5 Days Northern Vietnam Explorer
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DURATION
LANGUAGE
TRANSPORT
The soul of Hanoi. Hanoi is a natural starting point for discovering Northern Vietnam. History and daily life naturally come together here, from the quiet surroundings of its temples and lakes to the narrow streets of the Old Quarter. A cyclo ride is a simple way to take it all in and get a first feel for the capital
A change of pace. From Hanoi, travel into the countryside of Ninh Binh, known for its rice fields, rivers and limestone mountains. A sampan ride through Tam Coc takes you gently along the water and beneath natural caves, with fields and villages along the way.
Among the legends of Ha Long. The final part of the journey takes you to Ha Long Bay. Spend the day cruising between its limestone islands, with stops to explore a cave, kayak on the water and enjoy the view from Titov Island. In between, there is plenty of time to sit back on board and watch the scenery pass by. It’s a relaxed ending to five days in Northern Vietnam.
- Accommodation: 04 night’s hotel accommodation with breakfast in Hanoi.
- Meals: All buffet breakfast at hotels.
- Services of a driver and private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers.
- 01 experienced English speaking guide during all tours and transfers.
- La Casta day cruise package as mentioned.
- 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 (no guide) 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
Hanoi Full Day City Tour
09:00 start a full day city tour beginning with the Ho Chi Minh Complex which features the life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder. Explore Ba Dinh Square, an important point of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese, the Presidential Palace and the rural style Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he lived and worked. Stop by one of Hanoi’s icons, the One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th Century in dedication to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or Buddha of Compassion and reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond. Continue to the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, sages and outstanding Vietnamese scholars.
Afternoon, visit Hoan Kiem Lake or “Returned Sword Lake” which originated from a legend of a sacred sword. On an islet in the lake, there is located Ngoc Son Temple which is accessible by a classically red painted wooden bridge. Touring through the Old Quarter, famous for its ancient streets representing traditional trades from the past by cyclo. 17:30 transfer back to your hotel. Overnight stay in Hanoi.
Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
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 also 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
Full Day Halong By La Casta Day Cruise
Breakfast at hotel.
07.00: Shuttle bus of Cruise Company will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi and start your trip to explore the most amazing bay in the North of Vietnam. On the way, we will have a quick stop in the middle of the way to rest.
10.00: Upon arrival at Tuan Chau harbor, you will check in and get on board the cruise then starts a trip to discover World Heritage.
10.30: Enjoy welcome drink. The cruise departs from Tuan Chau harbor for a joyful journey to discover the beauty of the world heritage Ha Long Bay. Along the way, you will have chance to pass through the grandeur of the legendary bay with thousands of limestone islands such as: Dog Rock, Duck Rock and especially Thumb Rock - a beautiful limestone islet rising from sea water in the shape of a giant thumb. Mother Nature has put Thumb Rock here to send a message of goodness to every passenger cruising in the ancient bay.
12.00: Have a huge buffet lunch with variety of dishes including seafood and Vietnamese traditional food.
13.00: Stop at Bo Hon Island. Our tour guide will take you to Sung Sot Cave/Surprising Cave, the largest and the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay. After about 200 steps under forest canopy, the entrance of the cave shows up. A paradise appear in front of you. You will discover the cave in about 45 minutes before getting back to the cruise (For other tourists who can’t walk much, you can stay on cruise, chilling out on the sundeck).
14.00: Say goodbye to Sung Sot Cave, cruise heads to Luon Cave. In this area, it’s time for you to heat up with kayaking (about 30 minutes kayaking)
15.00: Stop at Titov Island. On this small island, you can climb halfway up the mountain to enjoy a panoramic view of Ha Long Bay. Looking down from high above gives you a wonderful sensation; at the same time offers you a spectacular view of every corner of the bay.
16.00: After that, you will get back on the cruise and ready for our Sunset Party. Vietnamese tea, fresh fruits and snacks will be served when you’re relaxing on the sundeck or in the Jacuzzi. On the way back, cruise will pass by Hoa Cuong area, one of the most beautiful spots in the bay.
17.30 – 18.00: Arrive in Tuan Chau port. End of the trip. Thank you for choosing La Casta Daily Cruise for your holiday in Vietnam. See you on the next journey!
18.00: Shuttle bus of Cruise Company will take you back to Hanoi.
20.30: Arrive Hanoi.
Note: Due to operation or weather conditions, itineraries and food may change without prior notice. Thank you for your kind understanding!
FULL DAY HALONG TOUR INCLUSION:
- 7.5 hours trip with La Casta Daily Cruise
- Shuttle bus for round trip Hanoi – Halong – Hanoi
- Buffet lunch on boat
- Activities: Cave, kayaking, swimming, sunset party, Jacuzzi
- English/Vietnamese speaking tour guide
- Sightseeing fees
- Free birthday party in sunset party (free on request)
FULL DAY HALONG TOUR EXCLUSION:
- Holiday surcharge
- Taxes
- Other beverages, tips and personal expenses
- All other services not mentioned clearly in the program
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch (buffet)
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 without guide (airfare is not included).
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.
