Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
Land at Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to your 4-star hotel in Hanoi. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to unwind and get settled. Use this time to shake off the travel fatigue and prepare for what's coming next.
Optional Activities
- Explore hotel amenities
- Rest in hotel room
- Day 2
Hanoi
Hop on a Vespa and ride through Hanoi's hidden backstreets and local neighborhoods where people actually live and work. You'll pass through bustling markets and quieter areas, stopping at spots like Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Tran Quoc Temple, Temple of Literature, and Hoan Kiem Lake. Later, head around West Lake and Truc Bach Lake before hitting authentic local restaurants and food stalls for traditional Hanoi dishes throughout the day.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local Hanoi specialties and authentic local meals at restaurants and food stalls), Dinner (Local Hanoi dishes at authentic restaurants and food stalls)
Included Activities
- Vespa tour through Hanoi backstreets and local neighborhoods
- Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- Visit Tran Quoc Temple
- Visit Temple of Literature
- Visit Hoan Kiem Lake
- Visit West Lake
- Visit Hanoi Opera House
- Visit Long Bien Bridge
- Explore villages around West Lake and Truc Bach Lake
- Authentic local meals and food tastings
Landmarks/POIs Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Tran Quoc Temple Temple of Literature Hoan Kiem Lake West Lake Hanoi Opera House Long Bien Bridge - Day 3
Hanoi to Sapa
Head from Hanoi through countryside and mountain terrain toward the town of Sapa. Once you check in at your hotel, the afternoon and evening are open. Wander the local markets, relax in the mountain setting, or simply walk around at your own pace while getting used to the elevation and cooler air.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities
- Explore local markets
- Visit Ham Rong Resort with gardens and ethnic minority dance performances
- Visit Sa Pa Culture Museum
- Self-guided exploration of the town
Landmarks/POIs Ham Rong Resort Sa Pa Culture Museum - Day 4
Sapa
Start a full-day trek away from typical tourist routes, heading north through Fansipan mountain, Sin Chai valley, and farms growing flowers and vegetables. Trek through rainforest to Ban Khoang village where the Red Zao ethnic people live, then move on to Ta Giang Phinh valley with the Black Hmong community. You'll have lunch by a stream and walk through villages watching daily farming and traditional crafts in action.
- Meals
- Lunch (One-hour lunch break on the bank of a stream)
Included Activities
- Trek to Ban Khoang village with Red Zao ethnic people
- Trek to Ta Giang Phinh valley with Black Hmong people
- Witness local daily activities and traditional lifestyle
- Professional English-speaking guide
Landmarks/POIs Fansipan Mountain Ban Khoang Ta Giang Phinh - Day 5
Sapa
Take a free day in Sapa with no set plans. Wander the streets, check out local markets, grab coffee at small cafes, or try self-guided hikes through rice terraces and the surrounding mountains. Alternatively, just relax at your hotel and take in the mountain views from where you're staying.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities
- Explore local markets
- Self-guided hike through terraced rice fields
- Self-guided exploration of surrounding mountains
- Visit local cafés
Landmarks/POIs Ham Rong Resort Sa Pa Culture Museum - Day 6
Sapa to Hanoi
Drive back to Hanoi through scenic countryside, taking in mountain and rural views one last time. Once you arrive, check into your hotel and the rest of the day is yours to explore the city streets, hit local attractions, or relax back at the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities
- Explore Hanoi streets and attractions
- Visit museums and historical buildings
- Visit pagodas and temples
- Day 7
Hanoi to Mai Chau
Travel from Hanoi to the Mai Chau valley. In the afternoon, do a guided 15km bike tour around the valley visiting Thai ethnic villages. Stop at a local Thai family home to try your hand at weaving and embroidering, sample local fruit and tea, and learn about their stilt house lifestyle. Continue cycling through Chieng Sai, Cha Long, and Van while watching farming activities and rural life unfold.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local fruit and tea at Thai family home)
