Hiking in Northern Vietnam

• Accommodation: 5 Superior nights (1 eco-retreat, 2 bungalow, 2 hotel), 6 Classic nights (hotels), 1 Simple night (homestay)
• Travel by private air-conditioned bus
• Group normally 4 to 12, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

Thanks to the tropical climate, long coast and mountains, Vietnam is blessed with numerous culinary offerings and 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.

Due to its northern location, Sapa, Hoang Su Phi and Bac Ha are cooler than the rest of Vietnam. The driest months here 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). The highlands of northern Vietnam are well-known for their 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.

Boat trips: The Lan Ha Bay cruise and ferry to/from Cat Ba island are 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.

This trip is rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Suitability: Hikes on the trip are relatively low altitude, but you need a good level of fitness.

Route: The terrain is varied but is mostly on dirt paths, with some tarmac. Many of the hikes involve going up/down steep hills. It can be hot from September to November. We do not schedule the trip during the very hot summers.

Travel: To explore remote landscapes, we need to drive along mountainous roads that can be windy/slower to drive on.