Day 1: HANOI ARRIVAL

Today you’ll land in Hanoi. Warmly welcome by tour guide and driver at airport then transfer to a hotel in Hanoi. Check into your hotel.

Accommodation in Hanoi.

Day 2: HANOI SIGHTSEEING FULL DAY (B, L)

Hanoi, a city of lakes, a very attractive city with French-style architecture. You have a full day of sightseeing ahead,  we will visit Ho Chi Minh Complex that includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (outside), the Presidential Palace, House-on-Stilts, One Pillar Pagoda, which was built by Ly Thai Tong. Then we will visit the Museum of Ethnology, this museum is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples. As well as the comprehensive array of exhibits inside, there are also traditional tribal houses reconstructed within the ground.

Have lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we will visit the Temple of Literature that was originally built as a temple to Confucius, this is the site of Vietnam’s first University dating back to 1070. The temple highlights the importance that Vietnamese society place then and now on education. Then stop in the heart of Hanoi at Hoan Kiem Lake, which contains an islet with a tiny Tortoise Pagoda.

45 minutes Cyclo takes you around the Old Quarter.

Enjoy a water puppet show before returning to your hotel.

Accommodation in Hanoi.

Day 3: HANOI – MAI CHAU (B/L/D)

After breakfast, depart from Hanoi to Mai Chau. In the mountainous North West Province of Hoa Binh,  Mai Chau is situated approximately 150 kilometers west of Hanoi. The village is surrounded by mountains with height up to 1200 meters.  Arrive in Mai Chau around noon, check in your room and enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, cycle to explore Mai Chau beautiful ethnic villages including Na Thia, Nhot, Pom Coong, Lac and Chieng Chau villages. Be welcomed by the friendly local people, talk with them and discover their traditional culture. Take it all in: the spectacular scenery of Mai Chau and the relaxed rhythm of local life.

Back to your homestay for evening enjoyment, you may choose to take part in a traditional dance show with Ruou Can (a local wine. Overnight at homestay.

Accommodation in Mai Chau.

Day 4: MAI CHAU – NINH BINH - HOA LU, TAM COC (B/L)

After your breakfast, our car will take you to Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh. It takes you about 3.5 hours to get there.

Arrive in Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Daicoviet (Vietnam’s ancient name), which was existing 41 years since 968 when Dinh Bo Linh took the thrown until 1009. This site was chosen for the capital due to its proximity to China and the natural protection afforded by the region’s bizarre landscape.

Visit the temple of Dinh & Le dynasty; learn about history of Vietnam in the war with China.

Then, we will go to Tam Coc to have lunch and a short rest.

Afternoon, take the small riverboat rowing along the river will bring you to visit Tamcoc, which is still called “Dry Halong Bay”. The mixture among the mountain, the river, the rice paddies and the caves with the stalactites flowing down as mysterious marble boasts the breathtaking scenery.

Visit Bich Dong pagoda and then transfer to the hotel in Ninh Binh for check in and take a rest.

Accommodation in Ninh Binh.

Day 5: NINH BINH -  HALONG BAY (B, L, D)

Early this morning, we’ll drive from Ninh Binh to one of the most magnificent scenic environments in the world, Halong Bay. Covering 577 square miles, this vast bay is filled with more than 3,000 limestone “peaks” or karsts that jut from the deep blue water as far as the eye can see. We’ll spend a day and a half, including an overnight with dinner and breakfast onboard, exploring this overwhelming seascape from the decks of a traditional Vietnamese boat. Comfortable and intimate, your boat features hand-crafted wooden interiors including a dining room and pleasant air-conditioned cabins with private baths. Since we’re overnight on the water, we’ll be able to explore Ha Long Bay’s most beautiful spots with time to swim and even visit some of the largest rock formations and caves. This promises to be one of your most memorable travel experiences in Asia.

Stay overnight on board.

Day 6: HALONG BAY – HANOI (B,L)

Start your day with a Tai Chi routine on sundeck or catch a morning view of the stunning bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Rising to the sound of lapping bay waters, we have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay. After breakfast, explore Thien Canh Son cave, and enjoy a white sandy beach at Hon Co Island. Upon return to the boat you will have about 30 minutes to freshen up and finish packing. Then, attend in a Vietnamese cooking demonstration. You can quickly learn a simple but delicious Vietnamese dish that Gordon Ramsey (a 2 Michelin Star Chef) used to guide – Nem Cuon. Cruises back to the jetty while brunch is served while you are cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations. Get back to Hanoi.

Day 7: DEPARTURE (B)

Free day at leisure until transfer to Hanoi airport for your departure flight.

Good bye & see you in the next time!