Hanoi Ha Long Bay Tour 5 days: Explore the Essence

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred in comfort to your hotel in the heart of Hanoi. The remainder of the day is set aside for rest and recovery after your journey. Should you wish, take a gentle stroll to enjoy your first impressions of the capital, while your dedicated tour guide remains available to assist at any time. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, your guide will accompany you on an immersive full-day exploration of Hanoi, Vietnam’s gracious capital. The journey begins at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, a site of great national reverence, comprising the mausoleum, lush gardens, a humble stilt house, and a museum chronicling the life and legacy of the nation’s beloved leader.

At the heart of Ba Dinh Square stands the solemn Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the embalmed body of the country’s founder is preserved. (Open Tuesday to Thursday and weekends, 08:00 – 11:00.) Nearby, the elegant Presidential Palace and the modest Stilt House — presented to Ho Chi Minh on his birthday in 1958 — symbolize the simplicity that defined his lifestyle.

Just a short walk away lies the One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most iconic landmarks. Resembling a lotus blossom rising from a pond, it was first built in 1049 after King Ly Thai Tong’s vision of the Goddess of Mercy. Though destroyed in 1954, it was lovingly restored the following year.

The tour continues to the Temple of Literature, established in 1070 and later becoming Vietnam’s first university. Its courtyards and pavilions reveal the country’s long and esteemed tradition of learning.

In the afternoon, explore the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, dedicated to the cultural heritage of the nation’s 54 ethnic groups. Its indoor galleries and outdoor village of traditional houses vividly showcase the diversity of Vietnam. (Closed on Mondays.)

Later, take a leisurely cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where each street has historically specialized in a particular craft. Amid charming French colonial façades, pass through the bustling lanes of Silk Street, Shoe Street, and Banner Street before arriving at Hoan Kiem Lake, the historic heart of the city.

The day concludes with a captivating Water Puppet Show, a centuries-old Vietnamese art form originating from the rice fields of the Red River Delta. As musicians play traditional instruments, skilled puppeteers, hidden waist-deep in water, animate wooden figures that dance, laugh, and perform timeless folk tales across the shimmering stage.

After breakfast, depart Hanoi for a scenic three-hour drive across the fertile landscapes of the Red River Delta, with a short stop en route to enjoy coffee and capture photographs of rural life.

Arriving in Ha Long City, step aboard an elegant wooden junk for a captivating cruise through Ha Long Bay, where thousands of limestone karsts rise dramatically from jade-green waters. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers one of the world’s most breathtaking seascapes.

A sumptuous lunch of freshly prepared seafood is served on board as you glide past secluded coves and majestic cliffs. In the afternoon, enjoy time for swimming or exploring enchanting limestone grottoes.

As the sun dips toward the horizon, your vessel anchors near a tranquil island. Relish a beautifully prepared dinner on deck under the evening sky. Overnight aboard the junk.

Greet the day with the serene beauty of Ha Long Bay as the sun rises over the limestone peaks. For those who wish, take a refreshing dip in the calm morning waters before enjoying breakfast on board.

The cruise continues through quiet corners of the bay, offering one last chance to admire its hidden lagoons and majestic cliffs. Throughout the morning, your junk remains close at hand, providing a relaxing retreat whenever desired.

By midday, the vessel returns to harbor, where your driver awaits. Journey back through the picturesque Red River Delta on a three-hour drive to Hanoi. Overnight in the capital.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have free time to explore Hanoi’s lively streets or shop for last-minute souvenirs. At the appointed time, you will be transferred to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight.