8-Day Wellness & Nature Escape Through Northern Vietnam

The journey begins in Hanoi, where you'll meet your guide and get your first taste of Vietnamese city life. You'll visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and the One Pillar Pagoda, with a stop at a local coffee shop to sip traditional Vietnamese coffee. From Hanoi, it's a five-hour drive to Sapa, a frontier town close to the Chinese border. The landscape here is dramatic—terraced rice fields that turn golden from May to October, and mountains that are often draped in cloud. You'll stay at the Topas EcoLodge, which sits on a hillside with views over the valley.

Your time in Sapa includes a visit to Love Waterfall and Heaven's Gate, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam, offering views of Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina. The next day is dedicated to trekking through the Thành Kim valley and the Lệch Dzao village, where you can meet the Red Zao and H'mong people who live there. You'll see how they maintain their traditional way of life and learn about their embroidery techniques. The trek is gentle, with time to stop and take photos along the way.

After the mountains, you'll travel to Ninh Binh province to see Hoa Lu, the ancient capital, and take a boat trip through the caves of Tam Coc. You'll stay at the Tam Coc Garden resort, a peaceful spot surrounded by rice paddies. The last leg of the trip is an overnight cruise in Halong Bay, where you'll have dinner on board, try your hand at kayaking, and wake up to a Tai Chi session on the sundeck before exploring a limestone cave.

The trip is hosted by Realistic Asia, a tour company based in Southeast Asia that specializes in wellness-focused travel. Your contact is Éllie, who has been in the industry since her university days and has designed retreats across the region. While this particular trip has a strong sightseeing focus, it's structured to give you balance—active days, good food, comfortable accommodation, and time to breathe. It's a good fit for travelers who want to explore Vietnam's most famous sights without pushing themselves too hard.

What's included

- Airport pickup & drop-off - 6 nights accommodation in hotels, lodge, resort, and cruise - 1 night on a shared cruise in Halong Bay - Meals as indicated in the itinerary (breakfast, lunch, and one dinner) - Transportation during the retreat - Group excursions and activities - English-speaking guides - Wifi connection where available - Luggage storage - Nature hikes with a trusted guide

What's not included

- International flights - Visa fees - Additional meals and drinks - Additional activities not mentioned in the itinerary - Additional treatments (e.g., massage) - Travel insurance - Personal expenses and tips