Best of Northern Vietnam

Upon your arrival at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi - the capital of Vietnam, our private tour guide will meet you with a welcome signboard and will escort you to your selected hotel in the downtown. 

Check in your hotel and the rest of the day is on your own leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

** Please note that the standard check in time at the hotel is 14:00. If your arrival time is earlier, an early check in at the hotel will be subject to the availability **

Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of Hanoi's morning. Your private tour guide will escort you on a day of exploring Hanoi, including a visit to the Ho Chi Minh complex on the site where he declared Vietnam’s independence in 1945. Nearby, we will visit House 54, Stilt House, Presidential Palace and the One Pillar Pagoda.

Continue our visit to the Museum of Ethnology to learn about the cultural diversity of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. Established in 1997 by the Vietnamese government, the museum offers a fascinating insight into the diverse cultures, customs and lifestyles of the 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam.

We will have lunch at a local Pho restaurant where we will enjoy Pho Bo, a popular dish in Vietnam, known for its flavorful broth, tender beef and fresh herbs. 

** Please note: The evening street food tour is one of our featured activities, so be sure to keep your stomach full for this special tour **

In the afternoon, we visit the Temple of Literature. Originally built in honor of Confucius by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in 1070, a university was added to the grounds six years later. The university provided education for the royal family and the children of the nobility, also known as "mandarins. The university remained here until Emperor Gia Long moved the capital from Hanoi to Hue in the 18th century.

15:00. Return to the hotel to rest before starting to explore local cuisine in the evening.

17:00-20:30. We start our walking tour at Hanoi’s largest covered market, Dong Xuan. Along the market, dozens of street vendors sell a variety of products, from fresh seafood to specialty fruits and spices. Your private tour guide will provide you with an insight into the complexities and traditions of Vietnamese culinary culture, including detailed information on ingredients and historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes.

Strolling through the bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, we will try Hanoi's famous "Banh Cuon" at a local eatery. Watch and be amazed as skilled chefs show you how to prepare this delicious dish. Continuing into the Old Quarter, we pass through street stalls and quiet residential streets where you can observe local life that has remained largely unchanged since Hanoi was founded over 1,000 years ago.

Our next stop is a Banh My (French Baguette) shop, a small eatery with a few typical Vietnamese stools on the sidewalk, where we enjoy delicious and fresh baguettes while taking in the view of the neighborhood.

Head to a local restaurant where we will sample Bun Cha consisting of rice noodles, herbs and grilled pork. At a local coffee shop, we will watch a barista demonstration before having a cup of egg coffee, a delicious local specialty.

Continue to other eateries in some other streets of the Old Quarter where we can try some dishes such as Che (Vietnamese sweet soup) and Nom (Papaya salad with beef).

Then it's time for dessert as we head down a small alley to indulge in the tradition of enjoying fresh fruit served in a cup and topped with shaved ice – a must try.

Back to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

** Please note:

1, The city tour program is flexible. Our tour guide will be more than happy to adjust the itinerary at your needs. You can skip one site or add another if you wish.
2, The food tour is not exclusively for vegetarians.

07:00-07:30. Take breakfast boxes from the hotel and travel from your hotel in the Old Quarter Streets of Hanoi to Sapa by shared limousine bus (Distance: 312km, Estimated driving time: 05 hours).

13:00-13:30. Arrival Sapa, check in your hotel. Free to relax and have lunch on your own afterwards.

15:00. Your private guide and driver will pick you up and take you to Tram Ton Pass (also named as O Quy Ho Pass by the locals). At the height of 2,047m above sea level, it is the highest pass in Vietnam. Enjoy amazing views of the surrounding mountains and lush forests of the Hoang Lien National Park. 

From the starting point at the foot of Fansipan mountain, trek 30 minutes through a tropical rain forest featuring a primitive beauty with a tacit mossy old canopy of bamboo. Trek along a stream to reach the Love Waterfall, a wonderful place to relax immersing in the cool air of the mountain and the lush greenery of the surroundings.

Return to Tram Ton Pass and drive back to Sapa. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Sapa.

** Distance of trekking: 15km, Estimated trekking time: 05 hours **

After breakfast you will be met by your local guide and then you first sneak through the market and leave the busy town behind. After a couple of minutes, you will follow a road going downhill to Cat Cat village. You will stop by a waterfall and a hydroelectric station for a while before you trek on a dirt trail through rice paddy terraces. You will also enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river. You eventually arrive in Y Linh Ho village of Black Hmong minority, where you can take a rest while you are served lunch nearby the river.

After lunch, you head to Muong Hoa valley. You will pass through Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority and then Tavan village of Giay minority by following a very popular trekking route. Here we will come to a Zay family to stay overnight.  We will be treated a delicious home-hosted dinner cooked and served by the family. 

Upon arrival we will enjoy a cup of tea and have a chat with the house owners learn about their daily life, custom and practices. It is then free time to stroll around the villages. Later we return to the family to have dinner. 

Tonight we will spend the night with a local family.

Overnight in Sapa.

** Distance of trekking: 7km, Estimated trekking time: 03 hours **

We wake to the sounds of the village: roosters, morning vendors and people's voices. We have an early breakfast this morning before bidding farewell to the host family. 

We commence a three hour trek to another village, Giang Ta Chai, passing a waterfall along the way. Here we meet the Red Dao women wear colorful red embroidery coins on their clothing and red scarves on their heads. Some of the women have shaved off their eyebrows because of a Red Dao Legend. We will continue our hike through emerald rice paddies before making our way back to Sapa for lunch and shopping at the local market. 

In the afternoon, catch a limousine bus to Hanoi.

15:00-15:30. Departs from Sapa and you will arrive at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter streets at around 21:00-21:30.

