See the very best of one of our favourite destinations with this 5 day Northern Vietnam Tour include Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Ha Long. Travel from the modern capital to the first capital city, Hoa Lu and admire ancient relics. Explore the limestone karsts and rice paddies of ‘Halong on Land’ before boarding a boat to cruise the real Halong Bay, marvelling at the spectacular limestone karsts that rise dramatically from the sea.
There is an other option with visits to Hanoi, Mai Chau and Ha Long, the three places are completely different experiences. From the incredible towering karsts that decorate Ha Long Bay to the unique traditions of minority tribes live in mountainous area, your time through the capital city and the countryside will show you the traditions of northern Vietnam within this one of a kind exploration.
Your 5 day Northern Vietnam Tour package includes transfers, daily breakfasts, in-depth sightseeing, overnight Halong Bay cruise, superior accommodation and more.
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Departure: Daily from Hanoi
Type of tour: Group tour
Theme: Nature/Soft Adventure, Traditional culture
Suitable: Travel with FAMILY, friends, Active traveler, Solo traveler
5 DAY NORTHERN VIETNAM TOUR ITINERARY
Destination: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Bai Tu Long Bay (less touristic than Halong Bay)
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN HANOI
Meals included: N/A I Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi (Noi Bai airport), you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel in downtown Hanoi for check-in (hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in). The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the tree-lined boulevards, French Indochinese architecture and tranquil lakes of this unique city.
Stay overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 2: HANOI – NINH BINH: HOA LU, TAM COC – HANOI (B, L)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch I Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Pick up from your hotel at 8h00 in the morning then depart for the 2 and half-hour drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam’s first capital, Hoa Lu. Visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80), and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009). The ancient Hoa Lu Citadel (most of which has since been destroyed) once covered an area of three square kilometers.
In the late morning depart for Tam Coc Town for a Vietnamese lunch, along the way stop where you wish to take photographs of local villages and the stunning landscape.
After lunch board your sampan to visit Tam Coc. Tam Coc are three limestone caves stretching along Ngo Dong River. As the boat gently slices through the water, notice the enormous limestone karsts jutting out from the green rice fields giving rise to other name, ‘Halong on Land’.
For those who want to do biking can cycle for an hour on quiet roads through villages, rice fields, rivers and rocky outcrops from Tam Coc to Bich Dong (around 5 km) – extra charge 3 USD per person as optional.
Return to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel around 18h30.
Stay overnight in Hanoi.
* Optional Tour: HOA LU – MUA CAVE – TAM COC (Small group size, max 10 people)
Those who feel adventurous climb up Mua Cave - the highlight attraction in Ninh Binh, challenge yourself for 500 step up Cave mountain where you will have great panorama view of Tam Coc and rice fields. Join our HOA LU - MUA CAVE – TAM COC tour (Small group size, max 10 people) with a visit to Mua Cave and half an hour cycling trip in addition to the above activities. Extra charge 27 USD per person as optional.
DAY 3: HANOI – BAI TU LONG BAY – OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE (B, L, D)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner I Accommodation: Overnight on Cruise
08h00 – 08h10 Pick-up at hotel and start the 3 hour-and-a-half drive to Hon Gai Tourist Wharf. You are welcomed at our waiting room before enjoying the cruise.
12h15 – 12h45 Embark on your cruise by transfer boat. Enjoy welcome drink as Cruise Manager gives you a brief overview of the itinerary and important safety guideline. Check in your cabin.
13h00 – 15h30 Savor a delectable lunch as your boat cruises further along the limestone islands of Bai Tu Long Bay, heading to Vung Vieng fishing village – one of the largest fishing villages in Halong Bay to see the life of local fishermen.
– Option 1: Take a bamboo rowing boat trip around Vung Vieng Fishing Village
– Option 2: Take kayak and go kayaking by yourself with help and instruction of tour guide around the Village.
