Day 1: Arrive at Ha Noi (Dinner)
Welcome to Hanoi
The capital city of Hanoi, the picturesque old town still holds the landmarks of time as the capital of French Indochina, surround with beautiful boulevards, narrow streets and historical colonial architecture can be seen everywhere.
You’ll stay in the city's atmospheric old town near the central Lake, Hoan Kiem. Pick up and transfer to hotel. Check in and refresh
In the late afternoon, a new adventure on Cyclo (Rickshaw) that rides you around the 36-street old quarter, exploring the countless streets and alleys. A true sense of bombardment of sounds, scents and colors.
Welcome dinner at local restaurant.
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2: Ha Nội full day city tour (Breakfast, Lunch)
Enjoy breakfast at hotel and ready for the day
Let walk to the nearby central lake Hoan Kiem, beautiful surrounding and good atmosphere, where the locals meet from early morning to late evening, doing morning gymnastics and tai-chi, philosophized and read… We cross the Red Sunbeam Bridge and visit the little Ngoc Son Temple.
Then we continue to Ba Dinh Square where we will see and hear the tale of the father of the country Ho Chi Minh. The site is surrounded by Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the new National Assembly, government buildings, old colonial villas. In the beautiful park behind the square, the house on stills where he lived and the presidential palace where the French general governor used to rule Indochina.
We also see the sanctuary One-pillar Pagoda, shaped like a lotus flower rising from the Sea of Sorrow, which has great symbolic significance for the Vietnamese as it is built in honor of the Goddess of mercy.
Another great experience will be at the beautiful Literature Temple, built in honor of the Chinese philosopher Kungfutse, a well-preserved gem. The whole complex was Vietnam's first university for sons of the country's elite. Today, it is no longer actively used as an educational institution, but you can still meet young students who come before or after their exams, as it is said to be lucky to clap one of the turtles on the head.
After lunch, spend the rest of the day exploring the charming old quarter on your own or walk with the tour guide to discover the colorful Dong Xuan Market.
Lunch at local restaurant
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 3: Ha Noi – Mai Châu (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Nature experiences in the Mai Chau Valley, villages visit and biking.
Check out hotel after breakfast and ready for new adventures.
We say goodbye to Hanoi's soaring street life and head Southwest towards the mountainous areas and the beautiful valley of Mai Chau. The area is still not popular yet for group of tourists, and it may be surprising, as it is an extremely beautiful area where the mountain-valued valley unfolds to the feet of one with its rice fields, villages and houses on stills.
In Mai Chau valley, there’re two seasons of rice. The first one is planted in February and harvested in May, and the other is planted in July and harvested in October, therefore famers are busy all year round.
The locals usually live in houses on stills where they live upstairs and livestock is underneath, there is also room for the harvested crops. The elongated valley, Mai Chau, and the city of the same name is located in the province of Hoa Binh and is populated by several hill tribes.
After passing the mountain pass with the magnificent view of the valley, we reach Mai Chau village and stay in traditionally decorated bungalows at lovely Eco lodge Mai Chau equipped all modern facilities.
The Eco Lodge is beautifully situated on a small hill with wonderful views of the valley below, mountains and rice fields. The place largely respects to local flora and fauna and honor hires only people from the local tribes.
You’ll have a good time to relax at the lodge's wonderful facilities such as swimming pool, spa or enjoy life on the terrace, or take a stroll with tour guide to explore this beautiful valley filled with mountain-covered landscape, paddy fields and villages.
In the evening, treat yourselves to a traditional dinner, then attend a dance and music performed by White Thai, one of Montag-nard troop in this province.
Lunch and Dinner at local restaurants
Overnight in Mai Chau.
Day 4: Mai Chau (Breakfast, Lunch)
This morning is devoted to relaxation, or take a bike ride for more local experiences, including lunch at the Lodge. There is one adventure for you in this morning, the bicycle tour that takes places on flat trails, a part of trails is slightly up slopes, we ride the bikes pleasantly through villages, rice paddies and more…, talk with the locals and get insight into their way of life and customs. The rest of the day is free and easy at your wishes. Lunch at local restaurant
Overnight in Mai Chau.
Day 5: Mai Chau – Nam Định (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Enjoy breakfast and check out hotel for another beautiful day
Leaving Mai Chau Valley for Nam Dinh, located in the Red River Delta, our coach will head Southeast direction, passing by number of beautiful sights, via Ninh Binh Province, and a part of routine is along Cuc Phuong National Park.
On arrival in Nam Dinh, the capital of the same name with province, we will have lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the village of Cổ Chất in Phương Định commune has been one of the country’s best known for sericulture and silk villages for hundreds of years.
Lunch and dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Nam Dinh.
Day 6: Nam Định (Breakfast, Lunch)
Enjoy breakfast at hotel
We have a full day tour in Hải Hậu, a beautiful village with numbers of Rome Catholic Churches, wood carving workshops and fishing villages.
Visit Hai Chinh fishing Village, where you can experience how could locally make the mesh for the business of local fishermen.
You will ride the bike around the village, visit Pham Phao Church and traditionally brass-making trumpets.
Along the routine, you will also see tile-roofed Bridge (Cầu Chùa Lương) was built in 16th century with unique architecture
Explore of the daily life of local people and understand about the ancestor worship in this village.
Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight in Nam Dinh
Day 7: Nam Định – Hạ Long (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Enjoy your breakfast and check out hotel.
Leave Nam Dinh for Hai Phong via Thai Binh province.
11:30 Arrive Tuan Chau Marina Harbor.
Start cruising to Da Chong islet, where you can see a lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago. Enjoy International Buffet Lunch while passing via the islets of Con Vit area. These amazing limestone karst formations rise up out of the sea in an impressive manner. Pleasantly sampan rowing at the Dark & Bright Cave area. Sea bathing at Tra Bau.
Back to the cruise and enjoy the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.
Onboard you may join a traditional cooking class. Our chef will guide you how to prepare some Vietnam dishes while enjoy Happy Hour deal.
Lunch, Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 8: Hạ Long – Hà Nội airport for departure (Brunch)
Enjoy sunrise on Halong Bay. Why not rise early to witness the bay at its very best whilst enjoying an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck; after which we serve light breakfast.
Upon completing breakfast continue our journey and cruise the route via the Cat Ba Island - Thoi Quyt area - Coc Ngoi islet - through Gia Luan area where is belong to Cat Ba National Park.
Another adventure that takes you to Trung Trang Cave by bus which is located in the middle of Cat Ba National Park with Kim Giao Forest around the cave.
After exploring the cave, we head back to the cruise for brunch.
11h00 back to the mainland then transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure.