Day 1: Hanoi (arrival) – Ha Long City (D)
Upon your arrival in Hanoi (in the morning or early afternoon), our bus will take you directly to Ha Long City.
Check-in at the hotel.
If time permits, we will drive to Tuan Chau Island and relax on the beach.
Dinner at a local restaurant and free time in the evening for shopping at Ha Long night market.
Day 2: Ha Long Bay – Ninh Binh (B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel, then check out and bus drive to the port. Cruise in Ha Long Bay with a stop to visit the fabulous Thien Cung cave. Then, continue the cruise to admire this outstanding World Natural Heritage site. If time permits, we will stop for a swim. Lunch on board while sailing.
After lunch, back to the bus to drive through the Red River Delta from Ha Long to Hai Phong, then Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, and finally Ninh Binh. While on our way, we will make a few stops: visit Tran Temple in Nam Dinh to learn about the most successful dynasty in the history of Vietnam, visit traditional villages specializing in making lacquers and wood carving.
In Ninh Binh, we will check-in at the hotel located in the middle of a rural area. You will have free time to enjoy the peaceful countryside.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Ninh Binh – Hanoi (B, L, D)
Today, we will visit Ninh Binh, surrounded by many limestone mountains emerging from rice fields.
Ninh Binh is known as “Ha Long Bay on land”. We will visit the Trang An grottoes, newly recognized as World Natural Heritage site by the UNESCO. There, we will board bamboo row boats and cruise along the stream through 9 grottoes including Ba Giot, Dia Linh, Toi (“Dark Cave”), Sang (“Bright Cave”), Ao Trai, and Seo. We will also visit the valleys of Tran Temple, May, Khong, and Nau Ruou.
Later, we will go to Bai Dinh pagoda, the biggest in Vietnam.
Finally, we will go back to our bus and return to Hanoi.
Check-in at hotel and free time in evening.
(Note: visit of Hanoi night market on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays).
Day 4: Hanoi – City Tour (B, L, D)
Today, we will discover the millennium city of Hanoi and learn more about its rich history. Hanoi is without a doubt one of the most interesting cities to visit in Vietnam.
First, we will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Presidential Palace, and Temple of Literature.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Vietnam Military History Museum, West Lake, the Old Quarter (including Dong Xuan Market, Hang Ma Street, and O Quan Truong gate), and Hoan Kiem Lake.
Finally, we will rejoice by watching a very nice water puppet show.
Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
(Note: visit of Hanoi night market on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – if not on the previous day).
Day 5: Hanoi – departure (B)
Free time until the bus picks you up for your departure flight at the airport.
