Impressive Northern Vietnam

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, your guide will welcome you and escort you to the hotel. You will have the rest of the day to unwind and explore your surroundings at your leisure.

Hit the road about 146 km from Hanoi to Mai Chau – the gate way to the impressive North – West area of Vietnam. Upon arrival, take your bike and start your excursion to the local village to explore the outstanding nature beauty and culture richness of the valley. Passes through many villages, across lush rice paddies and above a valley for stunning views. Your guide will lead you into the countryside where you’ll get to know the local hill tribe people – the White Tai. After a day of remote cycling you will be spoiled with a sumptuous meal and a night at the lovely Mai Chau Ecolodge.

Visit the intimate villages of the Thai community. Search for hidden gems in the abundant bamboo forest and admire the pristine landscape, overgrown with tropical plants. On the road, utilize short photography breaks to capture the lofty limestone mountains, luxurious terrace fields, and charming stilt homes, traditional to Thai culture. You also have an opportunity to talk with local people and learn about daily life and tribal customs. Wind down with a cool hike pass a small village with cassava, corn fields and plenty of shade.

Take on a 5 – hour drive to Cuc Phuong National Park. This is one of Vietnam’s most important protected areas. Though wildlife has suffered a precipitous in Vietnam in recent decades, the park’s 222 square Km of primary tropical forest remains home to an amazing variety of animal and plant life: 307 species of birds, 133 species mammal, 122 species of reptile, 2000 plant species and counting. Take on a short trek through the forest to learn about the diverse flora and fauna of the park. Make stops at Cho Chi, the oldest tree in the forest, a number of picturesque streams and waterfalls. Transfer back to your hotel in Ninh Binh.

Cycle through local villages and farms to Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital (968-1009) for an introduction to the history of 10th century Vietnam, and visit the temple of King Dinh. Next, cycle to Tam Coc through more unspoiled villages and limestone karsts.

At Tam Coc, board a small boat and quietly row away to see more of Tam Coc (Three Caves), said to be like Halong Bay on land. Spectacular mountains rise vertically out of the placid water. Then, paddle through an idyllic landscape of green paddy fields. Return to Tam Coc for lunch at a local restaurant.

Ride 7km to Bich Dong temple through the picturesque rural landscape. Enjoy the temple before heading to Mua Cave a huge karst mountain with impressive mountain around. Climb up about 500 steps to the top of this mountain to enjoy the best panoramic view of one of the nicest sceneries in Viet Nam. You will be taken back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Transfer to Nam Dinh, your local tour guide pick you up in Nam Dinh city and start to discover Hong Quang Village – one of the most beautiful of Water Puppet villages in Vietnam, experience how to do the Puppet and enjoy how to play puppet in water. Visit Co le Pagoda. Have lunch with local food at Ecohost Hai Hau.

Cycle around the Village and visit Pham Phao cathedral and traditional brass trumpet making village. On the way, you will also see Tile-roofed Bridge was Building in 16th century with unique architecture. Explore of the daily life of local people and understand about the ancestor worship village. Visit Pham Phao Church and explore the day of Catholic People and discover about the life style of living in the land of Church.

Enjoy dinner with typical local foods.

Transfer to visit Van Ly Church – Hai Chinh Village, where you can experience how to make the mesh in the fishing village. Then return to Hanoi around noon.