Da River – Tua Chua, 3 Days

I. Tour introduction

This is the fairy-tale country of Dien Bien, built around the cultures of the ethnic minority peoples who live in this wild land, wrapped by the Da River — as beautiful as an ink-wash painting, with tall mountain ranges rising on both banks to create a river that is at once majestic, sensuous and deeply lyrical. The Da is not brick-red like the Red River, nor does it carry the “clam-broth green” of the Lo and the Gam. In spring the Da runs emerald; in autumn it flows “heavy and ruddy, like the face of a man flushed with drink”, and it “tints its banks with a wildness as old as prehistory. The riverbank is as innocent as an old fairy tale” — from Nguyen Tuan’s essay on the Da River.

The once-fierce Da has become a lyrical, tender river, like a mountain maiden in the old forests of the Northwest, her grace standing out against earth and sky.

Leave behind the clutter and the pressures of daily life to lose yourself in the nature, the mountains and the people of the Northwest. Note, however, that this is exploratory travel into the wildest corners of the country, with all the difficulties that come with terrain, weather, roads and basic food and lodging — it is not suited to travellers who are only looking for a resort holiday.

II. Tour at a glance

III. Itinerary summary

IV. Detailed itinerary

V. Tour prices

Tours run with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 participants.

VI. The price includes

• Airport transfers from and to Dien Bien Phu airport, with the vehicle accompanying the group throughout the journey in Dien Bien,
• Vehicle according to the option priced above,
• Driver specialised in mountain routes, familiar with the terrain, courteous and helpful,
• Guide throughout the journey: an ethnic minority local, born and raised in the area, with deep knowledge of the history, culture and customs of the local peoples, and professionally trained,
• Meals as per the programme: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners,
• Overnight in homestays without private rooms; in guesthouses/hotels 2 people per room (odd numbers share a triple)
• Boat trip down the Da River, 4–5 hours
• 1.5L of water and a cold towel (if travelling by car) provided in the vehicle each day,
• 1 litre of village rice wine per table at dinner in the homestays,
• Travel insurance,

VII. The price does not include

• VAT,
• Services such as: entrance tickets, cultural performances, herbal bath… (optional — guests pay directly on site if they choose to visit or use them)
• Other drinks and any costs not listed under “2. The tour price includes”, incidentals during the trip, air tickets, personal expenses… and tips for the guide and driver.