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 is blessed with 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

Lunch and dinner

Early risers may have the opportunity to witness sunrise over the bay. Then enjoy a light breakfast, before disembarking the boat once more for further discovery. On the return journey to port, there is the opportunity to savour the glorious scenery of Halong Bay one final time. Arriving 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 free at leisure.

Emeralda Ninh Binh

Breakfast and lunch

Enjoy your relaxing 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 – 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 point but the impressive panoramic view of Tam Coc and Ninh Binh city when you reach the top point of Ngoa Long mountain is well worth it.

Lunch at local restaurant and transfer back to hotel.

Emeralda Ninh Binh

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 at Thung Khe Pass for, a spectacular view of Mai Chau Valley. Check in your hotel then have an authentic lunch with a local family of the White Thai Tribe and enjoy some free time to acquaint yourself with the villagers.

Sitting atop a private hill in Na Phon village, Mai Chau Ecolodge is the most secluded haven in Mai Chau with a stunning backdrop of lush rice paddies and emerald mountains embraced by clouds. Inspired by nature, they constructed the lodge to be a refuge of charm and serenity, providing guest a chance to forget about the worries of daily life and to enjoy the best Mai Chau has to offer.

In the afternoon, trek through terraced rice paddies and small villages, discovering the natural beauty of the valley. Encounter and witness the culture of the ethnic minority of Thai people with visits to the Pom Coong and Na Phon villages. Return to your hotel in late afternoon to enjoy the rest of your evening.

Mai Chau Ecolodge

Breakfast and lunch

This morning there is the opportunity to visit the nearby colourful market where Vietnamese jostle with local ethnic groups buying and selling a variety of fresh food 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 as well as other rural activities.

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 vibrant 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