Vietnam: Hanoi, Halong Bay & Trekking Pu Luong

From the organized chaos of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to the soothing lush green terraces of Pu Luong, Vietnam pushes you to let go, step out of your comfort zone, and reconnect with your inner explorer. Vietnam can feel unfamiliar and familiar all at once. Try foods you have never even heard of before while being greeted with smiling hosts who feel like familiar friends. Welcome to Hanoi, and to Vietnam, and we invite you to dive in, push your limits, and refill your cup.

After an informative welcome briefing, join your CEO for a multi-course Vietnamese feast. Try sizzling ginger chicken and fresh mango salad. Sip the unexpected with a complimentary egg coffee made right at your table.

ACTIVITY: Enjoy an included arrival transfer from the airport to your Welcome Meeting spot at the joining hotel in Hanoi.

ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

It wouldn't be a trip to Vietnam without hopping on the back of a motorbike. Your drivers and guides this morning are all women from a local organization dedicated to empowering women through employment as motorbike drivers in the tourism sector. These women will guide you through the city-stopping the motorbike to allow for exploration of all the must see stops. Walk around the perimeter of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and visit Ba Dinh Square and One Pillar Pagoda. Explore Huu Tiep Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda. After working up an appetite, return to the Old Quarter for a huge bowl of Pho at a local restaurant. Slurping is highly encouraged.

Later this afternoon, dive straight into a foodie walking tour of Hanoi. Dig into some of the best Bun Cha you've ever had and end the afternoon at Bia Hoi corner just in time to do some people watching with a cold drink in hand.

ACTIVITY: A once-in-a-lifetime motorbike ride throughout Hanoi Old Quarter and the outskirts of the city to explore all aspects of Hanoi, not only the bustling city, but also the peaceful side. Visit landmarks like the outside of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, One Pillar Pagoda, Huu Tiep Lake, and Hoa Lo Prison.

ACTIVITY: Take a seat on a cyclo for a tour of Hanoi’s lively Old Quarter. Let the driver navigate through the bustling streets and start taking some photos or just use the tour to help get familiar with the area.

ACTIVITY: EVENING Indulge your inner foodie with a street food tour through bustling Hanoi. Follow your guide through the back streets and markets of the city’s old quarter, sampling local fare along the way. Observe rush hour, mingle with city natives and experienced street food artists alike, as you taste a variety of Hanoi faves like “nem ran” and “banh goi.” Stop at a streetside bar to savour a Bia Hoi like Hanoians do.

TRANSPORT: Sit back and relax taking in the scenery as you transfer from the hotel to various included activities.

Standing as a symbol of centuries worth of discoveries by sea, the junk boat was first created in 3000 B.C. and throughout time the ship has been used by explorers and merchants alike. Now is your chance to spend a night aboard, embracing your inner explorer. (Albeit with way comfier pillows.) Glide through the steely waters in Halong Bay past limestone karst mountains and lush green islands and paddle a kayak through thousand year old caves.Step on board our private boat and dig into a thoughtfully catered Vietnamese lunch. Sample local delights like pumpkin soup, fried chicken and Halong steamed tiger prawn. Get in the water with a guided kayaking adventure to explore the natural scenery of Luon Cave. Look out for fossilized shells of oysters and crabs-proof that life existed here millions of years ago. Join your hosts to help prepare springs rolls, or sit back with a well earned glass of local beer. Dinner is plentiful this evening-and served on board.Additional Information: Pack a small overnight bag with everything you need for tonight and tomorrow morning in Ha Long Bay. Your big suitcase will be stored in a safe place and you will not have access to it after you board the boat until you disembark the next day.ACTIVITY: Embark on a guided kayaking adventure to explore the natural scenery of Luon Cave.TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.ACTIVITY: Spend the day aboard a traditional junk boat. Cruise slowly on the calm bay on this comfortable craft, soaking in the magnificent karst scenery. Relax on deck and catch some rays or stay inside – you’ll still be able to enjoy the scenery through the windows.During the cruise, feast on local seafood, visit one of the massive cave systems in kayaks, and participate in a cooking class on the boat.The next day, continue to cruise through the limestone karsts in the morning before disembarking after breakfast.

