9-Day North Vietnam Soft Adventure

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

Welcome to Vietnam! Meet your driver at Noi Bai Airport for a private transfer to your hotel. Settle in and spend the rest of the day exploring the narrow streets of the Old Quarter at your own pace.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour

Visit the iconic Temple of Literature and learn about its Confucian roots. After a break at a traditional tea house, embark on a walking tour through the lively Old Quarter, bustling markets, and the famous Hanoi railway. Conclude the day with a street-food feast in a local courtyard.

Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau

Head west toward the Mai Chau valley, home to the White Thai ethnic group. Enjoy lunch at a traditional family-run stilt house before hopping on a bicycle for a scenic afternoon ride through local hamlets, vegetable gardens, and rice paddies.

Day 4: Mai Chau – Hang Kia – Mai Chau

Drive up to the rocky plateau of Hang Kia to explore H’mong ethnic lands. Take a leisurely 3km walk to a village, dine on local gastronomy at a guesthouse, and participate in a hands-on traditional batik dyeing workshop before returning to Mai Chau.

Day 5: Mai Chau – Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Travel into Pu Luong Nature Reserve, known for its jungle-covered mountains and terraced fields. Enjoy an easy 14km hike to Ban Bang village, have lunch at your local guide's home, and continue walking to your lodge in Ban Don in time for sunset.

Day 6: Pu Luong – Ninh Binh

Drive via the historical Ho Chi Minh Road to the stunning region of Ninh Binh. After lunch, take a scenic rowed-sampan cruise through the towering limestone rocks of Tam Coc, followed by a 10km bicycle exploration of the surrounding countryside.

Day 7: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay

Travel through the Red River Delta to the coast and board your beautiful ship for an overnight cruise in Halong Bay. Enjoy lunch on board, spend the afternoon sunbathing or exploring, and relax with an aperitif or cooking demonstration before dinner on the water.

Day 8: Halong Bay – Hanoi

Start your morning with a sunrise Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Explore one of the archipelago's famous caves, then enjoy a generous brunch as the ship cruises back to the wharf. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi, arriving in the early afternoon.

Day 9: Hanoi - Departure

Enjoy your final moments in Hanoi with free time to relax or shop. At the appropriate time, your driver will meet you for a private transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Included services:

Accommodation (mix of 3-star & 4-star) in a shared twin room with an air conditioner and private bathroom
Meals as stated in the program
Excursions with stationed fully licensed English speaking guides in private air-conditioned vehicles
Professional Vietnamese speaking driver
All entrance fees and boat fees as mentioned in the program
Local taxes and service charges

Recommended travel period:

All year

Excluded services:

Domestic & International airfare (quoted separately, if requested)
Visa application and visa stamp fees
Tour guide on board the cruise
Personal travel insurance is mandatory when visiting Vietnam
Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, unless stated in the program
Services and surcharges not mentioned in the program (optional tours, other guide language, drinks, meals, compulsory gala dinner, night-time service, etc.)
Personal expenditure and gratuities

Image source: LCC DTH Travel Vietnam
Image source: LCC DTH Travel Vietnam
Image source: LCC DTH Travel Vietnam
Image source: LCC DTH Travel Vietnam
Image source: LCC DTH Travel Vietnam
Image source: LCC DTH Travel Vietnam
Image source: LCC DTH Travel Vietnam