Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi - City tour (-/-/-)
Get a glimpse of Hanoi’s historical and cultural wonders. See the beautiful Temple of Literature, iconic One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, and more. Get a dose of local culture with a walk through the bustling Old Quarter and catch a brilliant performance of traditional water puppetry.
After landing, meet your guide and transfer to the city center.
Set off on a full-day guided tour of Hanoi. Begin with a visit to West Lake to admire the sixth-century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. Next up is a short drive to visit to the famed Temple of Literature. Wander around this incredible compound which was constructed in 1076. Become fascinated with the stories of the building and get a glimpse of the past when it served as a university and temple.
Afterward, head over to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (close on Monday). Here, browse informative exhibitions displaying artefacts and infographics that portray the remarkable diversity of Vietnam’s ethnic communities. Meanwhile, take a look at view traditional costumes on display which represent each of the ethnic groups. As an alternative to the Ethnology Museum, visit the highly-acclaimed Vietnamese Women’s Museum.
The museum is located near Hoan Kiem Lake and offers wonderful insight into the lives and heritage of Vietnamese women. Learn historic and modern-day traditions centered around births, weddings, motherhood, spirituality and more.
In the afternoon, visit Ho Chi Minh complex and see the famous Mausoleum from a viewing point.
(Note: it is closed Monday & Friday weekly)
Then, take a short walk to Ho Chi Minh’s former house (closed on Monday Afternoon). Built on stilts, this was where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 to 1969 as he orchestrated the movement that eventually lead to Vietnam’s independence. Walk around the serene grounds while learning about Ho Chi Minh’s life and legacy. Visit One Pillar Pagoda nearby. Built in 1049, it’s one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples.
At the end of the afternoon, embark on a walking tour through Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter. This area of 36 narrow streets is a lively place to walk around while seeing and learning about Vietnam’s traditional ways of life. Continue through the busy Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. Snap photos and chat with the locals on the way.
Finish the day at the water puppet theatre. Watch an entertaining live performance of this unique northern Vietnamese art form, a great way to end the tour of Hanoi.
Overnight stay at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Hanoi (B/L/-)
Delve deeper into Vietnam's past with this picturesque Ninh Binh day tour. Explore the atmospheric ruins of Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital, before taking a scenic sampan journey past 'Halong Bay on Land'. Admire stunning limestone karsts and enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside before returning to Hanoi.
Your tour today will begin at 8:30. Escape from Hanoi this morning after breakfast, leaving the busy streets of the capital behind and entering the quieter countryside.
After around 2.5 hours of driving, reach Hoa Lu. Join the guide for an in-depth exploration of the ruins of Vietnam’s first capital. Learn about the Dinh (968-980) and Le (980-1009) Dynasties and about the history of the site. See ancient tombs and the ruins of the once-imposing Citadel.
If feeling fit, there is an option to climb into the limestone karst hills. The half-hour walk is rewarded with spectacular views over Hoa Lu and its surroundings.
Return to the vehicle and drive to Tam Coc, crossing through local villages and stunning landscapes. Enjoy your lunch before continuing to the Tam Coc River. Board a private sampan for a journey through ‘Halong Bay on Land’. Admire the views of enormous limestone karsts jutting out of the green rice fields while the boat cruises along the calm waters.
After the boat journey, drive back to Hanoi arriving late this afternoon.
Overnight stay at hotel in Hanoi.
Please note: there are other optional tours that can be done in place of the Tam Coc sampan trip. Please see below: Option 1: Trang An Situated near Tam Coc, Trang An is a nature reserve similar to Tam Coc, however far less visited. Limestone hills surround a peaceful river which passes through a series of caves (one which takes 15-minutes to pass through in darkness). An ‘eco-tourism’ area, the only interruptions here are the sound of birds and the gentle paddle of the oar upon the crystal-clear river.
Option 2: Thung Nang Similar to Tam Coc though not as spectacular, Thung Nang is off the tourist trail and a pleasant alternative. Pass through a cave, fields of lotus flowers (in summer) and reach a quaint pagoda before returning on the same route.
Option 3: Bai Dinh Pagoda Located close to Trang An Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bai Dinh Pagoda is undeniably a must-see for culture lovers. It is a spiritual complex with a great number of amazing records. |
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay Overnight Cruise (B/L/D)
Escape from the buzz of Hanoi with an overnight cruise on Halong Bay. Be surrounded by stunning views of limestone karsts rising dramatically from the Bay’s deep blue waters. Watch the sun set from the ship’s deck and fall asleep to the gentle sound of waves lapping against the boat.
Following breakfast leave Hanoi to Halong Bay. Arrive at the jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities.
After the welcome onboard, be served with lunch while cruising towards the bay.
In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.
Overnight on Halong Bay.
* Please note: This tour may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.
Day 4: Halong Bay - departure flight (B/Br)
Enjoy a fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi or Haiphong for your onward flight.
* Please note: If today is a flight day, please get your tickets issued after 17:00PM/ 19:00PM for internal/ international flights, respectively.
Tour ends. Thank you for your choosing us and wish to see you again soon in our next tours.
PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
- Accommodation based on double or twin sharing with open buffet breakfast
- 2-night hotel accommodation in Hanoi.
- 1-night cabin accommodation overnight on Halong Bay with all meals included
- One day guided city tour in Hanoi
- One day guided tour to visit Dinh & Le temples, with 1,5hr boat sampan included
- Meals as mentioned (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Private tour and return airport transfers in luxury non-smoking vehicle
- Daily mineral water during tour day (2x500ml)
- 01 FOC for a group of minimum 18 paying pax
- 02 FOC for a group of minimum 30 paying pax
- FOC on twin sharing basis
- Tips
- Government tax & service ch
- arge
HOTEL PROPOSALS
Cities (no of nights) |
3-star hotel |
4-star hotel |
5-star hotel |
Hanoi (2) |
De La Seine/ Larosa Hotel/ Sen Hotel/ similar |
Thang Long Opera/ Nesta Grand/ A25 Luxury/ Thang Loi Westlake Hotel |
Daewoo Hotel/ similar |
Halong Bay (1) |
Ruby Boutique/ Syrena Cruise/ similar |
Hera Cruise / Lotus Luxury Cruise/ similar |
Athena/ La Regina/ Aspira/ Amanda Cruise/ similar |
PACKAGE EXCLUSIONS
- Other meals than mentioned
- Other services than mentioned
- International and Domestic Flights
- Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature
- Visa & Travel insurance