10 Days Authentic Northern Vietnam from Hanoi to Bai Tu Long Bay

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Hanoi (Arrival in Hanoi, airport pick-up and transfer to your hotel)
2 stops
1
Noi Bai International Airport
Upon your arrival at Noi Bai Airport, our driver will be waiting to greet you at the arrival hall exit, right by Column No. 11. 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.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
2
Old Quarter
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. Note: Hotel check-in time is from 2:00 PM. Early check-in is subject to availability and may incur an additional charge.
5 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Ha Noi (Explore Hanoi’s highlights: Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Complex & Old Quarter)
5 stops
3
Temple of Literature & National University
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.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
4
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
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.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
5
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
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.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
6
Old Quarter
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.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
7
Thang Long Water Puppet
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. Dinner is at your own expense (not included). Overnight in Hanoi.
2 days • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Hanoi - Mai Chau (Journey to Mai Chau, visit a Muong village, and explore Mai Hich)
2 stops
8
Mai Chau
8:30: Meet your tour guide and driver, then depart for Mai Chau. Along the way, stop for a short walk to visit a Muong ethnic village, offering a first glimpse of rural life in northern Vietnam. Continue to Thung Khe Pass, where you pause to enjoy sweeping panoramic views over the valley before arriving in Mai Chau town around noon. Nestled among green mountain ranges and rice terraces, Mai Chau is a peaceful valley known for its harmonious landscapes and laid-back atmosphere. Enjoy lunch at a local homestay.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
9
Mai Hich
In the afternoon, explore Mai Hich village and the surrounding hamlets by bicycle (optional) or on foot, following a quiet concrete path through the countryside. The serene scenery is captivating, with villages, rice fields, mountains, and streams blending seamlessly together. Take time to interact with the warm and welcoming locals, who are often happy to invite you into their home for a cup of tea and a friendly conversation. Walking: approximately 6 km Cycling (optional): approximately 12 km Dinner and overnight in Mai Chau.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Mai Chau (Discover the H’mong lands of Pa Co and Hang Kia, and enjoy a relaxed walk through the villages)
3 stops
10
Pa Co
8:30: Transfer to Pa Co, about a 1-hour drive from Mai Chau. This remote mountain village is home to the Hmong ethnic group, traditionally settled at high altitudes. In the past, poppy cultivation was common here; today, local families mainly grow maize, manioc, and groundnuts for their livelihood.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
11
Upon arrival, you start exploring the village and observe daily life in this Hmong community. If today is Sunday, you have the chance to visit the weekly Pa Co market, which takes place every Sunday morning and attracts villagers from the surrounding areas. On other days, enjoy a leisurely walk from Pa Co to Hang Kia, another Hmong village nestled in the mountains. Along the way, discover traditional houses, farming activities, and local customs. When possible, you may be invited into a family home to gain a deeper insight into authentic Hmong daily life.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
12
Mai Chau
After lunch, you are picked up by your vehicle and transferred back to Mai Chau. The rest of the day is at leisure. Walking distance: approximately 5–8 km Dinner and overnight stay in Mai Chau.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Mai Chau - Pu Luong (Travel to Pu Luong, hike through villages, and admire rice terraces)
2 stops
13
Pu Luong Nature Reserve
8:30: Start the day with a short transfer from your hotel in Mai Chau to Pu Luong Nature Reserve. En route, stop at a local bamboo workshop where skilled artisans transform bamboo into everyday items such as chopsticks, cups, and household tools - an insightful introduction to traditional craftsmanship and sustainable materials. The journey continues to Eo Ken, around 30 kilometers from Mai Chau town. From here, begin a gentle two-hour walk along a narrow path winding through a beautiful rural landscape. Lush tropical forests gradually give way to terraced rice fields dotted with limestone outcrops, creating a striking harmony between nature and agriculture. Along the way, visit a local family in Eo Ken village and gain a glimpse into their authentic daily life. The morning walk ends in Hang village, where the driver is waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Pu Luong. Walking distance: approximately 4–5 km Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
14
In the afternoon, set out from Ban Don, walking through expansive rice fields toward Lan village, well known for its traditional Thai textiles. As you descend further into the valley, the scenery becomes a rich mosaic of rice paddies, small villages inhabited by Thai communities, vegetable gardens, and fish ponds. Stop at a local workshop to observe how traditional Thai brocade textiles are genuinely handcrafted using age-old techniques. Later in the afternoon, meet the driver and transfer back to your hotel. Walking distance: approximately 5–6 km Dinner is at your own expense (not included). Overnight in Pu Luong.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Pu Luong - Ninh Binh (Visit bamboo water wheels, explore Ninh Binh, and enjoy a bamboo boat ride)
5 stops
15
Chieng Chau
8:30: After breakfast, check out and depart for Ninh Binh. En route, stop in Chieng Lau for a gentle walk through a tranquil rural landscape, where lush rice paddies stretch alongside traditional bamboo water wheels. Powered solely by the natural flow of the river, these wheels showcase a simple yet ingenious irrigation system and reflect the deep-rooted agricultural knowledge of local communities. After the walk, meet your driver again and continue the journey to Ninh Binh. Walking distance: approximately 2-3 km Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
16
Hoa Lu temples of the Dinh & Le Dynasties
Upon arrival, we make our first stop in 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.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
17
Tam Cốc-Bich Dộng
We then transfer to 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.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
18
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.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
19
Van Long Nature Reserve
Finally, we meet our driver and continue the journey to Van Long Nature Reserve. Dinner and overnight stay in Ninh Binh.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 7
Ninh Binh (Explore local villages, enjoy a bamboo boat ride, and join an embroidery workshop)
4 stops
20
Ninh Binh
8:30: 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.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
21
Van Long Nature Reserve
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) Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
22
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.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
23
Ninh Binh Province
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. Dinner and overnight stay in Ninh Binh. Note: The guide will leave you at the end of the day. The next day, only your private driver (no guide) will pick you up for the transfer to Halong Bay.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Ninh Binh - Bai Tu Long Bay (Cruise Bai Tu Long Bay, kayak at Cap La, and overnight on board)
5 stops
24
Halong Bay
8:00: Depart for Halong. The journey takes around 3.5 to 4 hours, with an optional stop for a restroom break along the way. Upon arrival, you'll be dropped off at Tuan Chau / Bai Chay pier, where you will board your cruise.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
25
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.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
26
Bai Tu Long Bay
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.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
27
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.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
28
Bai Tu Long Bay
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. Important Notes: - The itinerary is subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions. Wi-Fi is available in the bar/restaurant area, but internet access may be limited due to the geography of Halong Bay. Thank you for your understanding. - There is a shared English-speaking guide on board.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 9
Bai Tu Long Bay - Hanoi (Explore Thien Canh Son Cave, join a cooking demonstration, disembark, and return to Hanoi)
5 stops
29
Bai Tu Long 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.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
30
Thien Canh Son Cave
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.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
31
Bai Tu Long Bay
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.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
32
12:00: Back to the harbor. You will be met at the cruise waiting lounge, then transferred to Hanoi. The journey takes approximately 2.5–3 hours, with an optional restroom stop along the way.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
33
Hanoi
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. Notes: Please note that these activities are provided as suggestions only and are not included in the tour price. Dinner is at your own expense (not included), and overnight in Hanoi.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 10
Hanoi (Transfer to Noi Bai airport for your flight home)
1 stop
34
Noi Bai International Airport
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. Note: Hotel check-out time is before 12:00 PM. Late check-out is subject to availability and may incur an additional charge.
1 hour • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

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