Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport. Then you will be welcomed by our guide and transfer to your hotel in Hanoi Center. Check in time is after 2 PM.

Hanoi enjoys a rich Imperial history dating back over a millennium. Depending on your arrival time, visit the city to discover its impressive history and culture. Start with Vietnam National Museum of History, which contains artefacts dating back through Vietnam’s 1000 years of history (if visit on Monday, we will visit Thang Long Royal Citadel instead). Continue to Ngoc Son Temple, a pagoda situated on a small island in Hoan Kiem Lake accessible by a classically painted wooden bridge. The view of the city from the pagoda is particularly popular with the locals. End your visit of the city with a stroll through the Old Quarter as historical buildings unfold in front of you and then stop at Giang Café to enjoy a delicious egg coffee. Hot café Trung, with its rich taste of coffee, creamy egg yolk, and sweet condensed milk, will leave you smiling. 

Back to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

Meal: N/A

Overnight at hotel

After breakfast, you'll leave central Hanoi and head towards the ancient village of Duong Lam. Located about 1.5 hours from Hanoi, Duong Lam is one of the few Vietnamese villages still preserved, with its centuries-old laterite houses, narrow alleyways, temples, and authentic rural life. A day there offers the chance to discover the traditional architecture of the Red River Delta and interact with the locals. Upon arrival, you'll visit the Mia Pagoda, built in the 15th century, which houses 287 statues of all sizes, including Buddha statues and statues of the Eight Vajra Deities. Next, you'll explore the Mong Phu Temple in the commune of Mong Phu – one of the few hamlets where the original village entrance remains intact. Stroll through narrow alleyways lined with laterite walls and visit an old house that is over 100 years old. Discover the structure, family shrines, and daily life of the inhabitants. You will then enjoy an authentic lunch prepared by your host family.

In the afternoon, continue to Mai Chau, a small town nestled in a mountainous region 160 km southwest of Hanoi (approximately a 3.5-hour drive). It is the cradle of the White Thai ethnic minority, who maintain a way of life and cherished traditions. You will travel through stunning landscapes of limestone karsts covered in lush vegetation. Arrive in the late afternoon at Buoc Village (Thai ethnic group). Thanks to its remote location from the main town of Mai Chau, Buoc Village enjoys complete tranquility. Situated amidst nature, this charming village comprises about 60 White Thai families who live in wooden stilt houses and still maintain their ancestral way of life and production methods. Dinner and overnight stay in a traditional Thai stilt house.

Information: Approximately 190km / 5-hour transfer

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Breakfast at a local's home. Walk around the village to discover the daily life of the locals.

We get in the vehicle and continue to Pu Luong (approximately a 1-hour drive). Nestled between limestone mountains, verdant valleys, and terraced rice paddies, the Pu Luong Nature Reserve is one of the most beautiful rural areas in northern Vietnam. We'll stop en route to visit the beautiful Hieu Waterfall, with the possibility of swimming (depending on the season).

In the afternoon, check into your hotel. Free time to stroll around the village and meet the locals or simply relax at your hotel.

Dinner at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Info: Approximately 90km / 3 hours by road, 2 hours walking

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel

Morning transfer to Cham Stream to admire the traditional Thai waterwheel system. Enjoy a relaxing moment on a bamboo raft for a cruise through lush, peaceful nature.

Continue to Tam Coc, nicknamed the "Halong Bay in land." Upon arrival, check in to your hotel.

Cycle to Thai Vy Temple, an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the kings of the Tran Dynasty, and the beautiful Bich Dong Pagoda, nestled on a mountainside amidst the limestone karsts of Ninh Binh. Bich Dong Pagoda charms visitors with its cave sanctuaries and spiritual atmosphere, perfectly in harmony with the surrounding nature.

Meals at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Info: Approximately 150km / 3.5 hours drive

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

A bicycle ride through beautiful bucolic landscapes dotted with limestone karsts leads to the site of Hoa Lu, the country's first capital from 968 to 1009 during the reign of the Dinh and Le dynasties. Sheltered by numerous karst peaks, the site was ideal for protecting the capital from Chinese invaders. Visit the Dinh Temple, erected in memory of King Dinh Tien Hoang.

Continue cycling to Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a sampan ride amidst spectacular scenery, with limestone hills surrounding a tranquil river that flows through several caves.

In the afternoon, transfer to Bai Dinh Pagoda – an impressive 700-hectare complex of Buddhist temples on Bai Dinh Mountain. Visit the temples, a bell tower, and three kilometers of corridors housing 500 statues of Arhats in various poses.

Return to Tam Coc in the afternoon. Meals at your leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

 Note: The bike ride can be replaced by a transfer by vehicle if you prefer not to cycle.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

Morning departure for Halong Bay. Upon arrival, board a non-private cruise for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay, admiring the unique and spectacular beauty of this enchanting world of thousands of islets. These stunning limestone karst formations rise impressively from the sea.

Depending on the boat, you may choose to visit a cave or explore the bay by kayak.

In the late afternoon, we will admire the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. A cooking class is available.

Meals and overnight stay on board the boat.

Information: Approximately 220km / 3.5 hours drive

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Accommodation: On board the shared boat

Admire the sunrise over the bay – a splendid moment not to be missed. Continue your cruise. After breakfast (or brunch, depending on the boat), return to the pier.

Disembark and transfer to Hanoi Airport for your departure flight. End of our services.

Meals: Breakfast (or brunch, depending on the boat)

Note: Approximately 180km / 3-hour drive

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