Discover the North of Vietnam

In the morning, enjoy a walking tour to one of our most vibrant markets - Hang Be Market, nestled smack in the heart of the Old Quarter of Hanoi, 5 minutes’ walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. The market offers all a market in Vietnam kinds of goods that might be of need by the people of the Old Quarter of Hanoi, be it uncooked meat, cooked meat, fruits, dry food, worshiping items... It will bring you an interesting approach to the life of the people in the Old Quarter of Hanoi.

Afterward, we transfer to Tran Quoc Pagoda - the oldest of its kind in Hanoi, dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De Dynasty (544 - 548). The Buddhist shrine has undergone several changes throughout the years, particularly it is renaming from An Quoc to Tran Quoc (protecting the country) by Emperor Le Huy Tong in the 17th century.

Then we will move to Ho Chi Minh Complex where the great President Ho Chi Minh rests in peace. We will visit the traditional stilt house and the respected One-Pillar Pagoda, the special pagoda with a particular structure. 

In the afternoon, visit Temple of Literature - famous for being the first university of Vietnam. You will recognize that this is a popular place for Vietnamese students to take commemorative photographs when graduating.

Afterward, our tour guide will take you around the Old Quarter for street food tour tonight. Eat as you go, walking through the maze of bustling streets, trying seasonal fruit and sampling tasty French-inspired snacks from a street cart. Try the famed Hanoi dishes such as Bun Cha Ta (a grilled pork and noodle dish) and Banh Cuon at a local eatery and watch as the skilled chefs demonstrate how this tasty dish is put together.

The next two snack stops are at outdoor BBQ stalls. Sit down with the Hanoi locals and sample various meat, vegetable and bread specialties that are flame grilled over hot coals for extra flavor.  It’s now time for dessert!

Your local guide will then take you to one of Hanoi’s best-kept secrets - Banh My Hanoi - a hidden street food restaurant where you can taste the top street foods in Hanoi including Vietnamese Rice Wine and the famous Egg Coffee. This hard-to-find café is one of the few left in the narrow street inside the old quarter of Hanoi.  Back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Please note: If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know so that we can accommodate your needs and wishes.

In the morning, you will be picked up and transferred to Hoa Lu – the ancient citadel of 3km2 – to visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh dynasty (968-980) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le dynasty (980-1009).

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

Continue to have a boat ride in Trang An – an ecological tourist site where the rowing boat brings you through many amazingly nature blessed caves and rice fields. Then you will be transferred to the hotel in Ninh Binh city to check in. Dinner will be served at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning you will be picked up to depart for a 4 hours drive to Pu Luong Nature Reserve via breathtaking mountain pass of northern Vietnam which giving you a panoramic view of the rice field, villages and valley. You arrive at Pu Luong around noon, take walk down about 800 meters to local homestay and enjoy the homemade lunch served with traditional local food. After lunch, make your own way to explore the beauty of surrounding, with its captivating panoramic views over the rice terrace field and villages.

In the afternoon, you will transfer by car to a suspension bridge over the Cham River, where you start your walk through the field for searching of stunning bamboo water wheels. Get up close to each wheel and discover how water is transferred from river to handmade bamboo aqueducts via simple constructions of all sizes.

Continue the foot-path to a local fisherman’s house where you have a short rest for brief and preparation of rafting adventure with Mr. Dinh and his team. Float along the calm river and enjoy the views, in between learning how to paddle and steer your handcrafted rafts.

Arriving at scenic Tan Lap bridge, disembark and be transferred back to the homestay for dinner. Overnight at the homestay.

Summary: Walk through rice fields, water wheels: 2.5 km easy walk – 1.5 hours | rafting: 2 km – 1.5 hours

Start early to descend into the beautiful valley facing the Retreat where you walk around tumbling rice terraces. Trek through small paths shrouded in vegetation to slowly reveal a picturesque village sitting at the base of a towering mountain. Your camera will not be able to sit still!

Continuing to the base of the valley, you weave between roads and farmland, villages and wild fields, ponds and rivers, mountains and open land. Savor the ever-changing scenery as you trek to a beautiful spot. Then you will be transferred back to Puluong Retreat for lunch.

In the afternoon, we will transfer back to Hanoi, you will arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Summary: 4 km easy walking –3 – 3.5 hours

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken by cruise shuttle bus to another fascinating land – the gem in the north of Vietnam – Halong Bay. The drive takes you through beautiful paddy rice and mountains of the Red River Delta. Visiting the bay, you will experience the magic of the wonderful wonder of the world. 

From the harbor, board our boat for a cruise among the numerous limestone karst rising from the emerald water. Make a stop en route to visit a grotto of spectacular stalactites and stalagmites and anchor for a relaxing swim in a hidden cave. Meals will be served on the cruise. Overnight on the cruise.

Note: You are recommended to bring an overnight bag to keep your necessary luggage. We are afraid that there is not enough space to store all the luggage of every passenger on board. Moreover, after an overnight stay on board, you will turn back to the same hotel in Hanoi, so your remaining luggage will be sure to be kept safe.

After breakfast, enjoy your time to swim, sunbathe and relax in the fascinating background of the bay. After lunch on board – around 11.30am, transfer back to Hanoi to check in the hotel. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Relax and spend time in Hanoi before transferring to the airport to take your flight. End of Service.