Hidden Vietnam: Sapa & Beyond

Break away from the backpackers’ trail for an immersive adventure from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Get to know the real Vietnam on this 13-day journey through the landscapes and cultures most tourists whizz straight past. Starting in the absorbing capital Hanoi, we head out of the city to meet and stay with families in the hill village of Ta Phin and enjoy a leisurely bike ride through the rural landscapes around Hoi An. We also trek through the rice fields of Sapa, cruise the secluded Lan Ha Bay – a less touristy (but no less beautiful) alternative to the ever-popular Ha Long Bay – and experience the spectacular caves of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. By the end, we will have experienced the full spectrum of life in Vietnam – a fascinating, rewarding adventure.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that improve life for the people and places we visit, and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

• Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
• This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
• We spend a night near Sapa in traditional hill community houses in Ta Phin village, hosted by local families. This provides support and helps to improve the livelihood of the Red Dao and Hmong ethnic minority families.
• In Hoi An, we stop by a shop called Reaching Out, which sells gifts handmade by artisans with disabilities, helping them to develop their talent and independence.
• There is also the option to see a traditional folk dancing or water puppet show in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. This encourages local customs to continue and creates employment opportunities.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

• By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment. On this trip, part of the itinerary is spent in the Sapa region staying with hill communities.
• We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for reusable bottles.
• The payment of entrance fees to sites such as the Lan Ha Bay and the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park generates income used to upkeep and develop these important sites.
• With our partners, Rewilding Apennines, we rewild 100 square meters (1,075 sqft) of land per passenger who travels with us.
• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.
• We provide clients with a reusable, locally made tote bag at the start of the tour, offering an alternative to single-use plastic bags and a souvenir to take home.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

• Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
• We spend one at an ecolodge on Cat Ba Island; this locally owned, family-run lodge strives to minimise their carbon footprint through the implementation of various sustainable practices in their waste, water, chemical, noise, product use and energy management policies.
• We choose to travel on the overnight train from Hanoi to Dong Hoi as opposed to taking an internal flight.
• Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

• Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
• Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own reusable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.
• Cultural respect:
  • You will be expected to cover your legs and arms (to the elbow) during visits to temples and sacred sites so packing a sarong or other suitable clothing is recommended. Also remember to remove hats when visiting a sacred site.
  • Do not rest your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice as this symbolises the burning of incense (which is usually reserved for times of mourning).
  • One should not show the soles of their feet or touch someone’s head, both are considered disrespectful.

Is this trip for you?

This trip has been rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.

This is an adventure-packed trip with activities including hiking, kayaking and leisurely cycling, so a good level of fitness is required. The weather can be hot and humid, particularly in the south when cycling, yet cold in the winter in the north around Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. Some days can be fairly long with early starts. Travel time is kept to a minimum, although there are a few longer drives with time for sightseeing. Please note, some accommodation will be basic but clean.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Vaccinations and Health

Vietnam

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to speak to your doctor or travel clinic about vaccinations for hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and tuberculosis. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may want to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.

Similarly, dengue and zika, both viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in Vietnam. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so we strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Visa

Vietnam

UK passport holders normally do not need a visa to enter Vietnam for visits up to 45 days, while those with a US or Irish passport normally do need a visa to enter. Visa requirements for EU citizens vary by country.

Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through. Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/vietnam
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/vietnam
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vietnam
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Vietnam.html

Food & Drink

There are 11 breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners included.

Thanks to the tropical climate, the long coast and the gigantic range of mountains, Vietnam is blessed with numerous varieties of culinary offerings and consequently maintains a reputation as one of the healthiest cuisines in the world that still packs a punch.

Vietnamese food relies on fresh fish, vegetables, rice and a myriad of verdant herbs and spices; lemongrass, ginger, basil and lime all play an important role in the cuisine. The Chinese and French influence is felt throughout the country, where you are just as likely to be offered a banh mi (stuffed baguette) as you are pho (noodle soup).

Also be sure to seek out the national drinks. Vietnamese coffee is served iced and sweet with condensed milk, and beer hoi (local beer, brewed daily) is served on most street corners in the north out of large plastic jugs that are perfect for sharing.

Food is cheap in Vietnam, and you can generally avoid the spicier food if you wish. Western food is readily available almost everywhere, except at the homestay in northern Vietnam.

Vegetarian food is widely available; however, the offering will be fairly similar in most places. Please advise at time of booking if you have any dietary requirements.

Weather

With the exception of Sapa, the weather will be hot and humid with daytime temperatures usually 28C-34C (82F-93F). It is only a little cooler at night.

There is no ideal time to visit Vietnam; it is quite pleasant any time of year. However, it is unlikely the weather will be perfect for the entire duration of the trip due to the shape of the country.

There is quite a range of seasons between the north and south: the south up to Hue has a distinct dry season between December and April, then a rainy season from May to November when it tends to come in short heavy bursts with bright sunshine in between. Hanoi is cool in autumn, and even gets chilly between November and February (with a drizzly rain).

Due to its northern location, Sapa is much cooler and the weather different to the other locations on this trip. Traditionally, the driest months in Sapa are October to mid-April, but rain can still occur at this time. Mid-April to September is considered monsoon season. However, weather patterns have been less predictable in recent years. December to February are the coldest months, usually 13C-18C (55F- 65F) with lows around 10C (50F). Mid-year usually experiences the warmest temperatures: 23C-25C (73F-77F). Sapa is well-known for its picturesque rice terraces, but they aren’t always bright green due to the climate. Generally, the best time to see the rice terraces are during their peak season, which is also the rainiest time of year. However, the landscapes and scenery are rewarding no matter what time of year you visit.

Please note, the Lan Ha Bay boat trip and ferry access to Cat Ba Island can be subject to short-notice change if adverse weather conditions develop. These could occur year-round, but especially in monsoon season (October-April). Boat trips are governed by local authorities who are authorised to make such appropriate safety decisions. If your trip is affected by adverse weather, this could either result in a reduced excursion for your group or, less likely, the need to re-arrange the itinerary. While this is not a frequent occurrence, our local team and leaders are well equipped to handle such situations and have long offered appropriate options to groups in the instances where this may occur.

If you go to Cambodia for the Angkor Wat extension after this trip finishes, the weather is hot and humid year-round. The dry season is late October to May and the monsoon is normally between May and October; though there is an obvious transitional time between those settled periods. The dry season has hot days and generally clear skies, though you can expect the odd shower. The monsoon is characterised by short, sharp bursts of rain and is generally overcast all day though this does not detract from the enjoyment of the place; you just need to take an umbrella or buy a cheap local poncho.