Hanoi - Halong Bay - Mai Chau - Pu Luong - Kho Muong - Don Village - Ninh Binh

A trip that incorporates the highlights and essentials of Vietnam. A perfect trip for those seeking a better understanding of the country in a relatively short time. This incredible country will come alive as you meet the local people and immerse yourself in their culture.

9 Days / 8 Nights
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circuit details

  • Scheduled flights.
  • Transfers, visits, and excursions described in the itinerary, in regular service and with local Spanish-speaking guides, except on board the Halong Bay cruise where guides are not allowed; clients will be assisted by the ship's crew in English.
  • 4 lunches at local restaurants (drinks not included).
  • 3 nights hotel in Hanoi, with breakfast.
  • 1 night cruise in Halong Bay (with lunch, dinner, and brunch) (drinks not included).
  • 2 nights hotel in Pu Luong, with breakfast.
  • 1 night hotel in Ninh Binh, with breakfast.
  • Entrance fees to the sites detailed in the itinerary.
  • Pousse cycle ride.
  • Bottle of water and refreshing towel per excursion day.
  • Plus assistance insurance. trip.
  • Tips.
  • Optional insurance.
  • Vietnam visa processing fee (USD 40 per person, single entry).
  • Vietnam visa fee (USD 25 per person, single entry).
  • Drinks during lunch, dinner, and brunch.
  • Generally, any extra services not specified above, such as special meals, personal expenses, or anything else not specified as included.

- MANAGEMENT FEES - From the moment the booking is made €30 / booking

- FLIGHTS: 100% penalty from the moment the airline tickets are issued. Date and name changes not permitted.

- LAND SERVICES:

Cancellations received up to 36 days prior to the service start date will not incur a penalty.

Cancellations received between 35 and 25 days prior to the service start date will incur a penalty of 30% of the total service cost.

Cancellations received between 24 and 10 days prior to the service start date will incur a penalty of 50% of the total service cost.

Cancellations received between 9 and 4 days prior to the service start date will incur a penalty of 75% of the total service cost.

Cancellations received from 3 days prior to the service start date will incur a penalty of 100%.

-Guaranteed departures from 2 passengers, with arrival in Hanoi on Tuesdays.

-The deadline for booking for this tour or extra services will be 15 days prior to arrival in Vietnam for guaranteed departures and 30 days prior for non-guaranteed departures (private services). After this deadline, any new booking, change, or added service will incur an emergency handling fee. Requests for changes or additional services cannot be guaranteed after the booking deadline.

-Night Transfers (hotel/airport/hotel): Transfers for international flights arriving or departing between 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM will incur a surcharge.

-Delays in International Flight Arrivals: In the event of a delay of more than 3 hours on arrival flights at the destination airports, a surcharge will be applied to cover the waiting time for the guide and vehicle. Payment is made directly at the destination.

-Depending on the departure time of the return flight from Hanoi to your home city, there may not be enough time to complete the planned excursion that day.

If the client chooses to purchase a flight departing before 5:00 PM, they will not have enough time to complete the activity, and there will be no refund.

-Free Time: During free time, clients will not have access to transportation or a local guide.

-Possible Route Change: Our representative in Vietnam has the right to modify the program for the client's benefit or due to force majeure. The itinerary is subject to change depending on the flights chosen by the client, as well as weather conditions.

-Possible Changes to Accommodations: If it is not possible to confirm the planned hotels for any of the departures, the client will be offered an alternative within the same contracted category.

-Regarding accommodations, please note that there is no official hotel rating system in Vietnam. The hotel categories offered in this program are for guidance only, comparing them to categories in Europe; they are not official categories.

-Triple Rooms

: Triple cabins are not available on Halong Bay cruises. Guests who have booked a triple room will have one double cabin and one single cabin during the cruise. Triple rooms in hotels generally only have two beds.

-Breakfast included in hotels has assigned times according to each hotel's policies, generally between 6:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Outside of these times, guests will forfeit this service. Room service and breakfast bags are available at an additional cost.

