Grand Northern Vietnam Journey

8:30 AM After breakfast at the hotel, meet our guide and driver for a full-day exploration of Hanoi, a city rich in history and culture. The day begins with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you will see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of Vietnam’s revered leader. A short walk takes you to the Presidential Palace, a beautiful example of French colonial architecture, followed by a visit to Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, which offers insight into the simple lifestyle of the man who shaped modern Vietnam. Before leaving the complex, visit the One Pillar Pagoda, an iconic temple known for its unique lotus-shaped structure.

Next, continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, dedicated to Confucius and generations of scholars. The well-preserved architecture and serene courtyards give you a glimpse into Vietnam’s academic traditions.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting Hoa Lo Prison Museum, commonly known as the “Hanoi Hilton,” where American pilots were held during the war. The afternoon continues with an exploration of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where a traditional cyclo ride takes you through the bustling, maze-like streets of the city’s historic trading hub. This slow-paced journey offers the perfect opportunity to soak in the vibrant atmosphere, with its mix of ancient shopfronts, modern cafes, and street vendors.

As the day winds down, experience the magic of a traditional water puppet performance, a unique Vietnamese art form that brings folklore and legends to life on a water stage. After the show, return to your hotel for a well-earned rest.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Start your journey in the early morning from Hanoi, enjoying a scenic 4-hour drive through the lush countryside to Mai Chau. Along the way, stop at the Thung Khe Pass for panoramic views of the valley and surrounding mountains, a perfect spot for memorable photos.

Upon arrival in Mai Chau around lunchtime, check in at the hotel and enjoy a traditional Vietnamese meal.

In the afternoon, take a leisurely walk through the tranquil rice paddies and charming villages such as Lac and Pom Coong, Na Phon… Interact with local people, observe their traditional stilt houses, and learn about the unique culture of the Thai ethnic group.

Return to your accommodation, enjoy your free time.

Overnight in Mai Chau.

Depart Mai Chau for Pu Luong Nature Preservation and its inhabitants. Transfer to Kho Muong village, start trekking on the path down to the most remote village in Pu Luong. Located in the valley and surrounded by beautiful limestone mountains and rice terraces, Kho Muong is home to the Thai ethnic group. Have your camera ready to capture the breathtaking scenery of rice terraces and encounter the locals en route.

Get back in the car and then travel to Pu Luong center to enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, head to Chieng Lau by car, a picturesque area renowned for its lush rice fields and bamboo water wheels. Here, embark on a scenic walk, allowing you to engage with local people and catch a glimpse of the bamboo water wheels used for irrigation.

Come back to your accommodation.

Overnight in Pu Luong.

This is a great experience combining trekking and cycling. We descend into the beautiful valley facing the Retreat, where you can walk around tumbling rice terraces. Then we will go along small paths shrouded in vegetation to slowly reveal a picturesque Uoi village at the base of a towering mountain. It is the only place offering a bird’s-eye view from the top of the pass. Continue walking downhill to a local home, where you can take a bike to cycle around Lan village. Lan is tranquil and famous for its embroidery craft. A small stream with water from the farthest mountains winds through the houses, creating a bunch of outdoor nature bathing places for villagers after long farming days and cycling through the rice paddies and village to village, hanging bridges to explore more of the scenic landscapes surrounding.

Have lunch at a local restaurant. 

You will end up at Hieu Village, and enjoy the Hieu waterfall, the only one in the reserve. Return to your accommodation.

Overnight in Pu Luong.

Enjoy breakfast before saying goodbye to the host, then walk down to the spectacular rice terrace valley. Hike through small paths and reach four picturesque villages, Leo, Mo, Chu, and Danh. Don’t forget your camera to capture these unforgettable moments. During the hike, you will enjoy the changing landscapes of rice terraces, villages, wild fields, ponds, streams, and mountains.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

Transfer to Ninh Binh, check into your accommodation.

Overnight in Ninh Binh

Explore the natural diversity by doing a 2-hour trek in the national park and visiting the Endangered Primate & Turtle Rescue Centre.

8:00: Depart from your hotel for a 1-hour journey to Cuc Phuong National Park. Located in the southwest of Hanoi, Cuc Phuong National Park was officially opened in 1960 as the first nature reserve in Vietnam. It is a tropical rainforest with a rich and diverse flora and fauna system. On arrival, visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre where the rare primates of Vietnam are reared and rescued. Continue visiting the turtle house project, then drive to the park center. Have lunch at the house-on-stilts before setting out for a 6km trek into the park center. Trek through the tropical jungle for an open view of majestic landscapes, pristine limestone mountains, and valleys. Take a rest at a giant ancient tree halfway through the journey. On the way back, take a short trek to the Cave of Early Man before driving to the hotel.

Overnight in Ninh Binh

Today, you can choose to embark on a 10 km bike ride (one way) or a 20 km ride (round trip) along the dyke, offering stunning views of rice fields, a river, and limestone mountains. Take optional stops along the way for picturesque photos and interactions with locals. Explore Thung La Temple, dating back to the 11th century, and immerse yourself in the traditional musical instruments, essential to the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.

Take a sampan boat trip along the stream and among the limestone mountains to discover the beauty of the Van Long nature reserve. If lucky, you might see white monkeys and egrets on the cliffs. After the boat trip, visit an embroidery village and take part in an embroidery course under the instruction of a local craftswoman. She will proudly explain the techniques of her traditional craft. This will be a good opportunity for you to practice on fabric like a real craftsman.

Head from Ninh Binh to Hanoi and soak in the scenic beauty as you traverse the Red River Delta with photo opportunities amidst the lush rice fields and tranquil countryside.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meet your guide and driver, then depart for Halong Bay – a World Natural Heritage recognized by UNESCO twice. Upon arrival, embark on the cruise and enjoy a welcome drink while having the tour briefing and safety instructions. A seafood lunch will be served on board while the ship sails out to the Bay, with time to admire its dramatic karst formations.

Take a rest at your leisure on the sundeck or relax in your cabin. In the afternoon, decide whether to swim in the warm, calm water or get on kayaks to discover the wonders. Our expert and experienced guides will surely instruct you on the basics of paddling before leading you to explore the extraordinary beauty of Halong Bay. After 01 hour exploring the bay, you will embark on the cruise again before attending a cooking class in the late afternoon.

Enjoy the superb dinner and stay overnight on board.

Note: The detailed itinerary of the cruise will be provided upon confirmation. The program may be subject to change depending on the weather or management.

Enjoying Halong Bay in the early morning with a Tai Chi Class on the sun deck is a must-do that you should not miss on an overnight cruise. Then relax on the upper deck, enjoy the best sightseeing, and take photos of the magnificent beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water.

After breakfast, you will explore Sung Sot cave, one of the finest and widest grottoes in Halong Bay.  Go back to the boat and keep cruising through the fishing village, and witness its unique way of life.

10.30: The boat cruises back to the jetty. Enjoy your last time on the bay before having a traditional Vietnamese lunch.

11: 30: Disembark the cruise, get ashore, meet your driver, and transfer back to Hanoi.

Thank you for choosing LuxeTravel Asia. We hope you had a memorable journey and look forward to welcoming you back to Vietnam or Indochina.

Tour Ends