Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival Hanoi

   • Meet the tour guide and driver, who will pick you up from the Noi Bai Airport. 
   • Enjoy the 45-minute drive to the city center (Hanoi Old Quarter) with the city's brief information about the most visited spots, culture, traffic and cuisine. Arrive at your hotel, check-in and have a rest. (Hotel check-in time at 14.00.)
   • Spend the rest of the day free or visit the city.

2. Day 2: Hanoi City Tour

   • Meet the tour guide, who will pick you up at 8:30 a.m. from your hotel to visit Bat Trang Village, located on the bank of the Red River 20km from the Hanoi center. Bat Trang is one of the country's most famous traditional craft villages, specializing in porcelain crafts. Built over 700 years ago, Bat Trangs' name has a Chinese origin meaning "a large field where the bowls are made". Bat means bowl, and Trang means a specialized area.
   • Visit the communal house dedicated to the man who created the porcelain craft village. Make a special visit to a family factory. Your tour guide will explain the processes of making ceramic products, and you might have a chance to work with the craftsmen. 
   • Stroll around to explore the village, visit some traditional ceramic ovens and have a look at beautiful products in the shops.
   • Enjoy time shopping for souvenirs.
   • Travel back to the city center, and have a break for lunch (by your own account) before visiting the Temple of Literature, which was built under the Ly dynasty in the 11th century for worshipping Confucius and teaching Royal children. 
   • Take a walk in the garden to the city's symbol Khue Van Cac. You will then visit the World Heritage "stone steles," which shows the name of outstanding students. 
   • Continue to explore Quoc Tu Giam, which is considered the first national university of Vietnam.
   • Drive through the French Quarter, passing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace to the Hanoi Old Quarter, which was built in the 15th century as a trading center in the capital city with 36 streets of different products. Despite the changes, the Old Quarter is always considered a live city museum. The unique tube houses, small alleys, temples, open-door markets and street vendor foods come together in beautiful harmony. Discovering the town by walking is the best way to stimulate all your senses.      
   • See the water puppet shows with unique performances that first appeared in the 11th century. In these shows, the daily life, culture and belief of Vietnamese people are described by puppets on water. The show usually integrates a traditional music performance as well.
   • Come back to your hotel. 

3. Day 3: Hanoi - Mai chau

   • Meet the tour guide and depart for Mai Chau at 8:00 a.m. On the way, visit a Muong village. 
   • Continue to Thung Khe pass, where you can view magnificent panoramic views of the valley before arriving in Mai Chau town. Mai Chau is a beautiful valley located 145 km away from Hanoi. It is a great place with harmonious landscapes, green mountain ranges, rice terraces and white Thai ethnic villages.
   • Arrive in Mai Chau, check in your accommodation and have a break for lunch. 
   • Take a 5 km bike ride (optional) or walk to the rice fields in the afternoon. Discover the culture and daily life of the locals in Lac, Na Phon, and Poong Com villages. See the rural work on rice fields, the weaving craftsman, and locals. 
   • Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon.

   Note: Private traditional music and dancing show by local people is available at an extra cost of $35/group. Please ask our guide to make reservations if you are interested.

4. Day 4: Mai Chau - Ninh Binh

   • Enjoy breakfast in the peaceful land, then travel to Mai Hich. 
   • Explore by bike (optional) or walk along the trails and concrete roads. You will be seduced by the gorgeous landscapes, such as the villages, rice fields, mountains and streams, which are in perfect harmony with one another. Do not miss the opportunity to communicate with the friendly local people who are always willing to welcome you into their house to enjoy a cup of tea.
   • Come back to Mai Chau to enjoy lunch, then depart to Ninh Binh.
   • Stop on the way to meet the local people and take pictures as you command. Arrive in Ninh Binh in the late afternoon and check in to your accommodation. 

