HOA BINH PROVINCE - the gateway to the Northwest - the cradle of Muong culture with interesting things.
(Travel itineraries: Vietnam National Museum of History - Ngoc Chien - Mu Cang Chai - Tam Duong - Lai Chau - Dien Bien - Quynh Nhai - Son La - Hoa Binh)
Tây Bắc (literally "Northwest") is one of the regions of Vietnam, located in the mountainous northwestern part of the country and surrounding the Da River. It takes you to huge natural landscapes with high mountains, large rivers, evergreen forest and takes you to the bright colors of indigenous people's life from tens of thousands of years ago. The discovery tour "VGREEN Caravan in Tay Bac (Northwest of Vietnam) - Ban flowers (Bauhinia variegata) blooming season” starts from the stories of the prehistoric period to the modern era with the globle-shaking Dien Bien Phu historic victory to the peaceful life today.
Vietnam National Museum of History is a destination for those who wish to gain insight into the country's historical progress. Therefore, it is chosen as the starting point of the journey. The archaeological remains on display here provide us an insight into the life of primitive residents in Tay Bac from tens of thousands of years ago (What did they eat? What tools did they use to find food? Where did they reside? How did they wear? How was their spiritual life?, etc.). With fascinating narrations and interactions, we will take you back to Tay Bac in the past. The aim of this tour is to help you know about the famous archaeological cultures of Vietnam like Hoa Binh culture in the Early Neolithic, or Bac Son culture and other cultures belonging to the Late Neolithic period, so that visitors can partially visualize the development progress of the Northwestern primitive inhabitants. On the basis of that ancient cultures, you will find the preservation and promotion of the Northwestern people’s cultural identity in adapting to the change of nature and social history over thousands of years.
The journey from the Vietnam National Museum of History to the Northwest region not only has beautiful landscapes (eg. Pusamcap) but also has many caves that used to be the residence of prehistoric communities such as the system of Tham Dan Che caves - one of the oldest vestiges of the fauna and human in Lai Chau province; Tham Khuong archaeological site (Hoa Binh culture) in Dien Bien province; the archaeological relics at Ban Mon rockshelter site in Son La province. All of these are proof that the Northwest has been inhabited by humans since ancient times. In addition, you can also participate in the food transport activities serving the Dien Bien Phu campaign in 1953 - 1954. The final destination is Hoa Binh province - "the cradle" of Hoa Binh culture (recognized by international scholars 89 years ago). Up to now, Hoa Binh culture has always been a unique prehistoric culture attracting scientists, archaeologists, domestic and international tourists. Xom Trai cave (Lac Son district, Hoa Binh province) is one of the most important and typical site of Hoa Binh culture in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. The cave is a place where you can learn about the residence and daily life of the prehistoric man this period.
Besides, tourists also have a chance to explore Hoa Binh contemporary multi-ethnic culture, in which Muong people account for more than 60% of the population. Hoa Binh culture is associated with the Bronze drum culture (a musical instrument and also a symbol that is highly valued and used in most important ancient ceremonies), Gongs culture, folklore, etc. Tourists will be immersed in cultural and artistic space at the Muong Ethnic Group Cultural Space Museum founded by a young artist who loves Hoa Binh.
You will feel more interesting with the winding, adventurous, up and down roads while driving by yourself in the tour program. Nature and culture in the Northwest will make you no longer feel tired and bring the roads closer.
The VGREEN Caravan not only brings you to the natural flower space of the Northwestern mountains, but also gives you the opportunity to witness more interesting things about the natural beauty, people, life and history of this magnificent land.
VGREEN Caravan: The sustainable tourism - A driving force
WHAT IS VGREEN Caravan?
VGREEN Caravan is a self-drive car tour organized by the VISTA Hanoi and VGREEN Sustainable Tourism Club with the cooperation of many travel companies with the aim of developing tourism programs in a sustainable way.
Main criteria include promoting historical, cultural and social values; environmental protection and sustainable economic efficiency.
Many guidelines will be given during the tour such as ensuring safety and preventing Covid-19 epidemics, protecting historical relics, limiting plastic waste, protecting nature, supporting tourism communities, contests and other collective activities.
You will have 5 days of extremely unforgettable experience on the road of nearly 1,270km passing through many famous, beautiful and majestic places but still bring a lot of historical resonance of each region.
VGREEN Caravan WHERE TO GO?
