Vietnam

Beginning in Hanoi and ending in Ho Chi Minh City, this tour takes us on a journey through Vietnam where we can enjoy some of its beautiful mountains and beaches, and visit the craft producers who supply Traidcraft.

In Hanoi we visit the offices of Traidcraft's partner Craft Link, where we will have the chance to see their product showroom. We then head to Mai Chau, a beautiful village built entirely on stilts where we will stay for the night, experiencing a traditional rural way of life. On our way back to Hanoi we visit one of Craft Link's producer groups in their workshops.

We then head to Halong Bay where we stay the night on a junk, soaking up some of the awe-inspiring vistas and exploring hidden lagoons. On our last morning in Hanoi we visit another producer group of Craft Link making smoked bamboo products, before we start our journey south.

After trying our hand at some cookery classes in Hoi An we will meet the first of Mai Handicraft's producers a little further down the coast. This is a fishing community who make the lovely crochet products in Traidcraft’s catalogue.

In Ho Chi Minh City we spend time touring the city, visiting Mai Handicrafts’ base and their wood workshops. Our last few days of the tour are spent in the Mekong Delta where we will take boats to visit basket makers and local markets and learn about life in the local communities.

All Photos by Ralph Dransfield from his tour in October 2010