9 Days North Vietnam Explorer Tour & Halong Bay Cruise

In the morning, spend some leisure time on Ba Dinh Square, site of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Later, visit Ho Chi Minh’s House on Stilts, the nearby One Pillar Pagoda and Vietnam’s Confucius Center and first university, the Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, proceed to Hoa Lo Prison (called the Hanoi Hilton by American POW soldiers), followed by the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, the best place to learn about Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups from the rich collections of objects, photos, video tapes and cassettes. Pay a visit to a local craftsman’s house to learn how the water puppets are made and enjoy a unique water puppet show, a favorite experience for all visitors to Vietnam and the highlight of any Vietnam tour.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Fridays and Mondays and most museums are closed on Mondays. Your guide may adjust the itinerary accordingly.

After breakfast, begin a 3-hour drive to Mai Chau, passing along scenic rural landscapes, ascending gradually to medium altitude to mountainous and valley panoramas. On arrival in Mai Chau around noon, you’ll be ready to enjoy lunch prepared by a local family in a traditional stilt house. It’s a great chance to exchange ideas with Thai minority family and learn about how they live. Take an afternoon stroll to neighbouring villages inhabited by the White Thai ethnic group in Northern Vietnam. There you will able to admire the alluring landscape of the mountainous valley and agricultural plantations, observe the local life, and learn about their culture and customs. Have dinner at local house before enjoying a very welcoming Thai folk dance performed by local villagers. Enjoy a peaceful night’s rest in the eco accommodation situated on the top of a private hill.

Meals included: Breakfast

Before breakfast, seize the golden hours and take a walk around the countryside when the air is fresh, the sunshine is still soft, and villagers are already on working in the fields. After breakfast, a drive of around 1.5 hours will bring you to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, which harbors a variety of flora and fauna, with over 1000 listed plant species and many bird species. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Chien Lau Bridge for a leisurely hike of 5 km (3 miles) to admire the water mills along Cham River and take pleasure in the natural scenery. The walk will end at Tan Lap Bridge where the transport will be ready to take you back to the eco garden, a mountain retreat, where you can chill-out, treasuring the stunning sunset over rice terraces and mountains.

Meals included: Breakfast

Descend into the valley on a leisurely walk along trails leading through rice terraces near the Don Village, through corn fields and past some small villages, before heading back to the lodge for lunch and then drive to to Ninh Binh. Balance of the day is spent at your leisure after arrival.

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy your breakfast before visiting to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital city of the Dinh Dynasty and location of the Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest pagoda complex in Vietnam. Afterwards, take a boat trip to experience the amazing geological, biodiversity and scenic wonder of the Trang An grottoes. Over 30 valleys, 50 cross-water caves, 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna can be found in the area. Relax in your free time after returning to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast before heading out for a scenic drive to the World Heritage site of Halong Bay. Over 1,600 limestone karst islands dot the bay, traditional sampans and junks sail the glittering waters, grottos, thick forests, and hidden coves complete a movie-magical picture. Check in for the cruise at midday, in time to be served the lunch, before embarking on a memorable adventure. Along the way a variety of optional activities like kayaking, swimming, diving can add to the fun of this trip.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Note: This itinerary provides general information that may change, depending on the boat chosen.

Get an early start today if you want to join a Tai Chi lesson with other passengers on the deck, or just soak in the beautiful view of limestone islands, charming beaches and amazing grottos. The cruise will pass by the Bai Tu Long Bay later and continue until disembarkation after brunch at approximately 11:00am. Our guide and driver will meet you at the pier for the drive back to Hanoi, arriving at the hotel around 3:00pm. You are then free to enjoy the rest of the day.

Meals included: Brunch

You will be at leisure till our guide and driver escorts you to airport for your return flight. The tour concludes today.

Meals included: Breakfast