5 Days of Discovery: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Halong Bay Overnight Cruise

Upon your arrival at Noi Bai Airport, our tour guide will greet you at the security area, holding a sign with your name. Board your private car for a transfer to the heart of Hanoi. Upon reaching your hotel, check in (subject to availability) and take some time to relax.

City Tour Highlights
We begin with a visit to Ba Dinh Square, home to Uncle Ho’s final resting place – the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – where many significant cultural and political events of Vietnam have taken place. Explore Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, where he intermittently lived during the Vietnam War, and admire the tranquil One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple known for its unique architecture and serene lotus pond.

Next, visit the historic Tran Quoc Pagoda, Vietnam’s oldest Buddhist temple, located on the shores of West Lake. Don’t miss the Bodhi tree, a gift from Indian Prime Minister Rajendra Prasad during his visit in 1959.

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

In the afternoon, visit the Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake (Sword Lake), a site rich in history and symbolism. Then, explore the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam), Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucian teachings.

4:15 PM: Conclude your day with a traditional Water Puppet Show – a centuries-old Vietnamese art form that brings legends to life through music and puppetry. (Water Puppet Show not included in package price.)

Dinner: Free time to explore local dining options on your own.

Overnight: Stay in Hanoi.

Notes:

Standard hotel check-in time is 2:00 PM.

The itinerary may be adjusted based on your arrival time.

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays, and museums are closed on Mondays. Suitable alternatives will be arranged.

7:30–8:00 AM: Departure from Hanoi
Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi to start the journey to Ninh Binh province. The drive takes approximately two hours, leading to the first destination, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.

10:00–10:30 AM: Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Explore Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s capital during the Dinh and Le dynasties in the 10th and 11th centuries. Visit the temples dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh, set amidst stunning limestone mountains and lush rice fields.

11:30 AM: Discover Mua Cave
Next, head to Mua Cave, renowned for its breathtaking views of the Tam Coc area. To enjoy the panoramic scenery, climb the 500 stone steps leading to the summit – a challenge rewarded with incredible vistas.

1:00 PM: Lunch Break
Savor a traditional Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant in Ninh Binh, offering a taste of authentic regional cuisine.

2:00 PM: Boat Tour in Trang An
After lunch, embark on a scenic boat tour in Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its dramatic karst landscapes, serene rivers, and mystical caves. Glide through the peaceful waterways, explore the caves, and take in the natural beauty of the area.

4:30 PM: Return to Hanoi
Following the boat tour, relax on the drive back to your hotel in Hanoi. Arrival is expected around 6:30 PM, depending on traffic conditions.

Enjoy a memorable day discovering the highlights of Ninh Binh!

Included: Coach, English speaking tour guide, entrance and sightseeing fees, hotel, lunch ,

Excluded: dinner,drink , tip and personal expenses

07:45–08:30 AM:
Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Begin the scenic drive to Halong Bay, passing through the picturesque landscapes of the Red River Delta.

11:30 AM:
Arrive at the Tuan Chau Marina lobby. Take a short break while the staff handles your registration with local authorities.

12:00–12:30 PM:
Board the cruise via a tender boat. Enjoy a refreshing welcome drink as the captain and crew provide a cruise briefing and safety instructions.

12:30–1:00 PM:
Set sail into the breathtaking Halong Bay, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Relish a delightful lunch on board while cruising past stunning limestone karsts rising dramatically from the emerald sea.

2:00–2:30 PM:
Disembark to explore Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave), one of the largest and most magnificent caves in Halong Bay, known for its impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

3:00 PM:
Return to the cruise and head to Titop Island. Here, you can hike to the island’s peak for panoramic views of the Gulf of Tonkin or take a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters.

5:00 PM:
Unwind on the sundeck with drinks and snacks during Happy Hour, or join a cooking class to learn how to prepare a traditional Vietnamese dish.

7:30 PM:
Savor a sumptuous dinner, featuring local specialties prepared by the onboard culinary team.

8:30 PM:
After dinner, enjoy evening activities such as karaoke or squid fishing, or simply relax with a drink from the bar. The rest of the evening is yours to spend at your leisure.

Inclusions:

• Transportation by coach
• English-speaking tour guide
• Entrance and sightseeing fees
• Cruise accommodation
• Lunch and dinner

Exclusions:

Personal expenses.

Drinks

Tips

06:15–07:00 AM:
Start your day with a delicious breakfast while enjoying the breathtaking sunrise over Halong Bay.

8:00–9:30 AM:
The cruise heads toward the center of the Natural Preservation Area. Join your guide for a short trip to Luon Cave, a natural wonder formed by limestone karsts. You can explore this stunning area by kayaking at your own pace. Keep your camera ready, as you might capture some great shots of playful monkeys hopping along the cliffs.

9:30 AM:
Return to the cruise for check-out.

10:00 AM:
As you cruise back to the harbor, enjoy a delightful lunch on board.

11:35 AM:
Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina on the south of Halong Bay. Disembark and board the shuttle for your return journey to Hanoi.

3:30–4:00 PM:
Arrive back at your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Inclusions:

• Coach transportation
• English-speaking tour guide
• Entrance and sightseeing fees
• Hotel accommodation
• Lunch
• Car transfer

Exclusions:

Personal expenses

Dinner

Drinks

Tips

After breakfast at the hotel, you will have free time to explore Hanoi at your leisure. One popular activity is shopping in the central area around the Old Quarter, where you can find a wide variety of traditional Vietnamese handicrafts, souvenirs, and street food.

The Old Quarter is a maze of narrow streets and alleyways, each dedicated to a particular craft or product. For example, Hang Bac Street is known for silverware, while Hang Gai Street is famous for silk products. You can also visit Dong Xuan Market, the largest covered market in Hanoi, where you can find everything from fresh produce to clothing and souvenirs.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight

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