Upon your arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you’ll be greeted by our driver at the exit of the arrival hall. You’ll then enjoy a 45-minute drive to the heart of Hanoi, passing over the Red River, where you can catch a glimpse of the city’s unique architecture and its famously bustling traffic. Once you arrive in the Old Quarter, the driver will drop you off at your hotel.

8:30: Meet tour guide and driver then depart to Mai Chau. On the way, visit a Muong village. Continue to Thung Khe pass where you can view magnificent panoramic views of the valley before arriving in Mai Chau town. Mai Chau is a beautiful valley located 145 km away from Hanoi. It is great place with harmonious landscapes, green mountain ranges, rice terraces and White Thai ethnic villages.

Upon your arrival in Mai Hich village, enjoy lunch cooked by the host. Explore Mai Hich by walking along the trails and concrete roads. You will be seduced by the gorgeous landscapes as the villages, rice fields, mountains and streams are in perfect harmony with one another. Do not miss the opportunity to communicate with the friendly local people who are always willing to welcome you into their house to enjoy a cup of tea.

Continue trekking, passing the rice field and small communities to Xam Khoe, a Thai villages that is still not touristic. Enjoy the harmony of nature's beauty and rich human culture. At the end, get a pick up by driver then transfer back to your accommodation.

Walking distance: approx. 5-6 km

In the evening, enjoy a traditional music and dance performance by local Thai villagers.

8:30: Depart from Mai Hich and go directly to Eo Ken, 30km away. Arrive in Eo Ken where the Muong Ethnics live. Walk down the slope and enjoy the spectacular view of Pu Luong Nature reserve, rice field terraces and mountains. Visit a Muong ethnic family in Eo Ken village and discover their authentic life.

Continue your walk through this stunning landscape, cross a gentle stream, and arrive at another charming village - Hang Village, where your driver will be waiting to take you on a short transfer to your accommodation.

Walking distance: approx. 5 km

In the afternoon, we continue exploring the Pu Luong region. Starting from Ban Don village, walk through spectacular rice terraces and follow peaceful trails to Chom Lan village, renowned for its traditional Thai textiles. Along the way, enjoy the changing landscapes—lush rice paddies blending with quiet villages, vegetable gardens, and fish ponds.

Walking distance: approx. 5-6km

8:30: Head to Chieng Lau, 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 residents and catch a glimpse of the bamboo water wheels used for irrigation.

Walking distance: 3-4 km

Your driver will pick you up and transfer you back to Hanoi. The journey takes around 4 to 5 hours, with optional stops along the way for a break or restroom use. Upon arrival in Hanoi, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel.

8:30: Start the day by visiting Temple of Literature which was built under the Ly dynasty in 11th century for worshipping Confucius and teaching Royal children. Enjoy a walk in the garden to the city’s symbol Khue Van Cac. You will then visit the World Heritage "stone steles” which shows the name of outstanding students. Continue to explore the Quoc Tu Giam which is considered as the first national university of Vietnam.

Continue to the Ethnology Museum (closed every Monday) which offers a deep insight into Vietnamese culture through traditional costumes, tools, musical instruments and traditional houses of many ethnic groups. To fully explore this interesting museum, it takes you around two hours. 

For lunch, savour one of Hanoi’s most iconic dishes — chả cá, a flavoursome grilled fish specialty served with fresh herbs, rice noodles, and tangy dipping sauce. A true taste of the capital’s culinary heritage.

In the aftenoon, we will move on to the French Quarter – it is a “little Paris” in Hanoi with tree-lined boulevards, government head offices and a big square. Visit (outside) Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum before having a leisurely walk in the botanical gardens to visit the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live and work. Towards the unique One – pillar pagoda which is one of the city’s symbols. It takes us from 1 to 2 hours to explore this complex, depending on the number of traveler.

To enjoy a gourmet break, savour a cup of egg coffee — a creamy Vietnamese specialty that dates back to the French colonial era and quickly became a local favourite. While it’s easy to find coffee anywhere, this version made with whipped egg yolk is truly special. Settle into a tiny stool in a traditional tube house and enjoy this uniquely Hanoian experience.

Finally, end your exploration in the Hanoi’s Old Quarter, originally established in the 15th century as a bustling trading hub, features 36 streets—each historically dedicated to a specific craft or product. Despite the city’s evolution, the Old Quarter remains a vibrant living museum. Its iconic tube houses, narrow alleyways, centuries-old temples, open-air markets, and mouthwatering street food come together in a captivating blend of history and everyday life. Exploring this charming neighborhood on foot is the best way to awaken all your senses.

