Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below
Overview
Unlike standard sightseeing packages, this 3-day immersive journey takes you off the beaten path into North Vietnam's most authentic rural landscapes. Beyond exploring Mai Chau’s lush valleys, Pu Luong’s ancient bamboo water wheels, and Ninh Binh’s breathtaking karsts, you will experience real local life in the Red River Delta. Participate in a hands-on Banh Chung (traditional sticky rice cake) cooking workshop with a host family, visit traditional weaving artisans, and explore local craft villages—offering deep cultural connections and unforgettable personal experiences.
Options
Option 4 (5-Star Hotel)
5-Star Hotel
Luxury
Pickup included
Option 1 (Local Homestay)
Local Homestay Experience
Standard
Pickup included
Option 3 (4-Star Hotel)
4-Star Hotel
Deluxe
Pickup included
Option 2 (3-Star Hotel)
3-Star Hotel
Superior
Pickup included
What's included
• Boat trip in Ninh Binh.
• Two nights of accommodation according to the selected option.
• Local guide.
Lunch
Breakfast
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver.
• Cycling in Mai Chau and the village experience in Ninh Binh.
• Visits and activities described in the itinerary
• Accommodation in Hanoi before or after the tour.
• Dinners and meals not specified in the itinerary.
• Personal expenses, tips and travel insurance.
• Single-room supplements.
• Optional activities and upgrades.
• Any services not explicitly mentioned under “Included”.
What to expect
Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau Valley – Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Mai Chau
1h 30m
8:00 AM, depart Hanoi for Mai Chau Valley, a beautiful landscape of green mountains, rice fields and traditional Thai stilt houses. Enjoy the changing scenery along the way, passing rural villages and agricultural land.
On arrival, take a cycling excursion through Mai Chau’s villages, with time to observe local life and enjoy the peaceful countryside. Have lunch at a local home and taste regional dishes.
Mai Hich
1h
Continue to Mai Hich Village, known for its rural atmosphere and traditional homes. Take a gentle walk through the village, passing vegetable gardens, rice fields and wooden stilt houses. Depending on local arrangements, you may encounter traditional music or cultural activities.
14h
In the afternoon, drive approximately 50 km to Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Check in to your accommodation and enjoy the quiet mountain surroundings.
Day 2: Pu Luong Nature Reserve – Ninh Binh
4h
After breakfast, set out on a guided trek through Don, Uoi and Lan villages, home to Thai and Muong communities. Walk along village paths and countryside trails, taking in terraced rice fields, forested hills and traditional stilt houses.
Along the way, meet local residents and visit a traditional weaving workshop to learn about the techniques and skills passed down through generations.
Continue to see the distinctive bamboo water wheels, a traditional local irrigation system used to carry water to fields and gardens. Your guide will explain how these simple structures support farming life in the valley.
Ninh Binh
14h
After lunch, depart Pu Luong for Ninh Binh, a scenic drive of approximately 120 km and around 3 hours. Often called “Ha Long Bay on land,” Ninh Binh is famous for its limestone karsts, rivers and rural landscapes.
Arrive in the late afternoon, check in and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Day 3: Ninh Binh - Tam Coc – Phu Hau Village – Hanoi
Tam Cốc-Bich Dộng
1h 30m · Admission ticket included
After breakfast, enjoy a traditional rowing-boat trip in Tam Coc, gliding along the river between towering limestone cliffs, rice fields and lush vegetation. The boat ride lasts approximately 1.5 hours, depending on local conditions.
5h
Then drive to Phu Hau Village in Yen Khanh District, approximately 20 km from central Ninh Binh. Meet your local hosts and explore the Red River Delta countryside on foot and by bicycle. Stop at the village market to see residents buying and selling everyday goods.
Return to your hosts’ home for a hands-on introduction to making banh chung, Vietnam’s traditional sticky rice cake associated with Lunar New Year. Learn how the cake is prepared and wrapped, then taste the finished product where available.
Enjoy a home-cooked lunch featuring local dishes such as fresh spring rolls and five-colour stir-fried beef.
In the afternoon, visit a small family workshop producing handmade rice vermicelli, then meet artisans weaving water hyacinth baskets or traditional sedge mats. Discover how these crafts are made and learn more about rural livelihoods and local traditions.
Depart for Hanoi in the afternoon, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening, depending on traffic.
Meeting and pickup
Pickup details
Pick you up at the hotels located in the Old Quarter
Additional information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
