Hanoi – Halong Bay – Ninh Binh 5 Day Combo Tour

You’ll be picked up at Noi Bai International Airport at your scheduled arrival time. A private car will take you straight to your hotel in the Old Quarter. Check in, relax, and get ready for your first taste of Hanoi.

Your guide will meet you at the hotel to start the evening street food tour. Wander through the buzzing streets of the Old Quarter as you taste your way through Hanoi’s best local eats like pho (noodle soup), banh cuon (steamed rolled rice pancake), bun cha, egg coffee, and more. This is the perfect introduction to Vietnamese culture and flavors.

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up at your hotel for a full-day city tour. First stop is Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest pagoda located on West Lake. From there, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, where you can see the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh, walk around the peaceful gardens, and explore the stilt house he lived in. You'll also visit the unique One Pillar Pagoda, shaped like a lotus flower.

Next, head to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to learn about Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups through fascinating displays of traditional clothing, tools, and houses.

Enjoy an 8-dish Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant — a great intro to the country’s rich food culture.

After lunch, visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, dating back to the 11th century. Then continue to Ngoc Son Temple, located on an island in Hoan Kiem Lake, dedicated to national hero Tran Hung Dao.

The tour wraps up and you’ll return to the hotel to relax or explore on your own.

You’ll be picked up by shuttle or limousine bus. After a mid-way rest stop, arrive at Ha Long International Cruise Port around 12:30 PM. Have a tea or coffee while waiting to board your boat.

Board your cruise and settle into your cabin. You’ll get a short safety briefing and then enjoy a set lunch as the boat cruises into the quieter waters of Bai Tu Long Bay.

Arrive at Cap La Island, a peaceful spot surrounded by limestone karsts. Go kayaking, take a swim, or just relax on deck.

Return to the boat for sunset drinks and a Vietnamese dinner at 7:00 PM. The evening is free for games, cocktails, squid fishing, or simply enjoying the calm of the bay.

Start the day with a Tai Chi session on deck, followed by breakfast. Then head out to explore Thien Canh Son Cave, a quiet cave with stalactites and nice bay views. You’ll also have time to relax on a small beach at Hon Co Island.

Return to the boat, check out, and join a traditional cooking class before enjoying a final Vietnamese lunch on board.

You’ll be driven directly from the cruise port to your homestay in Ninh Binh. Settle in and enjoy a quiet evening.

Have a lovely breakfast in the homestay and your local guide will meet you at your accommodation to start the day’s adventure.

Visit the remains of Vietnam’s first capital, where you’ll explore historic temples and learn about the country’s royal dynasties.

Enjoy a meal of regional specialties in a relaxed countryside setting.

Glide through a maze of limestone cliffs, caves, and green waterways on a rowboat in this UNESCO-listed landscape. This is also where the movie Kong: Skull Island was filmed.

Take a short ride through rural Ninh Binh, passing rice fields and local houses. It’s a peaceful way to see daily life up close.

Climb nearly 500 steps to the top of Lying Dragon Mountain for a sweeping view over Tam Coc’s iconic landscape — it’s one of the best viewpoints in northern Vietnam.

You’ll be dropped off back at your accommodation in Ninh Binh. The tour ends here.