Join a small group of like-minded, textile-enthused travellers for the experience of a lifetime!
Visit specialist handcraft villages, undertake hands-on handcraft workshops, explore some of South East Asia’s most jaw-dropping scenery, meet and stay with the colourful hill tribe communities and learn about their cultural and handcraft traditions, savour delicious local cuisine. Plus much, much more.
Our tour commences in the beautiful city of Hanoi where we will spend several days based in the vibrant Old Quarter. We’ll explore the town and its foremost sightseeing attractions, ethnographic and textile museums, a few vintage textile shops, plus a nearby silk weaving workshop and basketry craft village.
Leaving Hanoi, we’ll head to the buzzing hub of Sapa, our base for a few nights and from where we’ll explore some of Vietnam’s northern provinces. Visit a colourful local market boasting some fabulous textiles and handcrafts, view local riverside life as we take a morning boat trip, spend a night in a rural village homestay, participate in weaving, batik, dyeing and embroidery workshops. We will also have the opportunity to cook (and eat) Dao and Hmong food with our workshop homestay hosts.
From Sapa we travel to Ha Giang province, a magnificent highland region near the Chinese border, comprising lush forests and terraced rice paddies with the dramatic mountains of Heaven’s Gate soaring in the background. This remote and spectacular area is known as Vietnam’s final frontier. We’ll spend several days visiting local Hmong, Dao, Tay and Lo Lo hilltribe villages as well as a specialist textile village which supports survivors of human trafficking and provides the women with acceptance, skills and the opportunity to earn a livelihood from handcrafts. We’ll shop at local textile markets and general markets, stitch with local women and trek through spectacular landscapes.
A day trip through Vietnam’s highest and most spectacular mountain pass takes us into Lai Chau province where we’ll visit villages of Black Hmong, Tay and Lu ethnic groups and learn about their way of life and handcraft traditions.
Option 1: Before returning to Hanoi, our final couple of days will be spent at a homestay on the shores of beautiful Ba Be Lake, exploring the area by boat, visiting waterfalls and caves, observing lake-side village life and relaxing.
Option 2: We’ll fly to central Vietnam and spend several days in the ancient riverside town of Hoi An, visiting the major sights, galleries and museums as well as several social enterprises that provide handcraft skills, training and employment to disadvantaged and differently-abled people. We’ll take a class with a master of calligraphy and learn to make a traditional Hoi An lantern. A two day side trip into rural Quang Nam province will provide us with an insight into the culture, handcrafts, textiles and traditions of the Co Tu ethnic minority, which have remained largely unchanged for several centuries. A traditional feast, dance performance and the opportunity to weave both cloth and rattan with the skilled artisans of the village are sure to be some of the memorable highlights of this trip. We’ll return to Hoi An for our final night and farewell dinner.
Contact us to enquire about future Vietnam trips or a private group tour for you and your friends.
I can’t speak highly enough of your company and everything about the tour. Your detailed research and passion shines through. For anyone with an interest in any textile art, this tour is an absolute joy. Rosemary – Vietnam 2018
Thank you retreat|recreate for a thoroughly enjoyable textile tour of the ethnic minority villages across Northern Vietnam. I enjoyed every minute. Beautifully organised and led by experienced local guides, I shall never forget the spectacular mountains, lush green fields, magnificent textiles and rich culture of Northern Vietnam. Thank you for creating quality women’s tours. I will continue to sing your praises and recommend retreat|recreate to everyone! Catherine – Vietnam 2017 (also Bali 2016 and India 2019 )
Being in the company of like-minded women and being able to experience parts of Vietnam that are little visited and still retain their traditional ways were both highlights. I loved the workshops and loved targeting textiles shops! I really treasure having met the women who made the items I bought. Myfanwy – Vietnam 2016 (also Laos 2018 and India 2019)
What a wonderful way to travel: treading lightly on a precious land; travelling with people who appreciate textiles and the art of hand-made. If you’re thinking of joining a retreat|recreate tour, just go! Even if you have no experience of textiles, you will see a lot, learn a lot, meet lovely people and have a link with everyone through the love of textiles. Sue – Vietnam 2017
This was my second retreat|recreate trip and very different from the Bali retreat. There were so many highlights , so much wonderful interaction with the local women over a needle and thread (and some rice wine) and also a wonderful group of travelling companions. Jill – Vietnam 2017 (and Bali 2016)
If you’re in two minds about doing this trip, just book and do it. It will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Kim – Vietnam 2016
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