Amazing Northern of Vietnam Explore in 5 Days/4 Nights

Embark on an incredible 5-day, 4-night adventure through Amazing Northern Vietnam! This journey combines a comprehensive Hanoi City Tour to discover the capital’s rich history and culture, with an unforgettable overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay, immersing you in its breathtaking natural beauty and iconic limestone karsts.

Ha Long Bay Highlights

• Hanoi Exploration Day: Dedicate a full day to exploring Hanoi, immersing yourself in its rich history, vibrant culture, and delicious street food scene.
• Scenic Transfer: Enjoy a comfortable journey from your Hanoi hotel to Ha Long Bay’s Tuan Chau Pier.
• Iconic Cruise: Board your ship and set sail across the emerald waters, surrounded by breathtaking limestone karsts and islets.
• Panoramic Views: Soak in the stunning panoramic views as you cruise towards Bo Hon Island, one of the bay’s most scenic spots.

Itinerary Amazing Northern Of Vietnam

Day 1 Hanoi Arrival

Morning – Noon: Landing & Hotel Check-in

• Getting to the city center: After completing check-in procedures at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) , you can take a ride-hailing taxi (Grab) or book a shuttle service in advance to go directly to the city center (approximately 45-60 minutes).
• Check-in and rest: Check into hotels in the Old Quarter or near Hoan Kiem Lake for convenient walking tours.

Having lunch :

• Local choice: Enjoy a steaming bowl of chicken or beef pho right in the Old Quarter.
• For Muslim/Halal guests: Visit Little India (Hang Tre) or Batavia Halal Restaurant (Ngoc Ha) for a safe and authentic lunch.

Afternoon: Explore the heart of Hanoi (A relaxing walking tour)

14:30 – Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake : Stroll under the cool green trees, admiring the ancient Turtle Tower in the middle of the lake.

15:15 – Visit Ngoc Son Temple: Cross the vibrant red The Huc Bridge leading to the temple located on a small island, where the specimen of the legendary giant turtle is preserved. (Entrance fee: 50,000 VND).

4:00 PM – Enjoy street coffee: Visit a lakeside cafe or a rooftop balcony cafe to admire the city view.

• Suggestion: Try the rich and creamy Egg Coffee at Giang Cafe or a refreshing tropical fruit smoothie.

16:45 – Explore the Old Quarter by Electric Car: Buy your electric car ticket right by the lake and let it take you through the 36 streets. This is a great way to admire the scenery and take photos of the old French architecture without worrying about getting tired or lost.

Evening: Folk art & nighttime food in the Old Quarter

• 6:30 PM – Watch Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theatre : Located right next to Hoan Kiem Lake, this unique water-based theatrical art form recreates the rice-farming culture of Vietnam. (It’s recommended to book tickets a few hours in advance for good seats).

7:45 PM – Romantic Dinner:

• Enjoy dinner at the balcony restaurants in the Old Quarter while watching the people go by. If you need Halal/macrobiotic food, the area around the lake has many upscale vegetarian or certified Indian restaurants.
• 21:00 – Explore the Night Market & Walking Street (If it’s Friday or Sunday): Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere, shop for souvenirs, or enjoy the famous Trang Tien ice cream before returning to the hotel to rest and prepare for the following days’ journey.

Day 2 Hanoi City Tour – Group Tour

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 Ha Noi 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 Godess of Mercy – It is the most unique padoga 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 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 hotel

Accommodation: Hanoi

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Overnight Cruise

8h15 – 8h30: After your breakfast, Begin your journey with a comfortable transfer from your hotel in Hanoi to Halong Bay.

Arrive at Halong Bay’s Tuan Chau Pier, where you’ll board your cruise ship. Set sail across the emerald waters of Halong Bay, surrounded by towering limestone karsts and islets. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views as you make your way towards Bo Hon Island, one of the bay’s most scenic spots.

Disembark at Sung Sot Cave, also known as Surprise Cave, a magnificent limestone grotto adorned with stunning stalactites and stalagmites.

Return to your cruise ship for a delicious lunch featuring an array of fresh seafood, Vietnamese specialties, and international dishes.

After lunch, cruise to Ti Top Island, named after Russian cosmonaut Gherman Titov, who visited the island in 1962. Climb to the island’s summit for breathtaking panoramic views of Halong Bay’s iconic karst landscape or relax on the island’s pristine sandy beach, swim in the crystal-clear waters.