VGREEN Caravan not only brings you to the natural flower space of the Northwestern mountains, but also brings more interesting things about the natural beauty, people, life and history of this region.
The tour of discovery starts from the Vietnam National Museum of History (Hanoi) to other places: Ngoc Chien - Mu Cang Chai - Tam Duong - Lai Chau - Dien Bien - Quynh Nhai - Son La - Hoa Binh. You will have interesting experiences about the wild but extremely beautiful and poetic region.
NGOC CHIEN COMMUNE (SON LA PROVINCE) - a fairyland with beautiful villages, immense Muong Chien fields, and specially the precious hot mineral springs.
The beautiful villages in Ngoc Chien commune (collected image)
Visitors enjoy a hot spring bath (collected image)
MU CANG CHAI DISTRICT (YEN BAI PROVINCE) - famous for its highland scenery and terraced fields, beautiful mountain passes. Mu Cang Chai is like a brilliant mountain girl in the Northwestern mountains, attracting many people who love the wild beauty. You also have the opportunity to learn about the unique cultural features of the Mong people (local ethnic minority resident) with friendliness and hospitality when coming to Mu Cang Chai.
Terraced fields in Mu Cang Chai (collected image)
TAM DUONG DISTRICT (LAI CHAU PROVINCE) - a destination attracting tourists with famous landmarks such as O Quy Ho mountain pass; Tien Son cave; community tourism villages of Si Thau Chai, Na Luong, Hon; water wheels in Na Khuong and tea hills in Bo village.
O Quy Ho mountain pass (collected image)
Tea hills in Tam Duong (collected image)
LAI CHAU PROVINCE - a picturesque place with beautiful villages, complex of majestic Pusamcap landscapes, Bach Moc Luong Tu mountain in Sin Suoi Ho commune - Phong Tho district.
The complex of Pusamcap cave (collected image)
DIEN BIEN PROVINCE - not only famous for historical relics but also many caves, hot mineral springs and lakes (Muong Nhe primeval forest; Pa Thom cave; Hua Pe and U Va hot mineral springs, Pa Khoang, Pe Luong, Huoi Pha lakes,ect.)
Pha Thom cave (collected image)
QUYNH NHAI DISTRICT (SON LA PROVINCE) - the affectionate scenery of moutains, lakes and forests. Tourists will have the opportunity to experience on hydroelectric lake excursion, Trai tim island and Uy Phong Bay.
Son La hydroelectric lake (collected image)
WHAT IS THE CARAVANING EXPERIENCE?
1. Tourists will have the chance to experience a lively historical story throughout the human life journey from the Vietnam National Museum of History to the Dien Bien Museum and the Muong Cultural Museum in Hoa Binh province. They not only can admire the scenery but also really immerse themselves in the daily life of the mountainous people through activities of farming, rice pounding, weaving, spinning, enjoying local dishes, performing music and folk games.
2. Tourists can drive by themselves to feel the excitement and adventure of the journey. It is the difference between this tour program and other normal ones.
3. Conquering the most beautiful winding passes in the North such as Khau Pha, Pha Din, O Quy Ho (for more options).
4. Admiring the magnificent mountains of the Northwest with caves and poetic waterfalls; clound hunting in Nam Nghiep or Pu Ta Leng mountain.
5. Paragliding experience at Tam Duong with guides and safety equipment according to international standards.
6. Cruise on the Da river (Quynh Nhai) with many beautiful scenes like "Ha Long Bay of the Northwest", exploring Trai Tim Island and Uy Phong Bay.
7. Participating in the unique culture activities of the Northwest ethnic minorities: local cuisine, village fair, folk dance performance and other special customs.
8. Participating in Spring Festival; enjoying the Ban flowers blooming all over the mountains and forests.
9. Joining community activities and quality tourism services in the Northwest.
10. Contributing to the locality and businesses in building quality, attractive and sustainable tourism activities.
* The difference between the VGREEN Caravan and other tours: tourists will be able to participate in experience activities of the Prehistoric life at Xom Trai cave (Hoa Binh) and transport food for the Dien Bien Phu campaign at Pha Din pass (Dien Bien).
The discovery tour "VGREEN Caravan in Tay Bac (Northwest of Vietnam) - Ban flower (Bauhinia variegata) blooming season” starts in March 2021 (March 12 - March 16, 2021). The tour 5 days 4 nights itinerary will bring you an experience like never before.
For more information, please contact Hotline: 091 865 92992