How to Plan an Incredible Family Trip to Japan in 2024/2025. Learn more.

6-Day Northern Vietnam Discovery Tour

By Nora OuUpdated Jan. 23, 2024
The Best of Northern Vietnam

This is an adventure for culture and nature lovers. Feast your eyes on the idyllic countryside of Hoa Lu and Tam Coc, Vietnam's charming capital of Hanoi, and enjoy a renowned Halong Bay cruise. Get close to a hill tribe and H'mong traditions by cycling through a beautiful valley in Mai Chau and hiking along scenic mountain trails.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

Highlights

  • Enjoy the stunning views of Northern Vietnam's countryside at Hoa Lu and Tam Coc.
  • Go beyond simply looking at the scenery and get close to the Mai Chau hill tribe and the Xa Linh H'mong culture by cycling and meandering along their trails.
  • Feast your eyes on the picturesque karst seascape during a Halong Bay cruise and relish in its tranquility by staying on board overnight.

Itinerary in Detail

Day 1
Arrival in Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi Pearl Hotel(4star)/ Apricot Hotel Hanoi(5 star)

Upon arrival, your guide and driver will greet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel. You will have the rest of the day to recover from jetlag or to spend at your leisure wandering around your hotel.

Day 2
A Day Tour to Immerse Yourself in the Idyllic Countryside of Ninh Binh
Breakfast and lunch

After a 2-hour drive from Hanoi, you will arrive in the province of Ninh Binh to see its World Heritage Site — the Trang An Landscape Complex. It's renowned for its sheer cliff walls that jut out from the surrounding land and water abruptly. Peaks and cliffs covered in dense rain forests, rice paddy fields, and lush water all blend into a beautiful picture.

Next, visit Vietnam's ancient capital of Hoa Lu, which was the country's first centralized feudal state from the end of the 10th century. The temples of the Dinh and Le dynasties, surrounded by rice paddies, are part of only a few surviving ancient citadels.

Continue to Tam Coc, known as "Halong Bay on Land", where a skilled rower will take you on a slow 2-hour journey along the winding river and canals. Enjoy views of the beautiful karst landscape and discover three hidden natural caves formed under the hills.

Take a boat ride in Ninh Binh
Take a boat ride in Ninh Binh
Day 3
Unveil the Hill Tribe Culture with a Valley Cycling Tour in Mai Chau
Mai Chau Ecolodge (4 star)
Breakfast and lunch

Depart for Hanoi on a scenic 4-hour drive southwest to Mai Chau, which is in the province of Hoa Binh.

The impressive evergreen mountains and valleys surrounded by a lush landscape and stilt houses are home to the White Thai ethnic group.

Check in at Mai Chau Ecolodge upon arrival. Head to Lac Hamlet and enjoy your lunch of homemade cuisine. Take a relaxing cycling journey (7 kilometers) through beautiful valleys and seize the chance to chat with a hill tribe, unveiling their lifestyle and traditions.

Rice terraces in Mai Chau
Rice terraces in Mai Chau
Day 4
Discover a H'mong Village During a Mountain Walk
Hanoi Pearl Hotel(4star) / Apricot Hotel Hanoi(5 star)
Breakfast and lunch

After a 45-minute drive, Xa Linh greets you with its cool mountain breeze.

Enjoy a 2-hour walk as you meander along scenic mountain trails and arrive at the homeland of a H'mong hill tribe. You will get an insight into their culture and traditions.

An optional visit to Pa Co Primary School (closed on weekends, public holidays, and in summer) or Pa Co Market (only open on Sundays) is available.

Return to Mai Chau Ecolodge for lunch before being driven back to Hanoi.

A local village in Mai Chau
A local village in Mai Chau
Day 5
A Visual Feast on a Halong Bay Cruise
Bhaya Cruise(4 star)/ Au Co Cruise(5 star)
breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Take a relaxing cruise to explore the renowned Halong Bay. You will be amazed by its stunning natural landscape, interesting waterfront lifestyle, the onboard catering service, and more.

You will spend the day feasting your eyes on the most stunning limestone seascape and fantastic caves, and treating your palate with fresh seafood. You could also entertain yourself with optional activities, such as kayaking, swimming, and diving.

Itineraries differ for each cruise but you will probably visit Cua Van fishing village, Vung Vieng fishing village, Me Cung Cave, Virgin Cave, and Surprise Cave, as well as passing some small islets, such as Fighting Cocks Islet, Human Head Islet, and Toad Islet.

A cooking class at night and a tai chi lesson in the morning are included in some cruises.

A Halong Bay Crusie
A Halong Bay Crusie
Day 6
Halong Bay to Hanoi and Airport Transfer
brunch

Your cruise comes to a perfect end and it's time to take your private transfer to the airport in Hanoi for your onward flight.

Asia Highlights is more than happy to be part of your unforgettable Northern Vietnam tour and we hope to help you again soon.

Our Service Includes:

6 days from
US$ 829
per person (based on 2 persons and 4-star hotels)
  • Private transfers and English-speaking tour guide
  • All guided sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
  • Hotel accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
  • Breakfasts at hotels and lunches for every guided day
  • Governmental taxes

ah-vn-4

Hand-Picked Hotels

We have selected hotels with different styles and for different budgets. Let us know your preferences and we will help you find the right one.

standard room at hanoi pearl hotel
Hanoi
Hanoi Pearl Hotel
Mai Chau Ecolodge
Mai Chau
Mai Chau Ecolodge
Bhaya Cruise
Halong Bay
Bhaya Cruise

Inquire now! Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.

How would you travel?

What's your hotel choice?

When would you travel?

I prefer to be contacted via:

Why Asia Highlights (10,000+ reviews & 98.8% 5-star rating)

  • Save Your Time:
  • Less research, more enjoyment!
  • Real-time 1V1 expert planning
  • Maximize Your Flexibility:
  • Personal local guide and ride
  • Explore at your own pace
  • Celebrate Your Journeys:
  • Specially-crafted family adventures
  • Celebrate milestones with style!

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

More reviews

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.

More Travel Ideas and Inspiration

Start planning your tailor-made tour with 1-1 help from our travel advisors. Create My Trip
4.9 ExcellentTrustPilot rating TrustPilot Logo

Sign up to Our Newsletter

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Click to sign up

Why Asia Highlights

Save Your Time

Save Your Time

  • Less research, more enjoyment!
  • Real-time 1V1 expert planning.
  • Seamless coordination
Maximize Your Flexibility

Maximize Your Flexibility

  • Your own personal guide and ride.
  • Explore at your own pace.
  • Unparalleled flexibility, impossible on a group tour.
Ensure Your Satisfactory

Ensure Your Satisfactory

  • Well-trained elite 20% of guides.
  • 20% vacancy on vehicles.
  • 24/7 emergency support.
Celebrate Your Journey

Celebrate Your Journey

  • Family adventures
  • Celebrate milestones with style!
  • Photographer service for special moments

Where Can We Take You Today?

Rated 5 out of 5 | 98.8% Excellence
China Highlights International
Travel Service Co., LTD
Featured on
China Highlights was featured on these medias.

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China