17h30 – 18h00 Return to your boat and have bath then relax as the sun starts to set. Enjoy the Happy Hour at the bar and on the sun deck while cooking demonstration is organizing.
19h00 Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests, night squid fishing or just laze around. Singing and dancing activities are available till 22h00.
Overnight on board at Cong Do Area.
DAY 4: BAI TU LONG BAY – HANOI (B, L)
Meals included: Breakfast, Brunch I Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
06h30 – 07h00 Start your day with Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck.
07h00 – 09h00 Catch morning view of seascapes with a cup of tea or coffee, have breakfast while cruising toward Thien Canh Son Cave. Visit Thien Canh Son Cave – the medium size and less visited cave in Bai Tu Long Bay.
09h30 Check-out room. Luggage can be delivered to the reception area.
09h30 – 11h00 Head back to the Harbor. Have early lunch on board. Disembark at around 12h00.
12h00 – 12h30 Transfer back to your hotel in Hanoi city center with 30 minute break en route to stretch the legs.
16h30 – 17h00 Arrive at your hotel.
Rest of the day is free at leisure.
Stay overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 5: HANOI ARRIVAL – DEPARTURE (B)
Meals included: Breakfast I Accommodation: N/A
The day is at your leisure for last minute sight-seeing or shopping until your transfer to Hanoi Airport for your onward flight.
If hotel and other travel arrangements are required, please contact us.
The tour ends.
5 DAY NORTHERN VIETNAM TOUR ITINERARY
Destination: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Bai Tu Long Bay (less touristic than Halong Bay)
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN HANOI
Meals included: N/A I Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi (Noi Bai airport), you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel in downtown Hanoi for check-in (hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in). The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the tree-lined boulevards, French Indochinese architecture and tranquil lakes of this unique city.
Stay overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 2: HANOI – MAI CHAU – HANOI (B, L)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch I Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi around 08h00 in the morning then depart for Mai Chau which is located 150 km northwest of Hanoi, the drive takes 3.5 hours. Just an hour out of Hanoi after Hoa Binh Town, the road will slowly weave itself through fertile valleys and traditional villages.
Mai Chau is a beautiful valley which is the homeland of the Thai people, one of the largest ethnic minorities group in Vietnam. The trip is going though the green rice paddies, spectacular scenery of limestone mountain range in the North West of Vietnam.
Arrive in the picturesque Mai Chau Valley which is surrounded by karst rock formations and rice paddies – after a delicious lunch cooked by a local family, spend the afternoon exploring the idyllic natural surroundings. Walk or cycle (optional) on flat local roads around the Pomcoong village and Lac village to discover the Thai ethnic minorities. This interesting walking tour will give you unforgettable memory especially when you stop at a village school (for those who want to give children pencils, books … – optional).
In the late afternoon set off for your departure back to Hanoi, as you arrive at the top of the Mai Chau Valley itself, don’t forget to have your camera ready as the views are superb.
Return to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel around 18h30-19h00.
Stay overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 3: HANOI – BAI TU LONG BAY – OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE (B, L, D)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner I Accommodation: Overnight on Cruise
08h00 – 08h10 Pick-up at hotel and start the 3 hour-and-a-half drive to Hon Gai Tourist Wharf. You are welcomed at our waiting room before enjoying the cruise.
12h15 – 12h45 Embark on your cruise by transfer boat. Enjoy welcome drink as Cruise Manager gives you a brief overview of the itinerary and important safety guideline. Check in your cabin.
13h00 – 15h30 Savor a delectable lunch as your boat cruises further along the limestone islands of Bai Tu Long Bay, heading to Vung Vieng fishing village – one of the largest fishing villages in Halong Bay to see the life of local fishermen.
– Option 1: Take a bamboo rowing boat trip around Vung Vieng Fishing Village
– Option 2: Take kayak and go kayaking by yourself with help and instruction of tour guide around the Village.
