Exploring the center of culture & education Van Mieu, outstanding museum of ethnology, visiting French Quarter and discovering Old town

9:00 AM: Get Pick up by tour guide to Temple of Literature which was built under the Ly dynasty in 11th century for worshipping Confucius and teaching Royal children. Enjoy a walk in the garden to the city’s symbol Khue Van Cac. You will then visit the World Heritage "stone steles” which shows the name of outstanding students. Continue to explore the Quoc Tu Giam which is considered as the first national university of Vietnam.

Next stop at Ethnology Museum (closed every Monday) which offers a deep insight into Vietnamese culture through traditional costumes, tools, musical instruments and traditional houses of many ethnic groups. To fully explore this interesting museum, it takes you around two hours. 

In the after noon you visit French Quarter – it is a “little Paris” in Hanoi with tree-lined boulevards, government head offices and a big square. Visit (outside) Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum before having a leisurely walk in the botanical gardens to visit the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live and work. Towards the unique One – pillar pagoda which is one of the city’s symbols. It takes us from 1 to 2 hours to explore this complex, depending on the number of traveler.

Come back to city centrer and have a rest before enjoy the water puppet shows that is the unique performances, first appeared in the 11th century. In these shows, the daily life, culture and belief of Vietnamese people are described by puppets on water. The show usually integrates a traditional music performance as well.

Come back to hotel. End of the day

Alluring landscapes in Mai Hich & Xam Khoe, learning Thai people’s culture

8:00 AM: Meet tour guide and driver then depart to Mai Chau. On the way, visit a Muong village. Continue to Thung Khe pass where you can view magnificent panoramic views of the valley before arriving in Mai Chau town. Mai Chau is a beautiful valley located 145 km away from Hanoi. It is great place with harmonious landscapes, green mountain ranges, rice terraces and White Thai ethnic villages.

Arrival to Mai Hich, have a rest and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon Explore Mai Hich by walking along the trails and concrete roads. You will be seduced by the gorgeous landscapes as the villages, rice fields, mountains and streams are in perfect harmony with one another. Do not miss the opportunity to communicate with the friendly local people who are always willing to welcome you into their house to enjoy a cup of tea.

Continue trekking, passing the rice field and small communities to Xam Khoe, a Thai villages that is still not touristic. Enjoy the harmony of nature's beauty and rich human culture. At the end, get a pick up by driver then transfer back to your accommodation.

Walking distance: approx. 5-6 km

Travel to Pu Luong and discover the charm of Eo Ken, Ban Hang, and Ban Don villages.

Start your day with a short transfer from your hotel in Mai Chau to Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Along the way, we'll stop at a bamboo factory, where skilled artisans craft chopsticks, cups, and a variety of other bamboo products—offering a glimpse into the ingenuity of local craftsmanship.

Our journey continues to Eo Ken, about 30 kilometers from Mai Chau town. From here, we'll set off on a two-hour walk down a charming small path. Along the way, you'll be treated to spectacular scenery, where lush tropical forests seamlessly blend with terraced rice fields and scattered limestone rocks. You'll also have the opportunity to visit a local family in Eo Ken village and experience their authentic, day-to-day life.

The walk concludes in Hang village, where our driver will be waiting to take us to our hotel in Pu Luong.

Our afternoon walk begins from Ban Don, leading us into a breathtaking valley adorned with spectacular rice fields. We’ll follow narrow paths that wind through lush greenery, taking us to charming local villages such as Ngon and Leo.  

As we descend deeper into the valley, we’ll be immersed in a vibrant mosaic of landscapes: rice fields, rustic villages home to the Thai people, vegetable gardens, and fish ponds. Each turn reveals a new facet of this captivating region. Along the way, we’ll pause to meet friendly locals, hear their stories, and gain insights into their daily lives. It’s an unforgettable opportunity to connect with the heart of this beautiful land.

Walking distance: approx. 4-5 km (AM), 3-4 km (PM)

Full day trek to the Kho Muong village of Thai people, following Uoi, Lan Ngoai villages

8:00 AM: Start your day with a short 5 km transfer from your hotel in Ban Don to Bang Village, where your hike begins. From there, descend to Kho Muong Village, nestled in a peaceful valley surrounded by stunning limestone mountains and cascading rice terraces. Kho Muong is home to the Thai ethnic group and offers countless photo opportunities—so have your camera ready to capture the breathtaking scenery and encounters with friendly locals along the way.

Once in Kho Muong, explore a nearby cave before enjoying a traditional lunch at a local homestay.

In the afternoon, continue along forest trails and through manioc fields to reach Uoi Village, a charming community where another Thai ethnic group still preserves their thatched-roof houses and way of life. Then, continue walking to Chom Lan Village, renowned for its traditional textiles. Your driver will be waiting there to transfer you back to your hotel.

Walking distance: approx. 15 km

Walk through Chieng Lau village, enjoy a bamboo raft ride, and transfer to Ninh Binh.

Chieng Lau, a picturesque area renowned for its lush rice fields and bamboo water wheels. Here, embark on a scenic walk, allowing you to engage with local residents and catch a glimpse of the bamboo water wheels used for irrigation.

