Hill tribes of Sapa

The far north of Vietnam is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Tribes from all over Asia found refuge in its rich, green valleys and they have lived here, in virtual isolation, ever since. Untouched by modernity as we know it, they still follow traditional ways of life, wear traditional clothing, and observe ancient custom. During this module you'll head into these magical villages on foot with a guide. The villagers will greet you with incredible warmth and hospitality. You'll drop in on the tribes of the Black H’mong and the Red Dzao on a hike through the verdant countryside, surrounded by steep mountain ridges and terraced rice paddies. You'll also visit the famous Love Market and the folkloristic Bac Ha Market, bursting with local colour and energy.

The longest hike featured in this module is 6km, making it suitable for all levels of fitness. If you are looking for more demanding hikes and an overnight stay with a hill tribe, then Sapa- train and trekking may be more up your street.

Duration	5 days / 4 nights Departs Thursdays and sometimes Friday from Hanoi	Accommodation	2 nights sleeper train, 2 nights in a comfortable hotel in Sapa. Comfort Level 3 (see accommodation)
Price	£92 per person - based on 2 people	Includes	Overnight train fare, hotel accommodation with breakfast, transport to Sapa and surroundings, guided hill tribe trek/hike
Transport	Air-conditioned overnight train, car/jeep	Excludes	All other meals and drinks, excursions

Days 1 and 2: Overnight train - Sapa - Visit to Black H'Mong

You'll be collected from your hotel in Hanoi in late afternoon and taken to the train station. Here, you can stock up on snacks for the overnight journey into the north. The train is air-conditioned and the rhythm of the rails should lull you to sleep in your 4-bedded couchette. These are generally pretty comfortable, although tall people might find that their feet dangle over the edge of the sleeper couches. An Asian train journey is always an experience to be remembered.

The next morning, you'll arrive in Lao Cai, a 2½-hour road trip from Sapa. On the way, you'll see paddy terraces climbing up the mountainsides like giant staircases. When you arrive you'll check into your comfortable hotel. It is full of local charm and lies in the centre of Sapa, with wonderful views across the rich, green valley.

After lunch you'll take a guided walk of about 5km to the village of Cat Cat, home to the striking Black H’mong people. The Black H'mong wear mainly black clothing, as their name suggests. The dye that they use tends to run and, as a result, their hands are also stained a little black. The adults chew betel nut- the seeds of the betel palm rolled up in a leaf. This often stains their teeth dark red. After visiting the village, you'll walk a little further to a cascading mountain waterfall before returning to Sapa for the night.

Black H'Mong girl

Day 3: Guided walk to the Red Dzao

Today, you'll walk a little less (4km or so) to the small village of the Red Dzao people. On the way, you'll cross a couple of bamboo bridges over clear mountain streams. There will be plenty of magnificent views and you'll come across many women working in the fields. Though they may only speak a few words of English, they are incredibly warm and welcoming people, and will often invite you for tea in their homes. The houses are built mostly of wood and cane and there’s usually a fire in the middle of the room. The headgear worn by these people is mostly red. Initially, the villagers might seem rather shy, but if you give them a smile, you'll quickly be rewarded with beaming faces. Once you're back in Sapa, you can just relax or wander round the local market.

On Saturday evening from about 7pm, the Love Market takes place in Sapa. Young eligible men and women from the Dzao region meet here, dressed in finery, in the hope of snagging a partner. We can definitely recommend taking a look.

Day 4: Visit to Bac Ha Market – Overnight Train to Hanoi

This morning, it's time to grab your backpack and say farewell to Sapa. You'll take a drive to Bac Ha, a small mountain village famous for its busy market. The market is an amazing trading hub, as people from many different tribes meet here to sell their goods. It is a feast for the senses, with traders dressed in a rainbow of colours displaying fresh vegetables, meats, and other products. It's also a perfect opportunity to pick up a few unique Vietnamese souvenirs made by local people.

After lightening your pockets at the market, you'll drive towards the Chinese border to catch a glimpse of the chaotic jumble of Chinese signs. From here, you can see the bridge and stretch of water that forms the actual boundary between the two countries. At the end of the afternoon, you'll be taken to Lao Cai where you'll have plenty of time to grab an evening meal before boarding the night train back to Hanoi.

Red Dzao people

Day 5: Arrival in Hanoi

You'll arrive in Hanoi on Day Five at about 6am in the morning. This is where the module ends.

Taxis and tuk-tuks will not be in short supply, so you can easily organise transport from the train station back to your hotel. It might be a little too early to check in at some hotels, so you can leave your luggage at reception and enjoy breakfast overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake.

You could follow this active trip with something a little more relaxing, such as Magical Islands of Halong Bay. Alternatively, you could choose to spend a further few days in Hanoi, taking various day trips beyond the city limits. Or, you could begin your journey to the south of the country, stopping to update your wardrobe in Hoi An.

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