CENTRAL AND NORTH VIETNAM 12 DAYS

The car picks you up at your destination and takes you to Hoian to check in and spend the first night in Hoian  ancient town.

Arrive Da Nang, you will discover Marble Mountain which is well known as Five Mountains to discover pagodas, caves and the view of Da Nang city from the summit. Have lunch at a local restaurant

Visit  Hoi An ancient town and exploring its treasures:

• Quan Cong temple – the brave and loyal Chinese General.

• Phuc Kien pagoda, this is the most well-known assembly hall in the ancient town. Fukjianese were Chinese traders who first came to Hoi An in great number, at least in the XVII century. That was the reason why all above mentioned gods were worshipped in this pagoda after the collapse of the old pagoda.
• The Japanese Bridge, Hoi An’s signature landmark used widely as an emblem of the town. It was built by Japanese merchants in the 16the century
• Tan Ky ancient house, the most popular of Hoi An’s old houses.
• Hoi An port, the World Heritage listed by Unessco.
• Hoian market, one of the city’s major traditional markets and among its most-visited attractions for both domestic and foreign visitors. This market is well-known for its live and fresh seafood, as well as its fresh fruits and vegetables, and local specialities.

08:30 Depart from your hotel. Experience an unconventional ‘close-up’ cycling adventure around Hoi An., discover the true Vietnam, well off the beaten path of the regular ‘tourist itineraries’. You are invited to explore the less known attractions that have been able to maintain their charm and authenticity.

Each tour is limited in size to ensure maximum comfort, service and quality. And, rather than offering a run-of-the-mill tour, we organize custom-tailored excursions designed to suit your personal interests. We also personally accompany you on your cycling tour, answering all of your questions so like that you will discover and share our love for this marvelous country.

08:30 Depart from your hotel , Your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby, than you will cycle  around Hoi An towards the Tra Que vegetable village – About 150 farmers and 400 owners live on there and cultivate about 20 types of vegetables and herbs such as mint, lettuce, basil, cilantro, broccoli and many more. From the more than 40 hectares of land 8 tons of Village Tra vegetables are sold every year. The vegetable growers do not use pesticides or GMOs, using natural fertilizers instead, including seaweed found in the river and harvested by gardeners every morning.

10:00 During the walk, you will cross vast rice fields in the countryside and quiet road, far away from the tourist trails. You will see the activities of the inhabitants through the villages of Hoi An.

11:00 Walk in Tra Que vegetable village and meet local people working in the garden.

The local farmer will teach you all about cultivation methods and how to protect developing vegetable from the insects as well as join the farmers in preparing gardening activities such as raking the ground, sowing, watering greens, transplanting and tending greens.

12:00 Continue riding through paddy field, Ba Le market, kindergarten … until reaching Van Lang fisherman village  and Bay Mau coconut water forest – about 7 hectares, surrounded by mangrove forests, canals, houses covered by coconut water leaf . This place had ever been the refuge for people and local soldiers during the Vietnam War. Nowadays, it is famous for providing the most seafood products.

You will be warmly welcomed at Mr.Han – a 3 generations family, taste of green tea and stroll through the village. You will row a basket boat within the hands of skillful locals and discover their techniques of traditional fishery in water coconut forest.

13:30 Back to Mr.Han’s family where you will enjoy a foot bath with medicinal herbs, traditional therapeutic practice before getting ready to prepare lunch with a local family. Lunch will feature many local delicacies, such as spring rolls, Banh Xeo local pancakes and others.

14:30 After lunch, free time and short rest before returning to your hotel about 16h00.

Car from Hoian to Hue ( 3 hours). Then take stop at Hai Van Pass

Arrive in Hue, check in the hotel and have lunch at local restaurant.

In the afternoon, Visit the royal tombs of Tu Duc which is 4e emperior among the 13 kings of the Nguyen dynasty lasted from 1802 until 1945.

Stop at Incense and Conical Hat Village, where you can buy local products for souvenir

Have breakfast, then our guide and driver pick you up at your hotel and start day trip to visit Khai Dinh Mausoleum – one of the famous tombs to admire its unique architecture influenced by Oriental and Western styles.