Check in hotel for a refreshing time.

Overnight in Hanoi.

08:30-08:50. A limousine bus will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi and travel to Tuan Chau Harbor in Halong city.

12:00. The crew members of Peony Cruises will welcome you at No.34, Tuan Chau Marina, Quang Ninh. 

12:30. You will be taken aboard our support vessel and travel from the wharf via the bay to board our luxurious craft, Peony Cruises. Itinerary briefing is announced during this time.

13.00. Welcome fresh drinks, wet towels and a special lunch of fresh food and an assortment of appetizing delicacies will be served. You will be enchanted when decadently dining on our luxury junk. Life just doesn't get better than this! We then set sail for Lan Ha Bay - A member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays.

Enjoy the delicious luncheon of fresh seafood and an assortment of appetizing delicacies while cruising along Lan Ha bay with the breathtaking scenery.

15:30. Visiting Tra Bau area where has known as an area famous for its unspoiled, poetic natural beauty and attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. This is the best time for kayaking to discover the truest beauty of the limestone islands.

Immerse yourself in the emerald green water of the bay or enjoy the Jacuzzi pool on the Peony Cruises.

17:30-18:30. Joining us for Cooking demonstration to learn how to make one of the most famous Vietnamese cuisines, the spring rolls. Or reach the top deck of cruise where the guests can admire the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.

Enjoy a Happy Hour time – BUY ONE GET ONE FREE at the bar. It is an ideal time for photography enthusiasts to capture the greatest moment of sunset over Lan Ha Bay.

19.30. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served by our skillful chef. This is a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting.

21:00-22.00. Relax and sip the exotic cocktails and drinks at the sky bar (with surcharge). Indulge yourself with spa service (optional) or simply relax on the top deck just under the cover of a brightly illuminated sky.

Or try to get your luck at the squid fishing on the main deck.

Overnight on board.

** Please note the itinerary is subject to change without notice, in accordance with the weather and other operating conditions **

06:00. Begin the day full of energy with the Tai Chi session and enjoy the sun just rising up beyond the horizon.

06:45-07:15. Breakfast is served while cruising back to Gia Luan jetty. (Breakfast time may be adjusted and follow the real itinerary)

07:30-09:00. You will join the tour of Cat Ba World Biosphere by transshipment. It takes 30 minutes to transfer from Gia Luan to Trung Trang - one of the most impressive caves in Cat Ba island, Vietnam. The limestone cave has thousands of talactites in various shapes, offering geological values with a typical cave ecosystem.

09:30. Return to the main boat from the cave and the guests will do the cabin check out. Luggage is placed outside of the cabin.

Lunch is served at the restaurant. Settle the bar bill by the desk at the restaurant (if any)

10:30-11:00. Disembark the Peony Cruises and transferred back to Block 34, Big Bay group terminal, Tuan Chau Marina. Relax and wait for the luggage.

12:00. Meet the limousine bus for a return to Hanoi.

14:30-15:00. Drop off at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter Streets.

Check in hotel for a relaxing time.

Overnight in Hanoi.

09:00. Meet your private tour guide at the hotel lobby and travel on your private vehicle to Tam Coc pier. Embark on a two-hour excursion by small boat along the Ngo Dong River, beginning at the village of Van Lam and proceeding through a scenic landscape dominated by rice fields and karst towers. The route includes floating through Tam Coc - the three natural grottos (Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba), the largest of which is 125m long with its ceiling about 2m high above the water. The boats are typically rowed by one or two local women who also sell embroidered goods.

Return to the dock and head to visit the nearby site - Bich Dong pagoda, a cave pagoda, built in the 15th century. There are 03 main pagodas here called Chua Ha, Chua Trung and Chua Thuong. Start a walking tour across a stone bridge and hike up the mountains on some stone steps passing through the dark cave. After that find yourselves on top of the mountains with private view of the surroundings.

Have lunch at a local restaurant

In the afternoon, transfer to Thung Nham Ecotourism Zone. Get on a small sampan to discover its ancient cave network known as a “Tropical Symphony” such as But (Fairy), Tien Ca (Mermaid), Ba Co (Three Ladies), Thuy Cung (Water Palace)… to admire diversified-shaped stalactites and listen to the legends on the foundation of the caves.

Leave the boat to visit the thousand-year streblus tree grown completely on a large rock. Its shape and posture are considered as incomparable one in Viet Nam. Especially, you should not miss the ‘moving’ millennia-old banyan tree in Goi Dai Temple. The banyan tree is called "the moving tree" by locals because it has changed its structure thrice since the temple was built under it. According to researchers, this banya tree has been around for thousands of years and changes its structure every 300 years or so. 

Get lost in a flower valley, an orchard with variety of typical tropical fruits such as guava, apple, star fruit, mango, custard… and a primeval forest with diversified ecosystem which is the habitat of hundreds of flora and fauna species.

In the late afternoon, stop by the bird-park to witness the fascinating sight from the observation tower when flocks of white storks and various other birds return to perch on the top of trees and bamboo after a hunting day for food. The scene of thousands of birds flying in the twilight will be a wonder to behold.

Leave the bird-park and be back to your hotel for a check in.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

After breakfast at hotel, take a private transfer to Mua Cave, one of the most beautiful place to enjoy panoramic views. You can see the city far from the standing in front of, Tam Coc in back and the limestone mountain along to the south of Vietnam. After climbing up 500 stone steps, you are on the top of the mountain where you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the countryside and wonderful Ngo Dong River.

Climb down the mountain and have lunch at a local restaurant.

Return to Hanoi by private vehicle. Check in your selected hotel for leisure time.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Hotel breakfast is included. Check out time is 11:00 am. 

Free time until your private driver arrives to take you to the airport for your departure flight. 

End of services.