Included Activities
- 15km guided biking tour through Mai Chau valley
- Visit Thai family home with traditional cultural experience
- Experience weaving and embroidering activities
- Learn rice pounding and Happy Water wine-making
- Explore Thai ethnic villages
Landmarks/POIs Nhot Village Chieng Sai Cha Long Van Village - Day 8
Mai Chau to Pu Luong
Head to Pu Luong Natural Reserve for an easy full-day trek through tropical forest and mountain scenery. Walk from Don village through muddy trails and forest to Trinh village, observing local farming and rural areas. After lunch in Nua village, trek to Doc village passing through rice terraces and stilt houses with giant bamboo water wheels. Return to Mai Chau or stay overnight at Pu Luong depending on your preference.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional local lunch with domestic chicken, bamboo roots, grilled pork paste at Nua village household)
Included Activities
- Trek through Pu Luong Natural Reserve dense forests
- Visit Don village
- Trek through Trinh village
- Local lunch at Nua village household
- Trek to Doc village
- View giant bamboo water wheels
Optional Activities
- Stay overnight in Pu Luong instead of Mai Chau
Landmarks/POIs Pu Luong Natural Reserve Don Village Trinh Village Nua Village - Day 9
Ninh Binh
Travel to Ninh Binh and have lunch when you arrive. In the afternoon, board a private sampan through Tam Coc at a UNESCO site, cruising past limestone karsts on the 'Halong Bay on Land'. Take a bike ride around rice fields backed by limestone mountains, then visit Bich Dong Pagoda. Climb 200 steps up Ngu Nhac Mountain to explore three ancient cave pagodas from 1428 with countryside views.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local specialties of Ninh Binh)
Included Activities
- Lunch of local Ninh Binh specialties
- Private sampan cruise through Tam Coc UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Scenic bike ride around rice fields
- Visit Bich Dong Pagoda and cave pagodas
- Climb to Ngu Nhac Mountain viewpoint
Landmarks/POIs Tam Coc Bich Dong Pagoda Ngu Nhac Mountain - Day 10
Halong Bay to Lan Ha Bay
Check into Rosy Cruise at Tuan Chau Marina by 11:45 AM for your 2-day cruise. Get a briefing and welcome drink, then have lunch while cruising past limestone islands. In the afternoon, swim and kayak, later join the sunset party on deck with snacks and drink specials from 5:30 to 7 PM. Learn to make Vietnamese spring rolls during a cooking demo, then have dinner and try squid fishing that evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Typical lunch in the luxury dining room while cruising), Dinner (Delicious dinner with fresh food set menu)
Included Activities
- Check-in and welcome briefing on Rosy Cruise
- Cruise through Halong and Lan Ha Bay
- Swimming at anchorpoint
- Kayaking activities
- Sunset party with local snacks and fruits
- Cooking demonstration - Vietnamese spring rolls
- Squid fishing from cruise
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay Lan Ha Bay Three Peaches Beach - Day 11
Lan Ha Bay to Hanoi
Rise early for sunrise and an optional Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Have light breakfast with bay views, then use bamboo sampans or kayaks to explore Light Cave and its impressive stone formations. Pack your bags and check out by 9:15 AM. Enjoy brunch on board before transferring by speedboat to Tuan Chau Marina, arriving around 11:30 AM for your transfer to Hanoi or optional Cat Ba Island.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Light breakfast in the dining room with morning view of bay landscape), Brunch (Delicious brunch served with set menu)
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing
- Tai Chi session on sundeck
- Light breakfast with bay views
- Bamboo sampan or kayaking in Light Cave area
- Brunch on board
Optional Activities
- Transfer to Cat Ba Island instead of Hanoi
Landmarks/POIs Light Cave - Day 12
Hanoi Departure
Spend a relaxed morning in Hanoi thinking back on your Vietnam journey. Transfer to Noi Bai Airport and head home after your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
