On arriving at Noi Bai Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel in the city centre. Hotel check-in is available at 2 pm. Freetime to discover the old quarter. 
 

This morning we will drive to Bat Trang, 15 km from the city center, known as the earliest ceramic village, established in Vietnam. There you will have a chance to explore a pottery workshop where villagers still make everything by hand. Your children can try their hand at clay spinning to make their own products. They will be more than happy bringing their mini masterpieces back home as a souvenir. We then return to Hanoi. Time to immerse yourself in the old Hanoi by visiting the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam), the first University of Vietnam. It was built in 1070 at the time of Emperor Ly Thanh Tong and is one of several Vietnamese temples dedicated to Confucius.
Drive back to the Old Quarter for a 1.5-hour walking tour, specially designed for a deeper insight into Hanoian daily life. We will also visit the Ngọc Son temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain) which sits on a green islet in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake, connected to the lakeside by a graceful scarlet bridge named The Huc (meaning the early sunlight welcoming place). The temple is dedicated to Tran Hung Dao - the General who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century and Van Xuong De Quan - the patron of literature and examinations. The walking tour ends with a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) before watching a traditional water puppet show. 

Leaving Hanoi at 8.30 am, we follow road No. 32 along the Red River to Yen Bai province. The scenery on the way is simply fascinating with orchards of bananas, papayas, and rice fields. Farmers stalls are set up all along the road to sell seasonal products to passengers. We will stop for lunch in Thu Cuc, a well-known area for tea culture. You will meet Mr. Tung’s family to discover several varieties of tea grown in Vietnam. You will have a Chance to pick and dry young tea leaves on your own.

In the afternoon we reach the Muong Lo Valley - the town of Nghia Lo, the second largest rice field in Northwest Vietnam. This place is the homeland of the Thai ethnic people who came here around 700 years ago bringing their traditional wooden houses and rice growing culture. Take a short walk around the village to discover Thai culture and their daily life. Night at the homestay.

Today we depart from Nghia Lo to Mu Cang Chai, the road meanders through Hoang Lien Son mountain range, one of the grandest in Vietnam. We will stop at Tu Le for an easy hike through rice terraces to reach villages of the Thai and H’Mong people who still wear traditional clothes. Tu Le is a small tribal town enclosed by scenic landscape and full of warmhearted people living in small wooden houses nestled in foothills. We then leave Tu Le and continue to drive across Khau Pha Pass (1550m above sea level) to reach La Pan Tan. Predominant in the entire region of La Pan Tan for hundred years, H’Mong are loyal to their customs and culture. They grow maize in plots of land embedded between rocks, vegetables, and especially rice on terraced fields. Despite the invasion of modern life, they still preserve very well their traditional clothing and language. A new way will take you to the village central where you can discover H’Mong culture, meet and talk with villagers, and do not miss the opportunity for capturing stunning landscape pictures. Overnight at a homestay in Mu Cang Chai town.

We leave Mu Cang Chai in the morning for the mountainous drive to Sapa. After two hours on the road, we begin to ascend to O Quy Ho Pass. With the elevation of 2047 meters above sea level, it is recognized as the highest pass in Vietnam. It’s a must stopping at the peak to take photos of the magical valley afar and enjoy the fresh air. From here you can also see Fansipan Mountain, known as “the Roof of Indochina”, with its soaked in cloud peak at 3143m. Arrive to Sapa at noon.  There will be time to discover the town on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

After a rest, we will leave our luggage at the hotel and begin our visit to minority ethnic villages. We descend into the Muong Hoa Valley passing Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages inhabited by Black H’Mong and Ta Van village, home to the Day ethnic people. On the way your eyes will be well rewarded with marvellous views of the terraced rice fields curving around the hillside, meandering rivers and streams sparkling on the sun. We stop to have lunch in a local home in the village. Afternoon, transfer to Bac Ha. Overnight at the hotel. 

Taking place every Sunday, Bac Ha Market is where tribal people from surrounding villages flock to exchange their products. Most still use horses to carry their loads, which means they must depart early to get to the market in time. If you come to visit Bac Ha during a spring weekend, it’s easy to meet locals in their most beautiful and colourful costumes heading to the market, as it’s the best time of the year for youngsters finding a partner to get married. Despite the low temperatures, spring is a joyful time because it’s the season of courting, dating and weddings. Nature also contributes to the atmosphere vibrant red and white flowers blooming everywhere. It all makes for a rather unique setting. After lunch, drive back to Hanoi. Night at the hotel.

Our car and guide will pick you up in the morning for the two-hour drive to Hoa Lu, 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.

After breakfast, we depart for Lan Ha Bay’s lesser-known little cousin. After a three-hour drive, you will arrive at Cat Ba, the largest island in the Gulf of Tonkin, and head to Ben Beo pier. We will board a traditional junk for a cruise on the magical Lan Ha Bay. You will see floating villages and marine farming. Lunch is served on the junk. Around 1:30 p.m, the junk will anchor in front of the pristine beach of Van Boi where you will have free time to swim in the water or sun yourself on the ship’s deck. Later in the afternoon, we will head to Hang Ca or Dau Be cave for a kayaking excursion, another way to experience the bay. At the end of the day the junk will drop anchor for the night in the middle of the bay. Dinner and overnight on board.

The early morning is for relaxing and enjoying the sunrise over the limestone islands. Coffee, tea, and pastries are served for a light breakfast in the dining room, with a stunning morning view of the bay’s landscape. Continue your journey aboard a small day cruise. You will take a bicycle ride through rain forests and a dark tunnel at Viet Hai village. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of rice fields along the way. After lunch, we resume cruising and if the weather permits, you will have time to go kayaking and swimming freely in the crystal blue water, in a lagoon fully enclosed by vertical cliffs. Watch the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin, followed by a traditional cooking class & delicious dinner served by your wonderful onboard catering staff.

Awakening to the tranquil beauty of the bay, you have time for an early morning dip while the sun rises, followed by breakfast on board. We will sail through the bay all morning to explore more secluded areas. The junk will stay close at all times serving as a backup vessel for those who require it. Around midday we will return to the main harbor and drive back to Hanoi. Night at the hotel.

Free time to go shopping in the busy streets of the old quarter or rest at the hotel (room available until 12 noon). Transfer to the airport. End of our services.