North Vietnam Trip: Mountain Trails to Coastal Calm

Arrival Flight: Guest’s own tickets

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, your private guide and driver are waiting to meet you, holding up a welcome signboard with your names on it and take you directly to your hotel in the city center.

While every effort is made to have your room available upon arrival, check in time is at 02:00pm; your room may or may not be ready before this time. Your tour guide will provide additional details regarding your stay, and you will be able to ask any questions you may have. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Please note: Your travel documents contain an E-visa. Your E-visa must be presented to Customs upon entry into the country.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Today, with the help of your private guide and driver, you will explore Hanoi’s top attractions and hidden corners, while sampling some of the city’s most authentic local dishes at atmospheric street food stalls—just like the locals do.

Morning

Begin your day with a guided visit to the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex (closed every Monday and Friday), where Vietnamese people honor their “Great Father.” Here, you’ll explore the solemn Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which houses the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, followed by a visit to his modest House on Stilts, offering insights into his simple lifestyle and revolutionary legacy. Nearby, admire the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, a miniature 11th-century Buddhist temple with deep historical and cultural importance.

Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university and a shrine to Confucius. This tranquil compound, built in 1070, reflects the country’s reverence for education and traditional values.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, offering a chance to try Hanoi’s time-honored dishes.

Afternoon

After lunch, visit the notorious Hoa Lo Prison, often referred to as the “Hanoi Hilton.” This site offers a sobering look into Vietnam’s colonial past and the Vietnam War, with exhibits that tell stories of both Vietnamese revolutionaries and American POWs.

Next, hop on a cyclo ride (three-wheeled bicycle taxi) to explore the French Quarter, gliding past French-style villas, the Vietnam History Museum, the legendary Metropole Hotel, and the Opera House—remnants of Hanoi’s colonial past.

Experience a traditional Water Puppet Show, a unique northern Vietnamese art form that combines music, storytelling, and puppetry on water.

Then, relax with a cup of Vietnam’s iconic Egg Coffee at Pho Co Café, tucked away in a hidden alley with panoramic views of Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.

End your day with a walking food tour through the bustling Old Quarter, a maze of narrow streets where food stalls spill onto sidewalks and every turn brings a new aroma. With your guide, you’ll uncover the secrets of Hanoi’s street food scene, tasting delights like Nom Du Du (green papaya salad), Banh Mi Pa Te (Vietnamese-style baguette sandwich), and the local favorite Bun Cha (grilled pork with noodles). Enjoy your meal just as the locals do—on low stools in hidden alleys.

Overnight in Hanoi.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, your private guide and driver will meet you in the lobby and transfer you to Ngoc Thuy Market, arriving around 8:00 AM. This vibrant local wet market offers a wonderful introduction to daily life in Hanoi. As you walk through the stalls, your guide will explain Vietnamese shopping habits and point out key ingredients that will be used in your upcoming cooking session.

Following the market visit, you’ll head to a nearby cooking studio, where you’ll be welcomed with tea and a short briefing. Under the guidance of a professional local chef, you’ll prepare a variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes, such as fried spring rolls, seasonal vegetables with garlic and mushrooms, and a signature local main dish. After the class, you’ll sit down and enjoy the delicious meal you’ve prepared.

After lunch, you’ll depart for Bat Trang Ceramic Village, a riverside community just outside Hanoi known for its centuries-old pottery traditions. Upon arrival, your guide will take you through the quaint village streets where you’ll observe artisans at work—shaping clay, applying glazes, and hand-painting intricate designs.

At a local workshop, you’ll have the chance to try your hand at making or painting your own ceramic item. This is a fun, hands-on experience and a great way to engage with the village’s craft heritage.

Please note: any ceramic items you choose to make or bring home will be at your own expense.

Head back to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast at your hotel in Hanoi, your private driver and guide will pick you up for your journey to Sapa, located in the northern highlands of Vietnam near the Chinese border. The drive takes approximately 5.5 to 6 hours via the modern highway, offering a comfortable and scenic ride through rural landscapes, rice fields, and misty mountains.

Upon arrival in Sapa, you’ll enjoy a local lunch before heading out to explore two of the region’s most iconic natural sites. Your first stop is Tram Ton Pass, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam at an elevation of 1,900 meters above sea level. Also known as Heaven’s Gate, this viewpoint offers spectacular panoramic views over the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, with Mount Fansipan—Vietnam’s tallest peak—often visible in the distance on clear days.

