Meetup Travel

Bac Ha & Hoang Su Phi Rice Terraces - 5 Days

4.9 on Tripadvisor Licensed international tour operator What makes Meetup different
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This journey is real. Yours will be your own version of it.

Every day on this page comes from trips our guests have already taken. It is written out in full so you can see exactly how the journey feels, not so you have something generic to skim.

What changes is the detail: your dates, your pace, how long you stay in each place, where you sleep. A local expert rebuilds it around you one trip at a time, and that is where the final price settles.

At a glance · this journey as it runs

Duration

5 days, 4 nights

Departs any day, year round

Starts / ends

Hanoi → Ha Giang City

Departures are built around Saturday night, because the Bac Ha market runs on Sunday morning only and that market is the reason most people take this route. Other departure days are possible and still visit Bac Ha town, Hoang A Tuong Palace and the villages nearby, but the market itself will be closed. Ha Giang has no airport and no railway station, so arrange your onward transport to Hanoi at the same time as the tour.

Destinations

1 stops, 9 spots

Hanoi

Tour pace

Medium

Physical rating

Moderate

Getting around

Overnight sleeper train, Private car

Can be reworked overland if you would rather not fly

Sleeping

  • 1 Hotel in Si Ma Cai or Bac Ha

  • 1 Hotel or homestay in Xin Man

  • 1 Village homestay in Ban Phung

  • 1 Homestay among the rice terraces, Nam Hong

Actual properties are chosen together with your local expert

Best season

September - November

Indicative from

From $600 per person

Route

Hanoi→Lao Cai →Bac Ha→Si Ma Cai→Suoi Thau Grassland→Xin Man (Coc Pai)→Chieu Lau Thi→Ban Phung→Nam Hong→Nam Khoa→Ha Giang City

This is a west to east traverse along the Chinese border, not a loop, which is why it does not double back on itself. You arrive by overnight train at Lao Cai, climb to the Bac Ha plateau at 1,000 m, run north through the border district of Si Ma Cai, cross into Xin Man for the grassland at Suoi Thau, then drop into Hoang Su Phi for the summit at Chieu Lau Thi and the terraces at Ban Phung, Nam Hong and Nam Khoa. Driving days stay at 3 to 4 hours because the train removes the long approach at the start. The route finishes at Ha Giang city, which is where the Dong Van loop begins if you want to keep going north.

About this trip

This 5-day private tour crosses northern Vietnam from Bac Ha to the rice terraces of Hoang Su Phi, following a mountain route that most travellers never see. After the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, travel through Bac Ha, Si Ma Cai and Xin Man to Suoi Thau Grassland, Chieu Lau Thi and the terraced villages of Ban Phung, Nam Hong and Nam Khoa.

The roads are rougher and the stays simpler than in Sapa, but that is also why the route feels different. You travel with your own driver and English-speaking guide, stop when you want for photographs, walk through local villages and spend two nights in homestays among the rice fields. During the golden harvest season, when rooms in Hoang Su Phi are limited, your stays are arranged in advance so you can focus on the journey rather than the logistics.

Tourist in traditional dress at Hoang Su Phi rice terraces Ha Giang
Golden harvest moments at Hoang Su Phi on our Ha Giang & Bac Ha tour.

The journey, day by day

Written out the way it runs, so nothing is left to your imagination. Read it, note the days you would keep and the ones you would skip, and a local expert reshapes the rest around you.

⌂Night in Hotel in Si Ma Cai or Bac Ha
06:00The night train pulls into Lao Cai. You board it at Hanoi railway station the evening before, with the departure time shown on your ticket. Your guide meets you on the platform06:30Breakfast in Lao Cai07:30Drive up to Bac Ha, around 2 hours on a climbing road09:00Bac Ha Sunday market: Flower Hmong textiles, buffalo trading, corn wine and thang co. On other departure days, a walk through Bac Ha town and the villages around it11:30Lunch in Bac Ha13:30Hoang A Tuong Palace, built in 1921 for the family that ran the local opium trade15:00Drive north to Si Ma Cai, a border district few travellers reach17:00Check in and rest18:30Dinner in Si Ma Cai, then an early night before the border road

