The climate varies on the region with Hanoi having a thick humid heat that will have you sweating the moment you get out the airport while traveling higher into the mountain valleys in Sa Pa you'll have somewhat cooler air to aid your trekking. There's normally a waterfall,  beach or pool to look forward to and a beer beer.  

Vietnam is such a great place to go if you need to make your money go further the economy is such that everything will be uncannily cheapy. You'll be able to get great food every day and other bits beside for as little as 100 pounds a week although the final tally will end up being more after dessert, your 20th cocktail and 100th beer.

• Travel Insurance including cancellation, damage and injury

• Thirty day Tourist e-Visa for Vietnam

• Phone your bank and let them know your travelling so they don't identify your card use abroad as fraud and freeze your account

• Check your passport is valid for half a year the date of your return flight

It's better you find the best deal for flights and sometimes it's cheaper to book an extra day in Saigon and fly out later in the week. Some opportunities during free time will require a small fee but you have the freedom to rest in or go explore more and what as you wish.

As part of the journey south a bus ride from Hanoi to Hoi An is included which keeps the holiday open to more at a price point but your guide will give the group a choice to take a quick internal flight payable locally.

Breakfast is included at your homestay villa or hotel but not when you arrive somewhere by night coach. The food is great and so so cheap it's not like the heavy rich curries of Indian but more more light and aromatic with fresh veg and noodles or rice. It's only natural after a while your body will crave plain western food and the locals know it so there's plenty of opportunities for a good pizza or spaghetti Bolognese even if your are in a jungle. 

There's more profit in getting 24+ on a tour and booking a coach and hotel deal but it's a less personal experience and we feel  14  people of similar ages   18 - 22 years  works out the best where we can often book out a whole villa to ourselves while also having more freedom and flexibility.

Only breakfast is included throughout the programme. But you can get a nice (and cheap) meal on every corner of every street. Meals are about 1 to 3 GBP per meal.

Vietnamese meals consist of rice or noodles accompanied by fish or meat and a vegetable dish or soup. But in many places, you can also get Western food like pizza

 You will have an experienced guide all the time and your route is well trodden so you shouldn't worry. What was once a country devastated by war is now a tranquil paradise.