Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival (Hanoi)

Morning/Afternoon:

Pick up upon arrival Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to hotel in the city center.

Meals: NA

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Activities: Arrival Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi Half-day City Tour (Hanoi)

Morning:

– Start a new day with breakfast at the hotel.

– Visit the Temple of Literature as the first stop, the first university in Vietnam where tourists can see uniquely traditional Vietnamese architecture.

– Continue with a visit to One Pillar Pagoda, the symbolic Buddhist pagoda that owns distinctive architecture with a wooden structure lying on a stone pillar amidst Linh Chieu Lake. Spend time calling on the nearby Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh and his modest house on stilts.

– The final attraction on the trip is Hanoi West Lake, the best sunset site in Hanoi, and Tran Quoc Pagoda, the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi with more than 1,500 years of history.

– After the sightseeing tour, you will have a meal of Vietnamese cuisine at a restaurant.

Afternoon and Night:

– For the rest of the day, you have spare time to explore the city independently.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Activities:

– Visit highlight landmarks of Hanoi: Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Hanoi West Lake

Morning or afternoon departure depends on availability. You can choose to tour around Hanoi City by car or by motorbike. Also, routes can be flexible on your interest.

Day 3: Discover Hoa Lu & Tam Coc (Ninh Binh)

Morning:

– Fulfill energy for a day with breakfast at your hotel.

– Around 8:00: The third day begins with a couple of hour’s drive to the southeast of Hanoi – Ninh Binh Province, where you can discover deep into Vietnam’s picturesque countryside.

– Stop off at Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Le dynasties. You will take a boat trip along Tam Coc River, called the Halong Bay on Land, filled with impressive caves and limestone mountains.

– If you have enough time, let’s take a half-hour to walk up one of the surrounding limestone karsts. What a bit difficult but highly rewarding climb with spectacular views! (A moderate level of physical fitness is required).

– Continue going ahead to Tam Coc Town for an authentic Vietnamese-style lunch. Along the way, it is possible to stop to take photographs of rural landscapes.

Afternoon and Night:

– You will be back to your hotel in Hanoi and stay overnight in the capital.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Activities:

– Full day to explore the ancient capital of Vietnam in Hoa Lu and floating in Tam Coc’s boat trip.

Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay Day Cruise (Ha Long)

Morning:

– Enjoy breakfast at the hotel in Hanoi.

– Early morning departure from Hanoi to Halong Bay, you will embark on a joined cruise passing bizarre rock formations to discover this World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty.

– Following the cruise itinerary, you will visit Thien Cung Grotto on the southwest side of the bay.

– Going out of the Thien Cung, you will behold a unique, meticulous, and interesting fine-art museum made by nature.

– Fresh seafood fingertips will be served for your delights during the boat trip. (Please let us know if you do not eat seafood)

Afternoon and Night:

– A shuttle bus will transfer back to Hanoi and drop you off at the hotel.

– Explore Hanoi nightlife in your leisure time.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Activities:

– Admire the stunning Halong Bay view on the cruise

– Explore hidden Thien Cung Cave

Day 5: Departure (Hanoi)

Morning:

– Check out your hotel in Hanoi.

– The check-out time at the hotel is noon, so please enjoy the last morning in the Hanoi capital. If you want to spend more leisure time before the departure, a late check-out can be arranged with a surcharge (depending on room availability).