Ba Vi – Mai Chau – Pu Luong – Ha Long Bay Authentic Journey 7 Days

Begin your day with a pickup from your hotel in Hanoi and journey to Ba Vi, escaping the city’s hustle for the tranquil countryside. Upon arrival at Xom Ri Village, meet a “Viet Cong” war veteran, visit his home, and experience tea harvesting and traditional processing firsthand. Continue to Moc Village, where you’ll be warmly welcomed by Mrs Chin, a Muong family, join a cooking session, and enjoy a homemade lunch in a lush garden. In the afternoon, explore the village through leisurely walks or cycling, discovering authentic rural life and local crafts. End the day with a relaxing herbal foot bath before transferring to Ba Vi National Park for check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.

Overnight in Melia Ba Vi mountain retreat.

After breakfast, leave Melia Ba Vi mountain retreat to explore the old prison ruins and visit a French-built church at 800 meters above sea level. Continue ascending to the 1,000-meter point, where you will begin your trek to conquer the summit of Ba Vi Mountain at 1,296 meters. At the peak, visit Báo Thiên Tower and the temple dedicated to Hồ Chí Minh, a revered national hero of Vietnam. After descending the mountain, drive towards Mai Chau and stop along the way for lunch. Arrive in Mai Chau in the late afternoon, check in to your hotel, and enjoy dinner.

Overnight in Mai Chau.

After breakfast, the vehicle & tourguide takes you to Van Mai Junction, where an enjoyable walking journey begins toward Mai Hich Village. The trail leads through peaceful countryside, passing rice fields, streams, and traditional villages, offering close-up encounters with the daily life of the Thai ethnic people. Continue walking from Mai Hich to Xam Khoe where many old stilt houses are beautifully preserved. At the end of the trek, the vehicle picks up and transfers to a Thai family for a cozy lunch.

After lunch, return to your hotel for a short break and relaxation. In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely cycling tour to explore the beautiful Mai Chau Valley. Ride through authentic Thai villages such as Chieng Sai, Cha Long, and Na Tang, experiencing local life along the way. Take in the peaceful scenery of rice fields and traditional stilt houses. The cycling tour ends as you return to your hotel.

Overnight in Mai Chau.

Wake to the soft sounds of nature and enjoy a leisurely breakfast with views of the surrounding landscape. Leave Mai Chau and depart for Pu Luong. Upon arrival, check in at your accommodation and enjoy lunch in Pu Luong.

In the afternoon, begin a guided walk along terraced rice fields to Uoi Village (approximately 6 km, 3 hours; difficulty level 1.5/5). The route offers an authentic introduction to the peaceful rural life of Pu Luong, home to the Thai ethnic minority, with opportunities to observe daily activities and traditional stilt houses set amid the natural landscape.

After the walk, return by vehicle to your accommodation for rest and relaxation.

Wake up to the fresh mountain air and enjoy the natural surroundings of Pu Luong. After breakfast, drive to the Cham Mountain Stream area for a short, easy walk along shaded paths, where traditional bamboo water wheels can be seen along the stream.

Following the visit, continue your journey to Ninh Binh by a drive along Ho Chi Minh trail and the outskirts of the Cuc Phuong national park. En route, stop for lunch at a local restaurant (at guests’ own expense). Late afternoon, check into your hotel in Ninh Binh.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

In the morning, visit Hoa Lu – the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, where you will explore the historic Dinh Temple and Le Temple. These sacred sites are dedicated to the kings of the Dinh and Early Le dynasties, offering insight into Vietnam’s early statehood and royal traditions. The journey continues to the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you embark on a serene boat cruise through an extraordinary system of limestone karsts, caves, and waterways.

 Afternoon, enjoy a leisure tranfer to Ha Long Bay. Check into your hotel.

Overnight in Ha Long City.

Embark on a delightful cruise that takes you deep into the heart of the bay, gliding across emerald waters surrounded by thousands of dramatic limestone cliffs and islets rising majestically from the sea.

During the cruise, visit one of Ha Long Bay’s most impressive grottoes, where enormous stalactites and stalagmites create a spectacular natural cathedral formed over millions of years. Take time to admire the intricate rock formations before returning to the boat to enjoy a freshly prepared lunch on board, featuring local flavors while soaking in panoramic views of the bay.

After the cruise, disembark at the dock and begin the return journey to Hanoi in the late afternoon.

End your journey in Hanoi or Noi Bai airport for your next departure.