Discover the Culture of the Minority Ethnic Groups

On this trip, you will discover Muong Hoa valley, which is the residence of four typical ethnic groups in Sapa: Thew Mong, Day, Tay, and Dao. During the trek, enjoy the landscape and learn about local daily life in the wooden stilt-house villages. This is a wonderful trekking tour along 35 km during 3 days 2 nights. There is also flexibility to cater for beginners to experienced trekkers.

Day 1: Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van

At 10am, we leave the hotel and start trekking. The first part is on the road but we soon turn onto a small path down the valley to the Muong Hoa River, and from here to the Black H'mong village of Lao Chai. The Black H'mong people are one of the biggest minority groups in the Sapa area. They are proud of their culture and keep their traditions and way of living alive. They have their own language and wear traditional indigo blue clothing. After this you continue to Ta Van village to visit the Zay people. Zay is a fairly small minority group of about 38,000 people who live mainly in the mountains in Northwest Vietnam. The development has meant that some of their old customs have been lost but many women still wear traditional shirts with a purple, blue or green colour. The Zay houses are built of wood and bamboo, and have a clay floor. We stay overnight with a local family in Ta Van and have our dinner with them. Lunch and Dinner included.

Total Trekking Distance: 15 km.

Day 2: Ta Van - Giang Ta Chai - Ban Ho

After breakfast we continue on our way to visit the Red Dao people at Giang Ta Chai, also the home of a beautiful waterfall. The Red Dao women wear very colourful red embroidery and coins on their clothing. On their head they wear a red scarf.

We continue along the small paths in the rice fields, cross the Muong Hoa River and arrive at the Tay village of Ban Ho. Tay is the most populous of the hill tribes. Because of the development and adaptation to Vietnamese society, some of them have started wearing more modern Vietnamese clothing. But most women still wear the traditional checkered headscarf. If we reach Ban Ho in the afternoon, you will have time to swim in a nearby river. In the evening we will have dinner with a Tay family, and stay overnight in a wooden Tay stilt house. All meals provided.

Total Trekking Distance: 25 km.

Day 3: Ban Ho - Sapa

After breakfast you will trek up to Ban Den (3 km). From here you will be picked up and transferred back to Sapa. In the afternoon you will have time to experience the colourful Sapa markets, where women from different ethnic minority groups come into town to sell their products. Breakfast provided.