Vietnam guide
Our Vietnam travel guide reveals how to explore the Mekong Delta, get out on the waters of Halong Bay, traverse this long country by train, and meet the hill tribes of the north, for an unforgettable Southeast Asian holiday.
VIETNAMESE HILL TRIBES TRAVEL GUIDE
Think of Vietnam and the chaotic and dynamic megacities of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh come to mind, or perhaps a string of golden beaches and the limestone peaks of Halong Bay. But a more traditional, less touristy Vietnam still exists – nestled in the mist soaked hills of the central highlands and the lush mountain landscapes along the China and Laos borders. Here, traditional hill tribes of different ethnicities speak a multitude of languages, wear incredible, handwoven clothing, and carve out an existence from the land using age old practices.
Vietnam’s rural highlands are home to a colourful patchwork of minority ethnic hill tribes, living as they have for centuries, away from the modern world.
Hiking or biking remote trails to get to know their mountain homelands is an unforgettable experience. Meet rice farmers, weavers and silversmiths; stay in a stilted village house and listen to traditional poetry, songs and music; or simply trek through the glorious mountain scenery they have called home for centuries. It’s sure to be one of the most insightful and rewarding things you do in Vietnam. Read on in our Vietnam hill tribes travel guide.
Our Vietnamese hill tribes Holidays
Vietnam hill tribe villages trekking holiday
A challenging village to village trip in north Vietnam
From
US $405 to US $1462
8 days
ex flights
Vietnam holiday, off the beaten track
Get close to the remote ‘hill-tribe’ culture.
From
US $3008
15 days
ex flights
Vietnam hill tribe trek and homestay
The perfect combination of trek and culture in Vietnam
From
US $219
3 days
ex flights
North West Vietnam tour
Hanoi – Ha Giang - Dong Van – Meo Vac - Bao Lac – Ba Be
From
US $439 to US $675
5 days
ex flights
Vietnam off the beaten track holiday
Venture off the well-travelled tourist path of Vietnam
From
£2527
16 days
ex flights
Vietnam hill tribes holiday, tailor made
See the indigenous hill tribes of Vietnam
From
£3740
16 days
inc UK flights
Cycling holiday in the Hilltribes of Vietnam
Cycle the remote mountains of Vietnam
From
£2049 to £2349
16 days
inc UK flights
Vietnamese hill tribes tour
Discover Vietnam's stunning scenery and hill tribes
From
£662 to £765
10 days
ex flights
Vietnam hill tribe trekking holiday, 5 days
Challenge yourself on this village to village trek in north Vietnam.
From
US $252 to US $939
5 days
ex flights
Vietnam off the beaten track holidays
Get under the skin and into local life on this adventure
From
£2041 to £2486
14 days
ex flights
WHAT DO VIETNAMESE HILL TRIBE HOLIDAYS ENTAIL?
Who are the hill tribes?
The Vietnamese government recognises 54 ethnic groups, each with its own unique cultural identity. The Hmong people, originally from China are well represented in northwest Vietnam’s more mountainous regions, particularly around the market town of Sapa, and are known for their embroidered clothing.
The Jarai and Bahnar ethnic groups are prevalent in the Central Highlands of Vietnam and hold tight to their animistic beliefs and rituals. Visitors can spend the night in a Rong house, a communal stilt house with a soaring roof that’s unique to this area.
One of the largest ethnic groups in Vietnam, the Dzao are famous for their brightly coloured, intricately woven dress. Women’s clothes come with the additional adornment of silver coloured beads and coins.
The Tay people, who live in villages around Mai Chau and Pu Luong, are an ethnic minority originating from Thailand with several villages to be found within the mountain foothills and valleys north of Hanoi, close to the Chinese border.
To the southwest of Hanoi, the area around Pu Luong Nature Reserve is home to ethnic Thai tribes, who can often be recognised by their silk woven clothing and head scarves as well as their stilt houses.
The Jarai and Bahnar ethnic groups are prevalent in the Central Highlands of Vietnam and hold tight to their animistic beliefs and rituals. Visitors can spend the night in a Rong house, a communal stilt house with a soaring roof that’s unique to this area.
One of the largest ethnic groups in Vietnam, the Dzao are famous for their brightly coloured, intricately woven dress. Women’s clothes come with the additional adornment of silver coloured beads and coins.
The Tay people, who live in villages around Mai Chau and Pu Luong, are an ethnic minority originating from Thailand with several villages to be found within the mountain foothills and valleys north of Hanoi, close to the Chinese border.
To the southwest of Hanoi, the area around Pu Luong Nature Reserve is home to ethnic Thai tribes, who can often be recognised by their silk woven clothing and head scarves as well as their stilt houses.
Where do
they live?
they live?
Where do they live?
