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9 Day itinerary in Vietnam, Asia

Essential North

"Essential North 9 Days" is likely a tour package that offers visitors the opportunity to take time to enjoy the cultural mosaics and inspirational landscapes of Northern Vietnam . This tour package is likely to include visits to all the top destinations in Northern Vietnam, including Hanoi's lively... Read More

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Overview

Physical Difficulty

Light
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Hanoi

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Kayak & Canoe

Indigenous culture

Culture & History

Meet local people

Visit markets

Water & Coastline

Nature & Wildlife

Culture & Heritage

Food & Culinary

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Walk and cycle along the villages, visit local markets, some old houses, temples and communal houses

2

Stop by a “tofu family” to explore how they make tofu and you can try their fresh products

3

Set off for our hiking through the beauty of Pu Luong nature reserve

4

Watch the beautiful sunset from the top deck of Ha Long overnight cruise

Itinerary

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Day 1

place Good morning Hanoi

Chao Ban! Welcome to Hanoi, we meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in. Today is free at your leisure to rest or explore, discovering your own first impressions of Vietnam (depending on what time you arrive). Overnight in Hanoi.


Inclusion: Airport transfer, guide, hotel

Guide: Included for the day

Day 2

place Hanoi village with bike

We pick you up at 8:30 AM for a short transfer outside of Hanoi; we have this morning to learn about Hanoi villages’ life, its traditions, and customs.


We walk and cycle along the villages, visit local markets, some old houses, their worshipping temples and communal houses. Then, we have a small food demonstration before our lunch at one of the local family’s houses here. 


In the afternoon, we catch your van for a short drive to Lien Mac, a beautiful area of immaculately tended vegetables and flowers. Here you hop on the bike again and get a close-up look at the colourful fields and have the chance to chat with some of the local people out caring for their crops.  Stop by a “tofu family” to explore how they make tofu and you can try their fresh products. Bid your farewells, and catch the van back to your hotel in Hanoi at around 4:30 PM.


Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fees, breakfast, lunch, local bike, community development fund, hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3

place Hanoi - Mai Chau – Pu Luong

Depart from your Hanoi hotel at 8:00 AM transferring to Mai Chau on our spectacular 4 hour drive. Upon arrival at Poom Coom village in Mai Chau, we take a short walk to visit the ethnic Thai people then lunch is served.


At 1:00 PM, take a short car ride in about 1 hour before we set off for our hiking through the beauty of Pu Luong nature reserve, the trek is 

intermediate level and requires some walking up hills but it’s worth your hike as we see many spectacular views of villages and terraces.   


Arrival at the Thai stilt homestay in the late afternoon. Free time to rest and shower, then a traditional dinner with our host family.Overnight here.

Driving Distance: about 230 km 

Trekking Distance: about 9 km (3 hours)

Trail Difficulty: 3/5


Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, lunch, dinner, water, homestay with permit.


Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

place Hidden trails of Pu Luong

Wake up early today is recommended as your chance to witness more local activities in the morning. After having our breakfast, we say good-bye to our host by around 8.00 AM for our good hike ahead.


More trek today through hidden gems of Pu Luong including beautiful view of valleys, nice terraces and peaceful villages. 


We stop for our picnic lunch then continue our trek through more villages to reach to Hieu village in the afternoon. 


Take rest as you wish then you are free to stroll around the village to interact with the locals and visit the beautiful waterfall nearby. Back to the homestay for dinner and overnight at homestay. Contact us if you wish to stay at an Eco lodge at Hieu village, instead of homestay. 

Trekking Distance: about 12 km (5 – 6 hours)

Trail Difficulty: 3/5


Inclusion: Guide, entrance fee, water, all meals, homestay with permit.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

place Hieu village – Pho Doan – Hanoi

Your last day here at this beautiful nature reserve and friendly villagers so take the chance to explore around on your own or with our guide around the village. 


We then take an easy walk in about 1,5 hours to the town-let of this nature reserve where you van is waiting for us. 


Lunch at one of the local restaurants before having a scenic drive back to Hanoi. Finish our trip at your hotel around 5:00 PM.

Driving Distance: about 235 km

Trekking Distance: 8 km

Trail Difficulty: 2/5 


Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, water, breakfast, lunch.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6

place Hanoi to Bai Tu Long Bay, welcome on board

Departure for Ha Long Bay is around 8:00 AM in a shared van. Arrive at the port around 12:30 PM. Welcomed on board, you are taken to your cabin before the trip briefing while you cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay and admire the fascinating formations. Visit Thien Canh Son cave. Then relax at our secluded island-beach or explore by kayak. Later you return back to the boat just in time to watch the beautiful sunset from the top deck before enjoying the bay’s freshest seafood dinner.


Inclusion: Transfer, guide, morning shower, entrance fee, kayak, boat / junk, all meals, permits.


Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

place Explore Bai Tu Long bay, back to Hanoi

Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of Bay’s landscape with towering limestone. You have breakfast at around 8:00 AM before our short rowboat by the locals of the bay.


Lunch on the boat as we slowly cruise back to boat pier. Hit the road before arriving back to Hanoi around 5:30 PM.


Inclusion: Transfer, guide on boat, entrance fee, boat / junk, row boat, breakfast, lunch, hotel.


Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8

place Your free day in Hanoi

Today is your free day in the Hanoi capital and all of its fascinating historical charm. Spend your day relaxing or shopping. Some suggestions include waking up early (about 6:00 AM) and joining in some exercise around Hoan Kiem Lake; or indulging in many of the street food options; or visiting the numerous Hanoi markets and shops. Overnight in town.


Inclusion: Hotel, breakfast 


Meals: Breakfast

Day 9

place Departure Hanoi

Breakfast at hotel. Depending on your flight you may have some more time for shopping. Then we transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Goodbye, and hope to see you again soon!


Inclusion: Airport transfer, breakfast.


Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (8)
  • Lunch (6)
  • Dinner (3)

About Moon

TEAM LEAD

verified Baboo Certified

Expertise: 

Rural home stays

Kayak & Canoe

Rafting

Snorkeling/Diving

Indigenous culture

Hiking

Culture & History

Meet local people

Visit markets

Cycling

Nature & Wildlife

Food & Culinary

Purposeful Travel

Water & Coastline

Culture & Heritage

 With almost 20 years of establishment, Footprint Travel offer tours ranging from trekking over cycling to educational tours while dedicating our work to responsible travel to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

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FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$894.00 USD