5-Day Ha Noi, Ninh Binh & Ha Long

Day 1: Ha Noi Arrival

A bustling metropolis in a combination with tranquility, Hanoi offers the elegant French charms of its colonial architectures, the rush rhythm of life along 36 old streets to the anarchy traffic by plenty of motorbikes. It seemed like a typical picture you will ever imagine for the South East Asia life and spirit. Welcome to Ha Noi, our friendly driver will meet and greet you at Noi Bai International airport. After a short ride to the city center, you will check
in your hotel and save the remaining time of this day at leisure.

Day 2 Ha Noi Tour

(Private with local lunch)

After breakfast, start your morning ride to West Lake – the biggest lake in Hanoi and you take a visit to nearby Tran Quoc Pagoda. This is the oldest pagoda and is considered as a typical example of Vietnamese Buddhism with its history of more than 1500 years. The next stop is Hoa Lo Prison Museum, ironically nicknamed the ‘HaNoi Hilton’ by US prisoners of war (POWs) during the American War. Most exhibits relate to the prison’s use up to the mid1950s, focusing on the Vietnamese struggle for independence from France. Exist and drive you to a must-visit site, you will hear stories about Great Leader – Ho Chi Minh while going on an orientation walk at Ho Chi Minh Complex (Mausoleum & Museum). Pass through the One Pillar Pagoda – a unique architecture that is only available in Vietnam. Take a break and enter in the ancient landscaped courtyards, gardens and pavilions of Temple of Literature, this is the first university of Vietnam, where many monuments still remain to dedicate to the scholars who graduated here. This afternoon continues walking to explore the Ha Noi Old Quarter. Walk through narrow and evocative streets; you will have the closest view to the French-colonial architectures of ancient buildings and family-run vendor stores.

(SIC with local lunch)

8.00- 8.30: Get picked up by our friendly guide and start to explore Hanoi City
08.45: Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish IsLand in West Lake. It is the oldest pagoda in HaNoi built in the 6th century.
09.30: Visit Ho Chi Minh complex, you have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969. Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Goddess of Mercy – It is the most unique pagoda in the world Should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, temples, pagodas… Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed at least 2 months (15thJune -15thAugust) for the annual maintaining but still can take picture Mausoleum and visit around that area
11.15: Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam Special Note : we will visit Women Museum instead of Ethnology Museum closed on Mondays
12.45: Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine with 8 delicious dishes.

14.00-14.15 : Continue to visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11 century
15.15: Leave for Hoa Lo Prison Museum which was originally used by the French colonists in Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. During this later period, it was known to American POWs as the “Hanoi Hilton

16.15 -16.30: Tour finishes. Back to the hotel.

Day 3 : Ha Noi - Ninh Binh (Hoa Lu - Tam Coc)

(Private with local lunch) Pick up at your hotel and then drive by car to Ninh Binh. Known for possessing the most fantastic landscapes of Northern Vietnam, Ninh Binh amazes you with the diverse geographical features. Your first stop is Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of the country in the 10th and 11th century. Experience the temple remains and relics of both Dinh and Le dynasties as well as listen to the history of the very first Vietnam kingdoms and how they protected their lands against atrocious foreign invasions. Stop for lunch before resuming the tour.

On the trip to Tam Coc Wharf, experience the one-of-a-kind travel with 2-man sampan boats, which will take you alongside the Ngo Dong river through the hidden and mysterious system of caves. Series of caves and pagodas along the way will make this trip extraordinarily worthwhile. Do not forget to take as many pictures to your heart’s content. At the end of the tour, travel by car back to Hanoi.

(SIC with local lunch)

07:30 – 07:45 – Our guide will meet you at your hotel/stay and start 110km on Bus-journey through the verdant landscape of the countryside. Short-brake en route. 10:00 – Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel with Dinh King Temple and Le King Temple dating back to the 17th Century. 12:00 – Enjoy lunch at our restaurant with the great local cuisine. 13:30 – Boarding a small sampan to visit Tam Coc which literally means “three caves” (1.5 hour boat trip). With Halong bay type views of majestic limestone cliffs and mysterious caves, as well as countryside landscape like peaceful streams, rice paddies and deserted green fields, Tam Coc really has it all. You will feel the fresh air and peaceful moments, a very good opportunity for photo lovers, freezing the special moments and scenery. 15:30 Leisure cycling on rural roads alongside the extensive canal network and through small villages with the backdrop of a maze of limestone mountains. 16:45 – Return to our bus and then come back to Ha Noi 18:45 – Drop you off at your hotel/stay.

Day 4 Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay - Overnight on Cruise

From Hanoi, you will travel to Halong Bay in an air-conditioned car. After that, board your traditional junk, where the crew welcomes you with a scrumptious lunch buffet. You can take memorable family photos on the sundeck with the backdrop of thousands of limestone karsts, dotted with isles covered in lush green nature.

If you’d prefer exciting family activities, kayaking is a must-try activity, especially when it is sunset. Paddle your boat through the emerald water and unveil the amazing wonders of this proud UNESCO Heritage Site. You will have exclusive breathtaking photo ops from the boat. Before dinner time, you can join a cooking course to make Vietnamese nem, another delicious recipe for your family meal. At night, if the weather conditions are ideal, you can have a fun fishing competition with your kids on deck. The thrill of catching fresh cuttlefish in the magical scenery is an experience you will never forget.

(The itinerary is subject to change depending on the cruise we book and the weather conditions)

Day 5 Ha Long Bay - Ha Noi Departure

You can join the Tai Chi course on the sundeck to breathe in the refreshing morning air while admiring the picturesque dawn as it unfolds and shines on the mirror-like water. A hearty breakfast will be served in the midst of the breathtaking landscape.
The crew organizes a daily excursion to discover the hidden treasures of Halong Bay. You will have the chance to explore the stalactites that reside deep in the Surprise Cave, or hike the mountain path of Ti Top Island and see the bay from the observation deck located on the summit.

The cruise will end at the pier; then you will leave for the flight back to your home country.