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ABTA and ATOL Protected
Escorted Walking Tours

Walking Trails of Vietnam


Route:
  • UK
  • Hanoi
  • Mai Chau
  • Don Village
  • Ninh Binh
  • UK
Walking Tour Pace:

9 DAYS from £1999pp

Tour Highlights
  • Embark on a guided walking tour of Hanoi's cultural sites
  • Explore rural Vietnamese villages
  • Soak in lush vistas in the Pu Luong Nature Reserve and Mai Chau Valley, an area of outstanding beauty
  • Enjoy lunch in a traditional Thai stilt house
  • Walk amongst the limestone karsts of Ninh Binh, 'Ha Long Bay on Land'

To book call us on 0330 818 8907

Walking Trails of Vietnam

Wander through terraced rice paddies and palm-clad hills as you follow northern Vietnam's scenic rural walking trails, visiting the majestic Hieu Waterfall, remote village settlements, Pu Luong Nature Reserve and spectacular Ninh Binh.

Walking Tour Itinerary

1
UK to Hanoi

Depart the UK on your scheduled, overnight flight to Hanoi.

2
Hanoi

On arrival in Hanoi, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After lunch, a walking tour of this vibrant city begins at the Ho Chi Minh Complex where the father of modern-day Vietnam declared the nation's independence in 1945. Visit sites including the Presidential Palace built by French colonialists in the early 20th century, Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House and the One Pillar Pagoda. Explore the courtyards and pavilions of the Confucian Temple of Literature then return to the lively Old Quarter to explore this bustling commercial centre on a cyclo, a three-wheel bicycle taxi. In the evening, experience the Vietnamese arts at the thousand-year-old Water Puppet Show.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
3
Hanoi to Mai Chau - Average 2 - 2.5 hours of walking including breaks

After breakfast, take a scenic drive through the Vietnamese countryside to the rural city of Mai Chau, passing rice paddies and sugar cane fields. Enjoy lunch in a traditional Thai stilt house then begin your walk to Pom Coong village where you'll have the chance to explore the village. Follow gravel tracks and small paths used by the locals and soak in the verdant, rugged mountain scenery as you observe daily village life. In the afternoon, check into your lodge and enjoy dinner later this evening.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
4
Mai Chau - Average 4 hours of walking including breaks

Follow flat, local roads on today's walk to Xo Village, passing tropical rainforests and rippling corn fields as you journey through the Mai Chau Valley. Gain fascinating insight into local life as you encounter villagers herding buffalo, tilling the fields and logging. Arrive in Xo Village for lunch then continue on for another hour, taking in incredible scenery and lush greenery before arriving at your endpoint where your bus will carry you back to Mai Chau. Arrive in Mai Chau in the early afternoon, with the rest of the day at leisure.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
5
Mai Chau to Don Village - Average 1.5 hours of walking including breaks

Following breakfast, you will be transferred to Pu Luong Nature Reserve via a breath-taking mountain pass which offers panoramic views of the valley. Pu Luong, meaning 'highest peak of the village', is an area of outstanding beauty boasting palm-clad hills, terraced rice paddies and small, sleepy settlements. On arrival at your retreat nestled in the middle of the reserve, check in and enjoy lunch and free time for you to enjoy your tranquil setting. In the afternoon, travel by bus to a suspension bridge over the Cham River, where you begin your walk in search of the mighty water wheels dotted along the river's length. Get an up-close look at the handmade bamboo water wheels and discover how water is moved from the river to these skilfully crafted aqueducts. Continue on to a local fisherman's house and board a river raft for a guided trip along the Cham River. Sail at a leisurely pace down the river before arriving at the Tan Lap Bridge, where towering trees rise from the river to form a tunnel of greenery. Transfer back to your hotel for dinner.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
6
Don Village - Average 4.5 hours of walking including breaks

This morning, descend into the beautiful valley facing the retreat. Walk past cascading rice terraces and along small paths shrouded in vegetation as a picturesque village reveals itself at the base of a towering mountain. Continue to the base of the valley, weaving between roads, farmland, wild fields and ponds until you reach a scenic spot where you'll enjoy a picnic lunch. After your meal, enjoy some free time to explore the village and observe local daily life and customs. Journey onward to your pick-up point for your transfer back to the retreat.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
7
Don Village - Average 4 hours of walking including breaks

