HANOI – HALONG BAY – NINH BINH 5 DAYS

Itinerary

1. Day 01

   HANOI ARRIVAL – CITY TOUR Welcome to Hanoi – Vietnam! ...
   HANOI ARRIVAL – CITY TOUR Welcome to Hanoi – Vietnam! The tour guide & driver will be welcoming you at Noi Bai airport; it takes us 35 minutes driving to the centre of Hanoi then check-in at hotel. Let’s start our city tour from Temple of Literature, the 1st university in Vietnam then continue to Ba Dinh Square - the biggest square in Hanoi where all biggest cultural, political events of the cities for taking photos of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Later have an overall view of the capital by a “cyclo” visit, which will start around the Old Quarter of Hanoi, stop at Ngoc Son Temple located on the Hoan Kiem Lake (the “Sword” Lake). Overnight in Hanoi. Please note: Standard check in time is 14:00. Early check in is subject to availability of the hotel Night activities suggestion: enjoy local beer at Ta Hien Streets, experience the ambience of sleepless street with life music, the young people of Hanoi and also foreign tourists. Hundred of bars and pubs in the Old Quarter are also at your disposal or just simple spend your time at shopping malls or various boutique Shops.  
2. Day 02

   HANOI – TAM COC – HOA LU – HANOI (SIC TOUR)
   (B/L) Have breakfast at hotel. A 90km drive south of Hanoi will lead you to Ninh Binh, the site of the one capital city of ancient Vietnam before Hanoi took its leading role in 11th century. The area is featured by lots of well-known sceneries, which include Tam Coc Caves and Hoa Lu ancient capital with the old temples dedicated to King Dinh & King Le reigned in 10th century. The visit in Ninh Binh starts by a boat trip in Tam Coc where spectacular limestone karsts jut out from the green paddy fields reminding about Guilin (China) and Halong Bay of Vietnam, which gives this scenery the name “Halong-bay-on-land”. Further discovery in Ninh Binh will be continued in the site that used to be the kings’ palace in 10th century and now famous for the wooden relieves of the shady Dinh and Le temples. Lunch at local restaurant. Late afternoon back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
3. Day 03

   HANOI – HALONG (SHUTTLE BUS)
   – OVERNIGHT ON BOARD (B/L/D) Have breakfast at hotel and check out. From Hanoi, at 8AM, head East for more than 3 hours by shuttle bus to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994. The road will pass by the Red River delta with green paddyfields and rural villages, where hard-work farmers are busy with their farming jobs, ploughing buffaloes or planting seedling. Upon arrival in Halong, we’ll take a big boat to cruise the Bay to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch of fresh seafood on board, we can visit the Surprising Grotto, stop for swimming or kayaking, passing floating villages and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Back to the boat for dinner late afternoon. Evening attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the boat near Titov Beach.  Please note the program may be little varied upon the cruise you choose. Only Vietnamese & International food available on the boat. Depending on the cruise, kayak will be included or not.  
4. Day 04

   HALONG – HANOI (SHUTTLE BUS)
   (B/L) After breakfast, visit by boat to Luon Cave, a ring-shaped pool inside an island in Halong with absolutely tranquil landscape and emerald water. Back to the Wharf of Halong passing the most densely area with many islands that have been named like the Cock-Fighting Rock, Sail Island, Incense burner rock or Sea Dog Rock. Early lunch/brunch will be served on board. Arrive at Halong Wharf around 11.00. Return to Hanoi around 4PM and drop off at your hotel for check in. Free at your own leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.    
5. Day 05

   HANOI DEPARTURE (B)
   Breakfast at hotel and check out. You are free until transfer to airport for departure flight. Please note: Standard check out time is 12:00. Late check out is not included.

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