Day 1: Explore Ninh Binh’s Cultural and Natural Heritage
Start your adventure with a convenient trip, departing from your hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter at 7:30 AM. Enjoy a scenic 2.5-hour drive to Ninh Binh Province, known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
During this guided Ninh Binh tour, your first stop will be the Bai Dinh Temple Complex, the largest Buddhist temple complex in Vietnam. Marvel at the impressive pagodas, featuring a 36-ton bronze bell and a magnificent 10-meter Buddha statue surrounded by 500 Arhat Statues crafted from blue stones.
After exploring Bai Dinh, savor a delicious Vietnamese buffet lunch highlighting local specialties like goat meat, fish, chicken, and vegetarian options in a charming local restaurant. This meal is a fantastic introduction to Vietnamese culinary experiences, providing a taste of the rich flavors uniquely found in this region.
Next, you will travel to the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its stunning scenery and featured in the movie “Kong: Skull Island”. Hop aboard a traditional wooden boat and glide through serene rivers, discover mysterious caves, and admire the towering limestone karsts draped in lush tropical foliage.
Complete your day by climbing 500 steps to the viewpoint of Mua Caves, where you can bask in panoramic views of Tam Coc’s enchanting landscapes. After this unforgettable day, you’ll return to a cozy home-stay or hotel in Ninh Binh, where you will spend the night.
Day 2: Majestic Ha Long Bay Experience
Start your day with a 6:30 – 7:00 AM pick-up from your Ninh Binh accommodations for a trip to the iconic Ha Long Bay.
Arrive at the Ha Long check-in lounge by 11:30 AM to embark on your unforgettable Halong Bay cruise. After checking in and enjoying welcome drinks, your Cruise Manager will introduce the itinerary while outlining safety protocols.
Indulge in a flavorful buffet lunch at 1:00 PM as the cruise sails past picturesque scenery, including Fighting Cock and Finger Islet.
At 2:30 PM, hike to the top of Ti Top Island for breathtaking views of Ha Long Bay. After your hike, cool off with a refreshing swim in the emerald waters or relax with a coconut in the shade. You also have the option to kayak or take a bamboo boat to Luon Cave, soaking in the mesmerizing views.
As night falls, enjoy a delightful dinner under the stars from 7:15 PM, followed by a unique opportunity for squid fishing.
Day 3: Discover the Wonders of Ha Long Bay
Awaken to a beautiful sunrise over Ha Long Bay and join a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck at 6:00 AM. After a light breakfast, prepare to explore the impressive Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest caves in Ha Long Bay, adorned with stunning stalactites and stalagmites.
As you exit the cave, be captivated by panoramic views stretching across the bay, showcasing the natural beauty that has made Ha Long Bay a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Return to the cruise for check-out as you settle your bill and enjoy a delightful brunch while cruising back to Tuan Chau Island.
By 11:20 AM, check out of the cruise, marking the end of your enchanting journey as you return to Hanoi‘s Old Quarter by 3:00 PM. This Hanoi day trip offers an exceptional blend of nature and culture, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Vietnam.
Included:
- Hotel pickup and drop off in Hanoi Old Quarter
- Round-trip Limousine Bus from Bai Dinh to Trang An tour to Halong bay
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Electric car in the Bai Dinh pagoda
- English-speaking tour guide for Halong bay–Bai Dinh Trang An
- All entrance fees Ninh Binh & Ha Long Bay
- Boat trip at the Trang An Grotto
- WiFi onboard the Halong Cruise
- Accommodation Ninh Binh Homestay
- 5-Star Cruise & Private Balcony With Bathtub or Shower
- Insurance on board
- Welcome drink on the cruise (soft drink, tea, or coffee)
- Kayaking in Halong/ Bamboo boat
- Night squid fishing Halong Bay
- Cooking class on boat
- Tai Chi Class
- Swimming
- Free a birthday cake if customer has a birthday on cruise (please request before trip)
- Free set-up honeymoon & anniversary cabin on cruise (please request before trip)
- All Meals included
- All activities
Excluded:
- Drinks
- Surcharge on New Year, Christmas, and national holidays
Top Destinations to Visit in Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay:
- Ha Long Bay: Experience the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay.
- Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave): Discover its impressive stalactites and stalagmites.
- Luon Cave: Perfect for kayaking and nature lovers.
- Titop Island: Offers sandy beaches and panoramic views.
- Trang An: A breathtaking limestone landscape with rivers and caves.
- Bai Dinh Pagoda: One of Vietnam’s largest Buddhist complexes.
- Mua Cave: Offers unparalleled views after a scenic hike.
Must-Do Activities:
- Kayaking: Explore hidden lagoons.
- Swimming: Enjoy the crystal-clear waters.
- Cooking Class: Learn to prepare local dishes.
- Tai Chi: Morning relaxation on deck.
- Bamboo Boat Rides: Experience traditional floating life.
- Squid Fishing: Try this unique nighttime activity.
- Visit Trang An by bamboo boat
- Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda by electric car
- Visit Mua Cave trekking
Exceptional Services We Offer:
- Guaranteed high-quality service and accommodations.
- 24/7 customer support via WhatsApp and email.
- Authentic cruise experiences matching descriptions.
- Comfortable, spacious cabins.
- Strict adherence to advertised itineraries.
What to Bring on Your Trip
- Walking or trekking shoes, a suitcase, swimwear, sunglasses, insect repellent, sunscreen.
We really enjoyed the whole trip. The cruise was excellent and the food fantastic, you were never hungry! The one thing that I feel needed improving was the accommodation for the first night. The family that hosted were lovely and the food good. But the room and bathroom needed improvement
The organization of the trip was awesome and shuttle buses were always on time
Our point of contact was Ricado from Halongbayluxcruises Travel. He was at all times quick to respond to our many queries and requests including our decision taken on the first day of the cruise to stay for on the boat for the second day. The boat ” La Regina Cruise ” was similar to what we had seen in the photos and totally met our expectations. The crew was awesome; very friendly, polite and very customer oriented. Some who went above and beyond are ” Huong from the restaurant being very passionate on the quality of food, presentation and customer service, Dong who seemed to be everywhere attending to customers and Luffy from the bar. Overall an awesome experience and will recommend to friends.
Everything was awesome, the ship looked just like the pictures, the staff were very friendly, the food was good, the hotel was nice, the tours were great, the transfer buses were comfortable and clean.
This tour is a great value for the money! You get to see all of the main sites in Ninh Binh, a cruise, and all the transfers to and from each place! It was really nice to not have to worry about where to go next as they take care of everything. James, our tour guide in Ninh Binh, was great! He had a sense of humor and did a great job wrangling the group from place to place and giving insights on each place! We loved getting to know people in our group over the course of 3 days and made some new friends! The cruise in Ha Long Bay was a highlight for us with amazing views and a really nice room/balcony/cruise boat! The food was great on the boat as well. There was always an activity to do, or just relax and take in the views. Highly recommend!