VN21 Ha Giang Discovery ( 4 days / 3 nights )

Hanoi - Ha Giang - Dong Van - Meo Vac - Tay Homestay - Hanoi

Note: This trip departs on Fridays.

Day 1 (Fri) Hanoi – Ha Giang (320km)

After a long journey from Hanoi, you will arrive in Ha Giang. Relatively undiscovered, this “off-the-beaten-track” destination is unique for its well-preserved traditions and local culture. Lunch will be provided en route to Ha Giang. Upon your arrival, visit the Tay minority people at the Phuong Do Village which is dotted with stilt houses and surrounded by terraced paddy fields. You will have an opportunity to walk around the village to get a taste of very authentic rural daily life. Afterwards, observe the locals completing their daily work and making their way home. You will return to Ha Giang in the late afternoon and check in to a hotel.

Overnight in Ha Giang. [Lunch, Dinner]

Day 2 (Sat) Ha Giang – Dong Van (160km)

Drive on the undulating terrain, between 700m and 1,300m in height, through extraordinary mountainous landscapes and terraced paddy fields. You will stop at the Quyet Tien Market where the minority groups of the Nung, the White Hmong, the Po Y, the Dao Lanten and the Tay gather to trade their produce. Proceed to the Heaven’s Gate and the Fairy Mountain before visiting a White Hmong village which specializes in flax weaving. This is a wonderful opportunity to stretch your legs and explore the village. There will be another visit to a village of the Zao Lanten before taking a lunch break. After lunch, drive up to the altitude of 1,432m to visit an ancient village of the White Hmong; you will then proceed to Sung La to discover a LoLo house and its people (the LoLo minority is one of Vietnam's least-common ethnic minorities and are only found within this region). Afterwards, visit the impressive ancient Hmong King Palace before reaching Dong Van Town. Arrive in the late afternoon and check into a hotel.

Overnight in Dong Van [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]

Day 3 (Sun) Dong Van – Meo Vac – Bao Lam - Ha Giang – Tay Minority Homestay 170km)

In the morning, visit the Sunday Dong Van minority market (one of the most beautiful minority markets in Vietnam). Before reaching the peak of Ma Pi Leng, you will be able to admire the panoramic views of a rocky mountain, a river and paddy field terraces. Visit Meo Vac Market where cattle are traded then proceed to Bao Lam Town for lunch. After lunch, drive along the Gam River to Ha Giang. Upon arrival, experience a warm welcomed from a hospitable Tay family who offers overnight accommodation in their stilt house. Although the place only provides basic comfort, you will find the stay an unforgettable experience. Have a memorable dinner with a local Tay family.

(Optional: indulge in a traditional herbal bath or simply have a relaxing foot soak using herbal remedies).
Overnight homestay in a house on stilts [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]

Day 4 (Mon) Ha Giang – Hanoi (320km)

Take a walk in the morning around the village to observe the local lifestyle and immerse yourself in the tranquil mountainous scenery. Return to Hanoi. Lunch en route. Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to a hotel.

[Breakfast, Lunch]

* OPTIONAL – Responsible Tourism: Tree Planting in Ha Giang

Vidotour is a proud pioneer in introducing homestays in Ha Giang to travellers worldwide. We have received overwhelmingly positive responses and we are delighted that Ha Giang is attracting further interest and attention. More importantly, the ethnic communities now realise that tourism is improving their living standards in a constructive manner. In an attempt to ensure more benefits for both visitors and locals, Vidotour offers guests an opportunity to green their stay and improve local people’s lives by planting trees in their orchards. This is a joint effort for both parties wherein guests plant trees during their visits and the host families cultivate the trees until they bear fruit.