As the name suggests, the majority of Vietnam’s hill tribes live in the country’s northern uplands, mostly in isolated villages, which are accessible from the hill station town of Sapa. A large number are also found in the remote Pu Luong region, south of Hanoi, and further south the Central Highlands are home to over a dozen different ethnic communities living mountain lifestyles. Kon Tum, home to the minority Jarai tribe, makes a good base here.
Can I stay?
Can I stay with them?
Homestays are an integral part of most hill tribe tours. They offer they chance for genuine insight into hill tribe life that you won’t get from merely passing through, and the people you meet are usually happy to share their fascinating customs and ancient traditions. Bear in mind, though, that on many of our trips, homestays will involve eating simple, local food and staying in basic accommodation; for example you may have to sleep on a thin mattress, use outside bathrooms and wash with cold water. But this is all part of the experience.
What will I be doing?
What will I be doing in the village?
On some of our hill tribe trips you’ll be invited to work with the local people – for example, joining them to feed the animals, clean houses, plant and water vegetables or prepare food. There’s also plenty of opportunity for cultural activities. You could learn how to make silk lanterns at a local home, join in traditional sports such as archery and tug-of-war, or spend time in communal village houses listening to folk singing and watching traditional dancing.
How do I get to the villages?
How do I get to the villages?
The best and lowest impact way of visiting Vietnamese hill tribes is on foot or by bike, and in any case, many of the villages are not served by roads. Some of our trips will combine travel by car and train with walking or biking, while others will involve trekking from village to village and passing through forest, fields and rice paddies along the way. This can be a challenging way to travel with distances of up to 15km a day and some steep climbs, so a decent level of fitness is necessary. On our dedicated cycle tours, you’ll cover up to 66km a day on varied terrain, with some potholed roads and uneven tarmac.
Small group or tailor made?
Small group or tailor made?
Joining a small group holiday is one way to take the edge off the nerves you get from travelling to new and unusual destinations, as you leave logistics up to a tour leader who’s in charge of transfers, accommodation and ensuring that your itinerary flows. You’ll meet likeminded travellers and local walking guides, share experiences, and will no doubt find a few friends along the way. Tailor made walking holidays give you chance to explore with more flexibility than a fixed itinerary. You can also have an English-speaking guide all to yourself who’ll fill you in on cultural etiquette, where to walk and where not to.
children?
Are hill tribes holidays suitable for children?
Yes, Vietnam is known as a family friendly travel destination, but unless your kids are adventurous teenagers it’s probably best that you don’t take the family along on a hill tribes trek. For the most part these trips involve long days, walking long distances and, in some cases, basic conditions that won’t suit younger children.
Our top Vietnamese hill tribes Holiday
Vietnam hill tribe villages trekking holiday
A challenging village to village trip in north Vietnam
From
US $405 to US $1462
8 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Vietnamese hill tribes or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Best time to go on a Hill Tribes Holiday in Vietnam
Head for the northern hills during the drier months of October and November for clear skies and tip top hiking conditions.
Oct-May is the best time to visit the hill tribes in northern Vietnam. There are variations within this season – Oct-Nov are cooler with clear skies; Dec-Feb can be bitterly cold, and the northeast monsoon brings mist to the rice terraces, but it can be busy nevertheless due to the holiday season. Mar-Apr are warm, mostly dry, and the landscape is littered with spring blooms. Hanoi is soggiest Jun-Aug; these are not great months for trekking around Sapa. The Central Highlands are temperate year round, with trekking best in the warm, clear months of Apr-March. Rainfall increases around Jun-Aug. Bear in mind that the weather at these altitudes is changeable and it may rain at any time. Fog is also common, so those stunning views may be obscured.
Sapa Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
13
20
22
FEB
14
22
33
MAR
17
26
49
APR
20
30
105
MAY
24
32
182
JUN
25
32
242
JUL
25
32
287
AUG
24
32
322
SEP
23
31
216
OCT
21
28
110
NOV
17
24
53
DEC
14
22
25
More about Vietnamese hill tribes
From cycling in the hills near Sapa to walking from village to village in the Central Highlands, there are plenty of ways to experience Vietnam’s fascinating minority cultures. We detail where to go on a Vietnam hill tribes holiday, with extra tips from expert suppliers and fellow travellers on how to get the best out of your trip.
More relevant guides
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Alpha] [Who are the hill tribes?: Greg Donohue]
[Where do they live?: Brian Jeffery Beggerly]
[Can I stay with them?: Peyman Zehtab Fard]
[What will I be doing in the village?: Freddie Ablazed]
[How do I get to the villages?: Seif Sallam]
[Small group or tailor made?: Chris Feser]
[Are hill tribes holidays suitable for children?: Pierre Mounier]
[Best time to go: Satbir Singh]
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