There was a time, not so long ago, when Tay Bac or the north-west region of Vietnam, was such a remote area that people were scared to go there. In retrospect, the remoteness seems to have been a blessing in disguise. The region's wilderness, its mountains and culture that are unique to it have been drawing an increasing number of domestic and foreign tourists. Tourist facilities in the region are still insufficient, but that cannot stop the back-packers from going there and taking in the splendid scenic vistas on offer. The ethnic minorities and their way of life as yet untouched by modern civilization are another alluring factor. The sharp bends and curves in the mountainous area are thrilling to negotiate and offer marvelous views of the Thai and Tay tribal villages from the heights, and of the H'Mong houses rising out of the rocks and clouds atop the mountains. The Northwest is also the placed to witness the famous victory of Vietnamese people during the war against French especially Dien Bien Phu Victory famous over the world. Today the whole former battlefield has become relics of the past where tourists come to visit and study the life of ethnic minorities.

ST 06: Hanoi - Maichau - Sonla - Dienbienphu - Laichau - Sapa - Bacha - Hanoi (10 days - 09 nights)   How do you see the world of the Northern minorities while saving your time and effort? The answer is this program. There is so much to see in this journey, from Love Fair in Sapa to Historical monuments in Dienbien. This trip is available most of the time of the year but the best time is between September and April.   Day 01: Hanoi.   On arrival in Hanoi, you are met by Suntravel and accompanied to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Hanoi. Day 02: Hanoi - Mai Chau (150 km)   08h00: Pick up at the hotel, transfer to Mai Chau via Hoa Binh town. 11h30 Arrive in Mai Chau. Lunch. 15h30 Trekking tour for visiting Thai ethnic villages with beautiful scenery of valley. Buy the Thai handicraft products. Discover the daily mysterious life of Thai minority people 19h00 Dinner. Drink alcohol by bamboo stem. Enjoy the traditional dances and songs of Thai people. Overnight in the stilted house in the Thai village Day 03: Mai Chau - Son La (185 km)   07h30 Breakfast. Check out. 08h00 Transfer to Son La and visit local ethnic minority villages en-route.: H'mong 's minority village of Xalinh and Thai minority village of Banbuoi. Arrive in Son La, check - in. 12h00 Lunch. 15h00 Visit the notorious prison built by the French, which housed many of Vietnamese revolutionary leaders. 18h00 Dinner, free at leisure. Overnight in Son La. Day 04: Son La – Dien Bien Phu(170 km)   07h30 Breakfast 08h00 Transfer to Dien Bien Phu, the famous town throughout the world for the resounding victory of the final battle against the French in 1954. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes en-route through Phadin Pass with waterfalls, forested slopes and endless fields of rice cultivated by hill-tribe people. 12h30 Lunch. Check in the hotel. 14h00 Visit Doc Lap hill, Dien Bien Phu museum, the airport and the Command tunnel of General De Castries. 19h00 Dinner and overnight in Dien Bien. Day 05: Dien Bien Phu – Lai Chau (190 km)   08h00 Breakfast. 08h30 Drive to Lai Chau - the small town is nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by magnificent mountains. 12h00 Lunch. 14h00 Arrive in Lai Chau, check in hotel. Visit Lai Chau with local market and villages. 18h30 Dinner and overnight in Lai Chau. Day 06: Lai Chau - Sa Pa (185 km)   08h00 Breakfast. 08h30 Drive via the towns of Phong Tho and Tam Duong, where we have chance to see more and different hill tribes. 12h00 Lunch. 14h00 Reach to Sapa the wonderful town in the fog. Check-in. Free time to visit Sapa town with local market, local church. 18h30 Dinner. Overnight in Sapa Day 07: Sapa - trekking tour   08h00 Breakfast. Trekking to visit Ta Van and Lao Chai villages. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery and discover the special daily life of ethnic minority people. 12h00 Lunch at the local village. 13h00 Going to visit the Red Dzao and H’mong residents, view Thac Bac (Silver waterfall) looks like a white dragon pouring down with the white froth, the Cloud Bridge. Back to Sapa. 18h00 Dinner. Overnight in Sapa. Day 08: Sapa - Bac Ha - Lao Cai (on Sunday)   07h30 Breakfast, Visit Ham Rong Mountain - its shape of a twisting dragon with its head turned toward the Hoang Lien Son mountain range to visit the Orchid Garden, ethnic group’s stilt house, Heaven Gate. View panorama of Sapa town from Cloud Yard.(If this day falls on Sunday, drive to Bac Ha, visit the lively and colourful market where the ethnic group come to trade and gossip). 12h00 Lunch. 14h00 Transfer to the Lao Cai. Visit the border gate of Lao Cai and free for shopping in the Coc Leu market. 18h00 Dinner and overnight in Lao Cai. Day 09: Lao Cai - Hanoi (350 km).   07h00 After breakfast, check out. Transfer back to Hanoi, Lunch on the way. 13h00 Arrive in Hanoi, check - in. Free at leisure and shopping. 18h00 Dinner and overnight in Hanoi. Day 10: Leave Hanoi   After breakfast, free at leisure and shopping until transfer to the airport for departure flight.