Then transfer to pay a visit Discovery of  the Imperial City, listed Unesco World Heritage. Hue was the ancient Vietnam capital, under the reign of the Nguyen dynasty, from 1802 to 1945.. Built in the 19th century by Nguyen dynasty, the Citadel becomes the most important historical and cultural monument in Vietnam. It is a square 2 km wall encompassing 3 walled enclosures: the Citadel, the Yellow Imperial city, and the Forbidden Purple city.

After that, we will visit Thuy Bieu village to a local house for cooking class, you will prepare lunch by yourself with our chef’s instruction to make Hue’s specailities.

Relax by steeping your foot in medicinal herb water – a traditional theraputic pratice

14:30 – come back on boat for cruise along the peotic  Perfume River to experience daily life of local people as well as comtemplate the beauty of landscape and feel your heart and mind with fresh air.

Main destination of our journey is iconic Thien Mu Pagoda wich was built in 1601 – the symbol of Hue city. Then stroll sunset on the river and come back hotel at 16:00

19:00 – Board the car to Hue airport

Our tour starts at your hotel .We begin our journey by picking you up from your hotel located in and around Hanoi Old Quarter. Our guide and driver will greet you at your hotel lobby or a meeting point and give you a safety briefing before we begin our adventure.

On the first part of our Hanoi Jeep Tours, we’ll expose you to the REAL HANOI and give you a day-in-the-life experience of the city. We’ll take you through parts of the city that other travel companies don’t usually venture into, including maze-like backstreets, tiny alleyways, local homes, schools, random markets, and black marketplaces. You’ll get to experience where and how locals live, work, and play. At Hanoi Backstreet Tours, we don’t just show you the good side, but also the bad and weird sides of your destination. For us, the popular tourist sites are the tip of the iceberg, and the real destinations are hidden in the parts-unknown.

The second part of our Hanoi Jeep Tours takes you to pass by the MUST-SEE places of Hanoi, including the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, the Tran Quoc Buddhist temples, the amazing Hanoi TRAIN-STREET, the enchanting French Quarter, the hustling and bustling Old Quarter, the romantic lakes of Hoan Kiem and West Lake, Hanoi Opera House, and the famous Long Bien bridge, etc.

Finally, our tour ends with food! We’ll take you to the Hidden Gem Cafe, where you can savor the tastiest, authentic, healthy, and organic dishes of Hanoi. We offer vegan and vegetarian options as well. Join Hanoi Jeep Tours and experience the beauty, culture, and authentic tastes of Hanoi.

17:00 – starting the evening food tour. Try the local dishes walking

and contemplating the active night life of the Old Quarter. (If you didn’t see the train street in the

morning, you will go for a drink) Overnight in the hotel.

Vegan & Vegetarian options are available.

08:00 – 08:30: Luxury van picks you up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. Enjoy the landscape of the Red River Delta on the way to Ha Long Bay.

11:00 – 11:30: Arriving at Lot 32 – Tuan Chau Marina – have check-in procedures at the waiting lounge while having a welcoming special tea.

11:45 – 12:00: Transfer to Nostalgia Cruise by speed boat. Enjoy a welcome drink at the restaurant while receiving a cruise briefing and safety instructions for your trip.

12:45 – 13:00: Lunch will be served while Nostalgia disembark into Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

15:00 – 15:30:   We progress to Dark and Bright Caves – a must-visit destination. Kayaking through these caves is the ultimate way to experience the breathtaking beauty of Ha Long Bay up close.

Option 2:  Discover Ba Trai Dao (Three Peaches Islets), where tranquil waters and picturesque landscapes create an idyllic setting for kayaking or unwinding on a sandy shore. Take pleasure in a refreshing swim in the emerald-green waters. (If the weather permits)

17:00 -17:30: Back to the boat. Nostalgia Cruise anchors for an overnight stay at Tra Bau of Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy a nice swim in the green, emerald water.

18:00 – 18:15: On board, you may participate in a cooking demonstration where we cook traditional Vietnamese food. Enjoy Happy Hour (buy one, get one free) at the bar while watching the sunset over the bay.

19:15 – 19:30: Savor a fusion dinner made with the freshest ingredients in the restaurant: elegant French neoclassical style mixed with traditional oriental touches.