Transfer to Bang Village, the starting point of your walk to Kho Muong Village. Set out on your walk, reaching an excellent vantage point which provides magnificent views. Carry onward into the village which surrounded by a huge mountain range and visit a local family to learn more about their lifestyle and culture. After a picnic lunch and a stroll around the village, visit the nearby bat cave where you'll have the chance to explore its depths and encounter its resident bats if you choose (proper shoes and torch are required). Journey onward through a picturesque natural reserve as you head to Dong Dieng village where you will be picked up and transfer back to your hotel.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
8
Don Village to Ninh Binh

After breakfast, a coach carries you to the province of Ninh Binh, home to some of Vietnam's most impressive limestone scenery. En route, stop to take photographs of local villages and spectacular rural landscapes before lunch at a local restaurant and check-in at your hotel. This afternoon, board a traditional 'sampan' wooden boat and glide through the water, admiring the enormous limestone karsts jutting out from the green rice fields on the water's edge, giving rise to the area's other name - 'Halong on Land'. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure for you to explore the area around your hotel or relax before tonight's farewell dinner marks the end of your Vietnamese adventure.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
9
Ninh Binh to the UK

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK, or continue on to your extension.

  • Breakfast

Your Meals

Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Lunch and dinner will be taken in local Vietnamese restaurants or at your accommodation. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.

Included in your Walking Tour

In addition to wonderfully scenic walking trails, we've included a number of features with your comfort, convenience and safety in mind:

All walks and treks are led by a knowledgeable, local, English-speaking guide and accompanied by a back marker, with well-timed rest stops and picnic breaks factored into all itineraries.
While we can never guarantee weather conditions, departure dates have been carefully selected in order to avoid extreme weather conditions, such as severe heat, cold or rain.
Enjoy comfortable, hand-picked accommodation with all meals provided; packed meals may be provided for long walks and treks.
Baggage is always transported to your next hotel or lodging with porterage included.
A wide selection of extensions is available at the end of your tour, giving you time to relax and unwind or explore your destination further.
Once you've booked your tour, a comprehensive dossier will be sent to you with a more detailed day-by-day itinerary, flight details, visa requirements and helpful information on what to pack.

Important Information

Visas

For UK citizens a visa for Vietnam is only required for stays longer than 15 days or for multi entry visits. This is soon to change to 45 days from the 15th August. You can apply for an e-visa online at https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Alternatively, we work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa for you on your behalf. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding visas and passport validity. This visa information is a guide line only and is subject to change; up-to date information regarding the process and fees will be advised at the time of calling the Travel Visa Company. Please note, Irish citizens must accquire a visa when travelling to Vietnam, so please follow the above information to obtain a visa.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

Payment

If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of £250pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

Flight Information

Your flight is to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi with Vietnam Airlines (VN) departing from London Heathrow Terminal 4. Baggage allowance (per person): Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage.
Hand luggage: One piece of hand baggage and one accessory not exceeding 12kg total weight for both. The total dimension of one hand baggage item must not exceed 115cm (56cm x 36cm x 23cm). The total dimension of one accessory must not exceed 40cm x 30cm x 15cm. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in.
IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you.

Health and Vaccinations

It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.

Physical Accessibility

During this walking holiday walks will average 2-3 hours daily. Walks will be along varied, flat, level terrain, with some inclines and will range from village trails through the countryside to rainforest walks. This holiday requires a reasonable level of fitness. If you are in any doubt as to the tours suitability, please speak to your GP as soon as possible as this is a physical holiday.

Group Size

The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 8, and the maximum will be 18. If in the unlikely event there are less than 8 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.

Tour Guide

This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your national guide who will remain with you for the duration of your trip. You will also be joined by a backmarker on each of your walks.

Currency Information

The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong, known as VND. You can exchange your currency in Vietnam, however, US Dollars are widely accepted in Vietnam should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you.

Personal Expenses

You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £200 - £300 per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour. It is customary to tip both your driver and guide approximately £5.00 ($6.00) per person per day in total. This will be collected at the end of each destination visited for your convenience. Tipping for the porters at your hotels will be at your discretion. Tips are accepted in the local currency, US dollars and British pounds.

Tour Dates & Prices

Depart UKArrive UKPrice
2024 Dates
30 Apr 202409 May 2024SOLD OUT

Included in the Price

  • Local English-speaking Guides
  • Scheduled Flights from the UK.
  • All internal travel including air-conditioned/heated transportation.
  • Accommodation, meals as specified and entry fees to all sights.
  • All airport taxes and security charges.

