Discover Hidden Charm Vietnam – 09 Days

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be transferred directly to your hotel in Hanoi. Take some time to rest and recharge after your long flight, preparing for the exciting journey ahead.

• Note: Please keep in mind that check-in begins at 14h00.

The remainder of the day is yours to explore the charming Hanoi Capital. Visit renowned attractions such as The Temple of Literature, West Lake, One Pillar Pagoda, and more.

• Meals: NA
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Morning

Wake up and enjoy the early morning in Hanoi, followed by a hearty breakfast.

At around 8:00 AM, your tour guide will pick you up for a half-day city tour of Hanoi.

• Explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university and a symbol of Confucian influence on the country’s history and culture.
• Marvel at the unique structure of the One Pillar Pagoda and learn about its fascinating creation.
• Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of the revered Vietnamese leader who fought for independence.
• Discover the scenic West Lake, surrounded by historical attractions, and visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, an important Buddhist site located right on the lake.
• Conclude the tour with a delightful traditional Vietnamese lunch at an authentic restaurant before bidding farewell.

Before saying goodbye, we will stop and have a delightful authentic traditional lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant.

Afternoon

Free time at leisure for the rest of the day. 18h00 Enjoy a water puppet show

• Meal: B, L
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Trekking through the towns of Me, Lup, and Tha along a scenic drive

8h Am: Depart your Hanoi hotel for Ha Giang via the Phu Tho highway. Visit the Dao community in Ham Yen, Tuyen Quang. Discover the houses on stilts, which are emblematic of the ethnic groups in this hilly region.

Arrive in Ha Giang in the middle of the afternoon and start trekking to the Me – Lup – Tha villages. Featuring serene beauty, these villages are made up of hundreds of homes on wooden stilts covered by palm leaves. In front of the homes are small ponds for fish breeding and water hyacinth fields for pigs. Villagers will greet you with warm smiles, a testament to their legendary hospitality. Visit a local home and learn about the local way of life. Arrive in Tha Village, a village with rice fields and palm-covered hills where you can unwind in peace.

Finally, check into your lodging, and before sunset, you are free to explore the area and observe the cadence of mountain life.

• Meal: B, L, D
• Accommodation: Hotel in Ha Giang

Visiting Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Twin Fairy mountain, traditional house of Hmong & Bo Y ethnic people, H’mong King’s Palace

8:00 AM: Drive to Dong Van through this region’s magnificent sceneries. We will visit a Bo Y village in Quyet Tien Commune before reaching the Quan Ba pass. Their origin is China. The 2000-person Bo Yi live in the northern mountains. Take a break at Quan Ba pass to see Quan Ba village and the Twin Fairy Mountain.

 Drive to limestone rock plateau, Halong Bay’s mountainous area. This magnificent natural wonder is in the World Geological Park book. Walking to Lung Hoa Village will reveal “Nha Trinh Tuong” (a remarkable dwelling). A typical village Hmong house is built on sticky earth. Visit Dinh Vua Meo, the H’mong King’s Palace. Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac founded an autonomous zone with a monarch 100 years ago, far from the plain. They grew poppies and relied on opium trade with China. Check into your Dong Van hotel and unwind.

• Meal: B, L, D
• Accommodation: Hotel in Dong Van

Crossing spectacular Ma Pi Leng pass to Bao Lac (Cao Bang province), visiting the villages of Lo Lo & H’mong people

After breakfast at the hotel, we will traverse Ma Pi Leng Pass from Dong Van to Meo Vac, taking in the limestone mountains, Nho Que River, and H’mong villages. Go to Bao Lac. The Black Lo Lo ethnic group knows this. “The journey into unknown land” highlighted this location in French media. Frederik Michalak, a rugby player, filmed this documentary in Lo Lo settlement Khuoi Khon, 9km from Bao Lac. Get lunch in Bao Lac and settle into your hotel.

Our afternoon destination is Coc Xa village in Na Van commune. After the documentary, Khuoi Khon village became more touristy, but this Lo Lo village is more authentic. Walk around the village’s rice fields and pathways, visit local cottages, and talk to the hosts to learn about local life and customs. Return to town and stay in a motel.

• Meal: B, L, D
• Accommodation: Hotel in Cao Bang

Meeting San Chi ethnic people in hill communities, transportation to Ba Be, and exploration of the Hua Ma cave

Travel to Ba Be through Tinh Tuc. The San Chi ethnic community in Hung Dao commune is a lovely village located 30 miles from Bao Lac. Of course, we’ll make a stop to explore and take in the village’s splendor. Because it’s concealed behind the hill, you are one of the few travelers who get to see this place. The community boasts views of the lovely valley and hundreds of stilt-built homes nestled on the sides of mountains. You will need to hike up a difficult 2 km incline in order to reach the village. The view improves as you move higher. See a family to get a sense of this ethnic group’s real way of life.

