Day 1 Ha Noi - Thac Ba lake

Heading out of Hanoi city, we follow the Red River to avoid the city traffic jams. This windy river road will give a taste of things to come. Our journey takes you along the river to discover the agriculture civilization of Viet and Muong people in the Red River Delta. We will stop to visit their traditional houses and villages on the way. The car stops in Yen Bai Town where you will take a three hour cruise across the lake, a dugout canoe is provided for an excursion to Thac Ba Lake containing crystal clear water where there is an opportunity for a refreshing swim.

Overnight: Hotel in Yenbai Town

Meals included: none

Day 2 Yen Bai - BacHa

Bidding farewell to Yen Bai, we continue further north to Bac Ha - a small town built on a desolated highland plain west of Lao Cai. Well-known for the century-old colorful market of the real mountainous people including the Dzao and the Flower H’Mong. They and the mountains seem to fall in a sleep and time stands still until Sunday mornings when the Bac Ha market occurs. After checking into hotel we can enjoy a walk to visit the Hmong King’ former residence and Ban Pho where villagers make the potent local maize alcohol.

Overnight: Hotel in Bacha

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3 BacHa - Cancau market - Sapa

Early this morning we catch our jeep for a 20km drive to Can Cau market, a basic one but full of the hill tribes with colorful customs. The morning CanCau Market is close to China border and home to many ethnic minorities such as Flower H’Mong, Nung, Dzao, they all come down from mountainous, isolated villages taking along with horses, buffaloes, cats, dogs, chickens for sales, at the market place you will be surprised and impressed by what they trade and their colorful clothes. You will have a real discovery on the cultures and lifestyles of the hill tribes here because they live in a remote and isolated region and far away from the modern life.

We continue our trip to Sapa through Lao Cai border town, after having lunch and take a brief look at Ha Khau border gate, we drive up a 30km spectacular pass to Sapa, arrival in Sapa in the afternoon. At an elevation of 1,600 meters, Sapa was founded in the early years of the last century as a hill resort for French administrators when the heat on the plain became unbearable. After checking into hotel we can soak up the fresh climate as much as we want by spending our time wandering around this charming town and some legacies of the French period.

Overnight: Hotel in Sapa

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4 Sapa - Cat Cat village- Ta Phin

In the morning we take a short trek to Catcat village, the village of H'mong tribe in the valley, which remains very generally uncorrupted outside forces. Excellent views of the valley, the magnificent limestone and paddy fields of H'mong village. Enjoy some visits to local families and reach their customs. After the village down into the valley, the Cat Cat waterfall will be visible. A "White curtain" cascade appears, surrounded by flowery valley and deep-green pines. The rocks near the river and waterfall provide a marvelous place for picturesque photos and sunbathing during good weather…

In the afternoon our jeep will take us to TaPhin valley, around 15kms from Sapa. Here you will see the ruins of the old French Colonial Church by the left-hand side of this dirt road where we stop to get entrance fees to enter the village. Leave your jeep at the end of the dirt road then walk into the village to visit the rich culture and friendly tribes here we visit the villages of the Red Dzao and Black Hmong minority people, enjoy the view of the valley and visit the caves in the village's outskirts. Our guide will assist you communicating with the locals while visiting around the village. Take a ride back to Sapa for around 30 minutes and you must stop some times on the way to take photos of the fabulous valley. Many "Kodak moments" are awaiting for you along the way back to Sapa

Overnight: Hotel in Sapa

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5 Sapa - Phong Tho – Sin Ho- Lai Chau

Our first stop today is Silver waterfalls and Heaven Gate on the way to Phong Tho. From Sapa to Phong Tho you pass through Binh Lu, up over the 1900 meter Tram Ton Pass , considered the most beautiful stretch of road in Vietnam . If you happen to be in Tam Duong on a Sunday morning, the town is bustling with activity as the local hill tribes gather for their weekly market day here. After lunch in Phong Tho, we keep driving to Lai Chau via Sin Ho. The drive to Lai Chau is stunning with tiered tea plantations and verdant rice terraces carved into the landscape. We spend the night in Lai Chau.

Overnight: Hotel in Laichau

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6 Lai Chau - Dien Bien

The loop continues on to Dien Bien Phu - the site of the decisive battle in Vietnam’s struggle for independence in 1954. On the way we see very few other travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs.

After checking into our centrally located hotel we enjoy a walk around to see this fast growing town. Dien Bien is only 35km from the border with Laos . Being the last battlefield of the French during their war with the Vietnamese, which ended with the fall of the French colonial control in Indochina and the replacement of the US Army not so long, Dien Bien Phu now returned to be a green valley inhabited by dozens of the ethnic groups. Visiting the historical sites in Dien Bien will also make your trip more memorable. To name a few, they are Dien Bien Museum, A1 Hill, the shelter of the French general De Castries and the cemetery and memorial of the Vietnamese and French soldiers died during the fierce fighting. The main stop is Dien Bien Phu Museum which details the event in place. We also pay a visit to the old battle field where the lush vegetation grows behind many war relics including old French tanks and artillery pieces.

