HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP:

+ Bao Yen District in Lao Cai Province is a major hub for Vietnamese cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) cultivation, featuring expansive hillside farms, organic agroforestry initiatives, and eco-tourism stays like the Cinnamon Eco Lodge

+ Local Economy: Cinnamon serves as a primary "golden tree" livelihood helping local ethnic minority communities reduce poverty through sustainable bark, timber, and essential oil harvesting
+ Sapa's Enchanting Landscapes: Discover the breathtaking beauty of Sapa with its iconic rice terraces, lush valleys, and stunning mountain vistas.
+ Unique Can Cau or Bac Ha Market: Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Bac Ha Market, one of the most colorful and authentic ethnic markets in Vietnam. Witness the lively trade, bustling crowd, and unique handicrafts of various hill tribes.

+ Mu Cang Chai's Golden Rice Terraces: Explore the mesmerizing golden rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai, a national-recognized landscape. Capture stunning photographs of terraced fields that cascade down the hillsides, especially during the rice harvest season.

+ Ethnic Hill Tribes: Encounter and interact with different ethnic hill tribes, such as the Hmong, Red Dao, Tay, and more. Gain insights into their unique cultures, traditions, and colorful attire.

+ Photography Opportunities: Capture the natural beauty and cultural richness of the region with plenty of photography opportunities throughout the tour.
+ Local Cuisine: Savor delicious local cuisine, including traditional dishes like "thang co" (a unique Hmong soup), fresh mountain vegetables, and regional specialties.

Program in details:
DAY 01: DRIVE TO CINNAMON FARM IN BAO YEN
You will be met and greeted by your private tour guide and driver at the hotel in Hanoi. Departure at 8:00 AM, the morning drive on the HW (Noi Bai – Lao Cai) offers you a beautiful countryside scenery of the Red River Delta and on to the midland of the Northwestern region. We will learn how to harvest the cinnamon with locals family and enjoy a short trek to explore the hilltribe villages. Overnight at Cinnamon Ecolodge

DAY 02: CINNAMON FARM TO HILLTRIBE MARKET. Following breakfast at Cinnamon Lodge. We will head out for Bac Ha mountain town. You will have lunch at a local restaurant on the way. In the afternoon, after 1,5 hour drive, you will arrive at Bac town. Take a short boat ride on Chay River (if the water level permits), then stretch out with an easy walk to visit Trung Do village of the Tay ethnic minority people. Arrive at Bac Ha and check in a local authentic homestay for the night. 
 

DAY 03: VISIT TO A HILL TRIBE MARKET & DRIVE TO SAPA
You may be woken up by the domestic animals such as roosters or pigs early in the morning. After the breakfast, you will get a short transfer to the town for strolling around the colorful hill tribe market. The majority who live in Bac Ha is the Flower H’mong people. The colors at the market will tell why they have such a name. This is a great opportunity to learn the local trading, witness the local products for sales. The sounds, the smells and the colors will absolutely make you go Wow while busy taking photographs. After a Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant, we will make our way to Sapa mountain town. Arrive in Sapa, check into your hotel and rest for the remainder of the day. Overnight in Sapa.

Remark: Hill tribe market calendar: Sunday: Bac Ha Market; Tuesday: Coc Ly Market; Saturday: Can Cau Market 

DAY 04: MUONG HOA VALLEY TREK & DRIVE TO MU CANG CHAI

This morning, you will be transferred to a trekking point in Muong Hoa Valley where you will do a beautiful trek to visit a few villages of the Black H’mong and enjoy the terraced paddy fields in the area. Get picked up and drive back to town for lunch at Red Dao restaurant. The afternoon is spent for a scenic drive to Mu Cang Chai, another rice terrace paradise. You may have time to get some stops on the way for taking pictures. Check in a stilt-house homestay of the Thai people nearby Mu Cang Chai town. Dinner and overnight there. 

• Approx: 7.5km/ 3 hours 

DAY 05: MU CANG CHAI TREK

Today, we spend most of the day for a long scenic trek on small paths and back roads from Che Cu Nha to La Pan Tan as this is the best part of the region for you to admire the amazing rice terraced paddy. Simple picnic lunch is provided on the trek. Late in the afternoon, we drive to Tu Le town for a night at a local hotel.

• Approx: 12km/ 6 hours 

DAY 06: TU LE – HANOI
This morning, we will take a short walk to visit Tu Le valley before checking out of your hotel room and drive back to Hanoi. Lunch is at a local restaurant on the way. Arrive in Hanoi and finish the tour at the door of your hotel. End of our service.

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