5 Days of Wonders: Hanoi, Ninh Binh & Halong Bay

Arrival Flight: Guest’s own tickets

Xin Chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam.

A warm greeting awaits at Noi Bai International airport, your private guide and driver will meet you at EXIT GATE – COLUMN 10 and transfer you (45 minutes) to your hotel in city centre.

Please look for your tour guide who holds up your names on a welcome signboard. While every effort is made to have your room available upon arrival, check in time is at 02:00pm; your room may or may not be ready before this time. Your tour guide will provide additional details regarding your stay, and you will be able to ask any questions you may have. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Please note: Your travel documents contain a Vietnam eVisa (unless otherwise arranged). Please ensure to pack this in your carry-on luggage. Your Vietnam eVisa must be presented to Customs upon entry into the country.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Included for the day:
Transfer: Private vehicle and driver
Tour guide: English speaking tour guide
Accommodation: Chalcedony Hotel or Similar

07:45 – 08:15: After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel by a shared van to begin your exploration of Hanoi.

Start with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed in the afternoons, Fridays, and Mondays), where you can learn about the architectural and historical significance of the final resting place of Vietnam’s revered leader. Nearby, discover Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, a simple yet meaningful residence reflecting his modest lifestyle. Just beside the complex stands the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 — a unique structure that has become a symbol of Hanoi.

Continue to Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest and most picturesque Buddhist pagodas in Vietnam, beautifully set along the shores of West Lake.

Depending on the day, you will then visit Bat Trang Pottery Village (operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays), where you can observe traditional ceramic craftsmanship and explore the village’s artisanal heritage.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (operating on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays), offering fascinating insights into the diverse cultures of Vietnam’s ethnic groups. Continue to the Temple of Literature and Quoc Tu Giam, Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1070. Its tranquil gardens and well-presed architecture provide a peaceful glimpse into the country’s scholarly past.

Next, pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, the symbolic heart of Hanoi, and visit Ngoc Son Temple, gracefully set on a small island within the lake.

Conclude the day with a walk through Hanoi’s vibrant Old Quarter, where you will have time to explore its lively streets, browse local shops, and soak in the city’s unique atmosphere.

Tour ends around 15:30 – 16:00.

Overnight in Hanoi. 

Included for the day:
Transfer: Shared vehicle and driver with A/C
Tour guide: Shared English speaking tour guide
Entrance fees: To all sites stated in the itinerary
Accommodation: Chalcedony Hotel or Similar

07:45 – 08:30 A modern minibus will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter for the journey to Ninh Binh, a region renowned for its stunning landscapes and heritage sites.

09:45 – 10:00 Arrive in the Tam Coc area and begin a peaceful rowing boat trip from Tam Coc wharf. Your boat will be skillfully navigated by local rowers, often using both hands and feet—an impressive traditional technique. Cruise along the river as you pass through the three natural grottos: Hang Ca (First Cave), Hang Hai (Second Cave), and Hang Ba (Third Cave).

11:30 Enjoy a relaxing bicycle ride around Tam Coc (30–45 minutes). During harvest season, the surrounding rice fields turn a brilliant golden color, creating a truly picturesque scene.

12:15 Savor a special lunch at a local restaurant, with an opportunity to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine.

13:15 Continue to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, founded in 968 and once the capital of Vietnam until the early 11th century, before it was moved to present-day Hanoi. Set amidst a dramatic mountainous landscape, visit the temples dedicated to the Dinh and Le Dynasties.

14:15 Visit Mua Cave, often compared to the “Great Wall of China” for its impressive stone staircase. Climb approximately 500 steps to the summit, where you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view over Ninh Binh’s countryside.

16:00 Return to the minivan and journey back to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi. 

Included for the day:
Transfer: Shared vehicle and driver with A/C, Shared boat, Private bike
Tour guide: Shared English speaking tour guide
Entrance fees: To all sites stated in the itinerary
Accommodation: Chalcedony Hotel or Similar

A shared van will pick you up and transfer you to Quang Ninh Province. Enjoy the scenic journey through the Red River Delta, with its patchwork of rice fields, rivers, and local villages along the way to Ha Long Bay.

12:00: Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina (No.34), where the crew of Peony Cruises will warmly welcome you at the lounge.

12:30: You will be transferred by a support vessel from the pier to board your elegant cruise, Peony Cruises. A short itinerary briefing will be given during this time.

13:00: Enjoy a welcome drink and refreshing towels as you settle in. A special lunch featuring fresh seafood and a selection of Vietnamese delicacies will be served as the cruise begins its journey toward Lan Ha Bay — a member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays.

Savor your meal while admiring the bay’s stunning seascapes.

15:30: Arrive at the Tra Bau Area, renowned for its unspoiled natural beauty and tranquil waters. This is the perfect time to enjoy kayaking, allowing you to explore the hidden corners and limestone formations of Lan Ha Bay up close.

Alternatively, relax and swim in the emerald waters or unwind in the Jacuzzi onboard.

17:30 – 18:30: Join a cooking demonstration and learn how to prepare one of Vietnam’s most iconic dishes — fresh spring rolls.Or head to the sundeck to admire a spectacular sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.

Enjoy Happy Hour (Buy 1 Get 1 Free) at the bar — an ideal moment for sunset photography and relaxation.

19:30: Indulge in a delicious dinner prepared by the cruise’s talented chef, served in an intimate and romantic setting.

21:00 – 22:00: Spend your evening at leisure. Relax with a drink at the sky bar (additional charge), enjoy a spa treatment (optional), or unwind on the sundeck under the star-lit sky.

You may also try your luck with squid fishing on the main deck.

Overnight on board the cruise.

Included for the day:
Transfer: Shared vehicle and driver with A/C, Shared cruise
Tour guide: English speaking tour guide
Entrance fees: To all sites stated in the itinerary
Accommodation: Peony Cruise or Similar

06:00: Begin your day with an energizing Tai Chi session on the sundeck as the sun gently rises over the horizon — a peaceful and refreshing start to the morning.

06:45 – 07:15: Breakfast is served on board while the cruise makes its way back toward Gia Luan Jetty.
(Please note: timing may be adjusted depending on the cruise itinerary.)

07:30 – 09:00: Transfer to Cat Ba Island for a visit to the Cat Ba World Biosphere Reserve. Continue to explore Trung Trang Cave, one of the island’s most impressive natural wonders. This limestone cave features thousands of stalactites in fascinating shapes, showcasing both geological beauty and a unique ecosystem.

09:30: Return to the main boat. Guests will proceed with cabin check-out, and luggage should be placed outside the cabin for collection.

Enjoy an early lunch served at the restaurant on board.

Please settle any personal expenses at the reception desk.

10:30 – 11:00: Disembark from Peony Cruises and transfer back to Tuan Chau Marina (Block #34, Big Bay Terminal). Relax while waiting for your luggage.

11:30 – 12:00: Your cruise comes to an end. Bid farewell to the crew and depart with wonderful memories of your time in Lan Ha Bay.

You will then be met by your private driver for the return journey to Hanoi, heading directly to the airport for your departure flight back to home (Advice the flight after 19:00).

Included for the day:
Transfer: Shared vehicle and driver with A/C, Shared cruise
Tour guide: Shared English speaking tour guide on cruise
Entrance fees: To all sites stated in the itinerary