Northern Vietnam Luxury Retreats – 12 Days

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), you will be welcomed by an airport representative who will assist with VIP Fast-Track arrival procedures, subject to service availability. Your private guide and driver will then meet you after the arrival formalities and escort you to your hotel in the city centre by private transfer.

Your stay in Hanoi begins at The Theodore Hanoi, a luxury boutique hotel ideally located beside Hoan Kiem Lake. We recommend the Signature Lake View Terrace King, featuring 46 m² of interior space and an 18 m² private terrace overlooking the lake. With comfortable outdoor seating and an open view across the water, it is a lovely place to enjoy a morning coffee or unwind after your flight.
The hotel's central location makes it easy to explore the surroundings on foot. You may enjoy a leisurely walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, discover the nearby Old Quarter or stop at one of the lakeside cafés.

For a taste of Hanoi's traditional coffee culture, Cafe Dinh is just a short walk from the hotel. Follow the lakeside promenade to No. 13 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, where a discreet entrance leads through a narrow passage and up an old wooden staircase to the second-floor café. Established in 1987, this long-standing coffee spot is particularly known for its traditional egg coffee. Find a seat, order a cup and enjoy a small taste of Hanoi's old café culture.
Alternatively, simply spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel. No sightseeing activities are scheduled today, allowing you time to settle in before the retreat continues.

Overnight at your hotel in Hanoi.

Begin your first full day discovering the cultural and artistic heritage of Hanoi with your private guide.

• Morning: Visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, an important historical site dedicated to the life and legacy of President Ho Chi Minh. Explore the surrounding grounds, including the Presidential Palace area and the iconic One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university, with its historic courtyards, traditional architecture and peaceful gardens.
• Lunch: Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese meal at Tầm Vị, a Michelin-starred restaurant celebrated for its Northern Vietnamese home-style cooking. Set in a charming traditional house, it offers an opportunity to experience familiar Vietnamese dishes and the flavours of a traditional family meal.
• Afternoon: Visit the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts to discover Vietnamese artistic heritage through its collection of paintings, sculptures, lacquer works and traditional art. Continue with a leisurely cyclo ride through the Old Quarter, passing traditional shophouses and lively streets that reflect the character of old Hanoi.
• Evening: Attend Lang Tôi (My Village) by Lune Production at the Hanoi Lune Center for the Bamboo Circus. This distinctive Vietnamese bamboo circus performance combines acrobatics, live traditional music and bamboo artistry to portray scenes of rural village life.

After the show, return to The Theodore Hanoi. The remainder of the evening is free for you to relax at the hotel or enjoy the surrounding area.

Overnight: The Theodore Hanoi.

At 08:00 AM, depart Hanoi in your private luxury vehicle and travel southwest through the scenic countryside and mountainous landscapes of northern Vietnam. Along the way, stop at Thung Khe Pass to admire the sweeping mountain views and enjoy a short break.
 Arrive around midday at Avana Retreat in Mai Chau. Set across 15 hectares of forested hills, terraced rice fields and natural landscapes, this secluded mountain retreat offers a peaceful setting far removed from the bustle of the city. Check in to your Ferns Grand Mountain Suite and enjoy lunch at Green Chili Restaurant, surrounded by the natural beauty of the resort.
 Spend the early afternoon relaxing in the privacy of your accommodation. Later, enjoy a private afternoon tea at H'mong Cottage, a traditional wooden house tucked into the mountainside. Savour a selection of fine teas, pastries and refreshments while taking in the tranquil views of the valley and surrounding hills.

Hotel Highlight: Avana Retreat is distinguished by its natural setting, with Pung Waterfall flowing through the resort and 36 bungalows, suites and private pool villas nestled along the mountainside. One of its most striking features is the three-tier Cloud Pool, inspired by the terraced rice fields of Mai Chau. Heated for year-round swimming, the pool overlooks the valley, rice terraces and waterfall. The resort's architecture also draws inspiration from the ethnic communities of northwestern Vietnam, incorporating traditional elements such as earth walls, thatched roofs and rattan ceilings.

Overnight: Avana Retreat, Mai Chau.

