Northern Vietnam Tours

Upon arriving in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, our driver will be ready to greet you at the airport. Relax as you are transferred to the hotel in the city center for check-in.

The remainder of the day is yours to relax, recover from jet lag, and explore the city at your own pace. Take this time to acclimate and refresh in the atmosphere of Hanoi.

Today, you'll join us for an exciting adventure with Hanoi Jeep Tours around the vibrant city. We will pick you up from your hotel in or near Hanoi Old Quarter, where our guide and driver will give a safety briefing to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

In the first part of your Hanoi Jeep Tour, you will go beyond the usual tourist routes and see the REAL HANOI. You will drive through narrow backstreets, alleyways, local homes, schools, markets, and even secret black markets. At Hanoi Backstreet Tours, we want you to see not only the well-known sights but also the hidden and unique parts of the city that most tourists miss.

The second part of your Hanoi Jeep Tour will take you to some of the MUST-SEE landmarks of Hanoi. You will visit iconic places like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the famous Train Street, the French Quarter, the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Hanoi Opera House, and the Long Bien Bridge.

During the tour, you will also stop at the Hidden Gem Cafe, where you can enjoy authentic, healthy, and organic Vietnamese dishes. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or have other dietary preferences, there are delicious options for everyone.

Begin your journey from Hanoi at around 08:00, as you head north along Route No.2 towards Viet Tri and Tuyen Quang. You will pass through the beautiful landscapes of the Red River Delta and witness the changing scenery along the way.

Around noon, you will stop for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant in Tuyen Quang Town, a place known for its green tea plantations.

By approximately 18:00, you will arrive in Ha Giang, a region filled with cultural and natural treasures.

You will enjoy dinner and spend the night with a friendly Thai family in their traditional stilt house.

Your guide will assist you in obtaining the required permit for entry into Ha Giang from a small office in the town. Once the permit is secured, you will continue your journey through stunning mountain passes and scenic valleys. You will be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

For lunch, you will stop in the beautiful mountain town of Tam Son. After lunch, you will walk through an impressive pine forest and visit the historical Hmong palace of the Vuong family. This palace was once used for storing opium and weapons in the life of Hmong royalty. After Vietnam's independence in 1950, the palace was abandoned, and the family descendants now live in France and Canada.

You will continue on winding roads, passing through hidden black H'mong villages tucked behind stone walls. By 06:00 P.M., you will arrive in Dong Van, where you will have dinner at a local restaurant and stay overnight at a homestay, enjoying the hospitality of the local people.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast, you will have the chance to explore the vibrant Dong Van Market, which takes place every Sunday morning. You will meet local people and go through many handmade goods and specialty produce.

After the market, you will head up to Pu Lo, a well-preserved French fortress built in 1890. You will explore the fortress and admire the stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. Following this visit, you will be on one of Vietnam’s most spectacular routes. Ma Pi Leng Pass, located at 2,000 meters, winds along the mountains and offers breathtaking views of valleys and terraced hemp fields. You will then descend into Meo Vac Valley for a delicious lunch.

Later in the day, you will return to Ha Giang, where you will spend the night in a homestay, enjoying the warmth and hospitality of the local community after a day full of adventure.

Today, you will begin your return journey to Hanoi, retracing the scenic route you followed earlier. You will have the chance to stop and take photos of the stunning mountains.

You will stop for lunch at a local restaurant, enjoying the regional flavors one last time. You will then continue the journey, expecting to arrive back at your hotel in Hanoi at around 6:00 P.M.

Today, visitors will enjoy a well-deserved free day in Hanoi to relax and recover after the trekking tour in the mountains.

You can take this time to rest and explore the city at your own pace. You can choose to treat yourself to a spa day, wander the charming streets, or simply relax, the day is yours to enjoy. You may decide to try local food, visit cultural attractions, or just take it easy.

8:45 AM | Hotel Pick-up: Your private car will pick you up from your hotel, ready to start your journey.

11:45 - 12:00 PM | Arrive at Tuan Chau International Harbour: Upon arrival, you will be welcomed at the V’Spirit Cruises lounge, where you will complete the check-in process.

12:00 - 12:30 PM | Board the Cruise: You will transfer to V’Spirit Cruises by tender boat. Once on board, enjoy a welcome drink while the crew gives you a cruise briefing and safety instructions.

1:00 PM | Lunch at The Dawn Restaurant: Sit down to a delicious lunch as the cruise sails through the scenic beauty of Halong Bay and heads toward the hidden gem of Lan Ha Bay.

2:45 PM | Kayaking at Tra Bau: You will have the chance to explore the Tra Bau area by kayak, paddling around the rocky islands, and soaking in the natural beauty of the bay. If the weather is good, you might also kayak past a hidden temple of the local fishing villagers.

4:15 PM | Swimming and Water Activities: Visitors can enjoy swimming and other water activities, relaxing in the clear green waters of the bay with floating equipment.

5:00 PM | Vietnamese Cooking Demonstration: You will take part in a cooking demonstration where you will learn how to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes and add your flavors.

5:30 - 6:30 PM | Sunset Party: You will enjoy a Sunset Party with complimentary drinks as you watch the twilight fall over the limestone islands. You can also take advantage of Happy Hour for your favorite beverages.

