Duration

10 days 9 nights

Tour Type

Beaches & Bay
Mini Adventure

Group Size

10 Persons

Tour Guide

English speaking guide

Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay, Northwest Vietnam, Red River Delta

An adventure through the North Vietnam: From majestic rice fields to vibrant bays

Embark on an unforgettable 10-day adventure through North Vietnam’s most spectacular landscapes and authentic cultural experiences. From Hanoi’s ancient streets to the terraced rice fields of Mu Cang Chai, trek through photographer’s paradise, share meals with H’Mong and Thai families in their traditional homes, and sail through the emerald waters of Lan Ha Bay.

This immersive journey reveals Vietnam’s living heritage through meaningful encounters with local communities – perfect for travelers seeking authentic experiences and stunning natural beauty.

Highlights

Discover the captivating capital of Hanoi
Experience breathtaking landscapes with incredible terraced rice fields
Learn about local craftsmanship
Enjoy the friendship, warmth, and hospitality of the Thai ethnic minority
Savor delicious local cuisine
Cruise aboard a traditional junk boat on Halong Bay
Visit the treasures of the inland bay – Ninh Binh

What to bring

Sun & rain gear (including sun screen and brimmed hat)
Warm clothing for winter (mid-November to early March)
Insect repellent
Hiking shoes/sandals
Swimsuit
Waterproof bag for digital devices
Backpack for trekking
Toiletries, towel, and flashlight
Passport

Notice

Destination	Hanoi, Mu Cang Chai, Ninh Binh, Lan Hạ
Included	Meals as specified in the program Accommodation as mentioned in the program (2 people/room) English speaking guide and local guide Adapted air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver Activities as mentioned in the tour program Water, tea and local fruits All entrance fees
Excluded	Drinks, guide tips Personal expenses Insurance Supplement for Tet and other public holidays (2/9, 30/4, 1/5, 24/12, 31/12, 1/1) VAT
Travel by private car

Price

Price if for per person based on a private group
Price per person will be different based on how many pax you buy:

Group Size	Price per Pax
1 pax	53,400,000 VND
2 pax	29,550,000 VND
3 pax	28,200,000 VND
4 pax	22,600,000 VND
5 pax	21,720,000 VND
6 pax	19,100,000 VND
7 pax	18,970,000 VND
8 pax	17,500,000 VND
9 pax	17,450,000 VND
10 pax	16,300,000 VND

Note:
For group of 3 – 5 or 7 pax, there will be double room + 1 single room
Surcharge for holidays and national days or discount for larger group is available; please contact our travel consultants at
[email protected] or send us inquiry through the contact form

Details

You'll be picked up at the airport by our driver and transferred to your hotel in the Old Quarter. The day is free to rest and recover from your journey.Meet the DCT Responsible Travel team at your convenience for coffee or a meal.

After breakfast, visit the Temple of Literature, an 11th-century architectural masterpiece, followed by Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi, located by West Lake.

For lunch, try typical Hanoi specialties like "Pho cuon" (Pho roll) and "Pho chien" (Pho deep-fried).In the afternoon, explore the bustling Old Quarter, visiting Ngoc Son Pagoda and learning the legend of the returned sword at Hoan Kiem Lake. End the day with a one-hour cyclo ride before returning to the hotel. Evening at leisure.

Enjoy the beauty of Hanoi during lotus season

Pick-up from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter at 8 AM, and head towards the region of terraced rice fields of Mu Cang Chai.

Along the way, you'll stop in Nghia Lo for a delicious home-cooked lunch with a local family. After a short break, hop on a bike for a leisurely ride through the valley, giving you a taste of rural life and a glimpse of the adventures awaiting you.

In the late afternoon, you’ll continue your journey and arrive at a cozy homestay nestled in the heart of the renowned "photographer's route" in the charming village of It Thai.Take some time to settle in and relax before enjoying a shared meal with your host family. To end the evening, raise a glass of "ruou" - local rice wine and immerse yourself in a vibrant traditional dance performance (available for groups from 3 people).

Get ready to start a trekking route to Xe Xang village. On the way, you will pass H'Mong and Thai villages and a bamboo forest, with beautiful views of rice fields and mountains. Visit a local Thai house and have lunch at a family's home.Continue trekking to an H'Mong village where you will stop to visit a house. You will also participate in a batik workshop with the locals.[caption id="attachment_10503" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]

Batik workshop under the guidance of H'mong people in Mu Cang Chai[/caption]Return to the homestay in the afternoon, where you will be rewarded with a herbal foot bath.Dinner will be shared with the family.

