Journey through Northern Vietnam A Cultural Exploration from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay (2027)

Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Overnight Flight

   Overnight Flight Show on map

   Accommodation

   Hotel (Hotel du Parc)

2. Day 2

   Hanoi

   Hanoi Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast

   Accommodation

   Hotel (Hotel du Parc)

   Optional Activities

   • Visit local markets
   • Relax at lakeside cafés
   • Sample street food: pho or bánh xèo
3. Day 3

   Hanoi

   Hanoi Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome dinner)

   Accommodation

   Hotel (Hotel du Parc)

   Included Activities

   • Visit to master water puppet artist's home and experience the centuries-old art form
   • Guided cyclo (three-wheeled bicycle taxi) ride through Hanoi's Old Quarter

   Optional Activities

   • Explore Hanoi's Old Quarter
   • Visit Beer Street and sample local brews

   Landmarks
   Hanoi Old Quarter

4. Day 4

   Hanoi

   Hanoi Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast, Lunch (Social enterprise restaurant), Dinner (Vespa-led food tour)

   Accommodation

   Hotel (Mai Chau Ecolodge)

   Included Activities

   • Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex
   • Visit Temple of Literature (Vietnam's first university)
   • Lunch at social enterprise restaurant empowering disadvantaged youth through culinary training
   • Guided Vespa food tour through Old Quarter, sampling local dishes including pho and egg coffee

   Optional Activities

   • Visit Train Street
   • Dine at Huong Lien Restaurant (bánh chả)

   Landmarks
   Ho Chi Minh Complex
   Temple of Literature

5. Day 5

   Hanoi - Mai Chau

   Hanoi - Mai Chau Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner

   Accommodation

   Hotel (Mai Chau Ecolodge)

   Included Activities

   • Walk through Mai Chau rice paddies and local villages

   Landmarks
   Mai Chau Valley

   

6. Day 6

   Mai Chau - Hich Village & Lac Village

   Mai Chau - Hich Village & Lac Village Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional home-hosted dinner with White Thai ethnic group)

   Accommodation

   Hotel (Emeralda Ninh Bình Resort and Spa)

   Included Activities

   • Visit Hich Village and meet Vietnam War veteran and family
   • Impact Moment at Hoa Ban social enterprise in Lac Village supporting White Thai women
   • Traditional home-hosted dinner with local family and learning about White Thai customs

   Landmarks
   Hich Village
   Lac Village

7. Day 7

   Mai Chau - Ninh Binh

   Mai Chau - Ninh Binh Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation

   Hotel (Emeralda Ninh Bình Resort and Spa)

   Included Activities

   • Visit Hoa Lu (UNESCO), ancient capital with 10th-century temple and fortress ruins

   Optional Activities

   • Hike to Hang Mua viewpoint with 500+ steps for panoramic views
   • Hotel spa massage

   Landmarks
   Hoa Lu
   Hang Mua Viewpoint

   

8. Day 8

   Ninh Binh - Trang An Grottoes

   Ninh Binh - Trang An Grottoes Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Home-hosted dinner following cooking class)

   Accommodation

   Hotel (The 'Au Co' Ship)

   Included Activities

   • Rowboat tour through Trang An Grottoes (UNESCO) passing through Bright Cave, Dark Cave, Ba Giot, and Nau Ruou
   • Hands-on cooking class and home-hosted dinner with locals

   Landmarks
   Trang An Grottoes
   Bright Cave
   Dark Cave

9. Day 9

   Ninh Binh - Ha Long Bay

   Ninh Binh - Ha Long Bay Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation

   Hotel (The 'Au Co' Ship)

   Included Activities

   • Cruise aboard traditional junk boat through Ha Long Bay
   • Explore coastal village by bicycle or electric cart
   • Impact Moment at Bhaya Community Farm learning about sustainable farming and Save the Langurs conservation
   • Learn to craft local delicacies at Bhaya's café

   Landmarks
   Ha Long Bay
   Trong Mai Islet
   Ngon Tay Islet
   Con Coc Islet

   

10. Day 10

    Ha Long Bay

    Ha Long Bay Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Accommodation

    Hotel (Hotel du Parc)

    Included Activities

    • Tai Chi session on ship deck at sunrise
    • Kayaking through Trinh Nu area beneath limestone cliffs
    • Visit to Cua Van Floating Village by kayak or traditional rowing boat

    Landmarks
    Trinh Nu Area
    Cua Van Floating Village

11. Day 11

    Ha Long Bay - Hanoi

    Ha Long Bay - Hanoi Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)

    Included Activities

    • Farewell dinner with fellow travelers

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Sung Sot Cave (largest in Ha Long Bay with 500-meter paved passageway)
    • Visit Titov Island for swimming and sunbathing
    • Hike mountain at Titov Island for panoramic views

    Landmarks
    Sung Sot Cave
    Titov Island

12. Day 12

    Hanoi - Tour Ends

    Hanoi - Tour Ends Show on map