5. Day 5: Ninh Binh - Hanoi

   • Have breakfast at the hotel, then travel to Tam Coc, which has been well-known as the “Halong Bay on land” and appeared in the famous French movie “Indochina”. 
   • Take a private sampan boat upon arrival for a ninety-minute cruise along the Ngo Dong River. 
   • Pass through three caves and witness a stunning landscape interleaved by small communities, rice fields, cemeteries and temples.
   • Continue to the Bich Dong, a typical pagoda in the countryside of the Red River Delta, built in the 15th century. On arrival, you will cross a stone bridge to Chua Ha, from which over 100 steps lead to Chua Trung – the cave pagoda with unique clay statues. 
   • Hike up to Chua Thuong. You not only have the chance to learn about Buddhism but also get to experience incredible countryside views.
   • Enjoy local cuisine in Tam Coc, then direct to Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam from the 10 to the 11 century. The citadel is surrounded by limestone mountains and rivers, naturally protecting it and making for an amazing picturesque setting.
   • Visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009), who played a vital role in gaining the country’s independence after China ruled it for a thousand years. Both temples were built in the 17th, symbolizing deep respect for the King’s contributions.
   • Transfer from Ninh Binh to Hanoi. Enjoy the journey passing the Red River delta with a lot of chances to take pictures of rice fields and peaceful countryside.

6. Day 6: Hanoi - Halong Bay

   • Meet the guide, who will pick you up at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter). Enjoy a 3-hour drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Your journey will pass a series of villages and rice fields in the Red River Delta. Have a stop for drinks and restrooms. Continue your driving, arrive at the harbour around noon, and get warmly welcomed at reception.
   • Check-in at the boat at 12:30, with cruise briefing and safety instructions. Start cruising and explore Halong Bay - one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
   • Enjoy a buffet lunch with Vietnamese dishes served while cruising through the bay, passing the most beautiful and quiet areas, such as Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock, Soi Sim beach, and Coconut Tree Islands.
   • Visit the Tung Sau area in the afternoon, covered by leaping rocks and cultured pearl fishery. You can wit yourself the process of the jewel, from culturing to harvesting and sculpting. Moreover, you have a chance to do kayaking based on your preference. Enjoy the space with a pearl maker, and you can experience the completion of a pearl. 
   • Go to the beautiful Titov Beach for swimming (if the weather permits). Titov Beach is especially famous for its fresh atmosphere, clean water, and smooth white sand that create a great ambience for tourists to relax. You can take steps to reach the top of  Titov Island to have a panoramic view of Halong Bay. 
   • Back to the boat and free time while sailing to Luon Bo area, and anchor for overnight. (Option: Massage service available. Please book with the Cruise Manager directly (please see the massage menu).
   • Attend the cooking class on the sundeck at 18:30. See how to make Vietnamese spring rolls - traditional Vietnamese food. Then enjoy Happy Hour (buy one drink-get one free). It is time for chit-chat and relaxing. Watch the magnificent sunset over Halong Bay. (Evening activities include: Leisure time to enjoy a chat around the bar, watching movies and many sorts of Vietnam cultural films, relaxing and spending a romantic night on the cruise, playing cards and chess, and reading magazines in the room. You may also try your luck at squid fishing and fishing from the boat.)

   Dinner – Deluxe Vietnamese BBQ Set Menu Dinner

7. Day 7: Halong Bay - Hanoi

   • Start the day early at 6:30 a.m. onboard with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Tai chi, also called Tai chi chuan, combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow and gentle movements. Coffee, tea and pastries for breakfast are served in the dining room with a morning view of the bay’s landscape.
   • Transfer by tender to Sung Sot Cave. Walk up about 100 steps to the cave entrance. It takes approximately 45 minutes to visit Sung Sot Cave, one of the biggest caves in Halong bay with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. 
   • Return to the cruise by tender. Check out and settle your bill at reception.
   • Have a buffet brunch and enjoy the bay scenery while cruising back to the Tuan Chau Wharf.
   • Disembark at 11:30-12:00. Travel back to Hanoi. Have a rest in the middle of the way. Drop off at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter).