Ha Long Bay Discovery – Athena Luxury Cruise

Highlights of the Journey:

• Engage in group trekking activities, challenge your physical limits, reconnect with nature, and strengthen team spirit.
• Enjoy “green nutrition” cuisine that promotes health and well-being, such as Longevity Porridge, Beauty Nourishing Tea, and especially medicinal cuisine that helps boost immunity.
• Experience holistic health care with Yoga – Meditation – Acupressure – Pulse Diagnosis & Oriental Medicine Consultation by traditional medicine practitioners.
• Learn simple, practical exercises that can be practiced at home to alleviate joint pain, neck & shoulder tension, and improve blood circulation.

Itinerary:

06:15 – Pick-up at 55B Phan Chu Trinh, transfer by coach to MEDI Thiên Sơn Healing Resort.

08:00 – Arrival at MEDI Thiên Sơn. Guests will immediately feel the refreshing energy of pristine nature and the pure mountain air of the “national lifeline spring.” Proceed to Hạ Sơn area for a light breakfast with Longevity Porridge and herbal detox tea. Guests are free to explore and take photos at Hạ Sơn, a scenic feng-shui landscape featuring the charming Vọng Lâu Pavilion by the lake.

09:00 – 11:00 – Gentle warm-up with basic yoga movements, followed by a trekking journey to conquer Thiên Sơn Peak. Along the trail, discover the lush primary forest with streams and waterfalls. The highlight is Cổng Trời Waterfall, majestic amidst the mountains.

11:30 – 12:30 – Enjoy a wholesome lunch featuring signature medicinal dishes of MEDI Thiên Sơn, prepared from precious herbs to enhance vitality and health. Herbal tonic drinks are also served, helping relaxation and circulation in the fresh mountain atmosphere.

12:30 – Transfer to the stilt house in Ngoạn Sơn. Here, a Zen master will guide guests through Mindful Meditation, bringing relaxation, inner peace, and a deep, refreshing nap.

14:00 – Continue the program at Ngoạn Sơn with a serene tea break by the lakeside, enjoying the tranquil natural scenery.

14:30 – After tea, guests experience complimentary acupressure therapy and wellness consultation with traditional medicine experts.

Optional activities include:

• Dressing in ancient costumes and rowing a wooden boat on Ngoạn Sơn Lake, drifting among clouds and mountains.
• Free leisure time exploring the poetic landscapes around the lake.

16:20 – Conclude the Healing & Team-Building Retreat “Live Healthy” at the sacred Tổ Mountain. Return transfer to the original pick-up point.

Embark on a memorable 4-day-3-night journey through Northern Vietnam, combining cultural exploration, natural wonders, and spiritual discovery. Starting from Hanoi – the thousand-year-old capital and cultural heart of the nation – this itinerary will take you to Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, and the sacred peak of Yen Tu.

Tour Highlights:

• Discover Hanoi: Visit iconic landmarks such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison, and Tran Quoc Pagoda.
• Cruise in Trang An: Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Trang An, a stunning landscape of limestone karsts, caves, and rivers.
• Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda: Famous for its grand scale and spiritual significance, home to Southeast Asia’s largest bronze Buddha statue.
• Halong Bay Experience: Cruise through emerald waters and limestone islands, visit Sung Sot Cave, kayak at Luon Cave, and relax on Titop Island.
• Conquer Yen Tu Mountain: Known as the “cradle of Vietnamese Buddhism,” where visitors can explore ancient pagodas, ride the cable car, and admire panoramic views from Dong Pagoda at 1,068m above sea level.

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi City Tour (Meals: Lunch)

08:00 – Pick up at your hotel in the Old Quarter or Hanoi Opera House. Begin a guided city tour:

• Tran Quoc Pagoda: The oldest pagoda in Hanoi, located by the West Lake with nearly 1,500 years of history.
• Ho Chi Minh Complex: Including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays – outside view only), Uncle Ho’s Stilt House, One Pillar Pagoda, and Ho Chi Minh Museum.
• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: A fascinating display of 54 ethnic groups (on Mondays, replaced by the Vietnamese Women’s Museum).

12:30 – Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in the Old Quarter.

13:30 – Visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university dedicated to Confucius and scholars.

15:30 – Explore Hoa Lo Prison, built by the French in 1886, once housing Vietnamese revolutionaries and later American POWs.

16:30 – Return to hotel, check in, free time to explore Hanoi Old Quarter by night. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi – Bai Dinh Pagoda – Trang An (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)

07:30 – Depart for Ninh Binh (about 2 hours). Stop en route for a short break.

10:00 – Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex, famous for its monumental architecture, massive bronze Buddha statues, and sacred atmosphere.

12:30 – Enjoy a local specialty lunch featuring Ninh Binh goat meat and crispy rice.

14:00 – Take a boat trip in Trang An Eco-tourism Complex, gliding through majestic caves, limestone mountains, and rivers. Visit sacred sites like Suoi Tien Temple and Vu Lam Palace.

17:00 – Return to Hanoi.

19:30 – Arrive in Hanoi. Free evening at leisure in the Old Quarter. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

08:30 – Depart for Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

12:00 – Arrive at Halong Harbor. Board a day cruise and enjoy lunch on board while sailing past limestone islands such as Stone Dog and Fighting Cocks (Ga Choi Islet).

14:00 – Visit Sung Sot Cave – the most beautiful and largest grotto in Halong Bay. Continue with kayaking or bamboo boat ride at Luon Cave, followed by swimming or trekking at Titop Island.

16:30 – Relax on the sundeck as the boat returns to the harbor.

17:30 – Disembark, transfer to hotel in Halong. Dinner and overnight in Halong.

Day 4: Halong – Yen Tu – Hanoi (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)

06:30 – Breakfast at the hotel, check out.

07:30 – Depart for Yen Tu Mountain. Explore the sacred Buddhist complex: Tran Nhan Tong Stupa, Hoa Yen Pagoda, and the One-roof Pagoda. Take the cable car to reach An Ky Sinh Statue and the Dong Pagoda at 1,068m altitude.

11:30 – Lunch at a local restaurant.

12:30 – Return journey to Hanoi.

17:00 – Arrive in Hanoi. End of tour.