Overview

Discover the authentic beauty of Northern Vietnam in 12 unforgettable days. From the dramatic landscapes of Cao Bang and the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, to the serene rice fields of Ninh Binh and the peaceful charm of Mai Chau, this journey blends nature, culture, and local life. Enjoy village cycling, mountain loops, and street food adventures — the perfect mix of exploration and relaxation.

Day 1 Land in Hanoi – relax after long flight.

Day 2 Hanoi hidden Gem – transfer to Sapa.

Day 3 Cao Bang loops.

Day 4 Cao Bang loops.

Day 5 Cao Bang loops – transfer back to Hanoi.

Day 6 Ha Long bay 2 days 1 night.

Day 7 Halong to Ninh Binh – Hoa Lu ancient town by night.

Day 8 Ninh Binh hidden Gem – Ninh Binh to Mai Chau.

Day 9 Mai Chau cycling – enjoy the countryside.

Day 10 Mai Chau back to Hanoi – Hanoi walking street food tour.

Day 11 Hanoi incent village.

Day 12 Leave Vietnam from Hanoi

Itinerary Details

Day 1 Land in Hanoi – relax after long flight.

WELCOME TO VIETNAM

Landing at Noi Bai international airport, after collecting your visa and luggage, Moving outside and Our representative will receive you at the pickup point to escort you to the hotel. After a smooth check-in process (The room is at your disposal from 14.00 onwards), settle down in your comfortable room and de-stress yourself.

You can explore your own local sightseeing such as exploring the long standing history Hanoi, beginning with

–  Ha Noi Train Street – Unique attraction where visitors can watch a train speeding by along a cramped thoroughfare.

–  Ha Noi Church, The Opera House, then going around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple, Ly Thai To Statue.

–  Observe the Dong Xuan Wholesale Market

–  Lotte Mall with Observation Sky Deck

Optional—— traditional Water Puppet Show, a unique northern Vietnamese art

form especially designed for depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.

Dinner by your own. Overnight at Hanoi.

Night market is available from Friday to Sunday

Day 2 Hanoi hidden Gem – transfer to Sapa.

Morning: Chill the vibe of Hanoi 

Afternoon: please make check out before 12h00 and leave luggage in lobby

Our guide will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. You will be greeted by our guide and driver at your hotel lobby or our meeting point for a safety briefing, we then begin our adventure.

On the first part of our Hanoi Jeep tour, We will take you to see the Hanoi Opera House – the biggest theater in Vietnam, which is also considered as a historical and architectural landmark as well as an attraction in Hanoi where a range of important events have taken place. 

We expose you the REAL HANOI with a day in the life experiences, featured with the parts-unknown of the city with slices of life in the maze of backstreets, tiny alleyways, local homes, schools, random markets and black market, experiencing where & how locals live, work and play. Other travel companies just show you the beauty and tell you to run away from the bad and the weird of your destinations.

On Hanoi Jeep Tours’ journeys, not only do we show you the good but we also expose the bad and the weird of your destinations as it is what it is. For us, the run-off-the mill tourist sites are only the tip of the iceberg, the majority of your destinations remain hidden in the unknown parts-unknown.

On the second part of the Hanoi Jeep tour, we pass by & stop at the MUST-SEE places of our beautiful city. On the way we will pass through Ho Chi Minh mausoleum – the Mecca of Vietnamese Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, sacred place built to keep Ho Chi Minh’s body remained after he passed away so that he can somehow find contentment in seeing Vietnam united. 

After that, We take you through the Thanh Nien street which lies between 2 beautiful lakes of Hanoi, one of the most beautiful streets of the city. Then we moved to banana island which we call The hidden charm of Hanoi where it is just about 3,4 km far from the center but the scenery is totally different from modern cities. 

You have a chance to visit their farm, see the local’s houses, talk with local people to know about their lifestyle, enjoy the organic tropical fruits they grow by themselves and try the green tea. 

After that we also take you to the peaceful & alluring out-skirt villages around West lake and Truc Bach lake to enrich your experiences about the contrast in harmony of life between the city center and the out-skirt. Then we went to visit  and learn about Van Nien pagoda or also known as the 1000-year-old Buddhist pagoda, it’s one of the most ancient pagodas in Hanoi.

On the third part of the Hanoi Jeep tour, while we are traveling, you will see Hoang Hoa Tham, the most beautiful bonsai street in Hanoi, which will impress you with the fresh green trees and colorful flowers. 

Our Jeep will take you go through the back street, see the small alleys of Hanoi as you would experience a hidden tranquil of Hanoi – B52 American aircraft which was shot down by Vietnamese people, a hectic of Hanoi with thousands of Skyscrapers in the new parts of the city. It is not only a ride but a journey that you would learn about Hanoi before, now and then.

