Classic Northern Vietnam – 5 Days

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam!

On your first day, you can arrive in Hanoi at any time as the only activity scheduled is the airport pick up. The driver will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your hotel. Once you have checked in, the rest of the day is free for you to rest or explore the city and form your own first impressions of Vietnam. The airport transfer is included in the itinerary, so you don’t have to worry about arranging transportation on your own.

Stay overnight in Hanoi and get ready for an exciting adventure!

• Meal: NA
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Visiting a World Heritage site, a city museum, traveling to the French Quarter and the Ho Chi Minh complex, taking a leisurely stroll around West Lake and the Old Quarter, and enjoying a water puppet show

9:00 AM: Tour guide will pick you up and take you to the Temple of Literature, which was established in the 11th century during the Ly dynasty to honor Confucius and teach Royal children. Take a stroll through the garden to the city’s icon, Khue Van Cac. Then you’ll see the World Heritage “stone steles” that display the names of excellent students. Continue your exploration of the Quoc Tu Giam, Vietnam’s first national university.

After that, go to one of the city’s museums (select from the National History Museum, Hoa Lo, Museum of Ethnology, or Fine Art Museum) before stopping for lunch or a drink (on your own budget).

In the afternoon, you visit the French Quarter, Hanoi’s “little Paris” with tree-lined boulevards, government headquarters, and a large square. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (outside) before taking a leisurely stroll through the botanical gardens to the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s mansion on stilts where he used to live and work. One of the city’s icons is the one-of-a-kind one-pillar pagoda. Depending on the amount of travelers, we spend 1 to 2 hours exploring this complex.

Continue to the Quan Thanh temple, one of the city’s four most prominent temples, dating back to the 11th century under Ly Thai To King and worshiping the Tran Vu gods, the city’s main deities.

Come back to your hotel. Have a rest of your day!

• Meals: B, L
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Visiting Hoa Lu ancient capital, trekking to the Bich Dong pagoda, and taking a boat ride in Tam Coc

8h00 – 8h30Am Our driver & tour guide will pick you up at your place then go to Ninh Binh, a magnificent place rich in historical, cultural, religious, and natural beauties. Stop whenever you want to take pictures as you travel past the Red River delta.

Visit Hoa Lu, which served as Vietnam’s capital between the tenth and the eleventh centuries. The fortress is naturally protected by limestone mountains and rivers, which also create an outstanding scenic landscape.

​When you get to Hoa Lu, you will visit the temples honoring Emperors Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968–80) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980–1009), both of whom were crucial in helping Vietnam achieve independence from China after a millennium of Chinese domination. The construction of both temples in the 17th century was done as a mark of respect for the King’s contributions.

Continue your excursion to the Bich Dong, a typical pagoda in the Red River Delta area established in the 15th century. When you arrive, cross a stone bridge to Chua Ha, where over 100 steps lead to Chua Trung, a cave pagoda with distinctive clay figures. Then you’ll hike up to Chua Thuong. You can not only learn about Buddhism but also enjoy breathtaking views of the countryside.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing on to Tam Coc, often known as “Halong Bay on Land” and featured in the popular French film “Indochina.” When you get to the port, you will board a private sampan boat for a 90-minute ride down the Ngo Dong River. Pass into three caves and see a magnificent landscape interspersed with little settlements, rice fields, a cemetery, and temples.

Drive back to Hanoi around 7:00 p.m.

• Meals: B, L
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Transfer to Halong Bay, fantastic sailing route, swimming at Titov beach, panoramic views

8h00 Am-8h30Am: Pick up from your accommodation (in the Hanoi Old Quarter). Take a three-hour drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Your excursion will take you through the Red River Delta’s communities and rice farms. Make a pit stop for a drink and a potty break. Continue driving, arrive at the harbor around noon, and be greeted pleasantly at reception.

12:30: Boards the boat and receives a cruise briefing and safety instructions. Begin your cruise and visit Halong Bay, Visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

While cruising along the bay, enjoy a buffet lunch with Vietnamese foods supplied, passing by the most beautiful and peaceful spots, such as Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock, Soi Sim beach, and Coconut Island, The Three Islands

In the afternoon, go to the Tung Sau area, which is surrounded by leaping fish. Cultured pearl fishing is a type of pearl fishing. You may witness the entire process of creating a jewel, from cultivation to harvesting and sculpting. Furthermore, you have the option of kayaking based on your preferences. Enjoy a busy environment with a pearl maker, where you may witness the completion of a pearl. Visiting the beautiful Titov beach for swimming (if the weather permits), Titov Beach is especially famous for its fresh atmosphere, clean water, and smooth white sand that create a great ambiance for tourists to relax, or passengers can take steps to reach the top of Titov island to have a panoramic view of Halong Bay. Back to the boat for some downtime before cruising to the Luon Bo area and anchoring for the night.

18:30: Join a cooking lesson on the sundeck to learn how to prepare Vietnamese spring rolls, a traditional Vietnamese dish. Then, take advantage of Happy Hour (buy one drink, get one free). It’s time to socialize and unwind. Take in the breathtaking sunset over Halong Bay. 

Dinner – Deluxe Vietnamese BBQ Set Menu Dinner

Deluxe Vietnamese BBQ Set Menu for Dinner Evening activities include: resting and spending a romantic night on Pelican Halong Cruise’s music, playing cards, chess, and reading magazines in the room and dining area. You can also try your hand at squid fishing and boat fishing.

• Meals: B, L, D
• Accommodation: Overnight on cruise

Exploring the well-known Sung Sot cave, sailing lazily, returning to Hanoi, and departing

06:30: Onboard, the day begins early with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Tai chi, also known as Tai chi chuan, is a kind of exercise that combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow and gentle movements.

Breakfast is provided in the dining area, which has a wonderful view of the bay’s environment.

Transfer to Sung Sot Cave via tender. The cave entrance is around 100 steps up. Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest caves in Halong Bay with exquisite stalactites and stalagmites, takes around 45 minutes to see. Return to the cruise ship via tender. Check out and pay your bill at the front desk.

Enjoy a buffet meal and the bay beauty as you cruise back to Tuan Chau Wharf.

11:30-12:00: Disembarkation

Welcome to the harbor by the driver, then enjoy the journey back to Hanoi. Take a break in the middle of the journey. Drop off at your accommodation (in the Old Quarter of Hanoi).

Private driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby (Hanoi Old Quarter) and bring you for around 45 minutes to Noi Bai airport (international or domestic hall, depending on your preference). Thank you for visiting our city.

Note: Please keep in mind that international flights require you to arrive 3 hours before departure time, while domestic flights require you to arrive 2 hours before departure time.

• Meals: B, L
• Accommodation: NA