A bit of hindsight pertains to the dynamics of this particular tour. The fact that only four people were on it created a developing problem. It’s always been our practice not to travel with good friends and/or acquaintances. What begins as a pleasant relationship “usually” undergoes a drastic change from spending morning, noon and night with two strangers. A group tour usually has between 10-16 people making it easy to move from person-to-person, discuss new and old subjects, and bond with those you have the greatest affinity.

It’s also easier for the tour leader to exact a firmer control and John wasn’t experienced enough to know how to go about this. With only two besides us, strained relationships developed that culminated in not being on speaking terms the last two days without goodbyes by any of us! Unfortunate.

If you don’t care to watch the video below, this is the rest of my “take” on Northwest Vietnam. Briefly, stick to the “boiler plate” tourist routes and don’t get sucked into the “true adventure” and “miss the influx of tourists” selling points. It is not by any stretch of the imagination a “true adventure.” The hotels were pretty darn good and there are masses of tourists visiting because it is supposed to be a “true adventure.”

Highlights:

- The Mai Chau longhouse homestay. Nothing to really see or do there but we liked it and would still include;

- Sapa. Even though overrun with tourists from everywhere, it’s still great fun and I wouldn’t think of missing it…View image…;

Dao minority in Sapa, Northwest Vietnam
- The Bac Ha Market. …View image… If the prior posts on Bac Ha haven’t convinced you that this is one of most colorful markets in the world, what can I say; and

Flower Hmong in the Bac Ha Market, Northwest Vietnam
- The wonderful people of Vietnam.

Tay/Thai minority woman in Vietnam 

Hmong on a hill in Vietnam 

Always a “hello” from the Vietnamese children
Two other Vietnam highlights:

- Hanoi. Love that noisy, bustling city with so much to see; and

- Ha Long Bay. Do it, but you can manage nicely with just a day tour.

One Definite and One Possible Miss:

- Avoid Lai Chau. You’ll see the same people along the road. Save yourself a bad road journey and spend the time elsewhere; and

- Possibly miss Dien Bien Phu & Son La unless you are a history buff and have the time. It was very informative and we learned quite a bit about Vietnam history but there are too many other places to visit.

Watch the video below for other suggestions and have a wonderful time wherever you go and whatever you do.

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