DURATION
5 Days / 4 Nights
DESTINATIONS
Hanoi, Halong Bay & Ninh Binh
TRAVEL STYLE
Culture & Scenic Discovery
HIGHLIGHTS
Halong Cruise, Hoa Lu & Tam Coc
TOUR OVERVIEW
Discover the Highlights of Northern Vietnam
Experience three of Northern Vietnam’s most memorable destinations on this 5 Day Hanoi, Halong Bay & Ninh Binh Tour.
Begin in Hanoi with a journey through the capital’s history and culture, visiting the Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Complex, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple before experiencing the Old Quarter by cyclo and enjoying a traditional water puppet performance.
Continue to spectacular Halong Bay for an overnight cruise among limestone islands, caves and emerald waters. Return to Hanoi before travelling south to Ninh Binh to explore the ancient capital of Hoa Lu and enjoy a peaceful sampan journey through the dramatic limestone scenery of Tam Coc.
CUSTOMIZE THIS TOUR
YOUR TRIP AT A GLANCE
Tour Information
Duration
5 Days / 4 Nights
5 Days / 4 Nights
Start
Hanoi
Hanoi
Finish
Hanoi
Hanoi
Destinations
Hanoi • Halong Bay • Ninh Binh
Hanoi • Halong Bay • Ninh Binh
Tour Style
Culture • Nature • Scenic Discovery
Culture • Nature • Scenic Discovery
Signature Experience
Overnight Halong Bay Cruise
Overnight Halong Bay Cruise
Customization
Available
Available
DAY BY DAY
Detailed Itinerary
Explore Hanoi’s cultural landmarks, cruise through UNESCO-listed Halong Bay and discover the ancient capital and spectacular limestone landscapes of Ninh Binh.
Day 1 – Hanoi Arrival & City Tour
Welcome to Hanoi. Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel.
Begin your exploration of Vietnam’s capital with a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university and an important symbol of the country’s long tradition of learning.
Continue to the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Tran Quoc Pagoda before discovering the lively heart of Hanoi.
Experience a cyclo ride through the streets of the Old Quarter, where traditional shops, local life and historic architecture create one of Hanoi’s most distinctive neighborhoods.
Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple before enjoying a traditional water puppet performance, one of Northern Vietnam’s distinctive cultural art forms.
Day 2 – Hanoi to Halong Bay Cruise
After breakfast, depart Hanoi and travel towards Halong Bay through the landscapes of the Red River Delta.
On arrival at Halong, board your cruise and enjoy lunch while sailing among the bay’s dramatic limestone islands and emerald waters.
Admire some of Halong Bay’s distinctive rock formations as the cruise travels deeper into this remarkable seascape.
Visit Amazing Cave and discover its impressive limestone formations before continuing to a floating area of the bay.
Enjoy a kayaking experience around Luon Cave and take in the peaceful atmosphere surrounded by limestone cliffs and calm water.
Return to the cruise and spend the night on Halong Bay.
Day 3 – Halong Bay Cruise & Return to Hanoi
Wake to the peaceful scenery of Halong Bay and enjoy breakfast as the cruise continues through the spectacular limestone landscape.
Spend the morning cruising through another part of the bay, with close-up views of towering limestone peaks rising from the clear emerald water.
Enjoy lunch or brunch on board while the cruise makes its way back towards Halong harbor.
Disembark at the dock and travel back to Hanoi for the evening.
Day 4 – Hanoi to Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu & Tam Coc
After breakfast, leave Hanoi and travel south to Ninh Binh, a region famous for its dramatic limestone mountains, peaceful waterways and rural landscapes.
Visit Hoa Lu, the ancient royal capital of Vietnam, and discover more about the country’s early dynastic history.
Continue to Tam Coc and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before boarding a traditional sampan for a scenic journey along the river.
Glide between towering limestone cliffs, peaceful rice fields and natural caves as your boat travels through the spectacular landscape that has made Tam Coc one of Northern Vietnam’s best-known countryside destinations.
After the boat journey, return to Hanoi in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5 – Hanoi Departure
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel followed by free time in Hanoi before departure.
Depending on your flight schedule, take a final stroll through the city, browse the shops of the Old Quarter or simply relax before your journey onward.
At the appropriate time, transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight.
