10-Day Northern Vietnam Tours – Nature, Culture & Hidden Gems

Welcome to Hanoi – the vibrant starting point of your 10-day adventure through the best of the northern of Vietnam.

Upon arrival, our driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a short walk through the Old Quarter—one of the most charming stops on any best Northern Vietnam tour.

Explore the bustling streets, taste local street food, and take in the rich history that defines a Hanoi cultural experience. This gentle arrival perfectly sets the tone for the vietnam nature tours ahead, blending culture, city life, and natural discovery.

Free time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

After breakfast, begin your full-day discovery of Hanoi – the lively capital and a must-visit stop on all northern Vietnam tours.

Start with a visit to Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest pagoda located on the peaceful shores of West Lake. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university and one of the cultural gems of the northern of Vietnam.

Enjoy a local lunch at a traditional Vietnamese restaurant.

In the afternoon, take a walking tour through the bustling Old Quarter. Visit Ngoc Son Pagoda on Hoan Kiem Lake, learn the legend of the sword, and try a true Hanoi classic – the famous egg coffee. The walk continues to the unique Women’s Museum, a fascinating stop often highlighted in vietnam nature tours for its cultural depth.

After some rest, join a guided evening food tour to taste local specialties and soak in the city’s vibrant energy. Wrap up your evening with a drink on the iconic Train Street, where daily life and railway tracks meet in a uniquely Hanoi way.

08:30 am – Pick-up from Hanoi Old Quarter Meet your tour guide and driver at your hotel or designated meeting point in the Hanoi Old Quarter. Leave the city behind as we head toward the peaceful countryside.

08:30– 10:00 am | Scenic Drive to Duong Lam ancient village. Enjoy a relaxing 1.5 hour drive through suburban neighborhoods, farmland, rivers, and rice paddies, gaining insight into the contrast between urban and rural life in Vietnam.

10:00 – 11:00 Arrive at Duong Lam Ancient Village. Explore traditional Vietnamese architecture and enjoy Instagram-worthy scenery: centuries-old banyan trees, village wells, communal courtyards, pagodas, and winding lanes. With nearly 1,000 well-preserved houses, some dating back over 370 years, Duong Lam exudes nostalgia and tranquility.

12:00 pm – Arrive at The MD Bavi Retreat. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet the Manh family, eco-tourism experts and nature enthusiasts. Visit their organic farm.

Savor a home-cooked lunch made from organic ingredients straight from the family’s garden. Check in the room.

01:30 – 04:00 pm | Village Exploration (2.5 Hours) cycling to explore the villages, following quiet paths through rice fields, farms, and residential areas. Depending on daily village life, you may: Visit local homes and interact with villagers Observe or join farmers at work in the fields Stop by a village temple or communal house Meet children at a school or playground Experience spontaneous cultural moments such as a local gathering or celebration Every visit is unique, organic, and unscripted.

04:00 – 05:30 Tea break in the garden. Unwind with a cup of aromatic tea, lovingly prepared by the family, and enjoy the peaceful garden setting. Free time to walk around the village or enjoy the sunset by the river dam.

05:30 – 07:30 pm | Vietnamese Cooking Class & Farm-to-Table Lunch

Take part in an authentic Vietnamese cooking class using fresh, organic ingredients sourced locally. Learn traditional techniques, share stories, and enjoy the dishes you prepare together in a relaxed countryside setting.

07:30 – 08:00 pm | Enjoy evening tea with family or night walk around the field for stargazing.

07:00 -08:00 am | Wake up to the sounds of nature in a tropical garden and bask in the morning sunlight.  Enjoy traditional Vietnamese breakfast and freshly brewed coffee and drinks from the garden to kickstart another day of adventure.

08:00 – 11:00 am | Hop into an old-school Jeep to explore Ba Vi National Park

First we will take an easy walk in the forest to visit the Old French Military Camp in the park then back to the car to go up to 1000 meter for the hike up to the top of Ba Vi Mountain to visit Ho Chi Minh president temple, the most sacred place in Vietnam built in 1296m with panoramic view.

11:00 pm | back to The retreat. Check out and enjoy the lovely lunch prepared by the family.

14:00- Take the car to Pu Luong.

17:00 – Arrive at the hotel

Walk up early for the amazing day coming.

After an early breakfast, we will continue with the trip to Hieu village. On Thursday or Sunday, your guide will take you to the local Pho Doan market, where ethnic minority people gather to trade fresh produce, herbs, and handmade goods—a cultural insight into the northern of Vietnam.

Begin your scenic trek along a quiet trail, passing remote hamlets and lush jungle. Your destination is Hieu Waterfall, a stunning natural site perfect for swimming or just enjoying the peaceful surroundings—this is what defines a true Vietnam nature tour.

