This 6 day trip of "Mai Chau to Tonkin Gulf" introduces you to some of the best of North Vietnam - its diverse ethnic groups, a variety of different crafts, the traditional medicines of the land, and some of the best scenery in the country. Arriving in Hanoi, you will tour the city and its boutique shops as well as visit the Museum of Ethnology. Then, you will head west to the area around Mai Chau to explore the hill tribe areas and spend the night in local home become acquainted with the friendly Thai tribe people. Continue to Ninh Binh, Tam Coc, you will then head up to Halong Bay for a night on a luxury cruise.
Overview
This 6 day trip of "Mai Chau to Tonkin Gulf" introduces you to some of the best of North Vietnam - its diverse ethnic groups, a variety of different crafts, the traditional medicines of the land, and some of the best scenery in the country. Arriving in Hanoi, you will tour the city and its boutique shops as well as visit the Museum of Ethnology. Then, you will head west to the area around Mai Chau to explore the hill tribe areas and spend the night in local home become acquainted with the friendly Thai tribe people. Continue to Ninh Binh, Tam Coc, you will then head up to Halong Bay for a night on a luxury cruise.
Start city: Hanoi (Vietnam)
End city: Hanoi (Vietnam)
Duration: 6 Days 5 Nights
Departure: Daily, upon your request.
Cities to visit: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Ninh Binh - Halong Bay
- Extendable with optional tours from Hanoi (Vietnam)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Hanoi City, Vietnam charming capital
- Mai Chau with Thai minority people
- Ninh Binh - "Halong Bay on land"
- Cruising Halong Bay – the World Heritage Site.
Itinerary in brief
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival.
Day 2: History in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau.
Day 4: Mai Chau – Ninh Binh.
Day 5: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay – Overnight on cruise.
Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Departure.
Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel by your tour guide and driver. Check in and spend the rest of day at your leisure.
Meals: N/A.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.
oday you have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas; Hanoi is an eclectic mix that has lots to offer. Start with a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter where the local people still trade in the old way. Disembark at the Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. Follow it with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. The sightseeing also includes the outlying Ethnology Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. Afterwards we drive back to the town center and enjoy a rickshaw ride through the Old Quarter where people still trade in old ways. Pay a visit to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple then go to the famous water puppet theatre for a fantastic performance of the art form unique to Vietnam.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.
Wake early and enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before setting off on your drive to Mai Chau – a yawning valley, cradling picturesque rice paddies and boarded by looming karst rock formations. The journey offers an excellent opportunity to observe rural Vietnam up-close. Upon arrival, walk around to get acquainted with the village where you will stay overnight.
After lunch, spend the afternoon trekking off the typical tourist track. Trek through terraced rice paddies and small villages, discovering the natural beauty of the valley and encountering the culture of the White Thai people, living in the region. Stop at a Thai village for the night, having dinner with a local family and enjoying a homestay in their long house.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: Homestay in Mai Chau.
Enjoy breakfast before journeying to Hoa Lu, Vietnam's first capital. Visit to temples and walk hundred steps up to top of a mountain for a panorama view of the old capital. After lunch, enjoy a relaxing sampan tour along Ngo Dong River, passing under rocky outcrops and through three limestone caves (Tam Coc). During the rowing boat ride, you will enjoy a unique landscape that has been dubbed “Halong Bay on Land”.
Take a short walk through Limestone Mountains to Thai Vi Temple which was dedicated to the four Kings of the Tran dynasty in the 13th century and now offers a place of peace and simplicity against a back drop of ancient architecture.
Visit Bich Dong Pagoda which set among pink lotuses. The pagoda offers spectacular views of the surrounding area. Rest of the day, you are free at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh.
Note: The below itinerary is subject to change without prior notice and depends on weather condition.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then set out on a 2.5-hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site: Halong Bay. Spend 24 hours on a traditional boat cruise in the amazing bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your private boat. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as we sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong’s many islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way, visit one of the bay’s 3 largest caves (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the East Sea (Bien Dong). Pass the night on your private junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: on cruise.
Early birds can attend a Tai Chi demonstration on the sundeck at the break of dawn.
Start the day enjoying some Paradise delights with a colorful buffet breakfast. Continue exploring Halong Bay sailing across its 2000 islets and visiting some of its major highlights. The cruise will come to an end on Tuan Chau Island between 10.30 am and 11.00 am. Your driver will transfer you to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight. On the way visit Ba Vang Pagoda fascinated by the large and beautiful space. The architecture according the type of majestic monastery.
Good bye & Safe travels!
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.
HOTELS
Economy 2*+ Hotels
Superior 3* Hotels
First Class 4* Hotels
Deluxe 5* Hotels
Notes:
*All prices are based on per adult, in Double/Twin sharing
Surcharge will be applied for single traveler or single room request
Important Notes:
HOTELS, PROGRAMS & SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
GUIDE/LEADER:
English speaking guide. French , Germany , Spanish, Italian, Russian speaking guide can be arranged with on request.
Price Included
accommodation
Private tours, transfers and all services as mentioned in the itinerary
Services of private driver and air-conditioned vehicles
Service of English speaking guide as indicated in the itinerary
Two day/ 1 night cruise package on Halong Bay
Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
Boat trip in Ninh Binh
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
Price Excluded
Travel insurance
Flights into and out Vietnam
Vietnam Visa fee
Tipping and other personal expenses.Halong Bay on Land, Thai Vi temple, Hoa Lu Ninh Binh, Bich Dong Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts