Erlebnis Vietnam

[die Tourbeschreibung ist momentan nur auf Englisch verfügbar]

Day 1:
Hanoi.

Today is an arrival day. The pre departure meeting will take place in the hotel foyer at 6pm. This gives you a chance to meet the local Kumuka tour leader and it also means that you will be able to get to know the other people who will be in your group during the tour. After the meeting, your guide will accompany you to one of Hanoi’s many fine restaurants for a welcome dinner. (D)

Day 2:
Hanoi to Hoa Binh.

If you are an early riser, do not miss the opportunity to take a walk around the lake first thing where you will witness Vietnamese people of all ages carrying out their regular exercise routines. Tai Chi, badminton, power walking or jogging are some of the activities on show. If you have the energy, why not join in.

We will spend the morning in Hanoi visiting some of the city’s highlights; Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Temple of Literature and the Museum of Ethnology. Hanoi’s history dates back almost a thousand years, and during this time it has seen a host of emperors come and go, and at one time even lost its status as the nation’s capital. The city’s temples and pagodas reflect a strong Chinese influence, but with the coming of the French at the end of the 19th century, Hanoi gained a new lease of life and the European influence can be seen in the elegant colonial buildings lining the broad tree-lined boulevards. Although Hanoi’s population is today nearing 4 million, it still has the feeling of a small town, particularly in and around the Old Quarter.

Following lunch we drive 14 km to the Ho Chi Minh Trail museum. While we are visiting the museum our bikes will be unloaded from the support vehicle in preparation for our ride to Hoa Binh. Arriving in Hoa Binh, we will check into our hotel and have some free time to either explore the town or visit one of South East Asia’s largest dams.

The province of Hoa Binh is located in the mountainous region to the south of Hanoi in north central Vietnam. Elevation rarely exceeds 700m, but the climate is hot & humid with high levels of precipitation during the rainy season. (B,L,D)

Day 3:
Hoa Binh – Mai Chau Valley Ethnic Minorities (Lac Village).

This morning our ride gets a little more challenging as we pass over the Cun mountain range and into the beautiful Mai Chau valley. Cycling down and into Mai Chau we will continue the short distance to Poong Con or Lac Village where we will spend the night. This afternoon there will be time to explore the surrounding area and meet the local community on our bikes before returning to the traditional home of our hosts where we spend the night.

Mai Chau is located in the Hoa Binh province, approximately 135kms from Hanoi & 60kms from Hoa Binh. From the top of Cun Mountain, it is possible to get a panoramic view of Mai Chau surrounded by a green valley and stilt houses.

We cycle for approximately 65kms today. (B,L,D)

Day 4:
Mai Chau Valley Ethnic Minority Villages (Sa Linh & Hang Kia Villages).

After breakfast, we bid our hosts farewell and cycle to the White Thai village of Sa Linh. From here we leave our bikes with the support vehicle and commence our 2-hour trek to the village of Hang Kia. Our hosts for this evening will be the H’mong minority people. Whilst enjoying their hospitality, we will discover a little more about their lives and culture and enjoy some fantastic home-cooking. Hang Kia village is situated in a picturesque valley of peach orchards.

The H’Mong (Mong) are concentrated in Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Lai Chau, Son La, Cao Bang and Nghe An provinces.

Each lineage lives within a group setting. The head of the village assumes the common affairs for the lineage. Young Mong men and women are free to choose their partners. Marriages are absolutely forbidden between men and women of the same lineage. Matrimonial life of the Mong is very harmonious and divorce is very rare. The Mong make their clothes from linen. Women's attire consists of a skirt, a blouse that opens at the front and has embroidery on the back, an apron to cover the skirt at the front, and leggings. The Mong live mainly on slash-and-burn cultivation. They also grow rice and corn on terraced fields. Their principal food plants are corn, rice, and rye. Apart from these crops, they also grow medicinal plants and linen plants to supply the fibres for cloth weaving. (B,L,D)

Day 5:
Mai Chau Valley Ethnic Minority Villages (Van Village).

Today we get well and truly off the beaten track as we trek through tropical rain forest, using local tracks and passing through vibrant cornfields as we descend into Mai Chau Valley. On the way we will encounter the local villagers as they go about their daily business, whether it be tilling the fields, logging or herding buffalo. The trek will take around 6-7 hours, covering about 11kms, and is quite steep in places. Lunch will be provided en route and, weather permitting, we will have a picnic near a scenic stream at the foot of the valley. From here we continue through several White Thai villages, meeting the local communities along the way. These villages rarely receive foreign visitors – so you will certainly be a novelty! We will arrive at Van village by late afternoon, home to the Thai people. Tonight we will be their guests in one of their traditional stilt houses. There, we will be toasted as honored guests and will sample some of their homemade rice wine.

