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. 

REMEMBER: We offer easy, interest-free monthly payments to make our trips more accessible. 

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.