Vietnam

9th Jan

Day 3: Hanoi- Mai Chau

8 AM Leave the city behind as your journey 3 hours southwest through the verdant rice fields, shallow mountains, and lush valleys of Hoa Binh Province. Pause at the Muong Culture Museum, an excellent showcase of the Muong people with informative exhibits on art, culture, traditions, and architecture. There’s even a playground on-site made entirely from bamboo–a perfect way for kids to work off some energy before the remaining 90-minute journey to Mai Chau. Upon arrival to Mai Chau, check-in to hotel. Rest of the day is free and relaxation.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Distance and activities: 3h transfer – 1h museum visit

Overnight at Mai Chau Hideaway

10th Jan

Day 4: Up to the Plateau Mai Chau- Moc Chau

Spend the morning at leisure in Mai Chau. Early afternoon transfer to the highlands of Moc Chau, where the Vietnam Trail Marathon (VTM) will take place. Collect your bib package from the VTM EXPO at Muong Thanh Luxury hotel, and then join the carb-load party from 18:00-20:00. The opening ceremony for the Vietnam Trail Marathon will run from 19:00-21:00, with music, dancing and a bonfire as well as a race briefing, giving you more opportunities to meet your fellow runners.

Included meals: Breakfast

Distance and activities: 1h20′ transfer – 2h opening ceremony

Overnight at Glenda Tower Moc Chau Hotel

11th Jan

Day 5: RACE DAY Moc Chau

6:30AM Transfer from your hotel to Muong Thanh Holiday Moc Chau Hotel

07:00 AM - START 21km race from Muong Thanh Holiday Moc Chau Hotel

Enjoy the run through tea plantations, flowering peach blossoms, pine trees, and ethnic minority villages on your 21k run.

The Winners’ and Farewell ceremony will take place between 13:00-17:30 depending on the race you’ve run.

Đồi chè Trái Tim (the heart-shaped tea-hill) - Finish Area

10:00 Winner Ceremony: 10km & 21km Đồi chè Trái Tim - Finish Area

12:00 Winner Ceremony: 42km & MALE 70km Đồi chè Trái Tim - Finish Area

16:00 Winner Ceremony: FEMALE 70km Đồi chè Trái Tim - Finish Area

Transfer from Finish Area back to your hotel to rest your muscles after such an eventful day.

Included meals: Breakfast, Finisher's Meal

Distance and activities: Depends on race distance

Overnight at Glenda Tower Moc Chau Hotel

13th Jan

Day 7: Ninh Binh- Hoa Lu- Tam Coc

8:30 AM Ninh Binh remains one of Vietnam’s most captivating locations, combining stunning natural splendor with an engrossing history that spans a millennium.

Hoa Lu, established a thousand years ago, was the capital of Vietnam under the Dinh and Le dynasties. The sights and smells still evoke the atmosphere of a lost kingdom, with stunning temples and pagodas built by the different dynasties and elaborate tombs to commemorate them. You’ll also uncover evidence of ancient palaces and royal pavilions that reference an ancient era, surrounded by towering karst mountains and vivid jungle. Take a bicycle and dive into Tam Coc and adjacent countryside, passing small villages and bright green rice paddies along the way.

Ninh Binh is famous for its river cruises – and with good reason. Various snaking rivers meander around sky-high karst mountains covered in lush jungle. Some parts of the river are home to birds and butterflies, whereas other sections are designated spots for water farming. Take small sampan rowed by a local in Tam Coc Cave.

You will be transferred back to your hotel in Ninh Binh for overnight.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Emeralda Tam Coc

14th Jan

Day 8: Ninh Binh- Halong- Lan Ha Bay

7:30 AM the driver will pick you up at hotel and transfer you to Halong.

12:00 The crew members of Peony Cruises will welcome you at No.34, Tuan Chau.

12:30 You will be taken aboard our support vessel and travel from the wharf via the bay to board our luxurious craft, Peony Cruises. Itinerary briefing is announced during this time.

13:00 Welcome fresh drinks, wet towels and a special lunch of fresh food and an assortment of appetizing delicacies will be served. You will be enchanted when decadently dining on our luxury junk. Life just doesn't get better than this! We then set sail for Lan Ha Bay - A member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays. Enjoy the delicious luncheon of fresh seafood and an assortment of appetizing. delicacies while cruising along Lan Ha bay with the breathtaking scenery.

15:30 Visiting Tra Bau area where has known as an area famous for its unspoiled, poetic natural beauty and attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. This is the best time for kayaking to discover the truest beauty of the limestone islands. Immerse yourself in the emerald green water of the bay or enjoy the Jacuzzi pool on the Peony Cruises.

17:30 - 18:30 Joining us for Cooking demonstration to learn how to make one of the most famous Vietnamese cuisines, the spring rolls. Or reach the top deck of cruise where the guests can admire the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Enjoy a Happy Hour time – BUY ONE GET ONE FREE at the bar. It is an ideal time for photography enthusiasts to capture the greatest moment of sunset over Lan Ha Bay.

19:30 Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served by our skillful chef. This is a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting. 

21:00 - 22:00 Relax and sip the exotic cocktails and drinks at the sky bar (with surcharge). Indulge yourself with spa service (optional) or simply relax on the top deck just under the cover of a brightly illuminated sky. Or try to get your luck at the squid fishing on the main deck. 

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Distance and activities: 5h transfer 

Overnight at Peony Cruise

15th Jan

Day 9: Lan Ha Bay-Halong- Hanoi

6:00 Begin the day full of energy with the Tai Chi session and enjoy the sun just rising up beyond the horizon.

6:45 - 7:15 Breakfast is served while cruising back to Gia Luan jetty. (Breakfast time maybe adjust and follow updated itinerary)

7:30 - 9:00 You will join the tour of Cat Ba World Biosphere by transshipment. It takes 30 minutes to transfer from Gia Luan to Trung Trang – one of the most impressive caves in Cat Ba island, Vietnam. The limestone cave has thousands of talactites in various shapes, offering geological values with a typical cave ecosystem.

9:30 Return to the main boat from the cave and the guests will do the cabin check out. Luggage is placed outside of the cabin. Lunch is served at the restaurant. Settle the bar bill by the desk at the restaurant (if any).

10:30 - 11:00 Disembark the Peony Cruises and transferred back to Block #34, Big Bay group terminal, Tuan Chau Marina. Relax and wait for the luggage.

11:30 - 12:00 The guests are ready at Tuan Chau Marina. Transfer back to Hanoi for overnight.

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch

Distance and activities: 2.5h transfer

Note: - The itinerary is subject to change without notice, in accordance with the weather and other operating conditions.

Overnight at Silk Path Hotel Hanoi

16th Jan

Day 10: Hanoi Departure

Transfer from your hotel to the airport for departure flight.

Included meals: Breakfast

Distance: 45 minutes transfer