Trails of Vietnam

7 nights comfortable hotels, 1 night standard hotel, 1 night boat with twin share cabins, 1 night standard homestay guesthouse, all en suite 2 nights basic house/longhouse with dormitory/shared bath, 1 night sleeper train, soft-bed berths Travel by bus, boat, sleeper train and internal flight Reasonable fitness required Remote and city locations visited

The accommodation on this Vietnam adventure reflects the extraordinary variety of the country. We spend eight nights in hotels, one night cruising Ha Long Bay in a traditional junk boat, one night in a homestay, two nights in a longhouse and one night on a sleeper train.  The accommodations typically used are on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are a few of the notable places we stay on this trip.  Sung Village and Da Bia Village: Longhouses (nights 2-3)  Experience authentic village life and hospitality with two experiential nights in traditional longhouses. We trek through native Dzao and Muong country to our overnight destinations of Sung Village and Da Bia Village, where we dine on local food − much of it you won’t find anywhere else! – and rest in shared spaces; mattresses placed across the floor with individual mosquito nets. This is communal living in the most authentic way. Hosted by hospitable local families, we gain a real insight into rural Vietnam.  Ha Long Bay: Traditional junk boat (night 5)  Board a traditional junk boat to cruise among the magnificent limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay. Each of the twin-share cabins has air conditioning and a window out to sea, while the boat has a rooftop deck with chairs – this is where most of our groups gather for views over the bay. There’s also a dining room with glass windows so we can continue to admire this extraordinary landscape during lunch and dinner.  Hanoi to Hue: Reunification Express (night 6)  Our sleeper train takes us from Hanoi to Hue – a classic journey in this part of the world. It’s an essential part of the tour, linking two special destinations without flying or a lengthy coach trip. However, trains in Vietnam are not luxurious and it’s best to come prepared to maximise your experience – we’ve found extra warm layers to combat the air conditioning and ear plugs can provide a little more comfort! We stay in mixed-gender soft-bed berths, usually four passengers per berth. The trains here are safe but, as with any trip, we recommend you keep valuables with you. Snacks are normally offered on board and most trains have Western-style facilities, but some are equipped with squat toilets.  Mekong River: Island homestay (night 12)  Our time in a guesthouse allows us to experience true Mekong hospitality, as we are looked after by local people and stay by the Mekong River. The rooms are relatively basic; bedding, a mosquito net and a small towel are provided, while there are shared bathroom facilities with a shower. The real highlight though is the hospitality of our hosts, the lush garden, and the food (homemade southern Vietnamese cuisine).  Worth knowing  Single supplements are available (on request) and only available for eight nights of the trip (hotel nights). Please advise your sales representative upon booking if you would like to request a single supplement.  The accommodation is generally of good quality, but you should also be prepared for a couple of basic nights.   Private bathroom facilities are not available at the homestay guesthouse in the Mekong Delta, the two nights at the traditional longhouses or on the sleeper train.