Northern Vietnam Uncovered – 8 Days of Culture & Nature

Your Vietnam adventure begins with your arrival in Hanoi. Your private driver will meet you at the airport, holding a signboard with your name. He will escort you to your accommodation right in the heart of the city, with the fascinating Old Quarter at your fingertips. You can easily explore the city at your own pace or relax at the hotel after the flight.

Overnight in Hanoi.

8h00 – 8h30: Our Tour guide and our Bus pick up at your hotel and start to discover Hanoi City

08h45: Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. It is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi built in the 6th century. 

09h30: Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, the final resting place of Vietnamese great father or Uncle Ho. You have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969. 

Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Goddess of Mercy – It is the most unique pagoda in the world 

– Should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, temples, pagodas…

– Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. But still can take picture of the Mausoleum and visit around that area 

– Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed at least 2 months (15th June -15th August) for the annual maintaining.

11h15: Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam.

Special Note: We will visit Vietnamese Women’s Museum instead of Vietnam Ethnology Museum closed on Mondays 

12h45: Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine. Vegeterian foods are available

14h00-14h15: Continue to visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam) is one of the most attractive tourist spots in Northern Vietnam. The Temple of Literature was founded in 1070.

15h15: Keep going to visit Hoa Lo Prison, the prison was built by the French, from 1886 to 1901, when Vietnam was still a part of French Indochina. The French called the prison Maison Centrale. The prison was called “A Hell on Earth” and now the prison is like a war museum for those who want to understand more about the war against France of Vietnamese people.

16h30: Our Bus take you back to the Hotel. We finish the trip!

Overnight in Hanoi.

07:00 AM: Pick up at your hotel in the Old Quarter area. Expect a 4-hour drive without heavy traffic.

10:00 AM: Stop for a 15-minute rest break halfway through the journey. Enjoy picturesque village landscapes along the way.

12:00 PM: Arrive at Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Have lunch at a local restaurant. Check-in at your reserved room (standard check-in time 14:00) and relax at your own pace.

01:30 PM: Afternoon leisurely walks

Transfer to Ban Cong and start a 2.5km walk. Cross a suspension bridge to reach one of Pu Luong’s most scenic villages, where the largest stream flows through. Along the river, admire stunning landscapes, rice fields, and village life at Pu Luong. Seek for the giant water wheels, a remarkable creation of Vietnam’s mountainous ethnic minorities. Difficulty level 2/5.

Arrive at Chieu Lau dam and embark on a bamboo rafting experience. Paddle the raft upstream with locals and have fun.

03:00 PM: The raft lands on the other side of the river. Embark on another 2km trek through rice fields and villages, completing a loop trail. Meet the transfer at the main road and return to the hotel for relaxation by 05:00 PM.

Evening: Culinary exploration and leisure

Optional cooking class for those interested. Enjoy a delicious dinner at 7:00 PM, followed by free time to relax. This concludes your first day in Pu Luong.

07:00 AM: Enjoy breakfast and prepare for the day’s activities. Be ready by 8:30 AM.

08:45 AM: Take a leisurely stroll down the valley to Don village, renowned as the epicenter of Pu Luong. This area boasts a gentle road that winds through vast terraced fields. With every step, you’ll witness the captivating transformation of the scenery. As you continue your walk, you’ll come across Uoi hamlet. When viewed from above, this hamlet nestles humbly at the base of the towering mountain. We assure you that this landscape will be a visual delight and may even fill up your phone’s memory card with its beauty.

Descend the hill to Lan Village, often referred to as the “Kingdom of Thai People in Pu Luong” home to around 100 Thai families. You can opt for a leisurely bicycle ride (optional) or take a relaxed stroll around. Here, you’ll encounter the soothing sights of cool streams, verdant farmlands, ducks joyfully paddling in ponds, and friendly locals going about their day. You’ll have the opportunity to observe their everyday activities, marked by simplicity and humility, with a special focus on their traditional brocade sewing. Take this time to engage with the locals and learn about their craft. After that, transfer back for check out your room by 11:30 and have lunch.

01:00 PM: Prepare for the bus journey back to Hanoi. Expect to arrive at your hotel in Hanoi by 6:30 PM, barring heavy traffic. The tour concludes at your Hanoi hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi

Ninh Binh is well known for its magical landscapes of limestone mountains rising from the paddies, fascinating history, and tranquil atmosphere. 

The tour guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby between 7:30 and 8:00 am (we will send you the exact time the day before the tour). Then hop on the shuttle bus and enjoy the 100 km drive to Hoa Lu, which used to be the ancient capital of Vietnam. Immerse yourself in the history while listening to your guide and admire the remaining temples honoring the first emperors of Vietnam: King Dinh and King Le, built in the 17th century.

Around 11:30 am, you will arrive at your next stop in Tam Coc, where you will enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch before getting on the rowing boat trip along the river. Explore the beauty of Tam Coc and Bich Dong. Within 1.5 hour’s trip, you will visit three Tam Coc caves: Hang Ca (the first grotto), Hang Hai (the second grotto), and Hang Ba (the third grotto). Feel the special magic atmosphere while you are floating through the cave.

Now it is time for getting to the Mua Cave and climbing to the top of Ngoa Long Mountain for watching the spectacular rice valley with a specious view of nature. 

Then hop on the shuttle bus and return to Hanoi. The approximate arrival time is 19:30.

Overnight in Hanoi

You will arrive in Hanoi early in the morning, we will take you to the hotel to have shower and breakfast and have some rest before departing to Halong Bay. 

Halong Bay is a natural wonder of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and once you arrive there, you will understand why. Get ready to be amazed by the world’s most breathtaking views, and have a relaxing time on the cruise, enjoying the exciting activities we have prepared for you.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and leave Hanoi for Halong Bay.

The cruise team will meet you at the hotel lobby between 8:00-9:00 am (we will confirm the exact time the day before the tour).

Arrive at the jetty around noon and take a boat to the cruise. After a welcome onboard and check-in, lunch will be served while the cruise is making its way through the hundreds of islets.

In the afternoon, enjoy some activities such as swimming and kayaking or visiting caves (depending on each boat’s itinerary), or just spend relaxing time on board.

Towards the end of the day, the boat sets anchor for the night in a beautiful place, so don’t miss the sunset before having dinner.

Overnight on cruise

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip to Vietnam. Complete the hotel check-out formalities, after which you can visit the local markets to buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later your private driver will transfer you to the airport to take your flight back home.

Trip Ends.