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Local Trail Walking and Eco Retreat – North Vietnam

Highlights

A taste of bustling Hanoi with its busy markets and delicious street food
Discover the UNESCO heritage site of Trang An
Trek through magnificent verdant countryside, authentic villages and breathtaking scenery
Relax in a stunning hilltop eco lodge with infinity pools and panoramic views

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What you'll do

Overview

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Overview

This once in a lifetime trip takes you to the real Vietnam, visit the North West province and meet with locals, stay in rural home-stays in traditional stilt houses, trek in the breathtaking mountains and verdant valleys, sail on the river in a traditional boat on your ultimate off the beaten track adventure. You will trek through traditional villages, world heritage sites, and past tumbling rice paddies, bathe in rural lakes and then take time to relax in an award winning mountain eco-lodge with its own spa.

Arriving in Hanoi, you’ll be taken directly to your accommodation to relax before you embark on the trip of a lifetime exploring vibrant Hanoi with its bustling markets, crafts and street food and discovering the amazing peace and tranquility of the lush green hillsides and river valleys which make up the magnificent natural landscapes of Northern Vietnam.

Your local guide will show you the traditional village communities with their typical stilt houses and friendliest of people, sipping tea and sharing their authentic Vietnamese recipes.

You will cycle and trek through rural trails by farmland and rivers where locals drive cattle from place to place in this timeless off the beaten track adventure, sail down the river on a traditional boat, admire the bamboo water wheels and discover Pu Luong Nature Reserve and the amazing Unesco world heritage site, Trang An Landscape Complex.

You’ll travel by train through the countryside back to Hanoi and then on to Topas Eco Lodge in Sapa. The magnificent hilltop retreat which is home to the ultimate sustainable boutique eco resort, where you can relax and refresh, reflecting on your intrepid adventures. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the elegant infinity pool in the clouds overlooking terraced hillsides and valleys; indulge in delicious Vietnamese influenced fusion food, all grown in the locality, and enjoy the treatments and services at the Rice spa.

Return home refreshed and invigorated with amazing memories to last a lifetime. And with stunning weather year-round, it’s also the perfect experience to soak up some winter sun and get away from the UK winter.

Hanoi to Mai Chau

At 8:30 am, you will be collected from your hotel and we depart Hanoi for a scenic drive towards the North West of Vietnam.

As you cross into the mountainous Hoa Binh province to the west, the landscape transforms from congested row houses to wide-open rice fields, karst mountains, and quaint wood-and-bamboo villages.

Our drive the Vietnam’s North West village of Mai Chau takes around 4 hrs.

Along the way we will travel through Thung Khe pass where you will have a spectacular view down to fields of tapioca and sugar cane as well as rice paddies. Today’s destination is Mai Chau village, nestled in a scenic valley, the first view as we near the village is of its poetic views of traditional stilt houses. Over fifty ethnic minorities inhabit Vietnam alongside the majority Kinh (Viet) people; Mai Chau’s Tai Dam and Tai Kao (“White Thai” and “Black Thai”) inhabit Mai Chau, infusing the local travel experience with their traditions and culture.

We will reach Mai Chau valley by lunchtime.

Traditional food here draws heavily from the land: steamed sticky rice, or xoi nep thuong, serves as the base of a Mai Chau meal times whih usually include grilled meat, bamboo shoots, and of course a chance to try the favourite local sticky-rice wine (ruou can).

Food will be locally grown: crops like corn, sugarcane, and rice figure heavily in the food served during dinnertime, as do herbs like coriander.

Lunch will be in Lac Village and then we will have a bike ride through the villages

Cycling along Mai Chau’s dirt roads, the scenery is ever changing , wildflowers in season; rice paddies, green with rice shoots or mirror-like, depending on the time of year; and locals walking with livestock from place to place.

We will stop at a local dam in the middle of the rice fields. There you will have a chance to immerse yourself in this natural water which is like an infinity pool with an amazing view over the picturesque valleys.

If you don’t fancy a swim, you can continue with your bike ride and explore the local farming activities in the area and learn about their traditional handcrafted bamboo weaving.

Breakfast Lunch and Dinner are included on Day 2

Accommodation

Local homestay in Mai Chau

What's included

Included

Airport transfers to your first and from your last accommodation
Accommodation for 9 nights as mentioned in the itinerary
Meals as indicated in your itinerary - full board during the trekking part and then BB at the Eco lodge

Your local guide for the duration of the trekking and discovery part of your experience
All transport as mentioned in the itinerary

Your local host

Anh

Quynh Anh (QA) graduated in tourism from Hanoi university and is super passionate about travel. She has exceptional people and communication skills and always finds a way to create the best holiday experience for her customers. QA is a very experienced tourism professional and knows all the hidden gems in Vietnam. She is based in Hanoi but spends a large part of her time in the local communities in North Vietnam developing IMPACT projects in the local communities. QA’s colleagues and customers all value her kindness and friendship. She will ensure you have the best time in her home country.

Quynh Anh (QA) graduated in tourism from Hanoi university and is super passionate about travel. She has exceptional people and communication skills and always finds a way to create the best holiday experience for her customers. QA is a very experienced tourism professional and knows all the hidden gems in Vietnam. She is based in Hanoi but spends a large part of her time in the local communities in North Vietnam developing IMPACT projects in the local communities. QA’s colleagues and customers all value her kindness and friendship. She will ensure you have the best time in her home country.

Anh image

Sustainability Efforts

What Sustainability Efforts are we Taking?

At Not in the Guidebooks we’re committed to empowering the local communities in Costa Rica. We work closely with the local people and their businesses to make sure that they receive a fair percentage of the money you spend on your holiday there. By partnering with local guides and suppliers, we’re able to create meaningful, authentic experiences that directly benefit the people who call this incredible country home.

Location

This once in a lifetime trail walking and eco retreat experience begins in the bustling city of Hanoi. The ‘city of lakes’ is located on the banks of the Red River, it is one of the most ancient capitals of the world, with elegant colonial buildings, ancient pagodas, and unique museums. It has a French colonial history and is renowned for its delicious cuisine, vibrant nightlife, silks and crafts.

Chaotic and noisy, but fascinating, Hanoi traffic is unlike anywhere else. You should always look in both directions before crossing the road in this city, it is often said that “If you can make it through Hanoi rush hour traffic, you can make it anywhere in life”.

Meanwhile, its peaceful and picturesque countryside is a marked contrast to the busy city and is just a short drive away, featuring lush parks and lakes, verdant mountains, and traditional villages.

FAQs

Weather in Vietnam is usually humid and warm, lightweight layers are recommended. Avoid 'short' shorts — even in hot weather, most locals don’t wear them.
For walking /trekking you will need sturdy trainers

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