This two day trek begins with a transfer to Thanh Phu Bridge, which serves as the starting point. From here you trek along the Ngoi Bo River and then turn abruptly uphill to Muong Bo Village, which is at the centre of Thanh Phu Commune. This is our lunch stop on day one, as always in a local house. After lunch you head to Sin Chai, which is a Red Dzao village and also serves as your overnight stop. As you would expect, its basic accommodation in a local house – essentially a bamboo hut with little privacy and ‘rustic’ facilities. However, its friendly, reasonably comfortable and certainly an ‘experience’.

After breakfast, your second day begins with a walk downhill towards My Son village, which is inhabited by the Xafo minority. They are one of the smallest ethnic groups in Northern Vietnam and visiting their village is a rare privilege. Another hour and a half walk you arrive at Nam Toong, a better lunch stop. In the afternoon, continue the final stretch of the trek to Ban Ho village, where it is possible to take a refreshing swim in the river. From here the vehicle takes you back to Sapa, or down to Lao Cai where you can catch the train back to Hanoi.

Each day involves approximately five hours walking.