Ha Noi – Halong Bay – Ninh Binh (Hoa Lu – Tam Coc)

Discover the natural wonders and rich culture of Northern Vietnam in a 5-day 4-night journey. Starting from the vibrant capital city of Hanoi, you will embark on a trip to marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay. The journey then takes you to Ninh Binh – the land of majestic limestone mountains and ancient historical sites. Here, you will explore Hoa Lu – the former capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Early Le dynasties, and enjoy a boat ride through the scenic Tam Coc – Bich Dong. Blending natural heritage, historical relics, and local culture, this tour offers travelers a diverse and memorable experience of Northern Vietnam.

Day 1: Ha Noi Arrival (N/A)

Welcome to Ha Noi, a city of more than 1000 years old. The driver will meet you at the airport and tranfer you to check in at your hotel in the Ha Noi center. You have time to relax after a long flight.

Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 2: Halong Bay Full-day (B, L)

Have breakfast at your hotel.

8:45 – 9:00 am: Our bus & tour guide will collect you at your hotel (Ha Noi Old Quarter area) departure to Halong Bay, the bus will take by new expressway.

12:00 pm: Arriving at Tuan Chau Island and get on the boat

12:30 pm: Have lunch with Vietnamese seafood be served on board by the crew while the boat will take you around the most beautiful areas of the bay with thousands of different islands such as Dog islet, Incense Burner islet, Fighting Cock Islet, etc.

2:00 pm: Visiting Sung Sot Cave (Suprise Cave) one of the most beautiful Halong Bay to see a lot of stalagmites and stalagmites

3:00 pm: Enjoy kayaking or bamboo boat rowing at Luon Cave area, a farther secretary of the bay

3:30 pm: Get on Titop Island where you will have a few options:

Option 1: Hiking to the top of the mountain where you can take a panoramic view of Halong Bay.

Option 2: Swimming & relaxing on the beach

4:45 pm: Back to the cruise and join the sunset party on the sundeck fresh local fruit & wine or relax and make friends while cruising get back to the harbor

5:45 pm: Back to Tuan Chau harbor and get on the bus come back to Ha Noi

9:00 pm: Arrive in Ha Noi – drop you off at your hotel. Tour ends

Day 3: Ha Noi City Tour (B, L)

Option 1: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday – (Ha Noi City Tour – Ethnology Museum)

07:40 – 8:30 am: Meet your tour guide.

Start the trip with Tran Quoc pagoda, a Buddhist relic and national heritage lying on the West Lake. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s complex, the final resting place of Viet Nam’s greatest father; his house-on-stilts and one-pillar pagoda – modeled after a lotus flower, a symbol of Ha Noi.

The next stop, we will arrive Ethnology Museum to learn about the cultures of 54 ethnic groups living in Viet Nam. Have a rest and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant in Ha Noi Old Quarter. Then, visit Temples of Literature constructed in 1070 – dedicated to Confucius, sages, and talented scholars. It is the most famous temple in Hanoi, also functioning as Vietnam’s first university.

Leave for the legendary Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple dedicated to a former general commander Tran Hung Dao for his struggle against Mongolians.

4:00 pm: Arrive back at your hotel. Tour ends.

Option 2: Monday, Wednesday, Friday (Ha Noi City – Bat Trang Ceramics Village)

07:45 – 08:30 am: Meet your tour guide at your suggested places around Ha Noi Old Quarter. Start the trip with Tran Quoc pagoda, a Buddhist relic and national heritage lying on the West Lake.

The next stop, visit Ho Chi Minh complex, the final resting place of Viet Nam’s greatest father; his house-on-stilt and one-pillar pagoda – modeled after a lotus flower, a symbol of Hanoi. Then, visit the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 dedicated to Confucius, sages, and scholars. It was also the first university in Viet Nam once.

Relax and have lunch at a local restaurant in Ha Noi Old Quarter.

Explore the daily life of the traditional ceramics village of Bat Trang. Visit showrooms and see how they model the products. Arrive at legendary Hoan Kiem Lake. Visit Ngoc Son Temple dedicated to Tran Hung Dao – General Commander for his struggle against Mongolians.

3:30 pm: Drop you off at your hotel. Stay overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 4: Hoa Lu – Tam Coc Full-day (B, L)

Have breakfast at your hotel.

7:45-8:15 am: Collect you at the hotel in Ha Noi, then depart for Ninh Binh city towards the South of Ha Noi, it takes about 2,5 hours to get there (130 km). Arrive in Hoa Lu, visit Hoa Lu – The Ancient Capital and the remaining two temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80), and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009).

Then drive to Tam Coc Grottoes (16 km from Hoa Lu) to have a buffet lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant with local food (1hr).

PM: (Optional) Ride a bicycle along the village roads with beautiful countryside landscapes and friendly local people.

Take an exciting boat ride in Tam Coc grottoes (Halong on land) where we will enjoy the spectacular scenery while gliding along the river among rice paddies and ranges of limestone mountains peaking up towers over you (2 hrs).

Return to Ha Noi at around 5:00 pm.

Stay overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 5: Ha Noi Departure (B)

Enjoy some free time for last purchases or simply relax before your transfer to the airport for your departure flight home. Safe travel! End of our services!