Welcome by the guide upon your arrival at the airport, and transfer by private car to the hotel

After the long flight and the challenges of jet lag, you'll first want to rest, ensuring you can enjoy your first day in optimal conditions

Welcome reception

During these friendly moments, over a refreshment and a welcome gift, you'll meet your travel consultant who personally worked on your itinerary

Enjoy a one-hour cyclo ride to discover:

• The colonial quarter with its charming architecture and tree-lined avenues
• Hoan Kiem Lake, its legend, and the lovely Ngoc Son Temple in the middle of the lake
• The maze of bustling streets filled with small shops in the heart of the famous and fascinating "Old Quarter of 36 Guilds" and its renowned Silk Street (Hang Gai)

To soak up the atmosphere of Hanoi, take a walking tour to explore:

• The Old Quarter of 36 Trades
• Colonial architecture: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel, the exterior of the Hanoi Opera House, and the exterior of the State Bank of Vietnam
• Overnight in hotel

We’ve selected the highlights of an in-depth tour of Hanoi

Everything is suggested, nothing is imposed! You choose

Based on your interests and timing, you can work with your guide to decide which visits to do and in what order! You can even fit it all in if you're an early riser!

• The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
• The One Pillar Pagoda
• The Quan Thanh Temple and the Tran Quoc Pagoda
• The Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius and Scholars
• The Ethnology Museum, a marvel born from French-Vietnamese cooperation
• The Train Street: an astonishing sight where houses are built side by side, crossed by a railway, and residents live on the tracks. Kitchens, bars, restaurants – no matter... They know the train schedule, clear the way when it's time, and set everything back up after it passes!

In the evening: a Water Puppet Show, accompanied by a choir and traditional Vietnamese instruments

Performed by talented and skilled artists, this delightful show reveals Vietnam’s rich culture, from the legend of the dragon to multiple scenes depicting rural life

Overnight in hotel

Hanoi - Duong Lam Village - Mai Chau: 150 km - 4h

Early departure for Mai Chau via Duong Lam. The village of Mong Phu, or Duong Lam, has an authentic charm with its red laterite and rammed earth houses. The village gate, communal well, and temple courtyard reflect a peaceful and genuine way of life. The change of scenery is complete

A short bike ride through the narrow alleys allows for encounters and conversations with the villagers

Mai Chau is an authentic village, the cradle of the Thai minority, with stilt houses set amidst beautiful rice paddies surrounded by mountains

You’ll have many opportunities to meet villagers engaged in their daily activities. Thai women weave and dye their own fabrics. They will offer you traditional costumes they make themselves, along with the intricate embroidery that adorns them

Overnight in hotel

Mai Chau - Pu Luong: 65 km - 1h30

In the morning, enjoy a bike ride around Mai Chau to soak in the surroundings

Then, head towards the Pu Luong Nature Reserve

These vibrant encounters in this postcard-like landscape will make this hike unforgettable

• 360° rice fields and forests. Lowland forests, mountain forests, and numerous bamboo groves
• Many animal species inhabit the area, including the critically endangered langur. There are still about 30 of these animals living here
• Pu Luong is also known as a "granary" of medicinal plants, with 1,100 vascular plant species, four of which are listed in the Red Book of the World

The region is home to the Thai ethnic group, who live in stilt houses with thatched or palm roofs. For the most part, the daily life of the Thai people remains untouched by modernity

Overnight in hotel

A day of hiking in the heart of the Pu Luong Nature Reserve to admire beautiful landscapes and discover the daily life of the villagers. You will cross terraced rice fields, tropical forests, and Thai villages

• Walk through the rice fields and wade across small rivers
• Continue uphill on a narrow path of limestone rocks
• Enjoy free time to rest or explore the village, including a stroll through the caves in the valley

Return to your hotel

Overnight in hotel

Pu Luong - Ninh Binh: 140 km - 3h

Walk through the rice fields and wade across small rivers to visit the villages and discover the beautiful landscapes along the way

In the afternoon, drive to Ninh Binh through the Vietnamese countryside. You’ll see a parade of images of rice fields where women in conical hats are busy at work and fishermen with their nets. The scenery is calm and serene, featuring patchwork fields, small forgotten pagodas bathed in sunlight, and untidy cemeteries

Overnight in homestay

The Tam Coc site, often referred to as the "Halong Bay on land," is set in an exceptional environment. The stunning landscape features lush green rice fields, dotted with towering limestone karsts covered in vegetation. Many scenes from the film Indochine were filmed here

At this beautiful site, you'll board a small rowboat piloted by a local woman. A charming two-hour ride along the Ngo Dong River will immerse you in a serene and peaceful atmosphere before reaching the Tam Coc caves, known as the "three caves"

This region is also famous for its culinary specialties, including com cháy (crispy rice) and goat meat

Your guide will gladly share insider tips on the best places to sample these two local delicacies

A short bike ride takes you to Bich Dong Pagoda. If time allows and you're feeling adventurous, climb the stone-carved steps to reach the pagoda and enjoy an exceptional view of the entire area

Next, visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, during the Dinh and Le dynasties. Explore the Dinh and Le dynastic temples

Overnight in homestay

Ninh Binh - Halong Bay: 180 km - 3h30

Halong Bay, with its 1,969 islands bathed in the turquoise waters of the East Sea, was recognized as a "natural beauty" and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994

Halong means "descent of the dragon": according to legend, a dragon descended into the bay to tame the sea currents. With its powerful tail movements, it carved deep into the mountains. Then, it plunged into the sea. The water level rose, leaving only the highest peaks visible

Cruise through this mythical bay with its spectacular seascape!

• Departure from the hotel, private car transfer without guide to Halong Bay
• Welcome reception with a welcome drink late in the morning
• Check-in to private cabins
• Crew introduction by the captain
• Cruise begins while enjoying lunch

Lunch served in the dining room or on the outdoor deck, with an excellent menu of carefully crafted dishes, beautifully presented, and served by a qualified staff

You’ll admire this breathtaking scenery that surprises you at every moment. These islands with their surprising shapes that resemble animals, the jade-colored water, and the enchanting landscape that never gets old

You’ll be gently lulled by the breeze as you discover the infinite charm of the bay, gliding through this majestic site with its signature rounded peaks emerging between the blue sky and turquoise sea

• Deck chairs are available for you to enjoy the show unfolding before your eyes
• Visit the Thien Canh Son Cave
• Discover Hon Co Island or enjoy kayaking activities
• Return to the main boat and then enjoy the evening at sunset
• Traditional cooking demonstration on the upper deck (Banh Xeo)

Dinner: Savor fresh seafood with an exquisite menu of carefully crafted dishes, beautifully presented, and served by qualified staff

Evening activities: Squid fishing or simply unwinding on the upper deck

Overnight on board

Halong Bay - Hanoi: 155 km - 2h30

The day begins with a Tai Chi session on the upper deck

Under the early morning sun, in a magical and peaceful setting, enjoy your breakfast

• Discover the floating fishing village of Vung Vieng
• Spend the morning cruising back to the port, with arrival planned late in the morning

A brunch on board will mark the end of this wonderful cruise

The entire crew will greet and thank you upon arrival at the port at 11 a.m

Transfer back to Hanoi by private car

As soon as you disembark, your driver will be waiting at the port to take you back to Hanoi

Overnight in hotel

Free time for personal activities until your private transfer to the airport (with driver, no guide) for your international departure flight