After breakfast, your guide will take you on a deep dive into the cultural and political heart of the country. You’ll begin at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the country’s most revered leader rests. Nearby, visit Uncle Ho’s simple stilt house, set amidst peaceful gardens, for a glimpse into his daily life. Continue to the One Pillar Pagoda, a delicate wooden structure balanced on a single stone pillar. Next, visit the Temple of Literature, this was the nation’s first university and remains a masterpiece of traditional Vietnamese architecture.

After a local lunch, step into history at Hoa Lo Prison, known during the Vietnam War as the “Hanoi Hilton.” It’s a powerful site that reveals stories of resilience and struggle. The afternoon continues with a visit to the Vietnam Women’s Museum, where exhibits highlight the vital roles women have played throughout the nation’s history and culture.

Later, hop on a traditional cyclo for a slow ride through the Old Quarter, where everyday life spills out onto the streets. Finish the day at Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple before enjoying a traditional water puppet performance — an art form unique to northern Vietnam, performed over water with live folk music accompaniment.

Overnight in Hanoi
Included: Private A/C vehicle · Tour guide · Entrance fees · Water puppet show · Meals: B, L · Hotel accommodation

Leave Hanoi behind this morning as you journey southwest into the rolling green hills of Hoa Binh province. By midday, reach Mai Chau Valley — a peaceful land of stilt houses and rice paddies. Enjoy a traditional lunch in a local home before continuing deeper into Pu Luong Nature Reserve.

As roads narrow into quiet trails, begin your walk into Ban Hang, a Thai minority village nestled in a quiet valley. Cross a gentle stream and follow footpaths through rice fields until you reach your homestay.

Here, you’ll be welcomed by your host family — a warm introduction to life in the highlands. Share a home-cooked meal, sip tea, and fall asleep to the sounds of crickets and wind rustling through bamboo.

Overnight in Pu Luong
Included: Private transport · Trekking guide · Entrance fees · Breakfast, lunch · Hotel accommodation

Wake up in Ban Hang village, surrounded by terraced rice fields and morning mist. After a hearty breakfast with your host family, begin your full-day trek into the heart of Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Cross rivers, wind through lush jungle paths, and pass through tiny farming hamlets where life follows the rhythm of the seasons. Along the way, stop for lunch at a local eatery, recharging with home-style dishes.

By afternoon, arrive at Kho Muong village, dramatically set beneath limestone cliffs. This White Thai community welcomes you into another traditional homestay, with the option to explore a nearby limestone cave before dinner.

Overnight in Pu Luong
Included: Guided trekking · Entrance fees · Breakfast, lunch, dinner · Homestay or resort accommodation

After breakfast, set out on a gentle trek down the valley toward Pho Doan, a quiet town known for its bamboo waterwheels and traditional markets. Take your time enjoying the scenery — verdant forests, small farms, and peaceful footpaths.

At midday, meet your driver for the return journey to Hanoi. En route, stop to observe the fascinating waterwheel systems that irrigate the rice fields — a window into centuries-old agricultural life in the north. Arrive back in the capital by evening. Settle into your hotel or head out for a relaxed dinner in the Old Quarter.

Overnight in Hanoi
Included: Trekking · Private transport · Entrance fees · Breakfast, lunch · Hotel accommodation

Depart Hanoi this morning for Halong City, where you’ll board your overnight cruise through Lan Ha Bay — a serene extension of Halong Bay known for its emerald waters, sculpted karsts, and peaceful seascapes with fewer crowds.Upon arrival at Halong International Cruise Port, check in at the cruise lounge before boarding a short speedboat transfer to your home for the night — a beautifully appointed boutique cruise ship anchored in the heart of Lan Ha Bay.

Settle into your private en-suite cabin and enjoy a gourmet Vietnamese lunch on board as the boat glides past forested islets, floating villages, and towering limestone formations. In the afternoon, disembark at Cat Ba Island for a cycling excursion to Viet Hai Village, a secluded community nestled within Cat Ba National Park. Pedal through scenic forest trails and past tranquil fishponds, organic gardens, and traditional homes — a vivid glimpse into rural island life.

Back on board, unwind with a herbal tea, enjoy a massage, or simply soak in the quiet beauty of the bay. As the sun sets, join an interactive Vietnamese cooking class led by the ship’s chef, learning the secrets of local flavors and techniques. The crew serves dinner al fresco on the sundeck (weather permitting), where regional cuisine, live music, and a canopy of stars complete your unforgettable evening.

Overnight on Cruise (Lan Ha Bay)
Included: Shared shuttle transfer · Cruise guide · All onboard activities · Breakfast, lunch, dinner · En-suite cabin

Wake early to the gentle light over Lan Ha Bay and join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck — a peaceful way to greet the day.After a light breakfast, hop into a bamboo boat or kayak to explore Dark & Bright Cave, a hidden grotto where still waters and towering cliffs create a timeless, tranquil world.

Return to the boat for a full breakfast as the cruise begins its journey back toward the harbor. Once ashore, a shared transfer brings you back to Hanoi, arriving in the late afternoon.Spend your final evening as you wish — sipping egg coffee in the Old Quarter, enjoying one last bowl of bun cha, or simply walking beneath the city’s glowing lanterns.

Overnight in Hanoi
Included: Tai Chi · Cave excursion · Shared cruise transfer · Breakfast, brunch · Hotel accommodation

Your journey through northern Vietnam comes to a close today. Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and perhaps a final stroll through Hanoi’s tree-lined boulevards or morning markets.

If time allows, stop by a local café for one last taste of Vietnamese coffee or pick up meaningful souvenirs — silk, spices, or small handcrafted gifts — to carry a piece of the country home with you. At the arranged time, your private driver will take you to Noi Bai International Airport.

Included: Private A/C vehicle · Tour guide · Entrance fees · Meals: B