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. You will have free time to take a rest after a long flight or head out to get a first impression of the city.

Starting the day trip with a visit to the Tran Quoc Pagoda. It was the centre of Buddhism in the imperial city of Thang Long (former name of Hanoi) during the Ly Dynasty and the Tran Dynasty (11th - 15th centuries). We will then visit the Temple of Literature, constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which also served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam. There are 82 stone steles, carried by tortoises, engraved with names, birthdates, and birthplaces of honoured doctorates from 1442 to 1779. Local people believed that touching the head of these tortoises would bring luck.
Our afternoon exploration begins with the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative on this day being the History Museum). The museum offers a wide range of informative and well-documented displays of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam, including colourful hill tribe costumes. The outdoor display is an impressive collection of traditional houses of various minorities from the north to the central Highlands.
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. Ngoc Son temple and Hoan Kiem Lake are frequently visited by tourists and locals.

Today you will have an early breakfast at the hotel, for we are leaving early at 8 a.m. for Ha Giang. We take the road via Tuyen Quang province. During the 6-hour-journey there are plenty of chances to see picturesque landscapes of rolling hills, tranquil villages and lush rice fields decorated with palm trees. We reach Ha Giang town in the late afternoon. Night at the homestay. 

Today what awaits you is the magnificent mountainous scenery of the frontier area, along the drive to Quan Ba District. We make a stop at Quan Ba Heaven Gate to take photos and admire the Fairy’s Breast mountain. Another stop at Yen Minh District for lunch. We continue the trip by visiting Lung Cam village and the traditional local house where the famous movie “Pao’s story” was filmed. Vuong Palace - house of H’mong king is a ‘not to be missed’ site because of its typical Mong ethnic architecture with influences from China and France. Completed in 1903 with 64 rooms, the two-storey, 50-meter-long building demonstrates its owner’s wealth. We keep driving to Lung Cu flag tower with its important historical significance of marking the Northernmost point of Vietnam. After conquering the 389 stone steps and climbing 140 spiral stairs to the peak, visitors can admire the spectacular natural scenery of Dong Van Karst Plateau, terraced rice fields and ethnic villages. Looking down at the foot of Rong Mountain, you will see two lakes called Dragon’s Eyes, located symmetrically on either side of the mountain. The afternoon ends by driving back to Dong Van. Time for your own exploration of Dong Van’ Old Streets. Night in Dong Van Town.
Our recommendation: after dinner you should go to Dong Van Café on Dong Van Old Street, to sip a coffee while watching a traditional music performance.

You will leave for a 5-hour hike through the ethnic minority villages of Ma Pang, Ma Tia, Ha De, Sang Ma Sao and Ma U. The locals here live a humble and authentic life. The rewards today are beautiful panoramic views of rice terraces, landscapes, and lush green mountains. Enjoy your picnic lunch in the wild. In the afternoon, we will take a path through the corn crops that leads to the town of Dong Van. Enjoy your time freely for the rest of the day. 

After breakfast, we first visit the Dong Van weekly Market to meet the locals and check out their fascinating crafts and speciality products. Then we climb a pass up to Pu Lo, a French fortress built in 1890 and kept in great condition. After the exploration of the fortress and enjoying the spectacular view of the entire region, we will experience the most breath-taking road in the whole of Vietnam. At the altitude of 1200 meters, the Ma Pi Leng Pass clings to the side of the undulating mountains, offering an exceptional view of the valleys and mountain sides decorated with terraced hemp fields. We continue driving the zigzagging road down into Meo Vac Valley. Transfer by car to Bao Lac district. Night at the hotel.

Early in the morning, we depart for Ba Be. At 145m above sea level, Ba Be Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam, with a length of more than 8km, and a water surface area of about 500ha. In fact, Ba Be is formed from three connected lakes named Pe Leng, Pe Lu and Pe Lam. This is also the origin of the name "Ba Be" which means three lakes. Many ethnic groups live on its banks: the Tay, the H'mong, the Dzao... Visit to the Hua Ma cave. 

Overnight in a stilt house by the water.

We will spend the day hiking deep into Ba Be National Park to discover its rich flora and fauna. A traditional boat will take you to Coc Toc where we start the walk towards the villages of Khau Quan and Na Ban where the Hmong, Dao and Tay live. On the way, we will pass through diverse terrain, between forests and rice fields. The hike will end at Dau Dang waterfall. Picnic lunch outdoors or eat at a local restaurant. We take a second sampan ride to return to Pac Ngoi village. Dinner and overnight at the local homestay.

The day starts with breakfast prepared by the homestay owner. Before returning to Hanoi by van you will have a chance to explore Pac Ngoi village at your own pace. Several stops are planned along the journey to meet the local population. We stop at Thai Nguyen and visit the tea and sugar cane plantations. An opportunity to taste local fruits (bananas, pineapples, jackfruit, papayas ...) and sticky rice cooked in bamboo sold by the roadside. Arrival in Hanoi by late afternoon.

After breakfast, we depart for Lan Ha Bay – Halong 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.

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 to Tam Coc in Ninh Binh. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, 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. 
Then, we take a bicycle ride and get lost on winding roads passing lotus ponds, temples, and cottages. We will stop to visit Bich Dong pagoda, which hides among the trees on a lush hillside. After that, we go to Hang Mua, literally means Dancing Cave because previously Tran King used to come here to enjoy dancing singing shows performed in this cave. Arrive at Hang Mua, we challenge ourselves to conquer the 500 stone steps to get to the top of Mua Mount, where you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the Tam Coc countryside and the Ngo Dong River. 
In the afternoon we will drive back to Hanoi. Night at the hotel.

Free time to discover Hanoi then transfer to the airport for your departure flight. End of our services.