Laocai town of Lao Cai province is easily reached from Hanoi by regular overnight trains. Most of the train depart Hanoi train station in the evening at about 20:00 and arrive Laocai train station early morning (next day).
There is no trek tour in Lao Cai town itself. Most travelers go to Laocai then travel to Sapa or Bac Ha. Sapa is located at about one-hour drive from Lao Cai town. Sapa offers lots of trekking hiking tours ranging from short trek tours to multi-day trek tours.
Bac Ha is popular for the Sunday market. The Bac Ha Sunday market is located in the Bac Ha town. The Bac Ha Sunday market is open on Sunday only. This is the place for different hill tribe people to come to trade and also to socialize. There are H’mong Flower, Black H’mong, Dzao, Giay and more. Bac Ha also offers trekking and hiking tours.
Apart from Sapa and Bac ha, Lao Cai province also offer other interesting trekking hiking tours and ethnic market such as the Cao Son Market is open on Wednesday, the Lung Khau Nhin market, on Thursday, the Muong Khuong market, on Sunday.
Most of the trek are provided with private transfer, private tour guide. If the trek is long, local porter will be provided making the trekking tour more easier.