Scenic Northern Vietnam Tour

Arrival Flight: Guest’s own tickets

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam.

A warm greeting awaits at Noi Bai International Airport; your private guide and driver will meet you OUTSIDE the arrivals lounge and transfer you to your hotel down town.

Please look for your tour guide who holds up your names on a welcome signboard. If you can’t find the tour guide, please feel free to call me via my cellphone at +84.

While every effort is made to have your room available upon arrival, check-in time is at 14:00; 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.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Today with the help of your private guide and driver, you will get to explore the city’s top attractions, sample Hanoi’s authentic local dishes away from the tourist trails, hunkering down with the locals on the street at a variety of atmospheric food stalls.

Morning

Begin with a tour of Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex where the Vietnamese people honour the country’s ‘Great Father’. Here you’ll visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum which contains the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh and his House on Stilts to observe how he lived and how his life unfolded to become one of modern history’s greatest names. Nearside his house is the miniature 11th-century One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple of historical and cultural significance.

From HCM Complex, you will take a leisurely walk through the small laneways toward Huu Tiep Lake. Explore the grounds of a 400-year-old temple, followed by a stroll through traditional local market streets to see the B52 crash site at the lake. This US bomber was shot down during the 1972 bombing raids of Ha Noi, a poignant reminder of Vietnam’s recent history.

Lunch at Lan Ong Restaurant: Experience the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter through authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Lan Ong invites you to enjoy a warm, culturally rich meal where history and modern flavors meet. Whether you’re a local or a traveler, our intimate setting offers a true taste of Vietnam’s culinary heritage.

Afternoon

After lunch, continue to visit the millennia-old Temple of Literature and explore its role in the country’s past, as both a university and a Confucius temple.

Embark on a fun cyclo (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi) ride through the French colonial architecture of the precinct known as the French Quater, past the French-style villas, the Vietnam History Museum, the heritage Metropole Legend Hotel and the Opera House, name to a few.

Finish the day with a guided foody walking tour through Hanoi’s vibrant Old Quarter, where the energy of the streets comes alive. Explore hidden alleyways and soak in the local atmosphere as your guide shares insights into daily life and cultural traditions that make this area unique.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Morning

After breakfast, leave the hustle and bustle of Hanoi behind as you embark on a scenic drive to the peaceful valley of Mai Chau, located approximately 3.5 to 4 hours southwest of the capital. Along the journey, enjoy beautiful views of the countryside, with glimpses of terraced rice fields, rural villages, and lush mountains.

Upon arrival in Mai Chau, you’ll be welcomed by the refreshing air and tranquil beauty of this ethnic Thai minority region. Settle into a traditional stilt house or a charming lodge surrounded by rice paddies and rolling hills.

Take a rest this evening. Overnight in Mai Chau.

Morning

Your guide will take you on a walking tour (or cycling if you wish) of Pom Coong and Lac villages. With stilt houses and lush, green rice paddy fields, Ban Lac and Pom Coong are quaint and serene ethnic Thai villages with many lovely and hospitable inhabitants. During the walk, you will be introduced to a local family. Have conversations on their life, festivals, and culture of the natives.

You also pay a visit to Thai ethnographic museum. More than 1000 items on display are closely tied to the Thai’s everyday life. You will get to see hunting tools, ritual costumes, bowls, dishes, antique coins, musical instruments, hundreds of years old books, and so on. These authentic pieces of history represent the development of Thai culture over centuries.

Overnight in Mai Chau.

Morning

After a hearty breakfast, then transfer by car to Hang Kia (approximately 45 minutes), passing through scenic mountain roads and villages inhabited by the Muong and Dzao ethnic communities. Along the way, make brief stops at Pa Co and Xa Linh communes—home to the vibrant H’mong people. If your visit falls on a Sunday morning, don’t miss the chance to explore the colorful Xa Linh ethnic market, where locals gather to trade handmade goods, fresh produce, and traditional textiles.

Arrive in Hang Kia, a quiet and authentic H’mong village nestled in a small valley at an elevation of 1,200 meters. Surrounded by misty hills and lush greenery, this remote village offers a unique window into H’mong culture and mountain life. Enjoy a local lunch with a welcoming host family, experiencing the flavors of the region.

After lunch, take a leisurely walk around the village, visiting homes, observing traditional architecture, and engaging with locals to gain deeper insight into their daily routines and long-standing customs.

In the early afternoon, transfer back to your lodge in Mai Chau, arriving around 14:00.

Unwind with a soothing traditional herbal massage at your lodge (approximately 60 minutes). Let the natural aromas and expert techniques ease any travel fatigue and rejuvenate your body and mind.

The remainder of the day is free for you to relax, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, or explore the village at your own pace.

Overnight in Mai Chau.

Morning

After breakfast and check out you are picked up by your private guide and driver for departure to the dramatic mountain scenery of Ninh Binh. Just four hours away from Mai Chau, Ninh Binh has remained relatively untouched, offering striking limestone karst scenery and a myriad of underground streams and grottos.

After arrival, settle down at your hotel to have some rest before the journey in the afternoon.

Afternoon

Hop on a bike for a leisurely ride through the area, limestone karsts towering above you as you ride along backroads and beautiful scenery. Arrive at Mua Cave Mountain where you enjoy a short hike which leads you to an incredible viewpoint with a spectacular sight of the Ngo Dong River below that cuts its way around the towering mountains.

Overnight in Tam Coc (Ninh Binh).

