Home Vietnam ESSENCE OF NATURE & LOCAL LIFE IN NORTHERN VIETNAM

Overview

This immersive journey takes you through the cultural heart and natural beauty of Northern Vietnam. Starting in Hanoi, explore the bustling Old Quarter and then venture out to the Duong Lam ancient village for a glimpse of rural traditions. Continue to Pù Luông Nature Reserve, where you’ll experience authentic ethnic minority culture, traditional farming, and homestay life amidst terraced rice fields.

Next, travel to Vân Long (Ninh Bình) for a mix of cycling, sampan boat rides, embroidery workshops, and serene countryside encounters. The adventure then heads to the legendary Hạ Long Bay, where you’ll cruise among limestone karsts, visit hidden caves, and relax on deck with breathtaking views. The tour concludes back in Hanoi, with time for reflection before your departure

Itinerary in brief

Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Day 2: Hanoi – Countryside tour to Duong Lam ancient village- Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi – Puluong/ Discover unique local culture
Day 4 : Puluong – Van Long /Ninh Binh
Day 5: Van Long - Discovery
Day 6: Van Long – Halong
Day 7: Halong - Hanoi
Day 8: Hanoi - transfer to airport for departure

Detail program

Detail program

Day 1: Hanoi arrival (-/-/-)
Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you will be welcomed by the driver and transferred by private car to your hotel in the city center. Hotel check in: 14:00

After check-in, the rest of the day is free at your leisure to explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
Recommended highlights include:
The bustling 36 streets of the Old Quarter, especially Hang Dao, Hang Bac, and Hang Gai, known for silk and jewelry shops.
Dong Xuan Market – a large indoor market perfect for souvenirs and local experience.
Long Bien Bridge – a historic French-built bridge offering scenic views for walking and photography.
Note: These activities are self-guided and any transportation, entrance fees, or personal expenses incurred during this time are at your own cost.
Overnight stay in Hanoi. Hotel accommodation is included.
Day 2: Hanoi – Countryside tour to Duong Lam ancient village- Hanoi (B/L/…)
  • Morning: Pick you up from your hotel at 08.30am; the driver will drive you to the rural areas of Hanoi. On the way, if you’re interested, stop to visit Tay Phuong pagoda built in the 8th century, the best example of old typical pagodas in the North of Vietnam, being special with 18 ancient Arhan statues.
  • After 1.5 hours, you will arrive to Duong Lam Village. This is a purely agricultural village of the Northern Red River Delta. On arrival we take a walk on the village path to visit Mong Phu temple where is dedicated to national heroes, King Ngo Quyen and King Phung Hung temples.
  • Enjoy special Vietnamese lunch prepared by the host.
  • After lunch, continue exploring the village on foot, venturing down some of the tiny alleys to see more of the centuries‑old houses. Now it is a great opportunity for photo.
  • Continue to visit Mia Pagoda – built in 15th century and admire 287 statues of all sizes before transferring back to Hanoi.
  • Finish your Duong Lam ancient village tour 1 day and drive back to Hanoi after a day full of exploration.
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi- Pu Luong - Discover unique local culture (B/L/D)
Morning: Pick-up from your hotel and depart for Pù Luông, a beautiful nature reserve in Thanh Hóa Province, famous for its untouched mountains, lush green valleys, and stunning terraced rice fields. It is an ideal destination for eco-tourism and immersing yourself in the culture of local ethnic minorities.
Arrive in Pù Luông around 12:00. Transfer to a traditional stilt house for check-in and luggage drop-off.
Join group tour
Enjoy lunch on a bamboo raft floating along the peaceful Chàm Stream. You can also swim in the cool, clear water and relax on the raft surrounded by nature.
After lunch. Visit Pù Luông's Surprising Cave – a hidden gem with unique rock formations and cool underground passages.
Return to the stilt house by buffalo cart – a slow, scenic, and fun traditional way to travel.
Take part in cultural activities at the stilt house. Try traditional practices like rice milling, rice pounding, brocade weaving, rice wine brewing, and smoking pipe tobacco. Join in local folk games such as archery, walking on stilts, and learning the Thai ethnic group's traditional dance.
Enjoy a delicious dinner with authentic local dishes.
Share jar wine with your host – a warm, communal tradition of the Thai people.
Overnight stay at an ancient stilt house, surrounded by the calm and charm of the mountains.
Day 4: Become a true farmer – Van Long/ Ninh Binh (B/L/…)

Join group tour

8:00 AM: Have breakfast a stilt house
9:00 AM – 10.00 AM : Visit Doan Market ( applied Thursday and Sunday ) or Lan Ngoai traditional brocade weaving - , famous for the traditional brocade weaving craft of the Thai ethnic people. When visiting the village, you will have the chance to see the looms up close and watch the locals weaving traditional handmade products.
10.30 – 11.00: to Giant Waterwheel – a cultural symbol of Pù Luông, showcasing the ingenious way local people harness water for irrigation.
11:30 PM – 12.15 PM: Have lunch at local restaurant. 
After lunch, meet our driver for a private transfer to Van Long. On the way, visit the sacred fish stream in Cam Luong. This place is well known for a special kind of fish in the stream. It is called a sacred fish for the many mysterious stories created around this special creature.
Continue to Van Long, an international nature reserve and stop again to visit Chau Son Monastery located in the romantic countryside of Nho Quan District, inspired by Gothic styles and built with red bricks in 1939. It is remarkable for its tranquility.
Arrive in Van Long in the late afternoon and check in to your homestay where you will meet a typical 3-generation rural family. Be welcomed to their home with a cup of tea and learn about their idyllic local lifestyles through intimate conversation.