Highlight

Colour, noise and corn wine before 9 in the morning, then the border road north to a district few travellers reach.
Included
  • Soft sleeper berth on the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai
  • Private car and English-speaking guide from Lao Cai station
  • Bac Ha market visit and Hoang A Tuong Palace entrance
Excluded
  • International flights and Vietnam visa
  • Transfer from your Hanoi hotel to the railway station
  • Drinks, personal spending and tips for the guide and driver

What this journey includes

This covers the journey as written above. Once your version is set, your local expert confirms in writing exactly what sits inside your quote and what does not, before anything is agreed.

What our guests say

4.9Excellent on TripadvisorVerified reviews from Meetup Travel guestsRead all reviews →
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zalinec
TripAdvisor

zalinec

Oct 2026

Best team!

Had a great experience with Meet Up Travel! Everything went smoothly and we really appreciate how helpful and accommodating their customer support team was. Special mention to Jennie and Stella for their support and making everything easier. Also, thank you as well to Chloe, Krystal, Hazel, and Kim for assisting us And of course, a big thank you to our tour guide, May 🫶 She was amazing and made our trip even more enjoyable It’s always nice to deal with people who genuinely want to make sure you have a good experience. Thank you Meet Up Travel for taking care of us! Would definitely recommend them and book with them again!

Posted on

Tripadvisor
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NTripAdvisor

notn160

Oct 2026

BESTTTTTTT

We had a wonderful experience with meetup travel and a special thanks to Jasmine and Hazel for taking such good care of us throughout our trip. Everything was well organized and they were always helpful and responsive. We weren’t happy with our hotel in hanoi but when we shared our concerns they listened to us and arranged a change. The new hotel was much better, and we felt right at home there. We really appreciated how they made us feel comfortable and keep us stress free.

Posted on

Tripadvisor
ShadowLBH review photo
STripAdvisor

ShadowLBH

Oct 2026

Great planning by Meetup Travel for a couple getaway

We reached out to Meetup Travel after seeing many good reviews on Tik Tok about their itinerary planning for Phu Quoc. We first spoke to Miss Nora on the draft plan. After my wife and I decided to engage their service, a chat group in whatsapp was created and few more meetup Travel staff was added into the group. We had a 5 days 4 nights itinerary planned by the team. The team will adjust the plan according our requirements. They will also provide their professional opinion on the smooth flow of the visits to the places of attraction. During our stay in Phu Quoc, the team consist of Nora, Kim, Krystal, Stella, Hazel and Chloe will consistently in touch with us to ensure that we are enjoying ourselves. They are also responsive when we got doubt. Generally, we are able to resolve any issues within 1 or 2 hours. We are recommending Meetup Travel if you want to enjoy good customers care in Vietnam. Will engage their service for future Vietnam trip.

Posted on

Tripadvisor
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2TripAdvisor

209avad

Oct 2026

100/10 Experience! Highly Recommend Meetup Travel! 🇻🇳❤️

I booked a Ha Long Bay cruise tour for my family through Meetup Travel, and honestly, it was a 100/10 experience! I absolutely loved how well they communicated with me and helped find the best options to fit my needs. Everyone was so professional, thoughtful, and accommodating! I had the chance to meet Xeon in person, and he was such a sweetheart! 🥹 He’s enthusiastic, friendly, patient, and incredibly professional. He even took the time to help us plan our overall trip around Vietnam, despite the fact that I only booked the cruise through them and not the entire tour. He was always happy to help and never made me feel like I was asking for too much. I also had Hazel supporting me throughout the process. Both Xeon and Hazel checked in from time to time to make sure the paperwork went smoothly and that everything was going well with my family and our trip. I genuinely appreciate how much they care. You can really tell that they love what they do and truly want their customers to have the best experience possible. ❤️ The cruise itself was amazing, and I would absolutely love to come back! Everything was well organized, the staff were friendly and professional, and there was even nighttime entertainment, including a traditional clothing show and karaoke. And the food? SO GOOD! 🤣 Even now, my mom is still wondering how they managed to make the shrimp taste THAT good! I would definitely recommend Meetup Travel to foreign tourists visiting Vietnam. Traveling in a new country can sometimes be stressful, especially if you don’t speak Vietnamese, but having a team like this makes such a huge difference. They help take away so much of the stress and make you feel cared for throughout the journey. A huge thank-you to Xeon, Hazel, and the entire team for making this such a memorable experience for my family. You made our trip extra special, and we’re so grateful! If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, definitely give Meetup Travel a try. You won’t regret it! 🥰✨

