Anyone in good health should be able to take part in this trip. There is no real physical difficulty, though a few travelling days are quite long, modes of transport are a little antiquated and humidity can be very high.

Whilst in Hoi An why not get yourself some tailor made clothes? Bring a photo or picture of the suit, dress or whatever you want made and a tailor will have it made up for you in Vietnamese or Japanese silk, cashmere or cotton. You can even get a pair of shoes made to measure!

Suggested Reading:
A Phoenix Rising: Impressions of Vietnam – Zoe Schramm-Evans
A Wavering Grace: A Vietnamese Family in War & Peace – Gavin Young
Three Moons in Vietnam – Maria Coffey
Romancing Vietnam – Justin Wintle

Useful phrases:
Thank you (very much).
Cam on
Do you have vegetarian food available here?
O day co do an chaykhong?
The dinner was very nice, thank you.
Do an rat ngon, cam on.
I would only like one glass of rice wine, thank you, because it is very strong.
Toi muon mot ly ruok lua moi, cam on, vi no rat manh va ngon
How much does that piece of fruit cost?
Mieng hoa qua nay bao nlueu?

Your flight will have the largest environmental impact on your holiday. Climate care offers you the opportunity to offset your carbon dioxide emissions with set amounts from £5. If you would like to offset the carbon emissions generated by your flight, please go to www.climatecare.org

Since the increase in popularity of bottled water, many countries are experiencing a problem of litter especially where adequate recycling is not available. Please could you try, where possible, to use purification tablets or filters for water or buy bigger bottles of water between group members and decant into your individual water bottles.

We also support the Binh Luc Children’s Centre. Established in 1990, it provides a home for orphans aged between 6 and 15 years old. You will have the opportunity to visit the centre during your stay in Hanoi. The orphanage is about two to three hours from Hanoi, and you can visit on day five of your itinerary before the overnight train to Hue. While it seems like a long way to go, your visit will be most welcome. If you would like to offer your assistance by taking a gift they would be delighted to receive the following; clothes (remember Vietnamese children are smaller than those in the UK), writing paper, pens, pencils and crayons, and sports equipment. Although you can take things out with you, goods are available cheaply locally and your Group Leader will be able to advise on where to buy things. Continued donations from our ground agent in Vietnam have already improved nutrition at the centre considerably. Other recent improvements include a better dining room and kitchen, and separate toilet building.

We return to Hanoi from Halong Bay via the Sao Do Charity Centre. Set up in the early 90’s by a war veteran to help disabled children in the region, the centre was initially a small factory producing handicrafts, such as embroidery and stone carving to sell through shops in Hanoi and Saigon. Recently, they opened to people travelling to / from Halong Bay, allowing the centre to sell their products directly to the public. The centre now employs over 100 physically and mentally disabled people, allowing them to make a reasonable income on top of their lodging, food and training.

Although western standards of dress are becoming more accepted, the Vietnamese and Cambodian people remain very traditional in what they wear. Out of respect (even though you may see travellers dressed otherwise) both men and women should dress conservatively – no sleeveless/halter-necked tops please. Whilst shorts are acceptable they should be modest and reach to just above the knee. Below is a suggestion of what you might find useful to take on this trip. It is not an exhaustive packing list. If you need further advice, please call us or consult your nearest specialist outdoor clothing & equipment store.

• Warm clothes for the north in the winter months (Nov to Feb) i.e. a warm sweater and trousers, and a jacket if you feel the cold
• At other times lightweight clothing (cotton) is most appropriate
• Lightweight waterproof jacket or umbrella in wet season (May to Nov)
• Sun-hat and swimwear † Waterproof/plastic bags
• Trainers/sandals for relaxing

• Torch
• Non-polluting biodegradable soap
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen and lipsalve
• Personal First Aid kit
• Sunglasses
• A sleeping sheet (available cheaply in Hanoi) is advisable if you feel the cold as the air-conditioning is relatively strong on the overnight train. However, for most people it will not be necessary.
• Ear plugs and a sleep mask can be useful if you are a light sleeper

For your comfort we recommend you travel as light as possible; many airlines impose a maximum weight limit of 20kg – we advise you to take 10kg as you will be on the move a good deal! For domestic flights using light aircraft the usual weight limit is 15 kg.
One main piece (a soft bag or rucksack, not a hard suitcase).
A daypack (25-30 litres), large enough to carry what you need for the day including camera, water, etc.