From Tram Ton Pass, you’ll take a short drive to the entrance of the trail leading to Love Waterfalls, located within the Hoang Lien National Park. A scenic walk through a lush forest filled with ancient trees and bamboo brings you to the beautiful cascade, which flows from a height of 100 meters. The waterfall holds spiritual significance among the local H’mong people and is named after a local legend of forbidden love.

After time to enjoy the cool mountain air and take photos, you’ll return to Sapa town in the late afternoon.

Enjoy a relaxing evening at your leisure. You may wish to explore the nearby Sapa Night Market or dine at one of the charming local restaurants featuring traditional mountain dishes.

Overnight in Sapa.

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will meet you to begin a soft trekking adventure through some of the most picturesque hill tribe villages in the Sapa Valley. Today’s journey takes you into the heart of the Muong Hoa Valley, home to the Black H’mong and Giay ethnic minorities.

The trek begins with a short drive to Lao Chai Village, where you’ll start your walk along terraced rice fields carved into the hillside. Your guide will share insights into the daily life and customs of the Black H’mong people, known for their indigo-dyed clothing and intricate embroidery. You’ll have the chance to visit local homes and interact with friendly villagers along the way.

Continuing on foot, you’ll make your way to Ta Van Village, inhabited primarily by the Giay ethnic group. The trail winds gently through the valley, offering stunning views of rolling hills, bamboo forests, and distant mountains. The trek is considered soft and suitable for most fitness levels, lasting about 2.5 to 3 hours at a relaxed pace.

You’ll be transferred back to Sapa by car, arriving in the mid-afternoon. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore Sapa town at your own pace. Consider visiting the local market, enjoying a massage, or sipping coffee at a mountain-view café.

Overnight in Sapa.

After breakfast at your hotel in Sapa, meet your private guide and driver and begin your scenic journey to Bac Ha, a small mountain town in Lao Cai Province, approximately 3 hours away. The route takes you through beautiful valleys, forested hills, and remote farming communities, offering glimpses into rural life in northern Vietnam.

If your visit falls on a Sunday, you’ll have the chance to explore the famous Bac Ha Sunday Market, the largest and most vibrant ethnic market in the region. People from various minority groups—including the Flower H’mong, Phu La, Tay, Nung, and Dao—travel from surrounding villages to trade goods and socialize. The market is a sensory feast, filled with bright traditional clothing, handwoven textiles, buffalo trading, handmade crafts, fresh produce, herbal medicine, and local delicacies such as corn wine and bamboo sticky rice. It’s an unforgettable cultural experience and a photographer’s dream.

If you’re visiting on another day of the week, your guide will take you to a smaller local market nearby (such as Coc Ly on Tuesday, or Can Cau on Saturday), or offer an alternative cultural experience such as a guided walk through a Flower H’mong village. Here, you’ll learn about traditional farming practices, textile weaving, and local customs in a more personal setting.

After exploring the market or village, enjoy a local lunch in Bac Ha, then visit the historic Hoang A Tuong Palace, also known as the H’mong King’s House. This early 20th-century residence, built with French and Chinese architectural influences, offers a fascinating window into the region’s colonial and tribal past.

In the late afternoon, check in to your hotel or homestay and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure. Bac Ha is quiet and peaceful in the evening, making it an ideal place to relax and absorb the day’s cultural encounters.

Overnight in Bac Ha.

After breakfast at your hotel or homestay in Bac Ha, you’ll check out and begin your journey to Ha Giang, one of the most scenic and culturally rich provinces in northern Vietnam. The drive takes approximately 4 hours, offering beautiful views of rolling hills, terraced farms, and peaceful minority villages along the way.

You’ll arrive in Ha Giang city around midday or early afternoon. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, where you can taste regional dishes such as thang co (a traditional mountain stew), grilled mountain pork, or stir-fried forest vegetables.

In the afternoon, after checking in to your hotel, you’ll have time to rest or take a short walk around the city. If you’re interested, your guide can take you to visit the Ha Giang Museum, a small but informative center that offers insight into the province’s ethnic diversity and resistance history, or to Tha Village, just outside the city, for a peaceful stroll through a Tay ethnic community known for its stilt houses and green rice paddies.

The evening is at your leisure. Overnight in Ha Giang.

After an early breakfast, you’ll check out of your hotel and begin your exciting drive along the Ha Giang Loop, one of Vietnam’s most spectacular road journeys. Today’s route takes you deep into the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, a UNESCO-listed region of dramatic limestone mountains, winding passes, and traditional ethnic villages.

Your first stop is Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views over the terraced valleys and limestone formations below. Just beyond is the Twin Mountains (Fairy Bosom Hills), a unique geological formation and one of the area’s most iconic photo spots.

