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Hanoi – Mai Chau – Ninh Binh – Bai Tu Long Bay | Authentic Experience – 08 Days

8 Days

Get the most out of your local experiences and discover Northern Vietnam in a unique way. Travel from Hanoi to the mountainous Mai Chau region, spend two nights in Van Long with a local family to witness the customs of the Red River Delta and then take an overnight cruise on Bai Tu Long Bay, the less visited portion of the Ha Long Bay heritage Site.

Overview

  • Start/End: Hanoi/Hanoi
  • Visit: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Pu Luong – Ninh Binh – Bai Tu Long bay
  • Duration: 08 Days
  • Travel style: Authentic
  • Category: Private tour
  • Tour schedule: Daily departure
  • Tour guide in: English, Français, Español, Deutsch, Italiano

Highlights

  • Highlights of the Hanoi trip
  • Go to the communities of the ethnic minority in Thailand.
  • Experience staying at home
  • See a typical Red River Delta community
  • Cruise across Ha Long Bay at night

Itinerary

Greetings from Hanoi, and a stroll in the Old Quarter.

When you arrive at the Noi Bai airport, a knowledgeable tour guide and driver greet you in the pickup lobby. Enjoy a 45-minute drive to the Old Quarter in the heart of Hanoi while learning about the city's top attractions, customs, traffic, and food.When you go to your hotel, check in and then unwind.

Note: HThe hotel checks you in at 14.00.

Walkabout tours are a great way to end the day. Commence at the Ba Da tiny pagoda, which is tucked away in a little lane just a little distance from the 19th-century French colonial Hanoi Great Cathedral. Your guide also shows you around some of Hanoi's characteristic streets, such Lan Ong Street, which sells traditional medicine, and Lo Ren Street, which is the location of the metal fabrication industry. Don't forget to explore Hanoi's largest central market, Dong Xuan. Walk on until you reach Ta Hien Street, a well-known destination for nightlife and street food. Here, you'll witness colorful streets with an abundance of delectable regional fare and beverages. Taste-testing some will provide a memorable experience.

Finish up at your lodging.

Note:The walking tour will be rescheduled for the day of the city tour if your flight arrives late or if you have jet lag after a lengthy trip.

Included:
English speaking guide
Private transportation
Entrance fees
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Conifer Grand Hotel(ROH Room)
42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi City, Vietnam

Day 2 :
Hanoi

Visiting the French Quarter, learning about Old Town, and exploring the Van Mieu Center for Culture and Education.

9:00 AM: Acquire Tour guide pick-up at the Temple of Literature, which was constructed in the eleventh century by the Ly dynasty to revere Confucius and educate royal children. Savor a stroll through the park to Khue Van Cac, the city's emblem. Next, you will see the "stone steles" of World Heritage that list the names of distinguished pupils. Go on exploring Quoc Tu Giam, which is regarded as Vietnam's first national university.

Next, make your way to the Ethnology Museum, which is closed on Mondays but provides a thorough understanding of Vietnamese culture through a variety of ethnic groups' traditional homes, utensils, clothes, and musical instruments. It takes around two hours to thoroughly tour this fascinating museum.

You travel to Hanoi's "little Paris," the French Quarter, which has a large plaza, government buildings, and boulevards lined with trees after midday. See Ho Chi Minh's tomb from the exterior before taking a leisurely stroll through the botanical gardens to see the Presidential Palace, which is Ho Chi Minh's former residence and place of business. In the direction of the distinctive One-pillar pagoda, one of the city's icons. Depending on the number of passengers, exploring this complex takes one to two hours.

Return to the city center and have a nap before taking in the water puppet plays, which are a unique kind of entertainment that date back to the eleventh century. Puppets on water depict Vietnamese culture, daily life, and beliefs in these performances. Usually, a traditional music performance is included in the program.

Return to the hotel. Day's end.

Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B
Private transportation
Entrance fees
Leisure: Water puppet
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Conifer Grand Hotel(ROH Room)
42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi City, Vietnam

Exploring the Muong hamlet, the picturesque Thung Khe pass, and the real Thai way of life in the Mai Hich, Xam Khoe, and Buoc villages.

8:00 AM: Arrive at Mai Chau and meet the driver and tour leader. Visit a Muong village en route. Proceed to Thung Khe Pass, where you'll find breathtaking sweeping views of the valley, and eventually arrive in Mai Chau town. The stunning valley of Mai Chau is situated 145 kilometers from Hanoi. It's a beautiful area with serene scenery, verdant mountain ranges, rice terraces, and White Thai traditional villages.

Once you arrive at Mai Hich village, check into your lodging and then savor the host's prepared lunch. Afterwards, stroll the concrete roads and footpaths around Mai Hich. The towns, rice fields, mountains, and streams all blend harmoniously to create breathtaking scenery that will entice you. Don't pass up the chance to interact with the welcoming locals who would be happy to have you over for a cup of tea at their home.

