Hanoi, Ninh Binh & Halong Bay

The north's icons in five days

The north's icons in five days A ready-built creator-led group trip across Vietnam, 5 days / 4 nights. GoExplorer shapes it into a departure under your name, with route, inclusions and logistics handled.

Vietnam · 5 days / 4 nights · Best season: October to April, the dry season across most of the country · Group size: 10–16 guests

Route

Hanoi > Ninh Binh > Halong Bay

Highlights

  • Hoa Lu & Trang An boat ride (Ninh Binh)
  • Sunrise cruise, return to Hanoi
  • Arrive at Noi Bai airport and transfer to your hotel
  • Lunch and dinner at an Indian restaurant
  • Wake for sunrise over the bay, cruise on with a brunch on board, then disembark and transfer back to Hanoi for a free afternoon

Day by day

Day 1: Hanoi arrival & city tour

Arrive at Noi Bai airport and transfer to your hotel. Visit the Ho Chi Minh complex, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Hoan Kiem Lake, then a cyclo tour of the Old Quarter. Dinner at an Indian restaurant.

Day 2: Hoa Lu & Trang An

Drive to Ninh Binh for a rowing-boat journey through the caves and karsts of the Trang An complex, and visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu with the temples of Kings Dinh and Le. Lunch and dinner at an Indian restaurant.

Day 3: Ninh Binh > Halong overnight cruise

Transfer to Halong and board your overnight cruise into the quieter Lan Ha Bay, passing Finger and Candle islets, with the Dark and Bright caves, a bamboo-boat ride or swimming, lunch and dinner on board.

Day 4: Halong sunrise & return to Hanoi

Wake for sunrise over the bay, cruise on with a brunch on board, then disembark and transfer back to Hanoi for a free afternoon.

Day 5: Departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Inclusions

  • Private transfers with English-speaking guide as per the itinerary
  • 4 nights accommodation (4★ plan) with daily breakfast
  • 1 night on an overnight cruise in Halong Bay
  • Trang An boat ride and Hoa Lu visit
  • Meals as listed (dinners at an Indian restaurant where shown)
  • Bottled water in the vehicle (2 × 500 ml per person per day)
  • All entrance fees listed in the itinerary
  • 24/7 support throughout the trip

Exclusions

  • International airfares
  • Vietnam e-visa
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for guide and driver
  • Drinks and personal expenses
  • Meals not listed in the programme