Northern Vietnam and Ha Giang Loop Explorer

Arrive in the capital’s gateway and transfer to your accommodation to settle in. The rest of the day is free for you to adjust, relax, and prepare for the journey ahead.

• Hotel Description

Travel to Mai Chau, a rural valley surrounded by low mountains and rice fields. The area is home to the White Thai ethnic group, who live in distinctive stilt houses. The drive passes farmland and small settlements before reaching the open plains of the valley.

Check in at Avana Retreat, a mountainside resort designed to blend with the surrounding rice terraces and forest. The property focuses on sustainability and local culture, with spacious suites, an infinity pool, and panoramic views. Guests can take nature walks on the resort’s trails, visit its small museum on local traditions, or relax at the spa. Staying here adds comfort while keeping you close to the landscapes and communities you will explore in the days ahead. (B)

• Hotel Description

Take a full-day cycling tour through the Mai Chau valley, visiting villages that have been home to the Thai ethnic group for generations. The ride passes traditional stilt houses, farmland, and forested hills. Along the way, a local Thai guide will explain the community’s customs, beliefs, and how these are reflected in their architecture and way of life. You will have opportunities to stop, take photographs, and see daily activities such as weaving and farming.

The route offers a close look at how the landscape and culture are connected, with agriculture shaping both the scenery and the community’s traditions. This is an active yet accessible way to experience the area and understand the role of the Thai people in preserving their cultural heritage. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

This is a free day at leisure to spend at Avana Retreat. Start with breakfast on the terrace, overlooking the gardens and surrounding hills. You can spend the morning exploring the retreat’s walking trails through rice paddies and native trees or join a yoga or meditation session offered on-site. Lunch can be enjoyed at the restaurant, featuring fresh, locally sourced dishes. In the afternoon, relax by the infinity pool or book a spa treatment.

For those who want to venture out, the retreat can arrange short excursions, such as visiting nearby waterfalls, a local village, or a guided nature walk. End the day with a stroll through the gardens, enjoying the calm surroundings before returning to your room for a quiet evening. (B)

• Hotel Description

Travel north into Ha Giang province, known for its mountain scenery and ethnic diversity. The journey passes through changing landscapes, from farmland and small settlements to rugged limestone peaks. This is one of the most remote regions of Vietnam, home to communities such as the Hmong, Tay, and Dao. Along the way, there may be opportunities to stop in villages or viewpoints for photographs. The approach to Ha Giang gives a first impression of the terrain and lifestyle that will be explored in greater depth over the coming days. (B,L,D)

• Hotel Description

Begin the Ha Giang Loop, travelling through mountain passes and valleys. Stop at Lung Tam, a village recognised for its traditional linen weaving, where you can see the process from raw fibre to finished cloth. Continue to Quan Ba Heaven Gate for views of the surrounding peaks and the Twin Mountains. Pass the winding Tham Ma Slope and Pho Cao village before visiting the Hmong King’s Palace, a historic residence built in the early 20th century. In Lao Xa, meet silversmiths who produce jewellery using traditional tools and methods. The day ends in Dong Van, with time to explore the small but historic town centre. (B,L,D)

• Hotel Description

Start at Dong Van Local Market, where ethnic minority communities gather to trade food, textiles, and livestock. Visit a handicraft village to see the process of making hemp fabric, then enjoy a local breakfast featuring banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) and learn how it is prepared in the traditional Dong Van style. Continue into the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, travelling to Lung Cu Flag Tower at Vietnam’s northernmost point, with views towards the Chinese border. Stop at a local house to see how corn wine is made using forest herbs, then visit Lo Lo Chai village for lunch and insight into Lo Lo traditions and architecture.

In the afternoon, explore a traditional Hmong house in Ma So village and hear the bamboo khen played by a master musician. Return to Dong Van with time to relax, explore the ancient town, and, for those who wish, walk to Pu Lo fortress for sunset views. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

Travel the Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of Vietnam’s most scenic roads. Stop at viewpoints overlooking the Nho Que River in the Tu San Canyon, the deepest gorge in Southeast Asia. Take a boat trip along the river for a different perspective of the cliffs and valleys. Continue to Du Gia, a small village surrounded by rice terraces and mountains. Along the way, you may pass old French watchtowers from the colonial era. This is a quieter area where visitors often meet locals in the fields or along the road, offering a more personal view of daily life in the highlands. (B,L,D)

• Hotel Description

Return towards Ha Giang, stopping at Tham Luong waterfall for a swim in its clear pools. The route passes traditional wooden houses, farmland, and terraced hillsides. From Ha Giang, continue to Sapa, a former French hill station in the mountains. The journey covers varied terrain, moving from high passes to cultivated valleys. Arriving in Sapa, you’ll notice the cooler climate and the town’s position surrounded by peaks. This is the base for the final stage of your journey, focused on the region’s minority communities and distinctive cultural traditions. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

Take a guided cultural tour of Sapa, visiting minority villages and key cultural sites. Begin in Ta Phin, home to the Red Dao people, to learn about their customs, herbal medicine, and embroidery, with the option of a traditional herbal foot soak. Stop at Ma Tra Valley viewpoint for views of terraced rice fields and green hills before returning to Sapa for lunch featuring regional specialities such as salmon hotpot or bamboo-tube rice.

In the afternoon, visit Cat Cat Village, one of the oldest Hmong communities, to see demonstrations of weaving and textile making. Alternatively, visit the Sapa Museum or Stone Church. Finish with a stop at Sapa’s central market or a handicraft shop to browse locally made products and support artisans. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

Spend the morning in Sapa at your own pace. You might visit a café, walk to a viewpoint, or shop for handicrafts at the market. This is a good opportunity to enjoy the mountain scenery one last time and reflect on the journey. In the afternoon, travel back towards the lowlands, passing farmland, rivers, and small towns along the way. The journey offers a final look at the landscapes and rural life of Northern Vietnam before reaching your hotel for the night. (B)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK. (B)