Morning

After breakfast, begin your day with a your journey with a scenic boat trip through Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its breathtaking network of limestone karsts, emerald rivers, and mysterious caves. The 2.5-hour boat ride offers a tranquil and unforgettable experience through a maze of waterways, passing through dark, atmospheric caves, ancient temples, and lush landscapes. The natural beauty and cultural significance of Trang An make it a true highlight of Ninh Binh.

Afternoon

After lunch, you will continue to visit Hoa Lu, the location of the Ancient Capital of Vietnam dating back to the 11th century. Having been eroded over the millennia, the dilapidated ruins have nearly been absorbed by the spectacular scenery creating a mystical atmosphere that will be sure to titillate your imagination.

On arrival, dive into the history at the remaining two temples of Dinh and Le Emperors. Restored in the 17th century but the temples are believed to be built on the original foundations of the old palaces from the 11th and 12th centuries.

Overnight in Tam Coc (Ninh Binh).

Morning

After breakfast, we will depart Ninh Binh in the morning and drive for 03 hours to Nam Dinh Province, 150 km south-west of Hanoi in the coastal zone of the Red River Delta. On the way, we will stop to visit the Ancient Co Le Pagoda dating back to the 10th century. This is one of the biggest and nicest pagodas in North Vietnam. Besides its special architecture, Co Le pagoda has the largest bell in Vietnam.

We will then continue on to Xuan Thuy National Park in Nam Dinh, formally known as a Nature Reserve of the area and later became Vietnam’s first Ramsar site, for the conservation of wetlands.

We’ll embark on a boat trip to discover the wetland. After a one-hour boat trip through the National Park, we arrive at a Clam Hut where we will be served a delicious seafood lunch. We can rest and relax in the Hut for a while before transferring back to the mainland. From here we will be picked up and driven to a local homestay where we will spend the night with our host family.

Overnight in Hai Hau.

08:30 – 09:00 – You will leave the lodge to depart to Halong Bay.

12:00 – Arrive at our office at Halong International Cruise Port. You’ll have a short break while the captain completes registration. Then, transfer by tender to board the cruise.

12:30 – Embark on the cruise. Enjoy a welcome drink and take a few moments to listen to a brief introduction from your tour guide before exploring the boat.

13:00 – Savor a delicious Vietnamese lunch as we begin cruising deeper into the stunning Bai Tu Long Bay.

15:00 – Arrive at Cap La Island, our kayaking area. Paddle through dramatic limestone karsts, swim in the clear waters, or relax on a secluded natural beach. You may also explore the area by tender boat. Towels and waterproof bags are provided. The cruise will anchor nearby.

17:00 – Return to the boat and unwind on deck.

18:00 – Join us for a sunset party with music and happy hour. Our chef will entertain you with a fun vegetable carving demonstration.

19:00 – Enjoy a sumptuous dinner served onboard.

20:30 – Spend your evening as you wish: challenge yourself with traditional Vietnamese puzzle games, gather for a board game with friends or family, try your hand at squid fishing, or simply relax with a cocktail and soak in the peaceful ambiance of the bay.

Overnight on cruise.

06:00 – Begin your day with a peaceful Tai Chi session on the sundeck, or simply enjoy the serene morning views of the stunning Bai Tu Long Bay landscape. Freshly brewed coffee and tea will be available from 06:30.

07:00 – Enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast, prepared to energize you for the exciting day ahead.

08:30 – 09:00 – Transfer to a day cruise to explore more of the bay. Weather permitting, enjoy kayaking and swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Cong Dam, or relax onboard the day boat. If conditions allow, make a brief visit to the fascinating Thay Cave before returning to the anchor point.

12:00 – Return to the main boat for a delicious hot lunch, served at noontime.

13:00 – Cruise through a picturesque route past several floating fishing hamlets, including Cap La and Cong Dam, and enter the heart of the pristine Bai Tu Long Geology Park. Visit the charming Vung Vieng Fishing Village, where you can choose to learn how to steer a traditional boat with guidance from a local fisherman or sit back and relax as you’re rowed along in a bamboo boat (2–4 guests per boat).

14:00 – 15:00 – Return to the main cruise. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace—either join a new round of onboard activities with fellow guests or unwind in quiet comfort on the deck, soaking in the peaceful bay views.

19:00 – Savor a delicious dinner onboard, featuring a variety of local and international flavors.

20:30 – Enjoy a relaxing evening with free time to join games, socialize with other guests, or try your luck at squid fishing under the stars.

Overnight on cruise.

06:00 – Begin your day with a peaceful Tai Chi session on the sundeck or simply enjoy the serene morning view of the bay’s breathtaking landscape. Fresh coffee and tea will be available from 06:30.

07:00 – A buffet breakfast will be served to energize you for the day ahead.

07:30 – Visit the beautifully hidden Thien Canh Son Cave, known for its impressive stalactites and panoramic views.

08:30 – Return to the cruise. Take this time to pack your belongings and freshen up.

09:15 – Check out. Please place your heavy luggage in the corridor and leave your key in the door.

09:45 – Join a short cooking demonstration where you’ll learn how to prepare fresh Vietnamese spring rolls, guided step-by-step by our chef.

10:15 – Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese brunch served onboard as we cruise back to the port.

10:45 – 11:30 – Settle your bill and disembark at Halong International Cruise Port. Wait comfortably for your return shuttle.

12:00 – From the habor, drive back to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Departure Flight: Guest’s own tickets

After check-out, your private transfer greets you at the hotel and escorts you to Noi Bai International Airport where you board your flight to catch your flight home.