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Parfum d’Automne offers you a tour to explore Northern Vietnam and the city of Luang Prabang in Laos.
This journey is designed for travelers who want to deeply immerse themselves in Northern Vietnam while enjoying an excursion to one of Southeast Asia’s most charming cities, Luang Prabang.
Northern Vietnam is full of breathtaking destinations, and you will have the chance to experience many of them: Lan Ha Bay aboard one of our traditional junks, Ninh Binh, also known as the “terrestrial Halong Bay,” the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, and the northern mountains with Mu Cang Chai and Sapa. We will also make sure to introduce you to Hanoiduring the first days so that you can absorb its rich history and culture.
Finally, you will spend a few days in Luang Prabang, a city steeped in ancient culture and traditions. The surrounding areas are equally stunning, and your guide will take you to discover, among other highlights, the magnificent Kuang Si waterfalls.
Arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport. Meet our driver and guide, then transfer to the hotel. You will leave your luggage at the hotel (room available from 1:00 PM). Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, enjoy a discovery tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. You will learn about the history of Hanoi’s Old Quarter and its traditional guilds, while our guide takes you through its narrow streets, full of surprises—perfect for soaking in the atmosphere of Hanoi from day one!
Among the visits, you will explore the surroundings of Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple located on a small island, and the Dong Xuan Market. The afternoon will end with a traditional water puppet show, where, accompanied by our guide, you will discover fascinating Vietnamese legends.
Dinner on your own and overnight at the Parfum d’Automne Guest House or at a charming 3-star hotel.
Included in the day: Airport transfer to the hotel, lunch, entrance tickets, transportation by private car with driver, services of a English-speaking Vietnamese guide, and accommodation.
You will have breakfast at your hotel or at Parfum d’Automne Guest House. Our guide and driver will pick you up to continue discovering the highlights of Hanoi.
The morning will be dedicated to Vietnamese history, with visits to the Temple of Literature (a symbol of Confucianism) and Tran Quoc Pagoda (the oldest Buddhist pagoda in Hanoi). After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the Museum of Ethnology, which houses an impressive collection of information on the 54 ethnic groups that inhabit Vietnam.
In the early evening, we recommend attending My Village (optional), a spectacular show combining dance and circus performances—children will love it!
Dinner on your own and overnight at the Parfum d’Automne Guest House or at a charming 3-star hotel.
Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, entrance tickets, transportation by private car with driver, services of a English-speaking Vietnamese guide, and accommodation.
Your driver will pick you up at your hotel around 8:00 AM, heading to Cat Ba Island. After the ferry, to reach Cat Ba town (about 30 km away), where our junk boat is located, we offer an off-the-beaten-path one-hour motorbike ride with a driver. Lunch will be served along the way at a local restaurant.
Arrival at the pier around 1:30–2:00 PM. You will then board our small fishing boat to reach Viet Hai Island. From there, take a bike ride to the village, explore the surroundings, have dinner, and overnight in a bungalow in the village.
Included in the day: Breakfast, private car with driver, services of a English-speaking Vietnamese guide, ferry, motorbike with driver, entrance tickets to the bay, fishing boat rental, bicycle rental, lunch and dinner, and overnight stay in a bungalow.
After breakfast, enjoy some free time in the village, then return to the pier by bike and board the boat you have chosen (Majonq or Quatre Saisons) around 1:00 PM. Start by visiting Hang Ca Cave and explore hidden coves by kayak. Cruise through the bay toward remote islands. Lunch and dinner will feature fresh seafood served on the junk. Overnight onboard in the heart of the bay.
Included in the day: Junk boat rental with crew services, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, kayak rental, and overnight stay on the junk.
After breakfast, the boat will continue to explore Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy some free time onboard before having lunch. Disembark on Cat Ba Island around 12:30 PM, then drive to Ninh Binh. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel.
Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, junk boat rental with crew services, car transfer from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh, and overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, enjoy a bike ride to visit the Jade Pagoda, Thai Vi Temple, and the rice fields of Tam Coc. Climb to the top of Mua Mountain (450 steps) to admire a breathtaking panoramic view of the Tam Coc region. Lunch in a local restaurant in Tam Coc. In the afternoon, discover Tam Coc by boat, gliding along its scenic waterways. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel.
Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, bike rental, entrance fees, English-speaking guide services, car rental, and overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, depart by car with your guide for Pu Luong. Lunch will be served at the ecolodge. In the afternoon, enjoy a short hike to the Cham River, where you will board a bamboo raft for a peaceful ride through this serene natural setting. Take time to relax and appreciate the tranquility of the surroundings. Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at your ecolodge.
Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, car with driver, English-speaking guide services, and overnight stay in an ecolodge.
After breakfast, you will start descending into the magnificent valley facing the ecolodge, where you will walk around terraced rice fields. Then, you will follow small paths covered with vegetation, gradually revealing the picturesque village of Uoi, nestled at the foot of a high mountain. Continue descending the hill to Uoi village, then on to Lan village. If time permits, you will visit a local family where you can learn about the traditional brocade weaving technique (not guaranteed). Return to your accommodation at the end of the afternoon.
Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private car with driver, services of a English-speaking guide, overnight stay at the ecolodge.
Free morning to rest after the trek. Breakfast and lunch at the ecolodge before driving back to Hanoi. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang (departure at 7:10 PM). Arrival in Luang Prabang at 8:30 PM. Meet and greet, then transfer to your hotel.
Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, English-speaking guide, transfer from Pu Luong to Hanoi airport, welcome at Luang Prabang airport and transfer to your hotel.