Trekking further, you will pass little settlements and rice fields until arriving at Xam Khoe, a Thai village that is yet undiscovered by tourists. Savor the fusion of the rich human culture and the splendor of nature. After, have a vehicle pick you up and return you to your lodging.

Note: For an additional $35 per group, locals will perform a private traditional music and dance entertainment. If you are interested, please ask our guide to make a reservation.

Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B, L, D
Private transportation
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Mai Hich Homestay (Sharing homestay)
Mai Hich commune, Mai Chau district, Hoa Binh , Vietnam

Learning about the culture of the Eo Ken, Ban hung, and Muong people.

8:00 A.M. Leave Mai Hich immediately and go 30 kilometers to Eo Ken, the home of the Muong ethnic group. Enjoy the breathtaking panorama of the mountains, rice field terraces, and Pu Luong Nature Reserve as you stroll down the slope. Discover the real life of a Muong ethnic family in Eo Kenvillage. To go to HangVillage, keep strolling through this breathtaking scenery and cross a brook.

After being picked up by vehicle, go to Mai Chau for lunch. Following that, leave for Ninh Binh, making stops along the road to interact with locals and snap photographs at your request. When you get to Ninh Binh in the late afternoon, be sure you check into your lodging.

Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B, L, D
Private transportation
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Nep House(Double Room)
Lang Noi, Lang Van, Gia Lap, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh , Vietnam

Day 5 :
Ninh Binh

See the remarkable Thien Ha cave via boat, the Ninh Van stone carving town, and the distinctive Phat Diem church.

8:00 AM: After making your hotel-to-pier transfer, head to Thien Ha Pier and board a tiny bamboo sampan boat for an exciting two-hour boat ride with a local rower. Seeing the stunning rural area materialize before your eyes while you explore the mysterious limestone mountains: This bucolic rural scene is complete with ducks, buffaloes, and modest homes beneath the mountain.

Ascend to the Thien Ha cave, also known as the Celestial River Cave, which was first found in 2007. Its overall area is around 12,000 square meters, and it is home to several amazing stalactites and stalagmites with various ethereal forms. After walking the first 200 meters, take another boat ride within the cave to appreciate its breathtaking splendor.

While traveling to Tam Coc, stop by Ninh Van town, a well-known town known for its stone sculptures. You may observe how history, culture, religion, and lifestyle have come together in their items as you stroll about. A rare 100-year-old mansion made nearly entirely of natural blue stone deserves a special visit. Have a fascinating conversation about the history of the town and her husband's grandpa, who was asked to construct the renowned stone Phat Diem church, with the property's owner, Mrs. Dinh Thi Long.

Note: Mrs. Long is an elderly woman who does not always reside at the home. Then, all we can see of the house is its outside.

After having lunch at a neighborhood eatery, continue on to the Phat Diem Cathedral, which is said to be Vietnam's "Catholic capital." The cathedral was built between 1875 and 1899 and has a distinctive blend of western style stone and wood church building with traditional pagoda architecture.

After arriving, go gently to see the striking house-gate and the Jesus Christ on the middle islet. Next proceed to the opulent "Nha Tho Duc Me Man Coi" Catholic Church, which was constructed with two layers of tile roofing and six rows of monolithic ironwood. The most amazing structure in the complex is the entirely stone church, which is situated at the end of the courtyard.

After leaving the cathedral, take a leisurely stroll around Chinh Kim hamlet to see some of the work-shops that make sedge goods. You may also have a cup of the local rice wine liquor there.

In the afternoon, return to your accommodation by transfer.

Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B, L
Boat: Thien Ha
Private transportation
Entrance fees
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Van Long Family Homestay(Double Room)
Gia Van commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh , Vietnam

Taking a boat ride at Van Long Nature Reserve, biking to Thung La Temple, and taking in a live drum performance.

8:00 AM: Set out on a scenic 15-kilometer bicycle ride along the dike, taking in breathtaking views of limestone mountains, a river, and rice fields. There are many places to stop and take beautiful pictures and chat with people. Visit the eleventh-century Thung La Temple to continue your tour. Don't pass up the opportunity to see traditional musical instruments that are essential to Vietnamese culture and spirituality.

Proceed to Sail a sampan boat through the limestone mountains and down the stream to explore the splendor of Van Long natural reserve. With any luck, you may be able to spot egrets and white monkeys perched on the rocks. Visit an embroidered hamlet after the boat ride, and then enroll in an embroidery class taught by Mrs. Lam, a local craftswoman. She will gladly share the methods used in her age-old trade. You will get a great chance to practice handling cloth like a true craftsman.

After saying goodbye to the host, leave your bike at homestay. Travel the Red River Delta on your way from Ninh Binh to Hanoi, taking in the breathtaking scenery along the way. Along the trip, take advantage of several photo ops amid the verdant rice fields and peaceful countryside.

Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B, L
Boat: Van Long
Private transportation
Entrance fees
Bike: Tam Coc
Leisure: Thung La temple music
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Conifer Grand Hotel(ROH Room)
42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi City, Vietnam

Arrive in Bai Tu Long Bay, spend some time swimming and kayaking, then explore Cap La island.

8:00 A.M. Pickup at your accommodation (located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi). Take pleasure in a three-hour journey to Bai Tu Long Bay from Hanoi. The Red River Delta's chain of communities and rice paddies will pass by on your travels. Stop and get a drink and use the restroom. Proceed with your drive, reach the harbor around midday, and get a hearty greeting at the cruise reception.

Arrive at our waiting room at the Ha Long International Cruise Port between 11:30 and 11:45 AM. While you wait for our captain to finish the registration procedure, take a moment to unwind. Next, make the tender transfer to our boat.

12:00 - 12:15 PM: Before settling into your cabin, take advantage of a welcome drink and a quick safety instruction about what to do while on board.

13:00: Savor a delectable Vietnamese set menu lunch as you continue to cruise slowly into Bai Tu Long Bay.

15:00: Reach Cap La Island, the kayaking location. In addition to swimming and unwinding, take pleasure in kayaking among the stunning scenery and karst formations.

17:40: Head back to the boat and take part in our Sunset Party while we cruise to the anchorage for the night. Take in a Vietnamese culinary demonstration and learn how to prepare a tasty yet straightforward dish like Nem Cuon, or try your hand at cutting fruits and vegetables.

19:00: Savor a lavish set meal while on board.

20:30 - 22:00: Use your free time to take on new challenges in Vietnamese puzzle games, play board games with your family or friends, go squid fishing, or just kick back with a glass and take in the peaceful evening on the bay.

Included:
Shuttle bus: Hanoi - Halong
English speaking guide (on board)
Meal: B, L, D
Entrance fees
Kayak: Halong
Leisure: Squid fishing,Swimming
Cooking class: Halong (on board) - cooking demonstration
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Boutique Swan Cruise - 2D1N(Deluxe Cabin)
3 Dang Thai Than street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi City, Vietnam

Visiting the Thien Canh Son cave, taking a breathtaking sailing route, returning to Hanoi, and leaving at 6:30 AM: Take part in a Tai Chi class at sunrise on the sundeck, or simply relax with a cup of tea or coffee while taking in the breathtaking morning scenery of the bay.

07:00: To set you up for a full day of exploring, a Western-style breakfast will be given.

07:45 AM: Investigate Thien Canh Son Cave, which is well concealed.

09:00 AM: Head back to the boat and spend a half hour getting ready and packing.

9:30 AM: End of stay.

10:00 AM: Savor a customary Vietnamese meal while dining on the boat.

Head back to the port around 10:30 AM.

At Ha Long Cruise Port, disembark between 11:15 and 11:30 AM.

After being greeted by the driver at the harbor, return to Hanoi with pleasure. Stop in the midst to take a break. Deliver to your accommodation (located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi).

Upon your request, a private driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby in the Hanoi Old Quarter and transport you to Noi Bai airport, either the international or domestic hall, in around 45 minutes. We appreciate you coming to our city.

Note: For domestic and international flights, you must be at the airport two hours prior to departure time.

Included:
English speaking guide (on board)
Meal: B, L
Private transportation
Entrance fees
Leisure: Morning Tai Chi
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day

Tour Included

  • English speaking tour guide following itinerary
  • All entrance fees and tickets mention on itinerary
  • Selected Accommodations with daily breakfast
  • Cruise: Boutique Swan Cruise - 2D1N
  • Boat: Thien Ha, Van Long
  • Private car following itinerary
  • Shuttle bus: Hanoi - Halong
  • Meal: Breakfast: 07, Lunch: 06, Dinner: 03
  • Bike: Tam Coc
  • Kayak: Halong
  • Leisure: Water puppet, Thung La temple music, Squid fishing, Swimming, Morning Tai Chi
  • Cooking class: Halong (on board) - cooking demonstration
  • Service charges and Taxes

Tour Excluded

  • International flight from/to your country
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Tipping and Gratuities
  • Other not mentioned in the program
What should I pack for this trip?

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Swimwear
  • Sunglasses and hats
  • Insect repellent
  • Light, breathable clothing
  • A small backpack for day trips

What kind of accommodation is provided?

The tour includes a mix of hotels and homestays, providing an authentic experience of local culture and hospitality.

Are meals included in the tour package?

Yes, most meals are included. You will have the opportunity to try local cuisine at various stops along the tour.

What activities are included in the tour?

Walking tours in Hanoi
Village visits and cultural exchanges in Mai Chau
Boat trips in Ninh Binh
Overnight cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Hanoi – Mai Chau – Ninh Binh – Bai Tu Long Bay | Authentic Experience – 08 Days
From $388
/ Adult
  • Best Price Guaranteed
  • No Booking Fees
  • Professional Local Guide