_ Join a fantastic journey into the mountains of Northern Vietnam where you will experience the vibrant textiles and diverse cultures of the minority groups of this spectacular and beautiful part of the world.  Meet the locals when you visit villages and markets including Red Dao, Flower and Black Hmong communities.  

Discover the diversity of their colourful costumes and dress.  Learn about their unique textiles, cultures, rituals, festivals and foods. Learn how the Red Dao create their unique embroidery pieces, discover the secrets of hemp fabric and indigo dyes from the Black Hmong people. Cruise the amazing World Heritage site of Halong Bay and its spectacular scenery.

Your itinerary
DAY 1: HANOI
We will collect you from the airport anytime today and you can take your time to either relax or explore the neighbourhood around our lovely hotel located in the fascinating Old Quarter of Hanoi. 
DAY 2:  HANOI
We start the morning by exploring the 1000 year old shopping precinct of Hanoi by foot and cyclo.  This afternoon we will visit the ancient silk weaving village of Van Phuc where families have been creating silk for hundreds of years.
DAY 3:  HANOI
This morning we visit Bat Trang pottery village where potters have been practising their craft for hundreds of years. This afternoon we visit the Ethnology Museum which showcases the textiles, traditions and rituals of the people of Vietnam.
DAY 4:  HANOI - HALONG BAY
We leave the hectic traffic of Hanoi this morning and drive to the beautiful World Heritage site of Halong Bay.   Lunch is served on board as we cruise through the amazing rock formations. We spend the night on board our beautiful boat.
DAY 5: HALONG BAY  - HANOI - SAPA
We have a relaxed start to the day by exploring the islands of Halong Bay before  our journey back to Hanoi.  The afternoon in Hanoi is free  before we board our overnight 1st class sleeper train to Lao Cai and Sapa.
DAY 6: SAPA
Arriving early in the morning to Lao Cai we drive through some spectacular scenery to the beautiful French hill station town of Sapa.  Renowned for it’s textiles, markets and colourful minority groups we base ourselves in Sapa for the next couple of days. You day is free to explore the town and its amazing textiles.
DAY 7: SAPA This morning we get the opportunity to try our hand at the beautiful Red Dao embroidery with a lesson from some local experts.  After lunch we visit a Black Hmong village to learn about the processing, spinning and dyeing of hemp fibres.
DAY 8 SAPA – BAC HA
Today is market day in Bac Ha where thousands of minority group traders from Flower, Lu, Tai and Giay come to town to trade their wares.  Tonight we board our train for our overnight journey back down the mountains to Hanoi.
DAY 9: HANOI
The day is free for you to either rest up or further explore the sites of Hanoi on your own. (Immediate hotel check-in on arrival in Hanoi)
Day 10: HANOI
Your tour comes to an end this morning after breakfast

 Your tour details
COMMENCES HANOI 8th April
FINISHES HANOI 17th April
$2190 per person twin share
Please add $300 if you would like your own room

Inclusions
  9 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION, ARRIVAL TRANSFER
DAILY BREAKFAST, 4 DINNERS, 4 LUNCHES
ALL ENTRANCE AND CLASS FEES
ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE
PRIVATE AIR-CON TRANSPORT
RETURN 1ST CLASS SLEEPER TRAIN

TO BOOK
Email: ngrudgfield@mtatravel.com.au
or
Phone: +61 0405 209511