City to countryside: serene northern Vietnam tour

hanoi

Day 1: Touchdown in Hanoi

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon your arrival in Hanoi, meet your tour guide and transfer to your hotel in the city centre, where you'll relax for an overnight stay.

hanoi

Day 2: Take an epic tour of Hanoi

After breakfast, meet your guide at 8.30am to begin your city tour. Visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university founded in 1076, followed by the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and the serene Ba Da Pagoda.

In the afternoon, hop aboard a motorbike for a tour of the city's neighbourhoods, starting with Ba Dinh where you'll get to taste delicious pho noodles. It's then on to the banks of the Red River to enjoy the countryside on the outskirts of Hanoi, followed by a stop at Long Bien Bridge - a historic structure designed by Gustave Eiffel.

Venture on to Hanoi’s largest open-air second-hand market in the Hai Ba Trung district, then take a walk around a wet market to learn about ingredients used in Vietnamese cuisine and taste fresh tropical fruits. The Dong Da district is up next, where houses have been built metres from a railway line, followed by a last stop for traditional egg coffee.

hanoi - Mai Chau - Pu Luong

Day 3: The natural beauty of the Mai Chau Valley

After breakfast, depart Hanoi at 8am for a four-hour drive to Mai Chau, passing mountains, fertile valleys, and rural villages on the way. Stop en-route at Thung Khe Pass, also known as White Rock Pass, to admire the valley stretched out below.  

On arrival at the picturesque Mai Chau Valley, a surreal place  surrounded by karst rock formations and rice fields, enjoy your lunch and spend the afternoon cycling through the villages of Thai communities. Continue through a breathtaking mountain pass to Pu Luong, enjoying panoramic valley views as you go, before arriving for an overnight stay. 

Pu Luong

Day 4: Explore charming villages by bike

Enjoy breakfast surrounded by the peaceful mountain scenery, and at 8.30am, head out to explore the surrounding villages. Descend into the beautiful valley, where you'll walk around rice terraces before strolling down small paths to the charming village of Uoi, nestled at the foot of a mountain.

Continue walking downhill to a local home, where you'll stop to rest before cycling through the rice paddies of Lan, another village where you'll get to learn about the traditional weaving practices of Black Thai people. In the village of Hieu, you'll have the chance to cool off in a natural swimming pool at the foot of a scenic waterfall. Ride back to the local home, where your car will be waiting to take you back to your accommodation in Pu Luong.

Pu Luong - Cuc Phuong National Park - Ninh Binh

Day 5: A fascinating journey to Ninh Binh

After breakfast, leave Pu Luong at 8am for Ninh Binh. Stop en-route to visit the Citadel of the Ho Dynasty, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, considered to be the only remaining stone citadel in Southeast Asia and one of the last few in the world.

Drive on past pineapple plantations to Cuc Phuong National Park, one of the few remaining tropical rainforests in Vietnam, where you'll tour the visitor centre and Endangered Primate Rescue Centre to learn about how endangered species are rescued from poachers or rehabilitated after injuries. You'll then carry your journey on to Ninh Binh, where you'll stop for an overnight stay.

Ninh Binh - Trang An - Ninh Binh

Day 6: History & breathtaking views abound

After breakfast you'll visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam, for a chance to roam through the Hoa Lu Citadel and visit ancient temples dedicated to Emperors Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh. Then, head to the UNESCO-listed Trang An Landscape Complex, where you can unwind on a peaceful riverboat ride that passes along karst mountains and through a series of caves.

Take an afternoon cycle to Bich Dong Pagoda, tucked away at the foot of Ngu Nhac Mountain, before later arriving at Mua Cave to begin an exciting climb to the top of Ngoa Long Mountain; from here, the views across the rice valley are second-to-none.

Ninh Binh - Nam Dinh

Day 7: Immersive experiences in Nam Dinh

After breakfast, depart at 8.30am for the city of Nam Dinh, home to the Vi Khe ornamental tree village. Learn about the techniques behind the creation of beautiful bonsai trees, before continuing on to Bach Long, a fishing village known for its salt production. Xuan Thuy National Park is up next, where you'll learn about local clam cultivation practices before enjoying the sunset over Hai Ly's ruined church. End the tour in Hai Hau, a rural district in the Nam Dinh province, for an overnight stay.

Nam Dinh - Ha Long Bay

Day 8: An overnight cruise on Lan Ha Bay

After breakfast, depart from your hotel at 9am for a drive to Tuan Chau Harbour, where you'll hop aboard your boat and begin your overnight cruise on the stunning Lan Ha Bay. After sailing along its idyllic rock formations, end the day by setting anchor in the middle of the bay. As the sun sets over the water, dinner is served on board with fresh seafood. Overnight on board.

Ha Long Bay - hanoi

Day 9: A memorable last day

On your last day in Vietnam, enjoy a beautiful sunrise over the bay, followed by a light breakfast. As the cruise sails back to the pier, savour brunch on board while admiring the limestone rock formations.

Upon your disembarkation, your driver will be waiting to take you back to Hanoi. From there, you’ll be transferred to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight back home.