Lunch will be served in a local stilt house, where you’ll enjoy a garden-to-table meal prepared by a Thai family.

In the afternoon, we will do trek and bamboo rafting. You will cross a hanging bridge over the Cham River, passing through Ba Village to admire traditional Thai houses.

This part of your journey showcases why Vietnam nature tours are so beloved. You’ll witness the impressive bamboo waterwheels, an ingenious irrigation system built by the Thai ethnic minority. These structures are not only functional but iconic symbols of rural life in northern of Vietnam.

Later, enjoy a tranquil bamboo boat ride along the calm waters—an unforgettable part of any northern Vietnam tour. These boats, still used by locals, give you a glimpse into their daily life and connection to nature.

Return to the eco-retreat to relax in your room or take a dip in the infinity pool. The afternoon is yours to enjoy—perhaps explore Bang Village on foot and take in the sweeping rice fields that define the region’s natural beauty.

After a restful night in Pu Luong, get ready to dive deeper into the heart of Northern Vietnam. Today’s Vietnam nature tour takes you on a trek to Kho Muong Village & Bat Cave, following peaceful mountain trails through lush rice terraces and traditional Thai stilt houses. From the hilltops, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views that define the charm of northern Vietnam tours.

As you reach Kho Muong village, a hidden gem tucked in the valley, you’ll understand why this is one of the best places to explore in the north of Vietnam. Walk through the village and continue toward the entrance of the Bat Cave. Weather permitting, you’ll have the chance to explore inside.

After lunch, it’s time to say farewell to the serene mountains of Pu Luong. Continue your northern Vietnam tour journey as you transfer to Ninh Binh, often called “the Halong Bay on land.” This peaceful destination is a favorite among Vietnam eco tours for its stunning karst formations, rivers, and countryside charm. Check-in at your lodge and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Wake up surrounded by the peaceful scenery of Ninh Binh, one of the most picturesque destinations in the northern of Vietnam. Often referred to as “Halong Bay on land,” this region is a highlight of many top-rated northern Vietnam tours.

After breakfast, hop on a bicycle and begin your Vietnam nature tour through lush rice paddies and quiet country lanes framed by dramatic limestone peaks. This ride offers an authentic look at rural life and a chance to truly slow down and take in the landscape.

Your next destination is Tam Coc boat trip. You will enjoy a boat tour in the wonderful landscape in between kart píc coveres by jungle, pasing through a cave and watching temples. It is a world apart and a unique destination in Vietnam. A relaxing and serene boat trip with the most amazingly beautiful views and rich in history with perfectly preserved architecture.

11:30 – Back to your hotel and have lunch

14: 00 – Continue the trip to Bich Dong Pagoda, a spritual complextucked into the cliffs of the limestone moutain. Often called the “ Second Most Beautiful Cave in Vietnam’. This hidden gem is a peaceful blend of ancient pagoda architecture and lush natural surroundings. Builts into the moutainside. The pagoda consists of three levels: Ha, Trung and Thuong each offering tranquil views and glimse into the spirital life of the region.

Your journey through the northern of Vietnam reaches its final chapter—one of the most breathtaking: a cruise through the serene waters of Lan Ha Bay, a lesser-known but equally stunning extension of Halong Bay.

After breakfast, depart from Ninh Binh and transfer by road to the coast. Upon arrival at the pier, you’ll board a boutique cruise ship and begin your voyage through the emerald waters and towering karsts that define this region—truly a highlight of northern Vietnam tours.

As the boat glides deeper into the bay, enjoy lunch on board while passing spectacular limestone islands. The afternoon offers chances to kayak, swim, or simply relax on the sun deck, immersed in the beauty that makes Vietnam nature tours so unforgettable.

This part of your trip also reflects the soul of Vietnam eco tours: quiet coves, floating fishing villages, and pristine bays untouched by mass tourism. In the evening, unwind with a sunset cocktail or book a massage onboard. Dinner is served on the boat, followed by a peaceful night anchored under the stars.

Wake up to the peaceful rhythm of the sea as your cruise gently glides through the calm waters of Lan Ha Bay. If you’re an early riser, join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck—a perfect way to embrace the final morning of your northern Vietnam tour.

After breakfast on board, the cruise continues through more hidden corners of the bay. Take in the last views of limestone cliffs and emerald waters—moments that define why this region is a jewel of Vietnam nature tours.

Around mid-morning, you’ll disembark and begin your transfer back to Hanoi. Reflect on your 10-day journey through the vibrant cities, peaceful valleys, and majestic landscapes of the northern of Vietnam.

Your tour ends in Hanoi in the afternoon. From mountain trails to tranquil bays, you’ve explored the very best of the north—through an experience rooted in culture, adventure, and the heart of Vietnam eco tours.