North-west Vietnam motorbike tour to Sapa with night train
7 nights, 7 days
Hanoi – Mai Chau – Phu Yen – Son La – Muong Lay – Lai Chau – Sapa – Lao Cai -night train- Hanoi
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Day 1: Hanoi motorcycle tour to Mai Chau (Hoa Binh)Hanoi motobike tours

In the morning we start our motorbike tour by leaving Hanoi on dyke roads to avoid the heavy traffic around 9 am , we ride our motorcycles west to Mai Chau, an area of beautiful landscape and home to the Thai ethnic minority.
We will ride on Highway 6 passing extensive farming lands comprising a sea of paddy fields split by tree-lined roads punctuated by limestone karst scenery.
After a light lunch in Hoa Binh Province, we cross Thung Khe, one of the most beautiful mountain passes in North Vietnam then descent to the mountain valley settlement of Mai Chau. After dinner we join performance, where you can dance and share a range of special liquors (rice wine) with the locals. Overnight in a house-on-stilts of the Thai people.

Summary:
Distance: 160 km
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Home-stay
Day 2: Mai Chau motorcycle tour to Phu Yen (Son La)

Mai Chau is one of the closest places to Hanoi where you can experience a 'real' Montagnard village. In the morning we take a short walk around village to discover local life. Life in the countryside starts early so by sunrise there is a wealth of activity. The Thai women are masterful weavers who ensure that there is plenty of traditional-style Mai Chau Motorcycle toursclothing to buy in the village centre. You will see women weaving on looms under or inside their houses in the village We can buy some handmade traditional-style clothing, knife or cross-bow.
After breakfast in home-stay, we say goodbye to villagers and leave Mai Chau around 10 am. We ride from Mai Chau to the direction of Moc Chau, where we have lunch. This highland town produces some of Vietnam's best tea and is a good place to stock up. The surrounding area is also home to several ethnic minorities, including Green H'mong, Dzao, Thai and Muong. Moc Chau boasts a pioneering dairy industry that started in the late 1970s with Australian (and, later, UN) assistance. The dairy provides Hanoi with such delectable iuxur us as fresh milk, sweetened condensed milk and little tooth-rotting bars called “Banh sua”.
After lunch, we turn to the less travelled Road 43 leading to the Da River, crossing the reservoir of Da river at Van Yen ferry, then ride on a beautiful winding secondary road until Phu Yen mountain town (a district of Son La Province in the Northwestern region of Vietnam), where we stay in a basic guest-house.

Summary:
Distance: 140 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Guest-house
Day 3: Phu Yen motorcycle tour to Son La CityPhu Yen motorbike trips

Continuing our motorbike tour on the almost empty Road 37 we enter mountains heavily populated with Black Thai people, who work on large terraced rice fields. The winding road passes through many Thai villages and fields and provides a great opportunity to watch country life passing by. We continue through rolling hills before rising up to the sugar cane growing areas on the cooler Son La plateau.
Late lunch in Son La City, the capital of Son La Province, before we visit The Old French Prison & Museum. It was once the site of a French penal colony where anticolonial revolutionaries were incarcerated. It was destroyed by the infamous “off-loading” of unused ammunition by US warplanes that were returning to their bases after bombing raids, but it has been partially restored. Rebuilt turrets and watch towers stand guard over the remains of cells, inner walls and a famous lone surviving peach tree. The tree, which blooms with traditional “Tet flowers”, was planted in the compound by To Hieu, a former inmate from the 1940s. To Hieu has subsequently been immortalised. with various landmarks now named after him.
Overnight in Son La City.

Summary:
Distance: 160 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 4: Son La motorcycle tour to Muong Lay (Dien Bien)Son La motorbike tours

Heading out northwest from Son La, the road crosses a series of mountain passes and areas of busy Black Thai activity. Children walk to school, kids tend buffaloes, women plant rice seedlings and men pull the buffalo. Then we come to the beginning of the very long and steep Pha Din pass where at the top we have vast views of the surrounding mountains, then down the other side on very steep sealed road. Lunch in Tuan Giao.
Heading out northwest from Tuan Giao the road passes isolated communities of Hmong and Thai people, whose small villages settle on the banks of dark green rivers and on the steep slopes of the mountains. Afterwards, by a forest stream the road begins to climb up the high Xa Tong pass. At the top for sunset before dropping sharply into the deep Lai Chau valley. Muong Lay old town was sunk in early 2010 and our new place for overnighting is new town, which is located on higher level.

