Embroidery sellers on the High Muong Khuong Plateaus.
One of the most beautiful markets in the Northern highland region
Photo: Jean Marc Dolmazon

VNA 06. The Hoang Lien Son Massif / 14 days

Cruise through the Northern mountain tracks in a 4x4

The most beautiful markets of the highland region

The Hoang Lien Son Massif, the backbone of the Northern Tonkin region, delineates between the Red River and the Black River forming an extraordinary mountainous region, which stretches West to the Laos border. It’s summits rise well above 1500m and reach 3143m at Phansipan.

Situated at the cultural melting pot, to the North; China and to the West; Laos and Burma, this chain of mountains forms a diverse ethinic mosaic. Meet with the D’zao, H’Mong, HaNhi, Zay, Thai tribes....whose weaving secrets and embroidery dyeing, as well as their beautiful headdresses are passed down between women from generation to generation....

1. Flight. Paris - Hanoi.

2. Hoa Binh. Arrival. By bus to the Muong village in Luong Son, where water is omnipresent. Night in a beautiful stilt house, bordering the water’s edge. Welcome dinner.

3. Black River. 180km. Cruise by 4x4 to the Black River then ride back up along it’s water course towards the North. Stopover with the Thai and D’zao. Night in a tribal home in the Buoi River Valley.

4. Hoang Lien Son Massif. 150km. Mu Cang Chai ….A beautiful place in the middle of nowhere…. Zigzag and chaotic mountain tracks in the monsoon season. Night in a Guesthouse.

5. The colourful markets of Binh Lu and Tam Duong. 140km. By foot to Phansipan, 3143m. In a Westerly direction, coming back through the Tam Dong Valley, land of the Tay, Xa Pho tribes....Hotel in Sapa, some 1400m in altitude.

6. The High Muong Khuong Plateaus. 100km. In the direction of the High Muong Khuong Plateaus, bordered by the Red River and the Clear River. Pretty Muong Khuong market, held every Sunday. Hostel.

7. Si Ma Cai. 60km. Magical kingdom of the Flower H’Mong, peach blossom and plum tree growers and pig rearers. Walk through their village at Muc Trang Phin, not far from the Chinese border. Guesthouse.

8. The Clear River. 180km. Bac Ha market, every Sunday where the locals trade their different produce. Festive atmosphere typical of the highland regions. Then cruise by 4x4 to Yen Bai. Hotel.