Xin Chao and welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, a Topas representative will welcome you to the land of the ascending dragon before heading straight to your hotel in the heart of the city. The day is at leisure to discover Hanoi on your own, wandering the crooked alleys of the iconic Old Quarter and the promenade around Hoan Kiem Lake until an evening dinner date with a local family.

When you want to get to know a culture, there’s nothing quite like breaking bread (or spooning rice) with a local family. Expect to fill up on spring rolls, hearty soups, light stir fries and plenty of hot white rice. Get to know the family without worrying about the language barrier, as English-speaking students from the local university will accompany you throughout, teaching you about local etiquette and making sure you avoid making any social faux pas.

                                                                                                                   Included meals: Dinner

                                                                                                     Distance and Activities: 45’ drive

Lace up and take on the capital in this guided morning run,  getting a fresh perspective on Hanoi’s highlights while the crowds are still sleeping with loops around Hanoi’s illustrious lakes, leafy parks, and tree-lined boulevards. Delve into the bustling backstreets of the Old Quarter, hop along the revived train tracks, and reenergize with a halfway coffee stop. Finish the run with a steaming bowl of pho, Hanoi’s favourite breakfast.

Once you’ve had enough to eat, head to the Citadel, a true testament of Vietnam’s strength, resilience, and beauty. Marvel at the ancient architecture while strolling past leafy gardens and learning about the Citadel’s central position of power, of which it maintains even to this day. Then, head over to the superb Vietnamese Women’s Museum, an essential stop on any visit to Hanoi. Explore the heroines of Vietnamese society, especially in regards to ethnic minorities, war, and modern exhibitions before heading back to the Old Quarter for a tasty lunch on one of the most famous food streets in Southeast Asia.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Distance and activities: 9km jog – 4h sightseeing tour 

Leave the city behind as your journey 3 hours southwest through the verdant rice fields, shallow mountains, and lush valleys of Hoa Binh Province. Pause at the Muong Culture Museum, an excellent showcase of the Muong people with informative exhibits on art, culture, traditions, and architecture. There’s even a playground on-site made entirely from bamboo–a perfect way for kids to work off some energy before the remaining 90-minute journey to Mai Chau.

Upon arrival to Mai Chau, check-in to the Mai Chau Hideaway, a beautiful lake resort designed to help you with rest and relaxation.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch 
Distance and activities: 3h transfer – 1h museum visit

Today is a free day to explore beautiful Mai Chau independently, whether that means sitting by the pool or lake the whole day with a book and hot cup of coffee in hand, hiking through rice terraces and corn fields, jogging through the beautiful scenery, finding balance with yoga and meditation classes, or trying your hand at a traditional cooking class.

Included meals: Breakfast
Distance and activities: N/A 

Spend the morning at leisure in Mai Chau until an early afternoon pick-up from the Vietnam Trail Marathon’s bus to take you to the highlands of Moc Chau, where the marathon will take place. Collect your bib package from the VTM EXPO at the hotel, and then join the carb-load party from 18:00-20:00.

The opening ceremony for the Vietnam Trail Marathon will run from 19:00-21:00, with music, dancing and a bonfire as well as a race briefing, giving you more opportunities to meet your fellow runners.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
Distance and activities: 1h20′ transfer – 2h opening ceremony

Depending on what race you choose to complete, your day will begin anywhere from 3:00 to 8:30 in order to catch the bus to the starting line. Make sure to bring a small bag with a towel, clean clothes, and money, which you can hand in before the start and receive at the finish line. At 9:45, your supporters will be transferred to the finish line at the heart-shaped tea-hill to cheer you on!

Enjoy the run through tea plantations, flowering peach blossoms, pine trees, and ethnic minority villages on your 10k, 21k, 42k, or 70k run.

The Winners’ and Farewell ceremony will take place between 13:00-17:30 depending on the race you’ve run. Head back to your Moc Chau accommodation to rest your muscles after such an eventful day.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance and activities: Depends on race distance

Depart Moc Chau after breakfast and make the journey back to Hanoi, arriving in the early afternoon.

Check-in to your Old Quarter Hotel and enjoy the city at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, 
Distance and activities: 5h transfer

The morning begins with a short 2.5-hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay. Upon arrival to Tuan Chau Island, get your first introduction to this land of fairy-tales and legends as the crow flies with a 25-minute seaplane tour. Soar above pearl farms, hidden islands, floating villages, and see how the water changes from a deep green to bright turquoise the higher you fly.

Once the plane lands, transfer by speedboat to Gia Luan port where your cruise ship and lunch awaits in Lan Ha Bay. Meander through the exotic landscape before pausing for a bamboo boat ride rowed by locals through a grotto nicknamed Dark and Bright Cave, on the border of Halong, Bai Tu Long, and Lan Ha bays. If weather permits, you can take a kayak to discover the area on your own.

Afterwards, take some time for swimming and sunbathing before returning to the ship for a traditional Vietnamese rice wine tasting and cooking instruction, followed by dinner.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
Distance and activities: 2.5h transfer – 25′ seaplane tour – 2h kayaking and swimming

As the sun rises over the bay, join the ancient practice of Vovinam on the sundeck, a martial art created in Vietnam. After working up an appetite, sit down for a delectable breakfast as the boat docks at Viet Hai pier, the only way to reach Viet Hai Village as there are no roads connecting it to the rest of Cat Ba Island.

Cycle along well-made paths for 3.5 km (there’s an electric buggy available if you would rather survey the jungle landscape at a comfortable pace) to reach the village. Spend time getting to know the history and traditions of the Vietnamese people who live there, enjoying a lunch before setting off for a secluded area of Lan Ha Bay where filming for the Hollywood blockbuster Kong: Skull Island took place. Take some time to swim and relax in this stunning area before returning to the ship for a traditional tea ceremony.

After dinner in the ship’s restaurant, retire to your cabin or join a karaoke party at the Navy Club.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance and activities: 3.5h cycling – 2h kayaking and swimming

Spend your final morning in Lan Ha Bay with a cup of coffee or tea as you watch the sun rise. Participate in another session of Vovinam or lounge in you room until the morning’s activity, a tour to Hoa Cuong Cave, begins. Admire the glittering stalactites and stalagmites and learn about the cave’s history during the Second Indochina War as a shelter for the locals during bomb raids.

Brunch is served as the ship begins its return to port. Upon disembarkation in Hai Phong, return to Noi Bai International Airport for onward booked transportation.

Included meals: Breakfast
Distance and activities: 2h drive