21:00 – 21:30: It’s time to admire the beauty of the night on the bay. Our bar on the sundeck and in the restaurant welcomes you. You may want to try your luck with squid fishing or play some board games in the restaurant.

23:00: Overnight on board.

06:00 – 06:30: Why not rise early to witness the bay at its very best whilst enjoying an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck.

06:45 – 07:00: We will be serving a light breakfast. Upon completing breakfast we continue our journey and head out to explore the bay in the area.

07:15 – 07:30: We progress to Trung Trang Cave by bus on Cat Ba Island which is located in the middle of Cat Ba National Park with Kim Giao Forest around the cave. Trung Trang cave located in Trung Trang Valley, which is 15km away from the northwest of Cat Ba town. The cave is 300m long through the mountain, possessing a mysterious beauty due to the geological tectonics in million years along with many historical vestiges. The cave has many stalactites with different shapes that stimulate human imagination and amaze visitors.

09:45 – 10:00: Nostalgia Cruise welcomes you back on board and it is time for checking out.

10:00 – 10:30: Enjoy a delightful brunch at our restaurant while cruising back.

11:00 – 11:45: We bid farewell at Tuan Chau port, then take bus to Ninh Binh

Cycling to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. Back to the X century, the ancient Vietnamese capital was the place of the emperors of the dynasty of Dinh, Tien Le and Ly. Travel out of time on this spectacular site.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is not only a valuable relic site but also a remarkable tourist attraction, offering tourists the chance to appreciate both stunning historical scenery and unique architectural values of area.

It will be time for a relaxing tour in the UNESCO site of Trang An. You will enjoy a boat tour in the wonderful landscape in between karst pics covered by jungle, passing 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.

Free time before dinner and overnight in the lodge.

7:00 – Early breakfast to be ready for the amazing day coming. Board the car to reach the beautiful Pu Luong Reserve and stop at Pu Luong Eco Garden to drop your bags before starting the exciting day. You will board the van to reach the starting point of the trek. On Thursday and Sunday, you will have a stop to the local Pho Doan market.

You will then be dropped at the starting point. The trek will pass through a small dirt path, passing by isolated hamlet and through the jungle. You will arrive to the higher part of Hieu village contemplating some stunning views.  While going down to reach the waterfall, you will see some local houses. Free time to enjoy the waterfall (swimming and water hiking depending on season). Time to join the local house for a Garden to Table Lunch at the homestay of ethnic minority people.

In the afternoon, board the car to reach the starting point of the afternoon trekking. You will first pass a hanging bridge over the Cham river. You will pass through Ba village and see old traditional houses.

You will admire the ingenious agriculture system- of the Thai ethnic minority, the bamboo waterwheels. Specific to the Thai people, the water wheels in Pu Luong are amongst the most impressive in Vietnam. The day will end by a relaxing and tranquil bamboo boat ride. Adapted for tourism, the boat is kept in use by locals to navigate and visit other houses or to go to the fields.

Back to the Retreat to relax in your room or enjoy a swim in the infinity pool.

7:00 – Enjoy the breakfast and then start the trek to Kho Muong Village & Bat Cave. The trekking will start by a small alley nearby traditional Thai stilt houses until reaching beautiful viewpoints of the infinity rice terraces. Arriving from the top of the hill, you will slowly see the village of Kho Muong and understand how special this place is. After walking around the village, you will walk to the entrance of the cave. Possibility to visit the cave (depending on weather conditions).

11:30 back to the hotel, check out and have lunch at the restaurant.

After that, Say goodbye to the fabulous Pu Luong Nature Reserve and start the journey to reach Mai Chau.

Arrive in Mai Chau which is considered the capital of the Thai people. Check in and take rest to relax by the pool or a quick walk in the narrow alleys to admire the local life.

08:30 – Start the cycling tour to discover the beautiful Mai Chau valley. You will pass through fields and villages and get the opportunity to discover more about the unique cultural activities of the White Thai ethnic group. Take a break to visit brocade production facilities made by locals.  You are welcome to souvenirs from this unique place. Back to homestay & free time to relax, lunch at the restaurant.

15:00 – take a car to the Hanoi airpor