8:30: The driver will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi, and from there, we’ll begin our journey to Halong City with a scenic drive through the Red River Delta. The trip takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, with an optional stop along the way for a short break.

11:30 – 12:15: Arrive at the harbor, check in at the cruise lounge. Board a tender for a short transfer to your cruise. Receive a warm welcome drink, safety briefing, and check into your comfortable cabin.

13:00: Savor a freshly prepared lunch while cruising past iconic limestone formations such as Fighting Cocks Islet, Finger Islet, and Candle Islet. Depending on the route, your cruise will sail toward the pristine Bai Tu Long Bay or the serene Lan Ha Bay, both renowned for their tranquil beauty and fewer crowds.

15:00 – 15:30: Afternoon activities may include: Kayaking through hidden lagoons or around karst cliffs or Swimming in emerald waters or Riding a bamboo boat to visit a floating fishing village or explore a scenic cave (e.g., Vung Vieng, Dark & Bright, or Thien Canh Son).

17:00 – 18:00: Return to the boat and enjoy a Sunset Party with Happy Hour specials. Join an interactive Vietnamese cooking class or fruit/vegetable carving/cooking demonstration.

19:00: Relish a gourmet dinner featuring local specialties.

20:30 onwards: Free time for night activities such as squid fishing, board games, karaoke, spa treatments (extra charge), or simply stargazing from the sundeck. Overnight onboard.

Notes: The route and activities may vary depending on the vessel and availability. Experiences may differ slightly between Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, but both offer breathtaking scenery and memorable moments. The itinerary is subject to change due to weather, tides, or cruise operator arrangements.

06:00 – 06:30: Start your day with Tai Chi on the sundeck or enjoy the sunrise over the bay with tea and coffee.

07:00 – 08:15: Light breakfast served. Continue cruising and explore another highlight: Cave visit (e.g., Thien Canh Son, Hospital Cave) with historical or natural significance; Or kayaking/swimming at a picturesque spot such as Tra Bau or Ba Trai Dao.

09:30: Check out of your cabin and relax on the deck as the boat cruises back toward the harbor.

10:00 – 10:30: Enjoy an early light lunch/brunch on board.

11:30: Arrive back at the port, bid farewell to the cruise team, and disembark.

Our driver will meet you at the Tuan Chau cruise port and transfer you to Ninh Binh. The drive takes approximately 4 hours, with an optional stop for restrooms along the way.

For a more active immersion, 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. Continue your exploration by visiting Thung La Temple, which dates back to the 11th century. Don't miss the opportunity to experience traditional musical instruments that are integral to the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.

Note: Travellers who prefer not to ride a bicycle can either ride as a passenger on a scooter or reach the temple by car.

Then, visit an embroidery village and participate in an embroidery course guided by the local craftswoman, Mrs. Lam. She will proudly explain the techniques of her traditional craft, providing you with a valuable opportunity to practice on fabric like a true craftsman.  

In the evening, immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture and cuisine with a fun hands-on cooking class. Learn how to prepare authentic yet simple Vietnamese dishes with step-by-step guidance from your local host. After cooking, sit down to enjoy the delicious meal you’ve created together. It’s a warm, personal experience that connects you to local life through food.

8:30: We depart for Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam from the 10 to the 11 century. The citadel is surrounded by limestone mountains and rivers naturally protecting it and making for an amazing picturesque setting.

On arrival at Hoa Lu, you will visit the temples dedicated toEmperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80), and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009) who played a vital role in gaining the country’s independence after it was ruled by China for a thousand years. Both temples were built in the 17th symbolizing a deep respect to the King’s contributions.

Next, we'll transfer to Phat Diem cathedralwhich is well-known as the “Catholic capital” of Vietnam. The construction of the cathedral between 1875-1899 with a unique combination of traditional pagoda architecture and a western church made of stone and wood.

On arrival, take a leisurely walk to visit the Jesus Christ on the middle islet and the impressive house-gate. Then continue to the grand Catholic Church named “Nha Tho Duc Me Man Coi” which was built with 6 rows of monolithic ironwood with 2 layers of tile roof. Located at the end of the courtyard, the completely stone church is the most incredible building in the complex.