Walking distance: 3-4 km

Transfer to Ninh Binh, a scenic drive that takes approximately 3 hours. Along the way, you'll pass through rural landscapes and peaceful villages, offering a glimpse into the daily life of the Vietnamese countryside. The route is a blend of winding mountain roads and flat terrains, making for a picturesque journey.

Exploring the diversity of nature, 3-4 hour trek in national park, visit Endangered Primate & Turtle Rescue Centre

8:00 AM: Depart from your hotel for a 1 hour journey to Cuc Phuong national park. Located in the southwest of Hanoi, Cuc Phuong National Park was officially opened in 1960 as the first nature reserve in Vietnam. It is a tropical rain forest with extremely rich and diverse flora and fauna. On arrival, visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre where the rare primates of Vietnam are reared and rescued. Continue visit to the turtle house project then drive to the park center. Have lunch at the house-on-stilts before setting off on a trek into the park center.

Start a nice and easy trek of 3-4 hours along the tropical jungle for an open view of majestic landscapes, pristine limestone mountains and valleys. Take a rest at a giant ancient tree halfway through the journey. On the way back, have a short trek to the Cave of early man before driving back to your hotel. End of the tour.

Biking & boat trip in Van Long nature reserve

Enjoy breakfast and peaceful morning in the countryside. you can choose to embark on a 10 km bike ride (one way) or a 20 km ride (round trip) along the dyke, offering stunning views of rice fields, a river, and limestone mountains. Take optional stops along the way for picturesque photos and interactions with locals. Continue your exploration by visiting Thung La Temple, which dates back to the 11th century. Don't miss the opportunity to experience traditional musical instruments that are integral to the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.

Note: Travellers who prefer not to ride a bicycle can either ride as a passenger on a scooter or reach the temple by car.

Continue to take a sampan boat trip along the stream and among the limestone mountains to discover the beauty of Van Long nature reserve. If lucky, you might get to see white monkeys and egrets on the cliffs. After the boat trip, visit an embroidery village and take part in an embroidery workshop under the instruction of local craftswoman, Mrs Lam. She will proudly explain the techniques of her traditional craft. This will be a good opportunity for you to practice on fabric like a real craftsman.

Travel from Ninh Binh to Hanoi, enjoying the scenic views of the Red River Delta along the way. You can opt for a rest stop to stretch your legs or take photos of daily life. Upon arrival in Hanoi, you'll be dropped off at your accommodation.

Transfer to Lan Ha bay, admiring the wonderful seascape, swimming in the less touched area of ConVit, Ao Ech

If included, the shared shuttle bus will pick you up directly from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. From there, you'll head to Halong City, taking in the scenic landscapes of the Red River Delta along the way. The journey takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, with a convenient stop en route for a restroom break, if needed.

12:00 PM: The crew members of Peony Cruises will welcome you at Tuan Chau Port, Quang Ninh province.

12:30 PM: You will be taken aboard our support vessel and travel from the wharf via the bay to board our luxurious craft, Peony Cruises. During this time, an itinerary briefing will be provided.

1:00 PM: Welcome aboard with fresh drinks and wet towels, followed by a special lunch featuring fresh food and an assortment of appetizing delicacies. We then set sail for Lan Ha Bay, a member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays. 

3:30 PM: We'll visit the Tra Bau area, renowned for its unspoiled, poetic natural beauty and attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. This is the perfect time for kayaking to discover the true beauty of the limestone islands. Immerse yourself in the emerald green waters of the bay or enjoy the Jacuzzi pool on Peony Cruises.

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM: Join us for a cooking demonstration and learn how to make one of the most famous Vietnamese cuisines, spring rolls. Alternatively, head to the top deck of the cruise to admire the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Enjoy a Happy Hour - BUY ONE GET ONE FREE at the bar. It's an ideal time for photography enthusiasts to capture the greatest moment of sunset over Lan Ha Bay.

7:30 PM: Indulge in delicious local food prepared and served by our skillful chef. This delightful dinner is served in an intimate romantic setting.

9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Relax and sip exotic cocktails and drinks at the sky bar (with surcharge). Treat yourself to a spa service (optional) or simply relax on the top deck under the brightly illuminated sky. Alternatively, try your luck at squid fishing on the main deck.  

Explore Trung Trang Cave, cruise onward, and return to Hanoi

6:00 AM: Begin the day full of energy with a Tai Chi session and enjoy the sun as it rises beyond the horizon.

6:45 AM - 7:15 AM: Breakfast is served while cruising back to Gia Luan jetty. (Breakfast time may be adjusted to follow the real itinerary).

7:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Join the tour of Cat Ba World Biosphere. It takes 30 minutes to transfer from Gia Luan to Trung Trang cave – one of the most impressive caves in Cat Ba Island, Vietnam. The limestone cave has thousands of stalactites in various shapes, offering geological values with a typical cave ecosystem.

9:30 AM: Return to the main boat from the cave, and you will check out of your cabin. Luggage is to be placed outside of the cabin.

Early Lunch is served at the restaurant. Settle any bar bills at the restaurant's desk (if any).

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Disembark from the Peony Cruises and transfer back to Tuan Chau port. 

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: You should be ready at Tuan Chau port.

Welcome by driver at the harbor then enjoy 2 and a half hour travel back to Hanoi on the new highway No5B crossing the Red River Delta and villages. Drop off at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter).