Following the Annamite range which marks the border with neighbouring Laos, this journey not only offers spectacular scenery but also a unique extended opportunity to interact with the local indigenous groups that make up the vast majority of the population.
Walk though remote villages, rice paddies and past the thatched-roof homes of the fascinating and colourful hill tribes, discovering Sapa, with its French colonial past, on the way. Highlights include trekking to beautiful villages, visiting the battlefields of Dien Bien Phu and relaxing in the beautiful surrounds of Ninh Binh.
Hanoi – Sapa – Dien Bien Phu – Son La – Mai Chau – Pu Luong – Ninh Binh – Hanoi
Trip Highlights
- Sapa is northern Vietnam’s main market town and home to different minority groups
- Explore Mai Chau, known for its bamboo stilt houses and home to the Ban Lac people
- Discover Ninh Binh’s dramatic limestone karst scenery and emerald paddy fields
- At Dien Bien Phu learn about the decisive 1954 battle which ended French rule
- Lai Chau is surrounded by minority villages home to White Hmong, Thai and Red Zao
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Today depart the UK on the direct Vietnam Airlines flight to Hanoi.
Day 2
Arrive Hanoi
On arrival in Hanoi be transferred to your hotel for a two night stay. A handsome city of tree-lined boulevards, temples, lakes, parks and a frenetic, vibrant old colonial centre, Hanoi’s charm lies in the preservation of a distinct North Vietnamese culture and way of life distinct to that of the south of the country.
Silk Path Hotel
Capella Hanoi
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel
Day 3
Hanoi to Lao Cai - by train
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Hanoi with your guide today. Start at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum before continuing to his house, in the compound of the former Presidential Palace. Later visit the interesting Temple of Literature which is the largest temple complex in the city. Nearly 1,000 years old, the temple was dedicated to Confucius and the cult of literacy and education. Later that afternoon explore the cobbled lanes of the atmospheric old quarter where you can experience local craftsman at work and find many artisanal souvenirs. In the evening, transfer to the station for night train to Lao Cai. Offering elegant accommodation, the Victoria Express transports passengers in two luxurious sleeping carriages between the Vietnamese capital and the country’s far north-west.
- Breakfast
Victoria Express train
Day 4
Lao Cai to Sapa – 40kms
Arrive into Lao Cai and transfer to Sapa where you will stay overnight. Developed as a hill station by the French during the 1930s, who left their stamp on the architecture of the town, Sapa was historically home to numerous minority groups including the Hmong and Dao. Today visit the Muong Hoa valley which has the largest concentration of rice terraces in the area and the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Aliana Boutique Sapa Hotel & Spa
Silk Path Grand Sapa Resort & Spa
Topas Ecolodge
Day 5
Sapa
You will transfer 6km to Hang Da village, to start your hike. The trek begins with an ascent from Hang Da village to Hau Chu Ngai village, both of which are home to the Black Hmong ethnic group. From the villages, the trail heads mostly straight downhill with beautiful views of the mountains, and the deep valley of Muong Hoa on your right. After about two hours hiking you will reach another village, Thao Hong Den, which is also home to the Black Hmong minority. Here you will stop to experience the traditional way of life of the second biggest ethnic minority group in Sapa. You will have a chance to visit a local family and learn more about their culture and lifestyle.
- Breakfast
Aliana Boutique Sapa Hotel & Spa
Silk Path Grand Sapa Resort & Spa
Topas Ecolodge
Day 6
Sapa
After breakfast travel to the north of Sapa stopping en route to admire the majestic peak of Mt Fansipan and the beautiful valley below it. Take an easy walk to visit a Red Dao village, Ban Khoang. Having lived in the mountains for hundreds of years, the Red Dao people maintain their culture of farming rice using buffalo and live self-sufficiently and women are skilled at producing their own embroidery. Continue with a short drive to Ta Giang Phinh village, nestled between the hills in a large, picturesque valley it is home to the Black Hmong ethnic people. Trekking here gives you an opportunity to explore the village and enjoy the views of the valley as well as experiencing the local people work in the fields planting or harvesting rice. After lunch, you will have the option to take a short walk or transfer back to Sapa.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Aliana Boutique Sapa Hotel & Spa
Silk Path Grand Sapa Resort & Spa
Topas Ecolodge
Day 7
Sapa to Dien Bien Phu via Lai Chau – 272kms
This morning depart Sapa for Dien Bien Phu on the Lao border. En route stop at Lai Chau which occupies a stunning setting in a wide forested valley, and vo visit the minority villages of Hoang Ho and Ta Phin which are home to White Hmong, Thai, Lu and Red Zao. Continue to Dien Bien Phu where you will stay for the night. Site of the decisive battle in 1954, it was the defeat of the French forces here in Dien Bien Phu which heralded the end the French occupation of Vietnam.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Muong Thanh Grand Dien Bien Phu
