Who: Martin Vorum and Sharon Schaffner of Englewood, Sandra Gach and March Basch of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Where: Trekking the steep slopes of the Hilltribe Villages in Sa Pa
Best meal: Bobby Chin’s in Hanoi for French-influenced Vietnamese dishes in an Egyptian kasbah-like atmosphere, with fresh flower heads strung from the ceiling and petals in the toilet. A bit pricey for Vietnam, but well worth the experience. Try the exotic fish menu. For everyday meals, there are countless wonderful cafes serving fresh vegetables and seafood for $3 a person. Little Hanoi on Ta Hien Street was a special find.
Best deal: Hilltribe traditional indigo-dyed batiks and embroidered clothing. Colorfully clothed women of the H’mong, Yao and Red Dao minority groups clamor around your to sell their wares.
Best time to go: October and November for clear, cool days. March and April are cool and overcast, great for walking the city and trekking in the hillside. December, January and February are the coldest months, with temperatures in the 50s and drizzly; summers are rainy, hot and humid.
Best travel tip: Book an overnight train from Hanoi and a trekking excursion to Sa Pa and Bac Ha Market with Handspan Adventure Travel. Bring light rain gear, as Sa Pa is at the same elevation as Denver and is in the cloud zone, which makes it chilly at night.
