Hidden Charms of Northern Vietnam – 12 Days

Upon landing at Noi Bai International Airport, your guide/driver will warmly welcome you. Then, you will be transferred to your hotel in the city center. Depending on your arrival time, check-in may be available (hotel check-in time is usually after 2:00 PM). Early check-in is subject to availability or an additional fee.

18:00 you will head to the local restaurant to have dinner

After that, you will have leisure time exploring the Old Quarter independently.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Meals included: Welcome Dinner

Morning:

Depart from Hanoi (around 8:00 AM) for Halong Bay.

Arrive at Halong Bay (12:00 PM) and check in on your cruise.

Afternoon:

The cruise begins through the scenic bay, passing limestone karts and islands.

Enjoy a delicious lunch on board.

Visit iconic spots like Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave, Ti Top Island (for swimming or hiking), or kayak through secluded lagoons.

Evening:

Relax on the sundeck with sunset views.

Participate in onboard activities like squid fishing or cooking classes.

Dinner is served on the cruise with fresh seafood and local delicacies.

Overnight: Stay in a comfortable cabin onboard the cruise.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning:

Start your day with tai chi on the deck during sunrise.

Light breakfast is served onboard.

Continue exploring hidden gems of the bay, like a floating fishing village or pearl farm.

Mid-Morning:

Visit a smaller cave or enjoy more kayaking, depending on the cruise itinerary.

Return to the boat for brunch as the cruise heads back to the pier.

Noon: Disembark from the cruise and transfer to Ninh Binh.

Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh

Meals included: Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner

Start your day with breakfast at your hotel, then visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital during the Dinh and Le dynasties (10th century), and explore the historical temples dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh, plus learn about the region’s history and its role in defending against foreign invaders.

Then, you will take a traditional sampan boat ride through Tam Coc, often called “Halong Bay on land.”, you will have a chance to glide along the Ngo Dong River, passing through limestone karsts, caves, and rice paddies and immerse yourself in the serene and picturesque landscape.

In the afternoon, you will spend your time climbing approximately 500 steps to the top of Mua Cave for a breathtaking panoramic view of Tam Coc and the surrounding countryside, the hike is moderately challenging but rewarding, offering one of the most iconic views in Ninh Binh.

Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your trip will begin with a visit to the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre, a non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation, breeding, research, and conservation of endangered primates and the protection of their habitats. You will then venture deeper into the park where you will find the cave of an ancient man who was discovered in the park. You will stop for lunch in the stilt house in the center of the park.

Taking a short trek into the National Park for sightseeing will allow you to learn more about the fauna and flora that thrive within the park. After, you will visit the Park Centre where you can see the “Cave of Early Man” before moving to Hanoi.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 7-10 km trek

After breakfast, our guide picked us up at the hotel at 8.00 AM. Sightseeing today includes exploring Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes, and ancient oriental pagodas, start Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and stilt house), the Presidential Palace, the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Temple of Literature; West Lake including the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda; and one of the city’s museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). End the day’s explorations; watch a traditional puppet show on water that shows off an ancient art form.

20:30, you will be transferred to the station for your overnight train journey to Sapa.

Accommodation: Train to Sapa (sharing berth)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

05:0 AM, Arrive at Lao Cai Station and have a light breakfast there.

8:30 AM – Trek to Lao Chai Village: Begin your trek through the breathtaking Muong Hoa Valley, surrounded by terraced rice fields, and visit Lao Chai Village, home to the Black H’mong ethnic group, and learn about their culture, traditions, and daily life.

1:00 PM – Trek to Ta Van Village: Continue trekking to Ta Van Village, where the Giay ethnic community resides, immerse yourself in their unique culture, and enjoy the serene beauty of the area.

3:00 PM – Visit Local Waterfalls: Spend time admiring the cascading water and taking photos in this peaceful setting (Silver Waterfall or Love Waterfall)

5:00 PM – Head back to your hotel to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start your day with a nutritious breakfast at your hotel.

8:30 AM – Visit Fansipan Mountain

Transfer to the Fansipan Cable Car Station for an exhilarating ride to the summit.

Enjoy breathtaking views of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain range and surrounding terraced fields during the cable car journey.

At the summit, take in the awe-inspiring scenery and explore the Fansipan Legend Complex, including the giant Buddha statue and pagodas.

14:30 – Depart for Hanoi

Board the luxury bus for a comfortable journey back to Hanoi. Relax and enjoy the scenic drive through the lush Vietnamese countryside.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning you will depart from Hanoi to Mai Chau, passing along charming little roads. En route, you will find the road ascends gradually until you find yourself in the middle of a landscape of mountains set at a medium altitude. Upon arrival in Mai Chau, you will be served a welcome lunch prepared by a local family in a traditional Thai stilt house. This will be a privileged moment to exchange ideas with them and learn more about their daily life.

In the afternoon you will visit a neighboring village inhabited by one of the ethnic Thai minorities of North Vietnam, the white Thai. In these mountainous regions, you will discover local crafts and the customs of the inhabitants. You will have the rest of the day to walk around the village. In the evening you will return to your host family for dinner, before enjoying a very welcoming Thai folk dance performed by the locals.

At night you will sleep in the large main room of a house belonging to one of the locals. To ensure your maximum comfort, the house is furnished with beds (mattresses, sheets, pillows, mosquito nets, fans).

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Distance: 150 kilometers – 4 hours

Depart from Mai Chau for the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, populated by the white Thai and Muong peoples. The walk in the park will be an opportunity to see rich flora and fauna, with more than 1000 plant species and many species of birds. After checking in at the lodge, your afternoon will be free to enjoy the lodge itself or stroll on the paths around the lodge and observe the workers in the rice fields

Option:

In the afternoon, drive to Chien Lau Bridge, from where you will start a 5-kilometer walk to discover the water mills along the Cham River

Then, you will continue your walk to the Tan Lap Bridge where you will find your vehicle and return to the Lodge.

Note: bamboo rafting is optional for people who want to relax on the peaceful Cham River

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at the Pu Luong Retreat

Distance and duration of the walk: 5 kilometers – 2h 30min

Distance: Mai Chau -Pu Luong – 55 kilometers – 1h 30min

During your stay, you will discover the beauty of the reserve by walking on the paths between villages and rice fields.

Options: Hike for 19 or 6 kilometers

Start the hike by descending into a valley facing the lodge. You will then walk along the paths, surrounded by rice terraces, near the village of Don. Then, you will continue treading along paths through fields of corn, other terraced fields, and small villages. After your picnic, rest for a moment and take in the freshness of the river before heading back to the lodge. The end of the afternoon will be free.

The hike can be reduced to 6 kilometers, upon request, which will consist of 3 hours of walking and a return to the lodge for lunch and free time for the rest of the day.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at the Pu Luong Retreat

Distance and walking time: 19 kilometers – 6 hours

Terrain – ascent and descent which could be slippery in case of rain.

Level: 1

Transport: between 15 and 30 minutes

Note: The hike requires it to be equipped with good walking shoes, long pants, and sun protection.

Enjoy your last morning in front of the beautiful valley and depart with your driver for Hanoi.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Distance: Pu Luong – Hanoi 180 kilometers – 4h 30min / 5 hours