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This will be the third year we’re offering this trip: the itinerary is so popular with our travelers we’ve only made minor tweaks from year to year. The wide variety of culinary and cultural experiences, and exotic landscapes makes this an unforgettable journey. Without exception, everyone loves our local guide, a mother of two whose tribe and extended family live in Sapa, while she is based in Hanoi.
For so many in the U.S. and Canada, Vietnam brings to mind black and white images of rice paddies, helicopters, the war, beaches, and soldiers. But those who haven’t visited this enchanting, beautiful country are in for a surprise. Nowhere will you feel more welcome, like your preconceptions shaped by old movies and the war-era press need an update. Today Vietnam is a modern, technologically advanced country that has managed to preserve its history and culture, with some areas recognized as UNESCO world heritage sites.
NextTribe members receive a $100 discount on the trip. Find out more here.
More than 50 years since the end of what locals call “the American War,” this destination has become a must-see for anyone interested in a mix of exotic and familiar tastes, sights and sounds. Visitors are often surprised at how genuinely friendly Vietnamese people are, especially after all of the hardships they had to overcome during and after the war. We’ll have the chance to meet local women as we explore in depth the riches and natural wonders of northern Vietnam. We'll start and end in Hanoi, visiting rural communities in the hill tribe town of Sapa, and spending time on the bay with closeup views of the famous “gumdrop mountains,” the limestone karsts that are picture perfect.
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Here we'll find breathtaking landscapes--some of which have been named among the most beautiful in the world--including terraced rice fields, lush valleys and rugged mountain peaks. We'll also find local ethnic minority groups, such as the Hmong, Red Tzao and Tay people.
Why did we choose Northern Vietnam? The temperatures are much more moderate, with less humidity. Old Hanoi (where our hotel is located) has narrow lanes, French-colonial balconies, lakes, pagodas, and a strong sense of old Vietnam; it feels more traditional than Ho Chi Minh City. NIghtlife here is families out strolling around the lakes, vs the clubs, beaches and bar scenes in the southern part of the country. Heading north from Hanoi we can travel part rice terraces, visit the hill tribes, and cruise along a beautiful quiet bay.
Please note that this is a sample itinerary. Accommodations and activities may change but we will always replace them with something of equal or better value.
The warm, welcoming Vietnamese people who are genuinely interested in meeting foreigners and practicing their English!
The wide variety of experiences in the itinerary, from a water puppet show to riding on bicycles and scooters (just like the locals!) to climbing up to temples and pagodas to relaxing in some great hotel spas!
An ideal mix of experiences and activities and down time to absorb it all.
A knowledgeable, wonderful guide whose stories of her life make the trip unforgettable.
Egg Coffee and Egg Chocolate. Sounds awful, we know. But everybody wants the recipe so they can make it at home!
This is Jeannie Edmunds third time leading this trip and she is thrilled to be returning to Vietnam. She lived in Korea for 2 years as a CNN reporter and has traveled widely in Asia, but Vietnam captured her heart when she took a group there in 2024.
This trip wouldn't be the same without having a cheerful, thoughtful, lovely Vietnamese guide. Li May Pham was born near Sapa and is a member of the Dao hill tribe. She has led trips all over Vietnam for the last 20 years for companies like Abercrombie & Kent, and Nat Geo. She knows the history and culture of Vietnam of course, but it's her personal insights and experience as a Vietnamese woman that makes the trip so memorable.
Hanoi
On arrival, a group or private driver (your choice) will meet you and take you directly to the hotel, located in the heart of Hanoi’s bustling Old Town. The rooftop’s gorgeous bar is THE place to see the spectacle that is Hanoi at night, a sea of blazing lights and buzzing streets.
After everyone arrives, we will have a welcome dinner at a restaurant in the old town, walking distance from the hotel..
Hanoi
Wake up this morning and enjoy a spectacular breakfast at your hotel. You've never seen a buffet like this one! We'll spend the morning exploring the Frog Temple, The Huc Bridge on Hoan Kiem Lake.
We will have lunch before you may want to remain at the hotel's spa for a treatment, or join the group who want to discover the secrets of traditional Vietnamese pottery. In this half-day pottery class, we’ll learn how to make clay creations from a master artisan direct from Bat Trang, one of the country’s oldest ceramics villages. Get personalized guidance and answers to all your questions in this private session. Another option, if you choose not to do pottery, is to spend time in the Women's Museum.
Those interested in shopping can join the stroll through Hanoi's Old Quarter, through the various market streets: too many to name here, but there is "paper street" "Christmas street" and many more. These markets are alive with sights and sounds of Vietnamese culture. We will sample local treats finishing the evening with a street food classis egg cappuccino. You don't want to miss the famous egg coffee, a favorite of Anthony Bourdain.