Summary:
Distance: 220 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 5: Muong Lay motorcycle tour to Lai Chau Town

After breakfast we will start our easy day along stunning gorges and passing Sin HoMuong Lay motorbike tours town - the “second Sapa” of the northwest.
Flying far from the well-known and colorful markets of Sapa, Bac Ha and Can Cau, is the bewitching northwest mountainous area of Vietnam with the remote town and market of Sin Ho, the roof of Lai Chau province. Sin Ho town is located on the highest peak of the Sin Ho plateau in Lai Chau province, over 2,000m above sea level, and surrounded by verdant mountain ranges and clouds.
On the way we will have interesting stops to visit H’mong and Dzao villages before motorbiking down to Lai Chau, where we spend night at the hotel.

Summary:
Distance: 130 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 6: Lai Chau motorcycle tour to Sapa (Lao Cai)

We motorcycle head straight toward the main Fansipan Mountain range. There is also the option for a very challenging back route which takes us through several river crossings. The massive mountain range dominates the road until finally we must make aLai Chau motorbike tours splendid climb up from Binh Lu and up to the top of the highest road pass in Vietnam (Tram Ton Pass). Crossing into Lao Cai Province at over 2,000m the views looks out over the main range for miles and miles, before we descend to the mountainous Sa Pa valley. Overnight in Sapa.

Summary:
Distance: 80 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day + Night 7: Sapa – Lao Cai – Hanoi

Free time in Sapa, spending time to visit the town, shop handicrafts for souvenir or chat with locals, whose speak very good English, will tell you lovely stories about their traditions.
In the afternoon, we ride down to Train station in Lao Cai city, catch the night train back to Hanoi.
Arriving Hanoi by next early morning.

End of services

Muong Lay

Formerly known as Lai Chau, this small town is nestled in a pretty valley carved from spectacular mountains by the Da River, and makes a good lunch or overnight stop for people travelling between Dien Bien Phu and Sapa. Beneath Muong Lay's beauty lies a difficult existence for locals. Despite a marked increase in tourist numbers, for most of the people it's a hard living. Far from busy trade routes, normal commerce is limited and the town has only been really successful in harvesting cash crops such opium and timber. Needless to say, opium harvesting does not find favour with the central government, which has been trying to discourage the Montagnards from producing poppies.



If the opium business is falling on hard times, the same must be said for the timber industry. In recent years the forest cover has been reduced and flooding has increased dramatically. Around 140 people lost their lives in 1990 in a devastating flood on the Da River that swept through the narrow valley. An even worse flood in 1996 killed 100 people and cut all roads into town for two months; the ruins of the flooded former cultural hall can be seen in the middle of town. It seems that this kind of flooding will become a permanent feature of Muong Lay. There is a massive dam under construction, just above the current Song Da Reservoir, and this will fill the valley with water. When this comes to pass (not before 2010), this will be the largest hydroelectric station in Southeast Asia. It also could mean that in the future the only way to visit Muong Lay will be by submarine. Being underwater, however, would at least keep things cooler. Odd as it might seem, in summer Muong Lay is one of the hottest places in Vietnam. June and July temperatures can soar as high as 40°C.


BORDER CROSSING: TAY TRANG BORDER GATE
The Lao border at Tay Trang, gateway to Phongsali province, is only 34km from Dien Bien Phu. Persistent rumours circulate about this crossing opening to foreign tour ists soon, but at the time of writing it was still closed. OK, so we've said it for a few years now, but it really is likely to open during the lifetime of this book. Keep your ear to the ground and do your homework in Hanoi.

Phuong Thanh hotel

The priciest place in town

Despite an over-sized and uninspiring reception area, the rooms here are decent — very clean, light and airy, with good furnishing and bedding, and tubs in the well-tiled bathrooms.

There's also an air-con, cafe/restaurant on the second-floor which might be just what you're looking for on a sweltering day. Room rates would be reasonable for the standard if the hotel were elsewhere, but in Lai Chau there are better priced options available if you're watching your budget.

