Flavors of North Vietnam

Morning visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam built in the 11th century, followed by President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his house-on-stilts and the nearby One Pillar Pagoda. 

In the afternoon, take a 45-minute cycle ride around the Old Quarter to see the daily life of Hanoians, followed by a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and a visit to Ngoc Son Temple.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Note: Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum opens in the morning only and closes on Mondays and Fridays. Other museums also close on Mondays. Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum closes annually in October and November for maintenance.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

This is a 4-hour drive, including a leg-stretching break en route, to the mountainous plateau of Hang Kia. Hang Kia is in H’mong ethnic lands, a remote village known for its plum trees and the beauty of their flowers. You have lunch at a local home, and will be treated to traditional H’mong delicacies. For this meal and the other in the mountainous area, we will dine in the local way: several dishes of meat and vegetables are served at once with rice and broth on the side. Everyone is served a bowl of rice and then picks here and there with chopsticks some meats and vegetables to eat along with.

After lunch, you will join the Batik workshop of H’mong people to study their unique wax resist dye technique with symbols for expressions of nature and spiritual depictions. This is an introduction to Hmong culture and batik design, offering a rare insight into the richness of Hmong culture in a warm, friendly, family environment. After the workshop, you will bring back your handmade Batik cloth as a memory of H’mong unique crafts. Take your time to walk around the village before driving deeper into the valley until we reach a small hamlet called Ban Buoc.

Overnight at Masion de Buoc.

Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and Dinner

Wake up in the early morning, this is the best time of day to go for a walk on single trails and enjoy the quaint atmosphere of this lovely piece of countryside. We recommend a 12-kilometer gentle hike to the village of Mai Hich. The opportunity to tread lightly and meet locals along rice fields, hamlets and vegetable gardens. Bicycles are also available if you prefer to make a little exploration on two wheels. We arrive at a local family-run guesthouse in Mai Hich on stilts, where we have lunch and relax.

Overnight in Mai Hich

Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and Dinner

In the morning, you'll take the drive to Cuc Phuong National Park. Upon arrival, visit the Visitor Center and the Endangered Primate Rescue Center, dedicated to the rehabilitation, breeding, research, and conservation of endangered primates. Today, it is home to over 140 primates in 15 species and subspecies, including six species that are kept only here and in no other facility in the world. Take a 2.5-hour hike to visit the 1000-year-old tree. You have a chance to understand many different kinds of trees and plants, animals and insects. On the way back, visit the Prehistoric Man Cave where ancient people lived 7,500 years ago.

Overnight in Cuc Phuong.

Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, say farewell to the host and depart for Ha Long Bay, one of the most stunning natural wonders of Vietnam, a picturesque blend of harmonious transition between the mountains and the sea. On arrival, board a traditional junk and head out into the Gulf of Tonkin amongst the huge limestone outcrops and emerald waters. Lunch is served onboard while the junk cruises through a scenic part of the bay.

In the afternoon, we reach a less-travelled area where we will devote ourselves to pure relaxation. The program is not fixed and depends on the time of the year and the weather, but there will be an opportunity to visit a cave as well as explore a floating village or do a little bit of kayaking over these 2 days. We end the day on the sundeck as the sun sets on this magical seascape. This evening, you can enjoy an aperitif or attend a cooking demonstration before dinner. Overnight in a comfortable private cabin with an en-suite bathroom.

Note: Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, tide levels and operating conditions. Swimming or kayaking excursions may be cancelled due to poor weather.

Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and Dinner

For those early birds, start the day with a proposed Tai Chi session, while tea and coffee are served as the sun rises and illuminates the surrounding seascape. We then continue our exploration of the bay. Upon returning to the boat, check out of your cabin and enjoy a light brunch while cruising back to the pier. We disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.

Rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Hotel/Other Details: Light Brunch while cruising back to the pier.

Transfer with a guide to Noi Bai International Airport for the departure flight.

Note: The Hotel’s check-out time is 12:00.

Meal Plan: Breakfast