Those who signed up for the cooking class will begin by meeting our Chef and boarding a cyclo for a tour where you to discover a big part of the Vietnamese street food culture. This includes visiting a local market and being introduced to many of the local ingredients used. Class will include learning how to prepare and make delicious recipes.
Your day will be free for shopping, massage or swimming/relaxing at the infinity pool on the roof of the hotel.
In the evening, we will walk back to the Hoan Kiem Lake area for a traditional Water Puppet Show .
After breakfast we’ll head to the northern highlands and the town of Sapa (5.5 hours with stops along the way). Though the first part will be on smooth, paved highways, the latter portion crosses through the agricultural province of Yen Bai, which is full of rice terraces - the most famous of which is at Mu Cang Chai - and beautiful lakes and dams. En route we’ll stop for lunch, then arrive in Sapa by early evening.
We’ll spend three nights at the lovely, centrally located Silk Path Hotel. Here we’ll enjoy dinner before hitting the sack!
Sapa town stands at the head of a deep valley of magnificent rice terraces that are still farmed today as they have been for centuries. Backdrops don’t get much more spectacular. Nestled in the misty mountains, this rice terrace region is quite different from the rest of hot, humid Vietnam. In fact in November we can expect chilly weather!
Northwest Vietnam is famous for its stunning natural landscapes, lush terraced rice fields, diverse culture of different minority groups, especially unique bustling local markets. For those who love to explore the ethnic culture, learn more about the local daily life and enjoy nature beauty by visiting one of the best local markets.
Sapa
After breakfast, we'll meet our H’mong guide and a bus will transfer us to the path leading to Y Linh Ho Village, where we will begin our trek. After 12 km of of trekking, we arrive at Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages of the H’mong minority.
The trek is 2-3 hours, 12 km, moderate difficulty. Non-trekkers can take the funicular to the mountaintop, explore Sapa town, or swim, soak, have a massage or spa treatment at the hotel.
After lunch at a local family-run restaurant in Lao Chai, we keep on hiking to Ta Van village of the Dzay minority people. After a visit, our bus will pick us up and return us to our hotel in Sapa.
Sapa
Today we’ll visit Silver Waterfalls and take in panorama views of Hoang Lien Son Mountain, Tram Ton Pass from Heaven Gate. Return to Sapa town for lunch and move to Ta Phin Village for lunch at May Pham's homestay. Time after will be spent walking around the village and interacting with local people.
We’ll return to Sapa for a free evening.
Enjoy a leisurely morning before departing late morning for Ninh Binh. We'll stop for lunch along the way and spend the evening in Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh
Today we'll set out on a three hour river cruise through the Trang An area.
We'll float through multiple grottos, dark caves filled with stalactites and picturesque green canals.
After lunch you'll learn the Vietnamese craft of embroidery in a 90 minute private class and enjoy a short trip to the ancietn city of Trang An.
Ninh Binh
This morning, we'll set out on a beautiful bike ride through the countrysideto Bich Dong, known as Vietnam's 2nd most beautiful grotto. Along the way, we'll be treated to beautiful scenery including mountains, rice fields and pagodas.
After lunch we'll continue by bicycle to Mua Cave and climb to the top of the mountain with panoramic views of the Tam Coc area. Also on the aganda today is a visit to Hoa Lu, Vietnam's former capitol with the ruins of ancient temples.
Nin Binh
After breakfast, we'll enjoy a scenic drive, 2.5 hours to the beautiful Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam's oldest, which boasts enchanting scenery, rich ecosystems and imortant archeological sites.
Visit the Endangered Primates Rescue Center, enjoy lunch in the park, and discover its rich ecosystem, including a 1,000-year-old sequoia and a prehistoric cave.
Afterward, tour the Four Paws Bear Sanctuary before returning to the hotel for an à la carte dinner and overnight stay.
Here’s a condensed, detailed version of your itinerary:
Today begins with a 3.5-hour drive to UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay, known for its thousands of limestone islands. At Tuan Chau Marina, board the Mon Chéri Cruise and enjoy a welcome briefing before indulging in a fresh seafood lunch as you sail toward the stunning Lan Ha Bay.
In the afternoon, explore the tranquil Tra Bau area by kayak or relax in the onboard Jacuzzi. Enjoy a sunset cooking demonstration and Happy Hour on the deck before a beautifully prepared dinner. End the evening with cocktails, spa options, stargazing, or squid fishing before settling in for the night onboard.
