Is a lifetime of adventure in the Northwest ready at your beck and call? Mu Cang Chai Tours will take you on a 2-day, 1-night Trek to Chat Village, which is different from the breathtaking landscape and the rich culture of Mu Cang Chai. Feast your eyes on the magnificent terraces of rice fields, enjoy an easy cruise across the serene Son La Hydropower Lake, and be cosseted into traditional custom by local hill tribes like the Dao, Thai, and Mong tribes. This tour offers everything from adventure and culture to nature and will make the experience unforgettable; join this remarkable trek to uncover Mu Cang Chai’s hidden splendor!
Trek to Chat Village
One of the most salient aspects of the Trek to Chat Village would be the opportunity that presents itself to witness, firsthand, the astounding landscapes of Mu Cang Chai. With rice terraces at UNESCO-identified sites in the area, it cannot be doubted that one of the biggest agricultural masterpieces stretches as far as one’s eyes can see. The golden, cascading rice fields are one of the important symbols of the ingenuity and hard labor of the Hmong people. You will probably evoke the feeling of stepping into a living painting down in these fields. The rice terraces aren’t all that awaits your adventure. Meanwhile, you treat yourself to panoramic views over Pa Kom Bay and the serene Son La Hydropower Lake, where mist-shrouded mountains rise from the waters, making for a tranquil almost otherworldly atmosphere.
The Trek to Chat Village is not about scenic beauty; it’s a thread connecting with the heart of Mu Cang Chai by plunging into the culture. That smile greets your stop in Chat Village: Dao, Thai, and Mong communities with their hospitality. These ethnic groups have preserved generations of their traditional ways, and you’ll have the unique opportunity to witness and be able to be a part of their vibrant culture. Imagine the lilting circle dance of Dieu Xoe to the haunting sounds of the ken and sao; the music and dance will enthrall you. If not, you will be participating in hands-on activities regarding local crafts, learning about ancient weaving techniques, and what to wear with traditional garments.
The most rewarding characteristic of the Trek to Chat Village would probably be a homestay among the locals. You will get to be accommodated by a local family right into their home and are given first-hand visits to village life. You are not just sleeping, you are staying with them-eating with them, sharing stories, and so on. Speaking of which, meals themselves are an attraction! Food is prepared from fresh and local ingredients, such as grilled fish Pa Pinh Top and fish soup in bamboo Canh Ca Bong Lam Xom E. Every mouthful tastes like a delicious welcome to Mu Cang Chai flavors lovingly prepared by the hosts.
And, of course, no adventure is complete without some explorations just that is available with the boat ride adventure on the Son La Hydropower Lake! Picture cruising along tranquil, emerald waters, bounded by towering mountains and lush forests. The boat ride gives you a unique vantage point to fully appreciate the natural beauty of Mu Cang Chai. It is naturally the nicest way to relax and relish serenity after a day of trekking and cultural exploration. This would be one of those boat journeys that remain etched in your memory for many years to come, adding one more peaceful and amazing chapter to your Trek to Chat Village adventure.
serene Son La Hydropower Lake
Early morning pick-up at your hotel in Hanoi at 5:00 AM. En route to Mu Cang Chai, it takes around half an hour to get out of the busy city roads into the countryside, where the beautiful scenery will open your eyes. During transportation, we stopped several times for breathtaking shots of misty mountain ranges and endless terraced rice fields. That stretch in itself is a drive worth it with the amalgamation of nature’s beauty in Vietnam.
We will arrive in Mu Cang Chai around noon and have a great lunch at a restaurant serving local dishes. You may try măng chua nộm a kind of bamboo shoot salad and thịt trâu gác bếp smoked buffalo. While trying these dishes, their cultural importance will be presented to you since each ingredient or dish has been fully reflecting the agricultural lifestyle of various ethnic groups in the region.
After lunch, we get on the boat and take the scenic boat ride to Ban Chat Village through the stunning Pa Khom Bay, which is also the Son La Hydropower Lake. In this much-no-noise boat tour, extremely amazing scenery of mountains covered in mist and a carpet of green seas toilets can be observed. Many people call this the “miniature Ha Long Bay" because you’ll have time for recreation and slowly enjoy the peaceful beauty of the surroundings. For sure, your camera should get ready for some awesome photo moments!
The homestay in Ban Chat Village welcomes you. Other than a place of shelter, this homestay gives you a chance to show the hospitality of the local people. Sometimes for rest after checking in; the afternoon activities will be up next.
Afternoon: Short transfer to Ban Lan Village, inhabited by a lot of different ethnicities, among them Dao and Thai. In this village, you will get in contact with some of its traditional crafts and habits, such as weaving and embroidering, and you will even get a chance to try it out, which is very educational and yet personal.
Later in the evening, the village is alive with an ebullient cultural performance: traditional Mong music and dances, including the pounding Dieu Xoe circle dance. This is not a performance that you are invited to view; you’re meant to join in and learn some of the steps! The atmosphere is electric as the ken and sao ring out across an unforgettable experience.
