Muong Hum market is the biggest cardamom market in the area. It is 3 hours driver from Lao Cai train station.It was already there during the French colonial period and serves as a meeting place for the ethnic groups living in the mountains: Giay, Dao, White Hmong, Ha Nhi. Those living in the highlands, like the Hmong and the Zao (Dao) come down to sell their specific products such as cardamom and other spices and mountain plants.
In Mường Hum, you should taste the paddy rice brandy (made with unhusked rice) from the dao village of San Lung.
Day 1: Hanoi – Night train to Lao Cai (B, L, D)
08:00: We will be met at the lobby of the hotel in Hanoi and transfer to Hanoi Railways station for night train to Sapa. Overnight on train
Day 2: Lao Cai – Sapa – Suoi Ho Village – Ma Tra Village – Ta Phin Village (B, L, D)
Arrive in Lao Cai around 5:00 a.m. We will take 1 hour van ride uphill to the beautiful town of Sapa. You have breakfast at the hotel before being free to discover the beautiful town. 9:30 A.M you are transferred to Ma Tra Village where you start to have a short walk about 6 km along the mountain trails and village road to visit Suoi Ho, Matra and Taphin villages which are inhabited by Black Hmong and Red Dzao tribes. Along the way we can come in some schools as well as tribal houses to have experience of local Sapa life. Moreover, the landscape, culture, custom and tradition of Black Hmong tribe of Suoi Ho and Matra villages are preserved from tourists so you can study the raw things here. Arriving in Taphin village around 5:00 P.M, you are picked up and transferred back to Sapa.
Day 3: Sapa – Muong Hum Market (Sunday) – Lao Cai night train to Hanoi (B, L, D)
Leaving Sa Pa early Sunday morning we drive by Russian jeep to Muong Hum Market The drive takes approx. 3 hours. We visit this very interesting local market frequented by Tu Di, Dao Tuyen, H’Nhi, Flower Hmong and Giay minorities. We enjoy in a small local restaurant and after lunch we visit H’Nhi village. We walk around the village and it is possible to visit a local house. In the early afternoon the jeep takes us back to Lao Cai for your night train to Hanoi.
Tour price includes:
– All meals on the tour
– English-speaking guide, Entrance fees, Security permits.
– Accommodation
– Night Train tickets 2 ways Hanoi-Laocai -Hanoi (soft sleeper with air-conditioning, cabin of 04 berth Train)
– Transport by private Jeep as tour program.
– Jeep go and back as the program
Excludes:
– Insurance.
– Drinks.
– Phone calls, other private expenses.
Notes: Advised to take good walking shoes, raincoats, jackets, torch, insect repellent …