Classic North Vietnam Tour

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam's historical and dynamic capital where you can find well-preserved colonial buildings, ancient temples, intriguing museums, delectable cuisines, and multicultural communities.

Meet your guide at the airport after arrival and then take the private transfer to your downtown hotel. After checking in, rest in your room or venture out for a little urban exploration.

Spend the day exploring Hanoi's essential sights. After passing by the French colonial Presidential Palace, you will visit the unique stilt house where Ho Chi Minh lived. In the hearts of the Vietnamese, the great leader is like a god. Then, step into the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts to appreciate a wide range of sculptures, lacquer work, and paintings, followed by a cyclo ride through the atmospheric Old Quarter.

This afternoon, drive out of the city to visit a rural village known for its 300-year-old water puppetry. Led by your guide, meet an artisan of this traditional craft and see how to make and control the puppets before enjoying a private outdoor water puppet show.

Depart early in the morning and drive on the hilly road to Mai Chau, enjoying the rural scenery of green mountains, farm fields, and tribal villages. You can optionally stop to see Hoa Binh Hydropower Station, the biggest one of its kind in Vietnam. At noon, take a break at a local family and have a picnic lunch, followed by a one-hour boat cruise to enjoy the tranquility of Hoa Binh Lake.

Arriving at Mai Chua at about 3 pm, cycle to see some villages of Thai people for their stilted houses, unique product Tho Cam and idyllic rice paddy. Closing out the day, indulge in a traditional music show and a special local wine.

Spend the night in the Thai hill tribe village of Poom Coong. Though the facilities may not be as good as the hotels in the city, it is a great way to get deep into local hill tribe life.

After breakfast, hit the road again for a 3-hour drive to Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam during the 10th and 11th centuries.

On arrival, spend an hour visiting the Dinh and Le sanctuaries, two remaining temples of the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu. Continue on the transfer (about 20 minutes) to Tam Coc, enjoying the stunning karst landscapes along the way.

After lunch, board your sampan for a relaxing cruise to relish the idyllic countryside scenery. Next, take a light walk through rice fields to visit the sacred Thai Vi Temple or drive to explore the Bich Dong Pagoda featuring Buddhist buildings and caves. Finally, drive about 2.5 hours back to Hanoi for the night.

For anyone who visits Vietnam for the first time, Halong Bay is a must-see place boasting thousands of limestone islands in various shapes. Arrive at the dock of Halong Bay after about 2.5 hours drive and board your ship for a two-day cruise.

You can partake in many activities during your cruising, such as kayaking, cooking demonstrations, and squid fishing. Or you can just enjoy a sauna on the boat to relax.

Continue the cruise today until the boat arrives at the pier. Before that, you can join a traditional Tai Chi class on the open deck, have a light breakfast, explore the Thien Canh Son Cave, and enjoy a hearty brunch.

After disembarkation, meet your guide and driver at the pier and take a private transfer (about three hours) back to Hanoi airport for your departure flight to your next destination.