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.

After breakfast, depart from Hanoi Old Quarter and head southwest to the peaceful valley of Mai Chau, a must-visit on many northern Vietnam tours. Along the way, stop at Thung Khe Pass to admire panoramic views over the lush countryside—a stunning introduction to the beauty of the northern of Vietnam.

Upon arrival in Mai Chau, known as the capital of the Thai people, check in at a traditional stilt house homestay. Enjoy a local lunch featuring specialties of the Northwest mountains. Spend some time relaxing by the pool or walking through narrow alleys to observe the calm rhythm of village life—moments that define a true Vietnam nature tour.

In the afternoon, start your guided cycling tour through the scenic rice paddies and small villages of Mai Chau. This gentle activity offers an immersive look into the lives of the White Thai ethnic group. Stop at local brocade workshops, where you can learn about traditional weaving and even shop for handmade souvenirs.

Return to your homestay in the late afternoon. Relax, take in the peaceful surroundings, and enjoy a home-cooked dinner. Overnight in the stilt house—an unforgettable experience in your best Northern Vietnam tour.

After an early breakfast, depart for the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, a hidden gem often featured in top northern Vietnam tours. Along the way, you’ll stop at Pu Luong Eco Garden to check in and prepare for the day’s adventure.

If today is 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. After some time to rest and take in the village atmosphere, return to your eco-retreat. The rest of the afternoon is free at leisure.

Enjoy your breakfast before heading out on another exciting trek, deep into the heart of northern Vietnam. You’ll begin the day by crossing 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 stop is the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a shining example of Vietnam eco tours. Glide along peaceful waterways in a traditional sampan, weaving through mystical caves and past ancient temples nestled in the karst cliffs.

In the afternoon, continue to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the first royal capital of Vietnam in the 10th century. Discover ancient temples and dive into the rich history that helped shape modern Vietnam.

Return to your eco-lodge in the late afternoon for some well-deserved rest. Whether you relax in the garden or simply admire the surrounding scenery, this day captures the essence of what makes northern Vietnam tours so unforgettable—nature, culture, and deep connection.

Today’s journey continues through the stunning landscapes and spiritual heart of the northern of Vietnam. As part of your immersive northern Vietnam tour, this day blends nature, culture, and personal reflection.

Your first stop is Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of the largest spiritual complexes in Southeast Asia. Walk through its grand corridors lined with hundreds of Buddha statues and marvel at towering golden figures and massive bronze bells. This site reflects the deep spiritual roots that run through many Vietnam eco tours and invites quiet contemplation.

After a flavorful local lunch, head toward the ancient Bich Dong Pagoda, nestled against a dramatic limestone cliff. Its three-tiered structure—Lower, Middle, and Upper pagodas—offers a peaceful climb and fantastic views.

Finally, ascend the legendary Mua Cave viewpoint. While the 500 stone steps may challenge your legs, the reward at the top is beyond words: a breathtaking 360-degree panorama over Tam Coc’s rice paddies and river winding through the karst landscape—one of the most iconic scenes in any Vietnam nature tour.

Return to your lodge in the late afternoon. Spend your evening at leisure, resting or reflecting on the spiritual and natural highlights of the day.

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.