Tay Bac hotel

The Tay Bac is the star attraction when it comes to accommodation in Lai Chau province, and you should probably just head straight here and plop down. The sleeps are in three buildings — but rooms with the most spark are available in the two-story stilt-house, which features some nice shared balconies for lounging in the evening. The rooms are a bit cramped, and are fan-only, but comfortable, with slatted wood walls, soft beds, and good shower baths

The most expensive rooms are available in the building at the very back, with it's nasty pink stucco hallways — not as much fun, as far as we're concerned, but the air-con options are here, along with more spacious rooms with big broadcast TVs, desks, fridges, and high recessed ceilings. For the money, if the stilt house is full or not to your liking, head elsewhere. You can also, of course, get a massage if you like. The staff speak a bit of English and is very helpful.

Trek Lai Chau is a newly established province situated on high mountainous region, about 3-hour drive from Dien Bien Phu. Its neighbors are Yunna (China) on the north, Laos on the west, Lao Cai Province on the north-east, Dien Bien and Son La Province on the south. With Tam Duong, Lai Chau is one lunch or an overnight stop for people traveling between Dien Bien Phu and Sapa.

What to do?

Some attractions in Lai Chau include Sin Ho Village with colorful Sunday Market, Tam Duong Townlet with Montagnards and other tourist sites such as Tien Son Cave and Muong Lai Spring. The road from Lai Chau to Sapa is one of the most beautiful drives in Vietnam but it is very bumpy. Also, it can suffer severe damage during the rainy season.

When to go?

Lai Chau is in the tropical monsoon zone and is divided into two seasons: rain season and dry season. The annual average temperature is 21 - 23 Degree Celcious It is also one of the hottest places in Vietnam in summer. June and July temperatures can climb to 40 Degree Celcious. During the rainy season the town is prone to severe flooding from the Da River. The ideal time to visit Lai Chau is from September to April of next year.

Travel Tips:

The route Dien Bien Phu Lai Chau (around 4 hours) and Sapa Lai Chau (from 6 to 8 hours) is good with breathtaking scenery. The latter route is the most spectacular but can suffer severe damage during the rainy season, which delay your trip considerably.

Trek Lai Chau is a newly established province situated on high mountainous region, about 3-hour drive from Dien Bien Phu. Its neighbors are Yunna (China) on the north, Laos on the west, Lao Cai Province on the north-east, Dien Bien and Son La Province on the south.

With Tam Duong, Lai Chau is one lunch or an overnight stop for people traveling between Dien Bien Phu and Sapa.

Area:
Population:
Provincial capital: Districts:

Hill tribe groups:
Climate     17,133 sq km
562,000
Muong Lay Town.(Former name is Lai Chau)
Muong Lay, Muong Nhe,Dien Bien, Dien Bien Dong, Muong Tra(It's former name is Muong Lay), Tua Chua, Tuan Giao and Dien Bien Phu city
there are 24 hilltribe groups
The annual average temperature varies between 21 and 23?C

From Hanoi to Muong Lay(It's former name is Lai Chau) is 511km along National Highway 6 via Hoa Binh, Mai Chau, Son La, Tuan Giao following Hing Way 6 to Lai Chau, the center of the northwest from there it conect to Muong Te, Phong Tho, Tuan Giao, Tua Chua, Sin Ho, Muong Nhe and Dien Bien Phu City in about 100km.
Muong Lay(It's former name is Lai Chau) is situated in a valley of the junction of Nam Na River, Da River and Nam Lay stream.
Lai Chau province is populated by up to 23 ethnic groups, most notably the Thai and the White and Blue H'Mong, Ha Nhi, Si La, Mang, Cong, Dao, Lu, and other unique minoritites... .

Lan Anh hotel now has 56 well equiped rooms set in several stilt-houses among the greenery natural trees in the area of 8000 Spm, Lan Anh resort is located in the middle of Muong Lay(formerly Lai Chau) , it takes only 5 minutes on foot to reach to minority villages...
Lan Anh is three hours drive from Dien Bien, 186km from Sa Pa, 90km from Tuan Giao via HW 6. Muong Lay is the warmest region in Viet Nam, Sun shines even Winter, Summer is sunny but the air from river cool down it's climate, with scenic beauty among the Thai,and Hmong villages, make it the ideal getaway for nature lovers.
Muong Lay is a trove of natural treasures. The invigorating mountain air, the fresh, cool climate, the breathtaking scenery and the quiet of the countryside all make for a rejuvenating break from the city.
Outside Activities light or hard trekking and boat trip is the best way to discover the most remote minority villages and their hidden culture, it will make your meaning trips!  Detail Map

