The North - West is of one the mountainous region in Vietnam. You have the chance to discover the beautiful landscapes, ethnic minorities making efforts to preserve their ancient culture: Hmong, Dao, Thais…
But on the other hand, the infrastructure is still limited: Road, hotel.... Except in Sa pa - the main destination.
1 - Bac Ha market:
Bac Ha is located 400 km from Ha noi and 3 hours drive from Sa Pa. The town is inhabited by the Flower Hmong, at 1400 m altitude.
The Hmong live in autarky, rice culture on terrace field, cattle breeding, fruit trees: Plum replaced the poppies from 1991.
Every Sunday, they come to town center for the fair from 8 am until 14 hours.
They sell thier products: Chilli:
But also cattle:
Costume:
Exchange news between each other:
Have a drink together:
The traditional costumes of different ethnic groups make the market very colorful, animated…
2 -Thac Ba lake
Thac Ba lake is one of the largest in Vietnam: 23 000 hectares which is located 167 km in the North of Ha Noi.
The lake has a hundred islands of many sizes:
A peaceful landscape:
The Dao ethnic minority living from agriculture and fishing, in houses on stilts around the lake:
A night at the Dao is a great experience to live:
Lake view from Daovillage:
3 - Mu Cang Chai
Located at 1400 m altitude, on the road between Sapa and Ha Noi, Mu Cang Chai is known for the most beautiful terraced rice field in Vietnam:
Rice fields at harvest season:
Land preparation on the terraces rice field:
Planting rice in the terraces:
Rice in full season::
A girl of the Hmong ethnic minority in Mu Cang Chai:
5 - Nghia Lo
Nghia Lo is a peaceful valley in 5 hours drive from Hanoi:
This valley is inhabited by Thai ethnic minority:
A tea tree hill on the road to go to Nghia Lo:
On the way to go to Nghia Lo at rice harvest season:
6 - Sa Pa
Sa Pa is the main destination in the North - West mountain of Vietnam.
Having an altitude of 1500 m, being known by its natural beauty, ethnic minorities preserving their traditions: Red Dao, Black Hmong, Giay, Xa Pho…
In 1903, the French have built here a resort town to escape from heat in plain.
Many easy walks from 2 hours until treks of 4 days/ 3 nights with home stay are proposed:
A valley with terraced rice fields:
Terraces rice field suspended on a slope:
A Hmong village:
Red Dao ethnic selling the local souvenir objets :
The Black Hmong ethnic minority on the way to go to the fields:
A sunny valley:
Train to go to Sa Pa from Ha Noi:
7 - Lai Chau
Lai Chau is a beautiful valley between DienBien Phu and Sa Pa. Lai Chau is known by his ethnic minorities such as:
Lu:
The Red Hmong:
The White Thai :
The Black Dao:
8 - Dien Bien Phu
Dien Bien Phu valley is 7 km wide and 20 km long, inhabited by ethnic Thai in wooden houses on stilts. This valley at 485 km in the North - West of Ha Noi, following the old colonial road No. 6, is one of the main granaries in the mountain of Vietnam.
In 1953, French paratroopers came down here to occupy this valley with the main aim to control the cooperation between the Vietnamese and Laotian movement for liberation of their country.
The Vietnamese army has mobilized all kinds of transport to carry supplies, ammunition...to the valley.
Bike pushed on chaotic trails:
The local artillery guns were pushed with the strings to put on the top, around the hills:
The supplies trail was opened up by the soldiers and local people under French bombardement:
After 56 days of fierce and uninterrupted fights, the Vietnamese army succeeded to occupy the valley in 7 May 1954.
The Pierre Mandes France Prime Minister of French Government signed the Geneva Accord recognizing independence for Indochina: Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
The sites to visit are today: Memorial to the French soldiers, the Vietnamese soldiers memorial, museum of the battle, command post of Christian de Castries De la Croix General, strategic hills, fragments of weapons ...
Above all, this is a historic pilgrimage to think about what happened between France and Vietnam in the hope of peace for everyone.
9 - Mai Chau Valley:
At 3 hours from Ha Noi along the old colonial road No. 6, this idyllic valley is covered of rice fields:
The Thai - one of 54 ethnic minorities in Vietnam live on agriculture, in the house on stilts:
Folklore show performed by the Thai girls in traditional costume:
An easy walk of 2 hours in the valley until treks of 3 days with home stay are proposed:
With the peaceful landscapes: A night in home stay is a great experience: Toilets, bathrooms ... are designed to welcome travelers.
A bike ride, a local cooking class ... are also available.
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