Hanoi Ha Long Bay Tour 5 days: Explore the Essence

Discover the magnificent northern Vietnam with our "Hanoi Ha Long Bay Tour 5 days: Explore the Essence" short trip. The tour will take you to the two must-not-miss attractions once you come to this region

5 days 4 nights

Vietnam

Classic Highlights

Attractions

Ha Noi - Ha Noi - Ha Long City - Ha Long City

Duration

5 days 4 nights

Code

SE-V14

Type of tour

Private tour

Overview

Hanoi Ha Long Bay Tour 5 days: Explore the Essence is a short trip designed for travelers who want to explore the highlights of Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. On the first day, you will arrive in Hanoi and start the city tour to visit the famous landmarks such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature. In the evening, enjoy a cyclo tour around the Old Quarter and watch the traditional Water Puppet Show.

The following day, you will embark on a scenic drive to Ha Long Bay, where you will be amazed by the stunning beauty of the limestone cliffs and emerald waters. Aboard the cruise, you can relax, take in the fresh air and enjoy the delicious seafood while watching the sunset.

On the third day, you will continue to explore the magnificent Ha Long Bay with its many islets and limestone caves. You can participate in activities such as kayaking, swimming or just relaxing on the deck of the boat.

On the fourth day, you will return to Hanoi and spend the day at your leisure. You can go shopping, try the delicious street food or visit some of the museums and temples in the city.

On the last day, you will depart from Hanoi. This North Vietnam Explorer tour is perfect for travelers who want to experience the best of Hanoi and Ha Long Bay in a short amount of time.

Highlights

Take a beautiful picture of Hanoi city– the Paris of the Orient after taking one full day trip
Round off the day tour around the city's Old Quarter by cyclo
Experience private and hands-on water puppet show – a traditional art of Vietnam with our artisan
Leaeve the noise of the city behind as you embark a cruise and take in the impressive views over Ha Long Bay

Itinerary

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Warmly welcome you on arrival at Noi Bai international airport. We transfer you with a comfortable vehicle to the city center of Hanoi to check-in your hotel. This day is scheduled to take some rest after your long flight. You have the opportunity to get some first impressions of the city by yourself and of course our tour guide is always available at your request. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

After breakfast, our guide will pick you up and show you around Hanoi, Vietnam’s gracious capital. We enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, home to his mausoleum, garden, house on stilts and a museum which traces his life and work.

Our first stop is to visit the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh. Located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, this is the most important monument of Vietnam in which Ho Chi Minh’s body is preserved. This site only opens on Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 08:00 – 11:00.

The next destination is the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. The Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house was completed on May 19th, 1958 as a birthday present for uncle Ho and becomes a symbol of his simple life.

Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda. The pagoda looks like a lotus blossoming from the square pond. It was constructed in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong based on his dream of Goddess of Mercy seating on a lotus flower and giving him a boy. In 1954, it was destroyed by the French and then restored in 1955.

We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. This temple provides an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent history.

In the afternoon, visit the impressive Ethnologic Museum that is dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. This museum has both indoor and outdoor exhibition area with the most popular architectural styles of house’s ethnic people. The museum closes on every Monday.

To round off the day tour around the city's Old Quarter by a bicycle rickshaw, called a cyclo. In this part of town, each colorful street is devoted to a particular craft or ware. You will be pedaled amongst the quaint French buildings along Shoe Street, Silk Street and Banner Street (to name just a few), ending at the historic Hoan Kiem Lake - the social center of Hanoi.

To round off the day, enjoy the Water Puppet Show, the unique Vietnamese traditional art. This art originates from rural festivals in Vietnam. The artists-men and women-stand waist-deep in the water to manipulate the puppets, making them move about, talk and laugh and even dance on the surface of the water

Breakfast at hotel and then start a 3-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee before arriving to Ha Long City. We then transfer to a luxury wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Dinner on board. Overnight on Junk

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi for your overnight.

You have free time until we transfer you to the airport for your flight home. End of our Hanoi Ha Long Bay Tour 5 Days service.

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Trip notes

Tour includes:

Private English speaking guide
Cyclo tour, water puppet show
Sharing 2 days 1 night on Ha Long Bay cruise
Accommodation based on double/twin/Triple/ Single room sharing with daily breakfast
Transfers & transport by private vehicle
All entrance fees as mentioned
Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
Water & cool towels
Government taxes & service charge