Bac Ha Trip Overview
The markets in the north of Vietnam offer a cultural experience quite unlike any other. As well as seeing the amazing skill which goes into the traditional craftwork on sale, you will meet the people who made it. The joy of the marketplace is the rich cultural diversity, with people from all of the different ethnic minority groups gathering to buy, sell, barter and socialise. This tour will take you from Hanoi to visit two of the best markets in the north-east region of Vietnam.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 days
Starts: Bac Ha, Vietnam
Trip Category: Transfers & Ground Transport >> Bus Services
Explore Bac Ha Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Bac Ha, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam
The markets in the north of Vietnam offer a cultural experience quite unlike any other. As well as seeing the amazing skill which goes into the traditional craftwork on sale, you will meet the people who made it. The joy of the marketplace is the rich cultural diversity, with people from all of the different ethnic minority groups gathering to buy, sell, barter and socialise. This tour will take you from Hanoi to visit two of the best markets in the north-east region of Vietnam.
Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi – Lao Cai – Bac Ha
Stop At: Bac Ha, Bac Ha, Lao Cai Province
One of our English-speaking guides will collect you at your hotel in Hanoi around 7:30AM, and begin your drive towards Lao Cai, where we’ll be stopping for lunch.
After lunch we head to the H’mong King’s house (King Hoang A Tuong), which was built by the French and Chinese in 1920, leading to a unique fusion of European and Oriental architecture, making for an incredibly grand structure.
From here we begin our trekking by heading to a Flower H’mong community in Ban Pho Village. Their culture is named for the colourful and extravagantly decorated traditional outfits that they wear, often made by hand. It’s a truly fascinating culture that you’ll get to learn much about during your time here. Afterwards we continue our trek until we reach Na Hoi Village, where you’ll have dinner and stay the night with a local family. In total the trek is about 3 to 5 kilometres long.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Homestay in Bac Ha
Day 2: Can Cau Market – Trek Bac Ha
Stop At: Can Cau Market, Sapa Vietnam
After breakfast in our homestay we’ll drive to Can Cau Market via Bac Ha Town. Although the market is smaller than some others in the regions, it is special in the sense that it has retained its local and authentic appeal.
Few tourists actually come here, which is probably the reason for how it’s achieved this, and as such it makes for a great place to get a real feel for the local cultures of the region. Once you’ve had your fill exploring and perusing the many fascinating stalls, it’s time to trek from Ta Giang Pho to lay Thuy Ngai, which presents you with incredible views along the route as you’re surrounded by wild and beautiful natural landscapes and terraced rice fields. Along the way you’re sure to run into some people belonging to the Red Dao or Black H’mong ethnic groups. The trek is about 12 to 15 kilometres, and when you reach the end our driver will pick you up and take you back to Na Hoi Village for another night in the homestay.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Homestay in Bac Ha
Day 3: Bac Ha market – Sapa
Stop At: Bac Ha Market, Bac Ha 330000 Vietnam
After breakfast, we’ll start the day by walking to Bac Ha Market where you’ll spend time among the local people perusing many enticing stalls. This is one of the most colourful markets in Northern Vietnam and it looks more like a festival or celebration than a simple market. In fact, the whole area is positively alive with a variety of animals like pigs, cats, buffaloes and horses, all for sale of course. Once you’re finished at the market, you’ll get an opportunity to relax your undoubtedly sore legs on a cruise along the Chay River floating down the calm waters, just simply sit back and take in the incredible views. Our driver will waiting to take you to Sapa for lunch. After lunch in Sapa we will head out on another trek through Muong Hoa Valley, which showcases what Sapa is most famous for, namely the amazing views of rice paddies rippling across the mountains. The trek is roughly 3 to 5km long and afterwards we’ll head to our homestay in Tavan for dinner stay overnight.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Homestay in Sapa
Day 4: Sapa – Hanoi
Stop At: Sapa, Sapa, Lao Cai Province
After your breakfast on the fourth day, it’s time for your final trek, which will be roughly 3 to 5 kilometres long. We’ll make our way through the verdant valley in order to visit two villages, one inhabited by Black H’mong and the other by Dzay. In the Dzay Village we’ll enjoy lunch with a local Dzay family before being picked up and driven to Hanoi via Lao Cai. You’ll arrive at your hotel in Hanoi at around 6:30pm.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.
