Day 1: Hanoi / Hoa Binh / Mai Chau
Day 2: Mai Chau / Hoa Lu / Ninh Binh
Day 3: Ninh Binh / Phat Diem Cathedral / Hai Phong
Day 4: Hai Phong / Halong / Hanoi
Day 1: HANOI / HOA BINH / MAI CHAU
Pick up at your hotel and drive to the Thai minority village of Mai Chau via Hoa Binh in the heart of Tonkin. On the way, stop at Song Da reservoir and then visit Muong and Dao minority villages to learn about their traditional way of life. Lunch in Hoa Binh, before continuing to the minority village of Mai Chau. Dinner in Mai Chau. Overnight in a traditional stilt house.
Day 2 : MAI CHAU / HOA LU / NINH BINH
After breakfast, drive to Ninh Binh via National road 12A. Check into your hotel and then visit temples dating from the Dinh and Le dynasties. Take a local lunch before going to Thung Nang by bicycle or buffalo cart and boarding a small sampan for a spectacular trip through numerous waterways and beautiful rural landscape of limestone cliffs and paddy fields. Visit Bich Dong Pagoda before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Ninh Binh.
Day 3: NINH BINH / PHAT DIEM / HAI PHONG
After breakfast, drive to the village of Kim Son and visit Phat Diem’s cathedral. On the way, stop to admire the beautiful scenery and take pictures, then drive back to Ninh Binh. Lunch in a local restaurant and then continue to Hai Phong, Vietnam’s most important seaport. On the way, visit the Keo pagoda near Nam Dinh and on arrival, enjoy a city tour of Hai Phong. Overnight in Hai Phong.
Day 4: HAI PHONG / HALONG / HANOI
After breakfast, drive to Ha Long Bay. On arrival, board a private boat for a 5-hour cruise through mystical Ha Long Bay to admire one of the natural marvels of Vietnam. Visit islets, lagoons and caves and weather permitting, enjoy a swim in the clear waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. A delightful seafood lunch will be served on board. Return to Hanoi in the middle of the afternoon and proceed to your hotel. End of our services.
