North Vietnam Escapade

11 Days / 10 Nights

Day 1Arrive Hanoi

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel near the Old Quarters, about 45min drive from the airport. Rest of the day is free to rest up from your long flight.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2French Quarters & Temple of Literature

Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards, and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is an exotic city filled with charming French-colonial style buildings and vibrant local streets showcasing century old traditions. This morning visit the French Quarter and discover why this city is called the “Paris of the East”. The journey starts at Hoan Kiem Lake, or “the Lake of the returned Sword”, passes by old colonial administration buildings such as the former Treasury of Indochina, Indochina Bank and home of the governor of Tonkin, as well as the iconic Sofitel Legend Metropole, ‘the queen of colonial nostalgia’. Stroll along Trang Tien street, known as the Champs d’Elysee of Asia, now thriving with multiple art galleries and bookshops until reaching the Opera House, inspired by the Neo-Baroque style to the Palais Garnier in Paris. Relive the charm of a bygone era through captivating snippets of untold stories.

Continue to the historic Temple of Literature, the first national university of Vietnam in the original architecture. Built in 11th century, the temple is dedicated to the worship of Confucius and the Scholars. It becomes the symbol of not only Hanoi but also the Vietnamese Culture. This experience offers a deeper insight into the concept of Confucius.

Rest of the afternoon is free at leisure.

If your visit falls over the weekends (Friday to Sunday), you can stroll easily on your own from your hotel to Hoan Kim Lake where the streets are converted to walking streets and lively night markets from 7pm.

Overnight at Hanoi

Day 3Famous Architecture Artist, Evening Foodie Tour

This morning, visit a home studio to meet world famous artist Mr. Nguyen The Son whose private art works has been featured in numerous famous galleries around the world. Learn about his stunning 3D visual art pieces of typical Vietnamese architecture captured with photography and his relentless efforts to document the changing architectural landscape in Vietnam.

Mr. Son’s artworks have been on display at The Aegon Kunstcollectie in the Netherlands, the Central Academy of Fine Art in Beijing, China, National Assembly House in Hanoi, but also in private collections in Belgium, China, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Singapore, the USA, and Vietnam.

Then continue to the Old Quarters, a historic area filled with local shops, residential areas and interesting local food vendors operating along foot pavements. Explore narrow alleys and see how multiple families live together in this historic area. End the tour at a famous café that is only known among locals and enjoy a steaming cup of “Egg Coffee”.

For lunch, proceed to “Bun Cha Obama” to enjoy a delicious bowl of fresh grilled pork with rice vermicelli, a dish made world famous after a humble meal shared by President Obama and the late Anthony Bourdain in 2016.

Later at sundown, meet your guide again for a fun foodie tour in the Old Quarters to sample iconic local street food at small eateries popular among locals. Enjoy a refreshing glass of “Bia Hoi”, fresh brewed local beer at a typical “street bar” before exploring the lively street vendors and gathering of local people enjoying the night out.

Overnight at Hanoi

Day 4Drive about 4h from Hanoi to Pu Luong

Today you will begin an incredible journey to explore the the scenic valleys of North Vietnam.

Starting first at Pu Luong, this area features stunning rice terrace fields, beautiful nature and traditional villages of ethnic minorities who still retain their unique cultural heritage and way of living. Your comfortable lodge offers spectacular views of the valley where you can see rolling clouds before sunrise.

Afternoon, go an easy hike along paddy rice fields surrounded by limestone mountains to the village of Ban Don. See picturesque villages sheltered under groves of palm trees spread over the Pu Luong massif. Following trails winding in the middle of a fascinating landscape speckled with tribal houses from the Thai and Muong people.

Since all your tours are privately guided, so you can discuss with your guide on your preferred duration of your hiking excursions

Overnight at Pu Luong

Day 5Pu Luong Village Hikes

Depending on your preference and fitness level, we can arrange various day hikes through villages and beautiful rice terraces. Surrounded by towering limestone mountains, rivers and tribal villages, a full day or half day hike will also allow you to interact with friendly locals and learn more about their culture and way of life. Depending on the month of your visit, you can also witness various stages of the rice fields. The fields are most lively during the planting season (February & June) and the harvest season (June and mid September).

