Last updated: 2011-01-27

Day by day

Dag 1

Gathering at our Hotel in Hanoi. With its tree lined streets is Hanoi one of the most pleasant capitals in Asia.

Dag 2

Bus to the province Bac Ninh in the densely populated delta of Red river. You will make a 5 hour boat trip along the Cau river you will make some stops in different handicraft villages. In the last village you will get a bicycle and bicycle to a small village where you will stay in a family´s house.

Dag 3

After breakfast you leave on small roads wher you find very few tourists. You have a chance to experience the normal life of Vietnamese people living in the countryside.

Dag 4

In the morning you leave by bus and the goal is Bai Bang paper mill, built with the help of Swedish development aid during the 1970s and 1980s. In the afternoon you have time to walk around in the small town. In the streets you will see many different types of well prerserved Swedish vehicles from 1970s.

Dag 5

This day you will have a guided tour through the factory and the remains of the old Swedish camp. You will see that the factory is very well maintained and a have become a big success.

Dag 6

Bye bye Bai Bang. You travel five hours by bus to Mu Cang Chai from where the trekking will start. The first night at a hotel.

Dag 7-8

For two days will you walk in an area with some of Vietnams most beautiful rice terraces. You will pass through villages one night will you stay in a village and sleep in a private house.

Dag 9

After breakfast you take a bus in the direction of Lao Cai where you will catch a train to Hanoi. You will make a stop in the old hill station Sapa. There will be time for some food and exploration in this town where tourism is booming. You stay overnight at a in the border town Lao Cai.

Dag 10

You take the day train to Hanoi. It is not very comfortable but exciting and very entertaining.

Dag 11

Bus to Van Don Island in Bai Tu Long Bai. The area is as beautiful as Ha Long Bay and not so affected by tourism. The first night do you sleep in a hotel in Cai Rong on Van Don.

Dag 12-13

You take the morning ferry through the beautiful archipelago to the small remote island Co To. Here can you enjoy endless beautiful beaches with no people. The only guesthouse on the island is cozy and serves delicious sea-food.

Dag 14

This day you take the ferry to Quan Lan Island located half way between Co To and Van Don.

Dag 15

In the morning the ferry take you back to Van Don and then you continue by bus all the way to Hanoi. My advice is that you stay some extra nights on your own so you have time to explore this fantastic city.

Dag 16

End of tour.