5 Days Classic Northern Vietnam
FRICE FROM
DURATION
LANGUAGE
TRANSPORT
The rhythm of Hanoi. Hanoi brings together the history and everyday life of Northern Vietnam in a way that feels easy to explore. Wander around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter, then see the city from a different perspective on a traditional cyclo ride. There is time to take in the atmosphere and settle into the capital before travelling further north.
A night among the bay. Ha Long Bay is best enjoyed without rushing. Cruise into the bay as limestone islands rise from the water around you, then spend the night on board surrounded by its quiet scenery. Wake to a fresh morning on the water and watch the changing landscape as the boat slowly makes its way back towards the harbour.
Life along the river. In Ninh Binh, green rice fields and limestone mountains shape a very different side of the north. Travel by sampan through Tam Coc, following the river beneath natural caves and past the surrounding countryside. Nearby, the old temples of Hoa Lu and hillside setting of Bich Dong add a touch of history to this slower day outside Hanoi.
- Accommodation:
– 03 night’s hotel accommodation with breakfast in Hanoi.
– 01 night on overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay. - Meals:
– All buffet breakfast at hotels.
– 02 lunches + 01 dinner + 01 breakfast on cruise in Ha Long Bay. - Round-trip Hanoi – Halong – Hanoi transfers by shuttle bus for groups of 2–4 pax. Private vehicles will be arranged for groups of 5 pax and above.
- Services of a driver and private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers.
- One experienced English-speaking guide will be provided during all tours and transfers for groups of 5 pax and above.
- Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Private boat trip on Tam Coc (Ninh Binh).
- Mineral water is available as complimentary (02 bottles per pax per day).
- Airfare (international and domestic) and airport tax.
- Drinks and other meals not clearly mentioned.
- Vietnam visa.
- Surcharge for special request on food, and meals.
- Insurance, gratuities and personal expenses.
- Tipping for guide and driver.
- Surcharge for public holidays (if any).
- All other services not stated in the program.
- Infant below 2 years old sharing same room with parents is free of charge.
- Child below 12 years old sharing same room with 1 ADL is charged for 90%.
- Child below 12 years old with extra bed and sharing same room with parents is charged for 65%.
- Child below 12 years old No extra bed & sharing same room with parents is charged for 55%.
information
Tipping For Guide And Driver (Compulsory)
- For 01-04pax: US$ 5/pax/day
- For 05-09pax: US$ 4/pax/day
- For 10pax up: US$ 3/pax/day
Day by day itinerary
Hanoi Arrival
Welcome to Hanoi – Vietnam!
On arrival at Noi Bai airport, our driver will pick up and transfer to the Centre of Hanoi for check-in into the hotel (standard check in time is 14:00, early check in will depend on hotel availability).
Free at leisure on your own. Overnight stay in Hanoi.
Night activities suggestion: Enjoy local beer at Ta Hien Streets, experience the ambience of sleepless street with live music, the young people of Hanoi and also foreign tourists. Hundreds of bars and pubs in the Old Quarter are also at your disposal. Or you can just simply spend your time at shopping malls or various boutique Shops.
Meal: No Meal
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Halong By Shuttle Bus – Overnight On Cruise
Breakfast at hotel then check out.
Following breakfast leave Hanoi for 4 hours drive to Ha Long Bay including a 20-minute stop on the way. Arrive at the jetty in Ha Long City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. Be welcomed onboard and have lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board.Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (local food/seafood)
Overnight on cruise in Halong Bay.
The itinerary of cruise will be changed following the cruise that you select.
Halong Back To Hanoi By Shuttle Bus – Half Day City Tour
Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Ha Long in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.
This afternoon, we visit Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer
a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Stop at Ba Dinh Square and take photos of Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum from outside. Then, you will visit Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, then take a cyclo tour around the Old Quarter of Hanoi. 18:00 transfer back to your hotel. Overnight stay in Hanoi.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch (local food/seafood)
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
The itinerary of cruise will be changed following the cruise that you select.
Full Day Ninh Binh
09:00 meet our guide at your hotel and transfer to Ninh Binh Province about 100 km South of Hanoi. Head for Hoa Lu to see the few vestiges of the first capital of Vietnam. Built in the 10th Century by the Dinh Dynasty not only for a capital but also as a stronghold against the Northern invaders, Hoa Lu shortly later it was inherited by the Le Dynasty.
Visit the two old temples one dedicated to Dinh Tien Hoang, the only king of the Dinh Dynasty and Vietnam’s first emperor and the other to the succeeding kings of the Le Dynasty. Though the temples are no longer intact, some precious antique carvings and sculptures of stone and wood are still preserved. Then continue to visit Bich Dong pagoda, an ancient three-tiered cave pagoda only accessible by steep stone steps, but it is worth climbing up for a charming pagoda and stupendous view from the top.
Afternoon, take a sampan cruise along the Hoang Long River through the scenic landscape of Tam Coc, a 350-ha area of karst mountains scattered over the lush wetland with paddy fields. This area is referred to as “an inland Ha Long Bay” for its strikingly similar water-and-rock terrain features. Depending on the time of visit, you may see local farmers harvesting rice or transplanting seedlings for the new crop. Pass through three big caves which feature the area’s name (Tam Coc means three caves in Vietnamese) and which represent a host of local rocky caves and grottoes.
17:00 transfer back to Hanoi. Overnight stay in Hanoi.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Departure
Morning, you have breakfast at hotel. Check out hotel (standard check out time is 12pm). Transfer to airport
for departure flight.
Meal: Breakfast
Similar trips
DESTINATION INFORMATION
Vietnam
Climate
The country has a rather variable climate, stretching 2,000 km from north to south and with approximately three-quarters of the country being mountainous. Tropical, hot, and humid. Monsoons divide the year into two seasons: a hot and rainy one from May to October/November, and a cool and dry one from December to April. There is a risk of typhoons between September and October, when the summer monsoon transitions into the winter monsoon. In the central part of the country, the monsoon season begins in July and ends in January.
Visa
1. Vietnam grants e-visas for citizens of all countries and territories with a 90-day stay duration and valid for multiple entry.
2. Citizens of 24 countries enjoying unilateral visa exemption can stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days.
The 24 countries include Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, Switzerland.
Jet Lag
Timezone: UTC +7
Currently and payment systems
Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND) for most daily transactions. While some places may accept USD or EUR, it’s not very common, so it’s always more convenient to pay in local currency.
Cash is still widely used, especially in local markets and small shops while credit cards are accepted at hotels, malls, and more upscale restaurants, sometimes with a small surcharge.
ATMs are easy to find in cities and tourist areas, so withdrawing cash is generally simple and convenient.
