Duration: 4 days 3 nights
Route: Hanoi – Bac Ha – Hoang Su Phi (Thong Nguyen / Nam Hong)

Overview

Northern Vietnam is famous for rice fields and ethnic villages—but Hoang Su Phi is where it becomes truly wild, remote, and untouched. This 4D3N hiking route is designed for travelers who want the truth off the beaten track: secret terrace valleys around Thong Nguyen, highland trails to Phung village, and rare cultural encounters with the La Chi community—one of Vietnam’s smaller ethnic minority groups living deep in borderland hills.
Expect real trekking, raw scenery, and nights with local families—far beyond the tourist map.

Travel style: Trekking + terraced landscapes + ethnic culture + homestays
Pace: Moderate (daily hikes 5–12 km, some strenuous uphill sections)
Best for: Nature lovers, photographers, active travelers, culture seekers

Tour Highlights

• Scenic overland journey from Hanoi to Vietnam’s remote northeast highlands
  
• Bac Ha warm-up trek + visit to Hoang A Tuong (Hmong King’s Palace)
  
• Strenuous trails into Phung village with sweeping views and buffalo herds below
  
• Cultural immersion with the La Chi community in remote border villages
  
• Discover the “secret” terraced landscapes of Thong Nguyen plateau
  
• Trek through Nam Hong rice fields and villages
  
• Overnight with a Dao ethnic family (authentic homestay experience)
  
• A true “lost destinations” itinerary—quiet, beautiful, and rarely visited
  

Why this 4D3N trekking route works

1) It goes where most tours don’t. Phung + Thong Nguyen + Nam Hong is a deep cut—perfect for travelers who dislike crowds.
2) It’s a smart progression. Bac Ha warms you up, Phung challenges you, Thong Nguyen rewards you, Nam Hong closes beautifully.
3) Terraces + people, not just scenery. The landscapes are stunning—but it’s the village life that makes the memories stick.
4) Built for real hikers (but still human). Trails are adventurous, yet balanced with vehicle support and homestay comfort.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi – Bac Ha (L/D)

08:00 Pick-up from your hotel in Hanoi. Travel northeast toward Lao Cai with rest stops along the highway.

Bac Ha arrival + Hmong King’s Palace

Arrive Bac Ha, have lunch in town, then visit Hoang A Tuong Palace—often called the Hmong King’s Palace. Afterward, enjoy a scenic walk on quiet trails behind the surrounding hills.

Dinner & overnight in Bac Ha

Trekking distance: ~7–10 km
Overnight: Lodge in Bac Ha

Day 2: Bac Ha – Phung Village Trekking (B/L/D)

The road from Bac Ha toward Phung is winding and scenic. After around 3 hours of driving (with village stops), enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Trek into Phung village (strenuous trails)

Your driver drops you at the trailhead, and you begin a more challenging hike into Phung village. The climb is strenuous, but the reward is huge: from higher ground, you’ll see rice fields below and La Chi buffalo herds moving across the hillsides.

Evening: homestay experience

Arrive in Phung and settle into a local homestay for dinner and overnight.

Trekking distance: ~7–10 km
Overnight: Homestay in Phung (La Chi area)

Day 3: Phung – La Chi Villages – Thong Nguyen – Nam Hong (B/L/D)

Wake up in the highlands, enjoy a home-cooked breakfast, then begin another meaningful day of trekking and cultural discovery.

Morning: La Chi village life

Visit La Chi villages and observe daily life: handcraft weaving, natural dyeing, rice drying in fields, and multi-generation stilt-house living. You’ll see a lifestyle that remains deeply traditional and community-centered.

Transfer to Thong Nguyen (terraced rice plateau)

After about 2 hours walking through fields and village paths, transfer by car to Thong Nguyen, known for its terraced rice plateau scenery.

Afternoon trek: Nam Hong villages & terraces

After lunch, trek through the villages and rice fields of Nam Hong, where terrace layers and mountain slopes create some of the most photogenic scenes of the whole route.

Dinner & overnight with a Dao family

Tonight you rest with a Dao ethnic family, enjoying dinner and the quiet rhythm of the mountains.

Trekking distance: ~10–12 km
Overnight: Dao homestay (Nam Hong)

Day 4: Nam Hong – Thong Nguyen Trails – Hanoi (B/L)

Enjoy breakfast with your host family—your last morning in the highlands.

Final trek: high-altitude villages around Thong Nguyen

Set out on a ~3-hour off-the-beaten-path trek. The path climbs gently at first, then opens into lush forest, tea plantations, terraced rice fields, and wide mountain slopes.
You’ll stop for lunch with a local family, with time for genuine encounters along the trail.

Return to Hanoi

After the trek, meet your vehicle and return to Hanoi with rest stops. Arrive at your hotel in the early evening.

Trekking distance: ~5–7 km

Food Experience 

Taste Northern Vietnam through a curated selection of authentic local dishes chosen for freshness, balance, and variety. We focus on what locals truly eat—simple, hearty, and seasonal—so you can enjoy a genuine highland culinary snapshot without feeling overwhelmed.

Inclusions

• Air-conditioned vehicle, round-trip transportation from selected hotels
  
• All private transfers and transportation
  
• Private door-to-door pick-up & drop-off services
  
• Accommodation at ecolodges/hotels/homestays as mentioned
  
• Experienced English-speaking guide
  
• Meals as stated (B/L/D)
  
• Vegetarian/vegan meals available (on request)
  
• Bottled water
  
• All sightseeing tickets
  
• Trekking program in Bac Ha & Hoang Su Phi
  
• All taxes and fees
  
• No extra charge after confirmation
  
• 24/7 hotline support
  
• Child seats available (required on request)
  

Excludes

• Personal expenses, tips & gratuities
  
• Travel insurance
  
• International & domestic flights and taxes
  
• Beverages
  
• Other personal expenses (drinks, souvenirs, etc.)
  

What to Bring

• Light trekking clothes + a warm layer (evenings can be cool)
  
• Comfortable hiking shoes (good grip for steep trails)
  
• Small daypack for trekking essentials
  
• Passport (recommended)
  
• Insect repellent, sunscreen, raincoat, hat
  
• Optional: trekking poles (very helpful on steep climbs/descents)
  

FAQs

How difficult is this tour?
Moderate with some strenuous sections (especially Day 2 to Phung). Best for travelers comfortable with hiking.

Is this route crowded?
No—this is one of the most remote terrace regions, far from mass tourism.

What are homestays like?
Simple, clean, and authentic. Facilities are more basic than hotels, but hospitality is heartfelt.

When is the best season for terraces?
Terraces are beautiful year-round, but the most dramatic visuals depend on planting/harvest cycles. Ask us for the best timing based on your travel month.