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.

8:00 AM: Depart from your hotel in Hanoi and head towards Ha Giang, traveling via the highway through Phu Tho. Along the way, take a break to visit a Dao village in Ham Yen, Tuyen Quang. Here, you'll get a chance to explore the stilt houses, a distinctive architectural style of the ethnic groups in this mountainous region. 

Upon arrival in Ha Giang, we'll check into our homestay, then enjoy a leisurely walk through rice fields and Tày villages such as Ha Thanh, Tan Tien, and Cuong Thinh. We follow a small concrete path that winds its way along the base of lush green mountains, passing through scenic rice paddies and peaceful rural landscapes.

After a leisurely 2 km walk over mostly flat terrain, we’ll reach Ha Thanh village, home to the Tay ethnic group. This charming village features about 100 traditional stilt houses scattered across a serene valley adorned with vibrant rice fields and surrounded by verdant mountains. Here, we’ll take a short break and may have the opportunity to visit a local home. Accompanied by your guide, you’ll delve into the daily lives, rich traditions, and unique culture of the Tay people in Ha Giang.

Next, we’ll ascend for about 1-2 km, passing through a serene palm forest. At higher elevations, we’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of rice fields and stilt houses topped with palm leaf roofs. From here, the trail gently descends into Tan Tien village, another Tay community surrounded by rice fields and vegetable gardens.

Depending on the time, we can either take a shortcut to end the hike here or, if time allows, continue along a small road for an additional 2 km to reach Cuong Thinh village. This extended route offers even more opportunities to soak in the serene rural landscapes before our car picks us up and takes us back to Thon Tha village.

Walking distance: approximately 4-6 km

8:00 AM: Depart for Dong Van through the magical landscapes of northern Vietnam, where stunning scenery unfolds along the route.

Before reaching the Quan Ba Pass, stop to visit a Bo Y ethnic village in Quyet Tien Commune. Originally from China, the Bo Y are a small community of around 2,000 people who inhabit the remote mountainous areas of the north.

Pause at the Quan Ba viewpoint for a short break and take in the panoramic views over Quan Ba town and the iconic Twin Fairy Mountains (Núi Cô Tiên).

Continue the drive toward the Limestone Plateau, often called the “mountainous Halong Bay.” This extraordinary karst region is recognized in the World Geological Park listings for its geological and cultural significance. Make a stop at Lung Tam weaving cooperative, a community initiative run by Hmong women. Here, you’ll get a closer look at the traditional techniques of hemp weaving and indigo dyeing - a beautiful cultural craft that has been passed down through generations.

Following lunch at a local restaurant along the way, enjoy a short walk to Lung Hoa Village, where you’ll see Nhà Trình Tường – traditional rammed-earth houses built by the Hmong people. These homes are known for their durability and harmony with the environment.

Next, visit the Palace of the Hmong King (Dinh Vua Mèo). Built over a century ago, this historic residence reflects a time when the regions of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac were part of an autonomous zone ruled by the Hmong. During this period, poppy cultivation was widespread, and the local economy thrived on the opium trade with China.

Arrive in Dong Van, check in to your accommodation, and enjoy some time to relax.

8:00 AM: Depart from Dong Van and head toward Bao Lac, with a stop along the way at the Happy Road Museum. This small yet moving museum pays tribute to the monumental efforts of tens of thousands of young volunteers who carved the "Happy Road" through the mountains in the 1950s - a symbol of unity and resilience in post-war Vietnam.

From there, take a scenic Skypath walk starting with a gentle climb to God’s Cliff, offering panoramic views of the Nho Que River and limestone peaks. Descend into a peaceful valley, passing Hmong farmers and learning about their unique stone niche farming before ending near a local kindergarten, where you’ll rejoin your vehicle, and continue to Bao Lac.

Upon arriving in Bao Lac, we'll have lunch at a local restaurant.

For the rest of the day, we'll visit either Khuoi Khon or Coc Xa village - both home to the Black Lo Lo people. Khuoi Khon gained recognition through the French documentary "The Journey into Unknown Land", featuring rugby player Frédéric Michalak. Coc Xa, by contrast, remains off the tourist trail and offers a more authentic, untouched atmosphere.

Once in the village, take a stroll through the narrow paths, visit a traditional Lo Lo home, and enjoy meaningful exchanges with your host. This intimate encounter offers valuable insight into the community’s daily life, cultural heritage, and enduring traditions.

Afterward, return to Bao Lac town and check in at a local hotel.

Depart to Ba Be via Tinh Tuc, 30km from Bao Lac, in Hung Dao commune, there is a beautiful village of San Chi ethnic. Of course, we will stop to visit and discover the beauty of the village. You are one of a small number of travelers who get to visit this area because of its hidden location behind the hill. The village has hundreds of houses on stilts nested on the side of mountains and views of the beautiful valley. To reach to the village, you will have to walk up a 2km steep incline. The higher you walk, the better view you get. Visit a family to understand the authentic life of this ethnic group.

Continue to Ba Be, where you will be surprised by the magnificent nature where the mountains gently meet the valleys of rice terraces. Stop to film or take photos whenever possible. Upon arrival in Ba Be, check in your accommodation in Pac Ngoi Village and go cycling through several villages of Tay ethnic groups to Hua Ma Cave (5km from the village). This is an attractive place with amazing formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Finally, come back to your accommodation.

8:00 AM: In the morning, enjoy a leisurely walk from your homestay in Pac Ngoi village to the nearby pier. From there, we’ll board a boat to begin our exploration of the serene Ba Be Lakes.

Our first stop will be a short walk into the heart of the ancient forest to discover the Fairy Pond, a peaceful, hidden gem nestled among the trees.

Back on the boat, we’ll continue along the Nang River, making another stop for a relaxing walk along the riverbank. Take a moment to fully immerse yourself in the wild, untouched beauty of the landscape.

We then return to the boat for a downstream journey to the Dau Dang Waterfall, where the water cascades over large rock formations in a powerful display of nature.

The final leg of our boat trip takes us upstream along the Nang River to the impressive Puong Cave, home to thousands of bats and dramatic limestone formations. We’ll cruise directly through the cave and continue to another pier, where we’ll disembark and conclude this scenic river journey.

Meet your tour guide and driver at hotel then transfer to Ninh Binh, the awesome site is enriched with historical, cultural, religion and geographic wonders. On the journey passing the Red River delta, stop as you wish for pictures.

Upon arrival, we make our first stop in 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.

Following lunch, we transfer to 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.

Later in the day, we meet our driver and continue the journey to Van Long Nature Reserve.

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.

7:30: 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 rest of the day is free for you to explore Hanoi at your own pace. You may choose to enjoy a relaxing spa massage, browse local shops for souvenirs, or join an exciting Jeep adventure around the city.

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.