Day 1: Arrival - Ha Noi
On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia's most striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing atmosphere. If time permits we enjoy on a short cyclo ride through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. O/N in Ha Noi.

Day 2: Ha Noi
Today we spend a full day exploring Hanoi. The first stop is Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam, the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history and the Ethnologic Museum. This gleaming mansion is dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. Afterwards we drive back to the town center with stopover at the Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. They are some major highlights set by the beautiful West Lake. We see these before going to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple. In front of this lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will see a fantastic performance. O/N in Ha Noi. (B)

Day 3: Ha Noi - Tho Ha - Phu Lang - Ha Long
Heading out of town we travel by roads along the Cau River towards Tho Ha village. This former craft center has remained detached from the world by a boat ride for hundreds of years. On arrival we enjoy a walk around this charming village, enabling us to explore the many traditional houses as well as the rice paper making. The next stop is Phu Lang Village which is well known for the earthenware making. The ceramic kilns are built one after another along the dykes and on the low hills near Luc Dau Giang, facing the scenic Cau river. Here we have a chance to observe craft man at work and try at making few products. Upon leaving this village we continue to Halong and spend the rest of day for an well earned rest on beach. ON in Halong Bay. (B)

Day 4: Ha Long - Bat Trang - Ha Noi
The legendary Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam's most impressive scenic sights. We board a traditional boat for a five hour trip around Halong Bay. This exciting cruise provides us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. These limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. We round off our excursion with a seafood lunch served on board and make our way back to Ha Noi, stopping off to visit the riverside village of Bat Trang. The vitality of this village is still blown up by the hundreds of pottery kilns on fire day and night. We stroll around various cottage industries and watch craftsmen forming, painting and glazing their products in traditional ways. O/N in Ha Noi. (B,L)

Day 5: Ha Noi - Mai Chau
The spectacular countryside and the simple lifestyle of the hill tribe people make Mai Chau one of northern Vietnam's most attractive destinations. Heading out of town we drive northwards through the scenic landscape of rice fields, tea plantation and traditional stilt houses to Mai Chau. On arrival we enjoy an easy walk through the rice field to Ban Poong Cong , Ban Lac and Ban Van where the villagers weave their traditional brocade. Today we spend the night as honored guests of a Thai family and sample some of their homemade foods! The accommodation is very simple and dormitory style, no western facilities but the experience is definitely unique. The extra enjoyment of our trip is an evening traditional music show followed with the local rice wine. This performance is held by the young White Thai minorities, reflecting the rich culture of this ethnic group. O/N in Mai Chau. (B,D)

Day 6: Mai Chau - Xa Linh - Ha Noi
Upon leaving Mai Chau we travel by roads through the undulating terrains of tea plantations and sleepy villages linked to the road which is now the main artery of trade between the northwestern region and the capital city. We arrives in Xa Linh village after one hour drive and embark on an easy walk past the breathtaking scenery and the many rustic hamlets. They are inhabited by the Hmong hill tribe people who are very poor, but have an interesting local culture as well as handmade clothing tradition. At the end of the walk we meet up with our vehicle for return journey to Ha Noi. En route we make stop to visit some local industry cottages including the rattan furniture making at Phu Yen and the silk waving at Van Phuc village. O/N in Ha Noi.(B)

Day 7: Ha Noi - Ninh Binh - Hoa Lu - Tam Coc
The ancient capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and early Le Dynasties is Hoa Lu, which however has left its legacy in the form of two small temples, each one nearly a thousand years old. Today have an excursion to Ninh Binh to visit these two remaining structures. The first one is dedicated to the Dinh Dynasty. The second one commemorates the Le Rulers. In front of these temples is the rugged Ma Yen mount; it involves a walk over 200 steps for a fantastic view over the surrounding areas. The following sight is Tam Coc which is surnamed "Inland Halong Bay". Here we board a sampan for a leisurely trip through the quiet and peaceful landscape of rice fields surrounded by towering limestone cliffs to the grottoes of Tam Coc. Upon disembarking we have time to stroll around Van Lam village to see the embroidery making. O/N in Ninh Binh. (B)

Day 8: Ninh Binh - Nam Dinh - Phu Ly - Ha Noi
Today we continue venturing into the Red River Delta with the next stop being Nam Dinh Province. There are plenty of industry cottages littered with rice fields in place. We visit one in La Xuyen village whose wood carvings are famous all over northern delta region. On arrival we stroll around the village and make stops at some cottages to admire the carpenters at work. By mid morning we drive back to Hanoi, stopping off en route to see the blind making factory in Phu Ly and the lacquer ware workshop in Chuyen My. The remainder of day will be free for your own exploration of Hanoi and catching up on many shopping areas. O/N in Ha Noi. (B)

Day 9:Ha Noi - Departure
There is free time to relax before the departure to Noi Bai Airport. The tour ends after your transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure. (B)