"Home is where the heart is..." a Vietnam Travel Page by dragon-girl

Even though it's my brother's wedding at December 26 in Hanoi (www.meliahanoi.com), I still hope to get a glimpse of the mountain area in North-Vietnam.

For all trekking and sightseeing tours in Hanoi surroundings: head to Handspan Adventure Travel (www.handspan.com). A bit pricier than the average travel agency, but so worth the extra money! I did a few tours with other companies and always felt like a walking money belt, twisted around by a guide who barely spoke understandable English. At HandSpan, it's not just empty promises: they offer high-quality tours in really small groups, all guides seem to be a bit more educated and speak English fluently.
I enjoyed the Sapa Intermediate trek (3 days) and the Dragon's Pearl Cruise (night on-board of a Chinese junk) in 2002. Last year we did the North West expedition, really something off the beaten track, through mountain passes with incredible views, passing by minority villages. Just the 6 of us in a big jeep. Oh, and my brother's fiancée is the driver's niece ;-)