Arrive at Lao Cai Station at 06.00. Picked-up by local guide and driver. Have breakfast at local restaurant.
If today is Sunday nothing will be better than driving overland to a market of the hill tribal people, mainly from Flower Hmong ethnical group. We will drive toward Bac Ha. With a dozen of tribes living in the surroundings, including Flower Hmong, Chinese, Nhang, Dzao, Nung, Phu La, Thai and King (or Viet), the market is extremely exciting esp. in the early morning. The winding road to Bac Ha helps maintain the colours (in both literal and figurative sense) of the area. In this market, we can meet hundreds of beautiful women from Flower Hmong tribe, who are famous for their wonderful craft and hand-made flowering clothes and textile fabrics, or intermingle with people from Black Hmong, Dzay, Dzao and other ethnic groups coming to the market not for purchasing stuffs, but for meeting and chatting – just once a week - like in a real cultural center. After lunchtime (at your own cost), we can hike around or take our car heading to further hamlets in Ban Pho. Afternoon drive to Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.