Touring the technicolour beauty of Vietnam

• Exquisite cuisine
• Colourful hill tribes and exotic villages
• Historical sites from ancient to recent past

Shimmering paddy fields, sugar-white beaches, beautiful temples and sumptuous food, all wrapped within an incredible history, makes Vietnam a distinctive country. Travelling on foot brings you closer to a country of traditional charm and rare beauty, which has been attracting travellers for many years. Our new Vietnamese Highlights Guided Walking tour travels from south to north, feasting on the local culture and a choice of delightfully diverse easy walks, accessible to all our guests.

Our adventure starts with two nights in the furiously commercial southern city of Ho Chi Minh, where we embark on a sightseeing tour that includes the Reunifications Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral and Vinh Nghiem pagoda. On day four after a short internal flight we arrive in Hoi An, an exciting little town of narrow streets and wooden shops and houses. Lining the streets is a series of tailors, experts in tailor-made clothes of beautiful silks, shoes and handcrafted bags. We take an easy walk through the Marble Mountains, filled with breathtaking views of the surrounding areas, and stopping off at Non Nuoc, a stone-carving village. Just southwest of Hoi An, in the Holy valley, lies the religious sanctuary of My Son. This World Heritage Site has a varied history stretching back to the 4th century when the temples and towers served as burial chambers for Cham kings. We spend some time exploring this fascinating area, before returning to Hoi An.

After a short transfer we arrive in Hue City. Small and peaceful, this city is full of lakes, canals and lush vegetation. We’ll enjoy a Dragon boat trip along the romantic Perfume River and visit some magnificent historical sights – including the 19th century walled citadel, the remnants of its once-magnificent Imperial City and seven palatial Royal Mausoleums. The following day is spent walking through the sub-tropical forests of the BachMa National Park, which offers a range of unique trails for those interested in wildlife and history.

On day eight we transfer to Hanoi, the capital city that lies in the heart of the northern delta. Here we undertake a sightseeing tour of the many historical buildings and monuments, as well as a thrilling rickshaw ride through the Old Quarter. You will have time at their own leisure to explore independently if you wish. The next day we make a drive to Halong Bay, enjoying the views of rice fields and water buffalo along the way. A five-hour cruise in the bay follows, with magnificent views of the 3000 strangely shaped limestone islands (Karsts). We have the opportunity to take a stroll on one of the islands and explore the hidden bays, echoing caves and needle-sharp ridges that have provide inspiration for dozens of local legends and poems. A short flight on day ten brings us to Dien Bien in the north west of Vietnam. We take a brief walking tour of the surrounding villages, inhabited by local hill tribes.

The following four days are spent discovering the far north of Vietnam and its many hill tribes and stunning mountain trails. Our base is the small market hill station of Sa Pa, perched on the western edge of a high plateau and enjoys a refreshing climate set in magnificent scenery. Our low mountain walks link the many surrounding villages and offer the opportunity to glimpse a unique way of life for the local people. Our guides will describe the lifestyles and traditions of the Black H’mong and Dzay ethnic minorities as we enjoy the spectacular views over rice paddy terraces and cornfields. There will be opportunities for you to meet villagers and even try some local delicacies, including Com Lam, favoured by many ethnic minority groups. This type of thick, short-grained rice is grown in upland terrace paddy fields. Steamed inside a hollow tube of bamboo and served with “muoi vung” (a mixture of rock salt and roasted sesame seeds) the rice tastes of delicious fresh bamboo. A choice of walks is on offer for each day of our three day exploration, suitable for all walking abilities and interests.

On day 15 we transfer back to Hanoi where we can relax for the evening, before travelling to Ho Chi Minh the following day for the return flight home.

Why not try...

A guided walking and sightseeing holiday in China, click here for more information.

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