Sailing, Swimming & Kayaking
Begin the morning with a sunrise Tai Chi session followed by breakfast. Transfer to a day boat to explore the quieter areas of Lan Ha Bay, or relax onboard if you prefer. Visit Viet Hai Village by bicycle or electric cart, passing through rainforest and limestone landscapes before learning about traditional local life.
Enjoy lunch on the day boat as you continue to a peaceful spot for kayaking and swimming. Return to Mon Chéri Cruise in the late afternoon to unwind in the Jacuzzi, sip your favorite drinks, and enjoy Happy Hour while watching the sunset. Take part in a Vietnamese spring roll cooking demonstration before dinner.
Begin the morning with a sunrise Tai Chi session, followed by breakfast while cruising back to Gia Luan jetty. We'll visit Cat Ba Island’s Trung Trang Cave, a stunning limestone formation with thousands of stalactites and a unique cave ecosystem, for a guided tour.
After brunch and a leisurely morning, we'll disembark Mon Chéri Cruise and transfer to Tuan Chau Marina, then drive back to Hanoi, arriving in the afternoon for an overnight stay at the same hotel where our adventure began.
Today is yours to enjoy and to shop and explore in Hanoi.
This evening, we'll share one last farewell dinner together.
Depart Hanoi
Transfer to airport for flights home or further adventures.
"This was my favorite NextTribe trip. The ability to experience a country and history so unlike ours. To be immersed in the culture and daily lives of the people. It was like going back in time and feeling like everyday brought something absolutely magical to behold. It was a trip I will cherish forever."
Tee A.
"Vietnam was nothing short of an epic trip for me - the sights, the smells, the spas and the food. One of the biggest blessings of this trip were the wonderful women that I traveled with. I came home with 13 new friends - a few of which I will be traveling with in Morocco and Italy. How fun is that?"
Delcy B.
Inclusions
14 Nights Lodging
12 Dinners
12 Lunches
14 Breakfasts
Ground Transportation
Airport Transfers (Not included if you arrive more than a day early or extend your trip)
All activities noted in the itinerary
Exclusions
Roundtrip Airfare
Alcohol not mentioned above
Travel Insurance
Passport & Visa Fees
Gratuities to local guides, drivers, maids and hotel staff
Personal Items such as laundry, baggage fees, etc.
Arrive in Hanoi (HAN) by Monday, Nov. 9th at 3:00 PM
Most flights to Hanoi arrive late in the evening or night. Many of our travelers on past trips chose to arrive one day early to acclimate and rest. If you want to do that, you can arrive any time on Sunday, Nov. 8th.
We have an "add-on" purchase for that extra night. You can add that later, once you make your travel plans.
NextTribe will arrange your transfer to the hotel.
Depart from Hanoi (HAN) Monday, November 23rd
Next Tribe will arrange your transport to the airport.
We require all international travelers to purchase travel insurance. We strongly recommend adding trip protection insurance to protect your investment. (Scroll down for more details about insurance)
A visa is required for US Citizens visiting Vietnam. We will walk you through this process. Please make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the trip.
You will be receiving periodic communications from us leading up to departure with other important details included. If you have any questions, you can contact our travel manager, Marcy, at travel@nexttribe.com
Next Tribe requires all international travelers to purchase travel insurance.
Travel insurance can be a helpful and valuable resource to pack! It can protect the investment of your trip and you while traveling.
We partner with Wanderwell, a Certified B Corporation travel insurance provider that makes it as simple as possible by not overwhelming you with options.
They offer just a few modern, benefit-packed trip protection plans that can cover the most common travel perils related to trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, travel Medical Expenses, baggage & personal effects, Emergency Medical Evacuation, and more.
Click Here to create quotes and purchase a plan through Wanderwell from our partner page.
If you prefer to talk to someone, please email support@gowanderwell.com. They will set up a phone call with you and can answer your questions.
For most of history, women past child-bearing years were basically put out to pasture. This was happening even in our mothers’ time. We call bullshit on that. We believe we are at a peak in so many ways and are devoted to helping women our age live the richest, most kick-ass lives possible.
We do that by informing, promoting and connecting women–through our magazine, through our member community and through the transformative experiences of travel.
So many travel choices…so little time. You could spend days and days trying to put together just the right combination of destination, activities, and price.
Or you could stop shopping and start traveling with us for something that feels like the greatest girlfriend trip ever–even if you come solo. We specialize in experiences that deeply connect you to other women–travelers and locals–and create life-lasting memories. Experiences you can’t get on your own. And do it all with flexible payment options.
For more information, please contact our travel manager at travel@nexttribe.com