Hanoi – HaLong 3 Days 2 Nights

Ha Long Bay is one of the world heritage sites in Vietnam recognized by UNESCO in 1994. Ha Long Bay was again voted as one of the new seven natural wonders of the world in 2011. In the bay, there are thousands of rocky islands with magical shapes. You can cruise around the bay to see the wonderful scenery and visit some beautiful caves.

DAY 1: HANOI – HA LONG BAY (MEALS – / LUNCH / DINNER)
07:45-08:30: The company’s car and tour guide will pick you up at the meeting point in the Old Quarter and the Opera House to depart for Ha Long. On the way, you will stop in Hai Duong to rest and freely shop for Hai Duong specialties.
12:00: The car arrives at Tuan Chau wharf. The tour guide will check you in. You will be welcomed with a “welcome drink“. You will have lunch on the boat, in the middle of the vast ocean, bringing a very interesting feeling. While enjoying the dishes with the flavor of the ocean, you can also enjoy the majestic natural landscapes of Ha Long Bay such as: Dinh Huong Islet, Ga Choi Islet, Cho Da Islet…

Afternoon: Continue to:
Visit Sung Sot Cave – one of the most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay. The cave ceiling is covered with a layer of silky “velvet carpet” with countless “chandeliers” made of sparkling stalactites, stone statues, stone elephants, seals, raspberries, flowers and leaves… At the highest peak of the cave, there is a clear lake, beautiful landscape.
Visit Titov Island and swim
Join the cooking class (mainly spring roll wrapping, an attractive activity for foreigners)
17:00: You return to the ship, rest, relax and enjoy wine and fruit in the sunset.
19:00: You have dinner on the ship. Then you can participate in games on the cruise such as night squid fishing, listening to music, playing games, dancing… Enjoy the feeling of lying in the middle of the vast ocean watching the stars, which will definitely make you never forget.
DAY 2: HA LONG BAY – BAI CHAY (BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER)

05:00: You should wake up early to enjoy the fresh and quiet air of the sea on the deck and join the morning Tai Chi exercise (note: Tai Chi instruction is only available on 4 and 5 star ships).
07:00-07:45: You will have breakfast at the restaurant.
08:00: You can kayak or row a bamboo boat to explore Luon Cave, this is a very interesting and attractive activity for many tourists. If there is time, the boat will stop to visit the Fishing Village where pearls are cultivated. Visitors can witness the process of forming a precious pearl, from culturing to harvesting and processing. Not only that, there is also a museum here that introduces images of the pearl production process. Then go to the farming and processing area and finally the area displaying products and jewelry made from pearls.
10:30: You will enjoy a light lunch on the boat before docking back to Hanoi.
11:30: The boat arrives at Tuan Chau wharf. The car will pick you up at Tuan Chau wharf and transfer to Bai Chay to check in at the hotel and rest.
Afternoon: Free time to swim at Bai Chay beach.
18:30: Dinner at the hotel. Free time to explore Bai Chay at night with the food street and night market.
DAY 3: HA LONG – HANOI (BREAKFAST / LUNCH / – )

