Hanoi, Pu Luong, Bai Tu Long Bay & beach holiday on Phu Quoc

Today, you’ll fly from your selected airport to Vietnam’s charming capital, Hanoi. There will be connecting flight(s) along the way.

You’ll arrive at Hanoi’s international airport, Noi Bai, where you’ll go through immigration and collect your luggage. Your guide will be waiting outside the arrivals hall, just beyond the exit doors. The guide will be wearing a TourCompass uniform and holding a TourCompass sign, making them easy to spot.

You’ll then be driven to your hotel, and after checking in, you’ll have the rest of the day free to enjoy your first impressions of the Vietnamese capital at your own pace.

We highly recommend exploring the charming, lively streets of the Old Quarter, where every alleyway reveals scents, sounds, and scenes of everyday Vietnamese life. You can also take a leisurely stroll around the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake – a popular urban oasis with its shady trees and local buzz right in the heart of the city.

Today, an exciting city tour awaits, taking you to some of Hanoi’s most iconic sights.

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel, and the day will begin with a Vietnamese coffee at a local café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake – the green heart of the city and a natural gathering place for Hanoians, young and old alike.

From here, you’ll walk across the iconic Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple, located on a small island in the lake. The bridge’s name means “place touched by the morning sun’s rays”. Here you’ll hear the legend of the emperor, the magical sword, and the giant turtle, and gain an insight into how the lake got its name and special importance to the city.

You’ll then be driven to the Temple of Literature, a tranquil complex built in the 1100s by disciples of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. With nearly 1,000 years of history, the temple is a rare and beautifully preserved example of traditional Vietnamese architecture, complete with columned walkways, ponds and green courtyards. Even today, young students still come here to pray for luck before their exams.

Lunch will be served at the restaurant KOTO, which is more than just a place to eat. KOTO stands for “Know One, Teach One”. The restaurant trains and supports disadvantaged young Vietnamese, offering them a professional education and a new start in life with both practical and personal skills for long-term employment – all while serving delicious Vietnamese cuisine. You can read more about the restaurant here.

Your tour then continues in a traditional cycle rickshaw – known locally as a cyclo – weaving through the bustling maze of narrow streets in the Old Quarter. This historic area is famous for its 36 streets, originally named after the goods once sold there: bamboo, silk, paper, and tin. Many street names remain today, and the area retains a distinctly local charm, with Hanoians still trading, chatting, and serving steaming bowls of pho from street kitchens.

After an inspiring cyclo ride, you’ll visit the historic Long Bien Bridge, an iconic landmark from the French colonial era, built in the early 1900s. The distinctive iron bridge spans the Red River and was heavily damaged during the Vietnam War, but today stands as a strong symbol of Hanoi’s resilience and history. From the bridge, you’ll get a real sense of daily life in Hanoi – locals commuting by scooter alongside cyclists and pedestrians. Look down and you’ll see the bustling Long Bien Market, alive with activity from early morning, while the view across the river offers a calm contrast to the city’s energy.

The day’s sightseeing ends with a traditional water puppet performance – a centuries-old Vietnamese art form, where puppets dance across the water to live music and folk tale narration.

After a fascinating day, you’ll be driven back to your hotel, and the evening is yours to spend as you wish.

Today, you’ll have plenty of time to explore Vietnam’s vibrant capital city. You set the pace yourself. Perhaps you’d like to join one of our optional tours, or maybe you’d rather discover the city at your own leisure.

Hanoi is an explosion of sights, sounds, and scents. Begin your day early with a visit to the famous Train Street, where there are fewer people and a calmer atmosphere. Here, the train passes just inches from the street’s cafés, offering a glimpse into everyday life before the city truly springs to life.

Continue to the area around the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, where narrow streets and French colonial buildings hide small boutiques, colourful art galleries and cosy cafés. Settle down with a traditional Vietnamese coffee and watch daily life unfold as locals and visitors cross paths. Just a short stroll away, you’ll find the iconic St. Joseph’s Cathedral – its striking Gothic façade and lively square make it a popular gathering spot.

At lunchtime, you can go in search of Hanoi’s famous street food. Try a steaming bowl of pho, savour the aroma of grilled bun cha, or grab a crispy banh mi to enjoy on the go.

Afterwards, make your way to the Long Bien Bridge and the nearby Long Bien Market, where stalls brimming with fruit, vegetables, and flowers spill into the streets, offering a vivid glimpse into the daily rhythm of city life. The pace is lively, the atmosphere genuine, no matter what time of day you visit.

