Your journey starts in the lively city of Hanoi, located on the banks of the Red River. It is a great entry point as it sets the scene for Vietnam's melting-pot history, especially reflected in its architecture, which is a stunning mix of Chinese shops, golden temples, and ornate Vietnamese houses.
Your base will be at a family-run guest house in the old quarter from which you will explore whilst you sample the local delights, such as their famous beef noodles, papaya spring-rolls and egg coffee “Vietnamese cappuccino”. Delicious, whilst learning to dodge the chaos of tuk tuks and bicycles.
Your first couple of days will be spent getting your bearings whilst visiting the spectacular Hoan Kiem Lake, St. Joseph's Cathedral and the famous Dong Xuan wholesale markets, before hopping on a bike and heading out of town to reach a pretty village on the outskirts of the city. Here you’ll meet a local family who’ll combine a private cooking demonstration, giving you the chance to make your own authentic Vietnamese dishes. After lunch you’ll visit the Lien Mac flower village, which is famous for flowers and vegetables.
On the 3rd night you will travel on the comfy, overnight train to Sapa, a village about 380km northwest of Hanoi, near the border of China .
Accommodation
You will be stay in a local family homestay such as Maih Boutique Homestay: https://www.facebook.com/Miah-Boutique-Homestay-198820990132717/
Food
3 meals a day. Usually set menus – expect breakfast to be more continental/omelette style, lunch and dinner more rice/noodle based.
