This 4-day tour is a great excursion to ethnic minority villages of Pu Luong Nature Reserve and Mai Chau valley area. Enjoy a street food tour in Hanoi on the first day and coming to Mai Chau on the next day, you will have many opportunities to admire mountainous natural landscapes, valleys of beautiful terraced fields and more interestingly explore more anthentic cultures of local ethnics living there. Join and discover with us.
Highlights
- Explore Hanoi through a walking street food tour
- Admire the beautiful landscapes of mountain ranges in north Vietnam
- Visit the real local Thai traditional Stilt House and cycle around the villages to learn about their daily live and culture
- Stop by a handcraft village to explore weaving in traditional way
- Stay overnight in a local homestay
- Cruise along a stream on the Bamboo Raft and relax
- Trek through the terrace rice fields and cross the stream and explore the largest cave in Pu Luong
| By Day | Transfer | Destinations | Activities | Meals |
| Day 1 | | Hanoi | Arrive in Hanoi, Walk through streets in Hanoi Old Quarter, Enjoy the... | D |
| Day 2 | | Hanoi, Mai Chau | Drive to Mai Chau; Visit the real local Thai traditional Stilt House;... | B, L, D |
| Day 3 | | Mai Chau, Pu Luong | Drive to Pu Luong; Visit remote rural villages of Thai Ethnic;... | B, L, D |
| Day 4 | | Pu Luong, Hanoi | Trekking through the terrace rice fields; Visit remote rural villages... | B |
Welcome to Hanoi, the heart of Vietnam which is considered as a blend between the traditional and the modern beauties.
At Noi Bai Airport, our guide and driver will welcome then take you to your hotel to do check-in.
At 17:00 pm, our guide will pick up at your hotel and walk to the Hanoi Old Quarter Area to start the journey discovering the local food world and local life of Hanoi.
The best way to approach a culture is to explore its cuisine. This tour helps you discover the ancient Hanoi old quarter throught tasting its authentic local street food From Nom (Vietnamese salad with beef), Pho (Beef noodle), Bun Cha (Vietnamese grilled pork with vemicelli) and end up with Ca Phe Trung - a blend of coffee and egg whites, folded with sugar. Seasonal Mixed Fruits is an option for who don’t “dare” to give Egg coffee a shot.
Eat like a local! Discover Hanoi foodies’ best loved dishes in neighborhood locales.
Back to hotel at 18:30 pm.
There is no doubt that food is one of the best way to immersing yourself in local culture. Hanoi Foodie tour by night takes loving food souls from around the world to the corners of the Old Quarter, tasting its authentic local street food such as Nom Bo Kho (dry beef salad)- a familiar snack of street foods family, “Nem Ran” (Spring Roll) - one of the most typical Vietnamese food, “Pho Cuon” (Stuffed pancake) - rice pancakes stuffed with pork , “Pho”- most famous food of the Vietnamese, Cha Ca La Vong (La Vong fried fish), Bun Cha (Vietnamese grilled pork with vemicelli) o “Banh Mi“ (Vietnamese Sandwich) considerred as one of the most vibrant and delicious sandwiches in the world, and “Ca Phe Trung” (egg coffee) - a must-try Hanoi treat... All of these dishes promisingly delight and excite your senses whilst bringing you the harmony of Hanoi streets. Say "NO" to touristic, get a chance eating like a real local!
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Accommodation Options
Just unveiled in December 2011, the beautiful Gondola Hotel in Hanoi is exquisite emergence between Italian spirit and Hanoi culture. It features a rooftop bar, a restaurant, and free Wi-Fi. All rooms have windows with city or lake views. In Gondola Hotel, you are served in the most enthusiastic and best way with these services such as concierge, elevator, laundry service/ dry cleaning, restaurant, coffee shop, and smoking areas.
More
Tirant Hotel is situated in the heart of Hanoi’s finest cultural landmark, the Old Quarter – the nest of all the historical legends and the well-reserved area, Tirant hotel is a perfect choice for both business and leisure travelers. Hotel's operational slogan is “Come with expectation, leave with satisfaction”. They are highly proud of their service, offered by their management team and staff, highly trained and experienced, who are ready to be at your service anytime.
