Hanoi - Mai Chau - Ninh Binh - 6 Days

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival.
Welcome to Hanoi! Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our guide and escorted to the hotel in the city center. Check in and time for leisure.
Tonight, our guide will take you out to explore Hanoi’s nightlife in the Old Quarter, the heart of Hanoi. The city comes alive in the evening. First, find yourself among hundreds of locals and expats sitting on plastic stools with a pint of bia hoi in hand, cheering and shouting “bottoms-up!” at Bia Hoi Junction, the corner of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets in the Hanoi Old Quarter. Do it as locals do and enjoy the new city with all your senses. Then, walk through the old quarter’s narrow streets as your guide points out a range of tasty noodles, breads and snacks. At night the sidewalks become a stage where these small pop up restaurants feature lively, but they all disappear during the day. Sit down and enjoy a flame grilled Vietnamese barbecue of beef, chicken, tofu and vegetables on skewers. End the night with dessert from Hanoi’s best-known ice-cream parlour before getting a good night’s rest.
Meals: N/A.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi – Hang Kia.
Say goodbye to the bustling capital, you will be picked up at your hotel to journey South West through the rich farmland of the Red River Delta to Mai Chau, the beautiful gateway to the mountainous area of northern Vietnam. The scenic drive offers an excellent opportunity to observe rural Vietnam up-close. The valley of Mai Chau is inhabited by a community of the Thai minority group while the upper lands of Mai Chau are inhabited by the H’mong minority group.
On arrival at Hang Kia village, check in the homestay and prepare for the further activities.
This afternoon, challenge the dirt path used by the locals to the untouched Hmong community. After spending 1.5 hours hiking, you will reach Thung Mai village. On the way, you can find the opportunity to take many awesome photos of the breathtaking view as you trek up the hill. Since the area is much less visited, the local people look quite reserved and curious. They wait for your move so go ahead to master the ceremony! Pay a visit to a home to learn more about the way people live here then interact with kids at the local school before going further up to the point where you can enjoy the beautiful sunset. Transfer back to the homestay by a taxi motorbike.
This evening, enjoy the dinner with the host and stay overnight in the homestay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: Homestay.

Day 3: Hang Kia – Mai Chau.
After a local breakfast in homestay, begin our day with a 3 hour trekking all the way down to Xa Linh, a village located at the mountain foot. From here, transfer to Mai Hich where lunch is prepared by the local Thai people to serve you. Unlike well-known tourist destinations, Mai Hich is a new tourist village, a harmony combination between human being and the nature.
In the afternoon, experience an exciting bamboo rafting to be immersed in gorgeous landscapes of jungles, the peaceful beauty of the countryside culture. In the end, you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel in Mai Chau.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Homestay in Mai Chau.

Day 4: Mai Chau – Ninh Binh.
Enjoy breakfast at hotel before journeying to Hoa Lu, Vietnam's first capital. Visit to temples and walk hundred steps up to top of a mountain for a panorama view of the old capital. After lunch, enjoy a relaxing sampan tour along Ngo Dong River, passing under rocky outcrops and through three limestone caves (Tam Coc). During the rowing boat ride, you will enjoy a unique landscape that has been dubbed “Halong Bay on Land”.
Take a short walk through Limestone Mountains to Thai Vi temple which was dedicated to the four Kings of the Tran dynasty in the 13th century and now offers a place of peace and simplicity against a back drop of ancient architecture.
Visit Bich Dong Pagoda which set among pink lotuses. The pagoda offers spectacular views of the surrounding area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh.

Day 5: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay – Overnight on cruise.
Note: The below itinerary is subject to change without prior notice and depends on weather condition.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then set out on a 3 to 4 hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site: Halong Bay. Come to Ha Long bay wharf around and then have lunch on board with welcome wine. The cruise will take you by exotic islands with shape of Dog, incense urn, sail island, fighting Cocks which are naturally f formed by process of erosion between the see water and lime stone mountain. Arrive Surprise cave and explore the by Kayak boat, paddle to Luon cave, this cave is a natural tunnel thrusts through a mountain’s foot and lead to an exotic lagoon. Surrounded by mountains covered by dense Jungle. Seafood dinner and optional night paddle. Overnight on board inside a wonderfully tranquil atmosphere in Luon cave area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: on cruise.

Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Departure.
A new day, wake you up with joys and emotions in early morning for watching sea. And then have breakfast, continue kayak exploration Paddle from Luon cave toward islets in shape’s Tortoise man’s head and around Hon Gai before returning to the wharf. At noon return to Ha Long wharf, check out the cruise and transfer back to Hanoi's airport. On the way visit Ba Vang Pagoda fascinated by the large and beautiful space. The architecture according the type of majestic monastery.
Good bye & Safe travels!
Meals: Brunch.
Accommodation: N/A.