Join us for an authentic 5-day 4-night trek through the Song Chay Mountains in Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province. From Thong Nguyen to the Gate of Heaven, each day unveils unique cultural encounters and stunning landscapes. Immerse yourself in the warmth of local hospitality, sharing dinners with local families and exploring isolated villages. This is more than a trek; it's a journey into the customs and lifestyles of the diverse ethnic groups nestled in Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang, Vietnam.
Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi. From there, we will travel to Thong Nguyen, one of the 23 communes in the Hoang Su Phi district of Ha Giang province. This area is famous for its stunning rice terraces and vibrant ethnic culture. The journey takes approximately 6–7 hours, and you will arrive around 3:00 PM.
Your trek starts just after your arrival at Thong Nguyen with a two-hour walk to a Red Dao village. You are in the heart of the Song Chay Mountains, bordering Yunnan. This natural fortress has long been home to many ethnic groups who escaped the Middle Kingdom, its persecution, and famines. A Red Dao family is waiting for you for dinner. This evening will be a great opportunity to learn more about the customs and lifestyle of this ethnic group.
You will ascend the mountain to reach the Gate of Heaven, a pass surrounded by a forest boasting rare tropical and temperate plant species, including chestnut trees and orchids. This pass serves as a gateway to the other side of the mountain. Upon arrival, a welcoming local family from the village will host you for lunch. After this break, you'll resume your walk towards Nam Ai, a Yao village distinguished by its residents wearing long tunics, situated at the mountain's summit.
This morning, continue your trek by walking deeper into Nam Son Valley, crossing over the mountain to reach the 38th kilometer. Following lunch at a Red Dao family's house, make your way to the summit of the mountain towards Ho Pien, passing through tea plantations and bamboo forests. In the late afternoon, you'll reach a Hmong house, where you'll spend the evening with the local family. Enjoy dinner with them and stay overnight.
You can relish the tranquility of the high mountains in the morning and the warmth of the family gathered around the fireplace. After breakfast, continue your stroll through bamboo forests and rice terraces to Yen Son Valley, where the red Yao community resides. A welcoming family in the village will host you for lunch. In the afternoon, you'll follow the river to reach Thong Nguyen by mid-afternoon.
Our driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Thong Nguyen and bring you back to Hanoi. The journey takes approximately 6-7 hours, and you are expected to arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon.
Traveling with more than 8 people? You can select a different group size in the next step.
Group Size 9+Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of arrival in Vietnam and contain a minimum of two blank pages.
French citizens, as well as nationals of 12 other countries (including Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain), may enter Vietnam without a visa for stays of up to 45 days. If you plan to stay longer, or if your nationality is not eligible for this exemption, please check with the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate, or feel free to contact us for further information.
International flights are not included in the price of our tours. You are free to choose and book the flights that best suit your needs and schedule. If you wish, our travel consultants can assist you in finding the best available options.
Valid travel insurance is mandatory to participate in the tour. It must cover the following:
Before departure, please provide us with the following information:
Please check whether your credit card already provides coverage and consider purchasing additional insurance if necessary.
Spring (February to April) and autumn (September to December) are the most pleasant seasons to visit Vietnam, with mild weather and limited rainfall. However, the country stretches over more than 1,600 km, and weather conditions vary significantly. Vietnam can be visited year-round:
Please pack clothing suitable for each region according to your itinerary.
Vietnam operates on GMT+7 year-round. There is no seasonal time change.
The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). US dollars and euros are sometimes accepted in hotels, but this is not guaranteed.
Tip: Avoid using old, damaged, or torn banknotes, as they are often refused for payment.
If your tour includes domestic flights, the exact schedules, flight numbers, and relevant details will be provided in your travel documents.
Please arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure, bringing your passport and electronic ticket (or booking reference).
Baggage: Checked baggage allowance generally ranges between 20 kg and 23 kg, depending on the airline. Cabin baggage is usually limited to 7 kg.
Attention: Additional fees may apply if you exceed the permitted limits. We recommend checking the specific conditions of each airline (Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways, etc.) before your flight.
Flight schedules are subject to change by the airline. We will keep you informed in case of any updates.
If you have a connecting domestic flight in Vietnam, please follow these steps upon arrival:
Airport staff are generally available to assist you if needed. Do not hesitate to ask for help.
Recommended connection time: minimum 2 hours 30 minutes
This allows sufficient time for possible flight delays, queues at immigration and customs, and transfers between terminals.
Practical tip: At major airports such as Hanoi (Noi Bai) or Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat), domestic and international terminals are not always located in the same building. Please allow ample time and follow the signs upon arrival.
No mandatory vaccinations are required to enter Vietnam.
However, health authorities recommend the following vaccinations, especially for long stays or travel in rural areas:
If you are undergoing regular medical treatment, please ensure you bring a sufficient supply of medication for the entire duration of your stay.
Do not forget to carry your prescription, preferably in English, to facilitate any checks or medical consultations on site.
The risk of malaria is very low in Vietnam’s main tourist areas, including Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, Pu Luong, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and the tourist areas of the Mekong Delta. No malaria prophylaxis is generally recommended for these regions.
However, if you plan to travel to remote rural, forested, or mountainous areas (for example, Muong Te in Lai Chau, certain border or isolated areas of the northern highlands, or deep areas of the Mekong), you should consult a doctor or a travel medicine clinic to assess the need for preventive treatment.
Tips to protect yourself from mosquito bites
Upon your arrival in Vietnam, our driver will be waiting for you at the airport exit, holding a sign displaying: “IZITOUR – [Your name]”.
Please take a moment to carefully check the signs at the arrival exit. If you have any difficulty locating our driver, do not hesitate to contact our French-speaking assistance team, available 24/7, at the following number:
+84 382 536 266 (direct call or WhatsApp available).
Practical tip: Make sure your phone is activated for international calls or internet access upon arrival to facilitate communication if needed.
Note: At some airports, several drivers may be waiting at the exit. If you do not immediately find our representative, please remain in the meeting area and contact us — we will assist you promptly.
Our small-group tours generally bring together between 4 and 7 participants. You will travel alongside people from diverse backgrounds, with different nationalities, cultures, and ages. This is a great opportunity to share experiences, exchange perspectives, and build meaningful connections throughout the journey.
To ensure that all planned activities run smoothly, punctuality is essential. Please respect the schedules communicated by your local guide to guarantee an enjoyable and seamless experience for the entire group.
For group tours, room allocation is based on the gender indicated on your passport. By default, you will share a twin room with a traveler of the same gender.
You will be accommodated in a single room in the following cases:
In both cases, a single supplement applies. Please contact your travel consultant to check availability and the exact supplement amount.
Note: This supplement does not apply to train cabins, which include four berths per compartment.