More
Situated in the center of Hanoi, Hotel de l'Opera is close to Hanoi's Opera House, the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake . This modern hotel is in the vicinity of popular city attractions such as Centre Culturel Française de Hanoi, Hanoi Opera House, American Club. The hotel has 107 rooms and suites are sanctuary of comfort, with hand-picked luxurious amenities and 21st Century technology.
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Pick-up at Hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter to go to Mai Chau by our private car. Have a short break in Luong Son (Outside of Hanoi).
Stop at the local market of the Muong Ethnic Minority; enjoy the beautiful scenery of ThungKhe Pass (One of the 10 most beautiful passes in Vietnam).
Arrive in Mai Chau Valley for lunch. (Vegetarian is available).
Visit the real local Thai traditional Stilt House before cycling to visit villages of the Thai Ethnic Minority and learn about their daily live and culture. Stop by the
handcraft village to learn about weaving in traditional way and support them by buying their local products.
Back to your homestay
Dinner will be served in the local Thai Traditional House with local cuisine and we will have chance to enjoy Traditional Wine with the residential host.
Overnight in Mai Chau.
Cycling is an ideal choice to watch and witness the fascinating and visually stunning part of Mai Chau. You will first start from Pom Coong village and then cycle along the alluring rice paddies on either side to Cha Long and Tong Dau villages to a true example of authentic experience. In addition, you will have a unique opportunity to observe the local way of life of Thai ethnic minority and get away from a hustle and bustle street life in Hanoi.
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- Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options
Situated in Mai Chau, Mrs Chung Homestay features free WiFi, and guests can enjoy a restaurant and a garden. A patio with garden views is offered in each unit. An Asian breakfast is available each morning at the homestay. If you would like to discover the area, cycling is possible in the surroundings and Mrs Homestay can arrange a bicycle rental service.
More
Ideal for fun and relaxation, Mai Chau Sunrise Village is located in the Mai Chau area of Mai Chau (Hoa Binh). From here, guests can enjoy easy access to all that the lively city has to offer. With its convenient location, the hotel offers easy access to the city's must-see destinations. Discover an engaging blend of professional service and a wide array of features at Mai Chau Nature Lodge.
More
Sitting atop a private hill in Na Phon village, Mai Chau Ecolodge is the most secluded haven in Mai Chau with a stunning backdrop of lush rice paddies and emerald mountains embraced by clouds. Inspired by nature, we constructed the lodge to be a refuge of charm and serenity, providing guest a chance to forget about the worries of daily life and to enjoy the best Mai Chau has to offer.
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After having breakfast we will leave our hosts to drive to Pu Luong Nature Reservation Centre.
You will enter Pu Luong Nature Reserve by road via a breath-taking mountain pass giving you a panoramic view of the whole valley. You arrive at your accommodation in time for a delicious lunch.
After lunch, we board the car to the starting point. Following the small road through the terrace rice and sugar cane fields, cross the Hanging Bridges to visit other remote rural villages of Thai Ethnic. Stop at the giant waterwheels, ducks farm to learn about the agriculture before getting on the Bamboo Raft for a relaxing cruise on Cham stream (cruise depending on weather conditions).
Back to your homestay.
Have dinner at local homestay and enjoy some local rice wine. Have a quiet night in the middle of the Reserve.
Overnight in Pu Luong.
The Pu Luong limestone landscape is an area of outstanding beauty, culture interest and high biodiversity value stretching from Mai Chau in the North to West to Cuc Phuong national park in the South East. It is blessed with rich forest, limestone panoramas, magnificent rice terraces and breathtaking scenery. On this tour, you will experience the everyday life and culture of Thai and Muong people, stay in scenic villages and in traditional homestay accommodation.Pu Luong Nature Reserve offers opportunities for easy to moderate trekking, ranging from one to several days’ visits. Visit the bat cave at Kho Muong, raft on Ma River, journey to pleasant Thai villages or camp on the Pu luong mountain for stunning panorama are waiting for you to experience.