Take a morning hike to the top of "Tiger Mountain". Located on the other side of the village, the hike allows you to appreciate the rich nature present. You will be rewarded after the upward walk with a breathtaking view of the Khau Pha valley and the Tu Le valley.Back at the homestay, have lunch and bid farewell to your host before taking a new road to Khau Pha pass with an incredible view and then arrive at Nam Khat valley, an hour's drive away.

After checking in, you will hike to the village of La Khat, inhabited by the H'mong. This walk off the beaten track gets you closer to the locals, far from tourist-frequented areas. The path passes through a valley covered with rice fields and surrounded by green hills.Return to the lodge in the afternoon and enjoy your "me time."

After breakfast, you will be transferred by car to Mang Mu village. You will start by visiting the village before starting a superb hike with magnificent landscapes to the village of Che Cu Nha, inhabited by the H’Mong minority. You will be able to visit the village and have lunch there.

Rice terraces in harvest season - Mu Cang Chai

You will continue walking along small paths that will take you to De Xu Phin, called “the dinosaur’s spine”. From the top, you will have a panoramic view of the entire mountain range. Take a break to rest before going back down the other side to join the road where the car will be waiting for you.Option: You can stop on the way back at the famous Mam Xoi viewpoint. Entrance ticket not included in the price, 10 US dollars per person including entrance and motorbike taxi to the top.

Enjoy a leisurely morning in the fresh air of the village to help restore health after a long day of walking before saying goodbye to your host and returning to Hanoi.On the way back, we will have lunch at Xuan Son National Park and you can admire the unique beauty of the ancient forest on limestone mountains with high biodiversity and specific cultural features of local ethnic groups.Return to Hanoi in the middle of afternoon. Day at leisure.

Leave early in the morning for the terrestrial Halong Bay - Ninh Binh for a journey of about 2 hours.You will go to the Van Long Nature Reserve. After dropping off your belongings at the retreat, you will set off by bike to discover rural life far from mass tourism. You will then relax by taking a one-hour sampan ride, a traditional boat, in the reserve.Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant to taste some specialties.You will then go to the Hang Mua site. If the 500 or so steps to reach the top may seem difficult, you will be rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view of the countryside and the Tam Coc site.[caption id="attachment_12389" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]

Tam Coc - Ninh Binh in harvest season[/caption]If you wish, you can stop on the way back at the Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest in Southeast Asia. You can visit the immense complex with, among other things, corridors with hundreds of statues, giant bells and the main building at the top. Going there at the end of the day gives you the opportunity to enjoy a splendid sunset.Back to the homestay and enjoy the tranquility.

The driver and the guide will take you to Cai Beo Harbour. Meet your crew team at 12pm, say goodbye to the driver and guide, then board a 10-cabin or 5-cabin junk for a 24-hour cruise on the bay. While you get to know our friendly crew, the junk will pass through the largest floating village in the Gulf of Tonkin, with more than 400 floating houses between hundreds of stunning limestone islands. Stop for lunch and swimming time on the beaches of Ba Trai Dao.[caption id="attachment_11600" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]

Relaxing day on the beach[/caption]During your siesta on the upper deck, contemplating the bay's beauty, the junk sails through Lan Ha Bay. The area is surrounded by extraordinary limestone karst landscapes. You can start your journey to visit the Ba Trai Dao Beach area and islets by kayaking which is a wild and mysterious beauty in the middle of the World Heritage. Then, enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Bay.At the end of the afternoon, the junk will return to the center of Lan Ha Bay and drop its anchor. You will have time to admire the landscapes and have a drink for an aperitif on the deck. While the crew prepares your dinner, you can swim further from the boat or try your luck at fishing.After dinner on board, trying squid fishing will be a great memory. Overnight on board.

On the second day of the cruise, while you enjoy breakfast, the junk continues to sail towards the Viet Hai fishing village on the Bay.Transfer to a tender to visit Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island and hop on a bicycle ride. (electric car also available) through a rainforest tunnel that leads to a village nestled in a valley deep in a national park. Meet, visit a traditional house, greet local inhabitants doing their daily work, and see their homes and the village school.

Witness the morning catch being brought in by fishing boats in the fish market

When returning from the village, you will check out of the cabin and then start cruising towards the port, where a set lunch will be served. We will then come back to Cai Beo harbor before noon.Transfer by limousine and back to Hanoi at around 4 pm.