Northern Vietnam, Adventure in Comfort 9 days

Start of the day with visit to the craft village of Xuan La, famous for its “to he” figurines. Using cooked rice flour dough and natural colorings, villagers deftly create whimsical figurines mounted on sticks ranging from Vietnamese folk heroes to modern-day cartoon characters. The precise recipe for the rice flour “clay” is a closely guarded secret by the estimated 300 artisans who maintain this traditional craft. Accompanied by a guide originally from Xuan La, tour this charming village and meet a well-known “to he” artisan to witness the process of making these delightful figurines with the opportunity to make your own.

Continue to see Museum of Ethnology. The museum showcases the culture of the many different minority tribes of Vietnam with an engaging display of numerous ethnic houses for the kids to explore. After lunch, visit the home of the last traditional mask making artisan in Hanoi. Entirely handmade and always lingering with the faint smell of paper and glue, the paper masks have been part of the childhood for many generations of Hanoi people who wore them to celebrate the full moon night particularly during the Mid-Autumn Festivals. The visit to the artisan, will serve a cause of raising awareness about the preservation of this multi century old art.

Overnight in Hanoi

Notes:

-    Time: 08h30 – 17h30

-    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Start a journey to Hung Lo ancient village in Phu Tho to trace back the origin of Vietnam's culture and Vietnam's traditions. Hung Lo has been preserved the ancient features including the communal house, ancient houses, and traditional crafts. Arrival village, a great chance explores architecture of ancient houses while wandering along its narrow alleyways. Hung Lo communal house was recognized as a national historical monument in 1990 with the great Dai Dinh, the ceremonial hall, and the ancient hundreds year-old houses which are intactly preserved. Enjoy Xoan singing performances by folk artists from Phu Tho’s four original Xoan singing guilds. Then, move to the famous Hung Lo traditional house to learn how to make the Banh Chung - a traditional Vietnamese rice cake. This traditional cake is an important part to make a perfect Tet holiday in the heart of Vietnamese people, and has the oldest history in traditional Vietnamese. After lunch, continue to Vu Linh village discover unique cultural features and hospitality of local people. In the late afternoon, you will arrival to the lodge for dinner in the warm atmosphere. Stay overnight at a traditional stilt house.

Overnight in Vu Linh Family Homestay

Notes:

-    Time: 08:00 – 17h00

-    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The crows will wake you up early in the second morning of the short trip. Start your day with a delicious breakfast along with a cup of tea, and enjoy the fresh and peaceful air of the typical Vietnam countryside. We will spend time walking around Ngoi Tu Village to learn about the medicinal plants and to talk to local Dzao ethnic minority people. Our guide will lead you to meet a lady, who is a specialist of the medical plants and also be your local guide. Enjoy the locals’ hospitality when you visit their rice fields and traditional stilt-houses. Pick up few plants to cook, and to prepare ethnic bath for relaxation at the lodge after your walk, you will recover and feel relaxing thanks to the secret remedy of Dzao. After having your lunch at local stilt house; start a cruise on traditional boat to discover Thac Ba Reservoir. Here offers chance for you to experience the way villagers paddle their boats; eye witness the exotic and odd animals living nearby; enjoy the quiet and peaceful scenery around the immense lake; as well as to learn more about the lifestyle of Dzao people – who live on thousands of islets. Surely, you will have unforgettable experience and get an amazing panoramic view of the lake! In the late afternoon, you will return to the dock and then transfer back to the homestay.

Overnight in Vu Linh Family Homestay

Notes

-    Time: 09:00 – 15h00

-    Trekking distance: 3 - 6km / Easy grade

-    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drive to Tuyen Quang, you continue on sealed road through renowned tea growing areas, where the hillsides are literally covered in plantations, from here it’s a short ride to the edge of Ba Be Lake. An amazing, unspoiled, quiet, beautiful place well worth the visit away from the crowds. Free at your leisure or naturally walk through the Coc Toc village. Savor dinner with local foods.

Overnight in Ba Be Farm Stay.

Notes:

-    Time: 08:00 – 14h00

-    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Start your day by trekking tour to Bo Lu - Coc Toc village then cross the Pe Lu Stream, before hitting some rough, steep terrain that will give you a little bit of a workout.  As you gain height, though, you will be rewarded for your efforts with spectacular views of the verdant rolling countryside. Pressing on to the uplands we will stop for a picnic lunch in a Hmong ethnic village, and your guide may introduce you to some of the local Hmong people. During the afternoon, your guide will take you through mountains and valleys. Return to homestay in late afternoon.

Overnight in Ba Be Farm Stay

Notes:

-    Time: 08:00 – 14h00

-    Trekking distance: 12-15km

-    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, your guide will help you to learn how to paddle a kayak on lakes and rivers, take the dry bags, sports equipment and life jackets... Kayaking along the lakeside past the islands is the most enjoyable experience, we can continue to travel down the Nang River to see Dau Dang Waterfall before having lunch at a nearby riverside village restaurant. We can return to Ba Be Lake by motorboat or by a canoe. Swimming is available here. Before finishing our trip today, we will pay a visit to An Ma temple - the sacred place of the Tay people then treks through the jungle to reach the observation hut for a panorama view of Ba Be Lake. Lunch before transfer back to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

Notes:

-    Time: 08:30 – 17h00

-    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Depart from Hanoi for a 2.5-hours’ drive to Halong bay. Arrive at noon, and be greeted with a warm welcome and special tea at the Heritage Cruise’s lounge. Then it’s time to climb aboard the Heritage Cruise and check in; enjoy a welcome drink as you receive a cruise briefing and safety instructions. Sail onwards towards a natural frontier Haiphong. This secret hideaway has beaches, caves and coves, plus the spectacular natural beauty of 400 islands. You can try kayaking or simply swim in the clear waters of the bay. After your aquatic activities, return to the Heritage Cruise and enjoy the luxuries on offer onboard or just relax in your suite, watching the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin with cocktail in hand. Activities available include an afternoon tea and the chef will also lead a Vietnamese cookery class. A delectable dining experience to remember will be served on board; Savor the finely prepared local cuisine in an intimate and romantic setting. Bask in the radiant evening views of the bay at the bar on top deck. You will also have the chance to go squid fishing or watch a movie in the restaurant. The bars are open until late.

Overnight on Heritage Cruise

Notes:

-    Time: depart at 09.00 am

-    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck, followed by a light breakfast. Then take a bamboo boat out to explore the Dark and Bright Cave. Return to the ship for checkout. Enjoy a brunch while cruising back, arrive at Tuan Chau harbor and relax at our lounge while your transportation arrives. Drive back to Hanoi for your onward flight.

Notes:

-    Cruise disembarks at noon and travel time to the airport take 3-hours, so schedule your international flight should be from 07.00 pm onward.

-    Meals: Breakfast, Brunch on board