10 days (9 nights) Full hosted by a multilingual local guide and Anna Barnes

Day One: we meet at 8:30 am for a famous Hanoi coffee and get to know each other a little before we travel to Bac Ha for the first night in the West of North Vietnam. Enjoy beautiful scenery along the way. We stay in a locally run hotel and enjoy the hospitality and an early night.

Day Two: We visit a vibrant local market that attracts a number of ethnic minority groups from the region. Many are wearing traditional clothes of their group, foods for sale are of the local cuisine and we have plenty of sketching opportunities before heading back to Bac Ha for checkout and travel to Muong Hum.

Day Three: An early morning Sunday market. One of Anna’s favourites. The energy is relaxed and friendly. We may be lucky to see Ha Nhi women vendors, Red Dao and H’mong people going about their daily business. A morning of sketching, eating, laughing with locals and creativity. We have lunch then drive to Bat Xat.

Day Four: We have 3 full days in this area. High up in the clouds, near the Chinese boarder. Remote communities of Ha Nhi Ethnic groups. Each day is spent learning, creating and mixing with the remarkable people of the region. We enjoy the newly built locally run hotel, cool mountain breezes and delicious family style meals.

Day Five: Sketching, photographing and wandering local villages.

Day Six: Check out after breakfast and travel the incredible scenic route of terraced rice fields and North Vietnam country side to reach a farmstay overlooking the valley we will explore in the next coming days. 2 nights here, in your own cabin. We meet for sketching sessions, meals and enjoy the incredible views from the main house.

Day Seven: Explore the village of Ta Giang Phin. A H’mong community, avid stitchers and makers of handicrafts that you will want to purchase. Sit by the giant boulders riverside for relaxing sketch sessions, or visit peoples homes and sip tea with them whilst capturing a memory of a lifetime.

Day Eight: Check out after breakfast and head to Mu Cang Chai. The famous steeped rice fields of North Vietnam. If we are lucky we will catch the last of the rice harvest for the season, capture farmers and buffalo in our sketches, and sketch vistas and views that you have been dreaming about.

Day Nine: After breakfast in the eco lodge we have another day exploring the region of Mu Cang Chai.

Day Ten: A day of gorgeous views and interesting routes as we head back to Hanoi. We arrive sometime in the early evening and say farewell. Make sure you have booked a nights accomodation, or asked us to help. Take a good nights rest before onward travel, or consider joining us for the North East Vietnam Sketching Journey starting a few days later.

Small group max 8 guests ensures you will receive plenty of personal tuition during the sessions

9 nights accommodation in a private room with private bathroom

Fully hosted by Anna Barnes of Art Food Culture

9 breakfasts

10 lunches (street food, market vendors and local restaurants)

9 dinners (street food, market vendors and local restaurants)

Choose either Untutored or Ongoing creative sessions led by Anna Barnes

Vietnamese (and English speaking) Licensed International Guide on all outings

Private air-conditioned Van transport

Guided Market and Village Tours

Tips and gratuities when visiting remote village communities

Drinking Water will be made available. Please bring your own stainless steel refillable bottle. Say NO to straws and plastic bags.

International airfares

Visas

Travel insurance

Some meals (breakfast on Day 1 and Dinner of Day 10)

Beverages- alcohol and imported soft drinks 

Van snacks, be sure to stock up

Extra activities and tours organised in your free time (at your own cost)

Personal expenses, laundry, minibar, tips, extra nights accomodation etc.

Tips and gratuities (not compulsory)

Airport Transfers (ask us to help or you can organise that directly with your Hanoi accomodation)

Anything not mentioned in the Included list

• All Prices in AUD (Australian Dollars).

• Solo - Private Room & Ensuite AUD$7300 (approx. USD$4900).

• Twin - Private Room & Ensuite AUD$7200 (when booking two places at the same time twin/double bed).

• AUD $1500 non refundable deposit required to reserve your spot. (Fully refunded if Art Food Culture cancels the trip).

• Final payment of balance via our preferred payment provider WISE, your preferred bank direct transfer (EFT) or Credit Card.

• We will send payment details and confirmation before due date.

• Currencies fluctuate constantly. Please see your preferred currency conversion app for more accurate estimates.

• Balance due 120 days before commencement date.

1. Sao Mai Bac Ha 1 night

2. Nghe Nhi Sướng Mường Hùm 1 night

3. Dung Van Hotel 3 nights

4. P' Nue Ngu Chi Son Sapa Farmstays 2 nights

5. Mu Cang Chai Eco Lodge 2 nights

*may change subject to T&C. Will be of same or better standard.

We begin at 8:30am on the first day advertised. We have a warm welcome & specialty Hanoi coffee for you. It is imperative you arrive on time for our first meeting and onward travel (we will provide details upon booking).

If you need help organising your transport from your home town to Hanoi, please get in touch.

The closest airport is Hanoi. Airport code HAN. .

Onward travel and additions to your itinerary can be organised for you. Please get in touch should you wish to explore other areas of Vietnam. Anna knows them well and has many good people to connect you with.

You will be advised when minimum numbers have been reached and the trip will proceed, not less than 120 days before departure (if the trip does not reach minimum numbers you will be notified and receive a refund of your deposit).

Balance due 120 days before departure. We will send details.

North West Vietnam Temperature Range:

• Daytime temperatures generally hover around 15°C–18°C (59°F–64°F), while nights can dip toward 10°C (50°F) or lower.

• Conditions: Late October is often characterized by mist and the "sea of clouds" effect in the valleys, creating a very mystical atmosphere, with significantly less rain than earlier months.

• What to Wear: Pack layers including long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, a warm jacket for evenings, and comfortable trekking shoes.