Holiday Itinerary

After a chance to freshen up, this afternoon has been set aside to explore something of Vietnam’s vibrant capital. Like a French provincial town with tree-lined boulevards, the city is wonderfully nostalgic and a walk through the engaging streets of its Old Quarter provides an ideal introduction. Named after the various crafts and specialities of the city’s artisans, each street bears such descriptive monikers as Paper Street, Silk Street and Basket Street. This practice dates back to the 13th century, when the city’s original 36 guilds established themselves here, adopting a street each to differentiate them from their neighbours. The maze of alleys presents a fascinating venue to explore on foot and the area is known for its interesting ‘tube’ houses, whose narrow frontages give way to long rooms that stretch back. Street vendors tempt you with noodles, snacks and stir-fried delights from shoulder panniers, all adding to the charm of Hanoi’s historic heart. Later today there may be a chance to see a performance of traditional water puppetry, a practice that dates back to the 15th century. Set on a flooded stage, the stories tell tales of legendary heroes and everyday life, with dragons and unicorns sharing the stage with ducks and frogs, and even fireworks and naval battles (optional).

We drive by charter bus (4½ hrs) to the breathtaking setting of Halong Bay, one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural attractions recently voted as one of the eight natural wonders of the world. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Halong Bay boasts hundreds of jungle-clad islands (over 1600 at the last count) that rise from the jade green waters of the bay like the scales of some great submerged dragon. Indeed Halong means ‘where the dragon descends to the sea’ and local legends tells of a time when this rugged landscape was created by the pounding tail of a mighty dragon as he ran from the mountains into the glittering waters of the bay below. On arrival we will board our junk and set sail, threading our way through a flotilla of boats, junks and wooden sampans as they ply their way across the gentle waters of the bay. The plan for today is to sail through this stunning seascape, stopping off to swim and visit some of the limestone caverns that pepper the landscape. There will be a highly recommended opportunity at one of our swim stops for you to climb to the summit of Mount Titov, a 90 metre karst peak, whose 420 steps lead up to a viewpoint that offers some stunning panoramas across the bay, ask your tour leader for more details. We will overnight on board the junk, but please be aware that the boat will not be exclusive to Explore and we will be sharing it with other tourists.

After a further cruise this morning and brunch aboard our junk we disembark at around 11am then head back to the capital by charter bus arriving back in Hanoi mid afternoon. The rest of the day is free in Hanoi.

This morning we will be joined on our drive and the remainder of the holiday by fellow Explore travellers who have combined another trip (QBV or QVN) with the Hilltribes of the North tour.

The fertile landscapes of Mai Chau are home to the minority White Thai people, who live in stilt-housed villages surrounded by rice paddies. Arriving into Pom Coom village after midday we will have lunch before exploring our rural surroundings on an afternoon walk in the company of a local guide. The White Thai constitute one of the largest minority groups in the region and our time here will give us a chance to get to learn a little more about the traditions and customs of our hosts. Our walk this afternoon takes us on a circuit from our host village through a patchwork of paddy fields surrounded by lush green hills. We make our way along tracks that pass through a number of friendly village communities. There may also be the opportunity to enjoy traditional music and dancing by the White Thai villagers this evening.

We will be staying in a simple, traditional, thatched, stilted house, enjoying the rustic charm of the setting, as well as the local food. You will be sharing the room and facilities with the rest of our group. There may be the possibility of organising and paying for a private bedroom locally, it is only possible to arrange this locally and you should consult upon check in. A sleeping mat, blanket, a hand towel and mosquito net are provided.
Approx walking: 9kms/ 2.5 hours

Today we spend our time hiking through the villages of the Mai Chau tribal heartlands. After breakfast we will begin with a short drive, passing along part of the old Ho Chi Minh Trail to the village of Van Mai, the start of our day’s trek. From here we then head along a trail that leads us through a patchwork of rice terraces, vegetable gardens and rural villages towards the village of Buoc. Here we break and take our picnic lunch amid plant tree plantations and surrounded by distinctive limestone karst scenery.

 The White Thai have occupied these landscapes for some 1200 years. Related to the Thai of Laos and Thailand, they came here originally from the Yunnan Province in southern China and today number nearly 400,000. Practising a mix of animism, ancestor belief and Buddhism, the White Thai are renowned for their hospitality and their beautifully intricate weaving and, as we follow the trail through the mountain foothills, doubtless we will see examples of both this morning. After lunch we continue through spectacular rice paddies and bamboo forests on to Van village where we rendezvous with our transport for a short drive back to Pom Coong (30mins). The rest of the day is then free to relax. Please note: those who do not wish to walk the whole route today will be able to utilise our support vehicle for some parts of the journey, please consult the tour leader for more details.
Approx walking: 15kms/ 4-5 hours

With free time until the middle of the afternoon, you can choose to relaxin the village, walk to the nearby cave of Hang Boi or have the option to take a half day bike ride through the Mai Chau countryside. This option negotiates an easy 12km loop that taking in more of the local villages and the natural beauty of this spectacular region. The cycle route takes you alongside rice paddies and through pretty villages that lie in the shadow of the surrounding mountains. There will be the opportunity to dismount and wander amongst the friendly villagers. that lie in the shadow of the surrounding mountains and out through the villages of Chieng Sai and Cha Long before looping around through the villages of Na Trang and Vang, back to Ban Lac. Later this afternoon we transfer (4hrs) back to Hanoi to catch the overnight train to Lao Cai, on the border with China’s Yunnan Province to the north-west. We will be making the journey in soft sleeper compartments, with 4 people sharing each air-conditioned berth and shared toilet facilities for each carriage.

