Travel from the modern capital to the first capital city, Hoa Lu and admire ancient relics. Explore the limestone karsts and rice paddies of ‘Halong on Land’ before boarding a boat to cruise the real Halong Bay one of Natural Heritage, you will marvelling at the spectacular limestone karsts that rise dramatically from the sea.
Highlights
- See Hanoi’s historic sites and take a walking tour through the Old Quarter’s maze of streets and alleys for a look at local Hanoi life.
- Explore historic Hoa Lu- admire the tombs of former emperors and the crumbling walls of the Citadel.
- See stunning Tam Coc with boarding a wooden row boat and cruise a river surrounded by towering limestone karsts and vibrant rice paddies.
- Cast off on board cruise around the limestone karsts of Halong Bay, exploring hidden caves along the way.
Hanoi - Ninh Binh – Halong Bay Natural Heritage 6 days
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Meet your tour guide on arrival at Hanoi international airport and transfer to the city center for hotel check-in. Hotel rooms may not be ready until 14:00 hrs but an early check-in would be guaranteed with a surcharge.
- Meals: NA
- Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi City Tours
Begin the first day of the trip with a tour of Hanoi. Depart from the hotel for a visit to Vietnam’s first university: the Temple of Literature. Founded in 1076, Quoc Tu Giam was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. Continue with a visit to the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples. Nearby is the mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and his modest house on stilts. (Sites are viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov) Visit the picturesque West Lake and its sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda.Tran Quoc Pagoda is regarded as the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi with its history line of more than 1,500 years. After visiting, you will have a meal at Vietnamese Restaurant. Free time at leisure for rest of the day.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 3: Ninh Binh: Discover Hoa Lu & Tam Coc
Just a couple hours’ drive outside of Hanoi and the tour heads deep into Vietnam’s picturesque countryside. Discover Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Le dynasties, before taking a sampan trip down the Tam Coc River. Also called the ‘Halong Bay on Land,’ this region is famous for its charming grottoes and limestone karst mountains.
Depart from the hotel around 08:00 for the 2-hour drive through rural northern Vietnam. Stop off at Hoa Lu, where there are temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009). If time permits after visiting Hoa Lu, take a half-hour walk up one of the surrounding limestone karst hills; a difficult but highly rewarding climb with spectacular views. (A moderate level of physical fitness is required.) Continue on for Tam Coc Town where a Vietnamese-style lunch will be waiting; there will be ample opportunity to stop for photographs of the villages and landscapes along the way.
Dive back to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay - Overnight on cruise
Halong Bay is listed by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage and voted as a Wonder of Nature by the New7Wonders Foundation. You will have a night staying in this world famous bay.
After breakfast in Hanoi, depart the capital for the 3hr 30mins drive to Halong Bay. Arrive to Halong City’s jetty (around noon) and proceed with check-in formalities. After a welcome onboard, lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay. In the afternoon, enjoy some sightseeing, on-board activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on the vessel. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Overnight on Cruise in Halong Bay
Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi
Early risers can enjoy a memorable sunrise over the karst formations of Halong Bay. Breakfast will be served shortly thereafter.
Enjoy breakfast (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations back towards port. Arriving at the harbor, you will be picked up for transferring back to Hanoi.
Drop off at your hotel (hotel in Hanoi is not included)
- Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
- Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 6: Hanoi Departure
Have leisure time before your departure. Please note that hotel check-out time is at 12:00. A late check-out can be arranged subject to room availability and a surcharge will be applied. End of services with transfer to airport. Hope to see you again in the future!
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: NA
Activities: Have breakfast at hotel. Free time to make some shopping or relax at hotel before your departure to new destination. (Check-out time is at 12:00)
Important Notes:
PROGRAMS & SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
In case of unpredictable bad conditions of weather in Halong Bay, please kindly understand that the cancellation will be made ONLY by the Management Board of Halong Bay and normally the announcement will be informed in short notice.
Price Includes
- Accommodation in TWN/ DBL sharing accommodation at hotel, except overnight on train and homestay (if any)
- Transport within Vietnam
- All in-tour stationed local English speaking guide.
- Entrance fees for Vietnam attractions, as per itinerary
- Meals as indicated in the program
Price Excludes
- Hotel EARLY check in & LATE check out
- Peak season surcharge & compulsory dinner at the hotel (if any)
- International flights to or from Vietnam with taxes
- Visa or Passport Fees
- Travel Insurance
- Tips, laundry and gratuities
- Meals not marked on itinerary, and water during meals
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