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. Free time to discover the Old Quarter on your own.

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. Overnight at the hotel.

Today we escape the busy city and head to Mai Chau - a beautiful and quaint valley mainly occupied by the White Thai. We get to the town around noon and a special lunch prepared by the Thai people will be waiting for you. The afternoon visit will continue with a nice bike ride, to immerse yourself in the authentic countryside untouched by mass tourism. You will be charmed by the friendly and welcoming smiles of the White Thai people, their traditional houses on stilts, green rice fields and vegetable gardens. Glide by bamboo forests along our cycle path passing through Chieng Sai, Cha, Cha Long, Na Tang, Tong Dau villages. Return to the lodge in time to enjoy its beautiful natural surroundings when the sun sets. After dinner you will enjoy a traditional music show. Night at the homestay.

This morning we leave Mai Chau and drive to Son La (170km). On the way we will pass by Moc Chau plateau – a famous region of green tea plantations and dairy cow farms, with a temperate climate. We will stop to visit orchards, tea farms and villages of various tribes including the H’Mong, Thai, Muong and Dao. We continue on to a village of houses with thatched roofs in the shape of turtle shells. Arriving at Son La in the late afternoon. 

Today we will take the road to Dien Bien Phu, a small town in the middle of the Muong Thanh valley. During the drive, we will pass several historical sites such as Pha Din, Tuan Giao and Muong Ang, as well as authentic villages inhabited by the Thai, Hmong, Kho Mu, Dao or even Ha Nhi ethnic groups. Arrival at Dien Bien Phu in the afternoon. Your guide will tell you stories of the Indochina War, including the infamous 56-day battle between the French and the Viet Minh when you visit Eliane Hill 2, CP NWOG (Command Post of the North-West Operational Group) and the Dien Bien Phu war museum. Overnight in Dien Bien Phu.

Today we will leave Dien Bien Phu in the morning to drive to Sapa. The road is a bit bumpy at times, but the rough route is offset by the magnificent scenery of yawning valleys, winding rivers, and conical mountains, a photographer’s dream. The drive to Sapa takes you up to Tram Ton, the highest pass in Vietnam, from where you can see Fansipan mountain’s Peak, known as “the roof of Indochina''. We will stop to visit the nearby Silver Waterfall. Upon arrival at the little town of Sapa, check in to your hotel. Nestled in a vast valley near the Chinese border, Sapa is the top tourist destination of Northwest Vietnam. Built in 1922 as a French colonial hill station, this quaint town with hiking routes through terraced rice fields and enchanting hill tribe villages has now become a trekker’s paradise. There is free time in the afternoon for you to explore the colourful town. Dinner and overnight in Ta Van village. 

After having breakfast at the homestay, you will explore Hoang Lien National Park. A magnificent hike will take you to traditional villages, little frequented by travellers. Picnic lunch outdoors or eat at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will pass through a yet more untouched area, with pretty hamlets of the Hmong people and verdant rice terraces. Overnight in Sapa.

After breakfast, we leave the hotel early to drive to Bac Ha to visit Can Cau market near the Chinese border. The road is relatively flat from Lao Cai to Bao Nhai bridge. After crossing the bridge, we begin the journey uphill with beautiful views over the valleys. Situated 20 km from Bac Ha, Can Cau is a small, but very colourful market taking place every Saturday. The Flower H’Mong, Black Dao, Phu La people from the surrounding villages flock here to exchange their products. Their colourful dresses create a photogenic and vivid image with a green mountain landscape in the background. We spend the whole morning strolling around and exploring the local hill tribal market. After having lunch, we will drive back to Hanoi. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

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 for a peaceful navigation along Ngo Dong River, cruising among limestone mountains, between rice fields and through caves. Overnight at the hotel in Tam Coc.

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 skilful 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.

Free time to discover Hanoi then transfer to the airport for your departure flight.