Mu Cang Chai
Four days, three nights
Mu Cang Chai is one of those places that exudes the infinite power of tranquility. Far away from the internet and other social media. More precisely, in the middle of terraced rice fields and tea plantations. These are untouched regions that have not yet been taken over by mass tourism. One senses an almost supernatural aura there, something spiritual, in these so enchantingly laid out rice fields, which rightly belongs to the world natural heritage.
But those who are there also see the indescribable physical efforts, they usually use the manual labor, because no helpful machine finds its way there. You would see many children holding their little ones on their backs and old people with a heavily loaded backpack made of rattan. Mainly women beat the grain of rice from the ear.
When you spend a few days there, on the one hand you would be torn between the beguiling beauty and the desire to share this beauty to the world. On the other hand, you wouldn’t want to disturb this idyll. And one catches oneself’s thought that there could be a way out of this poverty.
A sustainable tourism that does not come at the expense of ethnic minorities. The risk of this going wrong is extremely high in this Vietnamese society, which is greedy for money, wealth and prosperity.
Nevertheless, I would highly recommend this tour.
DAY 1: HANOI - TRAM TAU HOMESTAY (HOT SPRING)
You will be picked up at your hotel at 8:00 am by your tour guide and a driver.
From Hanoi, you will get along the National Road 32 to Yen Bai and continue to Nghia Lo town. During the drive through villages, valleys and over mountains, you will see picturesque landscapes.
On site, your tour will start with a one-hour walk to an ethnic minority of Thai origin. Afterwards, you will have lunch in Nghia Lo with local dishes that usually consist of only a few ingredients but taste so refined with braised pork, grilled fish, small crabs and rolls with all kinds of vegetarian fillings and delicious dips.
Then the journey continues to Tram Tau, to the hot spring. During the trip it is worth to capture the nature on photos.
Arrive in Tram Tau in the afternoon to enjoy the hot spring and relax.
Overnight stay with a host family in Tram Tau
Day 2: TRAM TAU - MU CANG CHAI
After breakfast, take a scenic transfer via Tu Le town and the imposing Khau Pha Pass to Mu Cang Chai, the paradise of "the most beautiful rice terraces in the world" (whoever may have bestowed this ultimate title).
After lunch at a local restaurant, we start a hike to admire the majestic landscapes of the rice terraces, the Black H'Mong villages and the mountains in La Pan Tan commune. 8 km uphill and downhill along the trails of the commune to see the daily life of the local tribes and interact with the friendly people; then we will walk along the buffalo trails to admire the impressive rice terrace fields in La Pan Tan commune. Our driver will pick us up at Ba Nha Bridge - the ending point of this trekking route - and take us to Thai village in Kim Noi commune, where we will have dinner and stay overnight with a local family.
DAY 3: MU CANG CHAI - SUOI GIANG
After breakfast, we will continue our trek for 10 km along the mountain slopes on dirt roads where we can experience the rice fields, Mu Cang Chai town and the daily life of villagers in Che Cu Nha commune. On the way, we will be picked up and drive to Tu Le town for lunch. After lunch, we will have another easy walk in Tu Le before driving to Suoi Giang. We can then relax at the homestay. Dinner with the family.
DAY 4: SUOI GIANG - HANOI (AIRPORT)
Breakfast with the host family. Afterwards, visit a tea farm where you can see a 400 year-old massive tea tree. Especially the white tea, which has a rather calming effect, is recommended during the tea tasting. A last walk through the village before departing to Hanoi. Lunch at a local restaurant. You will reach Hanoi or the airport in the late afternoon.
For those who are not keen on hiking, you can tour the countryside by moped as an alternative.