Best of Hanoi and Halong Bay in 5 Days

  • Family
  • Classic Journeys

Overview

  • Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
  • Day 2: Hanoi – Fullday City Tour & Local food discovery
  • Day 3: Hanoi – Discover Halong Bay by Seaplane
  • Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi
  • Day 5: Hanoi – Departure

Customizable itinerary

This Hanoi and Halong Bay adventure offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration in the bustling capital and serene relaxation amidst the stunning natural beauty of Halong Bay.

Begin your journey in Hanoi, exploring historic landmarks like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature, alongside the lively streets of the Old Quarter. Then, escape to the breathtaking beauty of Halong Bay, where you’ll cruise through emerald waters dotted with limestone islands and enjoy fresh seafood delicacies. With a seamless mix of cultural immersion and natural wonder, this tour offers the ultimate Vietnam experience.

Xin Chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam.

Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, your private guide and driver are waiting to meet you, holding up a welcome signboard with your names on it and take you directly to your hotel in the Old Quarter.

After checking-in, you will have time to relax and adjust to the pace of Hanoi. There will be a short tour briefing this evening with your guide followed by a welcome dinner at KOTO restaurant, a social enterprise that trains and employs underprivileged youth to provide a step up in life.

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

Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: (_/_/D)


Today with the help of your private guide and driver, you will get to explore the city’s major attractions. You will also sample Hanoi’s authentic local dishes away from the tourist trails, hunkering down with the locals on the street at a variety of atmospheric food stalls.

Morning
Begin with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex including his Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, the historic Stilt house, and the One Pillar Pagoda.

From Ho Chi Minh Complex, you will take a short leisurely walk through the small laneways toward Huu Tiep Lake. You will explore the grounds of a 400-year-old temple, followed by a stroll through traditional local market streets to see the B52 crash site at the lake. This US bomber was shot down during the 1972 bombing raids of Ha Noi, a poignant reminder of Vietnam’s recent history.

Take a short drive to the outskirt of Hanoi to visit the Museum of Ethnology exhibiting the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam. Some of them you will meet during your trip to Sapa.

Today you will have Pho for lunch, a Vietnamese Noodle shop. Some of the local people call this world-famous Noodle soup “Mac-Noodles” since it is as popular here as MacDonalds is in other parts of the world!  At the restaurant, your tour guide will explain the routine during Vietnamese meal times, and also tell you which special ingredients are needed for you.

Afternoon
After lunch, you will visit the Temple of Literature, a Confucius temple and also the first University of Vietnam. Next is Hoa Lo (so-called Hanoi Hilton), a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. Prisoners of War during the Vietnam War.

Embark on a fun cyclo (rickshaw) ride through the French colonial architecture of the precinct known as the French Quater, pass the French-style villas, the Vietnam History Museum, the heritage Metropole Legend Hotel and the Opera House, name to a few.

Enjoy a cup of unmissable Egg coffee at Pho Co Café with a stunning view of Hoan Kiem Lake and the surroundings.

The day comes to an end with a Walking and Food tour through Hanoi’s Old Quarter (in contrast to the French Quarter). During the food tour with the help of your personal tour guide, you will have a chance to experience one of the world’s greatest street food cities and unlock the hidden secrets of the Old Quarter and its cuisine.

Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: (B/L/D)



Morning
After breakfast, your private tour guide will pick you up and take you through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to the legendary Halong Bay where you will board a traditional-style Vietnamese Junk Boat that is your home for the evening. The limestone karsts and tropical islets rising up from the emerald waters of the bay provide an ethereal backdrop for your leisurely cruise.

Upon arrival you’ll be welcomed aboard your Stylish Junk boat, each with its own individual route, to begin your cruise around the bay’s thousands of limestone islets and caves.

Afternoon
After a delicious lunch on board, you will spend time to sunbathe on the sundeck and enjoy the peaceful tranquility of the bay.

Later you will visit Sung Sot Cave “Grotte des Surprises” a hidden gem of mother nature. Float peacefully through magnificent limestone formations containing thousands of stalagmites and stalactites.

Continue to cruise. As you weave your way through the islands, you’ll come across secluded bays, white sandy beaches, and floating villages.

There is plenty of leisure time to enjoy activities both onboard and around the fantastical scenery of the Bay. Pamper yourself at the cruise spa or swim in the emerald waters.

Toward the end of the day, you will sail to the overnight mooring area. During this time – the magical “blue hour” – Halong Bay reveals its true, magnificent beauty. You have a chance to attend the chef’s cooking demonstration or enjoy a mesmerising sunset on the top deck before a scrumptious dinner.

The rest of the evening will be at leisure. You can watch a movie or join the crew for squid fishing before retiring to your room for a restful sleep.

