Classic Northern Vietnam 5 Days: Hanoi, Ninh Bình & Halong Bay Cruise
Two nights in Hanoi, a night in Ninh Bình for Tràng An and Hang Múa, and a night on a Halong Bay cruise with kayaking and Sửng Sốt cave.
Hanoi → Ninh Bình → Halong Bay → Hanoi
Overview
This private route runs from Hanoi to Ninh Bình and out to Halong Bay, with two nights in Hanoi, one in Ninh Bình and one on a Halong Bay cruise. An English-speaking guide joins the sightseeing days, and the vehicle is yours for the whole route. From USD 560 per person.
Hanoi streets, Tràng An water and a night on the bay
Hanoi's Old Quarter
On day one you walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake, cross Thê Húc Bridge to Ngọc Sơn Temple, then join an evening food walk in the Old Quarter for pho bo, bun cha, fried spring rolls and egg coffee.
Tràng An and Hang Múa
In Ninh Bình a boat takes you through Tràng An, past caves and old pagodas. In the afternoon you climb Hang Múa for the view over Tam Cốc, and dinner includes crispy rice and mountain goat.
A night on Halong Bay
You board the cruise for lunch, visit Sửng Sốt cave, pass the Fighting Cocks and Incense Burner islets, and go kayaking or out on a bamboo boat. Next morning there is sunrise, a cooking class or tai chi, and a cave or fishing village visit.
Road transfers, cruise extras and airport pick-up
Your vehicle is private for the whole route, with an English-speaking guide on the sightseeing days. The itinerary includes road transfers between Hanoi, Ninh Bình and Halong Bay, so plan for time in the car as well as time on the water.
The cruise fare covers your cabin, meals on board, kayaking and the cooking class. Drinks outside meals, minibar and laundry are settled on board, and tips for the guide, driver and crew are not included. Nội Bài airport pick-up and drop-off are not part of the package unless they are specified for your booking.
Highlights
Five days and four nights, with a private air-conditioned vehicle throughout.
Four nights of accommodation: two in Hanoi, one in Ninh Bình and one on a Halong Bay cruise.
An English-speaking guide accompanies the sightseeing days.
Entrance tickets cover the Temple of Literature, Tràng An, Hang Múa and Sửng Sốt cave.
The cruise fare includes your cabin, meals on board, kayaking and a cooking class.
From 560 USD per person.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Hanoi – Old Quarter discovery
- Walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake
- Visit Ngọc Sơn Temple
- Cross Thê Húc Bridge
- Join a walking food tour in the Old Quarter
- Taste pho bo, bun cha, fried spring rolls and egg coffee
Day 2
Hanoi – Ninh Bình – Tràng An – Hang Múa
- Depart for Ninh Bình
- Boat trip through Tràng An
- Visit the cave system and old pagodas
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Climb Hang Múa
- Take in the panorama over Tam Cốc
- Try crispy rice and mountain goat
Day 3
Ninh Bình – Halong Bay – Cruise
- Depart for Halong Bay
- Board the cruise
- Lunch on board
- Visit Sửng Sốt cave
- See the Fighting Cocks islet
- See the Incense Burner islet
- Kayak or take a bamboo boat
- Seafood dinner on board
Day 4
Halong Bay – Hanoi
- Watch the sunrise on the bay
- Join a cooking class or tai chi on deck
- Visit a cave or a fishing village
- Light breakfast on board
- Check out of the cabin
- Drive back to Hanoi
- Free time in the Old Quarter or rest
Day 5
Hanoi – Departure
- Free time for shopping, coffee or extra sightseeing depending on flight time
- Check out of the hotel
- Transfer to Nội Bài airport or a meeting point in central Hanoi
Included / Not Included
Included
- Four nights of accommodation: two nights in Hanoi, one night in Ninh Binh and one night on a Halong Bay cruise
- Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout the itinerary
- English-speaking guide on the sightseeing days
- Meals as per the programme: breakfast at your accommodation, lunch and dinner as scheduled
- Entrance tickets for the Temple of Literature, Trang An, Hang Mua and Sung Sot cave
- Halong Bay cruise including cabin, meals, kayaking and a cooking class
- Bottled water in the vehicle and operations support throughout the programme
Not included
- International and domestic flights, visa and immigration documents
- Noi Bai airport pick-up and drop-off unless specified
- Drinks on the cruise outside meals, minibar and laundry
- Tips for the guide, driver and crew
- Single room supplement, cabin upgrade and holiday or Tet surcharge
- Personal travel insurance