Northern Vietnam adventure and culture trip

Welcome to Hanoi, an ancient capital with more than a thousand years of history. Wander the 14th century Old Quarter, admire historic temples, browse bustling markets, and discover modern cafés, world-class restaurants, and contemporary art galleries.

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Begin your Vietnam travel experience with a tailored orientation walk or an evening street food tasting.

Morning private tour through Hanoi's colonial boulevards, lakes, and Old Quarter coffee shops. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature to connect with Vietnam's history and architecture.

In the afternoon, explore the Museum of Ethnology's rich displays, take a cyclo through Old Quarter alleys and tube houses for authentic street life, then enjoy a water puppet show rooted in Red River Delta traditions.

Drive from Hanoi to Mai Chau in Hoa Binh Province on a scenic four-hour journey into broad valley views and the stilt house villages of the White Thai community. Considered one of the best places to visit in Vietnam for rural culture and landscapes, Mai Chau invites slow exploration.

Enjoy a relaxed walk or a 7 km bike ride to Lac Hamlet, then continue cycling through rice paddies and quiet villages. Along the way, meet White Thai families and learn about rice farming, buffalo herding, and traditional stilt house life with insight from your local guide.

After breakfast, drive to the H’Mong hill tribe hamlet of Xa Linh. Breathe in the fresh mountain air on a gentle two-hour hike along scenic paths, learning about local customs along the way, with a visit to Pa Co Market or Pa Co Primary School.

Return in the afternoon for free time at the retreat, or enjoy a peaceful walk through Pom Coong and Lac villages to meet welcoming locals and discover handmade crafts.

Depart Mai Chau after breakfast and travel through mountain valleys, with stops at local markets and stilt house villages along the way. Arrive in Ninh Binh, known for its dramatic karst scenery, and enjoy a peaceful boat ride through rice paddies and caves, a gentle cycling loop to nearby temples, or an optional cooking class with a local family.

Later, float for two tranquil hours along the Tam Coc River, often called “Ha Long Bay on Land,” as a skilled boatman rows past rice fields and towering limestone cliffs. Glide through three natural caverns to admire striking karst formations, with time to meet local rowers and villagers before continuing your journey.

Leave Ninh Binh in the morning for a scenic drive to Ha Long Bay, passing rural landscapes and local villages along the way, a memorable transition in your Vietnam itinerary. Board the elegant Capella Cruise and set sail through Lan Ha Bay and the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.

Explore soaring limestone pillars, hidden grottoes, and forested islets, with guided cave visits, kayaking, and swimming in turquoise coves. An optional cooking demonstration and sunset cocktails add local flavor before an overnight stay on board, anchored in a quiet bay beneath a star-filled sky.

Wake to gentle waves aboard the Capella Cruise in Lan Ha Bay. After breakfast, set out on a guided bike ride through Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island, meeting residents and gaining insight into rural life.

Enjoy a tailor-made Vietnamese lunch before spending the afternoon at Three Peach Beach, where white sand and emerald waters invite swimming and relaxation. Return to the cruise in the evening to unwind and enjoy peaceful bay views.

Wake to gentle waves and a sea breeze aboard the Capella Cruise in Lan Ha Bay. Begin the morning with a sunrise tai chi session to refresh body and mind, then enjoy breakfast with tea or coffee as limestone karsts and floating fishing villages drift past.

Later, complete the cruise in Ha Long and transfer back to Hanoi with flexible timing and optional stops along the way.