The roof of Vietnam: Ha Giang & The Far North

This morning, depart the hotel for a 2 hour drive to Thai Nguyen. En route, visit the Thai Nguyen Museum of Ethnology to learn about the tribal people in the mountainous region of northern Vietnam. Continue about 105km drive to Na Phac and Cho Ra, enjoying picturesque landscapes along the road. Stop for a late lunch in Cho Ra Town.
After lunch, head to Ba Be and spend the rest of afternoon exploring Ba Be National Park and lake on a local boat cruise.
At the end of the day, transfer to a local hotel for check-in. Overnight at Ba Be.

After breakfast, drive about 79km to Tinh Tuc - the town of subsidy memory sine 1970s then head to Bao Lac for an hour walk around the village of San Chi or Lo Lo ethnic people. Lunch break at house of local people. 
After lunch, continue to drive along Gam River for 21km to Ly Bon, traveling up steep mountains discovering the remotest land of Cao Bang to Meo Vac town of Ha Giang province. Take an hour walking through the fascinating valley of Niem Son and discover the cultural life of Nung ethnic people.
Then continue to drive over the Ma Pi Leng Pass to enjoy its magnificent and spectacular scenery en route. Arrive in Dong Van and check in hotel.
Overnight in Meo Vac.

If on Sunday; explore the weekend market where local tribal people sell their goods in town. After breakfast, drive to visit The Vuong Dynasty memorial house - a national relic featuring typical H’mong architecture. Keep the camera turned on to capture many pictures of the magnificent scenery of Dong Van Karst Plateau - consisting of narrow valleys alternating with rocky mountain ranges in the north of Vietnam.
Then continue to drive through a series of magnificent valleys surrounded by wall-up mountain. Enjoy another walk to visit the Lung Cam Tren village where the Hmong changed their way of life from shifting into sedentary one from about 100 years ago to have a better life. 
Lunch is served at a local restaurant before leaving Lung Cam and transfer downhill the Pho Cao pass for Yen Minh lush valley, enjoying the breathtaking landscapes of Yen Minh Pass. Arrive at Lung Tam commune which is set amongst perfect surrounding nature before visiting the workshop of Ms. Mai who gathered over 100 Hmong and Zao women and helped them to learn traditional weaving and embroidery.
Transfer to Nam Dam - Quan Ba in the late afternoon for checking in local accommodation. Overnight in Quan Ba.

After breakfast, depart over stunning Quan Ba Pass which offers the fascinating scenery, en route visit another village of the Hmong people. On the way passing lush and green forest, tea farms and possess the most impressive terraced rice fields in Vietnam. The road winds its way on high mountain sides and offers beautiful landscapes.  Arrive Hoang Su Phi at noon for checking in. Be ready for lunch with ethnic food at the lodge.
Afternoon starts with leisurely exploring area nearby with stunning view of terrace rice field and little home of ethnic people. Overnight in Hoang Su Phi.

If on Sunday, spend 2 hours joining local market of Flower Hmong, Red Zao, Nung and Tay people which is famous for its cattle exchanging on the bank of the Chay River. Leave Hoang Su Phi for 100km excursion along Chinese border through the river Massif and explore local life for the Flower Hmong, Tay and Nung. On the way, turn into Ban Phung village - a masterpiece of nature, spend 2 hours walking through community of La Chi people which is offerred amazing view of terrace fields.
After lunch, continue drive to Bac Ha Town at around noon, paying visit to Hoang A Tuong Castle before having a lunch break.
Overnight in Bac Ha.

This morning, it may be possible to visit a local market (Ban Cam on Tuesday/ Cao Son on Wednesday/ Lung Khau Nhin on Thursday / Can Cau on Saturday/ Bac Ha on Sunday. (Note: these markets are only held on the above mentioned days only).
Here you’ll see Flower Hmong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay, Nung hill tribe groups. The market offers a variety of local products, such as animal market where pot-bellied pigs, cows and buffalos can be seen.
After lunch drive back to Hanoi. End of services.