More
- Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options
All the bungalows of Puluong Hillsidelodge are designed in the style of stilt houses of Thai ethnic people, decorated simply and close to nature in order to preserve Thai Black ethnic culture in Pu Luong. All bungalows have their own balcony overlooking the stream, terraced fields and limestone mountains of Pu Luong nature reserve.
More
Located in Pu Luong, Pu Luong Eco Garden has an outdoor swimming pool and garden. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi. Certain rooms at the property include a terrace with a pool view.A buffet breakfast is served every morning at the property.Guests at the hotel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Pu Luong. A place to experience.
More
Tucked away on a hillside with the most stunning panoramic views in the area, Pu Luong Retreat provides a refreshing escape from the crowds only 160km - 4 hour drive from Hanoi. With magnificent mountain ranges, stunning rice terrae fields, scenic rivers and waterfalls, breathtaking mountain passes and remote traditional villages, Pu Luong is truly a microcosm of Northern Vietnam. Comfortable bungalows, traditional stilt houses and private rooms with comfy beds, an open air restaurant with nice cuisine, infinity pool, spa area and rock garden are all at your disposal in Pu Luong Retreat to discover the hidden details, built by hand from the ground up, with meticulous attention.
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Have breakfast in the lodge. Enjoying the breathtaking view from the lodge.
Trek following the small roads through the terrace rice fields and cross the stream to visit remote rural villages of Black Thai Minorities to learn about the local people in Pu Luong.(6kms). Explore Doi Cave (Bat cave) of Kho Muong village, this is the largest cave in Pu Luong. (Depending on the weather condition)
Back to the homestay for lunch.
Check out and get on the car back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi old quarter drop you off at your hotel. End of all services.
Inclusions
Meals
3 breakfasts 2 lunches 3 dinners
Accommodation
Hotel (4 nights),
Transport
Car, Bikking, Boating, Trekking
- Vietnam visa approval letter (Not applied for nationalities in the special nations list of Vietnam Immigration Department. Check on request for details.)
- Accommodations with daily breakfast as mentioned
- Private transport in air-conditioned vehicles
- Local English-speaking guides
- Water on coach per tour days
- Entrance fees, performances, boat trips & excursions
- Internal flights
Exclusions
- International in/out flights
- Travel insurance
- Vietnam Visa Stamp fee
- Early check-in and late check-out surcharges at accommodations
- Single supplement surcharges
- Peak season surcharges: From Dec. 20 to Jan. 15
- Christmas Eve surcharges: Dec. 24
- New Year Eve surcharges: Dec 31
- New Year surcharges: Jan 01
- Lunar New Year surcharges
- Public Holidays surcharges: Hung Kings Commemoration Day, International Labor Day, National Day, Reunification Day
- Weekend surcharges: Friday, Saturday (If required)
- Beverage
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities for guides and drivers
- Other services not mentioned above
Just unveiled in December 2011, the beautiful Gondola Hotel in Hanoi is exquisite emergence between Italian spirit and Hanoi culture. It features a rooftop bar, a restaurant, and free Wi-Fi. All rooms have windows with city or lake views. In Gondola Hotel, you are served in the most enthusiastic and best way with these services such as concierge, elevator, laundry service/ dry cleaning, restaurant, coffee shop, and smoking areas.
More
Tirant Hotel is situated in the heart of Hanoi’s finest cultural landmark, the Old Quarter – the nest of all the historical legends and the well-reserved area, Tirant hotel is a perfect choice for both business and leisure travelers. Hotel's operational slogan is “Come with expectation, leave with satisfaction”. They are highly proud of their service, offered by their management team and staff, highly trained and experienced, who are ready to be at your service anytime.
More
Situated in the center of Hanoi, Hotel de l'Opera is close to Hanoi's Opera House, the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake . This modern hotel is in the vicinity of popular city attractions such as Centre Culturel Française de Hanoi, Hanoi Opera House, American Club. The hotel has 107 rooms and suites are sanctuary of comfort, with hand-picked luxurious amenities and 21st Century technology.
More
Situated in Mai Chau, Mrs Chung Homestay features free WiFi, and guests can enjoy a restaurant and a garden. A patio with garden views is offered in each unit. An Asian breakfast is available each morning at the homestay. If you would like to discover the area, cycling is possible in the surroundings and Mrs Homestay can arrange a bicycle rental service.