-Early arrival at the hotel on the first day of travel does not guarantee room availability. Standard check-in times apply unless additional nights are purchased to guarantee immediate access to the rooms. Rooms are generally available from 3:00 PM. Check-out time is between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Room availability outside of these hours will incur an extra charge. Please inquire for details.

-Luggage: In case of lost luggage by the airlines, it is the passenger's responsibility to file a claim and contact the airline directly to arrange for delivery or any applicable compensation. Luxotour will not be responsible for any claims related to lost or damaged luggage.

-Persons with Reduced Mobility: Some locations, hotels, and transportation options are not wheelchair accessible. Please check and notify us before making your reservation. Any additional expenses for assistance required throughout the tour will be the responsibility of the client.

-Special Diets: Cases of food intolerances (allergies, celiac disease, vegetarian food, etc.) must be communicated before arrival in Vietnam, although it is not possible to guarantee any type of special diet or menu.

-Consumer Withdrawal: The tour is sold as a fixed package, therefore there will be no refund or discount for services that clients decide not to use or in which they cannot participate due to personal or medical reasons, flight schedules, or other events.

-Conduct During the Trip: If a passenger's attitude jeopardizes the operation of the tour and/or causes discomfort to the rest of the group, they will be obliged to leave the tour without any discount or refund for the services they cannot use.

-Credit Card: Generally, hotels They require the passenger to provide a credit card or cash deposit as a guarantee to facilitate services such as telephone calls, extras in bars and restaurants, minibar, laundry, room service charges, etc.

-Personal Documentation and Entry Requirements for Vietnam: It is the client's responsibility to inform themselves about the current entry and exit regulations of the country they are traveling to, as well as to carry the personal documents required by the authorities. Luxotour assumes no responsibility in this regard. Please note that visa regulations, health requirements, transit and entry requirements vary from country to country and may be subject to change at short notice.

The prices published for children are only valid for children under 12 years of age and always sharing a room with two adults. From 12 years old they pay as an adult. Maximum 1 child per room.

Northern Vietnam itinerary

Day 1: CITY OF ORIGIN - HANOI

Departure on a scheduled flight to Hanoi. Night on board.



Day 2: HANOI

Arrival at Hanoi International Airport, where a Spanish-speaking assistant will be waiting for you. Transfer to the hotel. During this approximately one-hour journey, you will get a first impression of Hanoi and its amazing blend of hustle and bustle and serenity. Arrival at the hotel and free time until check-in time (rooms are generally not available before 3:00 PM). Overnight stay. Recommendation: For this free afternoon, we recommend booking a relaxing massage, taking a stroll and having a coffee at Hoan Kiem Lake, or going shopping in the Old Quarter.

What will you see today?

Day 3: HANOI

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to begin the tour of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. It is also considered one of the few Asian cities with tree-lined avenues, French colonial architecture, tranquil lakes, and oriental temples. The tour includes a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, founded in 1070 in honor of Confucius and considered the symbol of Hanoi. We continue to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, visiting its exterior from Ba Dinh Square. We will then proceed to the One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049 on a single stone pillar by Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who reigned from 1028 to 1054. The pagoda is designed in the shape of a lotus flower in honor of Buddha. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, we will have an experience with flowers and their traditional arranging techniques. Visit a traditional flower shop to see how bouquets are made, how this beautiful and traditional Vietnamese spiritual art is passed down and preserved from generation to generation. There, you will learn to recognize exotic flowers while enjoying preparing a spiritual floral offering. Afterward, we arrive at Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart of Hanoi, where we will take a stroll around its perimeter with a panoramic view of Ngoc Son Temple, located in the middle of the lake, along with the red Huc Bridge. Finally, we will take a scenic cycle tour through Hanoi's Old Quarter, also known as the 36 Streets, as it was once famous for the artisans who lived there and the workshops located within. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

What will you see today?