Additional Expenses

  • Visas
  • Insurance
  • Tips
  • Any meals not specified in your itinerary

What to expect

Fact File
Currency

Dong

Average Flying time

12 hours

Min/Max temperature

16 °C / 30 °C

Spoken languages

Vietnamese

When to go

There is a distinct summer and winter season in North Vietnam, Hanoi and surrounding areas. The cool but mostly dry winter lasts from November to April when temperatures are around 17 to 22 degrees with the coldest months being January through to March. Summer is from May until October where it can be hot and humid with high rainfall. July to September are often the wettest months. A light rain jacket or small umbrella are recommended year-round.

Hanoi

Mai Chau

Ninh Binh

What to pack
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Hat
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Camera and charger
  • An electric plug converter
  • Loo paper for public WCs
  • Binoculars
  • Sunglasses
  • Water Bottle
  • Anti-bacterial hand wash
  • Rucksack to use during walks
  • Waterproofs
  • Fleece
  • Water bottle
Customer Rating:
10/10
Martin Clarke
27th Nov 2019

Enjoyed all the hotels/lodges. All different with excellent staff.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
Elizabeth Allen
18th Oct 2019

Excellent and interesting not just the boring run of the mill.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
Mark Weeds
13th May 2019

All hotels were very good

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
E Vince
29th Mar 2019

Vinh our tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly, funny and very efficient. Apart from when he was out of contact with us know one had his number.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
Eric Vince
22nd Mar 2019

All the staff at each of the hotels were very polite and always appeared happy.
Each hotel, or lodge had its own character and atmosphere. They were quite varied but all gave excellent service.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
Rachel Hadwin
4th Mar 2019

All of the hotels were lovely and clean and staff very friendly. We had a fantastic time and would not hesitate to do it all again. Our guild Vinnie was great and was very informative about local history and people.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
E Buchanan
30th Jan 2019

Our guide (Do Dinh Vinh) made the holiday loved the walking brilliant.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
L Rowe
30th Nov 2018

The hotels were first class and would recommend to friends. The holiday was amazing.
(Vinnie) Mr Vinn was a fantastic guide and informed us of many local customs. He was passionate about his country and we loved it.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
Judith Coward
21st Nov 2018

All the hotels chosen were of a high standard. Staff were excellent, hospitable, nothing was too much for them. The food was also of a high standard, the portions were really very big!
I especially enjoyed being at Pu Luong..as you described it as...."breathtaking" absolutely amazing!
The hotels were clean and had good facilities.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
Maureen Fofanah
11th Nov 2018

The tour went smooth, the guide was excellent, knowledgeable, entertaining and kept us safe, pointing out thinks we should and not do. Mercury holidays provided a well thought out holiday with no problems . As the first group to go on this holiday I would say it was well worth the money. The experiences were great, the hotels were exceptional , the spread and diversity of Vietnam was all included in this holiday. I must say my best memories were of the walking holiday, trekking up and down inclines, experiencing the lives of the people in the mountains. The chaos of Han Hoi , the mopeds , with 3 or 4 people on the back and the secret of crossing the road. I am sure you have plenty of tour guides which to choose from but Vinnie was exceptional able to be the best go between , between cultures East and West. I would recommend this holiday again and again 5 star
All the hotels were exceptional especially the retreat in the hills, forget its name but had panoramic views of the mountains and paddy fields. The little boutique hotel in Hoi An was superb with the manager Paul taking an interest in us , enjoying an evening with the 3 of us who decided to stay at the resort. The other hotels were good no complaints. He wanted to know about the tour and who we were travelling with as he got the booking through an agent. We gave him a copy of Mercury brochure as he wanted to know how his hotel was described.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Tour Map
Walking Trails of Vietnam Route Map
Tour Dossiers
Extensions
  • Vietnam
    Hoi An Beach Stay

    5 nights from £499pp

    View
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Hotels & Accommodation

Extensions

Hoi An Beach Stay
Tour Route
  • London
  • Saigon
  • Can Tho
  • Hanoi
  • Halong Bay
  • Hoi An Beach
  • London

Extend your trip in Vietnam with a 4-night stay on the stunning beach just outside Hoi An, a beautifully authentic town where hundreds of tailors line the narrow low-rise streets and riverside cafes overlook the waterside edge.

This add-on must be taken at the end of the main tour.

5 nights
from £499pp
View Tour + Extension
View Tour + Extension