Continuing north, you’ll pass by ethnic minority villages belonging to the H’mong, Dao, and Tay communities. Along the way, your guide will point out small farms and traditional houses made of earth and stone. In Yen Minh, you’ll stop for a local lunch before heading deeper into the rugged highlands.

This afternoon’s drive becomes even more scenic as you ascend toward the Dong Van Plateau, with its jagged limestone peaks and deep green valleys. You may stop at local markets (if operating), roadside viewpoints, and minority hamlets where villagers sell herbal medicines, handwoven textiles, or honey.

In the late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Dong Van, a charming mountain town surrounded by rocky peaks. After checking in to your hotel, enjoy some free time to explore the Old Quarter, where colonial-era buildings mix with local architecture. The town has a peaceful atmosphere, especially in the early evening when locals gather at tea houses and small restaurants.

Overnight in Dong Van.

After a fresh mountain morning and breakfast in Dong Van, your journey resumes with what is often considered the most breathtaking road in Vietnam: the route from Dong Van to Meo Vac via Ma Pi Leng Pass. This is not just a drive—it’s a cinematic experience across the roof of northern Vietnam.

As you ascend the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass, the road clings to the edge of towering cliffs, offering a dizzying view of the Nho Que River, which winds like a jade ribbon through the abyss far below. Stop at Panorama Viewpoint, where layers of jagged limestone mountains stretch into the horizon, their peaks often dusted in mist.

You may take a short walk along the Sky Path, carved into the cliffside, to fully appreciate the scale and silence of this remote highland region. Along the way, you might encounter H’mong children herding goats, or elderly women carrying baskets of firewood, dressed in their vibrant hand-embroidered garments.

Descending into the valley, you’ll arrive in Meo Vac, a rugged little town surrounded by rocky slopes and home to a mix of H’mong, Dao, Tay, and Lo Lo ethnic minorities. Depending on the day, you may catch a local market in full swing—colorful, earthy, and humming with mountain life.

After a local lunch in Meo Vac, the afternoon is spent weaving your way back to Ha Giang, retracing your journey through valleys, winding passes, and peaceful villages. It’s a long but deeply rewarding drive, with changing light revealing new textures across the karst landscape.

By late afternoon or early evening, you’ll arrive in Ha Giang city. Check in to your hotel and enjoy a well-earned rest after a day filled with dramatic scenery and unforgettable memories.

Overnight in Ha Giang.

After breakfast at your accommodation in Ha Giang, it’s time to begin the return journey to Hanoi, carrying with you the unforgettable sights, sounds, and spirit of the far north.

The drive takes approximately 6 to 6.5 hours, winding through tranquil countryside, quiet villages, and gentle hills that gradually flatten into the Red River Delta. Along the way, you’ll have a chance to stop for lunch at a local restaurant and take in some final glimpses of rural life—perhaps water buffalo grazing in the fields or farmers tending to rice paddies with traditional tools.

Your driver and guide will transfer you to your hotel in the city center, where you can check in and enjoy the remainder of the evening at your leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Check out, and get picked up by your private tour guide and driver to transfer to Tuan Chau Marina.

11:30 – Upon arrival at No. 34, Tuan Chau Marina, Quang Ninh, you will be warmly welcomed by the cruise crew at our designated lounge.

12:00 – Board the transfer vessel to begin your journey across the bay. During this short cruise, you’ll be introduced to the itinerary and safety briefing as you approach the luxurious Peony Cruise.

12:30 – Embark on Peony Cruise, where you’ll be greeted with fresh welcome drinks and cool towels. Settle in and enjoy a brief overview of your upcoming voyage through the majestic seascape of Lan Ha Bay, a member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays Club.

13:00 – Savor a gourmet lunch featuring fresh seafood and local delicacies, artfully prepared by our onboard chefs. As you dine in elegance aboard this luxury vessel, soak in the panoramic views of Lan Ha Bay’s emerald waters and dramatic limestone formations—truly a feast for the senses.

15:30 – Visit the serene Tra Bau area, renowned for its pristine natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere. Here, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to kayak among the limestone islets and discover hidden corners of the bay. Alternatively, take a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear water or relax in the Jacuzzi pool onboard.

17:30 – 18:30 – Join our Vietnamese cooking demonstration on board and learn to prepare one of the country’s signature dishes: fresh spring rolls. Or head to the top deck to watch the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin, a magical moment worth capturing.

Enjoy Happy Hour at the bar – Buy One Get One Free – and toast to a beautiful evening on the bay.

