Discover Road to Happiness - 06 Days

“Road to Happiness” or the National Road No. 4C Ha Giang-Dong Van-Meo Vac was decided to be built after North Vietnam was liberated and it took 6 years (1959-1965) to build a distance of app. 300km. So difficult to build and so happy when it was done that the road was called “The Happiness Road”. More than 2 million workdays were spent by youngsters of 16 nations from 8 provinces of North Vietnam. But what is unforgettable is the construction of the Ma Pi Leng Pass, the most difficult pass to build but also the most fascinating and beautiful pass to enjoy in Vietnam. It took the youngsters one and a half year to connect the 24km distance between Dong Van and Meo Vac Towns but the Ma Pi Leng Pass alone already took them 11 months or more than 330 days of hanging themselves on rock cliffs to make it through.

TOUR SUMMARY:
Route: Hanoi – Ha Giang - Dong Van - Meo Vac - Bao Lac - Ba Be Lake & National Park – Hanoi.
Duration: 06 days in length
Start in: Hanoi & End in: Hanoi
Tour type: Private/Small Group (minimum of 2 people)
Activities: Ethical & Responsible Travel/ Walking/ Lake Cruising/Cycling/ Cultural Exploration/ Eco-tourism/ Multi-Activities/ Photography.
Price: Rates vary frequently. Please contact us to get the best price based upon your travel period and specific touring needs.

DETAIL ITINERARY:
DAY 01: HA NOI – HA GIANG (B)

Picked up by our guide and driver at your hotel in Hanoi, transfer to Ha Giang, passing Tuyen Quang province. Along the way, you can see picturesque landscape of rolling hills, quiet villages and lush paddy fields dotted with palm trees. Stop en route to visit a village of Tay ethnic people. Arrive in Ha Giang town in the late afternoon. Overnight in the hotel.

DAY 02: HA GIANG – DONG VAN (B)
Heading out of town, we drive to Dong Van plateau situated at 1025m above the sea level and inhabited by H’mong and Tay ethnic groups. Stop at the Heavenly gate of Quan Ba before arriving at Yen Minh- a beautiful valley nested in lush mountains. Walking through the Pho Bang town called by tourists “the town falling into oblivion” home to the Hoa and H’Mong ethnic people. The  locals keep to their laid back lifestyle in the clay houses decorated with a pair of couplets written in Chinese scripts with wishes of good luck and prosperity. Continue to visit the Palace of H’Mong King Vuong Chi Sinh built in 1914 and now a symbol of the glorious past of the H’mong people. Night in local guest house in Dong Van.

If we are in right day, we have a chance to visit Dong Van & Meo Vac Market - is held every Sunday. Early morning, ethnic people from near and far carrying vegetables, fruit, chicken cages, bird cages and even pigs, buffaloes or cows flock to the market for bartering. All seems very excited and enthusiastic because after days of strenuous work, they are gathering here to exchange their products and fun together. And one thing they never miss is “Thang Co”- a specialty of the northwest area made of beef organs.  Ethnic men come here, squad to eat Thang Co,drink wine and chat until getting drunk. When the sun is falling down, they come back home on the horse’s back led by their wives.

DAY 03: DONG VAN – MEO VAC – BAO LAC (B)

After breakfast, we depart to Meo Vac village inhabited by the Lo Loand Pu Peo ethnic minority people who still retain their cultural traditions and traditional costumes. We enter the border areas with Yunnan province of China sculpted by amazing karst landscape. A hike down to Meo Vac valley, a beautiful valley made of picturesque terraced rice fields, winding rivers and peaceful villages nestled at foot of the hills.
We continue the journey to Bao Lac crossing the Ma Pi Leng Pass - A place where heaven and earth meet. This is one of the best photo stop to enjoy the wonderful sightseeing of this vast limestone mountain range and perpendicular walls of rock, which brings one a feeling of adventure whilst being lost in the rocky highlands. O/N in guesthouse in Bao Lac.

DAY 04: BAO LAC – BA BE LAKE & NATIONAL PARK (B,D)
In the early morning, we start to drive through the rolling hills and the picturesque scenery to Ba Be National Park. The roads are bumpy and zigzagging however we will have a  chance to meet the Hmong, Dao, Tay and Nung ethnic minorities who make for the main population of this region. We are sure to attract their attention as this part of the country receive very few visitors. Depending on road and traffic conditions we arrive in Ba Be by  late afternoon. O/N in homestay of Tay ethnic people in Pac Ngoi Village

DAY 05: BA BE LAKE (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we embark a little boat to cruise the emerald Ba Be Lake and soak in its sublime serenity and beauty. The surrounding mountains are covered with lush vegetation, home to diverse flora and fauna. We continue our cruise towards the scenic Dau Dang waterfall and the mysterious Puong Grotto,inhabited by thousands of bats. Free time for visiting the villages of Tay ethnic minority people and discover their lifestyle. O/N in the local homestay in Pac Ngoi village

DAY 06: BA BE – HANOI (B)
Taking the time to enjoy the morning and surroundings we have breakfast leisurely.Check-out, and say goodbye to our host family, then drive to Hanoi.If we are lucky to be on Sunday, we'll take the opportunity to visit a local market en route.  Arrive in Hanoi around 5:30 pm. End of our service.

INCLUSIVE:
 Accommodation based on twin sharing occupancy
 Meals as indicated in program, (B=Breakfast, L=""Lunch,""D=""Dinner)
 Private A/C car or van with driverduring on tour.
 English or French speaking guide
 All entrance fees for sightseeing as indicated in the program
 Boat trip (Ba Belake)
 Service charges and goverment tax

EXCLUSIVE:
 Flight tickets and airport tax
 Visa service and visa stamping fee
 Travel insurance
 Tips and gratuities
 Personal expenses and other services which are not mentioned in the program.
 Meals and drinks not mentioned in the program