Proceed to Ba Be, where the breathtaking scenery of rice terrace valleys and mountains meeting gently will astound you. When you get a chance, stop to record or snap pictures. After arriving in Ba Be, check into your lodging at Pac Ngoi settlement. Then, cycle through a number of Tay ethnic group communities to Hua Ma Cave, which is located five kilometers from the settlement. This is a picturesque location with magnificent stalactite and stalagmite formations. Return, at last, to your lodging.

• Meal: B, L, D
• Accommodation: Homestay in Ba Be

Enjoy a leisurely boat ride while exploring the stunning Puong Cave and the stunning Dau Dang Waterfall.

Take a walk from the town to the pier in the morning to enjoy a boat ride on the lake (you can swim in the lake). Stop in the center of the rustic forest to locate the Fairy Pond. After the lake, proceed to the Nang River. Walk along the riverbank to reach Dau Dang waterfall, which is surrounded by natural beauty.

Continue our boat excursion in the opposite direction along the Nang River to Puong Cave, which is home to hundreds of bats. The boat will travel through the cave to the Buoc Lom dock. Meet our driver for the ride to Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi late in the afternoon. After your mountain escape, check into your hotel and relax.

• Meal: B, L
• Accommodation: Hotel in Ha Giang

Transfer to Halong Bay, fantastic sailing route, swimming at Titov beach, panoramic views

8h00 Am-8h30Am: Pick up from your accommodation (in the Hanoi Old Quarter). Take a three-hour drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Your excursion will take you through the Red River Delta’s communities and rice farms. Make a pit stop for a drink and a potty break. Continue driving, arrive at the harbor around noon, and be greeted pleasantly at reception.

12:30: Boards the boat and receives a cruise briefing and safety instructions. Begin your cruise and visit Halong Bay, Visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

While cruising along the bay, enjoy a buffet lunch with Vietnamese foods supplied, passing by the most beautiful and peaceful spots, such as Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock, Soi Sim beach, and Coconut Island, The Three Islands

In the afternoon, go to the Tung Sau area, which is surrounded by leaping fish. Cultured pearl fishing is a type of pearl fishing. You may witness the entire process of creating a jewel, from cultivation to harvesting and sculpting. Furthermore, you have the option of kayaking based on your preferences. Enjoy a busy environment with a pearl maker, where you may witness the completion of a pearl. Visiting the beautiful Titov beach for swimming (if the weather permits), Titov Beach is especially famous for its fresh atmosphere, clean water, and smooth white sand that create a great ambiance for tourists to relax, or passengers can take steps to reach the top of Titov island to have a panoramic view of Halong Bay. Back to the boat for some downtime before cruising to the Luon Bo area and anchoring for the night.

18:30: Join a cooking lesson on the sundeck to learn how to prepare Vietnamese spring rolls, a traditional Vietnamese dish. Then, take advantage of Happy Hour (buy one drink, get one free). It’s time to socialize and unwind. Take in the breathtaking sunset over Halong Bay. 

Dinner – Deluxe Vietnamese BBQ Set Menu Dinner

Deluxe Vietnamese BBQ Set Menu for Dinner Evening activities include: resting and spending a romantic night on Pelican Halong Cruise’s music, playing cards, chess, and reading magazines in the room and dining area. You can also try your hand at squid fishing and boat fishing.

• Meal: B, L, D
• Accommodation: Overnight on cruise

Exploring the well-known Sung Sot cave, sailing lazily, returning to Hanoi, and departing

06:30: Onboard, the day begins early with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Tai chi, also known as Tai chi chuan, is a kind of exercise that combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow and gentle movements.

Breakfast is provided in the dining area, which has a wonderful view of the bay’s environment.

Transfer to Sung Sot Cave via tender. The cave entrance is around 100 steps up. Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest caves in Halong Bay with exquisite stalactites and stalagmites, takes around 45 minutes to see. Return to the cruise ship via tender. Check out and pay your bill at the front desk.

Enjoy a buffet meal and the bay beauty as you cruise back to Tuan Chau Wharf.

11:30-12:00: Disembarkation

Welcome to the harbor by the driver, then enjoy the journey back to Hanoi. Take a break in the middle of the journey. Drop off at your accommodation (in the Old Quarter of Hanoi).

Private driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby (Hanoi Old Quarter) and bring you for around 45 minutes to Noi Bai airport (international or domestic hall, depending on your preference). Thank you for visiting our city.

Note: Please keep in mind that international flights require you to arrive 3 hours before departure time, while domestic flights require you to arrive 2 hours before departure time.

• Meal: B
• Accommodation: NA