On the last part of Hanoi Jeep tour, you will stop at different AUTHENTIC restaurants, eateries and food stalls to savor the tastiest of the tasty dishes of Hanoi including family heirloom & secret recipe dishes, local delicacies and specialties.

Reach hotel around 17h00

Free time for dinner

18h30 take private car to Cao Bang – take 7 hours ride

Overnight in VIP CABIN sleeper bus

Day 3 Cao Bang loops.

08:00 – Breakfast at hostel in Cao Bằng City

08:30 – Tour guide picks you up at the hostel

Morning Highlights:

• Ma Phục Pass – scenic mountain pass
• Phja Thắp Village – meet the Nùng ethnic group
• Phúc Sen Village – traditional blacksmith village

Afternoon Highlights:

• Bản Giốc Waterfall – one of Vietnam’s most stunning waterfalls
• Ngườm Ngao Cave – impressive limestone cave

Evening:

• Check-in at homestay near Bản Giốc Waterfall
• Dinner and overnight at homestay

Day 4 Cao Bang loops.

08:00 – Breakfast at homestay

08:30 – Depart for Phong Nam Valley

Highlights:

• Phong Nam Village – peaceful rural scenery
• Núi Thủng (Angel Eye Mountain) – unique circular mountain formation
• Return to Phja Thắp Village – visit the Incense Village

Evening:

• Stay at Mr. Kim’s Homestay in Phja Thắp
• Dinner and breakfast included

Day 5 Cao Bang loops – transfer back to Hanoi.

07:00 – Breakfast at homestay

07:30 – Depart for Ba Bể Lake

Highlights:

• Boat trip on Ba Bể Lake
• Visit Puông Cave and Ao Tiên (Fairy Pond)
• Optional swimming in the lake

Evening:

Take private car back to Hanoi 

After 5-6 hours, reach Hanoi 

Day 6 Ha Long bay 2 days 1 night.

08:00 am Pick up from Hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter  (bring all luggage)

11:30 am – 12:00 am Arrive at Tuan Chau harbor, check in at the waiting room.

12:00 am – 12:30 pm Get on Tender Boat to Cruise and enjoy Welcome drink, meet the captain, crew to get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Complete check-in procedure.

01:00 pm – 01:15 pm Enjoy Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian lunch, while cruising in the magnificent Ha Long – Lan Ha Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.

03:00 pm You can choose to relax on the sundeck or explore Tra Bau area and the natural lagoon of Lan Ha Bay and experience kayaking or swimming here.

05:30 pm – 06:00 pm Come back to our cruise and participate in our Cooking Class. Take photos and relax with “Happy Hour”: Promotion for drinks.

07:00 pm Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful on-board catering staff, night view on Lan Ha Bay is incredible.

09:00 pm After dinner, you can join the squid fishing program and relax on the sundeck, enjoy the atmosphere on Bay at night.

Day 7 Halong to Ninh Binh – Hoa Lu ancient town by night.

06:00 am Taichi on the sundeck, sightseeing sunrise.

06:15 am – 07:00 am Cruises continues to passing amazing karst towers. Tea, coffee and light breakfast is served with fresh air and peaceful surroundings.

07:00 am Visitors Dark and Light Cave. Here you can freely kayak or bamboo Boat to explore the landscape, or immerse yourself in the cool, clear blue water of this place.

09:30 am Back to your cabin, take relax and check carefully all the luggage before leaving your cabin.

10:00 am Check-out from the private cabin and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay for room service. Complete check-out procedure. Enjoy lunch at the restaurant while the cruise is returning to the harbor.

11:00 am Get on Tender Boat to back to Tuan Chau habor

11:30 am – 12:00 am Car transfer service by the highway from Halong to Ninh Binh 

16:00 pm – 16:30 pm Reach Ninh Binh and check in

Day 8 Ninh Binh hidden Gem – Ninh Binh to Mai Chau.

Morning, after breakfast, make check out – leave luggage in lobby store

8:30 – Our tour guide and van will pick you up at your hotel

9h30: Visit Mua Cave (Mua means Dance) with 500 steps up to the Top of Mua Mountain. On the Top, you can overview all the nice scenes of Hoa Lu.

11h0: Visit Hoa Lu – the Ancient Royal capital of Viet Nam. We will visit Dinh king temple and Le king temple, in the 10th century, finding out the heroic histories of these two Kings in the Chinese Wars. After that, we went to Tam Coc (10 km far from Hoa Lu).

12:30 – Enjoy lunch at our restaurant with the great local cuisines.

13h30: Depart to visit Trang An Eco-Tourism attraction, there is beautiful scenery landscape, you will boarding a small boat to visit Trang An, you will see majestic limestone cliffs and mysterious yet inviting caves, as well as countryside sights, like peaceful streams, rice paddies and deserted green fields. 

Take a boat trip to visit the cave complex: Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou in mystery and wilderness, see scenery of mountain and rivers Ha Long on land of Ninh Binh.