As night falls, Hanoi truly comes alive. The streets are lit by the glow of food stalls, and the air fills with the mouth-watering scents of grilled meat, fresh coriander, and fragrant broth. Wander through the Old Quarter and soak up the vibrant atmosphere, or relax at a rooftop bar while taking in the dazzling view of the city’s bustling energy.

Today, you’ll make your way to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, one of northern Vietnam’s most untouched and atmospheric natural areas. Pu Luong is located around 130 km from Hanoi, and the drive takes about three hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through rural Vietnam, where small villages, lush fields, and gently rolling hills gradually replace Hanoi’s bustling city life.

Pu Luong borders Mai Chau and remains a largely undiscovered gem of natural beauty. Here, rice terraces unfold like green carpets, drawing your gaze towards the forest-clad mountains rising majestically against the sky, making you feel wonderfully small in the vast landscape. The views are truly breathtaking, and this is a place with a special power to calm your mind and slow your pulse. When the terraces are filled with water, the sky and mountains are perfectly reflected in them – a truly magical sight. Pu Luong is one of those rare places where all you’ll want to do is sit back and let your eyes wander across the scene as the light plays and the colours shift around you.

You’ll arrive around midday and check in at your accommodation. Even at first glance, you’ll sense that Pu Luong is something truly special.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure – relax and take everything in at your own pace.

Today, a memorable half-day trek in Pu Luong awaits, where nature and local traditions beautifully intertwine. 

You’ll be picked up from your accommodation by your guide, accompanied by a local guide who knows the trails, villages, and the stories that bring them to life. The day will begin with a visit to a local textile workshop, where you’ll meet talented women from the Thai ethnic group who continue centuries-old weaving traditions. You’ll gain an insight into their traditional techniques and watch as patterns and colours slowly emerge on hand-operated looms using natural dyes. You’ll even have the chance to try your hand at the craft yourself and experience just how much patience and precision it takes. There’s also an opportunity to purchase handmade bags, purses, rugs, lanterns, and earrings, among other items.

Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a delicious local lunch before setting off on a walk of approximately 3.5 km through the surrounding villages. The trails wind past lush rice terraces, bamboo forests, and small waterfalls, and along the way, you’ll pass traditional stilt houses. The route is mostly flat and easy to walk, with only a few short stretches of mild ascents and descents.

This trek provides a wonderful insight into everyday life in the villages, where you’ll meet locals from the Thai minority who live closely connected to the land and its natural rhythm. With a local guide by your side, you’ll also hear stories and perspectives that enrich the experience and give it greater depth.

After breakfast, take some time to enjoy the final few hours surrounded by the peaceful scenery of Pu Luong. Afterwards, your guide and driver will pick you up and take you back to your hotel in Hanoi, where you’ll arrive in the afternoon.

Later in the afternoon, your guide will meet you at your hotel, and the evening begins with a flavourful street food experience in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Your first stop is Hidden Gem Café, a tucked-away sustainable coffee shop, where you’ll get a short introduction and watch how the iconic Vietnamese egg coffee is made.

From here, you’ll wander through narrow alleyways, tasting your way around: crisp nem ran (spring rolls), the world-famous pho (noodle soup), sweet banh ran (deep-fried rice balls), and juicy, crispy fried chicken legs. Along the way, you’ll stroll down Hang Ma Street, where you’ll gain an insight into local culture and daily life before continuing to the atmospheric Bamboo Corner – a small street corner brimming with bamboo handicrafts and local life. The food experience rounds off with a classic banh mi (baguette) from a popular local spot.

The evening ends with one of Vietnam’s most sociable traditions: bia hoi. Take a seat on a small stool at the lively Bia Hoi Corner and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of the street coming alive while you sip on a cold, local draft beer.

Your guide will then escort you back to your hotel, unless you’d like to linger a little longer and enjoy the evening at your own pace.

Early in the morning, you’ll leave Hanoi and head towards the north-eastern coast, where Bai Tu Long Bay awaits. The drive takes around 3½–4 hours and offers ever-changing scenery, passing bustling towns, small farming communities, and lush green rice fields. Along the way, there is a short stop where you can stretch your legs and pick up some refreshments before arriving at Ha Long International Cruise Port, where your enchanting mini cruise begins.

Bai Tu Long Bay lies directly northeast of Ha Long Bay, close to the Chinese border. Both bays belong to the same geological area and are known for their breathtaking landscapes of thousands of limestone karsts, verdant islets, and shimmering emerald waters. However, Bai Tu Long Bay is far less visited than its famous neighbour, offering a more tranquil, authentic, and peaceful experience. 

