Tour Overview

14 days

Hanoi – Mai Chau - Ninh Binh - Ha Long - Quang Binh - Con Dao - Quy Nhon - Quang Ninh

Vietnam

Discover Vietnam’s hidden gems on a 14-day slow travel package with Esteem Travel. Explore serene valleys, secluded islands, and peaceful beaches, embracing calm and luxury along the way.

Bai Tu Long Bay Vietnam
Con dao Vietnam travel summer
Binh Lap Peninsula Quy Nhon
Legacy Yen Tu
Pung Waterfall, Mai Chau, Hidden gems
Brocade weaving - Hidden gems - Mai Chau

Experience Vietnam at an unhurried pace with Esteem Travel’s curated slow travel package. This 14-day journey through the country's hidden gems emphasizes peace, culture, and the natural beauty of Vietnam’s quietest treasures. Our calm itinerary allows you to immerse yourself deeply in each destination—from serene valleys to secluded islands—without the rush, bringing you the perfect balance of relaxation and exploration.

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi – Welcome to Tranquility

  • Morning: Arrive in Hanoi. Private transfer to a luxury boutique hotel for a peaceful start.
  • Afternoon: Enjoy leisure time with an optional guided stroll around Hanoi’s Old Quarter to take in its heritage at your own pace.
    Hanoi train street Hidden gems
    Daily life at Hanoi train street

     

  • Evening: Welcome dinner at a fine-dining Vietnamese restaurant. Spend the night unwinding with a tranquil view of the city.

Day 2:

  • Morning: Transfer to Mai Chau Valley (3 hours). Check into Avana Retreat, set among the picturesque hills and rice terraces.

    Avana Retreat, Mai Chau, Hoa Binh, Vietnam
    Avana Retreat, Mai Chau, Hoa Binh, Vietnam
  • Afternoon: Join a leisurely cultural tour of local Thai villages, immersing yourself in the lifestyle of the valley’s residents.

    Brocade weaving - Hidden gems - Mai Chau
    Brocade weaving – a traditional cultural beauty of the Thai people Mai Chau
  • Evening: Enjoy a quiet, private dinner at the resort’s open-air dining area.

Day 3:

  • Spend the day at your own pace – slow travel. Options include a gentle hike through rice terraces, a bamboo weaving workshop, or relaxing by the pool with breathtaking valley views. Round out the day with a farm-to-table dinner featuring fresh, local ingredients.

    workshop hidden gems Mai Chau weaving bamboo
    Household items made from rattan of Hoa Binh’s ethnic groups at Avana’s Stilt House Museum

Day 4:

  • Morning: Head to Ninh Binh (2 hours). Check into a secluded riverside resort.
  • Afternoon: Drift along Tam Coc’s peaceful waterways by private rowboat, taking in the limestone cliffs and serene beauty.

    Trang An, Ninh Binh, Vietnam
    Ninh Binh, Vietnam
  • Evening: Relax with a sunset view at the resort, followed by a calm, candlelit dinner.

Day 5:

  •  Start the day with a leisurely bicycle ride through quiet rural paths to explore the ancient Hoa Lu capital. In the afternoon, participate in a traditional stone-carving workshop, learning a time-honored art form. Spend a peaceful evening enjoying the resort’s amenities.

    cycling-ninh-binh-1
    Cycling in Ninh Binh – slow travel

Day 6:

  • Morning: Transfer to Bai Tu Long Bay (3 hours), where a private luxury junk boat awaits for an overnight cruise.

    Bai Tu Long - hidden gems
    Bai Tu Long is winning the hearts of more and more travelers
  • Afternoon: Enjoy a slow sail through the bay’s serene waters, with stops for a guided kayaking excursion or gentle swim. As you drift through the emerald waters, the scenic limestone formations offer endless tranquility.

    Bai Tu Long Bay Vietnam
    Bai Tu Long Bay Vietnam
  • Evening: A private, starlit dinner is served on deck.

Day 7:

  • Begin with Tai Chi on deck at sunrise, followed by a slow exploration of quiet caves. After brunch, disembark and transfer back to Hanoi. Enjoy an evening at a luxury hotel, relaxing at the spa or exploring Hanoi’s quiet cafes at your leisure.

Day 8

  • Morning: Fly to Dong Hoi and transfer to Phong Nha. Check into the peaceful Chay Lap Farmstay, offering quiet vistas of surrounding greenery.

    Chay Lap Farmstay Quang Binh
    Chay Lap Farmstay Quang Binh
  • Afternoon: Take a nature walk through local farmland or join a photography workshop, capturing the quiet landscapes for a Slow travel.

  • Evening: Savor a farm-to-table dinner at the farmstay, prepared with locally grown ingredients.

Day 9:

  • A slow-paced cave tour to Paradise Cave awaits, with options for a boat ride along the Son River or gentle kayaking. Return to the farmstay to relax, finishing the evening with a quiet dinner in the serene countryside.

Day 10:

  • Morning: Fly from Dong Hoi to Con Dao Islands (via Ho Chi Minh City). Check into Six Senses Con Dao for ultimate relaxation.

    Six Sense Con Dao
    Six Sense Con Dao
  • Afternoon: Enjoy the private beach or a spa treatment tailored for relaxation.
  • Evening: Sunset beach dinner with fresh, locally sourced seafood.

Day 11: Slow travel in Con Dao

  • Start your day with a meditation session on the beach. Later, take a private boat ride to explore nearby secluded beaches or opt for a snorkeling experience at a calm, shallow reef. Spend the afternoon unwinding by the pool.

Day 12

  • Morning: Fly to the mainland, then drive to Binh Lap Peninsula.

    Binh Lap Peninsula Quy Nhon
    Binh Lap Peninsula, Quy Nhon
  • Afternoon: Settle in at Ngoc Suong Resort on a private beach. The rest of the day is for your relaxation—swimming, reading, or simply soaking in the quiet ambiance.
  • Evening: A private seafood barbecue on the beach makes for an idyllic ending to a slow day.

Day 13:

  • Begin the day with a guided nature walk or a morning yoga session on the sand. Spend the afternoon kayaking along hidden coves, with a private picnic awaiting on a secluded beach. End the day with a sunset toast, enjoying cocktails as the sky turns gold.

  • Morning: Slow Travel to Yen Tu Mountain, home to one of Vietnam’s most revered Zen Buddhism sites.
    Yen Tu Mountain hidden gems slow travel
    Yen Tu Mountain, Quang Ninh, Vietnam

     

  • Afternoon: Check in at Legacy Yen Tu – MGallery by Sofitel. Experience a calming tea ceremony and enjoy a gentle guided walk through the serene mountain trails.

    Legacy Yen Tu
    Legacy Yen Tu
  • Evening: Conclude with a quiet farewell dinner inspired by traditional Vietnamese wellness cuisine, celebrating your journey of peace and discovery.

  • Morning: After breakfast, transfer to Hanoi for your flight home, leaving with a heart full of tranquility and unforgettable memories of Vietnam’s hidden, slow travel and calming beauty.