6 Day Northern Exploration Hanoi – Halong – Hoa Lu

We will pick you up at airport then transfer to hotel. The rest of day is at your leisure. We recommend you to take a slow walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, which is very scenic, so remember to bring your camera. In walking distance from your hotel, you can go to Thang Long theatre where you can enjoy traditional Vietnamese water puppet show. Another option is to do some shopping, you will find plenty of shops in the old town as well as street night market. Should you wish to taste famous Vietnamese coffee, you will find many coffee shops in French style with a view to the lake. Overnight in Hanoi.

In the Morning:
Our guide will pick you up at around 8 am at your hotel to start a full day city tour. We first head to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, a 1400 year-old temple, the oldest of the city and located near West Lake, offering a watery landscape, the pagoda is a very scenic attraction.
The next destination is the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you have chance to visit President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Uncle Ho’s House and the One-pillar pagoda – a very iconic temple in Vietnam. We will visit Literature Temple and have lunch.

In the afternoon:
If Tues, Thurs, Sats and Suns: After lunch, drive to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, Which is on the shore of West Lake, the Museum of Ethnology. The last place of city tour is Hoan Kiem Lake (Restored Sword Lake), Ngoc Son Temple. Drop off at your hotel.

If Mons, Weds and Fris: After lunch, we will visit Bat Trang Ceramics Village. Drop off at your hotel.

Pick up at your hotel at 8.00 am then we will depart for Halong Bay. On the way we stop at a handicraft workshop for a short break. Enjoy the journey through Red River Delta with lush rice fields, water buffalos and everyday Vietnamese rural life. After we arrive in Halong, check-in on cruise and relax for a while. Then we lift anchor and sail to visit Sung Sot caves where we have one hour for kayaking. We will be cruising between the many lime stones and set anchor at beautiful spot. As the sun sets over the bay, dinner is served on board with fresh seafood, salads, and fruits. There will also be a cooking class on board, where you can learn to cook some basic Vietnamese dishes. Overnight in Ha Long Bay at the cruise ship.

The beautiful sunrise in Halong bay should never be missed, especially if you are into photography. The breaking of a new day could start with a Tai chi session (if you are keen on early morning exercise). Breakfast will be served on the boat around 7.30 am, you will then have time to enjoy a wholesome brunch as your boat weaves through the magnificent limestone karst formations on your return towards Halong City. Upon disembarkation, you will be transferred back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Depart from the hotel at 08:00 a.m, we will go for a scenic drive passing through the rural area of northern Vietnam and arrive 2.5 hour later at Vietnam‘s first capital, Hoa Lu. In Hoa Lu, we will visit the temples of Dinh Tien Hoang (the first emperor of the Dinh Dynasty (968-980) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980 – 1009). Hoa Lu’s ancient citadel used to cover an area of approximately 3 square kilometers. However, now only few temples of past greatness remain. After seeing the temples, we will continue our drive to Tam Coc town for Vietnamese lunch. If requested, we will make some stops on the way for taking photos as the landscapes are very scenic and picturesque. After lunch, we will take a boat ride along Ngo Dong River, passing through paddy fields and limestone karst formations to get to Tam Coc Caves, which is the highlight of the tour. First Cave is the longest and most beautiful cave in Tam Coc, it is around 127 meters long with the ceiling about 2 meters high above the water. Second Cave and Third Cave are located around 1km from the First Cave and are 60 and 50 meters long respectively. After that, 30 minutes for leisure time, and then back to Hanoi. Drop you off at your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

You have leisure time in the morning before transfer to airport for your next destination. Tour ends.