Vietnam Capitals from Present to Ancient – 5 Days

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival – City Tour (L, D)

Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, we will be welcomed by our friendly local guide and transferred to our hotel.

(Note: Hotel’s check-in is 14.00/15.00, Early check-in is NOT included).

After that, we will visit some highlights in the city. Our first stop is Ho Chi Minh Complex where we will visit Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside visit only if later than 10.30 AM), his simple stilt-house and fish pond, the outside of the impressive Presidential Palace, and finally the nearby One Pillar Pagoda that originally built since 11th century. Continue visiting the oldest pagoda in Hanoi – Tran Quoc Pagoda which is located by the West Lake.

Lunch at an Indian restaurant. After lunch, we visit the Temple of Literature, the Temple of Confusion, also the first university in Vietnam that was built in 1070. We finish our day with a cyclo ride around the Old Quarters through the maze of narrow streets and shops. We then sit down for the Water Puppet Show for a 45-minute show. Drop off at the hotel and end the tour.

Day 2: Hanoi – Bai Dinh Pagoda – Trang An – Hanoi (B, L, D)

Today, we will drive to Ninh Binh Province and visit Bai Dinh Spiritual and Culture Complex, the largest Buddhist pagoda complex in the North of Vietnam.

After lunch, we take a pleasant boat rowing in Hoang Long River to visit the Trang An Eco-Tourism complex. The complex is surrounded by picturesque landscapes with thousands of hectares with more than 100 caves which can be explored by boat. In the late afternoon, we return to Hanoi for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on boat (B, L, D)

This morning, we will take 180 KM to Halong Bay, which was recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage in 1994 and 2000. On arrival, we will board our overnight cruise and savor a delicious seafood lunch. We will be passing through several limestone islands, kayaking among the hidden areas of the Bay, swimming at Soi Sim Beach, or trekking to the top of the island. Dinner and overnight on a boat.

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L, D)

Start your day with Tai Chi exercises before having breakfast. We then explore Sung Sot Cave – one of the most amazing caves in Halong Bay and pass through Ba Hang Fishing Village, Dog Islet, and more. Watch the cooking demonstration and enjoy lunch before cruising back to the pier and finding our car to take us back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 5: Hanoi – Shopping & Departure (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time for shopping in the maze shops in the Old Quarters or shopping malls. Check out and transfer to the airport for the departure flight. Trip ends.