Today we depart at 8am from Hanoi to head to the northwest, towards Hang Kia. From Hoa Binh, the road winds through rice valleys, cultivated by the Muong ethnic group. Near Mai Chau, you will be introduced to the Thai White region. After having lunch, we then take a short transfer to Pa Co village, from where we will start the two and a half hours walk to reach Hang Kia village, occupied by the H’Mong. This charming village sits in a beautiful valley where the H’Mong people grow corn, tea, plums, and peaches. Dinner and overnight at the homestay.

The path climbs gently, until you suddenly enter a dense forest only frequented by hunters and mountaineers looking for dry wood. We descend a staircase of high and slippery steps. Later, you will cross rice fields before we reach the village of the white Thai ethnic group. After 6 hours of walking, you will have a delicious dinner and stay overnight at a homestay in Ban Buoc village.

After breakfast, drive to Pu Luong nature reserve. Stop in Co Luong to visit a bamboo chopsticks factory. Stop at the village of Ban Duom, which will be the starting point of your hike to discover nature and the daily life of ethnic minorities in the heart of the Pu Luong nature reserve. Crossing authentic villages, terraced rice fields and vegetable gardens. Your car will be waiting for you at Eo Ken to take you to Ban Don village which is the heart of Pu Luong nature reserve. In the afternoon, a

will await you to discover Ban Don with its hospitable inhabitants, its magnificent landscapes, and its wild nature. Located in the middle of the reserve, Ban Don still retains its authenticity. Good opportunity to discover the daily life of the Thai ethnic group.

We start to descend into the beautiful valley facing the Retreat, you walk through a path on the rice terraces. A small path covered with vegetation slowly leads us to a picturesque village sitting at the base of a towering mountain. Unlike yourself, energized by the trek, your camera battery will be feeling very drained at this point due to the scenic views of the village down below. As we keep walking to the base of the valley, you weave between roads and farmland, villages and wild fields, ponds and rivers, mountains, and open land. Savour the ever-changing scenery as you trek this beautiful location. Arrival at Ban Hieu village in the late afternoon. Overnight at the homestay.

The day starts with breakfast freshly prepared by the pleasant owner then transfer to Ninh Binh, province - the former feudal capital of Vietnam at the end of the 10th century. You will visit two ancient temples dedicated to Dinh Tien Hoang - the founder of the Dinh Dynasty (968-980) and Le Dai Hanh - the founder of Early Le Dynasty (980 - 1009). Lunch of a regional speciality will be waiting for you at a local restaurant. 
In the afternoon, you will board a rowing boat in Tam Coc (three grottoes) for a peaceful navigation along Ngo Dong River, cruising among limestone mountains, between rice fields and through three beautiful limestone caves. We will spend the rest of the day riding bicycles, getting lost on winding roads passing lotus ponds, temples, and cottages, typical of Vietnamese countryside. We will visit the Bich Dong pagoda complex, which dates back to the 15th century, hiding among the jungle on a lush hillside. There are three humble, yet interesting pagodas connected by stone steps. The reward for reaching the highest pagoda is the precious panoramic view of the valley below. Overnight at the hotel.

Today you have breakfast at the hotel, and we depart early for Ha Long Bay. We take the way via Thai Binh and Nam Dinh, passing a typical countryside of the Red River Delta with endless rice fields and meandering rivers. Arriving at Halong tourist harbour around noon, you will board an elegant wooden junk. A delicious lunch is served on board while the boat gently navigates through countless islands and limestone structures arising from the turquoise water. In the evening, a fresh seafood dinner prepared by a skillful chef awaits you. Enjoy a peaceful night on board in the middle of the quiet sea. 
Please note that the itinerary is subject to change according to the cruise and weather conditions. 

Nothing can be compared to waking up to a serene morning surrounded by karsts. You can have an early morning dip and then breakfast on board. We will continue to sail through the bay during the morning to explore hidden areas. The junk will stay close at all times serving as a backup vessel for those who need it. Around midday we will return to the main harbour and drive back to Hanoi. Overnight at the hotel.