The Thai are concentrated in Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Hoa Binh, and Nghe An provinces.

The Thai worship their ancestors, the heavens, the earth, ban, and "muong". They also hold rituals to pray for good crops. The Thai live in houses built on stilts. A Thai man first lives with his wife's family for several years until the couple has a child; they then move to the house of the husband's family. The Thai organize funerals as a farewell party to see off the dead to the other world.

The Thai language belongs to the Tay-Thai Group. They have a valuable legacy of myths, legends, ancient tales, versed stories, and folksongs. They like to sing and recite the "khap" along with the accompaniment of string instruments and a dance performance. Their folk dances such as "Xoe", "Sap", "Han Khuong", and "Con" are reflection of the Thai's unique cultural characteristics.

The men have adopted the Kinh's clothing style, while Thai women have retained their traditional clothes which include short vests, long black skirts, scarves, and ornaments

The Thai are experienced in cultivating rice and orchards. They also breed cattle and poultry, make bamboo articles, weave cloth, and produce ceramic ware. (B,L,D)

Day 6:
Mai Chau Valley Ethnic Minority Villages (Sam Khoe & Poong Con Villages).

Following breakfast, we will trek for two hours (approx 6kms) to Sam Khoe where we meet with our supporting crew for another bike ride. We will ride to Poong Con Village ( 23kms – approx 2 hours), stopping along the way at a local school, and then commencing our downhill descent through thick forests, returning to the valley floor. Arriving at our destination around lunchtime we will have time to freshen up, before exploring the local area. Following the evening meal we will be entertained by the local people as they perform traditional song and dance, but be warned, you will be expected to perform a song from your homeland! (B,L,D)

Day 7:
Mai Chau – Hanoi.

After breakfast we will return to Hanoi by support vehicle and drive back to Hanoi for our free afternoon to explore Hanoi. (B)

Day 8:
Hanoi – Halong Bay

We depart from the capital for Halong Bay, approximately three hours away. En route we have a short stop at the Sao Dao center run for and by handicapped children. Upon arrival at Halong Bay (approx. midday) we will transfer to our luxury junk boat. Once we have settled in we can begin our cruise around majestic Halong Bay accompanied by a delicious seafood lunch. After lunch we have the chance to explore some of the limestone caves dotted around the bay. Then our captain will find a secluded spot where we can swim in the clear water of the bay, soak up the sun on the top deck or try our hand at some kayaking. After we have finished exploring for the day we retire to the junk, for sunbathing, reading or a refreshing drink from the bar. In the evening our cook will prepare a splendid meal of fresh seafood and traditional Vietnamese fare as we weigh anchor in the heart of the bay. For those that are interested - there is the opportunity to do a spot of night fishing from the boat.

Halong Bay was designated a World Heritage Site in 1994, and covers an area of 1,500 square kms. Halong Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, has more than a thousand limestone peaks rising up from its emerald waters, and this area is viewed as one of the natural wonders of Vietnam. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. The site's outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest. (B,L,D)

Please note that depending on the size of our group, there may be people from other tours sharing the junk boat with us.

Day 9:
Halong Bay

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. For those that wish to do some more kayaking you have the option of spending most of the morning with your kayaks before lunch on board the junk. The kayaks are lightweight and easy to use and in keeping with our safety policies - all participants will be required to wear buoyancy vests. The junk will act as a back up vessel following us at all times. In the afternoon we move around the bay at a leisurely pace stopping to view some more caves. As the sun begins to set - why not relax in the games room with a refreshing drink. This evening, another tasty meal will be served on board. (B,L,D)

Day 10:
Halong Bay – Hanoi

This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas to either swim or kayak. At midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our waiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi. We should be back in the capital at around 3pm. The rest of the afternoon is free at leisure. This evening we will go out for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 11:
Hanoi

The tour ends after breakfast. If you are spending extra time in Hanoi, or have time until your onward flight, you may like to visit the bustling, narrow streets of the Old Quarter, each street specialising in one particular product, or perhaps opt for some cultural sights such as the Museum of Ethnology dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic minority peoples. Perhaps you could visit Hoa Lo prison, formerly known by its inmates as 'The Hanoi Hilton'. We suggest visiting the museum of Ethnology before visiting Mai Chau. Some of its more notable guests included Senator John McCain and Douglas Peterson, the first post-war US Ambassador to Vietnam. You could stroll around the French quarter where many of the Embassies are located. Maybe a shopping expedition in the old quarter or just relaxing around one of the many parks and lakes that makes Hanoi one of Asia’s greenest cities. (B)