Overnight flight to Hanoi.

After your flight, you transfer to your first night’s accommodation and check in. Hanoi is sometimes called the Paris of the Orient, with shaded boulevards, verdant parks and ochre buildings that retain an old-world charm. To find your feet you start with a brief orientation tour, leaving full exploration for tomorrow. Hotel - 1 night

Your city tour this morning takes in sights such as the infamous ‘Hanoi Hilton’, the prison so named by American soldiers housed here during the 1960s and 70s. You also visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, now a site of pilgrimage, plus the Royal Palace complex. The Temple of Literature is also an interesting place to discover, used as an educational facility from the 11th to 18th centuries, and now a place of red-roofed pagodas and many courtyards. The Old Quarter has great shopping opportunities; silk, silver, enamel bracelets and embroidery are among the best buys and the street names bear testimony to the business conducted there; Silk Street, Rice Street, Vermicelli Street, and even Boiled Fish Street! It’s great fun to explore these streets on cyclo (pedal-rickshaw) and if you wish, we can arrange this for you today!

Please note the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is normally closed for restoration at some point between September and December each year. You can still visit his house and palace complex, though.

This evening you’ll visit one of the water-puppet theatres to enjoy a performance of this fantastic art form - unique to Vietnam and best seen in Hanoi. Hotel – 1 night (B)

From Hanoi head west into rural Vietnam to discover what is sure to be a real highlight of your trip. Mai Chau, located in the Hoa Binh province, approximately 135km from Hanoi. The village is nestled within and surrounded by a verdant valley that affords superb panoramic views. After a four hour drive passing through lovely countryside scenery, you’ll have lunch on arrival then take a short walk round the villages to take in the picturesque Mai Chau Valley and enjoy the relaxing surroundings of the villages.

In the evening, you have dinner at a homestay then spend the evening watching traditional dancing and musical performances, before spending overnight in a shared room in a traditional stilt house. Village homestay – 1 night (BLD)

The morning is free for you to take optional excursions, perhaps cycling around the villages or visiting the markets. You then return for a night in Hanoi, arriving back by 5pm for a free evening. Hotel – 1 night (B)

A minibus is chartered for the journey to the coast and the beautiful Halong Bay whose name means ‘descending dragon’. En route, you stop at the Sao Dao Charity Centre. Founded in 1996, the purpose of the centre is to provide free training and employment for disabled people. Here you can purchase products made from the skilful hands of the trained craft artisans such as embroidery, clothing, lacquer paintings, ceramic, sculpture, gemstone processing, and jewellery.

Arriving at Halong Bay around lunchtime, you jump straight on a boat to go cruising in this secluded bay, marvelling at the 3000 limestone peaks that emerge from the sea. You have the opportunity to visit spectacular caves crammed with stalactites and stalagmites and, weather permitting, to swim from the boat, before spending the night onboard. Berth in en suite twin-cabin on a traditional junk - 1 night (BLD)

NB you will need an overnight bag for your visit to Halong Bay and, later in the trip, the Mekong Delta. The rest of your luggage can be left in the city hotels while you are on the boat or in the Delta village.

This morning you depart back for Hanoi, a journey of about four hours. There maybe free time to explore the capital on your own or take optional excursions during free time on your return. A great way to get a feel for the city is to wander the frenetic streets of the Old Quarter or visit the tranquil Den Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake, sheltering among ancient trees and accessed by a bridge across the lake. In the evening you board the famous ‘Reunification Express’ train. Travelling in four-berth, soft sleeper compartments, which are simple but comfortable, you travel to Vietnam’s cultural capital, Hue.
Berth on overnight sleeper train - 1 night (B)

Arriving in Hue you can look forward to free time to explore the superb sights of the city. It was once the capital of the Nguyen emperors and was packed with influential people: bureaucrats, princesses, traders, astrologers and courtiers, who left behind many beautiful reminders of their times.

This morning you could make your way down to the Perfume River to embark on a riverboat journey to the elaborate tombs of the Nguyen emperors (optional). The tombs are situated among the houses of local farmers who grow rice, fruit and vegetables here. You can visit one of the seven tombs, all of which follow a similar layout; statues of mandarins, elephants and horses; a pavilion where a stele (obelisk) tells of each emperor’s glorious reign; and a temple where he was worshipped after death.

