Vietnam Nature & Culture: Hanoi, Mai Chau, Ninh Binh & Halong Bay - 06 Days

Arrival in Noi Bai airport, you will be picked up then transferred to the hotel in the city center. Your drive crossing Red River and have an over view of city with typical houses architecture and world's most special traffic. 

Note: Hotel check in is available at 14.00

Exploring the Capital City of Hanoi

In the morning, visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda—dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De. Then visit the mausoleum (closed on Mondays and Fridays), dedicated to Ho Chi Minh, who led Vietnam to independence from the French. Enjoy a pleasant stroll through the botanical garden to visit the Presidential Palace—Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house where he lived and worked.

Late morning, visit the Temple of Literature—known as the first National University and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enjoy a walk to the Hoan Kiem Lake – the heart of the city. Turn into a small alley Bao Khanh. Your first experience is Banh Cuon. A thin steamed rice flour pancakes filled with minced pork and cloud ear mushrooms served with nuoc cham (a fish-sauce based dipping sauce), fried shallots and fresh herbs. You have an opportunity to make yourself a cake.

After passing the Hanoi Cathedral, built by the French in 1884, we come to Hang Manh Street. The street is famous for Bun Cha Dac Kim. Minced pork and slices of pork belly are grilled over hot coals and served with fish sauce, tangy vinegar, sugar and lime which, when combined, creates a sort of barbecue soup that is eaten with rice vermicelli and fresh herbs. Accompanied by deep-fried spring rolls, this calorie rich dish is served with garlic and chilies on the side for an extra kick.

Hanoi street food tour is not perfectly complete without having a Banh Mi. It is what local people call a fusion sandwich as it originated from the French colonialism days. There are so many banh mi shops but we stop at Banh Mi 25 that is a very cozy homemade shop.

Next stop is Pho (rice noodle soup). Almost all international tourists coming to Vietnam want a chance to enjoy a bowl of Pho in its birthplace, Hanoi.  A fragrant rice noodle soup served with fresh herbs that have become popular all over the world. There are two popular variations: pho ga (with chicken) and pho bo (with beef). We highly recommend you try Pho Suong, it is located in a small alley where Hanoians often come for beef noodle soup.

Start by eating and ending with a drink. Walk to Hidden Gem Coffee - a unique home where discarded materials are used not only to protect the environment but also be revived in new artistic values. Enjoy local drinks (egg coffee, honey ginger tea, lemongrass tea or a local beer bottle) before coming back to hotel.

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.

Arrive in Mai Chau, check in your accommodation and have a break for lunch. In the afternoon, take a 5km bike ride(optional) or walk to the rice fields. Discover the culture and daily life of the locals in Lac, Na Phon, Poong Com villages. See the rural work on rice fields, the weaving craftsman, and encounter with locals. Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon.

Enjoy dinner while watching a traditional music and dance performance from the Mai Chau Valley, performed by local Thai women. You will also have the opportunity to taste rượu cần, the traditional rice wine enjoyed through bamboo straws. It is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the authentic local culture.

Well-known as Halong onland, Ninh Binh is an awesome site with giant limestone karst formations jutting out of the rice paddies and enriched with historical, cultural and geographic wonders. The tour experiences you with the most popular landscapes.

- Visit Hoa Lu ancient capital

- Hiking to Bich Dong pagoda

- Boat trip in Tam Coc - the 'Halong on Land"

Mua Cave, one of best trekking routes in Ninh Binh, located 3.5 km away from Tam Coc. It means “Dancing cave” due to the site being used by the Tran King to enjoy dancing and singing performances.

You will spend almost 1 hour trekking up nearly 500 steps. The higher you go the better the view you get. Reach the top of Ngoa Long Mountain you will get wonderful panoramic views of golden rice fields in Tam Coc, exotic limestone mountains and idyllic villages. Enjoy the views and fresh air while stand next to the Lady Buddha statue. 

07:30: Pick up from your hotel and transfer to Halong Bay 11:30 – 11:45 Arrive at Halong International Harbor 
12:15 Embark on cruise by tender. Check-in, enjoy welcome drinks and cruise briefing
13:00 Enjoy lunch while cruising to magnificent Ha Long Bay, and admire the fascinating formations on the way
14:45 Luon cave - Kayak or Bamboo boat 
Luon cave excursion on bamboo rowing boat by locals or kayak. This is one of the must-do activities in the bay. 
16:00 Titop island – Climbing, Beach & Swimming 
Your next stop is Titop island with its famous crescent moon-shaped beach and tranquil beautiful blue waters. Viewing Halong Bay from the peak of Titop island is another not-to-be missed activity. 
17:00 – 18:30 Enjoy the best moments of the day at sundeck as the sun hits the water between the dramatic limestone peaks and emerald-green coves, enjoying drinks and a cooking demonstration.
19:15 Savour a delicious dinner
21:00 Night time squid fishing 
22:30 Free of mind with sweet dreams

Note:

-The itinerary is subject to change in case of bad weather
-English speaking guide on board

06:15 Enjoy sunrise on the Bay. Morning Tai Chi session on sundeck
06:30 Light breakfast. Coffee, tea and pastries served in restaurant
07:20 Sung Sot cave excursion
Explore Sung Sot Cave – the biggest and most stunning cave in Halong Bay
09:15 Check-out of cabins & bill settlement. Start cruising back to the port
09:30 Buffet brunch served at the restaurant 
10:45 – 11:00 Back to the port. Farewell and disembark
11:15 – 11:30 Transfer back to Hanoi Old Quarter. Arrive at approximately 14:30-14:45.
End of our service.