All Rooms

• Room 25 - 28 m2


• Wooden stilthouse


• Private bathroom with bath-tup


• Hot Water


• Oversea Phone


• Mini bar


• Fan & Setellite TV(32inch)


• Air conditioning


• Mountain and lake view


• Tea table


• King size beth 2m x 2,3m


• Twin size 1,6m x 2,3m

Festivals in Lai Chau, Viet Nam



1st Lunar month – 6th Lunar month
Then Kin, Lai Chau
   
10th, 1st Lunar Month

Thousands of Thai people flock to Nham Lum River to participate in a water splashing contest as a part of Then Kin Pang Festival in Phong Tho District.  The festival aims to show gratitude towards deities and express good praise for timely rains and favourable weather, good crops, happy life and good health.
Gau Tao, Lai Chau
   
1st, 1st Lunar Month

The Gau Tao Festival is a festival of the H’mong people, held every spring. After the conclusion of the Lunar New Year Festival couples go to the market to spending time together. During this time the boys often play khen, a kind of musical instrument with one another.
Han Khuong, Lai Chau
   
1st, 1st Lunar Month

The Han Khuong Festival is once again an opportunity for boys and girls to meet and get to know each other through singing and dancing. “Han” means stage, “Khuong” means yard. When the festival starts, young, beautiful and unmarried girls sing love songs on the stage. The boys then sing songs in response. After the festival it is common for many couples to get married.
Cam Muong, Lai Chau
   
30th, 1st Lunar Month

At this spring festival the Lai Chau people pray to the gods of rivers and mountains and to their ancestors for their support in earning a living. During the festival sorcerers make offerings of food trays. From 1-5th day of Tet people play traditional games and dance in the village, play con ball, and drink wine.
Hoa Ban, Lai Chau
   
1st, 2nd Lunar Month

The Hoa Ban Festival is one of the most popular events of Lai Chau, reflecting the cultural and spiritual life of the Thai people. In the 2nd Lunar Month of the year, when it gets warmer and the hoa ban flower blossoms, the Hoa Ban Festival is celeberated. This is a time for boys and girls to meet and get to know each other. Boys are required to pick up and place a ban flower in their girlfriend’s hair. Being shy, the girl then hides under the flower leaves. This is not only a time for love, but also for the Thai people to pray for good crops, happiness, and to express their gratitude to their ancestors. The festival is always full of songs and prays.
7th Lunar month – 12th Lunar month
Harvest, Lai Chau
   
1st, 10th Lunar Month

The La Hu people perform this ritual for new rice in the 10th or 11th Lunar Month every year.  During the period of the festival the La Hu people are banned from harvesting vegetables or cutting down trees and plants in order to pray for them to grow well all year round. During the festival folk dances accompanied by drums also takes place.

 Festivals in Lai Chau, Viet Nam

1st Lunar month – 6th Lunar month
Then Kin, Lai Chau
   
10th, 1st Lunar Month

Thousands of Thai people flock to Nham Lum River to participate in a water splashing contest as a part of Then Kin Pang Festival in Phong Tho District.  The festival aims to show gratitude towards deities and express good praise for timely rains and favourable weather, good crops, happy life and good health.
Gau Tao, Lai Chau
   
1st, 1st Lunar Month

The Gau Tao Festival is a festival of the H’mong people, held every spring. After the conclusion of the Lunar New Year Festival couples go to the market to spending time together. During this time the boys often play khen, a kind of musical instrument with one another.
Han Khuong, Lai Chau
   
1st, 1st Lunar Month

The Han Khuong Festival is once again an opportunity for boys and girls to meet and get to know each other through singing and dancing. “Han” means stage, “Khuong” means yard. When the festival starts, young, beautiful and unmarried girls sing love songs on the stage. The boys then sing songs in response. After the festival it is common for many couples to get married.
Cam Muong, Lai Chau
   
30th, 1st Lunar Month

At this spring festival the Lai Chau people pray to the gods of rivers and mountains and to their ancestors for their support in earning a living. During the festival sorcerers make offerings of food trays. From 1-5th day of Tet people play traditional games and dance in the village, play con ball, and drink wine.
Hoa Ban, Lai Chau
   
