Day 1: Hà Nội- Bắc Hà (Meeting: H’Mong ethnic, Phù Lá ethnic group) On the first day, you will travel from Hanoi to Bac Ha district in Lao Cai province. Bac Ha is home to the H’Mong ethnic minority, known as the White Highlands due to the plum trees that bloom white in February. You will visit Hoang A Tuong’s Palace. A Tuong was a king of the H’Mong ethnic group in the early 19th century when Vietnam was under French colonial rule. He amassed wealth through poppy cultivation and drug trading, allowing him to build a grand palace that blends native and French architectural styles. You will explore Bac Ha town, visiting shops that sell handmade souvenirs crafted from brocade, silver, and buffalo horn. At the end of the day, you will stay in a traditional H’Mong Bungalow in a valley surrounded by plum and peach gardens. The night is so quiet you can hear crickets and night birds singing. The itinerary is as follows: - 8:00 Pick up guests at the hotel - 12:00 Lunch in Bac Ha town - 14:00 Check-in at the homestay, then walk around the H’mong village in Na Hối - 19:00 Dinner - 20:00 Visit the local night market (on Saturday) Day 2: Bắc Hà- Nậm Lỳ Retreat. (Meeting: H’Mong ethnic, La Chí ethnic, Black Dao ethnic group) You will visit the traditional local market on Wednesday (Sin Cheng), Friday (Lung Phinh), Saturday (Can Cau), or Sunday (Bac Ha/ Coc Pai). Due to the challenging terrain, locals often travel on foot, sometimes taking a whole day to reach the market. These markets are held once a week and serve as a weekly festival where people buy, sell, meet friends, and find lovers. The market is bustling from 6:00 to 11:00 with stalls selling brocade, handmade silver jewelry, food, and drinks. There is also an animal market with buffaloes, cows, cats, dogs, chickens, and ducks. You will experience the vibrant local life here. In the afternoon, you will arrive at Nậm Lỳ Retreat and go on a short hike through terraced fields to a beautiful waterfall in the valley. You will spend the night in a traditional wooden house of the Dao ethnic minority. Your room will have views of the mountains and terraced fields, with the waterfall appearing like white threads and the dim lights of stilt houses resembling night stars. The itinerary is as follows: - 8:00 Breakfast - 8:30 Visit the local market (on Wed-Fri-Sat-Sun) - 11:30 Visit Ban Phung village - 13:00 Lunch - 14:30 Check-in at Nậm Lỳ Retreat - 15:00 Hike to Lung Dam waterfall and Nung ethnic minority village. Bring extra clothes if you want to swim. The route is about 8 km - 19:00 Dinner - 20:00 Traditional folklore performance by the Dao ethnic minority (for groups of 6 or more) Day 3: Hiking Nậm Lỳ- Suối Thầu (15 km): (Meeting: Nùng ethnic, Black Dao ethnic group) On the third day, you will go on a full-day hike with a local guide. Although the guide may not speak much English, he can understand you through a translation app, and you will have support from Lee Don, a tour operator. The guide will lead you through trails, terraced fields, waterfalls, and ethnic minority villages. You will enjoy the fresh and quiet air, and on sunny days, you can swim at the falls. You will visit a Dao ethnic minority family in Suoi Thau village to learn about their customs, talk to family members, see Dao women weaving traditional clothes, take photos with elders, and have lunch with the family. Please note that locals are honest, simple, and friendly farmers, so you can buy their handmade souvenirs but should not give them gifts or money. If you prefer a shorter hike, we can arrange a 6-hour motorbike trip with a driver to visit the Nung ethnic minority village in San Xa Ho and the Dao ethnic minority village in Suoi Thau (additional fee applies). The itinerary is as follows: 8:00: Breakfast 8:30: Pass through beautiful rice terraces and see a stream along the villages 12:00: Outdoor lunch 14:00 Visit Shan Tuyết ancient tea hill 17:30 Return to Nậm Lỳ Retreat 19:00: Dinner Day 4: Nậm Lỳ Retreat- Hà Nội (Meeting: Red Dao ethnic group) On the return trip to Hanoi, you will visit the Red Dao ethnic minority village in Làng Giang, a peaceful village with wide rice fields, ancient stilt houses, and grazing buffaloes. You will have time for an Onsen mineral hot water bath and lunch here. After lunch, you can walk along the village road, visit local families, take photos, and enjoy tea or vodka with them. On the way back, you will have a chance to stop for a hot cup of coffee made by Lee himself. Lee is an experienced tour guide who speaks English well, drives safely, and understands the customs and traditions of the Northwest highlands. He will share many interesting stories during the journey. The itinerary is as follows: - 8:00 Breakfast - 8:30 Check out - 10:00 Arrive at Làng Giang village. Onsen mineral hot water bath. - 13:00 Lunch - 14:30 Return to Hanoi - 18:30 Arrive in Hanoi. Points of Interest - Hanoi Opera House

• Private transportation
• Housing: Bungalow or Homestay (Family room for group of 3 people)
• Bottled water
• Traditional folk performance for groups of 6 or more
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Breakfast
• Tea and coffee
• Travel insurance