After check-in, you will be transferred to the ship by tender boat. On board, you’ll be welcomed with a refreshing drink and a short safety briefing. Once you’ve settled into your cabin, a delicious Vietnamese lunch is served as the ship gently sails deeper into the bay.

In the afternoon, you can go kayaking around the stunning Cap La Island, a picture-perfect area known for its towering limestone formations and crystal-clear swimming coves. The calm, shallow waters here are ideal for both beginners and experienced kayakers, allowing you to paddle among dramatic cliffs and small lagoons with ease.

Back on board, enjoy a lively Vietnamese cooking demonstration, where you’ll learn how to prepare traditional favourites such as freshly made spring rolls or locally caught fish.

In the evening, a sumptuous dinner is served in the ship’s restaurant, followed by time to relax. You may wish to play a few games, try your hand at squid fishing, or simply soak up the serene atmosphere of the bay beneath a star-filled sky.

Please note: In the event of poor weather conditions, the Vietnamese authorities reserve the right to suspend all sailing activities in the bay for safety reasons. This only happens a few times a year, but should it occur, your mini cruise will be replaced by a hotel stay and an alternative excursion.

If you’re an early riser, you can begin your day with an optional tai chi session on the sun deck. Alternatively, simply savour the tranquillity with a cup of tea or coffee in hand as you gaze out over the calm waters of Bai Tu Long Bay, before a light Western breakfast is served in the ship’s restaurant.

After breakfast, you’ll sail to the stunning Thien Canh Son Cave, famous for its impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations. The cave is tucked away behind a steep staircase carved into the rock face, and inside, you’ll find dramatic limestone pillars and cool chambers illuminated by natural daylight.

When you return to the boat, there’s time to pack and prepare for check-out before a traditional Vietnamese lunch is served. As you dine, the ship glides gently back towards the harbour, giving you a final chance to soak in the magical scenery of the bay from the deck.

Disembark at Ha Long International Port, where your guide and driver will be waiting to take you to the airport in Hanoi. From there, you’ll fly to Phu Quoc, an idyllic island off Vietnam’s west coast in the Gulf of Thailand, near Cambodia. The flight takes approximately 2 hours.

Upon arrival at Phu Quoc, you’ll meet your driver outside the arrivals hall after passing through the exit doors. He’ll be holding a TourCompass sign to make him easy to spot. You’ll then be driven to your hotel, where after check-in, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish. Slip into your swimwear and enjoy a refreshing dip in the hotel pool or unwind on the golden sandy beach.

The coming days are dedicated to pure relaxation.

Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island and has, in recent years, become a popular holiday destination for both Vietnamese and international travellers. The island offers a laid-back atmosphere with palm-fringed sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and lush green forests at its heart. A large part of the island is designated as a protected National Park, enhancing the island’s beautiful natural surroundings. Along the coast, the sea invites you for a swim, while the southern An Thoi Islands offer great opportunities for diving and snorkelling among colourful coral reefs.

The atmosphere on Phu Quoc changes from area to area. In and around the main town, Duong Dong, life is livelier, with shops and a wide choice of restaurants and cafés. Along the beaches here you can enjoy seaside bars and stunning sunsets, while the coastal areas outside the town offer a more peaceful and relaxed holiday setting.

Venturing further inland, you can visit the island’s famous pepper plantations or get an insight into the production of the traditional fish sauce for which Phu Quoc is particularly renowned.

In the northern part of the island, you’ll find small fishing villages where you can savour freshly prepared fish and seafood dishes. In the southern part, you can explore Phu Quoc’s history at the former Coconut Prison from the Vietnam War, which offers a glimpse into the island’s dramatic past. It’s also here you’ll find the world’s longest cable car across the sea, connecting An Thoi with Hon Thom Island.

In the evening, you can enjoy a cool drink on the beach while the setting sun paints the sky in warm hues. Afterwards, it’s well worth visiting the atmospheric night market in Duong Dong. Here, the place comes alive with activity – you can taste local delicacies, browse the many stalls, and experience the town’s vibrant energy up close.

Today marks the start of your journey home. You’ll be collected from your hotel and driven to Phu Quoc Airport, where your flight back to Europe departs with connecting flight(s) along the way.

You’ll land at your selected airport after a wonderful tour filled with new memories and some well-deserved relaxation.