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BTripAdvisor

brigetemercyp

Oct 2026

AMAZING BIRTHDAY

A huge shoutout to the incredible team at Meetup Travel for making my 31st birthday completely unforgettable! I walked into my hotel room to find the most amazing birthday surprise waiting for me. Traveling during your birthday is already special, but having a team go so far out of their way to make me feel celebrated from miles away is next-level service. “Oh my God” were the only words I can utter. I love you guys🥹 Thank you for not only planning a flawless trip but for adding so much heart to it. If you are looking to book your next adventure with people who genuinely care about their clients, look no further!

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BTripAdvisor

bolorn2026

Oct 2026

Amazing trip made easier with more memorable

Meetup helped arrange a 10 day trip from Hanoi to Sapa to Lan Ha bay to cave restaurant and back to Hanoi, it included transportation, hotel and various entrances tickets. The girls made sure we had all the necessary information. They were super friendly and responsive. They’ll meet made our trip so much easier and hassle free. They worked around my budget and respected my decision, no sales pushing.

Posted on

Tripadvisor
zalinec review photo
ZTripAdvisor

zalinec

Oct 2026

Best team!

Had a great experience with Meet Up Travel! Everything went smoothly and we really appreciate how helpful and accommodating their customer support team was. Special mention to Jennie and Stella for their support and making everything easier. Also, thank you as well to Chloe, Krystal, Hazel, and Kim for assisting us And of course, a big thank you to our tour guide, May 🫶 She was amazing and made our trip even more enjoyable It’s always nice to deal with people who genuinely want to make sure you have a good experience. Thank you Meet Up Travel for taking care of us! Would definitely recommend them and book with them again!

Posted on

Tripadvisor
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MTripAdvisor

melindacusse

Oct 2026

Meetup is simply the BEST

WOWWWWWWW! What a phenomenal team to have helped me with my trip to Vietnam! I could not have asked for better support, service, and smooth planning than the team at Meetup! Michelle and Stella were on the ball from the get go! I came across this team on social media and reached out to them for help planning my holiday as a solo traveller for my first ever visit … this was less than a week before I was due to depart from South Africa to Vietnam .. So imagine my surprise when I got a response from Michelle within minutes on WhatsApp (on her off day at the hair basin ) replying ferociously that the support team would be in contact with me soon …. and boy were they! This is the first time I decided to use a travel agent abroad for hotel accommodation suggestions and tours/outing suggestions , shuttle transfers to and from the airports etc . And I am so glad I did ! It just puts your mind at ease that everything is taken care of .. Even when I needed to change a flight last minute, they were online at nearly midnight assisting me ! Michelle and Stella and all the ladies in their office have delivered the BEST service with constant updates on WhatsApp and sweet messages like tonight telling me I must sleep tight for my early flight to Thailand tomorrow x I even got to meet Michelle and Stella for coffee in Hanoi which made this whole experience even better by getting to meet the kind and beautiful people behind the paperwork ! Keep up the great service all of you at Meetup! Chloe, Kim, Krystal , Hazel Michelle and Stella … your company can be very proud of you! Sorry if I missed any but you’re all amazing xx Honestly, don’t even think twice if you’re looking for a local agency to help you plan every little detail for your holiday to Vietnam , as you won’t get better than Meetup and its passionate staff members! Till next time! God bless xxx

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HTripAdvisor

henocha2017

Oct 2026

Our Experience with Meetup Travel – Helpful and Responsive Team!