Overnight: Hotel in Dienbien

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7 Dien Bien Phu - Son La

Today we leave Dien Bien Phu for Son La via Tuan Giao. On the way we visit villages, suspension bridges, take photos and stop over at Pha Din Pass. The most picturesque scenery is that of Pha Din Pass , which is well-known as a historical site during the French War in 1954, a high and dangerous pass at elevation 1,300, and a breathtaking view.

After checking in hotel in Son La, we pay a visit to the provincial museum, the nearby old prison and the Ta Toong cave which are some of this hill town's major sights. Have dinner and free time for relax.

Overnight: Hotel in Sonla

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8 Son La - Mai Chau homestay

Depart to Mai Chau, a beautiful valley inhabited by the Thai people in Hoa Binh province. On the way we visit Black Thai village and take photos, explore the hill of tea at the Moc Chau Plateau. After lunch in Moc Chau, continue on the way. Arrive in Mai Chau around late noon, check in house on stilts of White Thai at Lac village, and hike around the villages full of house-on-stilts and textile products of local people to learn about the routine life of Thai tribal people, who are believed to be homogenous with the Thai people in Thailand and Southern China . Amongst the 53 ethnic groups of Vietnam, they are considered one of the most civilized for the delicate dress, for beauty and elegance of women, and for nice, wide, spacious houses-on-stilts, and above all, for hospitality.

We have a beautiful dinner and enjoy folk songs performed by Thai girls.

Overnight: Thai village homestay

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9 Mai Chau - Hanoi

After breakfast in Lac village, trekking around valley Mai Chau, visit Nhot village and Na Pho (White Thai), return to Hanoi, on the way stop to visit Hoa Binh hydro power plant, lunch en route. Arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon.

Meals included: breakfast.

This tour is built upon our firsthand knowledge & experience, offering you the best choices available. The price of this trip varies depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and availability of ground services.

Please click on CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIPS and supply the required information, enabling us to send you your personalized quote within 24 hours!

Note: Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suite your requirements, but may incur price changes

 

WHAT'S INCLUDED?
• Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels 
• Private Vehicles and Drivers
• Private English Speaking Guides (Other languages if available, upon request)
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
• All domestic flights
• Airport Taxes and Fuel charges
• Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
• Drinking water available on the vehicles.
• Service Charge & Government Taxes
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?
• Your International Flights
• Personal Expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
• Any bank fees or charges at your end
• Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
• Personal Travel Insurance
• Tips for tour guide and driver in each region
• Peak season or public holidays surcharge if any
• Compulsory Gala dinner on X-Mas or New Year if any
• Vietnam visa stamp fee 
• Other services not mentioned above

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HOTEL SELECTION:

The hotels listed below are our suggestions for the best value on this tour.  However, Asia Essence Tours offers many more options of hand-picked hotels, with different "star ratings", allowing you to customize the vacation to meet your taste and budget.

LOCATIONS	FIRST CLASS CATEGORY	SUPERIOR CATEGORY	DELUXE CATEGORY
Sapa	Baamboo	U Sapa	Victoria
Laichau	Caobang Hotel	Caobang Hotel	Caobang Hotel
Dienbienphu	Nha khach	Muongthanh	Muongthanh
Mauchau	Homestay	Sol Louge	Maichau Eco Louge

ABOUT HOTELS:

We, at Asia Essence Tours, are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. As the hotel cost will be the major expense of your vacation in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, it is essential that all of the hotels chosen by us are the highest quality for the price paid. All of our prices are based on twin, double or queen shared rooms.

BELOW IS AN EXPLANATION OF THE HOTEL "STAR" RATINGS:

First Class/ 3 Star (from US$ 50 - US$ 80 per room/night)

The First Class/ 3 Star Hotels are good value and normally centrally located. They all have comfortable en-suite rooms, good amenities and public areas to relax in. They are usually family run hotels, so offer great personalized service for your enjoyment and comfort. Most first class properties offer an in-house restaurant, and some may even have a swimming pool!

Superior/ 4 star (from US$ 100 - US$ 150/ per room/night)

The 4* superior Hotels offer a wide range of services. Many superior hotels feature a choice of several in-house restaurants. In addition virtually all of them have a swimming pool. Some may even feature a spa or health club. This grade of hotel offers more for your enjoyment and comfort, while still remaining affordable.

Deluxe/ 5 Star (from US$160 - US$ 240++/ per room/night)

These 5* Deluxe hotels are usually owned by Worldwide, well known Hotel chains. The deluxe hotels feature excellent locations, offer the highest standards of service and facilities, and are known as the best hotels in each region. Facilities such as swimming pools and spas are the norm, and guest rooms are luxurious. These hotels offer first class service and amenities throughout.

ASIA ESSENCE TOURS™ BESPOKE STYLE SUITS EVERYONE

Flexibility: The sample itinerary can be modified to suit your interests, budget as well as your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used & how long you spend in each destination.

Tailor-Made Journey: This trip can be tailor made to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of the trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.

Commitment to Excellence: We enjoys excellent relationships with all of the highly regarded hotels and finest properties in our destinations as well as with service suppliers so that we are able to negotiate the most attractive prices for our clients, which enables us to provide exclusive holidays and affordable special offers. We create one-of-a-kind vacations for groups and individuals. We love our destinations and do our best to make sure that our customers feel the same way. Our job is to make sure that everyone gets the right balance of comfort and excitement to enjoy the experience of a lifetime.