Explore rice-terraces paradise in the North

TRIP PRICE IS 565 USD PER PERSON, BASED ON A GROUP OF 6 PEOPLE

Presentation

Rice-terraces North Vietnam

The rice terraces of Northern Vietnam that have appeared for hundreds of years are built by skilled hands of the Dao, Hmong, Ha Nhi, Tay and Xa Pho. Due to the steep relief and fertile soil, created by altered granite rocks and mountain cliffs often filled with water, ethnic minorities have been establishing terraced rice fields for rice cultivation for generations. These people are still proud of their rice fields as a precious basket of natural foods that provide rice and other agricultural products for their lives. The curved terraces seem to be in perfect harmony with the landscape, creating a hypnotic pattern across hills and valleys. They make spectacular places for hiking and photography. Discover the incredible landscapes of the rice terraces for a motorbike trip to Vietnam with Vietnam Exploration !

Hanoi > Nghia Lo > Mu Cang Chai > Sapa > Bac Ha > Phuc An > Hanoi

Detailed program day by day

- Day 1: Hanoi, Nghia Lo - Rice-terraces North Vietnam - Nghia Lo

Hanoi, Nghia Lo: 230 km

This motorbike trip to Vietnam begins with a nice day's drive to the Northwest Mountains. We cross Son Tay on the right bank of the Red River. The valleys and hills follow one another with tea plantations and forests of lacquered trees.

After crossing the Khe Pass (an important strategic location during the Sino-Vietnamese conflict), we arrive at Nghia Lo located in a basin. Here, the rice fields turn from green to yellow in autumn and this magic makes it one of the regions renowned for its beauty.

A short detour to the villages a few kilometers from the end of our stopover to discover endless expanses of tea bushes and the daily activities of the Thai people. The sunset over the mountains can be part of it!

The Black Thai family welcomes us tonight for the cottage and a hearty dinner where "local specialities" will be made. Surprise guaranteed!

Day 1: Hanoi, Nghia Lo

- Day 2: Nghia Lo, Mu Cang Chai - Rice-terraces North Vietnam - Mu Cang Chai

Nghia Lo, Mu Cang Chai: 84 km

After a morning walk that takes us to discover some small villages in the valley, especially the one of the Thai ethnic group with its customs and daily way of life, then we head for Mu Cang Chaï.

We cross passes in the mountains, some at an altitude of more than 1500 m, where lovers of free flight do not hesitate to face the void (Khau Pha pass). The panorama offered to our eyes is incredible as we climb and descend successively. The pictures will be mandatory to immortalize this show that is offered to us.

Depending on your speed, a detour to the village of La Pa Tan, which is well known for its sublime rice terraces. Night and dinner at the local people's house.

Day 2: Nghia Lo, Mu Cang Chai

- Day 3: Mu Cang Chai, Sapa - Rice-terraces North Vietnam - Mu Cang Chai

Mu Cang Chai, Sapa: 159 km

Today, we are back on the road due north. The valleys and villages follow one another with as much activity linked to the daily work of the Hmong and Thai, the majority in the region. It should be noted that the installation of hydroelectric dams has led to the displacement of populations. Several passes are crossed and we can admire the mountains of the Hoang Lien chain.

We arrive in Sapa and have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we take a walk to Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van and its small hamlets of l’ethnie Black Hmong. Isolated locality, and indeed less frequented, through the rice terraces so particular of Tonkin, this walk offers us a real vision of the daily life of the peasants.

Finally, we return to Sapa for dinner and spend the night at the hotel.

Day 3: Mu Cang Chai, Sapa

- Day 4: Sapa, Bac Ha - Rice-terraces North Vietnam - Market Bac Ha

Sapa, Bac Ha: 100 km

After an early breakfast, we take the motorbikes to Bac Ha to visit the weekly market. Bac Ha, of which the Sunday market is one of the main attractions, is the largest ethnic market in the region: the Hmong flower, black Dao, Phu La, Tay, Nung, Giay live alongside it! A market coloured by these traditional outfits so special, but also a market so "perfumed" with these unique scents that characterize Asia well! The market creates the social bond between all these minorities, over a soup or a glass of rice alcohol. We have lunch in a local restaurant or at the local people's house. In the afternoon, we ride a motorbike or on foot to soak up the real life of the locals.

Dinner and overnight stay with local people.

Day 4: Sapa, Bac Ha

- Day 5: Bac Ha, Phuc An - Rice-terraces North Vietnam - Bac Ha

Bac Ha, Phuc An: 228 km

After breakfast, we greet our host family. We leave Bac Ha for Vu Linh, the end of our stage of the day. Ban Lien, Quang Binh are crossed, with sublime landscapes as they pass. It is at Yen The that we have lunch

After discovering a marble sculpture workshop, one of the specialities of the region which abounds in numerous quarries, the road leads us along the lake of Thac Ba. We notice the roofs of the houses made of latan tree leaves.

We arrive in a family of Dao with white pants, who welcomes us for the lodging and the meal.

Day 5: Bac Ha, Phuc An

- Day 6: Phuc An, Hanoi - Rice-terraces North Vietnam - Thac Ba lake

Phuc An, Hanoi: 170 km

Wake up smoothly this morning and breakfast. Then, we reach the village pier to discover on board the boat one of the largest freshwater reservoirs in the North, an artificial lake feeding a hydroelectric dam. The peaks of the old hills emerge from the water body and form 1300 islets giving it a labyrinth-like appearance. By accosting one of these islets, swimming is appreciated in summer by enthusiasts.

Return to our hosts where we check our package before returning to Hanoi. End of your motorbike trip to Vietnam.

Day 6: Phuc An, Hanoi

- - Rice-terraces North Vietnam - Best times to admire

The best times to admire the rice terraces

May to June: This is the transplanting period. At the beginning of the rainy season, the preparation of the rice fields begins. The water that flows from the mountains feeds the filling rice fields and looks like sparkling mirrors reflecting the blue sky, clouds and peasant women in colourful robes working on the fields.

From late June to late August: There will be differences in green shades on the fields.

From mid-September to mid-October: The rice ripens, the rice fields change colour from green to yellow. The harvest season is coming. It is also the time when fields become full of life when farmers harvest rice by taking the grains in bags and then carrying them home through valleys and mountains.