Vietnam off the beaten track

Today, you'll explore the Vietnamese capital. Your morning begins with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum , his stilt house, and the One Pillar Pagoda , located near Ba Dinh Square where the most solemn ceremonies take place. You'll then continue to the Temple of Literature , which was the country's first academy for scholars.

In the afternoon, you'll explore the city in a unique way with a cyclo-rickshaw ride. This tour begins in Hanoi's Old Quarter and includes stops at Ngoc Son Temple , nestled on Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Quan Thanh Taoist Temple. Your day concludes with a water puppet show, a traditional art form lasting over an hour, created by Vietnamese farmers and perfect for immersing yourself in local myths and customs. You'll spend the night at your hotel in Hanoi .

After breakfast, you'll depart for Mai Chau , a stunning valley in Hoa Binh province. Just outside Hanoi, the landscape transforms, revealing imposing limestone mountain ranges . You'll arrive at your destination late morning in time for lunch.

The afternoon is dedicated to a hike with your local guide. You'll walk through the rural villages of Na Meo and Na Mo, immersing yourself in the culture and customs of the Thai ethnic group. This region boasts beautiful traditional stilt houses , often bordered by small fish ponds and rice paddies, with the rainforest as a backdrop. You'll enjoy dinner and spend the night in Mai Chau .

After breakfast in Mai Chau, you check out of your room and head towards Pu Luong . Your route takes you through the Pu Luong Nature Reserve via a spectacular mountain pass, offering breathtaking panoramic views across the valley. You'll have lunch at your accommodation in Pu Luong, followed by free time to appreciate the tranquility and peaceful surroundings.

In the afternoon, you'll set off on a walk to meet the locals who live in the surrounding hills. This immersive experience will allow you to observe daily life, cross farmland and working rice paddies, and gain a deeper understanding of the region's culture. You'll then walk back to your accommodation for dinner. Overnight in Pu Luong .

After breakfast, you'll begin your day with an easy 4-6km hike , taking approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. You'll descend into the magnificent valley of terraced rice paddies that stretches out opposite your accommodation. Following small paths lined with vegetation, you'll reach the picturesque village of Uoi , nestled at the foot of an imposing mountain, offering breathtaking panoramic views from its heights.

You continue your descent on foot to a local house for a short break before gearing up for an 8km to 10km bike ride, lasting 1.5 to 2 hours. You cycle through village roads and rice paddies around Lan village, with the opportunity to learn about traditional brocade weaving at a local's home. Your route takes you to Hieu village, where you'll discover its famous waterfall, the only one in the nature reserve. A transfer by vehicle then takes you back to your accommodation for dinner. Overnight in Pu Luong .

You set off early in the morning towards Ninh Binh , the former capital of Vietnam. Along the way, you observe farmers working in the rice paddies . You arrive around 10:00 AM in the village of Ninh Hai to pick up your mountain bikes . Your guide takes you cycling along unspoiled country lanes, rarely frequented by tourists. At 10:30 AM, you stop at a local family's home to learn about their way of life, before cycling through the Tam Coc Valley, nicknamed the "Halong Bay on land" because of its impressive limestone karsts .

At 11:00 AM, you will visit the Thai Vi Temple , built in 1258 by King Tran Thai Tong. Afterwards, you will have lunch at a local restaurant at 11:30 AM. At 1:20 PM, a transfer will take you to the Trang An pier. You will board a traditional bamboo sampan for a leisurely boat trip. Your boat will pass through several natural caverns, including the 320-meter-long Dark Cave and the 90-meter- long Light Cave . Overnight in Ninh Binh .

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll depart for the renowned Halong Bay , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, you'll board your boat for an overnight stay. Your cruise through the bay will be punctuated by stops to explore natural caves or enjoy a swim . At the end of the day, you'll admire the sunset over the sea before savoring a dinner of fresh seafood . Overnight on board.

Note: The cruise itinerary may be changed without prior notice depending on weather conditions. Your tour guide will not be on board; an English-speaking ship's manager and crew will be responsible for all passengers during the voyage.

In the morning, you have the opportunity to watch the sunrise over the islets in the bay . Your boat continues its journey through spectacular areas where each rock formation evokes a unique silhouette, such as the Incense Rock or the famous Cockfighting Rocks . You return to the dock around midday.

You will then head to Noi Bai Airport for your domestic flight to Hue . Upon arrival, a transfer will take you directly to your hotel . Overnight in Hue .

You will dedicate your morning to exploring Hue , the first city in the country to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectural masterpieces and traditional way of life. You will discover the charms of the former royal capital by visiting the Royal Citadel , the Forbidden City , and the Hue Royal Museum, before immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Dong Ba Market .

In the afternoon, you'll travel towards Hoi An . Your journey will take you over the famous Hai Van Pass , nicknamed the Pass of Clouds, which offers exceptional views of the coastline. You'll stop to admire the panorama at Lang Co Beach before continuing your trip. Arrival and overnight stay in Hoi An .

After breakfast, you'll travel to the charming vegetable village of Tra Que , on the outskirts of Hoi An. This area is renowned for the quality of its aromatic herbs, which flavor local culinary specialties. You'll stroll through the vegetable gardens and join the farmers to learn about traditional agricultural techniques, from tilling the soil to harvesting the crops. After your visit, your hosts will guide you through a cooking class to prepare a typical lunch from central Vietnam.

The afternoon is dedicated to a walking tour of Hoi An 's Old Town. Accompanied by your guide, you'll cross the famous Japanese Covered Bridge , discover ancient trading houses, Chinese assembly halls, and pagodas. You'll end your walk at the market along the Thu Bon River . The town is also ideal for finding lanterns, silk, or having custom-made clothing designed. Overnight in Hoi An .

Enjoy your free time at your own pace, perhaps doing some last-minute shopping or taking one last stroll through the city. Depending on your flight schedule, your guide will meet you at your accommodation to arrange your transfer to Da Nang Airport for your departure flight . End of our services.

Note: Hotel rooms must generally be vacated before 12pm.