Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, you are warmly greeted by our guide and driver at the pick-up lobby. Enjoy a comfortable 45-minute transfer into the heart of the capital, crossing the Red River with its mix of colonial facades, narrow alleys, and the city’s famously lively traffic.

You are then dropped off at your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is free for you to rest and recover after the long flight.

8:30: Start your day at the Temple of Literature, founded in the 11th century under the Ly dynasty to honor Confucius and educate royal scholars. Stroll through its peaceful courtyards and gardens until you reach Khue Van Cac, the iconic pavilion that symbolizes Hanoi. Continue to the UNESCO-recognized stone steles, which record the names of Vietnam’s most outstanding graduates, before exploring Quoc Tu Giam, regarded as the country’s first national university.

Next, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays), an engaging institution that offers deep insight into the cultures of Vietnam’s many ethnic groups. Its rich collection includes traditional costumes, agricultural tools, musical instruments, and life-size replicas of ethnic minority houses. A full visit typically takes about two hours.

For lunch, enjoy one of Hanoi’s most beloved dishes: cha ca, fragrant turmeric-marinated grilled fish served with fresh herbs, rice noodles, and a tangy dipping sauce — a true staple of the capital’s culinary heritage.

In the afternoon, take a leisurely walk through the elegant French Quarter, often referred to as Hanoi’s “little Paris” for its tree-lined boulevards, grand colonial architecture, and stately government buildings. Continue with an exterior visit of Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, then enjoy a relaxing walk through the nearby botanical gardens to see the simple House on Stilts, where Ho Chi Minh once lived and worked. Conclude this section of the tour at the unique One-Pillar Pagoda, one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks.

For a delightful gourmet pause, settle onto a small stool inside a traditional tube house and savor a cup of egg coffee - a creamy specialty born during the French colonial era. Made from whipped egg yolk and rich Vietnamese coffee, this iconic drink remains a local favorite.

End your day with a stroll through the atmospheric Old Quarter. Originating in the 15th century as a busy trading hub, its famed “36 streets” each once specialized in a particular craft or product. Today, the Old Quarter is a vibrant open-air museum of living history, with narrow alleyways, tube houses, small temples, bustling markets, and irresistible street food creating an unforgettable sensory experience.

8:30: Meet your tour guide and driver, then depart for Mai Chau. Along the way, stop for a short walk to visit a Muong ethnic village, offering a first glimpse of rural life in northern Vietnam. Continue to Thung Khe Pass, where you pause to enjoy sweeping panoramic views over the valley before arriving in Mai Chau town around noon. Nestled among green mountain ranges and rice terraces, Mai Chau is a peaceful valley known for its harmonious landscapes and laid-back atmosphere.

In the afternoon, explore Mai Hich village and the surrounding hamlets by bicycle (optional) or on foot, following a quiet concrete path through the countryside. The serene scenery is captivating, with villages, rice fields, mountains, and streams blending seamlessly together. Take time to interact with the warm and welcoming locals, who are often happy to invite you into their home for a cup of tea and a friendly conversation.

Walking: approximately 6 km Cycling (optional): approximately 12 km

8:30: Transfer to Pa Co, about a 1-hour drive from Mai Chau. This remote mountain village is home to the Hmong ethnic group, traditionally settled at high altitudes. In the past, poppy cultivation was common here; today, local families mainly grow maize, manioc, and groundnuts for their livelihood.

Upon arrival, you start exploring the village and observe daily life in this Hmong community. If today is Sunday, you have the chance to visit the weekly Pa Co market, which takes place every Sunday morning and attracts villagers from the surrounding areas. On other days, enjoy a leisurely walk from Pa Co to Hang Kia, another Hmong village nestled in the mountains.

Along the way, discover traditional houses, farming activities, and local customs. When possible, you may be invited into a family home to gain a deeper insight into authentic Hmong daily life.

After lunch, you are picked up by your vehicle and transferred back to Mai Chau.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Walking distance: approximately 5–8 km

8:30: Start the day with a short transfer from your hotel in Mai Chau to Pu Luong Nature Reserve. En route, stop at a local bamboo workshop where skilled artisans transform bamboo into everyday items such as chopsticks, cups, and household tools - an insightful introduction to traditional craftsmanship and sustainable materials.

The journey continues to Eo Ken, around 30 kilometers from Mai Chau town. From here, begin a gentle two-hour walk along a narrow path winding through a beautiful rural landscape. Lush tropical forests gradually give way to terraced rice fields dotted with limestone outcrops, creating a striking harmony between nature and agriculture. Along the way, visit a local family in Eo Ken village and gain a glimpse into their authentic daily life.

The morning walk ends in Hang village, where the driver is waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Pu Luong.

Walking distance: approximately 5–6 km

In the afternoon, set out from Ban Don, walking through expansive rice fields toward Lan village, well known for its traditional Thai textiles. As you descend further into the valley, the scenery becomes a rich mosaic of rice paddies, small villages inhabited by Thai communities, vegetable gardens, and fish ponds. Stop at a local workshop to observe how traditional Thai brocade textiles are genuinely handcrafted using age-old techniques.