More
Ideal for fun and relaxation, Mai Chau Sunrise Village is located in the Mai Chau area of Mai Chau (Hoa Binh). From here, guests can enjoy easy access to all that the lively city has to offer. With its convenient location, the hotel offers easy access to the city's must-see destinations. Discover an engaging blend of professional service and a wide array of features at Mai Chau Nature Lodge.
More
Sitting atop a private hill in Na Phon village, Mai Chau Ecolodge is the most secluded haven in Mai Chau with a stunning backdrop of lush rice paddies and emerald mountains embraced by clouds. Inspired by nature, we constructed the lodge to be a refuge of charm and serenity, providing guest a chance to forget about the worries of daily life and to enjoy the best Mai Chau has to offer.
More
All the bungalows of Puluong Hillsidelodge are designed in the style of stilt houses of Thai ethnic people, decorated simply and close to nature in order to preserve Thai Black ethnic culture in Pu Luong. All bungalows have their own balcony overlooking the stream, terraced fields and limestone mountains of Pu Luong nature reserve.
More
Located in Pu Luong, Pu Luong Eco Garden has an outdoor swimming pool and garden. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi. Certain rooms at the property include a terrace with a pool view.A buffet breakfast is served every morning at the property.Guests at the hotel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Pu Luong. A place to experience.
More
Tucked away on a hillside with the most stunning panoramic views in the area, Pu Luong Retreat provides a refreshing escape from the crowds only 160km - 4 hour drive from Hanoi. With magnificent mountain ranges, stunning rice terrae fields, scenic rivers and waterfalls, breathtaking mountain passes and remote traditional villages, Pu Luong is truly a microcosm of Northern Vietnam. Comfortable bungalows, traditional stilt houses and private rooms with comfy beds, an open air restaurant with nice cuisine, infinity pool, spa area and rock garden are all at your disposal in Pu Luong Retreat to discover the hidden details, built by hand from the ground up, with meticulous attention.
More
Day 1:Hanoi
There is no doubt that food is one of the best way to immersing yourself in local culture. Hanoi Foodie tour by night takes loving food souls from around the world to the corners of the Old Quarter, tasting its authentic local street food such as Nom Bo Kho (dry beef salad)- a familiar snack of street foods family, “Nem Ran” (Spring Roll) - one of the most typical Vietnamese food, “Pho Cuon” (Stuffed pancake) - rice pancakes stuffed with pork , “Pho”- most famous food of the Vietnamese, Cha Ca La Vong (La Vong fried fish), Bun Cha (Vietnamese grilled pork with vemicelli) o “Banh Mi“ (Vietnamese Sandwich) considerred as one of the most vibrant and delicious sandwiches in the world, and “Ca Phe Trung” (egg coffee) - a must-try Hanoi treat... All of these dishes promisingly delight and excite your senses whilst bringing you the harmony of Hanoi streets. Say "NO" to touristic, get a chance eating like a real local!
Day 2:Hanoi, Mai Chau
Cycling is an ideal choice to watch and witness the fascinating and visually stunning part of Mai Chau. You will first start from Pom Coong village and then cycle along the alluring rice paddies on either side to Cha Long and Tong Dau villages to a true example of authentic experience. In addition, you will have a unique opportunity to observe the local way of life of Thai ethnic minority and get away from a hustle and bustle street life in Hanoi.
Day 3:Mai Chau, Pu Luong
The Pu Luong limestone landscape is an area of outstanding beauty, culture interest and high biodiversity value stretching from Mai Chau in the North to West to Cuc Phuong national park in the South East. It is blessed with rich forest, limestone panoramas, magnificent rice terraces and breathtaking scenery. On this tour, you will experience the everyday life and culture of Thai and Muong people, stay in scenic villages and in traditional homestay accommodation.
Pu Luong Nature Reserve offers opportunities for easy to moderate trekking, ranging from one to several days’ visits. Visit the bat cave at Kho Muong, raft on Ma River, journey to pleasant Thai villages or camp on the Pu luong mountain for stunning panorama are waiting for you to experience.