Day 5: Experience in Van Long – Culture, Nature & Craft 
After breakfast at your homestay, enjoy a 15km journey by bicycle (or by car) through peaceful villages. Riding along the dyke, you’ll be treated to stunning views of rice fields, winding rivers, and dramatic limestone mountains. There will be several stops along the way for taking photos and interacting with friendly locals.


 
Continue on foot to visit Thung La Temple, which dates back to the 11th century.
Next, take a sampan boat trip through the tranquil waters of Vân Long Nature Reserve, gliding among towering limestone karsts. With a bit of luck, you may spot rare white langurs or graceful egrets resting on the cliffs.
After the boat trip, visit a traditional embroidery village and take part in an embroidery course under the instruction of local craftswoman.This will be a good opportunity for you to practice on fabric like a real craftsman.
Overnight in Ninh Bình.
 
Day 6: Ninh Binh- Halong Bay (B/L/D)
Today, depart for the stunning Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dramatic limestone karsts and rich legends. “Ha Long” means “Descending Dragon,” and the bay is home to over 3,000 islands covered in lush greenery.
  • 08:00 – Pick-up from your stay. Transfer to Ha Long Bay
  • 11:30 – Arrive at Ha Long International Harbor
  • Board the cruise by tender, check in, enjoy welcome drinks, and a safety briefing
  • Have lunch onboard while cruising through breathtaking limestone formations
  • Visit Luon Cave – choose between kayaking or a bamboo boat rowed by locals
  • Continue to Titop Island for beach time, swimming, or climbing to the viewpoint for a panoramic bay view
  • Relax on the sundeck at sunset with drinks and a cooking demonstration
  • Enjoy a freshly prepared dinner onboard
  • Optional night squid fishing
  • Overnight on cruise
Day 7: Halong – Hanoi   (B/Brunch/…)
  • 06:15 Enjoy sunrise on the bay. Morning Tai Chi session on topdeck
  • 06:30 Light breakfast will be served in the restaurant (pastries, tea, coffee)
  • Explore Sung Sot Cave – the biggest and most stunning cave in Halong Bay
  • 09:15 Check out of your cabin after a final early brunch 
  • 09:30 Buffet brunch served at the restaurant 
  • 10:45-11:00 Back to the port. Farewell and disembark
  • 11:15-11:30 Get on the bus back to Hanoi
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 8: Hanoi – Departure (B/-/-)
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Your room is available until 12h00.

Services inclus

SERVICES INCLUDED: 
● Entry visa
● Domestic flights: 200usd/pax
● Accomodation at all places  with breakfast.
● Modern & comfortable air-conditioned vehicles and English speaking Guide during the tour (except the break time or program clearly mentioned “WITHOUT GUIDE”)
● Cabin VIP Limousine Hanoi – Sapa- Hanoi
● Entrance fees (without camera fees) indicated in the itinerary;
● Meals as indicated in the itinerary: 08 lunches + 01 dinner (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
 
SERVICES EXCLUDED:
● International flights
● Drinks during the meals;
● Meals are not indicated in the itinerary;
● Personal expenses, taxes;
● Insurance (of all kinds);
● Tips for the guide(s), driver(s) and porter(s);
● Others not clearly mentioned above
● VAT

Testimonials

Thank You for an Amazing Trip

Jason
22/05/2024
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Price

Price

The prices below are just for your reference, official quote will be given once you contact us with your detailed travel needs

Group 1 Persons
Price / person 300 USD

Note

Hotel List

City Hotel name Room class
Hanoi City
 
 Flower Garden Hanoi 4*
  • Address: 46 Nguyen Truong To Street Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi, Vietnam
 https://www.flowergardenhotel.com.vn
 Superior
Halong  Bai Tho Junk 4*
 https://baithojunks.com/vi		 Deluxe cabin
Hue
 Emm hotel Hue 4*
 
  • Address: 15 Ly Thuong Kiet St, Phu Nhuan Ward, Hue, Thua Thien Hue
 https://www.emmhotels.com/en/hotels/emm-hotel-hue/
 Superior
Hoian
 Emm Hoian 4*
 
  • Address: 187 Ly Thuong Kiet, Cam Pho Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam
https://www.emmhotels.com/en/hotels/emm-hotel-hoi-an/
Superior
 
Ho Chi Minh City
 Happy Life Green Hotel 3*
  • Address: Address: 549 Tran Hung Dao Street, District 1, Hochiminh
 https://happylifeenterprise.com/happy-life-green-hotel.html
 Deluxe

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