The Northwest Loop
(by car)
Northwest Loop by Car – A Four-Day Journey Through Vietnam’s Mountains and Minority Cultures
“Sometimes the most meaningful journeys happen in silence, with the window down”
ROAD TRIP DETAILS:
Total Distance: 360km approx (route may alter based on the weather)
Duration: Four day loop (only availble by car).
Route: A mountainous loop through Lao Cai, Lai Chau and Dien Bien Phu Provinces.
Road Conditions: Paved back-roads, light traffic, ferry crossings
Travel Style: Cultural immersion and active adventure.
Accomodation: Homestays
Scenery: Mountain passes, green tea plantations, rivers, rice terraces, minority villages, remote mountain lakes.
Maximum: 4 people

Journey Overview
This four day loop is rich in culture an ideal for those who want to immerse into local, ethnic minority village life. Accomodation involves three nights in local homestays.
This epic road trip is one of the most enriching cultural experiences in Vietnam. Our journey meanders through rice terraces, along the shores of great lakes, through green tea fields as well as rubber and cinnamon woodland. Beginning in Lao Cai, the loop passes through Lai Chau and into Dien Bien Phu Province and into some of the most remote villages in the northern highlands. We will spend time with the Black Thai, Hmong, Lan Tien and Lu ethnic minority groups.
The loop is a great way of discovering some of Vietnam's greatest secrets. Weather is always difficult to predict in this region, but spring (March - May) and autumn (September - October) are probably the best months for warmth, light, and colour. The lakes are at their most beautiful between October and March while June to August see the rice terraces at their most beautiful. These months are also typically warmer and wetter.
Our recommended months for this loop would be October, Novermber, January, February and March.
Highlights of the Northwest Loop
Mountain passes, remote villages, and unforgettable encounters
Culture and Landscape:
The three Northern provinces are known for their beautiful natural landscapes, including mountains, forests, and great lakes. The area is also home to diverse ethnic communities, each with its own unique cultural traditions.
About this route:
If you’re lucky and the weather is good, then the scenery on the loop is fabulous. The grandeur and scale of the mountains and valleys of the north is unmatched anywhere in Vietnam.
Cultural immersion, scenic landscapes, and authentic homestays
Practical Information
Accommodation, inclusions, and best times to travel
Includes:
English Speaking local guide
Homestay accomodation
All meals, snacks and refreshments
Car and driver
Fuel
Entry fees and ferries
Excludes:
Personal Health / Travel Insurance


Prices - Northwesat loop Car 4 Day Experience
2 people - $560 per person
3 people - $525 per person
4 people - $485 per person
Community based tourism (CBT) is a form of tourism where local communities are directly involved in developing, managing, and benefiting from tourism activities within their area. It emphasises community ownership, cultural preservation, and sustainable practices, offering visitors authentic experiences and fostering economic opportunities for residents.
“The car may carry you, but it’s the people and places that move you”

Please travel with respect. Dress modestly, support local crafts, protect nature, be patient, and stay safe. Connect, learn, and contribute positively during your ETHOS journey. Please refer to our terms for booking conditions for all ETHOS experiences.




























