After the boat trip, climb to Mua Mountain, which has a shape of a bell with a base sized around 800 square meters. On the left and right sides of the staircase, there are beautiful carvings of the dragon or phoenix. The way leading to the cave formed by a long stone staircase zigzags through the karst, there are nearly 500 steps to a simple altar to Quan Am (the Goddess of Mercy). Later you will be transferred to your hotel in Ninh Binh. Overnight in Ninh Binh

Discover the countryside on a full-day tour of Tho Ha Village, Galaxy Grotto, and Nho Quan. Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before heading to Tho Ha Village in Nho Quan. Enjoy a leisurely bike ride of 5-15km (3-10mi) through charming villages and scenic landscapes. Next, visit Dong Tam Hamlet for engaging agricultural activities like crab catching, fishing, and vegetable transplanting. Delight in a cooking class and lunch with a local family, savoring tasty sweet potato cakes and grilled fish. Afterward, embark on a rowboat journey from Nha Le Pier to explore Galaxy Grotto, a breathtaking cave with magnificent stalactites resembling a starry galaxy. Observe a colony of bats near the cave's end. Finally, transfer to your hotel in Ninh Binh, a picturesque area in Ninh Binh province, where you will spend the night. Overnight in Ninh Binh Notes: Suggested departure time: 08:00

Arrive in Nam Dinh and meet Mr. Phan, a skilled water puppet artisan. Enjoy a private water puppet show, a unique art form from Northern Vietnam. Mr. Phan is the sixth generation in his family, carrying on the tradition of water puppetry in Nam Dinh province. Hear the story of how water puppetry originated and Mr. Phan's experiences sharing Vietnamese culture worldwide. Watch a 30-minute show featuring lion dances, buffalo fighting, rice farming, and boat racing. Afterwards, try handling puppets in the water or join Mr. Phan in making and painting them. Head to Ecohost Resort for check-in and lunch. Meet your local guide for a cycling trip through the Red River Delta countryside. Visit Pham Phao Cathedral, known for its wooden carvings, and the Traditional Brass village. Observe conical hat-making at a local family's home and experience the daily life and ancestor worship traditions of the village. Return to Ecohost Resort for relaxation. Overnight at Ecohost Hai Hau.

After breakfast, you will join a class to make a longan cake (also called Banh Nhan). Made of rice, this cake is a traditional cake of Nam Dinh. After that, we will head to Xuan Thuy National Park to explore the beautiful nature and visit the clam hut, where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we will explore the national park on a wooden boat rowing downstream to see precious birds and learn about the unique ecosystem here. Afterward, return to the mainland and visit the Bach Long salt field to see the salt-making process and experience the exciting work presented. Then drive to the homestay before sunset to enjoy a BBQ dinner and traditional art performances. Overnight in Giao Thủy Notes: Suggested departure time: 08:30

After breakfast, we'll drive you to Cat Ba Island in the Gulf of Tonkin, offering a unique route for exploring the renowned Halong Bay. The breathtaking scenery of Lan Ha Bay, with its emerald sea and thousands of limestone islands sculpted into captivating shapes, is an iconic image of Vietnam. Upon reaching Hai Phong port, we'll board a ferry to Cat Ba Island and continue to Ben Beo Pier. From there, a fast canoe will take us to a charming homestay in Viet Hai village. Nestled amidst Cat Ba's lush forests, mountains, and picturesque surroundings, this village is approximately 10 km away from Cat Ba town. Following lunch at a local homestay, we'll embark on a hike to Navi Peak, providing an overview of Cat Ba National Park. If time allows, we can ascend to the mountaintop for a panoramic view encompassing Lan Ha Bay, Halong Bay, and Cat Ba National Park, before returning to the homestay. Overnight stay in Viet Hai Village. Notes: Suggested time: 08:00 Tour duration: 9 hours

Upon arrival at the pier board on the cruise and proceed with check-in formalities. After a welcome drink and safety instructions, lunch will be served on board while cruising towards Lan Ha Bay. The cruise will stop in a beautiful place where you will spend time kayaking or swimming, so you can explore the karst grottoes closer. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can optionally attend the activities taking part on the boat or just relax. Overnight on cruise Note: In case of bad weather (the boat is not allowed to push off or not allowed to overnight in the sea), the Ha Long Bay tour could be canceled without notice. We will consider other replacement tours or a refund based on the specific circumstances.

Later you will be transferred to your accommodation in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip. Complete the hotel check-out formalities, after which you can visit the local markets and buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later, proceed for departure and board your flight back home. Trip Ends.