DAY 1-2: HANOI
Hanoi is perfect for a trip of cultural exploration. Its culture is expressed in many of the remarkable attractions of the city. The culture, too, is in every activity that you see on the street. In this article, I will go through several casual cultural spotlights of Hanoi. A random cultural experience of the city, an idea of what to expect when you set foot in town, this is what you will explore after reading this article.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Enjoy welcome dinner.
2. Visit Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh complex, Long Bien Bridge.
3. Have lunch at KOTO restaurant.
DAY 3-6: HOA BINH
The culture of Hoa Binh combines several ethnic groups with their own languages, traditional literature, and festivals. Meaning "peace" in Vietnamese, Hoa Binh province is the gateway to Vietnam’s northwest, strapped around the foothills of the mountains that run up from the plains.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Visit Muong Cultural Museum.
2. Stay overnight at homestay in Da Bia and Mai Hich.
3. Kayak on the lake.
4. Do community services (to be advised).
DAY 7: NINH BINH
South of Hanoi, Ninh Binh province is blessed with natural beauty, cultural sights and the Cuc Phuong National Park. Highlights include boat trips amid karst landscapes at Tam Coc and the Unesco World Heritage-listed Trang An Grottoes.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Discover Hoa Lu and Hang Mua.
DAY 8-12: HALONG — CAT BA ISLAND
Cat Ba Island is the largest of the 366 islands spanning 100 square miles that make up the Cat Ba Archipelago. The island’s landscape is jungle-clad, rugged and dramatic with a wide variety of natural ecosystems — perfect for exploring by bicycle, motorbike or on foot.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Get on a speedboat to Cat Ba Island.
2. Cycle to the eco-lodge in the heart of the island.
3. Hike across the jungle of the national park to the other side of the island.
4. Reach Viet Hai village for lunch and bike to the pier.
5. Swim at the beach.
6. Enjoy the BBQ.
7. Kayak around the cliffs.