1st, 2nd Lunar Month

The Hoa Ban Festival is one of the most popular events of Lai Chau, reflecting the cultural and spiritual life of the Thai people. In the 2nd Lunar Month of the year, when it gets warmer and the hoa ban flower blossoms, the Hoa Ban Festival is celeberated. This is a time for boys and girls to meet and get to know each other. Boys are required to pick up and place a ban flower in their girlfriend’s hair. Being shy, the girl then hides under the flower leaves. This is not only a time for love, but also for the Thai people to pray for good crops, happiness, and to express their gratitude to their ancestors. The festival is always full of songs and prays.
7th Lunar month – 12th Lunar month
Harvest, Lai Chau
   
1st, 10th Lunar Month

The La Hu people perform this ritual for new rice in the 10th or 11th Lunar Month every year.  During the period of the festival the La Hu people are banned from harvesting vegetables or cutting down trees and plants in order to pray for them to grow well all year round. During the festival folk dances accompanied by drums also takes place.

Lai Chau eyes greater investment

Favourable investment conditions in the northwestern province of Lai Chau should significantly increase the number of new projects in the area over the next few years, said Vu Manh Hung, deputy head of the provincial Department for Planning and Investment.

An investment decision that came into force last month entitles new investors in certain priority sectors to benefit from free land and water area leasing. They will also be able to get assistance with infrastructure construction, land-clearance compensation and labour training.

"These projects will be entitled to 100 per cent assistance in building electricity and water supplies and drainage systems, as well as 50 per cent in land-clearance compensation. In addition, they will get 100 per cent compensation for mine and bomb clearance [where applicable]," said Hung.

Hung added that they would also be entitled to receive a training-assistance grant of VND1 million ($63) per local employee.

Lai Chau authorities were looking to boost investment in the agriculture and forestry, construction, tourism and service sectors, said Hung.

In the agriculture sector, the province was particularly keen to generate investment in tea production, organic vegetables and household plants, Hung said.

Officials said major potential tourist destinations included Ban Chat, Huoi Quang, Ho Thau and Thien Son.

Hung said the provincial authority had invested heavily in its infrastructure to attract investment.

Hung added that a number of sites in Lai Chau were for lease for up to 50 years at favourable rates.

Meanwhile, there has been massive investment in Lai Chau Town, and urban centres in Phong Tho and Tam Duong districts, as well as the Ma Lu Thang border economic zone.

New archaeological dig discovered in Lai Chau

An archaeological dig has been unearthed wonders at the former battlefield with the French colonialists, Dien Bien Phu, Lai Chau Province, adding more value to this well-known historical site.

A group of specialists of the National Social Science and Humanity Centre unearthed a horde of objects in an area known as Gai Ma choi (ghost girls) in U Va commune, Dien Bien district. The haul includes ceramic items with strange decorative patterns, sapphire china fragments, burnt paddy, terra-cotta jars, iron ploughshares, and stakes.

The objects reflect an early presence of residents at U Va, who lived through different historical periods and possibly experienced wide trade exchanges with the outside world, the specialists said. They added that the burnt paddy was valuable for the study of wild rice strains discovered in Viet Nam as well as in other regional countries

In 2010 the town of Muong Lay town will be at the bottom of a lake. Duc Hanh soaks up the valley’s extraordinary beauty while she can.

“That road has been ruined by floods and landslides. You can’t get to Muong Lay that way. You should take the train to Lao Cai,” advises Nghia, an artist who has 20 years of travelling experience in the north of Vietnam. But here I am ignoring Nghia’s suggestion, fastening my bags to the back of the motorbike and leaving Sapa in search of this “impossible road”.

To add a bit of spice to proceedings it is raining. The road will only get worse I fear. Still, I am determined to overcome any obstacle and find the town of Lai Chau town, now called Muong Lay, before it sits on the bottom of the reservoir that will supply water to Son La Hydroelectric plant (be completed by 2010). The road to Heaven’s Gate outside Sapa is under construction so it’s very muddy and rough.