19:30 – Sit down for a delightful dinner, featuring local flavors and seasonal ingredients, skillfully prepared and served in an intimate, romantic setting.

21:00 – 22:00 – After dinner, unwind at the sky bar with an exotic cocktail or your favorite drink (surcharge applies). For those seeking relaxation, indulge in an optional spa treatment, or simply lounge under the stars on the open deck.

Feeling adventurous? Try your hand at squid fishing with our crew on the main deck—a fun and authentic evening experience.

Overnight on cruise.

06:00 – Start your morning in the most serene way with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck, as the sun rises over Lan Ha Bay, casting golden light across the limestone peaks. It’s the perfect way to awaken both body and mind.

06:45 – 07:15 – A light breakfast is served in the restaurant, offering a selection of pastries, fruit, tea, and coffee to energize you for the day ahead.

08:00 – 08:30 – For guests eager to explore further, you’ll board a day boat for a deeper journey into the untouched corners of Lan Ha Bay. As the boat glides through calm, glassy waters, you’ll witness the untouched nature and tranquil scenery that define this less-traveled part of the bay. If you prefer a slower pace, feel free to stay on the main cruise and enjoy the luxurious amenities in complete relaxation.

10:30 – 11:00 – Arrive at Viet Hai Jetty, where you’ll choose to cycle or ride an electric cart through lush forest paths and towering limestone cliffs to reach Viet Hai Village, a hidden gem nestled deep within Cat Ba National Park.

Here, you’ll learn about the villagers’ simple and harmonious lifestyle—how they live in traditional bamboo thatched houses, with mud and straw walls, and how these homes withstand the weather while blending naturally into their surroundings.

12:15 – 13:30 – Return to the boat and enjoy a delicious lunch on board, as you cruise toward a new destination—a quiet lagoon perfect for adventure and relaxation.

13:30 – Enjoy an afternoon of kayaking in the tranquil waters of a hidden lagoon, or take a refreshing swim off the boat, surrounded by towering limestone karsts and silence broken only by the sound of your paddle.

16:30 – Head back to Peony Cruises. Once aboard, you can take a soothing dip in the Jacuzzi pool, sip a drink by the deck, or simply lay back and let the gentle rhythm of the bay relax you.

17:30 – 18:30 – Enjoy the early evening during Happy Hour – Buy One Get One Free, as you watch the sunset descend over the Gulf of Tonkin. Capture the moment with your camera—or just your memory.

Join the cooking demonstration, where today you’ll learn a new variety of Vietnamese spring rolls, guided by our expert chef.

19:30 – Another delicious dinner awaits in the elegant dining room, showcasing local ingredients and the flavors of the bay.

21:00 – 22:00 – Spend your final night on board however you wish: sip a cocktail at the sky bar, listen to live music, try squid fishing with the crew, or simply retreat to your room to admire the view of Ha Long Bay from your balcony, under a canopy of stars.

Overnight on cruise.

06:00 – Greet the morning with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck, a calming start to the day as the sun slowly rises above the horizon, casting a warm golden glow across the peaceful bay.

06:45 – 07:15 – Enjoy a light breakfast served in the restaurant, as the cruise begins making its way toward Gia Luan Jetty. (Please note: breakfast time may be adjusted slightly depending on the actual cruise itinerary.)

07:30 – 09:00 – Disembark for a guided excursion to Cat Ba Island, part of the Cat Ba World Biosphere Reserve. A short transfer by support boat and minivan will take you to Trung Trang Cave, one of the island’s most stunning natural wonders. As you explore this vast limestone cave, you’ll be amazed by the thousands of stalactites and stalagmites, carved over millennia and forming a rich ecosystem of geological and biological significance.

09:30 – Return to the main boat from the island. Upon reboarding, it’s time to check out of your cabin. Please leave your luggage outside the room as instructed by the crew.

A light brunch will be served in the dining room as the cruise makes its way back to the harbor. If you’ve enjoyed drinks or other extras, you may settle any bar tab at the reception desk during this time.

10:30 – 11:00 – Disembark from Peony Cruises at Block #34, Big Bay Group Terminal, Tuan Chau Marina. You’ll have a moment to relax while waiting for your luggage to be delivered by the crew.

11:30 – 12:00 – The cruise officially concludes at Tuan Chau Marina, where your next journey begins—whether continuing onward or returning to Hanoi with unforgettable memories of Lan Ha Bay.

Meet your private driver and tour guide again to transfer back to Hanoi. Check in to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Departure flight: Guests’ own tickets

Have breakfast at your hotel. Check out, and meet your private tour guide and driver to transfer to Noi Bai International Airport. Take your departure flight.