Begin the day with a leisurely breakfast overlooking the surrounding valley before setting out on a full-day private trekking excursion through the beautiful landscapes of Mai Chau. Accompanied by your local guide, follow scenic mountain trails through terraced rice fields, green hills and peaceful valleys.
Along the way, visit traditional Thai ethnic villages, where you can meet local families, step inside a traditional wooden stilt house and learn about their daily lives and cultural traditions. Discover the art of traditional textile weaving and gain insight into the rural lifestyle that has shaped this mountain region.
Enjoy the picnic lunch during the excursion before continuing your trek through the countryside and village paths. The route and walking distance can be adjusted according to your fitness level and preferences.
Return to Avana Retreat in the late afternoon. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy a spa treatment, relax in your suite or take a refreshing swim in the heated Cloud Pool overlooking the valley.

Overnight: Avana Retreat, Mai Chau.

Spend a full day at leisure, immersing yourself in the peaceful surroundings and secluded comfort of Avana Retreat. Begin your morning with a gentle yoga or meditation session amidst the fresh mountain air, followed by a leisurely breakfast overlooking the lush valley.
 The rest of the day is dedicated to relaxation, with no fixed schedule. Unwind by the multi-tiered heated Cloud Pool, enjoying a refreshing swim while admiring views of the terraced fields and surrounding mountains. Treat yourself to a relaxing spa treatment at Orchid Spa, accompanied by the soothing sounds of nearby natural streams.
 In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely tea time, take a peaceful walk along the forest trails to Pung Waterfall, or simply relax on your private balcony and take in the tranquil mountain surroundings.

Overnight: Avana Retreat, Mai Chau.

 After a leisurely breakfast, depart Mai Chau and travel southeast towards Ninh Binh in your private vehicle. Covering approximately 160 kilometers, the journey takes around 3.5 hours, passing through peaceful countryside, emerald rice fields and limestone mountain scenery, with glimpses of everyday rural life in northern Vietnam.
 Arrive in Ninh Binh around midday and enjoy lunch at a carefully selected restaurant before continuing to Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat. Check in to your accommodation and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the peaceful countryside surroundings.

Hotel Highlight: Set beneath impressive limestone peaks, Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat is a tranquil countryside hideaway surrounded by natural scenery. Located just a short drive from Tam Coc boat pier, the retreat offers convenient access to one of Ninh Binh's most popular scenic attractions. A distinctive feature is its outdoor heated swimming pool, which remains comfortably warm throughout the year, including during the cooler winter months. This makes Jiva an inviting place to relax and enjoy the surrounding landscape in every season.

Overnight: Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat, Ninh Binh.

Trang An Landscape Complex

Tam Coc - Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh Province

At 09:00 AM, begin your day with a private guided visit to Hoa Lu, the 10th-century ancient capital of Vietnam. Explore the historic temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, set peacefully against a backdrop of towering limestone hills.

Afterward, head to Tam Coc for a traditional Vietnamese lunch featuring some of Ninh Binh's best-known specialties, including crispy rice (cơm cháy) and mountain goat dishes (thịt dê). In the afternoon, board a traditional hand-rowed sampan boat at Tam Coc pier for a scenic journey along the Ngo Dong River, passing through three natural limestone caves and alongside rice paddies framed by dramatic karst cliffs.

Upon returning to the pier, choose how to spend the rest of the afternoon: take a peaceful bicycle ride along village lanes and open fields, climb the steps at Mua Cave (Hang Múa) for panoramic views over the Tam Coc valley, or simply return to Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat to relax and enjoy a swim in the heated pool.

Overnight: Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat, Ninh Binh.

In the morning, check out from Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat and set off on a comfortable 215-kilometer private transfer to Tuan Chau International Marina in Halong, taking approximately 3 hours via the CT04/QL5B expressway, depending on traffic. Upon arrival at Heritage Line's lounge, enjoy a short rest before taking a speedboat transfer to board the luxurious 10-suite Heritage Line Ylang Cruise.

Settle into your suite and enjoy a welcome drink before lunch in the elegant, light-filled dining room, featuring almost 360-degree panoramic views. As the vessel sails deeper into the spectacular limestone seascape of Lan Ha Bay, relax on the terrace deck or your private balcony and take in the scenery.

