Vietnam Short Break: Hanoi to Ninh Binh

Xin Chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 8 am in front of the grand entrance of the Opera House, where your local leader will be waiting for you and your fellow travellers. From Hanoi, you’ll take a private transpoort to Pu Luong – home of the Thai ethnic people. After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll take a 1-hour walk with your leader around the ancient Hieu village (Ban Hieu), ending at the Hieu waterfall. The Pu Luong Nature Reserve is considered an area of outstanding natural beauty – rich in culture and biodiversity, the area is covered in forests, limestone peaks and rice paddies. The peaceful hamlets throughout the reserve feature traditional stilt-houses and tonight, you’ll stay in a homestay with your local hosts within the reserve. In the late afternoon, take part in a cooking class with the locals to make some traditional dishes that you’ll enjoy together for dinner. (L/D)

After breakfast with your hosts, transfer to Ninh Binh – a small city in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam and the capital of the Ninh Binh Province. Popular with visitors due to its natural beauty, this limestone peak-covered area is a must-see. When you arrive, you’ll head into Cuc Phuong National Park – Vietnam's first national park and the country's largest nature reserve. Visit the Save Vietnam Wildlife Center (our Intrepid Foundation partner) and learn how this non-profit organisation focuses on conserving pangolins and local carnivores, protecting the wildlife and ecosystem of the area. You’ll see some of the animals that live here (the resident wildlife can’t re-enter the wild due to injury), then you’ll head to lunch at the National Park restaurant. This afternoon, take an easy trek through the park, looking out for the diverse flora and small animals along the way. This park is home to 97 species of mammals, 300 species of birdlife and 53 species of reptiles and amphibians. The rest of your afternoon and evening is free. (B/L)

Fuel up on breakfast this morning and enjoy your peaceful time. Then in the afternoon head out on a 1. 5-hour boat trip in the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve – home to the endangered langur monkeys, this conservation area is the largest wetland natural reserve in Red River Delta and is known as ‘waveless bay’ for the still water surface that reflects the surrounding mountains. The boat will take you around the lagoon through limestone peaks and small caves. After that, take a cycling tour around the reserve over sunset. The rest of your evening is free. Tonight, you’ll stay in a small and authentic homestay with your friendly hosts. (B)

After breakfast, you’ll transfer back to Hanoi, arriving at about 4 pm. This is where your Short Break Adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Hanoi, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. (B)