Introducing our NEW trek in North East Vietnam

The remote North East of Vietnam, a succession of limestone peaks, and wildly scattered valleys, is partially covered by primary forest and is the habitat of monkeys, pythons and sun-bears. During Colonial times the French attempted to fortify it and due to its remoteness and the 1979 war with China, it was closed to foreigners between 1950 and 2011. Here are our four reasons why we think this new trip to the trails of the tribal heartland of Vietnam is so special.

9 overnight homestays with 6 different Hill-Tribes

There are over 50 recognised tribes in Vietnam and the most colourful are the hill-tribes of the North. In the North-East, close to the border of China, live the most remote and unvisited. The tribal groups who live in this area feel mysterious, even to the Vietnamese, and we are lucky to meet many different groups - the Tay, the White Hmong, the Dao, the Lolo, the Giay and the Nung. Nights will be spent as guests of different hill tribe villages in homestays, a highlight being Mr Ke’s stilt house in Nam Ngu. Time in villages will be spent learning local customs and traditions, engaging in traditional crafts like weaving, spinning and textile dying, socialising with the villagers and eating delicious home prepared Vietnamese food; the highlight of this will be a full day spent with a remote Black Lolo tribe.

Outstanding trekking through superb limestone ranges

The hill-tribe villages nestle on jungled hill slopes or lie hidden in lush valleys, and trekking between them may seem highlight enough. However, do not underestimate the outstanding landscape of the North East. The massif of Thong Nong and the foothills of Phu Ta Ca (2276m) the second highest point in the province of Ha Giang, offer wild untouched landscapes of plunging highland valleys, soaring limestone peaks, primeval forests and spectacularly tiered rice paddies.

Learn traditional fishing methods on Ba Be Lake

Ba Be National Park a haven of towering limestone mountains, waterfalls, caves and lakes and located in the middle of the national park is the lake of Ba Be, which is the biggest natural lake in Vietnam extending over a surface of 5000 square metres. On the southern end of the lake lies the Tay village of Coc Toc, reached by boat. Here the Tay will give lessons in the local fishing techniques they have practised for centuries.

All the iconic moments - with a twist

Just because the hill-tribes are so remote, it doesn’t mean you miss out on the big highlights of North Vietnam, but on this trip, we try to make them even more unique. The traditional Halong Bay junk boat journey is not to be missed, but on this trip the junk sails further to the more remote Lan Ha Bay. Here the limestone pinnacles are fringed with white-sand beaches and hidden lagoons. The wild Cat Ba Island is the overnight stop.

Secret trails of the Tribal Heartland – Tripcode - VNT