Note: If your time permits, we would highly recommend an additional night on board which gives you a lot more time to relax and take in the amazing landscape. You’ll get to cruise deeper into the Bay where it’s more beautiful and less crowded.

Overnight on board in Halong Bay
Meals: (B/L/D)



Morning
The graceful practice of Tai Chi eases you into your day as is the local custom. Join a ‘Local Specialist’ on the deck of the Junk boat for a morning class in exquisite natural surrounds. You’ll have time for an early morning swim at one of Halong Bay’s quiet beaches and, if you’re feeling energetic, hop on a kayak and paddle through the Dark and Bright Caves admiring the glittering stone walls.

Back to the Junk boat. Check out of the cabin and then enjoy a full brunch buffet as you cruise back to port. Disembark around midday for your return drive to Hanoi.

Afternoon
Arrive at your hotel in Hanoi where you spend the remainder of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. You may head to Bong Sen theater to attend the unique traditional Water Puppet Show dating back for a thousand years.

Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: (B/L/_)


Your private transfer greets you at the hotel after breakfast and escorts you to Hanoi International Airport where you board your flight home or travel on to more adventures, we will help you with the planning.

Meals: (B/_/_)


Useful Information

This tour is built upon our firsthand knowledge & experience, offering you the best choices available. The price of this trip varies depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and the availability of ground services. Please click on REQUEST A FREE QUOTE (above) and supply the required information, enabling us to send you your personalized quote within 24 hours!

Note: Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suit your requirements.

What’s Included?

  • Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
  • Private Vehicles and Drivers
  • Private English Speaking Guides (Other languages if available, upon request)
  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
  • Domestic flight
  • Airport Taxes and Fuel charges
  • Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
  • Service Charge & Government Taxes

What’s Not Included?

  • Your International Flight to and from Vietnam
  • Vietnam entry Visa Fees (contact us for further information)
  • Personal Expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
  • Any bank fees or charges at your end
  • Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
  • Personal Travel Insurance
  • Tips for guides and drivers
                           

Request A Free Quote

Free service. No credit card required

Reviews on Our Service

We are committed to giving our customers unforgettable experiences in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and beyond, not just something staged for tourists. Read reviews written by our customers about their experiences in Indochina after they have returned home. These include the ratings and comments on attractions, guides, activities, hotels and food.

Stress- free travel is the only way to maximize your enjoyment in a foreign destination

My first visit to Vietnam was exceptional due to the personal attention I received from the staff at Asia Pioneer.
From my first email inquiry to my last goodbye with my guide in Saigon has been nothing short of exemplary.
I would definitely recommend Asia Pioneer to anyone interested in a stress free adventure and let them arrange the transportation, accommodations and places to explore.

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Gary C -
Mar 27, 2025

Private tours to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

Wonderful experience working with Chloe in Asia pioneer travel. She was very helpful especially when my husband broke his leg and delay our whole trip from November 2024 to March 2025. She helped us to claim insurance for trip cancellation.

Very good trips around Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in 12 days, with experienced guides and drivers in each country. Hotel and cruise were very comfortable.
Guide also helped my husband in walking with his leg not fully recovered.

Thanks.

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Diana T -
Mar 27, 2025

Amidst the chaos that is Vietnam, Asia Pioneer Travel were always there for us!

My wife and myself spent 10 days in Vietnam. We tried the travel agencies in Adelaide but were not satisfied with the proposed tours/schedules. So we tried Asia Pioneer Travel. Right from our 1st correspondence until our last day day in Vietnam, Asia Pioneer Travel were exceptional. From Winston in the office to Tom and Alex (our personal tour guides in Hanoi and Hoi An, as well as the drivers), their service and organisation was outstanding. Amidst the chaos that is Vietnam, we could always rely on APT being there for us. Not only was their knowledge of all things Vietnamese outstanding, their flexibility in last minute changes was impressive. Nothing was too much. We had a great time and do not hesitate to recommend Asia Pioneer Travel to others. We will use them again!

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Frank H -
Mar 26, 2025

Inviting Vietnam

We have just returned from a very enjoyable, food-focused tour of Vietnam arranged by Asia Pioneer Travel, based in Hanoi. Our 15 day tour was wide-ranging and included quality hotels, excellent guides and perfect coordination of all transfers and day trips, including a 2 night cruise on Ha Long Bay. Our tour coordinator, Annie was a marvel who communicated every detail and made the whole experience trouble free. Payment was easy and secure. We paid only a little more than the group tour price for a private tour for 4 people, with our own drivers and guides throughout. The Vietnamese people are friendly, helpful and justifiably proud of their country. Vietnam is still very affordable, and our trip was good value, comprehensive, and comfortable.

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enjoying_retirement1 - Brisbane
Mar 26, 2025

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