After breakfast, your driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel. You will set off on the road with a first stop at Duong Lam Village (Mong Phu), a traditional village representing the culture of the Red River Delta inhabitants, the cradle of Viet (Kinh) civilization. It is famous for its ancient houses, some of which have been in the same family for over 300 years. You will visit some of these homes and enjoy lunch in one of them. Then, visit the communal house and Mia Pagoda.
In the afternoon, continue your journey north, entering a landscape of increasingly high hills covered with tea plantations. You will pass the Khé Pass before reaching, by the end of the day, the Thai village of Muong Lo, located in a large plain of rice fields surrounded by high mountains—the largest in the North after Dien Bien Phu. Dinner and overnight stay with a local family in Muong Lo.
Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, transportation by private car with driver, services of a French-speaking Vietnamese guide, and homestay accommodation.
After breakfast, you will take the road to Mu Cang Chai, passing through the Hmong village of Nga Ba Kim. By car, you will then climb surrounded by peaks of over 2,000 meters, overlooking terraced rice fields. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a hike and visit La Pan Tan village (famous for having some of the most beautiful terraced rice fields in the North), then continue to Cau Ba Nha village (about 2 hours of walking). From there, you will get back in the car and head to Mu Cang Chai. Along the way, you will discover stunning landscapes, with the option to take short walks depending on time and your preference (around Phing Ho village, for example). Arrival in Mu Cang Chai at the end of the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at a local homestay or at Mu Cang Chai Ecolodge.
Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private car with driver, English-speaking guide, entrance tickets, accommodation (at the ecolodge or homestay), one small bottle of water per person.
After breakfast, depart for Sapa, enjoying beautiful landscapes along the way and meeting ethnic minority communities en route. Lunch in Sapa.
In the afternoon, take a hike to visit Ma Tra Village, Lu Khau Village, and finally reach Ta Phin Village, home to the Red Dao people. After dinner, you’ll have the option to experience a relaxing herbal bath (at your own expense).
Included in the day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, private car with driver, guide services, and accommodation.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the starting point of your hike. The trail is a bit more challenging than the previous day, but the stunning off-the-beaten-path landscapes will give you plenty of energy. Picnic lunch along the way.
Afterward, depart by car for Bac Ha, arriving in the late afternoon. Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
Included in the day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, guide services, private car, entrance fees, and accommodation.
After breakfast, visit an ethnic minority market.
Saturday: Can Cau Market
Sunday: Bac Ha Market or Muong Khuong Market
In the afternoon, return to Hanoi by car (350 km – approximately 5 hours), arriving at your hotel in the early evening. Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
Included in the day: breakfast, lunch, private car, guide services, and entrance fees.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel for check-in, followed by lunch.
In the afternoon, visit Vat Xieng Thong, the city’s most beautiful temple built in the 16th century; Vat Visunarat with its iconic Melon Stupa; and nearby Vat Aham. Then, climb Mount Phu Si to admire the sunset over the city. On your way back, stop at the colorful night market.
Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
Included in the day: transfer from your Hanoi hotel to the airport, transfer from Luang Prabang Airport to your hotel, lunch, private car with a English-speaking guide (half-day), entrance fees, and overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast, embark on a boat cruise to visit the Pak Ou Caves, located 32 km upstream. On the way, stop at the famous “Whisky Village” to observe the traditional production of Lau Lao (rice whisky). Continue to the caves for about one hour, where thousands of Buddha statues are housed.
Next, travel by car to Ban Xang Khong, the weavers’ village, and discover the art of handmade silk and mulberry paper production, located just 12 km from Luang Prabang. Return to the city by late afternoon.
Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.
Included in the day: breakfast, lunch, boat and car transportation, activity entrance fees, English-speaking guide (full day), and overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, drive to the Kuang Si Waterfalls, located 29 km from Luang Prabang. Along the way, enjoy the beautiful countryside landscapes and stop at a Hmong ethnic village.
Upon arrival at Kuang Si, you can relax and even swim in the refreshing turquoise pools. Picnic lunch on site. Return to Luang Prabang in the mid-afternoon.
Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.
Included in the day: breakfast, picnic lunch, transportation, entrance fees, English-speaking guide, and overnight at the hotel.
Early in the morning, around 5:45 a.m., you will head to Ban Vat Sean to witness the morning alms-giving ceremonyof the Buddhist monks, a long procession of saffron robes. Return to the hotel for breakfast and check-out.
Afterwards, visit the Royal Palace Museum, then transfer to the airport for your departure.
Included in the day: breakfast, transportation, entrance fees, English-speaking guide (half-day), and airport transfer.
All our tours are private. You will travel with your own vehicle, driver, and guide, ensuring maximum comfort and flexibility throughout your journey.
Private tours for solo travelers are significantly more expensive, and most guides are unwilling to lead one-person tours. Therefore, this itinerary is available starting from 2 travelers.
If you’re traveling alone, we can offer day trips or short excursions instead.
No, our tours begin upon your arrival in Vietnam.
However, we’re happy to assist you in booking your international flights if needed.
You’ll find the ideal travel period in the “Practical Info” section, based on the climate in the regions visited.
That said, this tour is available year-round, with a few adjustments depending on the season.
This itinerary is perfect for travelers seeking cultural discovery and immersion in nature.
It can be adapted for couples, families, or groups of friends of all ages.
Absolutely! All our tours are fully customizable.
You can modify the duration, change accommodations, add activities, or adjust the pace according to your preferences.
Simply send us a request using the contact form on this page.
One of our travel advisors will get back to you quickly to finalize your itinerary and provide a personalized quote.
In 18 days: Lan Ha Bay, Ninh Binh, Pu Luong, Sapa, and a visit to Luang Prabang with its waterfalls and ancient temples**
Let’s talk and tailor it to your wishes.
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info@parfumdautomne.fr
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