Amazing 5 Days Tour of North Vietnam

Destinations: Hanoi - Halong - Hoa Lu - Tam Coc.

Day 1:  Hanoi Arrival (Meals: No)

Welcome to Amazing 5 days tour of north Vietnam
Arrive in Hanoi. Check in hotel then you will have free time to explore Hanoi Old Quarter.
Night 1: Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Day 2:  Hanoi – Halong Cruise (B/L/D)

7.45-8.15:  Pick-up at the hotel.
10.00: Having short break at stopover in Hai Duong Province.
12.30: Embark on Lavender Cruise followed by a short cruise briefing and enjoy welcome-drink. Check in the cabin.
13.15: Enjoy lunch with sampling regional fresh seafood while cruising on exquisite water, passing Incense Burner island, Fighting Cock islet, Stone Dog… Lavender Cruise will bring you to explore Ha Long Bay on the most wonderful route where just a few cruises go through.
15.00-16.30: Do kayaking through the magnificent landscape with Limestone Mountains
& swimming or just relaxing on the sun-deck for fantastic views at Hoa Cuong floating fishing village
Join our Cooking Class on the floating house. Let’s see how to make the fresh/fried spring rolls and mix fish-sauce.
Pass by Soi Sim Beach, “Rang Dua” Island to the sleeping area near a Surprising cave.
Enjoy sunset party and relax on the sun-deck for fantastic views.
19:30: Under the magnificent night sky, our set-menu dinner is served with a variety of Vietnamese and Asian foods.
Evening activities:
Join squid fishing on the boat with our crews. You can enjoy the squid cooked with assistance from our chef or laze yourself with our happy-hour drinks at the bar.
Night 2: Overnight on Halong cruise.

Day 3: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B/L) 

06:15: Morning exercises on the Sun-deck.
07:15: Have to breakfast with Coffee, tea, and Bakeries on board.
08:00: Visit the Surprising Cave (Hang Sung Sot) discovered by the French in 1901. Opened for tourists since 1936, now it is a must-to-see and a symbol for geology value of Halong.
09:30: Check out time. Then relax on the sun-deck or inside the restaurant to enjoy the bay's scenery.
10:15: Enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch while cruising back to the pier.
12:00: Check out cruise. Our car will be at your disposal to pick you up then drive back to Hanoi.
17:00: Arrive in Hanoi. End of the trip!

Night 3: Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Day 4: Hanoi -Hoa Lu-Tam Coc (B/L)

Hoa Lu, the first Vietnam Capital under the Dinh and Le Dynasties from 10th century between 968 and 1009 AD located around 100km to The South of Hanoi city
Tam Coc, the outstanding natural beauty with limestone peaks whose splendor is often said to surpass of Halong Bay
It is a certain truth that Hoa Lu & Tam Coc is often referred to as the Ha Long Bay on land.
Highlights
– Visit Hoa Lu Old Citadel with Dinh Temple and Le Temple
– Rowing boat trip in Tam Coc (Three caves)
– Enjoy special Vietnamese buffet lunch in local restaurant with local food
Itinerary
8.00-8.30: Tour guide of Swallow Travel will pick you up from your hotel in Old Quarter to depart to Ninh Binh city
10.30-11.00: You will reach Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.
In 968, Dinh Bo Linh declared himself as the King. Since then Hoa Lu existed as the capital for the next 41 years (968 – 1009), of which 12 years was under the Dinh dynasty – King Dinh Tien Hoang, the country named Dai Co Viet, and 29 years later was under the Le dynasty – King Le Dai Hanh. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long – present-day Hanoi. Hoa Lu became the old citadel. In Hoa Lu there are now 2 temples have been built on the ground of the old royal palace, one is dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang, the other is to King Le Dai Hanh. The visit offers a chance to know more about part of feudal dynasties and historical periods in Vietnamese history.
12:00: Today you will enjoy buffet lunch at local restaurant in Tam Coc named Duc Tuan restaurant. The food is served with Asian style, local dishes, organic vegetable. The Duc Tuan is located on the river overview Tam Coc, you can enjoy the view of overall riverside until you finish your lunch
13.00: After finishing your lunch, you will be taking the rowing boat at Tam Coc Harbour. Arranged by local people here, the boat is rowed by both hand and legs. The boat will take you to 3 specular caves with hundreds of limestones on the way. If you travel during harvest season, you will see many terrace rice fields in golden colors.
The boat rowing will be in around 2 hours. Not only you could see the peaceful scenery of mountain, rice paddy fields, temples, you also have chances to learn about local people cultures in their daily life.
Optional activities: Riding bicycles or buffalo rides
16:00: Leave Tam Coc and drive back to Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi at around 6:30 pm. Finish unforgettable full day trip to your hotel in Hanoi!

You can also choose one of the following daily tours with the same price:
Hanoi City tour
Bai Binh Trang An Ecotour
Hanoi Food on foot tour
Night 4: Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Day 5:  Hanoi –Back home (Meals: B)

You will have breakfast at the hotel then free time to go shopping, discovering Hanoi by your own before leaving Hanoi. Trip ends. Please contact us if you want to add few extra nights during your stay or visit other places in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Related tour: Sapa-Mu Cang Chai-Hagiang terraced field trail 9 days 8 nights  
Besides you can find more information about our other Vietnam package tours