Hanoi - Mai Chau - Son La - Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau - Tam Duong - Binh Lu - Sapa

In the morning, take a 3.5-hour drive from Hanoi to Mai Chau in Hoa Binh province (150km northwest of Hanoi) through many soaring mountains, fertile valleys and traditional villages. After lunch, enjoy free time until dinner to explore the idyllic natural surroundings. Overnight in a traditional stilt-house of Thai people which consists of comfortable curtained-off sleeping areas in one long room with all bedding and mosquito nets.

Optional: This evening enjoys a traditional Thai performance of music and dance. The Thai ethnic group has inhabited this area for centuries and much of their lifestyle and traditions have remained unchanged over the years – extra charge

Enjoy a hearty breakfast in the homestay before driving up north to Son La. On the way, stop to visit villages of various tribes including H’mong, Thai, Muong and Dzao. There are also many orchards and tea farms in Moc Chau plateau – Vietnam’s premier tea-growing region. After travelling for about 200km, you will reach Son La for a late lunch. Continue to follow winding mountain roads to capture great views, especially of Pha Din Pass (which means Heaven-Earth). Arrive in Dien Bien Phu, check in your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Dien Bien Phu.

Today, you will visit Dien Bien Phu battlefield in the First Indochina War (1954). Fulfill your historical knowledge with trips to Dien Bien Phu Museum, A1 hill and Dien Bien Phu Cemetery. Take a minute’s silence in memory of the heroes who devoted their lives for the victory of the historical Dien Bien Phu Campaign. After lunch, drive down Nam Na River and visit H’mong and Dzao villages on the way. Check in your hotel in Tam Duong. Dinner and overnight in Tam Duong Town.

In the morning, transfer from Tam Duong to Sapa following rout 4D – perhaps the most beautiful stretch of road in Vietnam threading the Fansipan Mountain Range and the China border. Climb up Tram Ton pass, the highest pass in Vietnam and enjoy a well-rounded lunch in a local restaurant. Arrive in Sapa at noon. Dinner is on your own and overnight in Sapa.

After breakfast, drive downhill to Cat Cat village where you can visit a waterfall and a hydroelectric station. Take a short rest before continuing our trek on a trail through rice paddy terraced fields. Arrive in Y Linh Ho village, home to Black H’mong people. You will then climb toward main road to the pick-up point and back to Sapa. Free until a night train from Lao Cai to Hanoi. Meals are on your own. Overnight on train.

Arrive in Hanoi in the early morning. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy breakfast there. At around 08:30 AM, join a full day Hanoi city tour with our local guide to the Ho Chi Minh Complex and the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam. Lunch included in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, continue to visit Vietnam Museum of Ethnology where exists numerous cultural heritages of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. At the end of the day, join an hour walking tour around Hanoi Old Quarter before returning to your hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight in Hanoi.

Free until time for your transfer to the airport for your flight back home by our driver.