6-Day Best of Northern Vietnam: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay

Day 1: Hanoi arrival

Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, pick you up and transfer to Hanoi center. Check in hotel and then free time at your leisure. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Meals: N/A

Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Hanoi

Day 2: Full day Hanoi city Tour

This full day tour takes you around Hanoi’s most interesting sights. Firstly, you will visit Ho Chi Minh Complex including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, House-on-Stilts, the Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda. After that we explore the Temple of Literature – the first university in Vietnam. Have lunch at a local Restaurant with traditional Vietnam cuisines.

After lunch time, Visit the Ethnology Museum – an interesting museum offers informative and well-documented display about 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam.

Return to city center, continue to discover Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son temple, listen to a special legend story about Hoan Kiem Lake.

Ending trip with a Warter Puppet show. Go back to hotel. Free time for dinner and overnight at hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hanoi

Just a couple hours’ drive outside of Hanoi and the tour heads deep into Vietnam’s picturesque countryside. Discover Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Le dynasties, before taking a sampan trip down the Tam Coc River. Also called the ‘Halong Bay on Land,’ this region is famous for its charming grottoes and limestone karst mountains.

Depart from the hotel around 08:00 for the 2-hour drive through rural northern Vietnam. Stop off at Hoa Lu, where there are temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009).

If time permits after visiting Hoa Lu, take a half-hour walk up one of the surrounding limestone karst hills; a difficult but highly rewarding climb with spectacular views. (A moderate level of physical fitness is required.)

Continue on for Tam Coc Town where a Vietnamese-style lunch will be waiting; there will be ample opportunity to stop for photographs of the villages and landscapes along the way.

For those feeling adventurous, climb up to the 15th century Bich Dong Pagoda on nearby Ngu Nhac Mountain, comprising three structures: Ha, Trung, and Thuong Pagodas (in ascending order).

Then get on bus and our driver will take you back to Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Hanoi

Day 4: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay

After breakfast, depart the capital for the drive to Halong Bay. Arrive to Halong City’s jetty (around noon) and proceed with check-in formalities. After a welcome onboard, lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay. In the afternoon, enjoy some sightseeing, on-board activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on the vessel. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Midrange cruise in Halong Bay

Our tour guide will not accompany aboard the cruise in Halong Bay. Resident English speaking guide on board available.

Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi

Early risers can enjoy a memorable sunrise over the karst formations of Halong Bay. Breakfast will be served shortly thereafter.

Enjoy breakfast (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations back towards port. Arriving at the harbor, you will be picked up for transferring back to Hanoi.

Drop off at your hotel. Free evening and overnight at hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Brunch

Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Hanoi

Day 6:Hanoi departure

Our tour guide and driver take you to Hanoi airport – Say goodbye to Hanoi. End 6-Day Best of Northern Vietnam Tour.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: N/A

6-Day Best of Northern Vietnam

Price is based on per adult, in Double/Twin sharing, for group of 2 people

Please contact us for more information

Included:

• Accommodation in TWN/ DBL sharing accommodation at hotel and Halong cruise

• All transport and transfer as per itinerary

• All in-tour stationed local English speaking guide.

• Transfer from and to airport

• Entrance fees as per itinerary

• Meals as indicated in the program

Excluded:

• Hotel EARLY check in and LATE check out

• Peak season surcharge & compulsory dinner at the hotel (if any)

• Flights to or from Hanoi with taxes

• Visa or Passport Fees

• Travel Insurance

• Tips, laundry and gratuities

• Meals not marked on itinerary, and water during meals