Valleys surrounding Sapa are home to several of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups, each with their own distinctive dress, customs and dialects which can all be seen at the weekend markets in Sapa area. Our first destination this morning is the Can Cau Market, a small, but very colorful market, set in the mountains near the Chinese border. Almost every Saturday around 8 different minorities are represented at the market. Next we will go to the Bac Ha market with all it's colorful ethnic people such as the Flower Hmong, Phu La and Dao Tuyen, who gather to buy and sell their goods. It is wonderful to take the overnight Luxury Victoria Express train to these stunning places.

Departure with English/ French speaking guide

Friday Day 1: Hanoi- Sapa
You are free on your own day in Hanoi then at 8.30 pm our guide and driver will transfer you from your hotel to Hanoi railway station to take overnight train. The luxury Victoria Express leaves Hanoi at 21.55pm.

Saturday Day 2: Sapa - Can cau market (B, L)
Our guide and driver are waiting for you at Lao Cai railway station. Your train comes to Lao Cai approximately at 6.00 am. Our guide and driver will accompany you to Can Cau market. It takes more than 2 hours to get to Can Cau - a small market situated in a valley surrounded by mountains and only 7 km from China. The market deeply shows the typical cultural features of the minorities in remote mountainous areas in Vietnam. Further more, you can enjoy seeing boys and girls in colorful costumes - different colors of the mountains. They attend the market in the hope of finding "the other halves of their lives" and this is also the time for them to chat, to exchange everything among different ethnic peoples through cups of wine sold in the market. Drive to Bac Ha. On the way, spend time visiting a village of the Flower H'mong and then check in hotel in Bac Ha. Overnight at Bac ha town.

Sunday Day 3: Bac Ha market (B, L)
The Sunday market in Bac Ha is where you'll want to stock up on water buffalo, pigs and horses. Once you're all set, you can browse for bottles of local firewater (made from rice, cassava or corn) or handicrafts made by some of the 10 Montagnard groups living near here - Flower H'mong, Dao, Giay (Nhang), Han (Hoa), Xa Fang, Lachi, Nung, Phula, Thai and Thulao. Bac Ha is a less crowded alternative to Sapa, and arriving midweek makes for a relaxing visit.

Monday Day 4: Sapa-Overnight train backs Hanoi (B,L)
This morning, at 9:00 am we leave Sapa town for Lao Cai and Tavan village. One of the most enjoyable is follow the main tracks from the Auberge Southdown the Muong Hoa valley for 9 km to a wooden suspension bridge a Tavan village on the opposite of the river. This is an absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. Ta van actually consists of 2 villages: immediately across the bridge is Giay community while further uphill to the left is a Dao village. From here, going to west to reach Lao Cai. Enjoy picnic on the way then in the afternoon our chauffer will take us back Sapa go back to Lao Cai train station to catch Victoria Express train journey back Hanoi at 21.15pm. You will approximately arrive in Hanoi at 5.30 am the following morning. On your own transfer to your hotel in town.

Noted that Victoria does not run every Saturday

Remark:
P = Person 
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Sgl Sup = Single room supplement (if required)

Tour price includes:
- All transfer and transportation
- English Speaking Guide
- Sightseeing tickets
- Meals stated in the itinerary at local restaurant
- Round trip soft sleepers on Victoria Express.
- Service charge and government taxes
- Accommodation in twin share basis

Tour price excludes:
- Visa and visa fees
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Pre and post accommodations in Hanoi
- Personal travel insurance
- Beverage
- Meals not mentioned