Sapa Retreat

Our guide will pick you up at your hotel at around 8pm and transfer to Hanoi train station. You will be taking overnight train to Lao Cai. The train departs approximately at 9pm and arrive Sapa following day at 6am.

Upon arrive Lao Cai early today at around 6am, take short scenic drive to Sapa (approx. 30mins). A day room is available for your early check - in and freshen up. After breakfast, we start with a short and easy trek (app 3 hours) to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat. As we walk through these villages nestled in the valleys below Sapa, you will meet some of the local ethnic minority people such as H’mong and Red Dzao. Next is climb up to Ham Rong Mountain for a panoramic view of Sapa town and the magnificent scenery of the surrounding area below. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore and experience the delights of Sapa or visit the colorful local markets nearby.

With an early start today, you will take a short drive to Lao Chai village. Once you get off the main road, you will start to commence the long walk down to the village inhabited by the community of Black H’mong minority. Lao Chai is situated in a valley and surrounded by rice paddies. During your walk, you will have the opportunity to visit and interact with local Black H’mong household. Also great chance to learn about their traditional way of life. At around mid-day we will stop at a local restaurant located by the riverside to enjoy our picnic lunch.
You will then proceed for a further hour and a half, through local villages, and eventually reach the charming village of Tavan, home to the hill tribe group of Zay people. From here we will return to Sapa where you will spend the night.

Today is free day at your leisure. Viet Expert Travel provide some optional day trip to local market (at additional cost and subject to available) depending on the day of the week. Bac Ha market, home to the flower H’mong hill tribe minority people is weekly on Sunday; Can Cau on Saturday or Coc Ly on Tuesday. Or you may choose just to relax in Sapa town and enjoy the scenic views,  or enjoy some last minutes shopping before we will drive back to Lao Cai for overnight train back to Hanoi.

Market options:

Option 1: Cao Son Market (Date: Wednesday)

Enjoy 2 hours scenic drive to Cao Son market. The dirt road will leads up into the mountains through the pine tree forests and villages that surround the tiny markets. Flower H`mong, Tu Di, Tay and Giay are famous ethnic minorities. They mostly come to trade local market for products exchange such as food, agricultural supplies and fabric. After exploring the markets, our car will drive you back to Muong Khuong for lunch break. You will then visit the most secluded peaceful villages, and have the opportunity to observe traditional practices such as distilling wine from corn. You will also have chance to taste the special corn cake once we stop at a local house.

Option 2: Bac Ha Market (Date: Sunday)

Leaving Sapa for 2.5 hours drive to Bac Ha market. Bac Ha is a big colorful market where gather all famous ethnic people including Flower H`mong, Phu La and Dao Tuyen minorities. Market is also the place for them to buy, exchange and sell their handmade products. We then drive downhill to a peaceful village named Trung Do belongs to Tay minority. A great opportunity to explore Tay’s houses or take oxcart riding though villages.

Option 3: Can Cau Market (Date: Saturday)

Can Cau market is 3 hours drive from Sapa town.  The journey will takes you through the mountainous border area between Vietnam and China.  Situated 20 kilometres from Bac Ha, Can Cau market  is a small but very colorful.  Opening only on Saturdays, Can Cau market delivers a very photogenic display of Flower Hmong, Nung and Phu La ethnic costumes. Lunch is served at Bac Ha Market.  We then drive downhill to a peaceful village named Trung Do belongs to Tay minority. A great opportunity to explore Tay’s houses or take oxcart riding though villages. 

Option 4: Coc Ly Market (Date: Tuesday)

Situated between the stunning mountains by the Chay River, Coc Ly market is 3 ours drive from Sapa. Every Tuesday morning, local people from the surrounding ethnic villages will gather to sell and buy their products. After markets, you will be transferred back to Lao Cai station for our night train back to Hanoi.

Arrive back to Hanoi station early morning and transfer to hotel. End of services