7:00 PM | Dinner at The Restaurant: A delightful dinner will be served in the restaurant.

9:00 PM | Evening Activities: After dinner, you can head to the top deck to enjoy views of the bay. Join in on the game shows at the top deck bar for a chance to win local prizes or, if you wish, try your hand at squid fishing.

06:15 | Tai Chi Session on the Sundeck: Start your day by embracing the peaceful sunrise with a Tai Chi class on the sundeck.

07:00 | Light Breakfast: Visitors can enjoy a light breakfast served at The Dawn Restaurant to kickstart the morning.

08:00 – 08:30 | Day Tour Cruise: Set off on a special day tour cruise, heading further out into the beautiful waters of Lan Ha Bay.

09:00 | Visit Viet Hai Village: After reaching the pier, you can choose between riding a bicycle or taking an electric car to Viet Hai Village. The scenic 6km journey will take you along a lovely lagoon and through a charming cave, arriving at the peaceful, hidden village of Viet Hai.

11:30 | Return and Lunch: You will return to the day tour cruise and enjoy a tasty lunch on board.

14:00 | Kayaking at Viet Hai Pier: Tourists can explore the fish farms at Viet Hai Pier by paddling kayaks through the area.

15:00 | Swim at Ba Trai Dao: The next stop is Ba Trai Dao, where you can swim in the clear waters or relax on a small, untouched beach, soaking in the peaceful surroundings (depending on the weather).

16:30 | Relax on the Cruise: You will head back to the cruise to relax and watch the sunset, possibly enjoying a cocktail while taking in the view.

17:30 - 18:30 | Refresh and Happy Hour: Visitors can refresh themselves with a shower or a bath. Take advantage of HAPPY HOUR and sip on your favorite drinks at the bar on the top deck.

19:00 | Dinner and Evening Activities: A delicious dinner will be served at the restaurant. Afterward, you can enjoy drinks at the open-air bar on the top deck, try squid fishing, relax with a spa treatment, or simply rest in your cabin.

06:15 | Tai Chi on the Sundeck: Start your day by enjoying a peaceful sunrise with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck.

07:00 | Light Breakfast: You can have a light breakfast served onboard.

07:30 - 08:45 | Explore Bright Cave: Visitors will take a traditional bamboo boat, rowed by locals, to explore the beautiful Bright Cave.

09:00 | Check-Out: After returning to the cruise, guests will complete the check-out process.

09:30 | Set Menu Brunch: Savor a luxurious Set Menu brunch at the restaurant while the cruise makes its way back to Tuan Chau port.

11:00 | Disembark and Transfer to Ninh Binh: After leaving Tuan Chau port, your driver will take you to Ninh Binh, where you'll check into your hotel and spend the night.

Begin your day with a visit to Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital from 986 to 1010. Visitors will explore two temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le. Our guide will share stories about these kings and generals, offering fascinating insights into Vietnam’s rich history from a thousand years ago. Learn why Hoa Lu was chosen as the capital and dive into the region’s historical significance.

10:45 AM: After exploring Hoa Lu, we’ll board the bus and head to Hang Mua. Prepare for a 20-30 minute climb to Hang Mua Peak. The climb is challenging, but it’s worth it for the stunning panoramic views of the Tam Coc valley, limestone mountains, and beautiful countryside.

12:30 PM: Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant. This is a great chance to try authentic local flavors and learn more about the cuisine.

1:00 PM: After lunch, relax with a boat ride through Tam Coc, often called the "3 caves" or dry Halong Bay. The 1 hour and 45-minute boat ride, rowed by local experts, will take you past beautiful limestone mountains and rivers. During the rice season, there are many photo opportunities of nature and locals working along the riverside.

3:00 PM: After the boat ride, visitors will explore Tam Coc village by bicycle. This is a great way to discover traditional Vietnamese culture, architecture, daily life, and agricultural practices.

4:00 PM: After cycling, you’ll have time to swim or unwind before we head to Pu Luong.

End the day by checking into your accommodation in Pu Luong for an overnight stay.

You begin your day with a relaxed walk through the beautiful rice terraces in front of the Retreat. As you walk down into the valley, you pass through cascading rice fields and narrow paths surrounded by green plants. These paths lead you to Uoi village, located at the foot of a big mountain.

You continue walking downhill until you reach a local home, where you can take a short break. After resting, you hop on a bike for a fun ride around Lan village. You cycle through rice paddies, village paths, and small bridges, enjoying the lovely scenery around you. If you have time, you might also visit a local family and learn about traditional brocade weaving, if available.

Next, you head to Hieu village to see the beautiful Hieu waterfall, the only waterfall in the area. After enjoying the view, you ride your bike back to the local home, where your car is waiting to take you back to the Puluong Retreat for a delicious dinner.

Start your journey to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, where the scenic mountain pass greets you with a panoramic view of the valley. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a delightful lunch and have free time to explore the peaceful retreat.

Later, you will drive back to Hanoi, concluding your trip through the picturesque landscapes of Pu Luong Nature Reserve.

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. You can enjoy the morning at your own pace, whether it's picking up unique souvenirs or taking a relaxing walk through Hanoi’s charming streets.

You will have access to your room until 12:00 noon. After that, the transfer to the airport will be arranged for your departure.

This marks the end of our service. Incredible Asia Journeys wish you safe travels!