By 2025, Vietnam will boast five tourism villages recognized among the world's best: Thai Hai (Thai Nguyen), Quynh Son (Lang Son), Lo Lo Chai (Tuyen Quang), Tan Hoa (Quang Tri), and Tra Que (Da Nang). Journeys to these world-renowned Vietnamese villages are considered fresh and meaningful ways to welcome the new year.

Starting from Hanoi, travelers can use personal cars to visit and experience local life, as well as learn about the structured tourism models in these areas. VnExpress suggests diverse itineraries, from visiting a single village to combining all five for those with more time.

northern 'two-in-one' journey: Thai Hai and Quynh Son

Quynh Son tourism village. Photo: Thanh Hien

A three-day, two-night trip combines Thai Hai and Quynh Son, located 100 km apart via National Highway 1B. Travelers can choose to spend one night at each location, depending on their itinerary preferences.

In Thai Hai, guests stay in traditional stilt houses of the Tay ethnic group. They can experience weaving, growing vegetables, harvesting tea, making rice wine and cakes, and enjoy then singing and tinh string instrument performances while learning about traditional customs. Popular dishes include sticky rice wine hotpot, dried pork, spiced sausage, banh chung, banh gai, banh khao, che lam, Thai Hai tea, and pure honey.

In Quynh Son, visitors engage in a community-based tourism model, immersing themselves in local culture. They live in traditional stilt houses, participate in agricultural production, try weaving, and savor local cuisine. Additionally, travelers can conquer Na Lay peak and explore the "education path" within the geopark to learn about the nation's culture and revolutionary history.

central 'two-in-one' journey: Tan Hoa and Tra Que

Homestay in Tan Hoa village. Photo: Oxalis

A five-day, four-night trip is suitable for travelers choosing Tan Hoa and Tra Que. Guests spend one night in each village, with the remaining two nights as rest stops along the journey.

In Tan Hoa, visitors stay in homestays designed as floating houses, built to withstand floods in what was once a flood-prone area of Quang Binh. Guests can cycle around the village and enjoy local dishes for dinner at a resident's home. Morning activities often include a short trekking trip to Chuot Cave, a former filming location for the Hollywood movie "Kong: Skull Island" and director Victor Vu's "The Immortal".

At Tra Que vegetable village, located almost 4 km from Hoi An Ancient Town, visitors join locals in planting and caring for vegetables, cycle around the village, take photos, visit the Cham stone well relic and Tho Than Temple. They can also participate in cooking classes, preparing Hoi An specialties like banh xeo, spring rolls, and fresh summer rolls using ingredients harvested from the garden. In the afternoon, guests can relax with herbal foot soaks.

complete journey in Lo Lo Chai

A corner of Lo Lo Chai village in Tuyen Quang. Photo: Hong Khanh

Lo Lo Chai, located in Ha Giang, requires a longer and more challenging journey. Travelers often combine their visit with other Ha Giang landmarks such as Dong Van, Meo Vac, Ma Pi Leng Pass, and Lung Cu Flagpole. This itinerary typically lasts at least three days and two nights. Tour guides for the Ha Giang route recommend staying at least one night in the village to fully appreciate Lo Lo Chai's beauty.

Day 1: Explore Lo Lo Chai village by walking around, visiting ancient rammed-earth houses with yin-yang tiled roofs, stone fences, and village paths. Enjoy coffee at Cuc Bac Cafe, the village's first coffee shop, opened by a Japanese person 10 years ago. Savor meals featuring thang co, black chicken hotpot, smoked pork, men men (cornmeal), corn wine with leaf yeast, and au tau porridge.

Day 2: Take a short morning stroll to Then Pa, a small hamlet next to Lo Lo Chai, hidden beneath ancient sa moc trees. In the local dialect, Then Pa means "large field", describing the village's flat valley terrain. Main activities include beeswax painting, indigo dyeing, or hiking around the buckwheat fields.

>> See more: a journey to five tourism villages in one trip

Linh Huong