16h30: Get on bus and keep going to visit Bich Dong pagoda ( oldest pagoda in Ninh Binh )

Explore this tranquil, centuries-old pagoda nestled against a limestone mountain and surrounded by lush greenery and lotus ponds.
Climb through three levels of pagodas—Ha (Lower), Trung (Middle), and Thuong (Upper)—each offering serene spaces for reflection and stunning views of the countryside.
Admire the unique blend of natural beauty and spiritual significance, with a hidden cave temple at the heart of the complex.

17h00: We arrive at your hotel and finish the tour.

Day 9 Mai Chau cycling – enjoy the countryside.

Morning, enjoy the vibe of Mai Chau

Our guide comes and takes you further (approximately 45-50km on 10-speed mountain bikes) as you ride past picturesque landscapes of streams, mountains and paddy fields. 

You will be hosted by a local family in the village of Buoc for lunch before continuing on your cycling tour through the White Thai villages of Pieng Ve, Xam Khoe and Van Mai 

Travel further and faster through the Mai Chau Valley and beyond on the back of a bicycle! 

The diverse settlements of Mai Chau and surrounds offer a range of cycling options, from an easy two hour trip on the flat valley floor to a full day of adventure on rough terrain

Have time for lunch in local restaurant

Day 10 Mai Chau back to Hanoi – Hanoi walking street food tour.

Morning,  chill and relax

Make check out before 12h00

Our bus limousine come to take you back to Hanoi 

After 3 hours ride, reach Hanoi hotel, check in and relax

Afternoon 17h30 start the journey Hanoi walking street food tour

• Be picked up from hotels or meeting points located in the center of  Hanoi Old Quarter (Only) – Quick Vietnamese greeting lessons.
• Tour guides discuss any food allergies before starting a tour and tell tourists about Vietnamese cuisine, Vietnamese (Hanoian) history, culture while touring.
• Tour guides will take tourists to eat at lots of special corners , alleys and restaurants of The Old Quarter that you might miss if you go by yourself  to try variety of street foods and drinks

• Tour ends at Hoan Kiếm Lake or anywhere convenient for tourists to return, and then tour guides will show them how to get back your hotels/hostels if tour has more than 2 groups otherwise we will take you back hotels.

Day 11 Hanoi incent village.

7:45 – 8:15: Pick up at Old Quarter by tour guide. Begin your adventure in Ha Thai village, renowned for its lacquerware production since the 17th century. 

Meet a celebrated local artisan who will introduce you to this traditional art form. 

Under their expert guidance, you’ll have the opportunity to create your own lacquer painting as a unique souvenir.\

Next, journey to the 300-year-old Chuong village, famous for its conical hat making. 

Wander through the village and, depending on availability, either visit a war veteran to hear personal stories from the Vietnam War or meet other local artisans to learn about their daily lives. 

Enjoy a delicious home-cooked lunch prepared by a local female artisan, immersing yourself in authentic Vietnamese hospitality. 

After lunch, try your hand at painting your own hat or join in the hat-making process with guidance from skilled craftspeople. 

Complete your artisanal tour at the vibrant Quang Phu Cau incense village. Walk through the village center to observe family-scale incense production. 

Visit a household specializing in dyeing incense sticks and capture stunning photos of colorful incense bundles. 

The experience culminates with a tour of the village’s largest incense factory, where you’ll witness the entire production process and gain insights into the lives of rural workers. 

17:00 – 17:30: Your journey concludes with a return to Hanoi, with the option to be dropped off at the famous Train Street or another location of your choice. 

This full-day tour offers a comprehensive immersion into Vietnam’s living

Day 12 Leave Vietnam from Hanoi

And here comes an end to the joyous vacation as the last day of your holiday package arrives! Have a scrumptious breakfast at the hotel and get ready to depart from hotel with memorable memories. Our representative will pick you and drop at the airport to catch the flight.

Finished 12 days in Vietnam!!!

NOTE: 

• The itinerary might subject to change due to weather or tide condition with our prior notice
• Schedule subject to change upon weather and operation conditions
• Promotion might apply, inclusions and exclusions might change – you will be informed of changes upon booking.
• All prices are in United States Dollars ($) unless otherwise indicated. Please note that prices quoted are subject to change. Price changes may occur by reason of matters outside our control which increase the cost of the services which we arrange on your behalf. Such factors include adverse currency fluctuations, fuel costs, taxes and accommodation increases. The price is only guaranteed once paid for in full by you. No refunds will be made in respect of accommodation, meals, activities, transport or other services which are included in the tour price but, for whatever reason, are not utilized by you.

WHAT TO BRING

• Shoes • Camera + Film • Insect repellent • Original Passport • Hat • Sunglasses.
• Bring your own water container to refill water on tour, not waste plastic bottles.