About This Trip
This 6-day private tour focuses on Hanoi and Halong Bay. You will visit the top sights in Hanoi like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and One Pillar Pagoda, and also explore the water puppetry village. Then, enjoy a relaxing Halong Bay cruise. Besides, you will have a chance to visit Mai Chau, a valley well-known for its rural culture and natural surroundings, and the old capital of Vietnam - Hoa Lu.
Itinerary Summary
- DAYPLACE
- 1 - 2Hanoi
- 3Mai Chau
- 4Hua Lu
- 5 - 6Halong Bay Cruise
Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival - Hanoi
Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam's historical and dynamic capital where you can find well-preserved colonial buildings, ancient temples, intriguing museums, delectable cuisines, and multicultural communities.
Meet your guide at the airport after arrival and then take the private transfer to your downtown hotel. After checking in, rest in your room or venture out for a little urban exploration.
- Hanoi
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Day 2: Hanoi, City Sightseeing
Spend the day exploring Hanoi's essential sights. After passing by the French colonial Presidential Palace, you will visit the unique stilt house where Ho Chi Minh lived. In the hearts of the Vietnamese, the great leader is like a god. Then, step into the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts to appreciate a wide range of sculptures, lacquer work, and paintings, followed by a cyclo ride through the atmospheric Old Quarter.
This afternoon, drive out of the city to visit a rural village known for its 300-year-old water puppetry. Led by your guide, meet an artisan of this traditional craft and see how to make and control the puppets before enjoying a private outdoor water puppet show.
- B L
- Hanoi
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Day 3: Hanoi - Mai Chau
Depart early in the morning and drive on the hilly road to Mai Chau, enjoying the rural scenery of green mountains, farm fields, and tribal villages. You can optionally stop to see Hoa Binh Hydropower Station, the biggest one of its kind in Vietnam. At noon, take a break at a local family and have a picnic lunch, followed by a one-hour boat cruise to enjoy the tranquility of Hoa Binh Lake.
Arriving at Mai Chua at about 3 pm, cycle to see some villages of Thai people for their stilted houses, unique product Tho Cam and idyllic rice paddy. Closing out the day, indulge in a traditional music show and a special local wine.
Spend the night in the Thai hill tribe village of Poom Coong. Though the facilities may not be as good as the hotels in the city, it is a great way to get deep into local hill tribe life.
- B L D
- Mai Chau
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Day 4: Mai Chau - Hoa Lu - Hanoi
After breakfast, hit the road again for a 3-hour drive to Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam during the 10th and 11th centuries.
On arrival, spend an hour visiting the Dinh and Le sanctuaries, two remaining temples of the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu. Continue on the transfer (about 20 minutes) to Tam Coc, enjoying the stunning karst landscapes along the way.
After lunch, board your sampan for a relaxing cruise to relish the idyllic countryside scenery. Next, take a light walk through rice fields to visit the sacred Thai Vi Temple or drive to explore the Bich Dong Pagoda featuring Buddhist buildings and caves. Finally, drive about 2.5 hours back to Hanoi for the night.- B L
- Hanoi
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Day 5: Hanoi - Halong Bay, Halong Bay Cruise
For anyone who visits Vietnam for the first time, Halong Bay is a must-see place boasting thousands of limestone islands in various shapes. Arrive at the dock of Halong Bay after about 2.5 hours drive and board your ship for a two-day cruise.
You can partake in many activities during your cruising, such as kayaking, cooking demonstrations, and squid fishing. Or you can just enjoy a sauna on the boat to relax.
- B L D
- Halong Bay
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Day 6: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Departure
Continue the cruise today until the boat arrives at the pier. Before that, you can join a traditional Tai Chi class on the open deck, have a light breakfast, explore the Thien Canh Son Cave, and enjoy a hearty brunch.
After disembarkation, meet your guide and driver at the pier and take a private transfer (about three hours) back to Hanoi airport for your departure flight to your next destination.
- B
Optional Activities
- Hanoi Old Quarter Street Food Tour
Get ready to thrill your taste buds on this wild food adventure in Hanoi! We'll pick you up from your hotel and head straight to the Old Quarter. Along the way, you may snack on traditional street food like nem tai and nem chua - rolls made from pig skin, ears, and trotters that look bizarre but are irresistible. End the night like a local with thick coffee at a cafe on Coffee Street.
- Ha Giang Loop Adventure
Nestled in Vietnam's northern highlands, Ha Giang province offers an epic adventure to discover ethnic minority cultures and jaw-dropping scenery. The 6-day journey begins in Nam Dam village. At the majestic Dong Van Karst Plateau, visit vibrant markets, an ancient palace, and scale Vietnam's northernmost peak. Trek the stunning Ma Pi Leng pass and board a boat on the Nho Que River. Journey to Ban Gioc Waterfall, and stopping at bucolic villages.
- Hanoi Countryside Exploring by Motorbike
Embark on a thrilling Vespa adventure into Hanoi's verdant countryside. Voyage through bustling streets to Long Bien Bridge, then explore an ancient house and 17th-century Co Loa ruins, engaging with locals to understand traditions. Discover wood carvers whittling Buddhist statues with mesmerizing mastery. Visit a farm family for refreshing conversation and a scenic cafe.
Accommodation Options
Expand AllThe hotels listed below have been carefully selected based on customer feedback. You can either choose the ones you'd like to stay in or allow our travel experts to recommend options tailored to your specific requirements.
- Top ChoiceThe Lapis HotelAddress: 21 Tran Hung Dao Str, HoanKiemDist, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Top ChoiceInterContinental Hanoi WestlakeAddress: 5 Tu Hoa street Tay Ho, Hanoi, Vietnam
- La Siesta Premium Hang BeAddress: No 27 Hang Be St, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
- The Oriental Jade HotelAddress: 92 & 94 Hang Trong street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Top ChoiceMai Chau EcolodgeAddress: Na Thia Village, Na Phon Commune, Mai Chau, Vietnam
- Top ChoiceAthena Luxury CruiseAddress: 49 Le Thanh Tong Street, Hon Gai Wharf, Halong City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam
- Top ChoiceOrchid Trendy CruiseAddress: 32, Anh Dao St, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam
- Athena Royal CruiseAddress: 49 Le Thanh Tong Street, Hon Gai Wharf, Halong city, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam
- Paradise EleganceAddress: Tuan Chau Island, Halong, Quang Ninh, Vietnam
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