Vietnam Serenity – 12 Days from Misty Mountains to Emerald Ocean

On arrival at Noi Bai airport, you will be picked-up by driver, transfer to hotel. Afternoon free to unwind or enjoy a gentle Old Quarter stroll. Welcome dinner with local specialties.
You will spend the night in Hanoi.

After breakfast, at 08 :30AM your guide will take you to the Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the One-pillar pagoda. The museum and stilt house area are close on Monday.
Your next visit will be Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam. You will visit it in 1 hour.

12:00: lunch at a local restaurant.
At 13:00: Continue visiting the centre of Hanoi, including Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ngoc Son temple, see Hanoi Opera House, St Joseph's Cathedral and the bustling Old Quarter, Heritage House, the Dong Xuan market, is a magnet for visitors – it’s noisy and hectic, but definitely a ‘must-see’ attraction. The Old Quarter is a maze of shopping streets and restaurants with a hotchpotch of architecture - traditional tube houses, religious buildings, artisans’ workshops and cottages, colonial houses and modern concrete edifices.
You will also stop at the train street in the heart of Hanoi to experience café along the railway track.
16:30: Return to your hotel for your leisure time. You will spend the night in Hanoi.

At 07:30: after breakfast, you will have a scenic drive (~5,5 hours) to Tà Xùa Nature Reserve in Son La.
Lunch at a local restaurant on the way.
14:00 – Arrive at Tà Xùa Ecolodge and check into your private bungalow room. Step onto the terrace, take a deep breath, and let the sea of clouds steal your heart (if you are lucky).
15:30 – Short, easy transfer to the famous Windy Pass (15 minutes). Settle in with a warm cup of mountain coffee or tea and watch the clouds roll in like a living ocean as the sun begins its golden descent – one of the most magical sunsets in Vietnam.
18:00 – Return to the ecolodge. Dinner is served with fresh, local specialties.
In the evening – Gather around the crackling bonfire under a sky full of stars, share stories, or simply soak in the silence of the mountains.
Overnight at Tà Xùa Ecolodge – fall asleep above the clouds.

06:30 – 07:30 Start your day slowly with a delicious breakfast on the panoramic terrace of Tà Xùa Ecolodge – coffee in hand, watching the cloud sea gently wake up below you.

08:00 – 10:00 Short drive to the famous “Dinosaur Backbone” ridge. A gentle 30–40 minute walk brings you to the edge – stand on the narrow spine of rock with 360° views of endless mountain ranges and golden rice terraces. Perfect spot for those “floating above the world” photos.

10:30 – 13:00 Descend to Hang Dong Village, a quiet H’mong settlement almost untouched by tourism.
• Warm welcome into a traditional wooden house
• Sit down with the family, sip wild shan tuyet tea, and learn how they hand-pick and smoke-dry the leaves using centuries-old methods
• Plenty of time for real conversation and laughter (your guide translates everything)

13:00 Home-cooked lunch with the family – simple, hearty mountain food made with love.
14:00 – 17:00 Easy–moderate 3-hour return trek (total 7km) through primary forest to the hidden Hang Dong Waterfall inside the nature reserve. Cool off with a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear pools surrounded by jungle – pure magic.
17:00 Your driver is waiting to whisk you back to the lodge (20–25 minutes).
Evening Dinner at the ecolodge, followed by a relaxing bonfire under one of the clearest starry skies in Vietnam – marshmallows, stories, or simply silence.
Second night at Tà Xùa Ecolodge – falling asleep above the clouds again.

06:30 – 07:30 Start your day slowly with a delicious breakfast on the panoramic terrace of Tà Xùa Ecolodge – coffee in hand, watching the cloud sea gently wake up below you.
You will enjoy the leisure morning at the ecolodge, to relax or swim in the cool water of the pool.
Pick up at 10 :30, you will be driven down the mountain to Thanh Thuy hotspring. Lunch is on the way.
14:00: Check in your hotel in Thanh Thuy.
14 :00 – 18 :00 : The afternoon will be your leisure time to enjoy the onsen hotspring. It opens from 7 :00am to 18 :00.
18:30: Dinner at your account and then leisure time in Thanh Thuy.

