The ancient village of Duong Lam on the outskirts of Hanoi is also known as a museum of laterite, home to around 300 houses built three or four centuries ago with lateritic bricks. The village has also been described as the last stronghold of wet rice farming culture in northern Vietnam. Duong Lam Ancient Village has a history of about 1,200 years with many houses dating back up to 400 years. It is the only place in Vietnam where two kings came from.

Enjoy the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho's final resting-palace .Just next door is Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts where he used to live in the past. Lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda

Arrive at Cuc Phuong and visit the centre of endangered species, where you can still see precious animals, such as the white shorts monkeys, fruit eating apes and tree dwelling monkeys. Go trekking to discover the incredible variety of fauna and flora that inhabit the primitive forest. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the way.

The Perfume Pagoda is located 75km south of Hanoi. This is the biggest pagoda complex, which hosts Vietnam's longest annual Buddhist festival (from the first month of the lunar calendar to third one). En route, marvel at the breathtaking mountain scenery interlaced by cool clear streams. If you really fancy a workout, you can row the boat yourself.

Hoa Lu, 100 km south of Hanoi, was the capital city of Vietnam under the Dinh Dynasty between AD 968 and AD 980. Some of the sanctuaries and tombs have survived the countless years and can still be visited today. Apart from the historical aspects, the area is also one of astounding natural beauty with limestone peaks whose splendor is often said to surpass that of Ha Long Bay. It is true that this area is often referred to as the Ha Long Bay on land

This trip to the north west highland of Vietnam - Mai Chau offers a balance of cultural and physical activity set amongst some northern Vietnam’s stunning natural landscape. We trek through villages in Mai Chau and overnight in a White Thai village where we have opportunities to observe the local lifestyle of these minority people. From the mountainous region of Mai Chau, we travel back to the nations capital, Hanoi.