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 map & highlights
From the Tay villages in Vietnam's far northeastern corner to the colourful Hmong villages where women dress in elaborate embroidered clothing, Vietnam's hill tribe towns and villages are a fascinating draw and it's possible to trek to many of these settlements, meeting local people along the way. Here's our choice of Vietnam's top spots for hill tribe holidays whether you're looking for tried and tested routes or off-the-beaten track escapes.
1. Ba Be National Park
2. Bao Lac
3. Giang Ta Chai
4. Ha Giang
5. Hanoi
6. Mai Chau
7. Sapa
2. Bao Lac
3. Giang Ta Chai
4. Ha Giang
5. Hanoi
6. Mai Chau
7. Sapa
Ba Be National Park
1. Ba Be National Park
Ba Be National Park is a joy for nature lovers. A stunning patchwork of thick forest, lakes, waterfalls, caves and limestone mountains, with the highest peaking at 1,554m, the park hosts over 200 bird species, including the crested serpent eagle, as well as 65 species of mammal and 550 species of plant. The region is also home to 13 tribal villages, most belonging to the Tay ethnic group.
Bao Lac
2. Bao Lac
The small town of Bao Lac in Cao Bang Province is home to the Black Lolo hill tribe who are well known for their bright outfits and handmade bronze drums. Surrounded by fields and mountains, the town is laid back and welcoming and also puts on a lively weekly market complete with an impressive selection of traditional crafts.
Giang Ta Chai
3. Giang Ta Chai
Giang Ta Chai village is home to the Red Dzao people, known for their colourful embroidered tunics. It lies at the foot of the Fanxipan Mountain range and the surrounding countryside features terraced rice paddies, bamboo forest and waterfalls. The trek here from Sapa is 18km and there are plentiful homestays for those that wish to stay the night.
Ha Giang
4. Ha Giang
The frontier town of Ha Giang lies to the far north, close to the Chinese border. It’s an excellent base to explore the surrounding landscape – a quiet and remote area where limestone peaks, rice paddies, and sweeping valleys reign supreme. Spend your time trekking the countryside or visiting local Hmong villages.
Hanoi
5. Hanoi
Vietnam’s 1,000-year-old capital has an unexpectedly European feel, with balconied buildings, tiled roofs and tree lined streets. It’s also where many people begin their hill tribes journey. For an insight into the minorities’ traditional cultures, including their various styles of dress, visit Hanoi’s Museum of Ethnology before hitting the mountain trails.
Mai Chau
6. Mai Chau
Inhabited by the White and Black ethnic Thai tribes, the diminutive town of Mai Chau sits in a peaceful green valley 135km north of Hanoi. It’s surrounded by rustic local villages where residents live in stilt houses, and the women are known for their beautiful weaving so it's a great place to pick up souvenirs and textiles.
Sapa
7. Sapa
Tucked away in the hills of the Chinese border, this former French hill station offers superb hiking, picturesque waterfalls and an introduction to Vietnam’s minority hill tribes. Listen to folk music in local homes, see traditional Tay and Dao dance, explore village markets and help local families tend to their gardens and domestic animals – all against the backdrop of Southeast Asia’s tallest mountain.
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
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 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
Cycling holiday in the Hilltribes of Vietnam
Cycle the remote mountains of Vietnam
From
£2049 to £2299
16 days
inc UK flights
Vietnam hill tribes holiday, tailor made
See the indigenous hill tribes of Vietnam
From
£3740
16 days
inc UK flights
Vietnamese hill tribes tour
Discover Vietnam's stunning scenery and hill tribes
From
£685 to £725
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
Vietnam off the beaten track holiday
Venture off the well-travelled tourist path of Vietnam
From
£2527
16 days
ex flights
WHAT TO DO ON A VIETNAMESE HILL TRIBES HOLIDAY & WHAT NOT TO
Things to do on a hill tribes holiday…
Things not to do on a hill tribes holiday…
Our top Vietnamese hill tribes Holiday
Vietnam Hill Tribe holiday
Tailor made hiking holiday in Vietnam.
From
US $2148
14 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
We offer a complete tailor made service and this suggested sampled itinerary can be tailor made to suit your requirements
We offer a complete tailor made service and this suggested sampled itinerary can be tailor made to suit your requirements
Helpdesk
Hello. 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. Rosy & team.
HILL TRIBES TRAVEL ADVICE
Our suppliers share their tips and advice on short safari holidays below
Nicola Marshall, from our supplier Intrepid Travel, shares her Hill Tribes travel advice:
When to go
“Each season has its own beauty but if travellers are trekking during autumn (which lasts from August to November) they will be amazed by the golden yellow terrace fields.”
Cultural Highlights
Cultural Highlights
A real highlight for travellers is interacting with local families to learn more about the culture and customs, as well as enjoying tasty food made by local ingredients. You should also try and see a music or cultural performance in the evening – it’s a fantastic experience.
Dos and don’ts
Dos and don’ts
Always respect the local culture when you’re travelling to the hilltribes, or any destination, and always ask permission before taking a photo of the local people. You should avoid attempting to change local culture or verbally criticising it. And never give gifts or money to local children.
What to buy
What to buy
Travellers can buy products such as jewellery or brocade fabric which are handmade by locals. They are sold at handicraft shops or even vendors along the trekking path.
Some tips from our holiday reviews
Be friendly!! We notice that Europeans especially seem to be wary of encountering the very people they've come to meet. Talk to them, say please and thank you, and SMILE!
– Sandy Snyder
Trust the operator to organise everything. They really looked after me & my requests.
– Anita Lowe
More about Vietnamese hill tribes
This Vietnam hill tribes travel guide takes you beyond Vietnam’s cities and beaches to remote mountain regions that are home to the country’s minority peoples. Enjoy homestays, treks, cultural activities and the pleasure of meals shared with local hosts. Find out where and when to go, and who you’ll meet in our Vietnam hill tribes travel guide.
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Alpha] [Intro: Phong Nguyen]
[Ba Be National Park: charlotteinaustralia]
[Bao Lac: kimjongdae]
[Giang Ta Chai: Wagner T. Cassimiro "Aranha"]
[Ha Giang: Nhi Dang]
[Hanoi: Richard Mortel]
[Mai Chau: Tran Trung Kien]
[Sapa: Joshua Eckert]
[Things to do on a hill tribes holiday: yeowatzup]
[When to go: Ajith Kumar]
[Cultural Highlights: Sophie Pearson]
[Dos and don’ts: Sophie Pearson]
[What to buy: Arian Zwegers]
[Sandy Snyder Quote: Ann Porteus]
[Anita Lowe Quote: Sophie Pearson]
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