We had a good experience with Meetup Travel during our Vietnam trip The team was very helpful, responsive, and professional throughout our journey. What I appreciated most was their willingness to handle any issues or concerns promptly and their flexibility in adjusting the itinerary to suit our needs and preferences. They also surprised us with a thoughtful gift for our wedding anniversary, which made our trip even more memorable! Communication was excellent. The team consistently kept us updated on our daily schedules, tour guides, and arrangements, making the entire experience smooth and stress-free. Overall, we truly appreciated their dedication, flexibility, and sense of responsibility. Recommended for anyone planning a trip to Vietnam

Posted on

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RTripAdvisor

ruthclaudines

Oct 2026

Meetup Travel the best! 💕

To the meetup travel team assigned to my family who made our first time in Vietnam so great, so convenient, so awesome and so memorable - THANK YOU SO MUCH! ♥️ I honestly have no complaints or any cons on this travel agency and just all pros and praises!! I was hesistant at first because I literally just found them on my facebook feed haha but I triple checked and they are legit! Plus plus points because they respond so so fast and almost 24/7 available to communicate with! Imagine from inquiring & planning last MARCH 2026 up to to our actual tour days this OCTOBER 17-22 2026 - their customer service, very fast response, their guidance and whole day & night availability to talk to was the best thing with this travel agency. For context, we are a group of 2 SENIORS, 2 adults and 2 TODDLERS(age 4&3) so just imagine how hard that could have been if we did not go with this travel agency. We opted for the VIP/PRIVATE TOUR for 6 days to HANOI-SAPA-DANANG-HOI AN. Our package if you think much of it was on the kinda “expensive” side but it was so so worth it! You get what you pay for - we realized it’s not expensive at all but it is quality all the way and we are so happy and grateful we came across Meetup Travel ♥️ The inquiry, quotation and planning stage with Ms. Allie as starter already made me feel comfortable that we have the right travel agency. She noted all of my requests like electric wheelchair for my senior dad, my daughter’s upcoming birthday, my request of no free time/day on our own, etc. With these, she curated the best itinerary for us while still working alongside with me all the time. She booked accessible and quality hotels with great rooms & views in Hanoi, Sapa and Danang. A week before our flight, they created a group chat for reminders and for easier everyday communication with the whole team assigned to us. There I met Chloe(hi sis you’re the best! haha), Kim, Stella, Hazel & Krystal. As usual they are all very responsive any time of the day(& night lol) and they always remind us of the itinerary for the next day and give details of drivers and tour guides the night before. That alone speaks how caring they are so we’ll have a hassle free day ahead. I super appreciate their kind gesture of visiting us on our first night in Hanoi to say hi and give some gifts to us. And also since they noted it’s my daughter’s birthday - every hotel we go to they have a design surprise for my daughter in our room, even got a free room upgrade in Sapa and also they gave a cute & big birthday cake for my daughter 🥺♥️ All drivers assigned to us and tour guides given to us per day and destination were great too! To our tour guides Alex, Daniel, Vang, Bach and John - thank you for being such fantastic, patient, open to adjustments and caring tour guides especially to my seniors and kids. And the food c/o tour! All the restaurants where the tour guides bring us for lunch and dinner were all good and delicious! ♥️ Having a private tour all the way is really awesome. We get to adjust our time and itinerary with no hassle. The D-car limousine van provided to us everyday was very very comfortable, captain seats and very spacious for us. We really couldn’t ask for more! And all of our itinerary, tour spots and activities in Hanoi, Sapa and Danang - perfect! We were able to go to all famous tour spots there is in Hanoi, Sapa, Danang and Hoi An - in just 6 days! 🥰 Everything really did go smoothly for us, weather was great, everything fell into place and timing perfectly ♥️ Everything was very exceptional and Meetup Travel really exceeded our expectations! ♥️ I highly highly recommend Meetup Travel to everyone!!! Lastly to Ms. Chloe, sis you did great! Thank you so much for the fantastic customer service, all the quick adjustments, the freebies, everything! 😘

