Upon arrival to Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport you will be welcomed by your guide holding a sign with your name on it. He will escort you to your hotel (approx. 1-hour drive). Check in time is after 2 PM.

If time permit, in the late afternoon, down time with one hour cyclo ride around the Old Quarter in the heart of Hanoi. A cyclo is a bicycle cab with a roof, pedaled by a driver who sits behind you, allowing for immersing yourself in an old atmosphere of an area that perfectly captures the timelessness and nostalgia of Vietnam. The Old Quarter consists of 36 old streets named after the kind of goods or crafts that used to be made or sold on those streets, such as Hang Dao (Silk Street), Hang Bac (Silver Street), Hang Duong (Sugar Street), and Hang Muoi (Salt Street). After the cyclo ride, walking around Hoan Kiem lake and visit Thanh Ha wet market to have a look at the local life.  Conclude your walk over a cup of delicious Vietnamese egg coffee at a hidden café nestled inside a tiny alley. Hot café Trung, with its rich taste of coffee, creamy egg yolk, and sweet condensed milk, will leave you smiling. 

Back to your hotel and free at leisure.

Meal: N/A

Overnight at hotel

Experience the true essence of Hanoi through a unique and immersive cooking class. Don’t expect a star awarded kitchen but a simple private cooking lesson in the family's home with local specialties. 

Step off the beaten path and into the warmth of a local family's home, where you will embark on a culinary adventure like no other. Say goodbye to the traditional cooking class centers and hello to an authentic Vietnamese experience. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and flavors of Vietnam as you learn to cook traditional dishes from friendly local residents who open their doors to share their real-life stories with you. This is an opportunity to not only discover the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine but also gain a close look at the daily life of the locals. 

Your guide will meet you at your hotel at 9 AM. From there, you will be transported to Thanh Tri Market, a bustling local market that comes alive in the mornings. Let the chef be your expert guide as she introduces you to the sights, sounds, and aromas of this lively marketplace, providing you with an insider's perspective on the local way of life and the freshest ingredients you will be using. With the freshest foods in hand, embark on a walk along the village and meet the local people in their daily life. At 10:00 am, you will arrive at the local family's home, where you will receive a warm welcome and an introduction to the house's architecture and cultural traditions. Then you will receive a brief overview of the cooking course ahead. Using authentic recipes passed down through generations, you will get hands-on experience in bringing these culinary delights to life.

11:00 AM: The cooking course starts. Menu:

-        Ravioli

-        Spring rolls with fish

-        Food carving

-        Salad of fresh rice noodle with beef and sweet – sour sauce

-        Dessert: Fruits and tea

12:30 PM: savor the fruits of your labor during a delectable lunch.

13:30: the course ends. Say goodbye to the family and back to hotel.

In the afternoon, visit the National Museum of Vietnamese History to discover Vietnam's cultural quintessence and longstanding history. The old building with ancient Indochinese architecture and valuable historical artifacts. Continue to Temple of Literature, the Vietnam's first university established within the temple in 1076 to educate the mandarin class. The university functioned for more than 700 years, from 1076 to 1779 during which a good number of 2,313 doctors graduated. Late afternoon, enjoy a traditional theatrical performance followed by traditional Vietnamese cuisine at a famous restaurant – a great evening. The evening will begin with an unforgettable Water Puppet Show. Water puppetry is a unique Vietnamese art form performed in a large pool using the water as a stage. It is considered one of the most traditional and important parts of Vietnamese culture. You will also enjoy the Vietnamese orchestra, which provides the background music for the show. The orchestra is manned by an array of talented singers accompanied by professional musicians performing with traditional musical instruments. The show is a great way to learn more about the Vietnamese rural life and folklore. 

Meal: Breakfast, lunch (at cooking class)

Overnight at hotel 

After breakfast, leave Hanoi and drive to Sapa (approx. 5.5 hour drive). Arrive in Sapa in the afternoon. Transfer to your hotel, check in and free at leisure.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel 

At 9h, meet your local guide at your hotel. A 30 minute drive takes you to Silver Waterfall (best seen in the rainy season from May to November), take a short walk to the waterfall where great views are offered of the surrounding mountains and lush forests of the Hoang Lien National Park. Along the way your guide will explain about this special part of Sa Pa, where many tree species are grown such as plum and peach trees. Continue by car 10 minutes up to Heaven's Gate, from here you can see Fansipan mountain ‘the roof of Indochina’ at the height of 3143 meters above sea level. Continue to O Quy Ho pass, a scenic mountain pass that offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. Then transfer back to Sapa.

