Sunday market in mountain areas of north-west Viet Nam

in the mountain areas,life seem to be slower than in the cites.Villages are quiet and peaceful some time before sunset we hear only sounds of buffalo bells,sound of bamboo forest and insect...
Suddenly!on sunday morning every thing changed.The small town is more crowded,local people are excited to come to the market.
For locals market days are their village festival,it happen once a week and market is the place where they can sell their farming products,meeting their friend and good chance for young boys to be drunk with their sweet heart.
If you plan for a trip to the mountain of north west VietNam .Best time to come in a week is on weekend that's time for market to see real life of local people and their culture.

opt4:3Days2nights trip to Babe National Park

Ba Be itself is actually three smaller lakes joined together – Pe Lam, Pe Lu and Pe Leng. The climate is cool with an average temperature of 22°C. The best time to visit the area is during the dry season, which is during winter and spring.

Ba Be Lakes lie in the middle of a vast limestone mountain range of Ba Be District, in Bac Kan Province, 200km north-west of Ha Noi – dubbed a "precious jade of Vietnam" and one of 500 lakes recognised as worthy of attention. Ba Be Lakes area has a lot to offer, including waterfalls, rivers, valleys, lakes, and caves all set amidst picturesque landscapes. Ba Be Lakes, located 145 meters above sea level, are among the largest natural lakes in Vietnam with a total surface area of 500 hectares. The area was established as a national preserved forest and tourist center in 1978.

Ba Be Lakes are surrounded by many ancient trees, from which several varieties of precious wood are obtained. Up to 30 animal species such as wild pigs, bears, panthers, monkeys, and birds inhabit the area.

The surface of the lake was tranquil – a beauty spot if ever there was one, in this land of so much beauty. Visitors will have an unforgettable stay in the mountains by the lakes, enjoying sightseeing boat trips, hikes, and water sports. From Ba Be, tourists can visit other neighboring scenic attractions such as Dau Dang Fall, Puong Cave, and Tien Pond.

Passing by Puong Cave (30m high, 300m long), cruise past the villages of Tau, Cam and Hua Tang, and navigate your way through the river’s forks and brooks, you will reach Dau Dang Falls.

Day 1: Hanoi – Ba Be lake (250 km).
Departure from Hanoi at 08:00 and drive to Ba Be National Park. On the way we make several stops wherever you want to take photos and visit sightseeing places and villages along the way. We also pay a visit to the Thai Nguyen Minority and Culture Museum where we can learn something about the culture and traditions of the different minority groups in Vietnam. We have lunch on the way in a local restaurant. We arrive in Ba Be lake late in the afternoon and will have dinner and stay overnight with a local Tay minority family in their traditional wooden stilt house. (L, D)

Day 2: Ba Be lake boat trip.
After breakfast, we are going on a boat trip for about 4 hours to visit Ba Be lake. On the way we stop at Dau Dang waterfall and the impressive giant Poong grotto with hundreds of bats.We take our lunch Ba Be lake in a Tay village.In the National Park you can discover spectacular high waterfall, rivers, deep valleys, natural caves and small lakes. Steep mountains surround the lakes up to 1.745 m high. In the afternoon you have the possibility to go on a short trek with our guide to one of the small Tay villages scattered around the lakes on the land. Dinner and stay overnight in the same homestay at Ba Be Lake.(B, L , D)

Day 3: Ba Be Lake - Hanoi.
After breakfast, we leave our homestay and Ba Be Lake for the drive back to Hanoi. Lunch in a local restaurant on the way. We arrive in Hanoi at about 16:00 in the afternoon. The trip ends where it started at your hotel. (B, L)

(B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)

Including: Private transportation, boat trip, homestays, meals as mentioned, entrance fees and English-speaking tour guide.

Excluding: Drinks, insurance, personal expenses and tips
PRICE:190USD/1person for group of 2 or 3pax

DISCOVERY MAICHAU-PULUONG NATURE RESERVE(3days/2nights)

Pu Luong – a Nature Reserve near Mai Chau townlet of the Thai people will be a great choice for your two days or weekend from Hanoi, the closest place near Hanoi where you can visit and stay in the traditional home of the Thai – one of Vietnam 54 ethnic minorities, visit to these beautiful villages you will also have chance to walk or trek on trails less travelled, meeting the locals....all of this will simply offer you an unforgettable experience
Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Pu luong village (L,D)
Departure from your hotel at 7.00 am. On arrival in MaiChau, we take a short walk to visit Thai village, then lunch will be served on a local house of Lac village. After lunch, we take a short ride (~20km) along Ma river blessed with rich forest, limestone panoramas. Then we start our walk to untouched Sai village (~1hour) through hill sides, magnificent rice paddies, water wheels. After Sai village, we trek approximately 2.5 hours to Hang village (alt.+260m). We spend the night with a local Thai family who will be our hosts in a traditional house on stilt. While enjoying hospitality of locals, we learn little more about their culture and activities of their daily life.
Day 2: Hang village - Kho Muong village, 5 ~ 6 h trek. (B,L,D)
It will be interesting for you to get up and observe, or even take part in their activities in the morning because the daily life here starts early, take an opportunity to stroll around Hang village before having breakfast served by Thai people, then at 8 a.m start our trek. Today we will be walking approximately 5 to 6 hrs .The first hiking is hard with some steep climbs and yet more stream crossing, the next is really glorious with beautiful views of valley, rice terraces, rich rain forest, streams…Picnic lunch on the way at Eo Ken village (alt.+600m) , arrival in KhoMuong - the setting of the village is perhaps the most beautiful in Vietnam. It is recommended to stroll round the village and join in as villagers go about their daily lives, or relax in one of the three-eco homestays superbly set up by FFI (Flora and Fauna International) in conjunction with local villages.
Day 3: Kho Muong - Pho Doan - CamThuy - CucPhuong (buffer zone) - Hanoi.
After having breakfast, start for an easy day trek. We will continue on through beautiful valley, unspoiled villages with nice view, sure with much impression. Relax from the heat of the day before continuing on to a village nestled between steep karts mountains and nice terraces. Arrive a small town in Pho Doan market after 4 hrs trekking. Short break for lunch in the town. Our driver will bring us to Canh Nang, follow 217 road to Cam Thuy and back to Hanoi. Finish our trip at your hotel in Hanoi.
Tour tariff:
Solo: 220 USD
200 USD/ person (2 to 3 persons).
150 USD/ person (4 to 5 persons).
110 USD/ person (6 to10persons).
Services included:
Permit , admission fees.
Accommodation home stay.
Transport : Land Cruiser 4WD, air-cond.
Guide: English speaking guide.
Meals as specified (B-bf, L-lunch, D-dinner).
Not including: Insurance, porters, drinks, personal expenses.
What to bring: Passport, towels, swimsuits, toiletries, change of clothes, sun-block, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent, flash lights.
Best time to do: September to April next year.