Bac Ha Market and Hoang Su Phi Terraced Rice Fields
Overview
Discovery of Ethnic Minorities, Terraced Rice Fields, and the Ethnic Market. This itinerary will take you on a fabulous adventure off the beaten path, far from mass tourism, in the Hoang Su Phi Region, known as one of the most beautiful terraced rice field landscapes in Northern Vietnam. You will visit the colorful Bac Ha weekly market on either Sunday or Saturday. Throughout your journey, you will encounter numerous Ethnic Minorities with lifestyles and ancestral customs adapted to the harsh mountain living conditions.
- An itinerary primarily off the beaten path, emphasizing authentic encounters
- Mountain Ethnic Minorities and their ancestral way of life
- The highly renowned largest market of Ethnic Minorities in Bac Ha
- The most beautiful terraced rice field landscapes in Northern Vietnam
Itinerary Expand All
Day 1Hanoi – Bac Ha, In The Land Of Flower Hmong (L, D)
Journey to Bac Ha, a stroll through the ethnic villages of Flower Hmong, and Tay.
Departure at 8:00 for Bac Ha, the highland region of Northern Vietnam, taking the Hanoi - Pho Lu highway. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Bac Ha, situated at an altitude of 1,000 meters, is inhabited by various ethnic groups such as the Hmongs, Phu La, and Tays. An easy-access short hike is offered to the villages of Ngai Phong Tro and Din Thang. Explore the agricultural environment, traditional dwellings, lush terraced rice fields, and valleys dotted with trees. Visit isolated hamlets and meet two ethnic groups: the Flower Hmong and the Phu La. The Hmongs were originally part of the San Miao in southern China. Due to conflicts with feudal Chinese authorities, some Hmongs migrated to Vietnam in the late 18th and early 20th centuries. The Phu La also immigrated to Vietnam around the 18th and early 20th centuries. Dinner and overnight stay with a local family.
If you make a stop on Saturday night in Bac Ha: Free participation in the public folklore dance and singing show held every Saturday night at the Bac Ha market.
Day 2Bac Ha Weekly Market And Discovery Of Beautiful Valleys In Ban Phung (B, L, D)
Colorful Ethnic Minorities Market, stroll through ethnic villages, terraced rice valleys.
After breakfast, you will set out to explore one of the most renowned weekly markets in the region, exclusively held on Sundays: Bac Ha Market. Being the habitat area of several different ethnic groups such as the Dzaos, Tays, Phu Las, Nungs, and Flower Hmong, Bac Ha's weekly market deeply showcases the typical cultural traits of Ethnic Minorities living in these remote regions. Enjoy the lively atmosphere with various goods, vegetables, poultry, horses, buffaloes, and more on display. You may encounter ethnic residents dressed in their vibrant traditional costumes, gathering to exchange goods, enjoy meals, and even find a life partner. In the afternoon, you will visit isolated hamlets and meet with Flower Hmong, Phu Las, and others. Then, continue the journey to Ban Phung via the town of Xin Man.
Day 3Ban Phung – Ban Luoc, Immersion In A Black Dao Village (B, L, D)
Meeting with the La Chi and Black Dao ethnic groups, exploration of the beautiful rice valleys of Ban Phung and Ban Luoc.
After breakfast, explore Ban Phung, an exceptional place at 1000 meters altitude inhabited by the La Chi ethnic group, a small minority with just over 10,000 people. Take a one-hour stroll through the village of Ban Phung, where you'll enjoy the fabulous landscapes of terraced rice fields dotted with about fifty stilt houses. Continue to Ban Luoc, known as the paradise of terraced rice fields, a remarkable and particularly appreciated wild region by photographers. Take a walk in the beautiful rice valley of Ban Luoc on a trail that winds along the slope to reach the village of Suoi Thau. Settle in with a Black Dao ethnic family, offering a beautiful view of the rice fields. Discover the customs and traditions of the Black Dao people. The Dao people originated from China and immigrated to Vietnam from the 12th century until the first half of the 20th century. Overnight at a homestay - dormitory.
Day 4Ban Luoc – Nam Son - Nam Hong, Immersion In Red Dao Culture (B, L, D)
Visit to the most beautiful rice valley of Ban Luoc, immersion in the culture of the Red Dao, experience of herbal/medicinal plant bath.
Take a 2-hour walk through the rice valley of Ban Luoc, following a different path than the previous day, providing an exceptional journey through Hoang Su Phi. There is an opportunity to swim under a waterfall if you wish. Lunch. In the afternoon, you can try a suspension bridge near the road to the Red Dao village of Nam Hong. Upon arrival in the village, enjoy an exceptional relaxation moment by taking a bath with medicinal plants, a practice unique to the Red Dao tribes to alleviate fatigue.
Optional: Participate in the fire dance ceremony, a mystical festival of the Red Dao ethnic group.
Overnight at a homestay in a dormitory or in a private bungalow according to your preference.
Day 5Nam Hong - Hanoi (B, L)
Discovery of handmade paper production, tea drying technique, and visit to the Red Dao village.
Breakfast at the homestay. Visit the Nam Hong Red Dao village and learn about local agricultural techniques. Depending on the season, you may participate in tea picking and traditional tea drying with the local residents. Afterward, observe the handmade paper production using straw and resin from a wild plant by the Red Dao. These papers are used for ancestral worship. Take a walk to explore the surroundings of the village. Then, depart to return to Hanoi with a stop in Tuyen Quang to see vast hills of tea plantations. You will arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon. End of our services.
Prices and Accommodation
How to book?
Enter your travel date, the number of adults, and the language
Click "Book this tour" for price, then "Book now" to reserve.
"Pricing is for up to 6 adults. For larger groups, please request a customized offer in your 'special requests'
Included
- Accommodation
- Transportation in a private vehicle with a chauffeur for your exclusive group
- Meals as mentioned in the program: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
- English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees and visitation rights to the sites
- One liter of bottled water per day per person, Administrative fees
Excluded
- Visa
- Travelers personal insurance
- Bank fees, Drinks, phone, personal expenses, and anything not clearly mentioned in the "This price includes" section
- Surcharge during public holidays (if any)
- Tips (based on your satisfaction, a suggested reference is $5 USD/day/traveler for guides and half that for drivers)
Useful Information
- Equipment for your safety: bring hiking shoes, a flashlight, and mosquito repellent. Sunscreen is recommended between April and November. Warm clothing is advised during winter (mid-November to early March). Don't forget to bring a towel and toiletries.
- During the winter season (December to January), the weather is often cold and misty, especially early in the morning and late in the afternoon, and some days may be like this all day.
- Hoang Su Phi and Bac Ha have only one rice harvest between June and September. There are two beautiful seasons suitable for visiting: from mid-September to October 1st, it is the season of ripe rice. After the harvest, the terraced fields remain splendid but will be empty until the following spring.
- In May and June, during the rainy season, water from the mountains flows into the terraces. The fields are irrigated, the once arid soils soak up water and soften again, buffaloes plow the rice fields, and transplanting work can begin anew.
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