Overnight at Pu Luong

Day 6Drive about 3h from Pu Luong to Ninh Binh

Depart this morning on a scenic 3 hour drive for the picturesque province of Ninh Binh. Known locally as the “Dry Halong Bay”, this is another spectacular scenic area is surrounded by low mountains, caves and rural villages.

Enjoy lunch at a local home amidst idyllic natural surroundings of endless rice paddies and phenomenal Karst peaks.

Continue to Tho Ha Village where you take a scenic cycling tour through paddy fields. Stops include a Catholic church, a unique stilt house on a limestone peak, local school and a small market.

Later, take a relaxing cruise on a small rowboat and meander along the serene waterways towards the Galaxy Cave. Explore the interior of the cave on foot and by boat, a surreal experience surrounded by amazing stalactites.

After the boat ride, proceed to your resort surrounded by scenic mountain views and paddy fields.

Overnight at Ninh Binh

Day 7Ninh Binh Village Bike Tour and Ancient Pagodas

Depending on your preference, you can go on a bike ride around rural areas that hardly see any western visitors. Biking distances range from 20 to 35km with stops along the way to learn about village local life and meeting a friendly host family for lunch.

You can also opt for a free day to explore on your own. Your resort provides free bikes and a short 15min ride will take you to Bich Dong Pagoda. A cluster of 3 ancient pagodas, Ha, Trung and Thuong built in the 18 century, this beautiful site is nestled in caves by a mountainside. The first pagoda has five compartments built on the ground at the foot of mountain. Then another 120 steps will take you to the impressive middle pagoda carved into a mountain cave with three compartments. Another 40 steps will take you to the High pagoda with beautiful views of the surrounding.

Overnight at Ninh Binh

Day 8Drive about 3h from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay

Depart this morning and drive about 3 hours to the boat pier for a relaxing 3 day / 2 night cruise around Lan Ha Bay, a less crowded area with the UNESCO Heritage Site of Halong Bay. Boarding time for the cruise is usually about 12 noon

Depending on your choice of cruise ships, their experiences are all very similar, cruising around lesser known areas that is not overcrowded by hundreds of vassals and doing a day trip to outer islands to visit small villages by bike or electric cart. If weather permits, you can also have a short kayaking or sunbathing session on a beach. All activities and meals are included during your cruise.

Typically at night, you will be able to request for a squid fishing session with the friendly crew.

Overnight at cruise ship

Day 9Halong Bay Cruise, Day 2

Rise early with a Tai Chi or yoga class before breakfast is served. This morning, you will explore one of the few remaining local floating fishing villages in the bay area. Get a close up view of how the families live and work on the water in their unique community. Continue along scenic island roads to Cat Ba National Park, a leisurely hiking tour brings you close to the jungles, learn more about the endemic flora and fauna and the island itself as Northern Vietnam’s largest island in the Gulf of Tonkin.

During lunch, the boat continues to sail through the bay to a secluded cove. The afternoon is free to choose from: you may like to swim and sunbath on a natural beach, or join a kayak tour or a bit of both, or just kick-back on board and treat yourself to our wide selection of wellness offerings.

After dinner feel free to join a Q&A session with interesting insights about both Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay or simply kickback on your private balcony experiencing its natural splendor.

Overnight at cruise ship

Day 10Disembark from Cruise, Drive 2.5h to Hanoi

Start early again with a tasty traditional Vietnamese coffee, join another session of Tai Chi or yoga. Ylang will moor this morning for opportunities to kayak or a refreshing early morning swim from the ships convenient platform.

Disembark from your cruise around noon time and head back to Hanoi with your guide.

Rest of the afternoon is free to explore the Old Quarters on your own.

Overnight at Hanoi

Day 11Depart Hanoi

Transfer to airport for onward journey.