08:00 am. In the morning we will take a four-hour private boat trip up the Da River to Lai Chau town.  We check into our hotel at Lan Anh and have lunch. In the afternoon we will explore the area around Pa So village, which is considered to be a pristine locality. We will see orchid nurseries, butterfly farms, waterfalls and breathtaking scenery. We will visit Dzao and H’mong villages and explore the Da River in kayaks.

Overnight at Lan Anh Hotel

Hotels:

·         Lan Anh Hotel 

DAY 5: Lai Chau – Dien Bien (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

08:00 am. After breakfast depart Lai Chau for Dien Bien Phu, near the Laos border. Dien Bien Phu is the scene of the most decisive battle of the war with the French in 1954. 

In the afternoon, You can visit the command bunker of De Castries and explore the dense systems of defense lines including many layers of barbed wire in the surrounding area. Visit hill A1, the strongest post of all of the 49 strongholds in Dien Bien Phu and the Museum of Dien Bien Victory.

Overnight in Dien Bien Phu.

Distance       Lai Chau – Dien Bien 200 km => 4 hour transfer 

Hotels:

·         Lan Anh Hotel 

DAY 6: Dien Bien – Hanoi (Breakfast)

You will have leisure time until 10am when we depart for Dien Bien airport for a flight to Hanoi

INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

What’s included?

• Accommodation in the category chosen or similar based on double/twin sharing with daily breakfast.
• Meals as mentioned in the program. B:5 Breakfast, L:05  Lunch, D; 05 Dinner.
• All local boat rentals as mentioned in the program. Transfer from and to the airports by private vehicle with A/C. Transportation by private vehicle with A/C.
• All entrance fees and sightseeing as mentioned in the program.
• Local English speaking guide(s) in Vietnam.
• 01 FOC in ½ Twin room for group of 16pax onward (excluding internal airfares and visas). Maximum 02 FOC per group.

What’s excluded?

• Late check out or Early check in
• International flight/ Domestic flight tickets and airport taxes.
  All internal/ regional flight tickets in economy class with/without departure tax
• Visa fee upon arrival in Vietnam
• Tips & personal expenses. Personal insurance. Any service not clearly mentioned in the program.

IMPORTANT INFO

Cancellation Policy

1. Cancellations must be advised by email / fax
   b. The cancellation fees will apply:

• Cancelation 30 days prior to arrival date: USD 50 per person will be charged.
• Cancelation from 20 days to 30 days prior to arrival date: 30% of total invoice amount will be charged
• Cancelation from 10 days to 20 days prior to arrival date: 50% of total invoice amount will be charged
• Cancelation less than 10 days prior to arrival date or no-show: 100% of total invoice invoice amount will be charged

Price In USD (in a private tour for a group of 2 adults)

PRICE IN USD PER PAX (in a private tour for a group of 2 adults)

Price not apply on holidays in Vietnam