Wellness & Nature Escape Across Vietnam: Yoga, Spas, and Halong Bay

The journey begins in Hanoi, where a VIP fast-track service gets you through immigration quickly. After settling into the hotel, you'll have a welcome dinner at Tam Vi, one of Vietnam's first Michelin-starred restaurants. The restaurant serves traditional Vietnamese family-style dishes using ingredients from local markets—think rustic flavors rather than fussy fine dining. The next morning, a yoga class gets you moving, followed by a walking tour through the Old Quarter's narrow streets, markets, and street food stalls. In the afternoon, it's time for a sauna and a choice of massages at a local center.

From Hanoi, you'll drive two hours to Ninh Binh province, often called "Halong Bay on land." You'll visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital, with its temples set among rice paddies. After lunch, a two-hour boat trip takes you through Van Long Nature Reserve, the largest wetland reserve in the Red River Delta. You'll glide past limestone cliffs and caves while watching for langurs and rare birds. The following day is slower—just a 90-minute traditional Vietnamese herbal compress treatment, where a heated herbal pack is applied to your body to ease muscle tension. An optional trip to Cuc Phuong National Park with a 5km trek is available for an extra cost.

The trip's centerpiece is a night on Halong Bay. You'll board a cruise ship and spend the afternoon swimming or kayaking around the limestone islands that rise from the emerald water. Overnight, the boat anchors among the karsts, and you sleep on board. The next morning, you'll fly to Hue, the old imperial capital, and check into the Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion resort. Here, for two days, the schedule is your own. Each morning starts with water meditation or a mountain hike, followed by a yoga class. The rest of the day you can join the resort's activities—Tai Chi, chakra healing meditation, forest meditation, or farm visits—or simply relax in the hot springs. On the final day, after breakfast and check-out, you'll have time to poke around Hue's markets before heading to the airport.

The trip is organized by Realistic Asia, a Southeast Asia travel company that specializes in wellness-focused tours. Your main contact is Éllie Nguyen, who has been running wellness retreats across the region for years. She's known for her energy and warmth, and she personally designs many of the itineraries.

What's included

- Airport pickup & drop-off - Accommodation with breakfast (including 5% service fee and 10% VAT) - Full meals on the cruise - Welcome dinner on day 1 - Lunch on day 3 - Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day - Welcome drink - Daily yoga classes - Experienced English-speaking guides during the tour - Excursions and tours - Pre- and post-retreat support - 24/7 hotline support - Flight ticket from Hanoi to Hue with 7kg handbag + 20kg luggage - Wifi connection

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Meals not mentioned - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Additional treatments - Public holiday surcharge (if any)