10-Day Meet the Locals in Vietnam

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Today, you'll experience the morning like a true Hanoian at Hang Be Market, one of the Old Quarter’s liveliest “wet” markets. Then, you'll head into an alley and pull up a tiny plastic stool for a breakfast bowl of bun ca and ca cuon. You'll then head to the Citadel to marvel at the ancient architecture. After visiting the Women's Museum, you'll head back to the Old Quarter for a tasty lunch before you soaking up the atmosphere of a favourite Vietnamese hobby, drinking coffee with friends.

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Today, you'll leave behind the chaos of Hanoi and head to Ninh Binh which remains one of Vietnam’s most captivating locations, combining stunning natural splendour with an engrossing history that spans a millennium. Grab a bicycle and peddle through the Van Long Nature Reserve and adjacent countryside, passing small villages and bright green rice paddies along the way. Then, you'll hop into a small sampan to discover what Ninh Binh is known for its incredibly scenic boat rides.

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This morning, you'll depart Hanoi for Hai Phong. Here, you'll board your cruise for an epic voyage through Lan Ha Bay, the pristine little sister of the popular Halong Bay. You'll spend the afternoon deep within Cat Ba National Park, hiking through Trung Trang Valley to Trung Trang cave, a 2,000-year-old cavern filled with stalactites and stalagmites. You'll return to the ship for some downtime, enjoying a traditional Vietnamese cooking class and a delicious dinner onboard before retiring.

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As the sun rises over the bay, you can join the ancient practice of Tai Chi on the sundeck, a martial art known for its health benefits and meditational use. After breakfast, you'll reach Viet Hai Village by bike as there are no roads connecting it to the rest of Cat Ba Island. You'll spend time getting to know the history and traditions of the Vietnamese people who live there, enjoying lunch before setting off for Van Boi, a secluded beach area where you have time to swim, sunbathe, and kayak.

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Savour your morning in the Gulf of Tonkin with an excursion via bamboo boat to the Dark and Bright Cave, one of Halong Bay’s most atmospheric water caves. Back on the boat, you'll head to the mainland where you'll return to Hanoi for an afternoon at leisure for some independent discovery of the city before you catch your sleeper train to Dong Hoi, your next destination. You'll settle into your soft and cosy sleeper bed with a pillow and blanket and let the sounds of the train lull you to sleep.

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You'll arrive in the sleepy town of Dong Hoi in the early hours of the morning. From there, a car will transfer you south to Chay Lap Farmstay and Resort. This farmstay is a charming accommodation with wooden cottages, a herbal sauna and a swimming pool. You'll spend the day at leisure, just footsteps away from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, one of the most beautiful destinations in Vietnam.

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After breakfast, you will be collected from the hotel and transferred to Trằm Mé for an ecotourism experience. Begin by cycling along the Son River and Chay River, crossing a beautiful wooden bridge as you go. On this scenic cyle tour, you will feel yourself melt in the beautiful surroundings as you make your way through green corn fields, rice fields, and villages where you will get to meet local families. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant in Phong Nha village. In the afternoon, you will continue along the eco trail to Mooc Spring, where you can swim, kayak or relax and soak in the diversity of your surroundings.

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Depart from the hotel early and head towards Hang Tien, one of the biggest caves in the area. Your tour will begin with a jungle trek, leading you to the entrance of the cave. Then head through the spectacular entrance and begin touring through this massive cave system. Stop for lunch and a swim before back to the pickup point.