Upon your arrival at Noi Bai Airport, our driver will be waiting to greet you at the arrival hall exit. You’ll then enjoy a comfortable 45-minute drive to the heart of Hanoi, passing over the historic Red River, where you can catch a glimpse of the city’s unique architecture and its famously bustling traffic.

The rest of the day is free at your leisure. Lunch and dinner are free at your own arrangement to explore the local cuisine. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

8:30: Start your day at the Temple of Litterature, 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, 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.

Afterward, enjoy a unique water puppet show, a traditional art form that first appeared in the 11th century. In these performances, the daily life, culture, and beliefs of the Vietnamese people are beautifully depicted by puppets on water, accompanied by a traditional live music performance.

8:00 Am: 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.

Arrive in Mai Hich, check in your accommodation and enjoy local food cooked by the host. Later explore Mai Hich village by bike (optional) or walk 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.

Distance: approx. 6 km (walking) or 12 km (cycling)

Depart from Mai Hich and travel directly to Eo Ken, located 30 km away and home to the Muong ethnic group. Walk downhill through a stunning landscape overlooking the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, terraced rice fields, and surrounding mountains. Visit a local Muong family in Eo Ken Village and discover their authentic daily life. Continue walking through the beautiful countryside until meeting your driver again in Hang Village, then transfer to Pu Luong.

Walking distance: approx. 4-5 km

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

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.

To round off the day, enjoy a bamboo raft ride on the river. This experience offers a moment of relaxation and meditation after our walk.

Walking distance: 3-4 km

Transfer to Ninh Binh, a scenic drive that takes approximately 3 hours. Along the way, you'll pass through rural landscapes and peaceful villages, offering a glimpse into the daily life of the Vietnamese countryside. The route is a blend of winding mountain roads and flat terrains, making for a picturesque journey.

8:30: The cycling experience begins as you set off by bicycle towards Thung La Temple. Following quiet country paths, you cycle through rice fields, ponds filled with lotus and water lilies (depending on the season), and traditional villages typical of the Red River Delta. Depending on the season and time of day, you may also see local farmers working in the fields.

The route takes you through several characteristic villages in northern Vietnam, including Trung Chinh, Bich Thuong and Loc Luong. In Trung Chinh, stop to explore the village’s cultural centre, including its communal house and pagoda, and gain an insight into traditional rural community life.

The ride then continues to Thung La Temple, the furthest point of the route. Here, you will meet local folk artisans and discover a selection of traditional Vietnamese musical instruments. You will have the opportunity to see and hear the instruments while learning more about the area’s cultural heritage.

After this cultural encounter, cycle back along the dyke beside Van Long Wetland, enjoying the surrounding scenery as you make your way back to the starting point.

Afterwards, discover Van Long Nature Reserve on a tranquil sampan ride through a vast landscape of limestone karsts and wetlands. As one of Vietnam’s largest nature reserves and a Ramsar-designated wetland of international importance, Van Long is renowned for its rich biodiversity. With a little luck, you may spot Delacour’s langurs, as well as egrets and other waterbirds resting on the limestone cliffs or foraging along the wetlands.

Notes
- The total cycling distance is approximately 20 km.
- Guests can also choose to cycle one way only, either from Lang Van Village to Thung La Temple or in the opposite direction, for approximately 10 km.

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.

11:30 - 12:00 : Arrive at the office at Halong International Cruise Port, spend time relaxing with a cup of tea or coffee while waiting for the captain to finish registration, then transfer by tender to the boat.

12:15 - 12:30 : Enjoy a welcome drink and listen to a short briefing about safety on the boat and included activities, then check in to the cabin.

13:00 - 13:30 : A Vietnamese set menu lunch is served while cruising into Bai Tu Long Bay.

15:00 : Arrive at the kayaking area at Cap La Island. Enjoy kayaking through the karst, swimming, and relaxing.

17:00 - 17:30 : Get back to the boat and enjoy the sunset party while the cruise sails to the overnight anchorage.

18:00 - 18:30 : Enjoy the sunset party at the overnight anchorage place and experience a vegetable carving demonstration with the chef.

19:00 : A set-dinner is served onboard.

20:30 : Free time to try Vietnamese puzzle games, play board games with family or group, go squid fishing, or enjoy a cocktail at 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.