Vietnam Short Break: Hanoi to Ninh Binh
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Experience Overview
On this Short Break Adventure, you’ll be picked up and dropped off in Hanoi – the bustling favourite of northern Vietnam. Whether you’re breaking up a solo adventure or extending your time on a trip, this 4-day journey will take you off the beaten path to Pu Luong Nature Reserve and Ninh Binh Province. Discover the true beauty of Northern Vietnam with this multi-active mini adventure that will see you staying in a traditional stilt house with the ethnic Thai people of Pu Luong, cruising and cycling in the lush Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve and trekking in the Cuc Phuong National Park.
Highlights
- Explore the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, surrounded by lush limestone peaks, and get to know the Thai people that settled here long ago with a cooking class and dinner.
- Trek right to the core of Cuc Phuong National Park – Vietnam's first national park and the country's largest nature reserve.
- Take a boat along the still waters of Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve and then cycle around the biodiverse flora and fauna in the afternoon to catch the sunset.
- Get to know true Vietnamese and Thai hospitality with two homestays where you can swap stories with the locals.
- Visit Save Vietnam Wildlife Center and learn about their efforts to re-wild these amazingly biodiverse areas and how they use conservation to protect their land.
Trip Details
Product Code: 30894
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private transport for Hanoi-Pu Luong- Ninh Binh 4 days 3 nights
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: TVAN
Starts: Pu Luong Nature Reserve, Vietnam
Finishes: Hanoi, Vietnam
Duration: 4 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (3), Lunch (2), Dinner (1)Accommodation: Traditional Homestay
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $353 ($88 /day)
Itinerary
Xin Chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 9am in front of the grand entrance of the Opera House, where your local leader will be waiting for you and your fellow travellers. From Hanoi, you’ll take a private transpoort to Pu Luong – home of the Thai ethnic people. After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll take a 1-hour walk with your leader around the ancient Hieu village (Ban Hieu), ending at the Hieu waterfall. The Pu Luong Nature Reserve is considered an area of outstanding natural beauty – rich in culture and biodiversity, the area is covered in forests, limestone peaks and rice paddies. The peaceful hamlets throughout the reserve feature traditional stilt-houses and tonight, you’ll stay in a homestay with your local hosts within the reserve. In the late afternoon, take part in a cooking class with the locals to make some traditional dishes that you’ll enjoy together for dinner.
Included Activities:
- Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Cooking class & dinner
- Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Homestay
- Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Hieu village & waterfall walk
Accommodation:
- Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast with your hosts, transfer to Ninh Binh – a small city in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam and the capital of the Ninh Binh Province. Popular with visitors due to its natural beauty, this limestone peak-covered area is a must-see. When you arrive, you’ll head into Cuc Phuong National Park – Vietnam's first national park and the country's largest nature reserve. Visit the Save Vietnam Wildlife Center (our Intrepid Foundation partner) and learn how this non-profit organisation focuses on conserving pangolins and local carnivores, protecting the wildlife and ecosystem of the area. You’ll see some of the animals that live here (the resident wildlife can’t re-enter the wild due to injury), then you’ll head to lunch at the National Park restaurant. This afternoon, take an easy trek through the park, looking out for the diverse flora and small animals along the way. This park is home to 97 species of mammals, 300 species of birdlife and 53 species of reptiles and amphibians. The rest of your afternoon and evening is free.
Included Activities:
- Cuc Phuong NP - Save Vietnam's Wildlife (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit
- Cuc Phuong National Park - Afternoon trek
Accommodation:
- Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)
Fuel up on breakfast this morning and enjoy your peaceful time. Then in the afternoon head out on a 1.5-hour boat trip in the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve – home to the endangered langur monkeys, this conservation area is the largest wetland natural reserve in Red River Delta and is known as ‘waveless bay’ for the still water surface that reflects the surrounding mountains. The boat will take you around the lagoon through limestone peaks and small caves. After that, take a cycling tour around the reserve over sunset. The rest of your evening is free. Tonight, you’ll stay in a small and authentic homestay with your friendly hosts.
Included Activities:
- Ninh Binh - Cycling & sunset at Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve
- Ninh Binh - Van Long Nature Reserve boat trip
Accommodation:
- Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, you’ll transfer back to Hanoi, arriving at about 4 pm. This is where your Short Break Adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Hanoi, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Jennifer - Traveled, January 2026
This trip was well-planned, perfect size and awe-inspiring at every turn. The beauty of this part of the country really shone through and our guide Tommy was excellent. Absolutely recommend! Beauty, history, connection.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/15/2026
Lisa - Traveled, December 2025
I loved this trip! It got us out of town and allowed for some great hiking. Just know, there are a lot of stairs!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2025
Malin - Traveled, November 2025
It was a nice getaway from the city with a group of all ages (majority older). Despite age differences we had good talks and enjoyed each others company. Do expect to go to touristy places and you won’t be disappointed.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/20/2025
Tess - Traveled, October 2025
We loved this mini adventure - it's incredible value for money, excellent for those wanting to go off the beaten track. Thank you to San, our wonderful tour leader for taking care of us and making it such a wonderful experience!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/23/2025
Heather - Traveled, October 2025
A wonderful trip. The tour guide was excellent, amusing and always ready to suggest and book restaurants and added interesting information about the places and history We all loved Tommy!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/23/2025
Francesco - Traveled, August 2025
Cool short trip, wonderful panorama and places. Loved the trip, had a lot of fun joking and talking with nice trip fellows and the guide. Definitely worth it!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/29/2025
Marcus - Traveled, August 2025
The Ninh Binh Mini Adventure was an incredible adventure. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to see the real Vietnam.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/21/2025
Sonja - Traveled, August 2025
An excellent way to discover a country without having to worry about anything, we will travel with intrepid again, thanks for great memories
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/22/2025
Giambattista - Traveled, August 2025
Vietnamese nature at its best, with a leader over the top.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/21/2025
Jem - Traveled, May 2025
I have always organised all my own travel, so taking a group tour was a bit nerve wracking! This tour was great - took us places we wouldn’t have visited ourselves and gave the highlights of Ninh Binh off the main tourist trails. Staying in the Thai village was a highlight. One thing to note is this night of accomodation is in a shared space - however with the comfortable beds, and privacy curtains it was totally fine, I would recommend it wholeheartedly! Sleeping under the palm and bamboo roof, cooking dinner with our host, and exploring the village amongst the gorgeous rice paddies was incredible. This
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/23/2025
