Hanoi Like a Local

Hanoi is a great city to explore by foot, although the traffic is mental you can see so much more from a ground level. Today kick off with a full-day walking tour of the city and explore Hanoi like a local! By the end of the day you will have a feel for this awesome city. We will start with Ngoc Son temple, the gem of the Hoan Kiem Lake, have an overview of Vietnamese culture and religion from our local guide. Hop in a traditional red cyclo and get taken through the organized and sometimes not so organized chaos of Hanoi.

Later we will stroll back to the Old Quarter, stop along the train tracks where locals still live and sample a Hanoi institution ‘Bia Hoi’ – this is an amazing fresh beer brewed and served by the friendliest local people. One glass sets you back around 5,000 VND (0.25USD). You’re also encouraged to try some of the best street food Asia has to offer. We suggest diving right in and eating local Vietnamese (such as pho/ banh mi or bun cha. Also worth mentioning is the egg coffee, another Hanoi classic.

In the evening, the opportunity to sit down to a traditional water puppet performance (or the ‘Four Palaces’ cultural show). This northern tradition, dating back nearly a thousand years, is performed alongside traditional Vietnamese music that employs drums, wooden bells, horns and bamboo flutes.

Accommodation

Overnight train in 4-berth cabin with A/C

Overnight train in first-class 4-berth cabin with A/C will be booked if available

Begin Your Trekking Adventure

Arrive at Lao Cai train station early in the morning. Our Hmong local guide will pick you up and we will get transferred to the Sapa town (1 hour driving). There will be spot for breakfast with a spectacular mountain-valley view.

On Day 1 of your trekking, we will leave Sapa at 9.30am and trek down to Cat Cat village, taking in the picturesque waterfall at the bottom of the hill. After a slight retrace of steps (but not all the way back up!) we will take a turn towards Y Linh Ho and begin a 2km walk through rice terraces. Y Linh Ho is home to the Hmong minority, and their hereditary rice terraces are around 100 years old.

This is a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in true Hmong culture! From Y Linh Ho we will make our way to Lao Chai, an established Hmong minority village which has been inhabited for centuries. See the products of this minority at its best, with established rice terraces, homes and a vibrant community. You will be welcomed warmly by Mai and her family who run the first ever homestay owned and run by Hmong minority in the Sapa region. Sapa O’Chau supported Mai in setting up this homestay and we hope it’s the first of many!

Accommodation

Comfortable homestay in Ta Van Village

Explore Rural Vietnam

When you awake, open the window and have a look outside – weather permitting – you will be treated to amazing views across the rice terraces in the valley. After breakfast you will make your way to Ta Van where you will visit the Giay minority people. This tribe traditionally fished for a living and as a result established themselves close to rivers.

They have mastered the art of fishing with bamboo sticks, and cook the fish inside bamboo. Nowadays however you are more likely to see the Giay working in fields planting or harvesting rice. We will continue our walk through an impressive bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, and then on to the village of Su Pan where you will be able to rest your legs and take in the stunning mountain scenery as we stop for a picnic lunch.

Feeling revitalized we will hike the final 6km to Ban Ho village where we will spend the night at a Tay people’s homestay. Their houses are particularly special as they are built on stilts overlooking rice terraces. Dinner will be cooked on an open fire, and some local speciality rice wine will be on offer to help you wind down!

Accommodation

Comfortable homestay in Ban Ho Village

A Final Day With A Host Family

Early morning trek to the top of the mountain for sunrise , then after breakfast with the family, you will leave the village and trekking to Nam Sai village. You can enjoy the spectacular view, and then walk uphill to another almost untouched village of the Red Dzao (Nam Sai). Return to Thanh Phu village, say goodbye to the family and get to the main road where a car is waiting to get you back to Sapa. Hop on the train back to Hanoi.

Accommodation

Overnight on the train with 4-berth bunk cabin with A/C

VIP 2 berth cabins will be booked if available

The Train to Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, enjoy your free time until the pick up to Hanoi Train Station for your 33-hour  journey to HCMC by train arriving in HCMC around 5:00 AM on day 8.

Accommodation

Overnight on train, 4-berth AC cabin

Explore Ho Chi Minh City

Upon arrival at HCMC, you will be picked up by our Local Guide for a Saigon style breakfast and street coffee. The city tour will follow. A vibrant metropolis, HCMC teems with energy, activity and motion. Everywhere you look, you see the meeting of traditional and modern life. The emerging modern skyline stands cheek by jowl with colonial buildings and traditional temples. Outside on the streets, young professionals zip by on motorbikes, chatting on cellphones; inside the quiet temple courtyards, worshippers pray amidst clouds of incense.

Begin your tour into modern history with a tour of the Reunification Palace. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s style building was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates.

Afterwards driving to the historic center to visit Emperor Of Jade Pagoda, one of Saigon’s most interesting pagoda. Proceed to pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Finally, end up at the Central Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste.

You will then hop on a private transfer to your beach resort – Anantara Mui Ne. The journey will take around 4.5 hours.

Accommodation

Anantara Mui Ne Resort

Relax and Unwind

These are your free days to enjoy and unwind, and reflect on your incredible experiences in rural Vietnam.

Accommodation

Anantara Mui Ne Resort

Departure Day

Today is your check out date, please pack your stuff and say goodbye to the beautiful Mui Ne. The transfer to HCMC by private van will be arranged. The drop off service will be ready for you and it will take 4.5 hours from to Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Your trip comes to an end after you arrive at the airport for your homeward flight.

We wish you a safe onward journey!