The rain gets heavier. A thick fog emerges. I wind down 30km of Hoang Lien Son Pass, careful not to go too fast or to break too suddenly. I wear glasses, which have become a hindrance. Of course being short-sighted and not wearing glasses is also a hindrance. Just when I think I have made a mistake I emerge on the west side of Hoang Lien Son mountain range where I am dazzled with sunshine.

Thick forest cover and outrageous peaks make for stunning views. Down below I see people work in the terraced fields. On the road only the odd Thai or Mong woman passes by. After an eight hour drive, I arrive at Hang Tom bridge, once the largest chain-bridge in the land and the formal entrance to the old capital of Lai Chau province, Muong Lay town. When the provincial lines of Lai Chau were redrawn with Dien Bien province, the old Lai Chau town was sitting in Dien Bien province, so it had to be renamed.

To add confusion there already was a town called Muong Lay town, which is now called Muong Nhe. All very confusing. Resting on the bridge, I remember coming here 15 years ago, when the small mountainous town, then called Lai Chau, on the banks of Nam Na River was as crowded and charming as a city.

The town had such smooth, straight streets in a chessboard pattern. Wooden houses were tidily built. Large and striking propaganda signs hung everywhere. Along the Nam Na River, there were snug hamlets comprising black-stone-roofed stilt-houses of Thai people. In front of the town’s offices, men sat on their motorbikes waiting for their girlfriends to finish work.

At night people went down to the riverside to eat dinner, drink in cafés, or watch a film or musical performances at the Provincial Cultural House, which had been built in the shape of Thai traditional stilt-house. But when I drive into the town its immediately clear things have changed. I see the Culture House, once a brightly-lit social centre, now falling to ruin, covered in moss, wild grass and creepers. It could be the remnant of a house destroyed by a bomb. “After we had large floods several years ago the building collapsed.

A lot of houses and chain-bridges around here were also destroyed,” says Chien, a local mechanic. The streets are rough and rather gloomy. All is quiet in the market where just a few trucks and vans sit idly. I can still spot the signs of shops and stores I visited 15 years ago. But the atmosphere is gloomy to say the least. Further up the hill, the town’s offices are completely deserted.

In anticpation of the reservoir, most of them would have been transferred to the new Lai Chau town or Dien Bien Phu. The town stadium is now a barren piece of land where buffalos graze. The most beautiful and vivid building that remains is the Lan Anh hotel (See Check In on page 20), a sanctuary of stilt houses in a garden of wild orchids, but the owner there will soon move to the top of the valley.

Many residents have been resettled to areas such as Chan Nua town (30km away) or Pa Tan (50km away) or wherever they have relatives. But a large number of locals remain either because they are waiting for compensation or they are unsure of where they are going For Vietnamese people who were born here and worship the land where their ancestors are buried this is quite a traumatic upheavel.

One local, called An, says she has moved her family tomb to the new Lai Chau town where her first-born son lives with his family. “I’m staying till I get my compensation but I also want to stay in the town where I was born for as long as I can,” she says. “I’m heart-broken about having to leave this house and this town.” Another lcoal, Luan, a 54-year old rice trader, is unsure what the future has in store for him: “I had to borrow money to buy a piece of land in Phong Tho town and to build a small house there.

But I don’t know exactly what I will do there to make a living.” Chien, a 34-year old mechanic is happy enough with his new arrangements, "Luckily, I got a piece of land up the hill nearby, so I will not have to move far.” Walking around the town, I meet a few foreign tourists, most of whom are French. This is where French Garrison No4 was built during France’s colonial occupation of Vietnam.

“I wanted to visit the town where my father was stationed and also wounded during the 1950s before it is flooded with the water,” says Jean. As I prepare to leave the town I’m filled with sadness, it seems incredible to think that one day we won’t walk these streets. But my memories of this town will never fade. One day I will drive here and sit on the edge of the valley and look down into the reservoir and paint the picture of
yesteryear:

Charming chain-bridges, black-stone roofed stilt-houses, wild orchids and warm hearted people. And I will smile.

Vietnam Vacations - Lai Chau

Dong Lai Chau rice
Lai Chau province is a mountainous high, located in the north living. The northern border with Yunnan province (China), the northeast border with Lao Cai, the southern borders of Dien Bien, Son La and the western border with Laos. The climate of the nature of monsoon line. Average temperature in about 21 º C - 23 º C divided into 2 seasons, the rainy season and dry season.