Tropical rainforest covers the low mountains that surround Pu Luong-with rice terraces as far as the eye can see. Villages dotted throughout the valley are like splashes of colour against a bright green painting. Trekking along the terraces, throughout villages, brings you face to face with day to day life in this picturesque corner of northern Vietnam.

Spend the morning in Halong Bay, enjoying a leisurely breakfast on board. Disembark and make your way to Pu Luong, situated west of Hanoi. Dinner will be familiar favourites - beans, bamboo shoots, and farm raised pork-and some local delicacies like mountain snails dipped in fish sauce.

TRANSPORT: Travel to your featured stay accommodation in Pu Luong with a stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

FREE TIME: EVENING After arriving at Pu Loung Hotel you will be able to spend free time exploring the grounds or getting settled in your new relaxing surroundings.

The village of Pu Luong lies just west of Hanoi, but feels a million miles away. Step out of your wooden bungalow to a vast landscape of green. Start the day with a rich coffee and fuel up for a morning trekking among the rice paddies. Pass by local villages and wave hello to local people as they move about their daily routines. Walk to Ban Cong and dig into a BBQ picnic lunch prepared for you by local chefs just along the riverbank.

Trekking through the rice paddies, you will certainly work up an appetite. Your local chef prepares dishes like barbecue Pork Belly with local Mac Khen seeds and stir-fried morning glory with garlic. While they whip up this delicious feast, participate in a spring roll making activity with your hosts and CEO. It's harder than it looks, but in our view: all spring rolls are good spring rolls.

ACTIVITY: Start the morning with a quick ten minute transfer to the beginning of the trek. Stroll through symmetrical rice paddies stopping to visit local families along the way.

Total distance: 3-5km
Duration: 2-2.5 hours

ACTIVITY: After the trek transfer a half hour to the bamboo rafting meeting point. From here you will walk 1.2km to Ban Cong Village to attend an immersive cooking demonstration and local BBQ with your generous hosts along the bank of a peaceful river. Board the raft after lunch for a 45 minute float on the river amid the serene landscape. A private vehicle will be waiting to take you back to the hotel upon exiting the raft.

FREE TIME: You will have free time this evening to enjoy more of the hotel amenities and peaceful grounds.

Hoi An roughly translates to "a peaceful meeting place" and we promise it lives up to its name. Admittedly, it's hard to get more peaceful than the rice terraces of Pu Luong, but Hoi An offers a contrast to its northern neighbour. Where Pu Luong boasts serenity and calm, Hoi An offers conviviality and vibrancy. Explore this meeting place with a cooking class led by a local chef preparing a three course meal.

One final sip of coffee and a deep breath of jungle air and it's time to bid farewell to Pu Luong. Return to Hanoi to catch a flight to Da Nang. Arriving in Hoi An in the late afternoon, there is no better way to get acquainted than to set out on foot to reach your cooking class and evening meal.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

ACTIVITY: Participate in a cooking class in Hoi An. Walk as a group the 1km to the Green Mango restaurant and learn how to cook five traditional dishes before enjoying your creations for dinner.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Discover the highlights of Hoi An with your CEO on an informative walking tour. Visit the Ong Pagoda, Chua Cau (Japanese Covered Bridge), and the local market. You're getting to know a lot about Hoi An-but what about the claim that its home to the best banh mi in Vietnam? You CEO will offer to show you to the best place in town (but no guarantees you won't acquire a serious banh mi craving from here on out).

The remainder of the afternoon will involve some time at leisure. Your CEO will lead an excursion to a local beach. For the adventure-seekers, we recommend a Jeep tour through the countryside. Learn about the agricultural practices of local farmers by visiting their crops and livestock. Witness how traditional occupations have changed through time from weaving to rice-wine making, to newer industries like bird’s nest farming and aquaculture. Interact with friendly locals, spark conversations, and leave feeling a genuine connection to this place and the people you are meeting along the way.

FREE TIME: Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Join your CEO on a visit to a nearby local beach or if you are craving more adventure, join a guided jeep tour in Hoi An, travelling through rural landscapes and local communities. If you want to kick back, choose a massage and a dip in the pool.