Day 4: HANOI – HALONG BAY

Breakfast at the hotel and departure by road to Halong Bay, which in Vietnamese means "the dragon descending from the sea." According to legend, it was a dragon who formed the islands of the bay. Board a wonderful cruise ship to visit the bay. Lunch on board. The sailing continues, revealing thousands of islands and islets covered in lush vegetation that emerge from the bay with their unusual shapes and varying sizes. The emerald waters of this legendary natural treasure lead us to explore sublime islands such as Turtle Island, Dog Island, Man's Head Island, and others. Due to its unique beauty, geological features, biological richness, and cultural and historical significance, Halong Bay was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and included on the list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World in 2011. Beyond contemplating the magnificent scenery, we enjoy free time or some optional activities such as swimming, kayaking, or participating in a Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the ship's deck. Dinner and overnight stay on board. (The cruise itinerary will be adjusted according to weather conditions.)

What will you see today?

Day 5: HALONG BAY – HANOI

At sunrise, for those interested, there will be a Tai Chi class on the sun terrace. The cruise continues through the bay with its nearly 2,000 limestone islands, allowing you to continue enjoying its unique landscapes. Take advantage of this moment to capture the best photos of this natural wonder. Enjoy a late brunch on board to recharge before heading back to shore. Disembark at Halong Pier and transfer to Hanoi. Free afternoon. Overnight stay.

Recommendations: For your free time in Hanoi, we suggest having a coffee in the Old Quarter or enjoying dinner at one of the restaurants along the river.

What will you see today?

Day 6: HANOI - MAI CHAU - PU LUONG

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the Pu Luong area. Just over three hours from Hanoi, the landscape changes completely as we enter the "real rural Vietnam," on our way to Mai Chau. This province is well known for its beautiful scenery, with its wonderful panoramic views, beautiful valleys, rice terraces, and the famous houses built on stilts (palafitos). During the journey, we will make some stops to take photos of these impressive landscapes and the peaceful atmosphere. We will have coffee in the village of Hoa Binh, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Mai Chau Valley and the flagpole with the Vietnamese flag. Afterward, we will take a bicycle tour through the villages of the area. Lunch at a local restaurant, followed by continuation to the Pu Luong Conservation Area. After a journey of approximately an hour and a half, arrival at the hotel. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay.

What will you see today?

Day 7: PU LUONG - KHO MUONG - DON VILLAGE - PU LUONG

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for an excursion to the Kho Mường area for a hike that will lead us to discover the Bat Cave, a stunning natural environment surrounded by jungle landscapes. After the visit, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will take another hike in a Don village and have the opportunity to interact with the local Thai people. We will get a glimpse into their daily life, walk through farmland and rice paddies, and learn how colorful fabrics are woven. We will end the day with coffee at a small café overlooking the fields, ideal for watching the sunset. Afterward, return to the hotel in the Pu Luong area. Overnight stay.

Recommendations: In the morning, we suggest wearing comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear for trekking, and even bringing a walking stick if needed.

What will you see today?

Day 8: PU LUONG - NINH BINH

Early breakfast at the hotel. At 8:00 AM, departure for Ninh Binh province. Upon arrival, we'll take a traditional boat trip in Tam Coc, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of rice paddies and the famous three caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba. We'll witness a perfect blend of nature and human intervention, mountains and river, Yin and Yang. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, we'll cycle along scenic country lanes to Bich Dong Pagoda, a complex of three pagodas perched on a limestone mountainside, offering stunning views of rice paddies and valleys. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.

What will you see today?

Day 9: NINH BINH - HANOI

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for an excursion to visit the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Complex, a system of relics about the capital of the Dai Co Viet dynasty in Vietnamese history, related to the careers of historical figures from the three dynasties of Dinh, Le, and the beginning of the Ly dynasty. In 1010, King Ly Thai To decided to move the capital from Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh) to Thang Long (Hanoi), and Hoa Lu became the ancient capital. After the visit, transfer back to Hanoi International Airport.Important Note: Departure flight from Hanoi must be in the afternoon.

Flight from Hanoi Airport to your hometown.

What will you see today?

Day 10: HOMETOWN

Arrival and end of the trip.