Visiting ethnic groups in Lai Chau is a great choice for your Vietnam Travel tours.

Topography Lai Chau province is formed by the mountains in the direction of long-running northwest - southeast, with many high mountain peaks, the top Pu Sa Leng 3.096m high. Mountain and hill slopes, many alternatives valley deep and narrow, with many of river, stream. Song has ghenh waterfall, traffic flow should be large hydropower potential is very large.



Potential for tourism development

Offer in celebration of the ceremony in Cam Muong
Lai Chau province is a natural landscape corporeity, rich tourism potential. There is also the villages of ethnic groups with many custom's still raw as a Sin. The landscape of streams is Muong Lai, Tien Son cave ...

Transportation

The network traffic is mainly roads. The province has 12 national highways running through the city from connecting. Dien Bien Phu to China (through the door to Ma Lu month), the National Highway connecting to 4D town Sa Pa (Lao Cai). Lai Chau, Ha Noi how about 406km (via Lao Cai).

Lai Chau Vietnam Package Tours



Lai Chau is one of the North West Frontier Province of Vietnam , north of the People's Republic of China , to the west and southwest borders of Dien Bien province , east of Lao Cai province , southeastern border province of Yen Bai , and Son La Province to the south .

Lai Chau Vietnam tour packages or Lai Chau Vietnam package tours holiday consists of transport and accommodation advertised and sold together by a vendor known as a tour operator. Lai Chau Vietnam package tours holidays are organised by a tour operator and sold to a consumer by our travel agent. We offer the BEST Vietnam Toursim vacation and Vietnam tour packages with BEST price and services. Have a great holidays at Lai Chau or customize your vietnam holidays with our Tour Packages Travel.

Lai Chau province 103 communal units include 3 wards, 8 towns and 92 communes. Lai Chau province's population is 370,135 people, ranked No. 62/63 provinces and cities nationwide, Bac Kan province. Lai Chau is one town and six districts:

Lai Chau Vietnam Package Tours Attractions and laichau Vietnam Tour Packages Tourism

Vietnam package tours in Lai ChauVietnam package tours in Lai Chau

Lai Chau has 20 ethnic groups, each ethnic group has its own definition of traditional cultural life. Upland fair is expressed very clearly the specific culture.

Lai Chau Cultural Tourism: Palace Deo Van Long Le Loi - Sin Ho , the compound of the Thai king puppet in the French war. Become a historic mansion, education, ethnic pride, evidence for the downfall who bow to slavery and is the place to visit to learn the characteristic architecture, the Thai cultural identity. Beer Le Loi: carved cliff on the northern bank of the Black River, now part of Le Loi - Sin Ho district. Archaeological sites of the ancient Vietnamese civilization as heritages coffee, Nam Tun in Phong Tho ;'ve found tools of the Stone Age; copper tools of the Dong Son culture of Hung Vuong era.

Lai Chau Natural Landscape: Lai Chau has many high plateau over 1,500 meters, clouds, fog covered the four seasons, fresh air, cool year round including: Sin Ho plateau , Lake Thau , the island of San ... Lai Chau has many high peaks, river rapids, such as: Fansipan peak (3.143m), the range of Pu Sam Cap (above 1700 m), river , river Nam Na , river Nam Mu ... Hot springs, mineral water are natural produce donated to Lai Chau, rock Oh, Korea (Sin Ho); Tien Son in Binh Lu Tam Duong, waterfall Code Love (Tam Duong TT), hot springs Gold Bundle (Phong Tho); East hot springs Na, Na Don (Tam Duong); spas (Than Uyen); ... and other large hydropower. Pu Dao: One minor Mongolia 887 people in Lai Chau was a client travel firms England elected as one of the most attractive destinations in Southeast Asia . [1] Social Pu Dao (in Mongolia means "the highest point") in Sin Ho district, a town Muong Lay 13 miles.

Vietnam Package Tours that include Lai Chau

Below are list of all of Vietnam Tour Packages that include Lai Chau or laichau. Recognized as leading Travel Company in Vietnam, we offer Luxury, Family, or All-inclusive travel specialized in many beautiful spots in Vietnam.

