Bac Ha is the largest and most colourful market in the area and attracts throngs of villagers from the surrounding hill tribes. Some walk several hours for the weekly opportunity to trade and barter food, animals, clothes and household goods. 80km from Sapa, Bac Ha Market is not only the place for buying and selling, but also a place for cultural and sentiment exchanging..
Night 1: Overnight Train To Sa Pa (360km/-8h30 by train)
8.00 Pm – Mandarin Road private car comes to pick you up from your hotel then transfer to Ha Noi Railway Station and catch the night train to Lao Cai (soft sleeper with airconditioning, 4-berth cabin for Standard & Superior categories, 2-berth cabin for deluxe category). Arrive at 5:30 or 6:00am.
Day 1 : Sa Pa
We are met on arrival into Lao Cao in the early morning and transferred to Sapa, driving through dramatic and breathtaking scenery.
Being attracted by the climate and the beauty of the landscapes, the French colonists had made Sapa an ideal place for relaxation and holiday. The city is located at 1650m, at roof of Fanxipan, the highest mount of Viet Nam.
After breakfast at local restaurant, we take a walk to Cat Cat valley, an H’mong village which is situated about 2,5 km from Sapa by a track that descends wrap-around through a cultivated zone. The rest of the day is dedicated to leisure or shopping for delicate embroideries and batik at Sapa Fair. Climb to Ham Rong Mount for a panoramic view of Sapa. Lunch & dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Sapa.
Day 2 : Sa Pa- Lao Chai- Ta Van (12km/ 4h- 5h by trek)
About 09:30 am, we start trekking, the first part is on the road , and turn to the right and walk on a small path down the valley to Muong Hoa and from there to the Lao Chai village of Black Hmong. Black Hmong is one of the biggest minority groups in the Sapa area. They are proud of their culture and keep their traditions and way of living. We have lunch at Lao Chai village, after lunch we continue to Ta Van village to visit Day people. Day is a fairly small minority group in Sapa. Nowaday many women still wear traditional shirts with a purple, blue or green colour. The Day houses are built of wood and bamboo with a clay floor. From here you will be picked up and transferred back to Sapa. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight in Sapa.
Day 3: Sa Pa- Bac Ha- Lao Cai (170km/4h by road) - Overnight Train Back To Ha Noi (360km/ 8h30 by train)
After breakfast, we drive to Bac Ha market, one of the most colorful market in the northwest of Viet Nam. The Bac Ha market is held on every Sunday morning. From7AM to 9 AM, roads and trails in this region are very busy. A peasant pulls a donkey that doesn't want to move! Others are more prudent, preferring to transport small pigs themselves to prevent them from losing weight on their way to the market. Some go by couple, the woman carrying the basket on her back that she plaited herself and the man taking the corn alcohol he distilled. The girls are at their most beautiful, short skirts oscillating right and left with every step. The sellers display some essential products, such as groceries, books and school supplies. Some peasants come to sell their products (e.g., vegetables, handicrafts). Finally, the women calculate their day’s profit or compare goods. The girls put on make up to be more beautiful, while the men enjoy the rice alcohol and discuss about horses or land… After spending the morning exploring the market, we can walk to visit the Hmong King’s former residence and Ban Pho, where villagers make a potent maize alcohol. Lunch and dinner at local restaurant. Transfer to the Lai Cai train station for the night train to Hanoi (soft sleeper with airconditioning, 4-berth cabin for Standard & Superior categories, 2-berth cabin for deluxe category).
Day 4 : Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi at 5h:00. Transfer to your hotel. End of service.
