Wonderful Heritages of Northern Vietnam – 7 days

Explore all the most stunning scenery of Northern Vietnam in both Trang An as “Halong Bay on Land” and the real Halong Bay. Be fascinating from Hanoi’s colonial city by Vintage Jeep to the landscape paddy fields in Tam Coc, Hoa Lu ancient capital of Vietnam. Throughout this 7-day trip, you’ll be treated to the best that Northern Vietnam has to offer, from stunning natural scenery to rich cultural heritage. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready for a Vietnam vacation you’ll never forget with Viet Vision Travel.

General Information

Tour Route: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay – Hanoi
Duration: 7 Days/ 6 Nights
Date: No fixed dates
Start/End: Hanoi/ Hanoi
Active Level: Classic & Easy
Tour Type: Explore and Experience
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us what you wish to do in the inquiry form)

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Full-Day Hanoi City Tour by Vintage Jeep (B, L)
Day 3: Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Hang Mua – Overnight in Ninh Binh (B, L, D)
Day 4: Ninh Binh – Bai Dinh – Trang An – Hanoi (B, L)
Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight in cruise (B, L, D)
Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L)
Day 7: Hanoi Departure (B, L)

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)

Upon our arrival at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, be welcomed and picked up by our local tour guide & driver to the arranged hotel in the city center. Check-in and free for relaxing. Enjoy a Welcome dinner with Vietnamese cuisine in a local restaurant.

Day 2: Full-Day Hanoi City Tour by Vintage Jeep (B, L)

Today, visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex comprising Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and One Pillar Pagoda. Next, travel to the Temple of Literature known as the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to the 11th century. The temple highlights the importance that Vietnamese society placed then and now on education.

In the afternoon, visit the Hanoi Museum of Ethnology to learn more about the cultures and traditions of 54 ethnic minorities in Vietnam. Then reach Vietnam Military Museum to see the remnants of the gory Vietnam War in the 20th century. Return to the hotel in Hanoi in the late afternoon.

Day 3: Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Hang Mua – Overnight in Ninh Binh (B, L, D)

We leave Hanoi at 08.00 and head south for the two-hour drive along Highway One. We spend one hour visiting the Dinh and Le sanctuaries. These are the two remaining temples of the Hoa Lu ancient citadel. The first is dedicated to Dinh Tien Hoang (also known as Dinh Bo Linh), an Emperor of the Dinh Dynasty.

The second commemorates the rulers of the Le Dynasty. Dinh Bo Linh successfully conquered Vietnam’s first independent ruler, the Ngo Dynasty. On his death in 980, General Le Hoan wisely married Dinh’s widow and established the Le Dynasty, and enlarged the citadel. We then move on to Tam Coc for a two hours boat trip along the Boi River. This area is rightly often referred to as “Ha Long Bay on land” due to the similar topography.

The last destination is Mua Cave– regarded as a tiny version great wall of Vietnam. You must ascend around 500 stone stairs to reach the summit of Hang Mua. You may view the entire stunning landscape of the Tam Coc area from here. By mythology, King Tran used to visit this location to see the stunning women dance. Taste specialties and overnight in Ninh Binh.

Day 4: Ninh Binh – Bai Dinh – Trang An – Hanoi (B, L)

This morning, travel by tram to Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of the temples with several Buddhist artworks of the largest scale and massive construction listed in the Guinness World Records of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, where you can visit and worship Buddha. Transferred to a local restaurant to enjoy a tasty lunch that features the specialties of Ninh Binh.

Later, visit Trang An eco-tourism area to take a small sampan wooden boat trip slowly rowing through serpentine streams, between the blooming mountains and valleys. The 3-hour rowing boat takes you to sacred sites and through 12 mysterious water caves. Along the way, there are spectacular transitions as you get into a dark cave and a whole new picture appears right in front of your eyes at the exit. Following the boat’s schedule, you can drop off the sampan boat to visit some on-land attractions. We can enjoy the fresh air, clean and clear water with underwater grass. Experience the feeling and emotions when we are in the water caves.

Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight in cruise (B, L, D)

In the morning, we meet at the lobby of the hotel and transfer to Halong. The vehicle takes us through the Red River Delta for 3,5 hours and we will arrive at the port at around midday. Be welcomed by the cruise crew team and enjoy fresh seafood lunch while the cruise is gliding out.

In the afternoon, visit Sung Sot cave (Surprising cave) in the middle of the Bay and swim. The sunset’s coming is our time to relax on the deck with our favorite drink… Delicious dinner will be served with typically local seafood. Overnight on boat.

Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L)

This morning, visit Titop island and relax on the beach. Optional for us is walking up to the top of the island to get a fantastic panoramic view. Then, back to the cruise to learn the recipes and techniques that go into the most popular dish of Vietnamese food. Lunch will be served when cruising back to the port where our awaiting vehicle will transfer us back to Hanoi.

Day 7: Hanoi Departure (B)

Today feel free at leisure until our vehicle will transfer us back to the airport for our flight home. Trip ends. See you again in the next Vietnam tour packages.

Inclusions & Exclusions:

Inclusions:

• Private ground transfers and transportation
• English speaking guide (other languages upon request)
• Accommodation with daily breakfast, rooms based on 2 people per room, extra bed upon request
• Meals indicated in the itinerary (authentic Vietnamese food)
• All entrance fees and permits
• Vintage Jeep in Hanoi
• Boat excursions
• Private boat in Halong Bay
• Bottle during the trip
• Government tax and service charge

Exclusions:

• Personal expenses
• Meals not indicated
• Tips for tour guides, drivers and others