In the afternoon, the cruise anchors near Cat Ba Island for an excursion to Viet Hai Village, a secluded community nestled in a valley surrounded by jungle-covered mountains. Enjoy a scenic bicycle ride through the valley, passing local homes and gardens while gaining insight into the self-sufficient lifestyle of the village community.

Return to the ship as it sails to its overnight anchorage in Lan Ha Bay. Before dinner, enjoy a traditional Vietnamese tea-tasting experience, pamper yourself with a spa treatment or relax in the sauna. After dinner, you may join a guided Singing Bowl Meditation session in the wellness studio or simply enjoy the peaceful evening under the stars from your private balcony.

Cruise Highlight: Heritage Line Ylang is an exclusive 10-suite wellness cruise exploring the quieter waters of Lan Ha Bay. Designed with a focus on well-being, privacy and space, the vessel features a dedicated wellness studio, an expansive spa area with sauna facilities, a panoramic dining room and private balconies in its suites.

Overnight: Onboard Heritage Line Ylang Cruise, Lan Ha Bay.

Begin your day with a Tai Chi session on the terrace deck, offering a refreshing start under the morning sun. During breakfast, the ship sails towards the northern access port of Cat Ba Island. A short scenic bus ride takes you through the lush landscapes of Cat Ba National Park to the starting point of a leisurely guided hike. Discover this UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve, home to diverse plant and wildlife species, including deer, macaques and civets.

Return to the ship for lunch before enjoying some leisurely sailing through Lan Ha Bay. Later, the vessel reaches a secluded area for an unhurried afternoon. You may relax on a natural beach, swim in the bay, enjoy a spa treatment, or make use of the onboard steam bath and sauna.

As the sun sets, the ship sails to its overnight anchorage. Savour a multi-course dinner and join another guided Singing Bowl Meditation session, or simply retreat to your suite and unwind on your private balcony.

Overnight: Heritage Line Ylang Cruise, Lan Ha Bay.

Start the morning with a gentle Tai Chi session on the terrace deck, followed by traditional Vietnamese coffee, tea and fresh pastries in the dining room. As the ship sails towards the secluded Frog Lake area, set out on a morning kayaking excursion to explore its emerald waters, towering limestone cliffs and tree-topped islets.

Return onboard to enjoy a hearty brunch while Ylang cruises back towards the disembarkation point. A speedboat transfer takes you to Tuan Chau Marina, where your private driver will be waiting for the comfortable journey back to Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi at approximately 02:30 PM and check in to The Theodore Hanoi. Spend the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure. Relax on your private balcony overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, enjoy a peaceful stroll around the lake, or explore the nearby cafés and restaurants.

Overnight: The Theodore Hanoi.

Enjoy a relaxed morning and a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. The day is kept free for your personal interests. Ideally located near Hoan Kiem Lake, The Theodore Hanoi is within easy reach of boutique shops, fine art galleries and Vietnamese handicraft stores. Browse traditional lacquerware, ceramics, silk products and local artwork, or simply spend a peaceful day relaxing by the hotel pool or enjoying a spa treatment.

For those interested in local heritage and traditional crafts, an optional private excursion to Bat Trang Ceramic Village can be arranged. Explore the village's traditional workshops, observe pottery-making techniques passed down through generations and, if you wish, try your hand at making your own ceramic souvenir.

A highlight of the visit is lunch featuring a traditional Northern Vietnamese artisan feast (cỗ nghệ nhân), prepared by Mrs. Hang, whose traditional cooking has attracted both local diners and international visitors. Enjoy a selection of Vietnamese dishes presented in the style of a traditional feast, offering an insight into the region's culinary heritage.

Return to Hanoi in the afternoon, leaving time for further shopping or relaxation before your farewell dinner at one of the city's carefully selected fine-dining restaurants.

Overnight: The Theodore Hanoi.

Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel and spend the remaining time at leisure before checking out.
Depending on your flight schedule, your private driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) for your departure flight. VIP Fast-Track departure assistance can be arranged, subject to service availability.

Thank you for choosing WaytoVietnam Travel. We hope you have enjoyed your Northern Vietnam luxury retreat and look forward to welcoming you again on another private tour through Central Vietnam, Southern Vietnam or further across Indochina.

Safe travels and see you again!