The day is free at your leisure and enjoy the services at Wyndham Thanh Thuy Resort.
You will spend the night in Thanh Thuy.

After breakfast, you’ll begin your scenic journey to Pu Luong Nature Reserve.

Along the way, stop in Mai Chau for a visit of Mai Chau village. Then you will continue to drive to Pu Luong
Around noon, you will arrive in Pu Luong, a tranquil retreat nestled among limestone mountains and terraced rice fields.

In the afternoon, you will visit Kho Muong village, lies the remote village of Kho Muong. Tucked away in a wild valley within the heart of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, this village is ensconced by lush, green primeval jungles and is home to 60 households inhabited by approximately three hundred members of the Black Thai hill tribe. You will have about 2 hours walking in this village.

17:00: You will check in to your lodge. Resting time.
As evening falls, enjoy a warm and authentic dinner in Pu Luong, prepared with fresh ingredients from the region.
Overnight in Pu Luong.

08:30 AM: After breakfast and check-out, your tour guide will meet you to take you for a walk to explore the lush landscapes and visiting ethnic villages of the Thai and Muong communities and rice terraces around your place. You will wander through golden rice paddies, meet local families, and soak in the peaceful rhythm of rural life — a perfect opportunity to experience local life and capture stunning photos.

At 11:30: Lunch and then depart for Ninh Bình in 3.5 hour driving, known for its dramatic karst landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Quick lunch on the way or have lunch in Ninh Binh.
16:00: Arrive in Ninh Binh. Visit to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital (temples of Kings Dinh and Le).
17:00: Check in your hotel in Ninh Binh and leisure time.

08:30 AM: After breakfast, you will have a scenic visit to Tràng An Landscape Complex in 2 -2.5 hours, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its majestic limestone mountains, winding rivers, and ancient temples. Enjoy a peaceful boat ride through caves and lush valleys, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of Ninh Bình.
Lunch at a local restaurant in Ninh Bình, featuring regional specialties such as mountain goat, crispy rice, and other traditional dishes of the ancient capital.

At 14:00, transfer to Mua Cave. You can also rent a bicycle to explore the villages of Ninh Binh and experience local life. Upon arrival at Mua Cave, you'll begin the ascent of nearly 500 stone steps to reach the top. Breathe in the fresh air and admire the panoramic view of the magnificent Tam Coc.
You will spend the night in Ninh Binh.

After breakfast, at 08:30 you’ll leave for Halong where you will take a cruise on Bai Tu Long Bay, which is every bit as beautiful as its famous neighbour, Halong Bay; or actually more stunning as many traveller’s feedbacks. There you’ll board a wooden junk that takes you through Bai Tu Long Bay area. You’ll then continue your cruise to the bay’s most deserted areas with opportunities to swim at quiet sandy beaches at Hon Co island [weather permits] or kayaking after visiting one of the least visited caves, Thien Canh Son. The route is designed to avoid the busy areas and includes a very quiet location for your overnight stay.

You’ll wake in the fresh air of the bay with a swim or you can relax on the sundeck.

After breakfast, you’ll continue your cruise to visit Vung Vieng fishing village where you’ll have an opportunity to explore the village and the hidden lagoon in a rustic rowing boat. You will check out of the cabin and cruise towards the harbor while an A la carte lunch is served.

You’ll arrive back the dock around noon whereupon you’ll be picked up to return to Hanoi. You will stop at Yen Duc village in Dong Trieu province to enjoy a water puppet show performed by local artists (inclusive).
After that you will be driven to Hanoi.
16:30: You will be arriving at your hotel in the late afternoon. Your own leisure time.
You will spend the night in Hanoi.

After breakfast and leisure time, your driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Noi Bai airport for your departure international flight.