Also recommended is exploring the Thien Mu Pagoda (the Temple of the Heavenly Lady) - possibly the most famous of all Vietnam’s pagodas (optional). Legend tells of ‘fairy maids’ who foretold that a great king would build a pagoda and bring great wealth to the countryside. Situated on the banks of the peaceful Perfume River, it is one of Vietnam’s best-loved buildings.

If you have time, you can visit Dong Ba Market - fantastic to wander around. It sells all manner of items and is a lively place to spend a couple of hours. You could also consider maybe making an optional visit to the famous Citadel, a vast 2.5km expanse of old palaces and temples, much of it ruinous. This is worthwhile as it houses a magnificent collection of buildings similar to Beijing’s Forbidden City plus the exclusive ‘Purple City’, the sole preserve of Vietnam’s emperors and the members of their court. This evening you can sample some delicious regional food at one of the many local restaurants - one speciality is banh khoai, a kind of egg batter stuffed with shrimps and vegetables – delicious! Hotel - 1 night

This morning you drive south for four hours by bus, climbing up and over the spectacular Hai Van Pass (496m) before descending to the city of Danang and continuing to Hoi An.

This little town is one of our favourites and we are sure you’ll love it too! Walking and especially cycling are the best ways to soak up the atmosphere or you may wish to take a guided walking tour (optional) which includes entrance fees to some of Hoi An's sights. You could also take an easy (5km) bicycle ride through the rice paddies and shrimp ponds to Cua Dai beach, or enjoy a boat trip on the river.

Hoi An is also one of the best places to shop for souvenirs, especially if you’re looking for T-shirts, paintings or ceramics. For those interested in getting clothes tailored, this is definitely the place to shop. Hoi An is also famous for a variety of culinary specialities, like Cao Lau or White Rose. We may even be able to arrange a cooking class for those who are interested. Another possible optional trip is to My Son, Vietnam’s most important Cham site, which dates back to the 4th century. Hoi An offers many choices and we leave how best to see it to you - with the help of the Group Leader to advise. Hotel - 3 nights (Bx3)

Setting off today you gear up again for more exploring after your relatively relaxed time in Hoi An. Early morning you drive the hour or so back to Danang and fly south to the nation’s commercial centre - Saigon, a fascinating mixture of old and new and the powerhouse of the south.

You head out of the city to make a visit to the famous Viet Cong hideout known as the Cu Chi tunnels; it’s likely that your guides were once soldiers here and their insight will help you to understand this tragic part of Vietnamese history. Some of the tunnels have been widened to accommodate foreigners; more than a touch of irony here! You return to the city in the afternoon, when there maybe enough time to visit the famous Reunification Palace (optional). A nice thing to do in the evening, is to sit on the terrace of one of the many high-rise hotels in Saigon and sip a cocktail as the sun goes down! Hotel - 1 night (B)

This morning you once again leave the city behind and head for Vietnam’s rice-bowl – the Mekong Delta. Passing through idyllic rural scenes you arrive at Cai Be where you transfer to local boats in order to reach your simple lodgings for a night in the house of a local family.

By boat you will explore the intricate waterways of the Mekong, zigzagged with ramshackle ‘monkey bridges’ and busy with local traders. There’s time to stop and visit the local markets and cottage industries and take in the wonderful atmosphere of this colourful collection of stilt homes built on channels and rivers. Homestay – multishare - 1 night (BD)

After lunch this afternoon you arrive back in Saigon. You now have time to explore Ho Chi Minh City (as Saigon is now called) with a visit to the graphic War Remnants Museum, followed by a guided city tour which will take you through the Notre Dame Cathedral, old post office and Ben Thanh Market or the Chinese area of Cho Lon. There are also plenty of hidden corners to discover and there should be free time this afternoon for some last minute shopping. If there's time, those who prefer to explore further could take a trip out to Cholon (optional) – Saigon’s Chinatown - with its strange mix of colonial and Chinese architecture. Here you’ll find markets, pagodas and incense-filled temples. Remember when you’re wandering around Saigon, to look at the magnificent architecture which sits alongside the more familiar shops and hotels. Those going to Cambodia will return to the hotel after visiting the museum to refresh before going to the airport. Hotel - 1 night (B)

Final free morning in Saigon then transfer to the airport for overnight flight from Saigon home. (B)