Dinner on a Floating House
Dinner is served on a floating house on the lake, which will be an authentic meal featuring Pa Pinh Top local specialties such as whole grilled fish and Canh Ca Bong Lam Xom E or sour fish soup in bamboo. You will be having all of these dishes with an unparalleled perspective over the lake in the evening time, a unique thing.
In the evening, after dinner, you have all the time to explore Ban Chat Village. Take a serene walk around the lake, gaze above the stars, or simply chat with the people and get to know more about their daily lives. The quiet village at night offers a good opportunity for relaxation and thinking through the day’s experiences.
Day Two Start your second day with a peaceful morning in Ban Chat Village. Have a simple yet heavy breakfast, usually sticky rice and fresh fruits, prepared by your homestay hosts at 7:00 AM. The fresh air and calm atmosphere make it a perfect start to the day whereby you will have all the time to appreciate the serenity of village life.
Leave Ban Chat Village for a tour of some of the most iconic places in Mu Cang Chai. The first drive through Khau Pha Pass twisting, gives a breathtaking view down to the deep valley the terracing fields, and the rolling mountains. It is one of the highest and most beautiful mountain passes in Vietnam; therefore, it will surely be worth visiting by lovers of nature and photographers.
We continue our journey with a visit to the renowned La Pan Tan, and Mam Xoi Rice Terraces, to witness the great ingenuity of the ethnic Hmong people in designing these terraces. According to the time of year, the fields will be emerald green or gold at harvest time. This is an ideal place to take nice pictures of Mu Cang Chai’s representative terraced landscape.
Following an active morning of exploration, a stop for lunch will be made at one of the local restaurants where more of the region’s culinary fare can be enjoyed. This meal is your last opportunity to reflect upon the incredible experiences you will have had during these two days.
Commence our whole journey of scenic drive back to Hanoi, full of heart and indelible memories. En route, take in the even more picturesque landscapes of Mu Cang Chai before one last chance to soak in this region’s beauty.
We’ll arrive in Hanoi City around 8 pm and drop off at your hotel. In the end, not just amazing pictures will follow, but unforgettable moments with Mu Cang Chai Tours of your adventure Trek to Chat Village, be it landscapes that took your breath away, the friendliness of the people, or the insights into culture that you have CAD. This journey will long be after it is over.
These two most beautiful seasons are the best time to make a Trek to Chat Village with Mu Cang Chai Tours. Between September and October during the peak of rice terraces, which change to gold at the time of harvest, the landscape takes a complete turn into dazzling colors. This is the ideal time for both the nature lover and the photographer. If you prefer quieter, greener surroundings, you will take to the green season from May to June. It is a time when newly planted rice creates rolling waves of green across the terraces in a most serene landscape. Both seasons promise incredible views, so take your pick!
Pack accordingly to ensure any trekking is comfortable and enjoyable. Granite, rocky parts, and uneven terrain-even the terraced rice fields-require good, sturdy hiking boots. Choose lightweight, breathable clothing; don’t forget to pack layers as the temperature can vary greatly throughout the day. Those traveling in the rainy season, May to October, should remember to pack rain gear, including a waterproof jacket to keep dry. Lastly, dress modestly, especially when ethnic villages are visited; all shoulders and knees should be covered to show respect for local traditions.
This is a moderate Trek to Chat Village, as it’s an amazing adventure for active travelers. You will walk uphill and downhill through vineyards or hillside trails; hence, be prepared for some good climbing. To prepare for this tour, try doing some light cardio or normal walking exercises before coming. This is not an extreme trek but a little preparation will go a long way, so you enjoy every step of the journey.
While visiting the ethnic Dao, Thai, and Mong communities, the tourist controller should be in a position to allow tourists to follow the local customs. Permission should always be asked for before pressing the photo capture button, especially of people, in order not to be in a disrespectful position. Screwings with sacred objects within the villages are not recommended. A few basic phrases like “Xin chào" – “Hello" and “Cảm ơn" – “Thank you" in Vietnamese can go a long way. You show respect and therefore make real friends with the warm and hospitable communities on this Trek to Chat Village.
Ban Lan Village
The Trek to Chat Village with Mu Cang Chai Tours is an unforgettable mixture of breathtaking landscapes and a rich cultural experience: from the breathtaking rice fields of Mu Cang Chai to the warm hospitality of the Dao, Thai, and Mong communities, this trip whisks you away to the best of Northwest Vietnam. Enjoy the peaceful boat ride, vibrant cultural exchange, and authentic homestay that bring you closer to the heartbeat of the local life.
Ready for an adventure? Book your Trek to Chat Villag today with Impress Travel for an experience never to be forgotten. Don’t forget to regularly follow our Impress Travel for more interesting information about traveling to Mu Cang Chai and to book Mu Cang Chai tours at the best prices.
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We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
Impress Travel offers classic and easy tours, trekking tours (easy trek, medium trek & hard trek) to discover the remote ethnic minority villages & adventurous tours to conquer Fansipan’s highest mountain peak or motorbike to travel around and mountain biking, market day tours, homestay with an ethnic family. For the most trusted and most saving for North Vietnam Tour Packages to explore Sapa Vietnam. Email: Sapatours@impresstravel.com & call to Mr. Alex Impress Travel Manager at his cell phone (+84) 9123 79 189
