Begin your day at 07:00 am with a leisurely walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, the center of Hanoi, witnessing locals as they engage in their daily routines like Tai Chi, gymnastics, and martial arts. Embrace the Vietnamese culture of starting the day early with exercise by joining Hanoians in their morning activities. Next, visit Ngoc Son Temple, nestled in the heart of Hoan Kiem Lake, and indulge in traditional Vietnamese coffee at a nearby café, choosing from options like sweet iced coffee or the unique 'Egg coffee.'

Escape the bustling streets to discover hidden alleys and witness the life of locals as they preserve their customary habits. A short 10-minute walk will take you to the 15th-century Ba Da Pagoda, tucked between contemporary and colonial-era buildings. Following that, visit the St. Joseph Cathedral, a French Gothic structure built in 1886. Continue exploring, but make sure to stop at a street food stall to savor delicious 'bánh mì' - a scrumptious baguette sandwich brimming with assorted fillings!

Next, take a refreshing stroll down Phung Hung Street, parallel to the railway, and admire the enchanting mural paintings depicting Hanoi's heritage and life in the old days. Proceed to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located at the core of Hanoi since 2010.

At noon, pause at a local eatery for Banh Tom (fried shrimp cake), a classic Hanoi dish featuring a crispy batter mixed with succulent, fresh shrimp. Alternatively, challenge your taste buds with Bun Dau Mam Tom (fermented rice noodles with fried tofu and shrimp paste), a top choice in Hanoi street food cuisine. The pungent dipping sauce - mam tom or shrimp paste - is the dish's signature element that keeps millions of Vietnamese people coming back for more.

In the afternoon, explore the Temple of Literature, established in 1076 as Vietnam's first university for the country's royal, mandarin, and elite classes. Offering well-preserved architecture and serene gardens, this temple provides a captivating look into Vietnam's history. Continue to Hoa Loa Prison (also known as Hanoi Hilton), which held Vietnamese political prisoners, as well as French and American POWs, and unveils a fascinating yet chilling snapshot of prison life.

Proceed to Long Bien Bridge, originally named Doumer Bridge, an iconic symbol of resilience built in 1902 by Sir Gustave Eiffel's company. Despite the destruction caused by numerous air raids during the American War, the remaining bridge spans serve as poignant reminders of the past.

Conclude your cultural, historical, and culinary Hanoi tour at a lively, renowned Bia Hoi, where you can sample local draft beer and immerse yourself in the local ambiance. Sit back, relax, and enjoy observing the vibrant local life. Make sure to have a light breakfast at your hotel as you'll be trying various street delicacies throughout the day!

Overnight in Hanoi.

08:00 Depart from Hanoi in the early morning to the Northwest via Hoa Binh Province on the highway and flat road passing rural area before reaching the mountain offering you a panoramic view of the whole valley. You arrive at your accommodation in time for a delicious lunch, followed by free time to explore the beautiful retreat, with its captivating panoramic views and tranquil setting.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to a suspension bridge over the Cham River, where you begin your walk in search of stunning water wheels. Get up close to each wheel and discover how water is moved from river to handmade bamboo aqueducts via simple constructions of all sizes. Arriving at a local fisherman’s house, you have a short rest to gear up for the bamboo river rafting with Dinh and his team. Float along the calm river and enjoy the views, in between learning how to paddle and steer your handcrafted rafts.

Arriving at the scenic Tan Lap bridge, you disembark to be transferred back to Retreat for dinner.

Approx.: 4.5 hours driving + 3 km easy walk + 15 mins for bamboo raft

Overnight in Pu Luong.

This morning is free at your own leisure and check out your room at 11:00.

Heading to Ninh Binh – Halong Bay inland — one of the most beautiful parts of Vietnam with its dramatic scenery and historical temples. The rice fields here are beautiful and the area has earned the nickname of ‘Dry Halong Bay’, a moniker borne out by the limestone karsts which dominate the landscape.

Van Long Nature Reserve

Arrive at Van Long Nature Reserve for a boat trip. Covering an area of nearly 3,000 ha, Van Long is the largest wetland nature reserve in the North of Vietnam and a 1.5-hour boat trip by traditional sampan is the perfect way to see this area. If you are lucky, you will see waterfowl, giant water bugs which are in Vietnam’s Red Book, and Delacour’s langur.

***In the dry season (Dec-Apr), Van Long is the wintering place of migratory birds from the North. There are dozens of pheasants, grey herons, teal, and hundreds of white storks, night herons…

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

After breakfast, you head to Trang An and board a rowing boat through limestone hills surrounding a peaceful river that passes through a series of caves (one which takes 15-minutes to pass through in darkness). An ‘eco-tourism’ area, the only interruptions here are the sound of birds and the gentle paddle of the oar upon the crystal-clear river.

Disembark the boat and join the guide for an in-depth exploration of the ruins of Vietnam’s first capital - Hoa Lu. Learn about the Dinh (968-980) and Le (980-1009) Dynasties and about the history of the site. See ancient tombs and the ruins of the once-imposing Citadel. If feeling fit, there is an option to climb into the limestone karst hills. The half-hour walk is rewarded with spectacular views over Hoa Lu and its surroundings.

After lunch at a local restaurant, hop on a bike and pedal along the country lane, experiencing the beautiful scenery of lush paddy fields and rocky outcrops (rice harvesting time: May). Visit Bich Dong pagoda which was considered to be the most second beautiful grotto in Vietnam in the 17th century.

Then explore Mua Cave and climb 500 stone steps to the top of the mountain to enjoy a stunning panorama view of the countryside and the wonderful Ngo Dong River. From the top, you can see all the way of the boat trip going in Tam Coc.

Return to the hotel and the rest of day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

After breakfast, at 08:00 leave Ninh Binh behind in exchange for the beauty of Halong Bay.

Arrive at the pier, towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities for your overnight cruise. Cast off and cruise across the emerald-green waters of UNESCO-listed Halong Bay. After your welcome onboard, feast on a delicious and fresh seafood lunch while cruising the Bay’s 1,500 limestone islands, providing an opportunity to see these remarkable, geologic wonders both up-close and from afar. Relax on the terrace deck or on your private balcony and soak in the enchanting aura which emanates from the surreal seascape. While we cruise along in the early afternoon, there is time to enjoy the ship’s vast wellness and spa offerings (at your cost).

In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day, the boat sets sail for an exclusive and undisturbed parking spot in the midst of the bay for the overnight mooring.

Savor a fusion dinner made with the freshest ingredients in a sophisticated space with traditional oriental touches. After dining, you can also opt for one of the best ways to spend the evening by just taking a seat under the stars on the terrace deck or on your balcony to embrace the serenity of this surreal landscape.

Note: This tour may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Overnight on board Halong Cruise.

Wake up early, a perfect time to refresh and indulge yourself in the peaceful beauty of the bay with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. If you want to hunt for dawn, get up from 5:30 to 6:00 depending on the season, and consult our sailors. Traditional Vietnamese coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries await in the dining room to start the day. Enjoy a visit and/or activity (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board while the vessel cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port.

Say farewell to the ship’s crew and climb back into the vehicle for the return journey to Hanoi – Noi Bai Airport for your flight to your next destination/ back home.