Posted on

Tripadvisor
ShadowLBH review photo
STripAdvisor

ShadowLBH

Oct 2026

Great planning by Meetup Travel for a couple getaway

We reached out to Meetup Travel after seeing many good reviews on Tik Tok about their itinerary planning for Phu Quoc. We first spoke to Miss Nora on the draft plan. After my wife and I decided to engage their service, a chat group in whatsapp was created and few more meetup Travel staff was added into the group. We had a 5 days 4 nights itinerary planned by the team. The team will adjust the plan according our requirements. They will also provide their professional opinion on the smooth flow of the visits to the places of attraction. During our stay in Phu Quoc, the team consist of Nora, Kim, Krystal, Stella, Hazel and Chloe will consistently in touch with us to ensure that we are enjoying ourselves. They are also responsive when we got doubt. Generally, we are able to resolve any issues within 1 or 2 hours. We are recommending Meetup Travel if you want to enjoy good customers care in Vietnam. Will engage their service for future Vietnam trip.

Posted on

Tripadvisor
zalinec review photo
ZTripAdvisor

zalinec

Oct 2026

Best team!

Had a great experience with Meet Up Travel! Everything went smoothly and we really appreciate how helpful and accommodating their customer support team was. Special mention to Jennie and Stella for their support and making everything easier. Also, thank you as well to Chloe, Krystal, Hazel, and Kim for assisting us And of course, a big thank you to our tour guide, May 🫶 She was amazing and made our trip even more enjoyable It’s always nice to deal with people who genuinely want to make sure you have a good experience. Thank you Meet Up Travel for taking care of us! Would definitely recommend them and book with them again!

Posted on

Tripadvisor
bolorn2026 review photo
BTripAdvisor

bolorn2026

Oct 2026

Amazing trip made easier with more memorable

Meetup helped arrange a 10 day trip from Hanoi to Sapa to Lan Ha bay to cave restaurant and back to Hanoi, it included transportation, hotel and various entrances tickets. The girls made sure we had all the necessary information. They were super friendly and responsive. They’ll meet made our trip so much easier and hassle free. They worked around my budget and respected my decision, no sales pushing.

Posted on

Tripadvisor
Go24267691230 review photo
GTripAdvisor

Go24267691230

Oct 2026

An Amazing 7 Day trip in Vietnam.

Had the most amazing 7 day trip in Vietnam all arranged by the Meet Up Team. From the minute we stepped off the plane in Hanoi to the minute we hopped on our plane in Saigon to depart to our next destination the Meet Up Team was there EVERY step of the way, day or night. Everything was flawless and the tours were great!! Grace created the perfect itinerary for us and her team lead by Hazel made it completely flawless. I didn’t have to worry about anything, except to just enjoy ourselves. Thank you Meet Up Team! We will definitely be back and use Meet Up again.

Posted on

Tripadvisor
henocha2017 review photo
HTripAdvisor

henocha2017

Oct 2026

Our Experience with Meetup Travel – Helpful and Responsive Team!

We had a good experience with Meetup Travel during our Vietnam trip The team was very helpful, responsive, and professional throughout our journey. What I appreciated most was their willingness to handle any issues or concerns promptly and their flexibility in adjusting the itinerary to suit our needs and preferences. They also surprised us with a thoughtful gift for our wedding anniversary, which made our trip even more memorable! Communication was excellent. The team consistently kept us updated on our daily schedules, tour guides, and arrangements, making the entire experience smooth and stress-free. Overall, we truly appreciated their dedication, flexibility, and sense of responsibility. Recommended for anyone planning a trip to Vietnam

Posted on

Tripadvisor
224hieun review photo
2TripAdvisor

224hieun

Oct 2026

Highly recommended

We had a very nice experience, we can only recommend it! Very great staff members who were always helpful with questions and uncertainties.

Posted on

Tripadvisor
343rickyt review photo
3TripAdvisor

343rickyt

Oct 2026

Hanoi / Sapa Trip

Hi Hazel & Michelle. just wanted to say a big thank you for arranging such a wonderful trip! Everything was so well-organized, and your attention to detail made the whole experience stress-free and memorable. Your quick responses and helpful suggestions truly made a difference. I'll definitely be recommending you to friends and family. Thanks again for your excellent service!"