Later in the afternoon, meet the driver and transfer back to your hotel.

Walking distance: approximately 5–6 km

8:30: After breakfast, check out and depart for Ninh Binh. En route, stop in Chieng Lau for a gentle walk through a tranquil rural landscape, where lush rice paddies stretch alongside traditional bamboo water wheels. Powered solely by the natural flow of the river, these wheels showcase a simple yet ingenious irrigation system and reflect the deep-rooted agricultural knowledge of local communities.

After the walk, meet your driver again and continue the journey to Ninh Binh.

Walking distance: approximately 2-3 km

Upon arrival, we make our first stop in Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century. Here, we visit two historic temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang (r. 968–980) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh (r. 980–1009), the founders of the first independent Vietnamese dynasties after nearly a thousand years of Chinese domination. Although the temples were rebuilt in the 17th century, they continue to symbolize deep national respect for these emperors and feature traditional Vietnamese architecture set against a dramatic limestone backdrop.

We then transfer to Tam Coc, often referred to as “Halong Bay on land” for its spectacular karst scenery rising from emerald rice fields. This picturesque landscape also appeared in the famous French movie Indochina. Enjoy a private sampan boat ride along the peaceful Ngo Dong River, drifting through three natural caves while taking in a harmonious blend of limestone formations, rice paddies, and rural village life.

After the boat ride, we visit Thai Vy Temple, a serene and lesser-known sanctuary nestled among rice fields and limestone mountains. Dedicated to the Tran Dynasty kings, the temple honors Emperor Tran Thai Tong and his successors, who led Vietnam during a golden age in the 13th century. Built entirely of stone, the temple stands out for its simple yet elegant architecture and its tranquil atmosphere, offering a deeper insight into Vietnam’s royal and spiritual heritage away from the crowds.

Finally, we meet our driver and continue the journey to Van Long Nature Reserve.

8:30: To begin the day’s activities, you may choose to enjoy a leisurely bike ride along the dyke, offering beautiful views of rice paddies and dramatic limestone mountains. Along the way, feel free to stop for photos or brief encounters with local villagers, providing an authentic glimpse into daily rural life.

The ride leads to Thung La Temple, a peaceful and little-visited temple dating back to the 11th century. Nestled at the foot of limestone cliffs and surrounded by farmland, the temple reflects early Vietnamese spiritual architecture and local religious traditions. Here, you'll listen to a traditional musical performance, offering insight into the region’s cultural heritage.

Afterwards, return to Van Long Nature Reserve for a tranquil sampan boat ride through a vast landscape of limestone karsts and wetlands. As one of Vietnam’s largest nature reserves and a Ramsar-listed wetland of international importance, Van Long is known for its rich biodiversity. With a bit of luck, you may spot Delacour’s langurs (white monkeys), egrets, or other water birds resting on the cliffs and along the marshes.

Cycling distance: approximately 10 km (one way) or 20 km (round trip)Note: Travelers who prefer not to cycle may ride as a passenger on a scooter or travel comfortably to the temple by car.

After lunch, we continue to Lang Van Church, one of the most striking contemporary religious landmarks in Ninh Binh. Designed in an impressive Gothic style, the church is characterized by pointed arches, soaring vaulted ceilings, and an imposing bell tower rising over 100 meters, making it one of the tallest church towers in Vietnam.

We then take part in an embroidery workshop led by Mrs. Lam, a local master craftswoman. With great pride, she introduces the traditional embroidery techniques passed down through generations. Under her guidance, you have the chance to work with needle and fabric, gaining hands-on experience and a deeper appreciation of this delicate craft, just like a local artisan.

8:00: Our limousine driver will pick you up at your hotel for a shared transfer to Halong. The journey takes around 3.5–4 hours, with an optional stop for a restroom break along the way. Upon arrival, you will be dropped off at Tuan Chau Pier to board your cruise.

12:45: Enjoy welcome drink and spend a couple minutes to briefing about safety on boat and activities included then we check in our cabin.

13:30: Delicious Vietnamese set menu will be served while leisurely cruising further into Bai Tu Long Bay.

15:00: Arrive in kayaking area – that is Cap La Island. Enjoy kayaking through the karst and breathtaking nature, swimming and relaxing.

17:30: Get back to the boat and enjoys our Sunset party while our cruise sailing to the overnight anchorage.

19:00: Sumptuous set-dinner onboard.

20:30: Free time to challenge yourself in Vietnamese puzzle games, or gathers your group/family for a board game; try your luck with squid fishing or simply has a cocktail and enjoy the quiet night on the bay.

06:00: 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.

07:00: Breakfast will be served in Western style, familiar to you to fulfill your strength and ready for another exploring day.

08:00: Explore the well hidden Thien Canh Son Cave.

09:00: Upon return to the boat you will have about 30 minutes to freshen up and finish packing.

10:00: 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 or challenge yourself in fruit and vegetables carving.

11:00: Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch on boat.

12:00: Back to the harbor.

The shuttle bus driver from the cruise picks you up at the cruise’s reception hall and transfers you back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you are dropped off in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Our driver will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel in Hanoi and take you to Noi Bai Airport. The drive takes approximately 45 minutes.