Mystique Vietnam - 13 Days

Your journey commences upon your arrival in Vietnam. Our driver will warmly welcome you at the airport and ensure a smooth transfer to your hotel in private transport.

Once you’ve checked in, take some time to recover from your travels and settle in. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure, perhaps exploring the local sights or sampling some Vietnamese cuisine. Return to the hotel for a restful night's sleep.

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel before departing to the outskirts of Hanoi, accompanied by an experienced English-speaking guide. The journey to the countryside takes approximately 90 minutes.

Upon arrival at Mr. Duoc’s home, you’ll be warmly greeted with fresh honey tea and snacks like green lentils or lotus seeds, lovingly prepared by his family. Mr. Duoc, a Vietnam War veteran and green tea connoisseur, will share tales of the past and introduce you to his expansive tea plantation, one of the largest in Ri village. Join the locals in green tea processing to gain hands-on experience.

Next, enjoy a Vietnamese cooking demonstration with another local host, followed by a delightful lunch in a serene garden setting. After lunch, explore the village, interacting with the local community. Visit a skilled conical hat craftsman and other workshops to discover the traditional methods of making tofu and shelling rice.

As you stroll through the countryside, relish the warm greetings from the villagers. Then, take a leisurely cycling tour with your guides along the country roads, where you’ll observe rural life, including water buffaloes ploughing the fields and ducks swimming in the paddies.

A stop at another host family offers a unique foot bath experience, following the Muong ethnic group's recipes, providing relaxation before you board a private boat for a tranquil journey along the Da River. After a fulfilling day, return to Hanoi for an overnight stay.

We depart Hanoi at 8 am, heading towards the tranquil town of Mai Hich in Mai Chau. Nestled in a picturesque valley, Mai Hich is renowned for its stunning landscapes and the warm hospitality of its hill tribe communities. As we journey, we'll pause frequently to take in the vistas of limestone peaks and lush valleys.

Upon arrival in Mai Hich, our village hosts will welcome us to their homestay. In the afternoon, we'll explore the surrounding villages on foot or by bicycle, immersing ourselves in the area's natural beauty. You may also choose to assist local farmers as they plant rice seeds in the fields—a unique opportunity to connect with the daily life of the community.

This evening, we will experience local hospitality with an overnight stay in a simple village homestay. You are welcome to join your host in preparing dinner or perhaps taste some locally produced wine.

We depart from Mai Hich and set off for Pu Luong Nature Reserve, home to the indigenous White Thai and Muong communities. As we wander through the reserve, you'll observe diverse wildlife and a variety of exotic birds and plants.

Upon arrival, we will check into our lodge, where you have the afternoon to absorb the area's tranquil atmosphere at your leisure. On your own, explore nearby villages, perhaps cycling through small towns, where you can greet the welcoming locals.

Throughout the journey, enjoy Vietnam's picturesque scenery, including lush fields, majestic limestone mountains, and serene waterways. This offers a wonderful insight into rural life amid stunning landscapes.

Today, we depart for Nghia Lo in Yen Bai, making several stops en route to explore ethnic villages. We'll have the chance to meet the Hmong and Thai communities, who offer a unique glimpse into local life.

En route, we’ll witness vast tea plantations stretching to the horizon and, if travelling between late January and early February, enjoy the stunning blooms of peach and plum trees.

We will arrive in the Muong Lo Valley by late afternoon. This area, home to Nghia Lo town, is the second-largest rice-producing region in the northwest and the heartland of the Thai ethnic group.

Begin your day with breakfast among the locals before departing in an air-conditioned vehicle. The journey takes us alongside the Hoang Lien Son range, home to the tallest mountains in Indochina.

Our trek begins in Tu Le, where we'll cross rice terraces and suspension bridges to visit Thai and Hmong villages. The local community will greet you warmly, offering a glimpse into their rich cultural heritage.

After lunch in Tu Le, we continue our adventure into Northern Vietnam, arriving at the Khau Pha Pass. Renowned as one of Vietnam’s most winding passes, it offers perfect opportunities to capture stunning photographs of the rice terraces below. The landscape features breathtaking valleys and mountains adorned with intricate rice terraces.

Our destination is Mu Cang Chai, a unique paradise celebrated as one of Vietnam's premier sites for landscape photography. We will stay overnight in a homestay, providing a truly immersive experience.

Depart from Mu Cang Chai, travelling to Sapa via Than Uyen. En route, pause at the top of the pass to take in the fresh air and admire Mount Fansipan, the "Roof of Indochina", standing at 3,143 metres. Upon arrival in Sapa, you will have some free time to relax.

In the afternoon, we will hike through the stunning Hoang Lien Son Valley, navigating rice terraces and local villages. Along the way, meet members of the Black Hmong and Red Dao communities.

Start your day with breakfast at your homestay before embarking on a trek to Giang Ta Phin village, where you'll meet the Red Dzao and Black Hmong communities.

We will journey across 18 kilometres of terraced farmland and bamboo thickets, offering stunning views of the lush valleys and cascading waterfalls. We'll pause for a picnic lunch during the trek, and afterwards, you'll be transported by private car to Bac Ha.

After breakfast at our homestay, we visit the Bac Ha Fairground Market, a vibrant hub for locally dyed fabrics, hemp plants, and handmade textiles.

Depending on your schedule, you may explore other ethnic markets in the region: Coc Ly Market on Tuesday, Sin Cheng Market on Wednesday, Cao Son and Lun Khau Nhin Markets on Thursday, Can Cau Market on Saturday, and Bac Ha Market itself on Sunday.

Later, we'll travel back to Hanoi in a private car for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, our English-speaking guide will meet us at the hotel between 8:00 and 8:30 am. A professional driver will then transfer us from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, situated 80 km south of the city. Hoa Lu served as the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, where the Le and Dinh Dynasties once ruled. Our guide will share intriguing stories about this historical site.

We will enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch before boarding a private sampan. As we glide through Tam Coc, known as the "Halong Bay on land," we will admire the stunning karst landscapes and navigate through limestone caves. Afterwards, we will embark on a 5 km cycling tour, taking in the breathtaking scenery of rice fields, karst formations, and tranquil villages.

In the evening, we will return to Hanoi, where you can spend a delightful night exploring at your leisure.

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before being picked up by the cruise at 7:30 am. Our journey takes us along the most picturesque route to Halong Bay, traversing the Red River Delta adorned with vast emerald green rice paddies.

Upon arrival at Halong Bay, we embark on a cruise to explore its renowned limestone formations and karst grottoes. After this exploration, enjoy a delectable seafood lunch on board. Following lunch, visit one of the bay's famed limestone caves. Here, you are free to kayak or swim, offering a closer look at the floating villages and local shops.

As evening approaches, return to the boat for an early dinner, then enjoy leisure time. You may choose to partake in on-board activities or simply unwind.

Start your day with an invigorating Tai Chi lesson or simply enjoy a hearty breakfast on board. As we sail back to port, we'll stop at the captivating Limestone Cave, where you'll be greeted by striking stalagmites and stalactites.

After exploring the cave, we continue our journey to the main harbour, arriving there around 17:00. Back in Hanoi, we'll handle your hotel check-out, after which you can explore the local markets for unique souvenirs.

Start your final day with a wholesome breakfast. Enjoy some leisure time before a professional driver takes you to Noi Bai International Airport. From there, you'll board your flight home.