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Northern Vietnam Explorer

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N. Vietnam Explorer Map V1

Trip Overview

Duration

10 Days

Activities

Boating/Rafting
Cultural
Kayaking
Retreats

Physical Rating

Easy–Moderate

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Vietnam Hmong Woman Sapa Two Tile

Delve into the Deep Culture

A guided tea tasting, market visit, interactive cooking class and time at the Vietnam Women’s Museum quickly reveal the culture of the country’s ethnic minority groups. We cycle through chartreuse rice paddies and take slow walks through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, the villages of the White Thai and tribes of Mai Chau’s countryside. 

This journey allows for a meaningful interaction with locals—there are several intimate meals and stories to be shared in family homes. We also learn the delicate art of batik from the talented Blue Hmong women of Pa Co village and ease into the day with sunrise Tai Chi and yoga sessions.

experience the vitality of vietnam

Feel the Panoramic Embrace

This soft adventure of contrasts begins and ends in Hanoi, the ‘city of lakes.’ This foodie hub is also known for its tube houses, French Colonial architecture, water puppetry and unreal stream of motorbike traffic.  

We visit the stalactite-studded caves of Tam Coc by traditional flat-bottomed sampan boat and the remarkable Trung Trang cave system on Cat Ba island. 

In Hoa Lu, we experience the marvel of the dual UNESCO World Heritage Site: Trang An Landscape Complex, an area of both cultural and ecological significance. We also spend two luxe nights aboard the boat in Ha Long Bay, navigating the limestone karst islets, islands and grottos. Connecting with undiluted nature and wellness is easy with three nights of rejuvenation in the mountainside bungalows of Avana Resort.

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Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Hanoi

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  • Day 2

    Hanoi

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  • Day 3

    Lan Ha Bay

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  • Day 4

    Viet Hai Village

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  • Day 5

    Ninh Binh

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  • Day 6

    Avana Retreat

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  • Day 7

    Pa Co Village

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  • Day 8

    Mai Chau

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  • Day 9

    Hoa Binh Reservoir

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  • Day 10

    Departure

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Take a Deeper Dive

Want all the details in one handy package? Download the full itinerary here. 

What’s Included

  • checkmark icon Accommodations: twin-share rooms at a hotel or resort for seven nights and two nights on the Indochine or Orchid Trendy
  • checkmark icon Nine breakfasts, one brunch, six lunches and nine dinners (note: five of these meals will be hosted in local village homes)
  • checkmark icon Refillable water from stations (hotels and group vehicle) that are a part of the Refill not Landfill Project 
  • checkmark icon Air-conditioned private vehicle transfers throughout the itinerary
  • checkmark icon Arrival and departure transfers (group transfer)
  • checkmark icon One awesome English-speaking guide 
  • checkmark icon Applicable entrance/admission fees to museum, caves, temples
  • checkmark icon Cave tour by traditional sampan boat
  • checkmark icon Interactive cooking class
  • checkmark icon Tea tasting experience with tea master
  • checkmark icon Batik workshop
  • checkmark icon Tai Chi and yoga classes as indicated
  • checkmark icon Tandem kayaking gear and PFDs
Please Note:

All applicable taxes are included in the trip price.

Optional single private upgrade, subject to availability.

Itineraries may be subject to change without notice due to weather and other environmental conditions. Please review our Booking Terms.

Trip Details

Know Before You Go

Click HERE for all of the logistical details you’ll need to know prior to departure—including the packing list, arrival and departure details and suggested tipping information.

This trip starts in Hanoi, Vietnam (airport code: HAN) and finishes in Hanoi, Vietnam (airport code: HAN).

Day 6 Walk

The stairs to the top of Hang Mua are steep and not safe to climb in or after rain so this walk will be dependent on the weather and determined by our guide.

Traditional Junk Boat

You will be spending two nights on a traditional junk boat. If you are prone to sea sickness, be prepared with your own sea sickness medication. For more information, please consult with your travel doctor. These boats are also co-ed, and we will be sharing the communal space with non-Wild Women.

The Wild Women Way

If you’re wondering how we roll, it’s together. The Wild Women Way is our modus operandi, our mantra and our rock solid foundation. You can learn more about our Wild Ways HERE.

How We Support You

Ready for a big adventure? We’re in it together. On this trip, we see and do so much, and you’re never alone. If you would like to experience the best of a country and dive deep into culture, nature and beauty, then this trip is for you!

Like all our trips, this trip can be scaled to suit different abilities and comfort levels. If you have concerns or reservations about your ability to complete or enjoy this trip due to any physical or medical reasons, please contact us and let’s talk about it.

What the Trip Entails

You should be comfortable or open to the following:

  • checkmark icon Walking 3.7 miles (6 km) with a 328–984 foot (100–300m) elevation gain on 2 days
  • checkmark icon Waking up very early on several mornings (early bird gets the worm!)
  • checkmark icon Days that are filled with activity and days that are laid-back 
  • checkmark icon Kayaking on open water
  • checkmark icon Spending two nights on a boat
  • checkmark icon Traveling by boat to small islands
  • checkmark icon Travel by traditional flat-bottomed wooden boat
  • checkmark icon Entering a cave (optional)
  • checkmark icon Hot and humid temperatures
  • checkmark icon Being in a vehicle for 4 hours at a time
  • checkmark icon A menu of unfamiliar foods
  • checkmark icon Physical Rating: Easy – Moderate (Trips typically involve 3 to 5 hours of daily activity.)
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