07:00: Have breakfast at the hotel. Then you are free to enjoy Ha Long Park complex with many attractive amusement areas such as:
Queen Cable Car Area and the giant Sunwheel on the mysterious hill
Dragon Park with adventure games such as roller coasters, ferris wheels…
Typhoon Water Park with attractive water-related games
11:00: Check out of the hotel, have lunch and then get on the bus back to Hanoi.
17:30: Arrive in Hanoi. End of program. See you again!
Note: The tour program may be changed depending on the weather in Ha Long. But the company still ensures full activities for you.
Introducing Hanoi – Ha Long Tourist Destinations
To connect the two biggest tourist centers in Northern Vietnam, the cultural capital of Hanoi and the World Natural Heritage site of Ha Long Bay , I would like to introduce the best sightseeing and photo spots in both cities. This combined itinerary will take you from the ancient charm of the mainland to the majestic beauty of the heritage bay.
HANOI CAPITAL CITY – Ancient Charm & Cultural Quintessence
Located in the heart of the Northern Delta, Hanoi, with its thousand-year-old cultural heritage, captivates visitors with its nostalgic atmosphere and profound history.
Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple : The heart of the capital. You can stroll under the rows of crape myrtle trees along the lake, cross the magnificent crimson The Huc Bridge to light incense at the ancient Ngoc Son Temple, nestled in isolation on the pearl island.
Hanoi’s Old Quarter (36 Streets) : A fantastic area to experience the local way of life by cyclo or tram. Explore the narrow alleyways for delicious food, such as a steaming bowl of beef pho, fragrant bun cha, and a rich, creamy egg coffee .
Temple of Literature – National University : Vietnam’s first university. It houses 82 unique stone steles commemorating doctoral graduates, mounted on the backs of turtles, showcasing traditional wooden architecture and symbolizing the spirit of learning.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Ba Dinh Square : A solemn and respectful place marking history, with a breezy square architecture suitable for watching the flag-raising ceremony in the early morning.
HA LONG BAY (QUANG NINH) – A Magnificent Wonder in the Middle of the Ocean
Located just about 2.5 hours from Hanoi via a modern highway , Ha Long Bay opens up a completely different world with over 1,600 limestone islands rising above emerald waters.
- Surprise Cave : The largest and most magnificent dry cave located on Bo Hon Island. The cave’s interior, spanning over 10,000m², is artistically illuminated by a system of multicolored LED lights, highlighting millions of millennia-old fossilized stalactites hanging down like a fairytale castle.
- Titop Island : This island boasts a stunning structure with a crescent-shaped white sand beach at the foot of the mountain. The most worthwhile experience here is climbing nearly 400 stone steps to the observation deck at the summit to enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the magnificent bay from above.
- Luon Cave : A stunning natural underwater cave masterpiece. You must ride a bamboo boat or paddle a kayak through the cave’s archway close to the water’s surface to reach an isolated, sheltered saltwater lake, surrounded by sheer cliffs, and observe wild golden monkeys.
- Experience a 5-star overnight cruise (like Hermes Cruise): Instead of a day trip on a boat, book an overnight stay on a luxurious “floating hotel” in the bay. You’ll watch the sunrise with a Tai Chi class on the sundeck, enjoy a sunset party by the outdoor Jacuzzi, and savor premium seafood.
When is the best time to visit Hanoi and Ha Long Bay?
The periods from April to June and September to November are considered the best times to take a Hanoi – Ha Long Bay tour. Because this trip combines mainland and island travel, choosing a time with cool, transitional weather will allow you to fully enjoy both the romantic charm of the capital and the majestic beauty of the heritage bay.
Here are the detailed characteristics of each season to help you plan easily:
1. Autumn (September – November): The most romantic season
This is the perfect time for a combined Hanoi – Ha Long trip.
- In Hanoi: The autumn weather is beautiful, with a cool breeze in the morning, golden sunshine, and a clear blue sky. The gentle wind carries the scent of milk flowers, creating an incredibly romantic atmosphere for taking photos in the Old Quarter.
- In Ha Long Bay: During this period, the bay is past the storm season, the sea is calm, the water is crystal clear, and the sun is gentle. The cool climate is perfect for relaxing on a sundeck, kayaking through Luon Cave , or climbing Titop Island to admire the panoramic view of the bay from above without getting tired.
2. Summer (April – June): The season of vibrant blue seas.
If you love water activities and a lively atmosphere, this is the number one choice.
- In Ha Long: The weather is sunny and bright, the bay water is crystal clear, making it ideal for swimming, kayaking, and jet skiing. Five-star cruise lines like Hermes Cruise often organize spectacular sunset parties by the outdoor jacuzzi during this season.
- In Hanoi: The early summer weather will be a bit hot at midday, but the sky is very clear, perfect for taking a cyclo ride around Ho Guom Lake in the early morning or enjoying Trang Tien ice cream in the breezy evening.
- Note: July and August are the rainy and stormy season in Northern Vietnam, and the sea can be rough, leading to the management prohibiting boat operations. If traveling during this period, you must closely monitor the weather forecast.
3. Winter/Spring (December – March): Season for cultural experiences & foreign tourists
- Weather: The North enters the cold winter season, sometimes with light drizzle, and mysterious fog often lightly covers Ha Long Bay and the stone castles.
- Experience: Hanoi this season has a characteristic tranquil and ancient charm, perfect for indulging in hot food tours like beef pho and hot rice cakes. Ha Long Bay is currently very quiet with few Vietnamese tourists, but it’s peak season for international visitors who prefer a peaceful, secluded vacation on a cruise ship.
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