17h30 – 18h00 Return to your boat and have bath then relax as the sun starts to set. Enjoy the Happy Hour at the bar and on the sun deck while cooking demonstration is organizing.
19h00 Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests, night squid fishing or just laze around. Singing and dancing activities are available till 22h00.
Overnight on board at Cong Do Area.
DAY 4: BAI TU LONG BAY – HANOI (B, L)
Meals included: Breakfast, Brunch I Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
06h30 – 07h00 Start your day with Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck.
07h00 – 09h00 Catch morning view of seascapes with a cup of tea or coffee, have breakfast while cruising toward Thien Canh Son Cave. Visit Thien Canh Son Cave – the medium size and less visited cave in Bai Tu Long Bay.
09h30 Check-out room. Luggage can be delivered to the reception area.
09h30 – 11h00 Head back to the Harbor. Have early lunch on board. Disembark at around 12h00.
12h00 – 12h30 Transfer back to your hotel in Hanoi city center with 30 minute break en route to stretch the legs.
16h30 – 17h00 Arrive at your hotel.
Rest of the day is free at leisure.
Stay overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 5: HANOI ARRIVAL – DEPARTURE (B)
Meals included: Breakfast I Accommodation: N/A
The day is at your leisure for last minute sight-seeing or shopping until your transfer to Hanoi Airport for your onward flight.
If hotel and other travel arrangements are required, please contact us.
The tour ends.
TOUR PRICES:
- Prices are in US dollars and per person based on half twin.
- Single supplement surcharges are applied for solo travelers who occupy a single room (twin/ double bedded room for single use).
PRICE INCLUDES:
– Prices are in US dollars based on twin share. Conditions apply.
– Full transportation by air conditioned vehicle (shared minibus) as tour program indicated;
– Airport transfer in Hanoi – two ways by private car;
– Entrance and sightseeing fees;
– English speaking guide;
– Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner);
– Halong Bay 2 day 1 night trip (incl welcome drinks on board, Deluxe cabins with air-conditioner and en-suite bathrooms, kayaking, cooking demonstration, visits to Bai Tu Long Bay, Vung Vieng Fishing Village and the amazing Thien Canh Son cave);
– 3 nights at hotel in Hanoi;
– 1 night on boat in Bai Tu Long Bay;
PRICE EXCLUDES:
– Flight to and from Vietnam;
– Other meals not mentioned in program;
– Tips and emergency transfers;
– Optional tours;
– Surcharges for other language guides;
– Personal travel insurance;
– Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, and camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc…;
– Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the program;
– Single supplement applies to solo travellers as listed in the tariff table;
– Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply;
– Extra nights may be required at passenger expense due to flight schedules.
NOTES ON OUR PRICES:
– Prices shown are based on group tour and two people travelling together and sharing a room. Single supplement applies to solo travellers who occupy a single room.
Private tour can be arranged for you, your family or your friends exclusively. Prices may vary according to number of guests. Please contact us to get the best possible price.
– Prices may vary according to your travel time and are higher in the high season, e.g. Christmas period (Dec 24-26), New Year period (Dec 31-Jan 02) and Public holidays of Vietnam.
– For additional hotel night cost to the packages, please contact us for the rates.
– Listed hotels/cruise subject to change to others of similar standard if fully booked.
– Upgrades available to stay at a 4-star or 5-star hotel, please contact us for more details. Additional costs will be applied.
– This tour package can be fully customizable to fit your travel plan. You can also disregard full package tours and choose whatever travel items you need we can quote the tours you really want. Usually travel insurance is not covered in our quotations.
– Itinerary Change to the confirmed itinerary may happen because of traffic, weather, or any other conditions not under our control such as war, strike, fire, acts of government, riot, etc. We will do our best to make sure that all the travel will be similar. Go Viet Travel can substitute the itinerary upon your agreement.
– Transportation and Restaurants: The cars, vans or coaches for the land transportation should be in good shape with air conditioner. All restaurants should be tidy and clean.