Lai Chau, Viet Nam


The remote small town of Lai Chau (Laichau) , reached after a high mountain pass and a spectacular descent, is nested in a deep verdant valley which has the oddity of being one of the hottest places in Vietnam in the summer. Visit Lai Chau while you can, since recurring floods have prompted a project to transform the valley into a reservoir.



The scenery between Muong Lay and Phong Tho is some of the most spectacular scenery you can see in the Far Northwest of Vietnam. The mountains are striking with abrupt peaks and on a clear day you can see many of the even larger peaks rising from the Chinese side of the border. Around Phong Tho is as close as you will get to the Chinese frontier in this part of the country.
Being so rarely visited this is a corner of Vietnam that has more to offer the adventurous traveller than the regular backpacker. Its local people carry on much as they always have and the region is home to many different ethnic minorities. The region borders on both Laos and China however border crossings are not possible here.

If travelling independently you might want to take notice of name changes. A large dam is being built in this area to power Northern Vietnam 's increasing demand for electricity. As a result there has been some name changing amongst the towns. Note that many of the towns in this province are not where they once were. It is almost as though as the waters rise they are heading for higher ground. Towns like Lai Chau have been relocated further up the river and the small townships that they replace have swapped names. This is a continuing process so take note of town names, distances and ask locals before really ascertaining where you are.

Sin Ho market
It would be a pity if you come to North West but not stop off at the Sin Ho market because this is not only the most colorful market on traditional clothes of North West inhabitants but also the wildest ones. on Saturday afternoon, you can see conveys of horses and people walking from gathering here with many kinds of farm products as they come from distant communities so they have to ride on horse all day to the market. This remote town suddenly turns noisy with laughter and the stampede of footsteps. The market located at the centre of town, surrounded by verdant mountain ranges and clouds. The local people here still use coins of up to hundred years in circulation to purchase or exchange goods as they often play an important role in their daily life like wedding and other festivities. When entering that multicolor world, you will treasure and value of all hardness to come here.

Sin Ho market Lai Chau



Situated imposingly on the Sin Ho plateau of Lai Chau province, Sin Ho town is located on the highest peak, over 2,000 metres higher than sea level and surrounded by verdant mountain ranges and clouds.

The small town is also well-known as the second Sapa of the northwest area. But the climate in Sin Ho is even more sour and scornful than that of Sapa. Suddenly, you can be standing in a sea of white clouds, then, just several minutes later, the rain will rumble down like a waterfall. But right after the last rain drop falls, the sun will rise brilliantly and a cool wind will blow over the small town.
Visiting Sin Ho, tourists can join Sin Ho market, which is opened every Sunday. The market is regarded as the most crowded one with various types of commodities from foods, technological equipments, household utensils, etc. Many species of orchids are also sold here. Visitors can buy souvenirs in a big souvenir store in the market.

On Sunday morning, the sleepy town comes alive. From all paths up and down leading to the town centre, waves of tribes people walk or ride horses and motorbikes, all loaded with many kinds of farm products, toward the market. These tribes come from many unsociable villages up and down the mountains. They are Flower Hmong, Blue Hmong, Black Hmong, Lu, Black Dao and Red Dao, amongst others.

Apart from the Sin Ho market which is the most important highlight of any trip to Lai Chau, a trek to Pha Xo Lin village is also worth the journey. The village is located just three kilometres from the town centre. The village is home to the Dao Khau tribe, also known as the Sewing Dao, or the Black Dao, who wear black trousers richly embroidered with signature flower, tree and star patterns seen on many Dao costumes. They also wear a front hanging black apron with a wide, plain blue band around its outside, together with a plain black turban.

The Pha Xo Lin village is very gorgeous and poetic, with dark wooden houses roofed with black marble tiles and fenced in with marble hedges. It’s mouthwatering to walk in the village, where you can take a seat under the fruit trees to delight in lovely lanterns swinging in the cool winds and their fresh and sweet tastes. Pha Xo Lin village is very well-known for its special golden red mangoes, with their sweet taste and jackfruit-like flavour.

Besides its tasty fruits, Pha Xo Lin village is a shopping paradise of brocades and embroidery products. It’s common to see Dao women sitting at their thresholds in their front yards or under the fruit trees sewing passionately. While you’re there, don’t miss out on buying some clothes, scarves or other decorous things from the tribes people. Their products are very refined and gorgeous, as befitting of their name—the Sewing Dao tribe.