Arriving into Lao Cai early this morning we then take a beautifully scenic drive to Sapa town by public bus (1½hrs). Due to our early arrival it may not be possible to check in to our hotel until later in the day. On arrival the tour leader will run through your options for today and lead a short orientation tour of Sapa, after which the rest of the day is free to enjoy at your leisure. Sapa is a quiet mountain town that sits deep in the Hoang Lien Son range, close to Fan Si Pan mountain which is Vietnam’s highest peak at a height of 3142m. The region is home to a rich diversity of ethnic minorities, including H’mong, Yao, Tay, Zay and Xa Pho for whom Sapa is the chief market town and there are plenty of options available this afternoon to take walks out to some of the nearby villages that lie scattered across the valley or just relax around town. Depending upon the interests of the group, it may also be possible to visit the nearby market at Lung Khau Nhim.

Today we begin our 2-day trek through the wonderful landscapes of the Hoang Lien Mountains and the Muong Hoa and Suoi Thau Valleys. These rural panoramas are steeped in the local colour and traditions of the Tay and the Red Zao and over the next two days we will have an ideal opportunity to learn more of the customs and simplicity of life amongst these remote villages.

Depending on the season we may see tropical butterflies, wildflowers and orchids. The valley come alive with colourful rhododendrons and fruit blossom during springtime. We will trek through bamboo forests and rustic vegetable gardens encountering plenty of water buffalo and domestic animals along our route.

 We depart Sapa this morning and transfer the short distance to the village of Ban Lech Dao in Thanh Kim Commune, from where we begin our trek along a narrow, winding trail that leads downhill through terraced rice paddies to the Muong Bo River. Crossing the river by bridge, we then trek to the Tay village of Muong Bo, where we stop for lunch and spend a little time wandering amongst its spacious stilted house. The afternoon then sees us embarking on a fascinating journey into the remote heartlands of the Red Zao, passing through the village of Nam Cum and along the Suoi Thau Valley to our night stop in the village of Sin Chai. The Red Zao people build large wooden houses where it is not uncommon for several generations to be housed under the same roof.  After dropping off our gear and settling in to our overnight accomodation the rest of the afternoon is free to take a wander through this charming village.It may also be possible to arrange a traditional herbal bath at the house. If you wish to shorten the distance of today’s walk it is possible to ride on the support vehicle at the beginning of the day until Thanh Phu Bridge, thus avoiding about 2 hours of walking.  

We will be staying in a simple, traditional, local houses, enjoying the rustic charm of the setting. You will be sleeping in a communal area with mosquito nets, sleeping bags, mattresses, pillows and towels provided.
Approx walking: 7 hours/16kms.

Our second day sees us departing Sin Chai after breakfast, following a downhill track into the Nam Sai Valley, where we visit another Tay village, before continuing on to the Xa Pho village of My Son. The Xa Pho people are believed to have migrated here from Malaysia and Indonesia some three centuries ago and seem to differ from the other minority groups in both their dress and their language. Semi-nomadic and steeped in strong traditions of community spirit, the Xa Pho are a rather timid people who keep very much to themselves and whose language has been described by other groups as sounding like birdsong. Taking the opportunity to stop for lunch and take a short tour around the village we then carry on, crossing the river and continuing along a gradually ascending track stopping en route for our picnic lunch. After lunch we continue to the village of Nam Toong. Another community of the Red Zao, this village affords us a final chance to take in something of the traditional rural life in these valleys, before we make our final descent to the Thanh Phu Bridge, where we rejoin our vehicle for the journey back to Sapa.  
Approx walking: 6-7 hours/19kms.

The day is left free for you to enjoy the charming mountainside town of Sapa and its surroundings. It may be possible to arrange a half day visit to the traditional local minority market in Bac Ha or a guided mountain bike trek to the Black H'mong villages in the Ma Tra valley. On the edge of town is Ham Rong, a scenic landscaped area with flower and orchid gardens and spectacular views amongst the stone forest. Or you may choose to relax, take a massage or enjoy the friendly banter with the traditionally dressed girls who wander the town trading their wares.

Later this afternoon we will transfer back to Lao Cai to catch our overnight train to Hanoi.

Arriving in Hanoi early this morning we will transfer to our hotel and check-in, after which the rest of the day is free to enjoy the city at your leisure. Amongst the city’s more interesting sights are the charming One-Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature and the Presidential Palace. Ho Chi Minh was a spartan-living and scholarly man, who chose not to live in the Presidential Palace itself, but instead preferred a simple teak 2-storied stilt-house specially built for him in the grounds. You can visit his museum and this austere mausoleum, said to resemble that of Lenin in Moscow, or perhaps taking another walk through the engaging streets of its Old Quarter. The city’s French Quarter is a great place to explore by bicycle, its grandiose colonial architecture offering up a rich contrast to the more frenetic pace of the old city. Whilst those looking to discover something more of the colonial wars might like to pay a visit to the Museum of Vietnamese Revolution or the Military History Museum.