Day 8
Dien Bien Phu to Son La – 160kms
This morning explore Dien Bien Phu and the places associated with the battle which commenced in March 1954 and ended with a decisive Viet Minh victory two months later. Visit museum, memorial cemetery, and command bunker of General Christian de Castries ending on ‘A1 Hill’ which saw some of the fiercest fighting. Passing Red and White Hmong villages on the way, follow the road out of Dien Bien Phu through spectacular scenery to cross the Pha Din Pass. Negotiating hairpins that hug the mountain-side, the descent is a breathtaking ride through an emerald landscape of bamboo forest and rice terraces to arrive at the colourful minority town of Thuan Chau. Resume your journey with an afternoon arrival in Son La which is home to Black Thai, Hmong, Muong and White Thai and where you will stay overnight.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Local homestay
Day 9
Son La to Mai Chau – 165kms
This morning leave Son La and continue on to Mai Chau for a two night stay. Sitting in the heart of the spectacular Mai Chau Valley, this is an area of towering limestone karst formations and lush rice paddies framed, in the distance, by the Annamite Mountains. Mai Chau and the surrounding villages are also home to numerous different ethnic groups and remains an excellent place to experience Vietnamese hill tribe culture.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Mai Chau Lodge
Day 10
Mai Chau
Today explore Mai Chau and the surrounding environs. Guided day walks can be arranged as can a cycling tour that explores the rural side of the Mai Chau Valley. The area surrounding Mai Chau is also predominantly home to the White and Black Thai and visits can be made to a number of villages and small farming communities. Alternatively, simply relax in the hotel and relish its remote location.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Mai Chau Lodge
Day 11
Mai Chau to Pu Luong – 45kms
After breakfast in the beautiful mountain setting, transfer to Pu Luong by road via a breathtaking mountain pass with panoramic views of the valley. Spend some time relaxing at the lodge with lunch. Travel to a suspension bridge over the Cham River where you can enjoy some light hiking to see some water wheels and handmade bamboo aqueducts.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Pu Luong Retreat
Day 12
Pu Luong
Wake up to the sounds of nature and enjoy breakfast among the tranquil setting of fields and mountains. Meet your guide and transfer to Don Village, where you will trek 6km along small, downhill paths which are shrouded in vegetation. As you come to the end of the walk, a picturesque village sitting at the base of a towering mountain will be revealed. Continuing to Kho Muong, meet the local community and learn about their rural life, visit ‘Bat Cave’ where the first ancestors of Muong ethnic group lived and enjoy lunch at a local house on stilts. Take a further 7km hike through the jungle to explore the region’s abundance of flora and fauna. Admire the ever-changing landscape as you weave between roads and farmland, villages and wild fields, rivers and mountains.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Pu Luong Retreat
Day 13
Pu Luong to Ninh Binh via Cuc Phuong National Park – 130kms
After breakfast drive towards Ninh Binh. En-route stop to visit Cuc Phuong National Park – a forested reserve home to nearly two thousand species of flora and numerous rare mammals including the clouded leopard, langur and Asian black bear. From here continue to Ninh Binh where you will stay for two nights. Later, time permitting, visit nearby Hoa Lu and the Temple of Dinh Tien Hoang which was the capital of Vietnam between 968 and 1010 AD.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Tam Coc Garden Resort
Day 14
Ninh Binh
In essence an 'inland' Ha Long Bay, the watery landscape and limestone scenery of Ninh Binh is considered one of the most picturesque in the country. The best way to experience Ninh Binh is by boat and today board a traditional sampan travelling the narrow waterways that snake through lush fields of rice, past imposing karst outcrops and small farming villages.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Tam Coc Garden Resort
Day 15
Ninh Binh to Hanoi – 90kms
This morning leave the hotel and drive north towards Hanoi stopping en-route to visit the beautiful Perfume Pagoda. One of a number of shrines built amongst a series of caves set on a hillside, this popular pilgrimage site is reached by a steep climb. Leaving the pagoda, continue on to Hanoi where you will stay overnight.
- Breakfast
Silk Path Hotel
Capella Hanoi
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel
Day 16
Hanoi to the UK
Today transfer to Hanoi Airport for the non-stop flight back to the UK.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
Extend your northern Vietnam adventure with a stay in the Ha Giang Province. Bordering China, the steep, forested mountains and valleys provide a rugged home to many indigenous tribal people, farming, hunting and trading. It is an ideal place for hiking and meeting ethnic minority groups.
Lan Ha Bay, a less-busy alternative to Ha Long Bay, conjures images of towering limestone pillars rising from the emerald sea. During a two-night cruise uncover the area’s hidden bays and inlets, take a kayaking trip, cycle on Cat Ba Island and explore incredible cave systems.
