Hanoi - Mai Chau - Puluong Natural Reserve - Ninh Binh 4 days

Leave Hanoi behind and journey towards the peaceful mountains of Mai Chau, watching the bustling city gradually give way to quieter rural landscapes and rolling hills.

Travel through Thung Khe Pass, where winding roads reveal sweeping views of lush valleys and dramatic mountain landscapes. Take in the fresh mountain air and ever-changing scenery before continuing towards Mai Chau.

Upon arrival in Mai Chau, sit down to a delicious lunch featuring local specialities and the authentic flavours of the region. 

After lunch, explore Mai Chau’s tranquil countryside by bicycle. Pedal along quiet village paths, pass farmers working in the rice fields, and visit Pom Coong, Lac, Nhot, and Na Phon villages to gain a closer insight into the daily life of the Thai ethnic minority.

Visit a local family and discover the traditional embroidery and weaving craft carefully preserved through generations. Admire the delicate handmade textiles, decorated with distinctive floral patterns and motifs that reflect the cultural identity of Vietnam’s mountain communities.

Continue to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, a peaceful landscape of forested mountains and rural valleys. 

Arrive in Pu Luong, check in at your hotel, and enjoy dinner before settling in for a restful evening surrounded by the reserve’s peaceful natural scenery. 

Start your day with breakfast before setting out to explore the peaceful landscapes and traditional communities of Pu Luong Nature Reserve.

Visit Kho Muong Village, a secluded Thai ethnic village set in a valley surrounded by limestone mountains. Traditional stilt houses, rice fields, and the quiet rhythm of village life create a peaceful setting shaped by the natural landscape and generations of local traditions.

Continue to Bat Cave, hidden among the limestone mountains near Kho Muong Village. Step inside its spacious chambers to discover striking stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years.

Stop for lunch and enjoy a selection of local dishes before continuing your journey through Pu Luong.

In the afternoon, trek through Pu Luong's scenic countryside towards Uoi and Lan Villages, following paths that wind past rice terraces and cultivated fields. Along the way, take in the changing rural landscapes before reaching these small Thai communities, where daily life remains closely connected to farming and traditional customs. 

If time permits, visit a local family and learn about the traditional brocade weaving techniques that have been preserved through generations.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and take some time to relax after a day of exploration. 

Start the day with breakfast before checking out and leaving Pu Luong behind. 

Head to Pho Doan Market, a local market where residents from nearby villages gather to trade fresh produce, regional specialities, and everyday goods, offering a glimpse into the rhythms of rural life.

Note: Pho Doan Market is held only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday mornings. 

Continue by bicycle through the surrounding villages and countryside before reaching Hieu Waterfall, a natural waterfall surrounded by forest and local farmland. Take some time to explore the area, see the flowing water and natural pools, and enjoy a short break before continuing the journey. 

Stop for lunch and savour a selection of local dishes before setting off for Ninh Binh. 

Along the way, stop to see the traditional water wheels used by local communities to draw and transport water to nearby rice fields. These simple wooden structures are closely connected to the agricultural life of the region and offer an interesting glimpse into traditional farming practices.

Arrive in Ninh Binh and check in at your hotel. Take some time to relax and settle in before enjoying dinner at the hotel. 

Start the day with breakfast at your hotel before beginning your final day in Ninh Binh.

Head to Mua Cave and take the stone staircase up Ngoa Long Mountain, with around 500 steps leading to the summit. The climb gradually opens up views of Tam Coc below, where rice fields, waterways, and limestone peaks stretch across the valley.

Continue by bicycle around Tam Coc, following quiet countryside roads through rice fields and local villages. Stop at a local home to see how residents live and learn more about everyday life in the Ninh Binh countryside.

Stop for lunch and enjoy local specialities before continuing with the afternoon's activities.

Take a boat ride through Tam Coc along the Ngo Dong River, passing through a landscape of limestone karsts, rice fields, and natural caves. The boat journey offers a closer view of the countryside, with the river winding between towering cliffs and through caves along the route.

Optional: You can choose a boat trip through Trang An instead of Tam Coc, travelling through winding waterways, natural caves, and mountain scenery. 

Visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Early Le dynasties. Explore the historic temple complex and learn more about the early history of the Vietnamese state before leaving Ninh Binh.

Leave Ninh Binh and return to Hanoi, where you will be dropped off at your hotel or private address in the Old Quarter.