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Vietnam: Northern Trails, Jungle Treks & Halong Bay Magic
Mountain paths to limestone bays – this is the Deep North of Vietnam, unplugged.
Overview
The lowdown
This isn’t your average Vietnam highlight reel. Forget racing the length of the country – this is a deep dive into the north, where mountains, jungles and limestone bays set the stage. This is sweat-on-your-back treks, bamboo-bridge crossings, kayak paddles at dawn and slow sampan drifts – the kind of active adventure that earns its views. Culture isn’t a stop on the way, it’s woven in: tribe-led hikes, artisan dye workshops, homestay-style stays and conservation encounters. Every night, you’ll stay somewhere unforgettable – from rice-field lodges to a vintage paddle steamer on Halong Bay. All private, all guided by locals who know their home like a heartbeat. You just show up – we handle the rest.
Highlights
The best bits
14km Hike Through Pu Luong
A full-day jungle trek from forest trails to riverside villages – with a picnic that tastes better earned.
Itinerary
The day to day
Day 1
Land in Hanoi, Exhale
Day 2
Valley Life Begins
Day 3
Mai Chau by Bike
Day 4
Hike the Pu Luong Highlands
Day 5
National Park Discovery
Day 6
Ninh Binh Your Way
Day 7
Cruise Into Halong Bay
Day 8
A Slow Return: Halong to Hanoi
Day 9
Time For Goodbyes
Host
The experts
Vivu Travel
ViVu Travel’s guides are locals who know their home like a heartbeat. Proud, passionate, and full of lived insight – they don’t just show you around, they share what matters. From backstreets to borderlands, they’re the kind of people you’re glad you met.
Accommodation
The quarters
A French-colonial sanctuary tucked within Hanoi’s leafy heart. Elegant, quiet and central, it’s a refined escape from the city's chaos. Stroll through its peaceful gardens, lounge by the pool, or take in Hanoi’s charm just beyond your doorstep.
Le Jardin Hotel Haute Couture
Phố Nguyễn Trường Tộ, Ba...
Traditional decor meets mountain calm in this rice paddy-fringed retreat. With stilt house charm, valley views,and an inviting pool, it's the perfect welcome to rural Vietnam. A place where time slows and every window frames stillness.
Mai Chau Lodge
Mai Châu District, VN
Set deep in Pu Luong Nature Reserve, this hillside resort feels like it’s part of the landscape. Expect misty valley views, wildflowers and wooden charm. It’s where forest sounds replace Wi-Fi pings, and nature does all the talking.
Central Hills Pu Luong
Quốc lộ 15C, Bá Thước, VN
A laid-back stay tucked between karst cliffs and endless green paddies. Think open-air verandas, rustic finishes and views that feel like a painting. It’s your launchpad for slow Ninh Binh days or cave-laced adventures.
Tam Coc Rice Fields Resort
hai nham, Hoa Lư, VN
Sail through Halong Bay aboard a French-inspired paddle steamer from another era. All teakwood elegance and timeless romance, with kayaks, crepes, and cocktails under the stars. Wake to sunrise yoga with karsts as your backdrop.
Emeraude Classic Cruise
Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam
Activities
The fun stuff
Ride quiet backroads through stilt house villages and rice paddies. Visit a workshop for a window into the local community and learn to craft natural dye in a hands-on session. A scenic, slow-paced ride that blends cultural depth with countryside beauty.
Mai Chau Village Cycle Tour
Mai Châu District, VN
Embark on a full-day 14km trek through the heart of Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Follow jungle trails, cross bamboo bridges, pass terraced fields and stop in remote villages. Includes a riverside picnic lunch and plenty of moments to soak up this unfiltered mountain life.
Pu Luong Guided Hike
Xă, Bá Thước, VN
Explore Vietnam’s first national park and two critical conservation centres. Meet endangered primates and turtles rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, then hike to prehistoric caves and ancient jungle giants. A day of rare animals, history and green purpose.
Cuc Phuong Wildlife Visit
Nho Quan District, VN
Glide between limestone karsts aboard a vintage steamer. Paddle your own kayak, hike to panoramic island peaks, join sunrise yoga and dine on fresh local flavours. Optional squid fishing under the stars completes this dreamy Halong Bay experience.
Halong Bay Cruise Activities
Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam
Fine Print
The small stuff
Cancel 65+ days out for a 70% refund. Within 64 days, we’ve locked in logistics, so no refund can be offered. Thanks for understanding – it keeps things running smooth for everyone.