Posted on

Tripadvisor
notn160 review photo
notn160
TripAdvisor

notn160

Oct 2026

BESTTTTTTT

We had a wonderful experience with meetup travel and a special thanks to Jasmine and Hazel for taking such good care of us throughout our trip. Everything was well organized and they were always helpful and responsive. We weren’t happy with our hotel in hanoi but when we shared our concerns they listened to us and arranged a change. The new hotel was much better, and we felt right at home there. We really appreciated how they made us feel comfortable and keep us stress free.

Posted on

Tripadvisor
224hieun review photo
2TripAdvisor

224hieun

Oct 2026

Highly recommended

We had a very nice experience, we can only recommend it! Very great staff members who were always helpful with questions and uncertainties.

Posted on

Tripadvisor
209avad review photo
209avad
TripAdvisor

209avad

Oct 2026

100/10 Experience! Highly Recommend Meetup Travel! 🇻🇳❤️

I booked a Ha Long Bay cruise tour for my family through Meetup Travel, and honestly, it was a 100/10 experience! I absolutely loved how well they communicated with me and helped find the best options to fit my needs. Everyone was so professional, thoughtful, and accommodating! I had the chance to meet Xeon in person, and he was such a sweetheart! 🥹 He’s enthusiastic, friendly, patient, and incredibly professional. He even took the time to help us plan our overall trip around Vietnam, despite the fact that I only booked the cruise through them and not the entire tour. He was always happy to help and never made me feel like I was asking for too much. I also had Hazel supporting me throughout the process. Both Xeon and Hazel checked in from time to time to make sure the paperwork went smoothly and that everything was going well with my family and our trip. I genuinely appreciate how much they care. You can really tell that they love what they do and truly want their customers to have the best experience possible. ❤️ The cruise itself was amazing, and I would absolutely love to come back! Everything was well organized, the staff were friendly and professional, and there was even nighttime entertainment, including a traditional clothing show and karaoke. And the food? SO GOOD! 🤣 Even now, my mom is still wondering how they managed to make the shrimp taste THAT good! I would definitely recommend Meetup Travel to foreign tourists visiting Vietnam. Traveling in a new country can sometimes be stressful, especially if you don’t speak Vietnamese, but having a team like this makes such a huge difference. They help take away so much of the stress and make you feel cared for throughout the journey. A huge thank-you to Xeon, Hazel, and the entire team for making this such a memorable experience for my family. You made our trip extra special, and we’re so grateful! If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, definitely give Meetup Travel a try. You won’t regret it! 🥰✨

Posted on

Tripadvisor

Is this journey a good starting point for you?

The honest version

Tell us which window you are chasing and we will set your departure against reported field conditions instead of a fixed calendar, then hold your rooms while you think it over.

A good starting point if you are

  • Judged by what you saw, not by the room you slept in.
  • Polish traded for access: roads the coaches do not use, viewpoints often entirely to yourself.
  • Introductions your guide has already made, in villages few outsiders reach.
  • Right if the landscape sets your dates, not the other way round.
  • For anyone who did Sapa and wanted that scenery without the queue.

Say so early if you

  • Comfort is uneven by design. On the second half it is not something money moves.
  • Each day answers to the road and the weather, not to a schedule.
  • Not for a decide-as-you-go holiday: the departures worth taking are pinned to the farming calendar.
  • If predictability matters more than location, or switchbacks do not agree with you, Sapa gives similar scenery on far shorter transfers.

The next step asks for real detail. Your dates, who is travelling, how you like to move, what you would change about this route. It takes a few minutes to fill in, because a local expert writes your itinerary from those answers rather than sending you a file. Nothing is booked or charged at this stage.

Before you get in touch

Yes. The big market runs on Sunday morning only, so your trip has to start with the Saturday night train from Hanoi. On other departure days you still visit Bac Ha town, Hoang A Tuong Palace and the villages nearby, but the market itself will be closed. Tell us at booking if the market is the reason you are coming and we will build your dates around it.

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