In the afternoon, transfer to Muong Hoa valley. Visit the Black H’mong village of Lao Chai, where you will experience the daily life of the community. Afterwards, walk from Lao Chai to Ta Van village, where the Dzay hill tribes live. The village is surrounded by terraced rice fields that offer a breathtaking panorama, especially during the growing season when they are lush green.

Back to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel 

Known as the “Roof of Indochina”, Mount Fansipan rises to 3,143 meters. With the modern cable car system, visitors can reach the summit quickly and comfortably, making it a perfect half-day excursion from Sapa.

In the morning meet your guide and head to the Sun World train station to get a Muong Hoa furnicular to the departure terminal of Fansipan cable cars. Board the Cable Car, enjoy a 15-minute ride across valleys, waterfalls, and terraced rice fields. Admire stunning panoramic views of Hoàng Liên Sơn mountain range. Visit the Spiritual Complex before taking another Funicular train. A short scenic ride to the upper station close to the summit. Upon reaching Fansipan Summit (3,143m), enjoy 360° mountain views above the clouds.

 Gondola ride back to the lower station. Back to Sapa by Muong Hoa furnicular.

Free at leisure in the afternoon.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel 

Morning leave Sapa and transfer back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi in the afternoon. Check in hotel (after 2 PM) and free at leisure.

At 5:30 PM, you will join a group of tourists and hop on a motorbike to explore the rich local cuisine through famous street foods such as beef salad and crispy spring roll, Pho, banh mi (Vietnamese bread), tofu or sweet soup.

During the tour, you’ll have chance to pass by the Train street and see the iconic landmark at night time before heading back to your hotel and finish the trip around 9:30PM.

Meal: Breakfast, dinner (with street food)

Overnight at hotel 

After breakfast, drive to Ninh Binh, a hidden gem in the North of Vietnam.

Visit Hoa Lu, the relics of Vietnam’s ancient capital in the 10th century. Explore Dinh Temple, dedicated to King Dinh, the ruler who chose Hoa Lu as the site for his imperial citadel.

Continue to Tam Coc, also known as “Halong Bay on Land,” one of the most spectacular landscapes in Vietnam. Along the Hoang Long River, vast limestone cliffs rise dramatically from emerald rice paddies, creating scenery reminiscent of Halong Bay. A boat trip through the three caves of Tam Coc is especially rewarding for photography lovers, particularly during the rice harvest or planting seasons when farmers work along the riverbanks.

After the boat ride, visit Bich Dong Pagoda, a three-tiered ancient pagoda built into the mountainside. Its charm lies in the harmonious blend of traditional architecture, natural caves, majestic limestone formations, and lush tropical greenery. From the upper pagoda, you’ll enjoy a stunning panoramic view over the valley, distant mountain peaks, and sweeping rice fields.

Overnight at your hotel in Tam Coc. 

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel

After breakfast, depart Ninh Binh for a four-hour drive to Ha Long Bay. Arrive at the jetty in Ha Long City around noon and proceed with the check-in formalities. You will be welcomed on board, and lunch will be served as the boat begins cruising into the heart of the bay. In the afternoon, enjoy sightseeing and onboard activities according to your boat’s itinerary, or simply relax and take in the magnificent surroundings. Toward the end of the day, the boat will anchor for the night among the impressive karst formations. Dinner will be served on board.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight on Ha Long cruise

Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Ha Long in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.

Check in hotel and free at leisure.

In the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to get an up-close and personal look by visiting a local family, delving into their daily life, and sharing their meals.

Transfer to the Southwest part of the city. Here, the lifestyle is a blend of tradition and modernity, where bustling streets intersect with narrow lanes. You will be warmly welcomed by a three-generation Hanoian family. After a brief introduction to the family, you'll be treated to a special dinner featuring traditional Vietnamese cuisine. As you enjoy the meal, your host will share insights about the local culture, culinary traditions, and their everyday life. Following the meal, you'll be invited to the living room for desserts and tea. The host will continue the conversation, delving into topics about their family and the enduring aspects of traditional culture.

Indulging in a meal with distinct dishes, all within the cozy ambiance of this hospitable, three-generation family, promises an enriching experience. It's a great opportunity for those with a fondness for Vietnam, its vibrant culture, and its delectable cuisine.

Meal: Brunch, dinner at local home

Overnight at hotel

Free at leisure to discover the city at your own pace. Check out hotel before noon.

Depending on your flight time, you will be privately transferred to Hanoi airport to get your international flight home. 

End of services.

Meal: Breakfast