North Vietnam Outback

Day 1
Hanoi – Ninh Binh (Lunch: Meals at Local Restaurant (Vietnam) )
By vehicle from Hanoi (city) to Ninh Binh with sightseeing at handicraft villages in Nam Dinh
En route to Ninh Binh, stop at Lam town, go further inside the town along the small canal to see the wood carving, carpentry village where local makes wooden products including: furniture, wood carving product, worshiping objects. You may have chance to visit the small brass foundry factory as well and see how the foundry man doing his job.
Excursion to Tam Coc (Dry Halong Bay) with boat trip
Journey just outside town to Tam Coc, or Dry Halong Bay. This area is famous for its breath-taking scenery, where dramatic limestone formations rise sharply out of green rice paddies and wetlands. Embark on a small, hand rowed sampan, and begin the journey along green waterways. The name Tam Coc means, three caves, so take the opportunity to pass under a sequence of three caves which are Hang Ca, Hang Giua and Hang Coi, as your boat glides past green rice fields and lotus ponds.
Visit Van Lam
traditional embroidery village
Located right in Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourism complex. VAN LAM VILLAGE was the birthplace of embroidery since the ancient time. Up to now, this traditional job has been handed down from generation to generation. Visit a small local factory and enjoy seeing local craftsmen made embroidered on handkerchiefs, napkins, tablecloths, t-shirts.. – Overnight in Ninh Binh

Day 2
Ninh Binh – Cuc Phuong National Park – Thanh Hoa (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals at Local Restaurant (Vietnam) )
By vehicle from Ninh Binh to Cuc Phuong National Park
Trekking excursion in Cuc Phuong National Park
Drive from Cuc Phuong Resort to the Cuc Phuong National Park to start a 7km trek. Along the way see the 1000 year old Wang Hsie Tree, and visit a prehistoric cave where human skeletons and stone tools 7,500 years old have been found. Also visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center, to observe rare primate species.
By vehicle from Cuc Phuong National Park to Hieu village (Thanh Hoa) with sightseeing at holy fish stream
From Cuc Phuong National Park, transfer to Hieu village (Co Luong commune, Ba Thuoc district, Thanh Hoa province). On the way, stop to visit the Cam Luong fish stream which contains thousands of fish that called holy genie by local people. Continue the journey to Pho Doan market where you will be take a walk to Hieu village (5km) or will be picked up by taxi om – Overnight in Thanh Hoa

Day 3
Pu Luong – Thanh Hoa (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam) / Dinner: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam) )
Trekking excursion around Pu Luong Nature Reserve, day 1 of 2
Enjoy lunch at Don village, in the afternoon, transfer to a suspension bridge over the Cham River, where you begin your walk in search of stunning water wheels. Get up close to each wheel and discover how water is moved from river to handmade bamboo aqueducts via simple constructions of all sizes. Arriving at a local fisherman’s house, you have a short rest to gear up for the rafting adventure. Float along the calm river and enjoy the views, in between learning how to paddle and steer your handcrafted rafts. Arriving at scenic Tan Lap bridge, you disembark to be transferred back to Pu Luong Retreat for dinner. Overnight in private valley view bungalow at Pu Luong Retreat – Overnight in Thanh Hoa

Day 4
Pu Luong – Thanh Hoa – Mai Chau (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam) )
Trekking excursion around Pu Luong Nature Reserve, day 2 of 2
Start early to descend into the beautiful valley, walk around tumbling rice terraces or trek through small paths shrouded in vegetation to slowly reveal a picturesque village sitting at the base of a towering mountain. Continuing to the base of the valley, weave between roads and farmland, villages and wild fields, ponds and rivers, mountains and open land. Then you will be transferred back to Pu Luong Retreat for lunch.
By vehicle from Pho Doan (Thanh Hoa) to Mai Chau with sightseeing in Don village
En route to Mai Chau, stop to visit Muong ethnic minority – Don village, enjoy nice view over the lush paddy fields. Back to the car, drive to Mai Chau – Overnight in Mai Chau

Day 5
Mai Chau – Son Tay (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals at Local Restaurant (Vietnam) )
By vehicle from Mai Chau to Duong Lam ancient village (Son Tay)
In the morning visit some of the remote and untouched villages that surround Mai Chau. Take this opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and learn more about the local culture. After lunch, drive to Duong Lam, an ancient village set in the middle of beautiful rice fields. It is home to picturesque old houses built of wood and laterite stone that have been preserved in their original state. Wander along the narrow alleyways, stopping to chat with the locals, and visit some of the temples that were built in honour of the two kings born in the village – Overnight in Son Tay

Day 6
Son Tay (Breakfast: Hotel )
By vehicle from Duong Lam ancient village (Son Tay) to Hanoi (city) with sightseeing at Thay pagoda
Transfer from Duong Lam to Hanoi, en route stop for visit Thay pagoda one of the oldest pagodas in North of Vietnam with ancient fine wood structures and sculptures. The pagoda is dedicated to the creator of water puppetry, the venerable monk Tu Dao Hanh, known for his exemplary religious life

INCLUDED SERVICES:
– Program is based on English speaking guide. For other languages a supplement charge will apply.
– accommodation as mentioned above or equivalent.
– meals according to itinerary / Breakfast box in lieu of ABF when early morning flight.
– Porter fees at the airport where guide service is booked.
– ground transportation in private A/C vehicle.
– 1 complimentary bottle of drinking water and 1 cold towel per person per half day tour/ 2 bottles of water and 2 cold towels per person per full day tour.
– sightseeing incl. admission fees according to itinerary.

EXCLUDED SERVICES:
– visa fees, drinks, personal expenses. ** Visa Procedures: Vietnam
For bookings of roundtrip or module packages, we will confirm one of the hotels mentioned above according to the selected category. Please note that compulsory gala dinners and peak season surcharges may apply during peak periods surrounding the public holidays of Christmas and New Year and Lunar New Year (TET Festival) – these surcharges will be confirmed at the time of booking.