Travel south to the charming town of Hoi An where you will be met with winding cobbled streets, pretty wooden merchant houses, pagodas and silk merchants. Famous for its culinary scene take a traditional cookery class and learn how to make local delicacies such as cao lau, summer spring rolls and more.
Ho Chi Minh City is the modern face of Vietnam – a bustling dynamic metropolis of crumbling colonial buildings, chaotic streets, colourful markets and informal pavement cafes. Take a flight from Hanoi and spend a few days exploring this city with its Franco-Vietnamese flavour.
Guide to Price
16 days from £3900 - £4500 per person
What's Included
- International and domestic flights
- Private car and driver
- Sightseeing with accompanying English speaking guide
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
What's Not Included
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Meals unless specified
from £3900 - £4500
Travel Information
Getting There
Direct flights from London Heathrow to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are available from Vietnam Airlines. Indirect flights are also available. Thai Airways fly via Bangkok to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and other airlines including Emirates, Malaysian, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways travel via their regional hubs.
Flying Times From UK
Direct flights take around 12 hours. Flights with stops en-route take around 16 hours.
Time Zone
Vietnam is +7 hours ahead of GMT.
Visa Requirements
Visa-free travel for stays of up to 45 days. For holidays longer than 45 days, you can apply for an e-visa that allows a 90-day stay and multiple entries.
Do’s & Don’ts
It is illegal to import, transport, use, store or sell vapes or e-cigarettes in Vietnam. This ban applies to both visitors and locals. If found in possession of a vape or e-cigarette the device will be confiscated and a fine, or more significant penalty, enforced. We strongly advise not to bring or use any vape or e-cigarette during your stay in Vietnam.
Whenever entering someone's house make sure you remove your shoes.
Ensure you do not point your feet in the direction of other people as this is considered very rude.
Money
The national currency in Vietnam is the Dong. ATMs are plentiful and credit cards are widely accepted. Although US Dollars, British Pounds and Euros are all often taken, it does depend on the particular vendor and their chosen exchange rate at the time. Whatever currency you are using, make sure the notes are well-kept and not torn, otherwise they will not be accepted.
Tipping
You will not be expected to tip in most places in Vietnam, yet when you do it is very much appreciated. If you liked the service you received then a generous tip is most appreciated. A guideline for tipping drivers and guides will be advised prior to travel.
Food & Drink
Rice, noodles, fresh vegetable and herbs all play big roles in Vietnamese food making it one of the healthiest cuisines in the world. You will find that each region tends to have its own range of specialities although as a general rule southern dishes contain more spice than their northern counterparts. Whereas the bulk of the restaurants are based in the major cities, smaller vendors and stalls can be found virtually anywhere. And no matter where you go, everyone drinks the national beverage at all social gatherings – green tea. There is still a strong French influence in Vietnam’s cuisine, baguettes and patisseries are readily available, and there are numerous French restaurants.
Accommodation
The general standard of accommodation across the country is high, so no matter your budget, Vietnam will cater for you. Eco lodges, homestays or simple local hotels with basic facilities are typical in rural and remote parts of Vietnam where the focus is on experiencing the location rather than where you are staying. In contrast, cities and towns offer a whole range of accommodation with a selection of impressive high-end luxury and boutique hotels similar to the rest of Southeast Asia. Vietnam is known for its breadth of cruises and vessels vary in size, standard and style. At Ha Long Bay cruises take place in small to medium-sized junk boats whilst in the Mekong Delta smaller sampan-style boats are used for exploring the narrow tributaries and larger cruise boats for extended upstream expeditions to Cambodia. Throughout the coast between Central and South Vietnam you will find many beautiful boutique spa hotels perfect for a luxury beach holiday.
Shopping
With countless street markets, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to handicrafts ranging from lacquerware to textiles. Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An especially offers excellent value for money when it comes to tailored clothing, fine cotton goods, hand embroidered fabrics and various jewellery and shawls.
Suggested Reading
The usual good sources of information, such as Bradt and Footprint, are always helpful. If you want a more visually appealing guide to Vietnam, then Nguyen Van Huy's ‘Vietnam: Journeys of Body, Mind and Spirit’ carries a number of stunning photographs from journeys through the heart of the country. ‘Vietnam: A Traveller's Literary Companion’ is interesting and Qui Doc Nguyen's collection of stories by various local writers allows you to get an insight into the country's culture through its own folklore and literature. We would also highly recommend a couple of books by Pam Scott, namely 'Vietnam: Hanoi Stories' and 'Life in Hanoi'.
Health
Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website Travel Health Pro on https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website (www.masta.org) is also a useful resource.
Travel Advice
For current information on Vietnam the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (safertourism.org.uk) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
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