Time to enjoy sunset in the sundeck with a cooking class to learn how to cook some traditional classes.

19:00: Dinner will be well served by cruise staff.

21.00 – 22.00: Time to join squid fishing with the crew, sing karaoke or just laze around or relax in your cabin.

Accommodation: Halong Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Ha Long – Hanoi

06.30 Welcome a new day with an amazing dawn on the Legendary Gulf of Tonkin. Refresh your body & soul with a Tai-chi lesson on sundeck.

Catch a morning view of seascapes with a cup of tea or coffee, and have breakfast while charming the labyrinth of Karst.

8:00 – 9.00 take a thrilling kayaking excursion to Luon Cave, a hidden gem nestled amidst towering limestone cliffs. Paddle through the tranquil waters of the cave’s enclosed lagoon, surrounded by lush greenery and towering rock formations.

Then relax yourself and check out before having brunch on the way back to the harbor.

12h00 – 16h30 Disembark and transfer back to Ha Noi City.

Accommodation: Hanoi Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5: TEMPLE OF LITERATURE – SHOPPING – HANOI DEPARTURE

• 08:30: Visit the Temple of Literature – National University , Vietnam’s first university, with its ancient, moss-covered architecture and unique garden of doctoral steles. Take photos and check in at Khue Van Cac .
• 10:30: Visit Dong Xuan Market or souvenir shops in the Old Quarter to buy local specialties (lotus tea, conical hats, silk, vegetarian crispy rice).
• Noon: Check out of the hotel. The car will take you to Noi Bai Airport , ending your wonderful 5-day, 4-night trip to Northern Vietnam.

Include

• Accommodation hotel with daily breakfast as a program

• Airport Transfer

• Transportation with A/C as stated in the program

• Local English-speaking guide

• Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)

• All sightseeing tickets as program

• Water on coach

• Boat trip as per tour (if any)

• Vietnam Letter (Invitation letter)

Not included

• Personal expenses, tips, and gratuities

• Travel insurance, personal insurance

• Beverage

• Vietnam visa stamp fee (25 USD/pax/single entry)

• Other services not mentioned above

• International/Internal flights & departure taxes (if any)

• Peak season or public holidays surcharge (if any)

Regulations

KID POLICY

• Kid from 0-4 yo (under 1 meter): free of charge if sharing the bed, seat, and meal with the parent.

• Kid from 5-7 yo: 50% of adults if stay with parents, share a bed or use an extra bed, maximum 1 kid. The second kid from 5-7yo will be charged as an adult.

• Kid from 8-10 yo: 75% of adults, use an extra bed, and share a room with the parent.

• Kid from 11yo: charged as an adult

CANCELATION POLICY

• 7-14 days before the travel date: 50% of charge

• 1-6 days before the travel date: 100% of charge

• No show: 100% of charge

Introducing Tourist Destinations in Hanoi – Ha Long – Ninh Binh 

Hanoi – Ha Long – Ninh Binh is a classic and highly recommended “golden triangle” travel itinerary in Northern Vietnam. This combination offers a perfect trip: from the cultural and historical depth of the thousand-year-old capital, to the grandeur of a world natural wonder, and ending with the picturesque beauty of a mixed world heritage site.

Below is an introduction to the most iconic tourist attractions in each location that you shouldn’t miss:

1. Hanoi, the capital city – The heart of cultural and historical heritage.

• Hanoi captivates tourists with its blend of ancient charm, peacefulness, and the bustling atmosphere of a metropolis. Key destinations include:

2. Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh) – A World Natural Wonder

This place boasts thousands of oddly shaped limestone islands rising from the emerald green sea, creating a giant, picturesque landscape reminiscent of a traditional ink painting.

• Experience a Bay Cruise: The best way to enjoy the scenery is to book an overnight cruise . The boat will take you past the Rooster and Hen Islet, stop for kayaking at Luon Cave , or explore the magnificent stalactite formations of Sung Sot Cave .
• Titop Island : Boasting a dreamy crescent-shaped beach and a viewpoint atop the mountain – where you can take in the breathtaking panoramic view of the bay.
• Sun World Entertainment Complex : Located right on the Bai Chay waterfront, it’s perfect for those who love thrill rides and want to take a cable car across the sea to admire the city from above.

3. Ninh Binh – The peaceful “Ha Long Bay on land”

Located just about 100km from Hanoi, Ninh Binh boasts the core area of ​​the Trang An World Heritage Site , with its crystal-clear valleys nestled beside towering limestone cliffs.

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