NORTHERN MOUNTAINS AND HERITAGE DISCOVERY – 18 DAYS

Xin chào! Welcome to Vietnam.

On arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be met and escorted to your hotel for refreshment (standard check-in time 2:00 PM). Your guide will provide a briefing on the sixteen-day journey ahead.

In the late afternoon, enjoy an hour-long cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter to observe daily life in the city, followed by a traditional water puppet performance — a uniquely Vietnamese art form portraying rural life and folklore.

In the evening, you will be transferred to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, take an in-depth tour of Hanoi’s most notable sights: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his former residence, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Ethnology Museum, the Temple of Literature and Ngoc Son Temple, followed by a walk through the Old Quarter and an hour-long water puppet performance. Overnight in Hanoi.

Note: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays, Fridays, all afternoons, and throughout October and November for maintenance — during closures it can only be viewed from outside. The Ethnology Museum is closed on Mondays and will be replaced with a visit to Hoa Lo Prison or the Museum of Vietnamese Women.

Depart Hanoi for the six-hour drive to Sapa (driver only, without guide, as local hill-tribe guides accompany the journey from here through Day 11). On arrival, meet your local guide, check in to your hotel for refreshment, and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, transfer to Muong Hoa Valley for a scenic hike to Lao Chai and Ta Van villages, home to the Black Hmong, Red Dao and Giay communities, with visits to local schools and families along the way.

After breakfast, take the cable car to Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina, followed by a short walk to the summit for sweeping views over the surrounding mountains.

Return to Sapa town for a hike up Ham Rong Mountain, taking in a further panoramic viewpoint before returning to your hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure.

Depart on a scenic mountain drive toward Hoang Su Phi in Ha Giang Province. Depending on your travel date, visit a remote hill-tribe market (held on Tuesdays, Saturdays or Sundays), where communities including the Hmong, Giay and Phu La gather in traditional dress to trade goods.

Continue to Phung Village, renowned between May and October for its sweeping rice terraces. On arrival in Hoang Su Phi, check in to your homestay and relax.

After breakfast, visit the rice terrace viewpoint at Nam Khoa village, with the opportunity to interact with the local community and enjoy lunch there.

Continue to Nam Hong village for further views of the terraced hillsides and traditional homestays, with time to enjoy the sunset before returning to your homestay for dinner.

Drive (approximately three and a half to four hours) to Quan Ba’s Heaven’s Gate, where a local guide accompanies you on an hour-long trek to Nam Dam village.

On arrival at your homestay, you will be welcomed by your host family, and in the evening share a home-cooked dinner and learn about daily life in the village. Overnight homestay in Nam Dam.

After an early breakfast, drive to Lung Tam Village to see local artisans producing traditional handicrafts, with the opportunity to purchase souvenirs.

Continue to Pao’s House, Vuong’s Palace and Lung Cu Flag Tower, marking Vietnam’s northernmost point, before transferring to your hotel in Dong Van.

After an early breakfast, explore the ancient houses of Dong Van’s Old Quarter over a coffee, followed by a three-hour trek to a nearby hill-tribe village (small gifts such as stationery or clothing for local children are welcome, though entirely optional).

Return to Dong Van for lunch, then continue to Bao Lac via the dramatic Ma Pi Leng Pass, stopping to admire the spectacular scenery. Check in to your hotel in Bao Lac.

Take an early walk through the local market for photographs, then drive to Ba Be, stopping en route at Khuoi Khon village.

On arrival, check in with a local family for refreshment, followed by an easy cycling tour and a visit to Hua Ma Cave. Join your host family in preparing dinner. Overnight homestay in Ba Be.

Rise early for photography at sunrise, then board a motorboat for a scenic cruise on Ba Be Lake, visiting Fairy Cove, Bat Cave and Dau Dang Waterfall, with the opportunity to swim in the lake.

In the afternoon, drive back to Hanoi, stopping en route at the Thai Nguyen Museum of Ethnology for an overview of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. On arrival, check in to your hotel.

Rise early for the scenic drive through the countryside and rice paddies to Ha Long Bay, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. On arrival at the harbour, board a traditional wooden boat and cruise among the limestone islands, with a seafood lunch on board, a sampan ride to a fishing village, a short cooking class, and dinner as you relax on the upper deck at sunset.

Rise early for Tai Chi on the top deck and a light breakfast, then disembark to explore a nearby cave. Return to the boat, check out of your cabin, and enjoy brunch while sailing back to shore, where your guide and driver transfer you to Ninh Binh, capital of Vietnam under the Dinh and early Le Dynasties. Visit two ancient temples dedicated to the kings of that era.

Continue with a two-hour boat trip through the Van Long Wetland, exploring its limestone mountains, caves and birdlife, before checking in to your hotel. Overnight in Ninh Binh.

This morning, take a short bike ride to Ngoa Long Mountain and climb approximately 400 steps at Mua Cave for a panoramic view over Ninh Binh and Tam Coc, before returning to your hotel to relax.

In the afternoon, explore the Trang An World Heritage landscape by traditional rowing boat among the limestone mountains, including the Light and Dark Caves, followed by a visit to Bai Dinh Pagoda, home to the largest gold-plated Buddha statue in Asia.

In the evening, transfer to Hanoi for the overnight train to Hue (dinner at own expense)

On arrival, take some time to relax before exploring Hue, including the Hue Citadel, home to the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City, followed by a leisurely boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda and a visit to the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang.

Depart for Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass, taking in views over Lang Co Bay and a former wartime checkpoint. In Da Nang, visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture, the Dragon Bridge and Marble Mountain, including its cave temples and a panoramic viewpoint over the Ngu Hanh Son area.

On arrival in Hoi An, check in to your hotel, with the rest of the day free.

After breakfast, drive to My Son Sanctuary, transferring by electric cart to the ruins for time to explore and enjoy a traditional Cham performance.

Return to Hoi An for an in-depth walking tour of the historic centre, including the Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, Tan Ky Ancient House and the local market.

Free time until your transfer to Da Nang Airport for your onward flight. End of trip.