Leaving Hanoi early this morning, you will be driven to Halong City, a journey time of approximately 3.5 hours. On arrival, board the Bhaya Classic boat for your overnight cruise of Halong Bay. As you sail through emerald waters and past rocky islets and lush islands, a delicious lunch will be served on board.

Halong Bay encompasses numerous grottoes, hidden pools and mystical islands and this afternoon, there will be the opportunity to disembark the boat and explore the region further. Off-boat excursions are usually by ship’s tender although often there is the opportunity to discover the beautiful landscapes of the bay by kayak or bamboo rowing boat. Visits to nearby caves or sandy beaches may also be on the agenda and of course there is always the option to remain on board and take in the glorious vista from the spacious sundeck.

As night falls, the boat will drop anchor in a peaceful spot. Enjoy a refreshing drink and the view from the sundeck before sitting down to a leisurely dinner.

Bhaya Classic Cruise (or similar)

Lunch and dinner

Early risers may have the opportunity to witness a spectacular sunrise over the bay before you enjoy a light breakfast. Disembark the boat once more to explore more of Halong Bay’s striking landscapes. Savour the views as you arrive back into port mid morning. You will be met and transferred to Ninh Binh with lunch served in a local restaurant en route.

Arrive in Ninh Binh, check into your hotel and enjoy a leisurely evening. You may like to take a refreshing dip in the hotel’s pool, enjoy a treatment at the spa, or even hire a bike and explore some of the surrounding area.

Emeralda Ninh Binh (or similar)

Breakfast and lunch

Enjoy a relaxed morning at the hotel before being transferred to Tam Coc Pier for a leisurely rowing boat trip along the Boi River and enjoy the scenery of Tam Coc grottos, seasonal rice fields and the life of farmers in the Red River Delta. Due to the huge rock formations jutting out of the rice paddies, the area is sometimes referred to as ‘Halong Bay on land’.

There is an optional trek to Hang Mua, or the Dancing Cave, which was built on the model of the Miniature Great Wall in China and has nearly 500 steps. There are uneven limestone steps at the top, but the impressive panoramic view of Tam Coc and Ninh Binh city when you reach the summit of Ngoa Long mountain is well worth it.

Enjoy lunch at local restaurant and then transfer back to the hotel, where you are free to relax, or you can take part in one of the hotel’s activities.

Emeralda Ninh Binh (or similar)

Breakfast and lunch

After breakfast, we depart Ninh Binh and transfer by road to Mai Chau. Stop along the way to visit the Muong Tribe, and then pause at Thung Khe Pass for a spectacular view of Mai Chau Valley. Check in your hotel, then enjoy an authentic lunch with a local family of the White Thai Tribe.

Sitting atop a private hill in Na Phon village, Mai Chau Ecolodge is a most secluded haven, with a stunning backdrop of lush rice paddies and emerald mountains embraced by clouds.

In the afternoon, trek through terraced rice paddies and small villages, visiting Pom Coong and Na Phon. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon to enjoy the rest of your evening.

Mai Chau Ecolodge (or similar)

Breakfast and lunch

This morning there is the opportunity to visit a nearby colourful market where you’ll find a variety of fresh produce. Mai Chau is known for its production of colourful embroidery and on your walk you can observe the skill and intricacies of this craft.

If you wish to experience Mai Chau’s relaxed hill tribe life and breathtaking scenery, you can take a short drive through the surrounding countryside, before setting off on a trek through rice paddies and down winding lanes to visit the Cum and Sam Khoe villages. Immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy an authentic lunch at one of the villages. After lunch at a local house it is then time to transfer back to Hanoi.

Breakfast and lunch