Afterwards, continue to Tam Coc, which has been well-known as the “Halong Bay on land” and appeared in famous French movie “Indochina”. On arrival at the pier, you will take a private sampan boat for a ninety-minute cruise along Ngo Dong River. Pass through three caves and witness a stunning landscape interleaved by small communities, rice fields, cemetery and temples.

After dinner, your guide and driver will transfer you to Ninh Binh train station, where you will board the overnight train to Hue.

Arrive at Hue railway station in the morning, where our tour guide and driver will warmly welcome you. Then, set off to explore the mystical city of Hue.

Then, transfer to the Huong River (or Perfume River) to embark a Royal boat trip to the villages in the East of the city. This is an opportunity to discover the local life on the both sides of this poetic river. Upon arrival in Tien Non village, disembark for a bike ride in the countryside through three villages: Tien Non, Thanh Tien and Sinh village. During the trip, you will be immersed into the daily rhythm of life in the villages.

In Tien Non village, meet the villagers working on the fields and vegetable gardens. Then, visit a family worship house in the village. Next, reach Thanh Tien village, an artificial paper flower village dating back 400 years. Besides the rural works, they make paper flowers for the New Year festival to offer their ancestors the best wishes. Visit Mr. Hieu’s family, one of the well-known artisans in the village to learn how to make paper flowers under his instruction. Keep going to Sinh village, a cradle of 400 year folklore prints in Hue. Meet Mr. Phuoc who will explain the techniques of traditional prints. You will find beautiful souvenirs on this trip. Finally, you'll head back to your hotel.

Continue with Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in Hue, dating back to 1601. This is the spiritual highlight of the city and well known for its majestic octagon tower and beautiful view of the Perfume River.  

To end the day, we will visit Hue Citadel, the only vestige symbol for what was once the imperial city of Vietnam. It is inspired by the fortification of Vauban. The city is composed of three parts: Kinh Thanh (the Capital city), Hoang Thanh (the Imperial city) and Cam Thanh (the Forbidden City). The most beautiful sites in Hue are concentrated in this area including the flag tower, the South gate, the palace of supreme Harmony, the Dynasty temple area and the settlement area.

8:30: We begin our day with a visit to Khai Dinh King's tomb, built in 11 years (1920 – 1931) on Chau Tru hill. Khai Dinh King's tomb is distinguished from other emperor's tombs by the mixture of oriental and western styles. A hundred-step climb will take you to the worship palace at the top. You will discover the amazing decoration with delightful porcelain fragments, a giant painting on the ceiling and a small royal objects museum next door. Finally, the descent offers a panoramic view to the tomb and surrounding area.

After that, transfer to Hoi An via Mandarin Road and Sea Cloud pass (Hai Van Pass). Stop on top of the pass to enjoy the breathtaking view of the ocean and Da Nang city. Once you arrive in Da Nang, stop to visit the Cham Museum which preserves the most important Cham culture collections in the world. Then, walk on My Khe beach where you can enjoy the view of giant Goodness of Mercy statues in the Linh Ung Pagoda. Take photos of fishermen by the beach then continue driving along the coastline to Hoi An ancient town. 

Hoi An used to be one of the most typical South-East Asian trading ports dating from the 15th to the 19th century and the Old Town is still well-preserved. The exchanged cultures is displayed on many historic buildings, religion, daily business and enriched by the authentic lifestyle of local inhabitants.

Our first stop is Cam Pho - one of the oldest communal houses in Hoi An. It was built in the shape of Chinese character means the country for worshipping and trading business and cultural exchange between locality and Chinese, Japanese traders.

Our next visit is the Hoi An city’s symbol - the Chua Cau or the Japanese Covered Bridge, built in the 17th century to allow the Japanese quarter to be accessible from the Chinese neighborhoods. The bridge’s original style has been carefully preserved for the last 400 years.

We continue on to Quan Thang ancient house - one of the most authentic old houses in Hoi An with the lively and fine architecture and sculptures were made by craftsmen of famous Kim Bong carpentry village in the oriental style. The house offers a good look of Hoi An family's daily life. 

Our final stop is Phuc Kien or Fujian Assembly Hall, built since 17th century, is the gathering place for residents, traders and visitors from a specific area in China called Fujian. It is also a religious site to honor the deity Thien Hau. Spend a visit, you will admire the colorful fountains in the courtyard, the ornate gates surrounding the property and the beautiful carved dragons in the main room.