Most of these tips are of common sense, but some of them are based on our own experience and you can find them useful:
- Let yourself go, ask the guides all your doubts, they will be more than happy to answer and tell you about your customs.
- Try to carry the lowest weight in your backpacks, remember that you will only be out for one or two nights. You can ask Handspan to let you leave the heavy luggage in their office in Hanoi. If this is not possible, there are many hotels that allow you to do it. Keep in mind that you will have to charge with your backpacks for many miles.
- Be respectful with people and nature. Sometimes you'll see plastic bottles thrown and other things. Vietnamese are still not very concerned with the environment and that is why they do it, but by no means should we do it.
- The Muong are not yet infected by "civilization" so they WILL NOT try to sell you anything, which is appreciated after a couple of days in Hanoi. But you have the option to buy traditional handicrafts and other things; you only have to ask the guide.
- Beverages are not included in the final price of the trip, but prices of water, beer, etc. are negligible.
- For this area you do not need any special kind of vaccine apart from those the Spanish Ministry of Health could recommend for travelling to Vietnam.
- In the villages there is mobile coverage, so it's always a good idea to take it.
- The trekking routes are very simple so you do not need any super shoes. We carried a pair of mountain sneakers from Decathlon (12 euros) and we had to spare.
The travel agency recommends the following things:
- Passport
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Appropriate clothes for the season
- Flashlight and mosquito repellent
From the NGO, they also give us the following advices. Enjoy your visit to the Ngoc Son-Ngo Luong Reserve and please, remember:
- Don’t leave anything behind except your foot prints.
- Don’t take anything except photos.
- Don’t kill anything except your time.
