Hanoi, Mai Chau, Pu Luong & Halong Bay

On arrival in Hanoi, we are met at the airport by our driver and transferred to the hotel by private vehicle without a guide. The journey to the city centre takes approximately 45 minutes.

The rest of the day is free to settle in or explore at our own pace. You may wish to take a walk through the nearby Old Quarter, known for its narrow streets and long-established trading traditions.

We meet our guide in the morning and transfer to the Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university, founded in the 11th century and dedicated to Confucius. As we walk through its courtyards, we learn about its historical importance and the lasting influence of Confucian values in Vietnam.

After a short break at a local tea house, we continue on foot through the city. We explore a mix of lively markets, quiet alleyways and wide tree-lined boulevards, as well as the famous railway track that runs through a residential neighbourhood.

We end the experience with a street-food lunch in a local courtyard, sampling some of Hanoi’s most well-known dishes, before returning to the hotel.

We depart Hanoi in the morning and travel west towards Mai Chau, a journey of around four hours. The landscape gradually changes to mountainous terrain dotted with rice fields and traditional stilt houses, home to the White Thai ethnic group.

After lunch in a family-run stilt house in a quiet hamlet, we explore the valley by bike or on foot. We follow small backroads through rice paddies and villages, meeting local farmers and gaining insight into daily life.

Later, we transfer to our lodge and have time to relax, with the option to enjoy the swimming pool.

After breakfast, we drive into the highlands of Hoa Binh province towards Hang Kia. As we gain elevation, the scenery shifts from rice paddies to plum orchards and corn fields.

We enter Hmong communities, where traditional dress and customs remain strong. After a short walk to the village, we are welcomed into a local home for lunch.

We then visit a cultural house to learn about Hmong heritage and take part in a traditional batik dyeing workshop, gaining hands-on insight into this intricate craft.

In the afternoon, we return to Mai Chau along scenic backroads.

We leave later this morning for Pu Luong Nature Reserve, a region known for its forested hills and terraced rice fields.

On arrival in Ban Bang village, we meet a local guide and begin a gentle hike through the valley to his home, where we share a home-cooked lunch.

We continue walking to Ban Don village, where our lodge is located. If weather permits, we arrive as the valley is lit by the warm tones of sunset.

After breakfast, we travel east towards Ninh Binh, partly following the historic Ho Chi Minh Road. The journey takes around three hours.

In the afternoon, we take a traditional sampan boat through Tam Coc, often referred to as ‘Halong Bay on land’ for its limestone karst scenery and rice fields.

We then explore the countryside by bicycle, cycling approximately 10 km through villages and farmland, with a short break in Tam Coc.

After this, we say goodbye to our guide and continue independently for the remainder of the journey.

We transfer by road to Ha Long Bay, travelling through the Red River Delta.

On arrival, we board our cruise vessel and begin an overnight journey through Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay. Lunch is served on board as we sail past limestone formations rising from the water.

In the afternoon, we explore quieter areas of the bay, with time to relax, swim or take part in optional activities depending on conditions.

In the evening, we can enjoy sunset views from the deck, followed by dinner on board.

Early risers may join a Tai Chi session on deck as the sun rises over the bay.

We continue exploring in the morning, including a visit to one of the caves in the area. After returning to the boat, we check out and enjoy brunch as we cruise back to shore.

We then transfer back to Hanoi, arriving in the early afternoon.

We have free time until our transfer to the airport for departure. Rooms must be vacated by 12:00, though a late check-out can be arranged in advance at an additional cost.