Arrivals to Hanoi - Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi, Vietnam

NOTE we will collect you from the airport whatever time you arrive

Our hotel is in the Old City not far from Hoàn Kiếm Lake, try and fit in at least one 6.30 am walk to the lake – this is optional, but it is the best time of the day at the Lake.

All the locals are doing Tai Chi, dancing and having fun, go the first day and you will be hooked.

Breakfast.

Intro session with Jo and time to work on a street scene near our hotel.

Polish off your design for the wood stamp carvers, we want to drop them off this afternoon to collect later in the trip. [ in the lead up to our journay we will send out instructions about size and what to consider, so you have time to think and draw up a design]

Visit the Temple of Literature and check out the resident calligraphy artist for inspiration

Welcome Dinner in the evening, let's celebrate our coming  journey.

B,L,D

We drive to the White Thai minority area of Mai Chou today via a papermaking village. Learn how paper is made and perhaps buy a few sheets to turn into a small book - Jo has some ideas.

Do bark (Rhamnoneuron balansae) paper is a traditional craft recorded back as far as 3rd Century but in modern times has had a small renaissance.

Mountain sides were cleared of forest to plant manioc/cassava - this lead to degredation and increased risk of landslides. A Governament initiative to encourage farmers to plant Do trees has improved the enviroment, lead to an increase in the production of ply wood and a revival of papermaking.

Arrive in Mai Chou in the afternoon, chill out by pool, walk in rice fields or work on your journals.

B,L,D

Early morning as the sunrises is a great time to catch the mood across the rice fields.

Jo will run a morning session with ideas and prompts for ways to develop a page that encompasses the whole day.

Then we are off to wander slowly along a path through a traditional village, taking time to stop and sketch and build up our journal.

B,L,D

We will reach Tam Coc in the afternoon after lunch at a friend’s house along the waterways – after a truly memorable feast if you can rouse yourself, you might find a spot along the river to draw boats and hills and water reflections.

Tam Coc is one of those places- it is quite touristy BUT if you know where to look it has some stunning little nooks and crannies, which is why everyone loves it.

Boating along the river late in the day offers a breathtaking experience. As the sun sets behind the Khasts, its golden hues reflect beautifully on the water, creating a serene and picturesque scene.

Imagine sitting in one, being rowed with your sketch book on your knee. 😊

B,L

In the morning let’s walk out through the rice fields to a beautiful temple and spend a while sketching before heading back up to Hanoi.

Along the way there are some amazing “Cement King” Mansions that might call us to stop and record them, let’s see.

B,L

Cultural day today, exploring some of the craft villages around Hanoi and taking time to record them.

Votive Offerings Sculptures – a fantasy world of giant paper mâché sculptures. 

Incense making village.

We’ll scope out Old City Hanoi by Cyclo this afternoon. A cyclo is a bicycle/rickshaw thingy and the driver is a wonder gliding through Hanoi traffic.

This is a day about street scenes, local foods and enjoying Old City Hanoi with masses of inspiration for your sketchbook.

We’ll also check out a shop that sells calligraphy brushes- although the old guy who runs it is often out the back asleep, and collect our wood stamps from the carver.

We will visit the famous Water Puppets Show tonight, it is delightful.

B,L

Stay on a Boat on Ha Long Bay

Enchanting scenery of World Heritage listed Ha Long Bay, 

Time to work on your journals and chill out soaking up the view.

B,L,D

We are visiting a grotto this morning, you have a choice of paddle yourself kayaks or a bigger boat and be rowed, always a fun experience.

Return to Hanoi and a free afternoon, 

Final session with Jo before our Farewell Dinner.

B,L,D

We will drop you to the airport Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi.

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Suggested Materials List coming soon.