7 Day Northern Indeep Exploration Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Mai Chau – Halong

We will pick you up at airport then transfer to hotel. The rest of day is at your leisure. We recommend you to take a slow walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, which is very scenic, so remember to bring your camera. In walking distance from your hotel, you can go to Thang Long theatre where you can enjoy traditional Vietnamese water puppet show. Another option is to do some shopping, you will find plenty of shops in the old town as well as street night market. Should you wish to taste famous Vietnamese coffee, you will find many coffee shops in French style with a view to the lake. Overnight in Hanoi.

You will be picked up for city tour at around 08:00 – 08:30 am, then visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to explore the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-place. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts and lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 – the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Then continue on to the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda at West lake (One of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam). 12:00: Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, the Guide will take you to visit either Bat Trang pottery village (applied on Mon, Wed & Fri) or the Ethnology Museum (apply on Sun, Tue, Thu & Sat). Then, visiting the Literature Temple and Quoc Tu Giam, see Vietnam’s first university, constructed in 1070 – it’s gardens and well-preserved architecture will offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Take you past Hoan Kiem Lake to see the peaceful waters, and the beauty of Ngoc Son temple. At the end, journey through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where you’ll then have a chance for some shopping and exploration. Tour ends around 16h00 – 17h00.

Depart from the hotel at 8.30 a.m, we will go for a scenic drive passing through the rural area of northern Vietnam and arrive 2.5 hour later at Vietnam‘s first capital, Hoa Lu. In Hoa Lu, we will visit the temples of Dinh Tien Hoang (the first emperor of the Dinh Dynasty (968-980) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980 – 1009). Hoa Lu’s ancient citadel used to cover an area of approximately 3 square kilometers. However, now only few temples of past greatness remain.

After seeing the temples, we will continue our drive to Tam Coc town for Vietnamese lunch. If requested, we will make some stops on the way for taking photos as the landscapes are very scenic and picturesque. After lunch, we will take a boat ride along Ngo Dong River, passing through paddy fields and limestone karst formations to get to Tam Coc Caves, which is the highlight of the tour. First Cave is the longest and most beautiful cave in Tam Coc, it is around 127 meters long with the ceiling about 2 meters high above the water. Second Cave and Third Cave are located around 1km from the First Cave and are 60 and 50 meters long respectively.

We will pick you up at hotel at around 8.00 am then drive to Mai Chau, home to Thai minority ethnic group, who share the same origin with the Thai in Thailand, Laotian and Northern Burmese. We will have some photo stops along the way as we will be driving through a very scenic route. Upon arriving to Mai Chau, we will have a traditional lunch at a local restaurant. After relaxing for a while, we will have 1hour biking around the village with our local guide. Enjoy Thai traditional dance and drinking local wine at the community stilt-house in the evening. Home-stay overnight at the stilt-house belonging to a Thai family.

Enjoy the fresh morning atmosphere in the valley as well as delicious homestay breakfast. We will then visit 1000 Step Cave and local market before having lunch. After lunch we will rest and then drive back to Hanoi.

Pick up at your hotel at 8.15 am then we will depart for Halong Bay. On the way we stop at a handicraft workshop for a short break. Enjoy the journey through Red River Delta with lush rice fields, water buffalos and everyday Vietnamese rural life. After we arrive in Halong, check-in on cruise and relax for a while. Then we lift anchor and cruise between the many lime stones and set anchor at beautiful spot. Great lunch is served while cruising passing by islets, through Hoa Cuong floating village. In the afternoon, we sail to the area of Sung Sot cave, the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay, and participate some activities: Kayaking & swimming and climbing to the mountain and getting complete view of Halong Bay at Titov Beach. As the sun sets over the bay, dinner is served on board with fresh seafood, salads, and fruits. There will also be a cooking class on board, where you can learn to cook some basic Vietnamese dishes. Overnight in Ha Long Bay at the cruise ship.

Having breakfast, then we will visit the Surprising Cave (Hang Sung Sot) discovered by the French in 1901. Now, it is a must-to-see and a symbol for geology value of Halong. Then, having more time to enjoy a wholesome brunch as your boat weaves through the magnificent rock formations on your return towards Halong City. Upon disembarkation your driver will meet you for the transfer back to Hanoi. End of services.