ACTIVITY: Embark on a captivating half-day CEO lead walking tour of Hoi An's ancient town. Stroll through the narrow winding streets, exploring its rich history and visiting significant landmarks such as ancient houses, the Cantonese merchant house, Ong Pagoda, the Japanese covered bridge, and the local market. The entrance fee for the old city is included.

Hoi An is a must visit on any Vietnam itinerary because you can do it all here. From ancient ruins and fascinating architecture, to delicious food and active adventures-there is a dizzying array of things to see and do. You get to choose today between two curated choices. Embark on a kayaking adventure that takes you from the Cua Dai bridge down to a fishing village and beyond. If you would rather explore the ruins of My Son, join a local guide for comprehensive exploration of various complexes of the site, before returning to Hoi An by boat.

Both of your OMG Day options return to Hoi An in time for some leisure time in the afternoon. Take a dip in the pool or book another activity to complete your customized day.

ACTIVITY: Option 1: See My Son Ruins on a guided tour. Listen as your guide gives a comprehensive explanation and historical lesson on My Son. This in-depth tour aims to provide you with a profound understanding of Cham history, the Cham people, Cham culture, and the Cham Kingdom. After moving through the temple complexes the group will board a covered boat for a 40-minutes boat ride with a stop at Kim Bong Carpentry Village.

Option 2: Grab those paddles for a guided kayaking tour of the old town through the mangroves. Start with a comprehensive safety briefing before kayaking towards Cua Dai bridge in the early morning. Then, paddle to a local fishing village for a visit where local breakfast and coffee with be served. On the return, travel through a serene coco-palm mangrove.

FREE TIME: HALF DAY The remainder of the afternoon and evening will be free to enjoy more of Hoi An.

Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's most populated city with just around 9 million people calling it their home. For every 6 people, 1 motorbike enters the city on a daily basis. This organized chaos is a recognizable feature of many Vietnamese cities and learning to navigate the chaos is all part of the adventure. When you arrive in the afternoon, hop onto a pedaling cyclo to get a bit above the motorbike fray and tour the city with your knowledgeable guide. A sunset boat ride is peaceful way to end the day in the big city.

Board a flight from Da Nang, near Hoi An, bound for Ho Chi Minh City. After a delicious Pho lunch, begin the afternoon of adventure featuring a cyclo tour of the city. Wrap up the day with a relaxing sunset cruise.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Take a city tour on a cyclo (cycle rickshaw) – a great way to absorb the sights, sounds, and smells of Ho Chi Minh City. On this 2-hour experience you will visit the Independence Palace and War Remnant Museum while your knowledgable guide offers insightful commentary along the ride.

TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

ACTIVITY: This evening board a private sunset cruise to see Ho Chi Minh City from the water. Snacks and a refreshing drink will be available as you cruise along soaking in the scenic views.

The Cu Chi Tunnels remain a testament to the enduring spirit of the Vietnamese people and their ingenuity in the face of unthinkable wartime tradgedies. The tunnels may be your destination today, but the journey to gets you off the beaten track to discover more of Vietnam. Hop on a bicycle and pedal your way through the countryside en route to the the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Pass through local villages and stop at a local market to sample local produce. Visit the Phu Hoa Dong traditional rice paper village and witness the age-old craftsmanship and traditions that have withstood the test of time. Your cycling adventure comes to an end once you arrive at the tunnels-where your guided tour begins. Venture into the depths of history with a visit to Ben Dinh Tunnel, one of the remarkable sections of the Cu Chi Tunnels network. Learn how the tunnels were used for strategy and for survival. When you return to Ho Chi Minh City, its time to freshen up and prepare for a final farewell dinner with your CEO and fellow travellers.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle while you transfer from the hotel to the beginning of the cyclo tour and the end of the cyclo tour back to the hotel.

ACTIVITY: After a safety briefing the group will set off on a full-day cycling tour with an included visit to Cu Chi Tunnels. Pedal through fruit gardens along the winding Saigon River and admire the lush green landscape. Dive into the rich heritage of Vietnam at Phu Hoa Dong Traditional Rice Paper Village before searching for travel mementos at the local market. Continue onwards through the rustling leaves of a rubber plantation before venturing into the Ben Dinh Tunnel—one of the sections of the Cu Chi Tunnels network.

Your adventure comes to end, and you can depart at any time.

ACTIVITY: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.