Floating markets, French cafés,

fields of rice, and moto madness...

"Vietnam is a country, not a war,” goes the popular saying. Though memories may still lie below the surface for those who survived past conflict, hopefully the healing power of time is no more apparent than in Vietnam today. An increasingly vibrant tourist destination, this country will continue to break barriers and dispel preconceptions. From lush jungle terrain to beautiful coastline, cosmopolitan cities to friendly hamlets, Vietnam offers travelers quite the assortment of diversions. We suggest trying to spend a week.

Hanoi & The North

Hanoi is a delightful city featuring a grand

collection of colonial-era European architecture.

In the time that you spend with us here, much

of the downtown area will be explored via

cyclo and on foot in order to enhance the local

experience. As you’ll notice, all of the streets

in Hanoi’s Old Quarter were historically

dedicated to a different business or trade, like

the Street of Hemp or the Street of Fans. There are many shopping opportunties,

as well as restaurants and galleries, all around your accommodations. You can even

attend an evening performance of the famous "water puppets" at the Thang Long

Theater. Then outside of Hanoi proper, we encourage a visit to Halong Bay, where

it is said that the Great Dragon himself plunged into the sea, the slashing of his mighty tail creating the bay’s beautiful islands. Whether you spend a day aboard one of our junk boats or stay overnight, this 3-hr drive from the capital is a popular trip. There are otherwise local craft villages surrounding Hanoi that your host can escort you to, selling everything from porcelain to firecrackers. Or, for those with extended time to spare, consider an overnight train ride to the most northern part of Vietnam - Hanoi direct to Lao Cai! Within walking distance of the Chinese border, Lao Cai contains one of the most colorful markets in the country. Your host will arrange for transport into the hills where villagers from various ethnic communities gather to sell their products and livestock every Sunday. This is a genuine experience, including everything from traditional blacksmiths, to open-air tobacco, to colorful Hmong women donning beautiful costumes. Later we’ll continue driving to the nearby town of Sapa, situated at 5,250 feet above sea level, a wonderful hotspot for trekking opportunities.