Northern Vietnam Exposure Tour in 11 Days

You are welcomed at Noi Bai Airport and transported to your accommodation. Ha Noi, the capital of Vietnam, is an elegant and polite city with some of Asia’s most remarkable examples of colonial architecture.

Numerous lakes and parks provide a tranquil environment. If time allows, we enjoy a little cyclo excursion around the lively old quarter alleys named after the items that were originally sold there.

Ha Noi Old Quarter

The Hanoi sightseeing trip starts with Ho Chi Minh Complex, which contains the tomb of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace, and Ho Chi Minh’s stilt home. The compound also includes the One Pillar Pagoda, which dates back to the city’s founding. Following this, we visit the Temple of Literature, also known as Vietnam’s earliest university, and the History Museum, which has an outstanding collection of relics representing the country’s past.

The Temple of Literature

The spectacular Ethnologic Museum is our next trip; it is devoted to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities, some of which we will encounter in the days to come. We also visit the tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake and the bustling Dong Xuan Market before seeing Hanoi’s renowned water puppets. Stay the night at a hotel.

We leave the city and go by road to Mai Chau. This hilly area is home to the Muong, H’mong, Dao, and White Thai ethnic minorities, some of whom we will encounter on our next journey. After having lunch in Poong Coong Village near Mai Chau Town, we travel an hour to Xa Linh to begin our walk.

Mai Chau

Before reaching Hang Kia, we traverse a stunning mountain environment and various hill communities on foot. The H’mong hill tribe has seized this secluded settlement. They are quite impoverished, yet their history and culture are fascinating and vibrant. Overnight in Hang Kia village.

An early morning start for the Cun Pheo mountain hike. Today, we leave the established path behind as we journey through a tropical rain forest on a local path. The hike is challenging at times, with steep uphill and downhill trekking; but, with enough physical preparation, you will be able to experience the walk to its fullest.

Trekking in Vietnam

We arrive at Van village in the late afternoon and have time to explore this wonderful community, allowing us to learn more about their culture and way of life. Overnight at Van village.

The combination of the green and rough mountain environment and the colorful locals creates an unforgettable experience. On our journey to Sam Khoe today, we will travel through a number of White Thai villages and, since this region of Thailand receives relatively few tourists, we are certain to draw notice.

At the little settlement of Khoe, we reunite with our car and return to Mai Chau. This evening’s highlight is a traditional music performance followed by rice wine. This performance is put on by young Thai White minority and reflects the rich cultural heritage of this ethnic group. Spend the night at Pong Coom.

White Thai Villages

After breakfast, we stroll through the valley level, passing several peasants engaged in their everyday activities such as logging, herding buffalo, cultivating the land, and weaving brocade. Here is an opportunity for consumers to attempt haggling. Then, we make our way to Man Duc via twisting roads. This region is inhabited by the Muong Hilltribe, who have lived there for centuries. Two hours of hiking will allow us to discover their native country. We go from Man Duc to Cuc Phuong National Park, our ultimate objective. Overnight at the hamlet of Cuc Phuong.

Cuc Phuong National Park has one of Vietnam’s best-preserved tropical forests. This morning, after a brief trip to the park headquarters, we will go on a half-day jungle hike. This area is home to several plant and animal species, some of which we may encounter while hiking.

After a picnic lunch, we visit one of the renowned caves, Nguoi Xua, which still contains traces of prehistoric man, and move to Hoa Lu, the old capital. Besides two extant temples, there is not much to see in this location. The first is dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang. The second honours the Le Dynasty’s emperors. Stay the night at a hotel.

Hoa Lu – Ninh Binh

Shortly after leaving the city, we travel to Tam Coc, often known as Inland Halong Bay. At the grottoes of Tam Coc, we take a little boat that rows us down a river through a tranquil scene of rice fields surrounded by limestone cliffs.

Tam Coc – Ninh Binh

After the amazing boat ride, we proceed to Ha Long Bay through the Red River Delta. The trip is lengthy and sometimes difficult, but it is still an unforgettable experience. Part of the enjoyment of going in this area is the simple pleasure of witnessing the magnificent rural environment and the people’s happy expressions. Stay the night at a hotel.

The famed Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking natural attractions.

This day is spent aboard a boat navigating the famed Ha Long Bay. The views of sailing junks passing by over 3,000 limestone islets and outcrops protruding from the green sea of the Gulf are nothing short of breathtaking. There are beaches, grottos, and stunning caverns scattered among the limestone karst formations. Along the way, we will stop to swim in a peaceful cove and explore one of the numerous secret grottos behind towering cliffs. A massive seafood feast on board is a highlight of our voyage.

Halong Bay scenery

On our trip to Cat Ba Island, we pass across a lively floating community. Stay the night in Cat Ba.

An spectacular approach to capture your first look of Cat Ba is during a sunrise stroll along the coast. Today you get a half day to independently explore Cat Ba Island.

Cat Ba Island

There are other possibilities available, including rowing a small boat, kayaking, and visiting the national park. These extra activities are not included, but our guide is available to provide you with useful advice. We reconvene at our hotel in the early afternoon before boarding a ship to the largest port in northern Vietnam, Hai Phong. Upon arrival in this town, we board our waiting vehicle for the two-hour trip back to Hanoi, arriving in time to see a performance of Hanoi’s renowned water puppets. Stay the night at a hotel.

There is free time to rest or explore Ha Noi. The journey concludes with the transportation to Noi Bai Airport for departure.