Your 5 Day Hanoi, Halong Bay & Ninh Binh Tour comes to an end.
TOUR GALLERY
Discover Northern Vietnam
A glimpse of Hanoi’s cultural heritage, the limestone islands of Halong Bay and the peaceful waterways and countryside of Ninh Binh.
THE BEST OF NORTHERN VIETNAM
Tour Highlights
Combine Hanoi’s culture, an overnight Halong Bay cruise and Ninh Binh’s spectacular limestone countryside in one compact Northern Vietnam journey.
01
Explore Historic Hanoi
Discover the Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Complex, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.
02
Experience Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Ride through the atmospheric Old Quarter by cyclo and enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet performance.
03
Overnight on Halong Bay
Cruise among spectacular limestone islands and spend a memorable night surrounded by the scenery of Halong Bay.
04
Cave & Kayaking Experience
Explore Amazing Cave and kayak around Luon Cave amid the peaceful limestone landscapes of Halong Bay.
05
Discover Ancient Hoa Lu
Visit Vietnam’s ancient royal capital and learn more about the country’s early dynastic history.
06
Boat Through Tam Coc
Travel by traditional sampan between limestone cliffs, caves, waterways and peaceful countryside in Ninh Binh.
MAKE THIS JOURNEY YOUR OWN
Want to Customize This Tour?
Tell us your travel dates, group size and preferences, and our local team will help you plan your Northern Vietnam journey.
GOOD TO KNOW
What’s Included & Excluded
What’s Included
- Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary in double or twin-share rooms with daily breakfast
- Overnight cruise accommodation on Halong Bay
- Private airport transfers by air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking local guide
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Entrance fees for the visits mentioned in the itinerary
- 2 bottles of drinking water per person per day
What’s Not Included
- International airfare to and from Vietnam
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry
- Services not indicated in the inclusions
- VAT
TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE
Why Travel With Southeast Asia Vacation?
01
Local Expertise
Travel planning supported by a Vietnam-based team with local destination knowledge.
02
Flexible Itineraries
Adjust destinations, accommodation and activities according to your travel preferences.
03
Classic Northern Vietnam
Experience city culture, spectacular natural scenery and peaceful countryside in one journey.
04
Local Support
Local assistance and travel support throughout your journey in Vietnam.
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about this 5 Day Hanoi, Halong Bay & Ninh Binh Tour, including the Halong cruise, Ninh Binh excursion, accommodation and included activities.
ASK US A QUESTION
Which destinations are included in this tour?
The itinerary includes Hanoi, an overnight cruise on Halong Bay and a full-day excursion to Hoa Lu and Tam Coc in Ninh Binh.
Is an overnight Halong Bay cruise included?
Yes. The itinerary includes one night aboard a Halong Bay cruise with sightseeing and meals as specified in the itinerary.
Does the Halong Bay cruise include kayaking?
Yes. The itinerary includes a kayaking experience around Luon Cave as part of the Halong Bay program.
What will we visit in Hanoi?
The Hanoi sightseeing program includes the Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Complex, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, an Old Quarter cyclo experience and a traditional water puppet performance.
What is included in the Ninh Binh excursion?
The Ninh Binh day trip includes a visit to Hoa Lu, the ancient royal capital, followed by a traditional sampan boat journey through the limestone landscapes and caves of Tam Coc.
Where does the tour start and finish?
The tour begins in Hanoi with arrival at Noi Bai International Airport and finishes in Hanoi with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Is accommodation included?
Yes. Accommodation is included as specified in the itinerary, including hotel stays in Hanoi and one overnight cruise on Halong Bay.
Can this Northern Vietnam tour be customized?
Yes. The itinerary can be adjusted according to your travel dates, group size, accommodation preferences and interests.
START PLANNING
Request a Quote for This Tour
Interested in this 5 Day Hanoi, Halong Bay & Ninh Binh Tour? Send us your travel dates, group size and any special requests. Our team will review your requirements and help you plan your Northern Vietnam journey.
✓ Customizable itinerary
Adjust your journey according to your interests and travel schedule.
✓ Flexible hotel & cruise options
Choose accommodation according to your preferred comfort level.
✓ Local destination expertise
Plan your journey with a Vietnam-based travel team.
✓ No booking commitment
Request your itinerary and quotation before making a decision.