Essential Vietnam: Hanoi, Halong Bay & Beyond 5-Day

Welcome to Vietnam! This tour package is designed for travelers who don't have much time to explore Vietnam but want to experience the country's must-visit destinations. In just five days, you will have the chance to discover the ancient capital city of Hanoi, the stunning natural beauty of Halong Bay, and the spiritual Bai Dinh Pagoda and Trang An Complex.

1. Discover Hanoi's charm with a full-day city tour On Day 2, we will take you on a full-day tour of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. You will visit the city's most famous landmarks, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and the Old Quarter. You will also get a chance to experience the local life of Hanoi by walking through the bustling streets and tasting the delicious street food.
2. Visit the spiritual Bai Dinh Pagoda and Trang An Complex On Day 3, we will take you to Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia. You will have the opportunity to admire the magnificent architecture of the pagoda and learn about the history and culture of Buddhism in Vietnam. Afterward, we will take you on a boat ride to the Trang An Complex, where you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of limestone mountains and explore the impressive caves.
3. Overnight on a cruise in Halong Bay On Day 4, we will take you on a cruise to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning natural beauty. You will have the chance to explore the bay's numerous islands and caves, enjoy the delicious seafood on board, and watch the sunset over the bay. You will also spend the night on the cruise, waking up to the peaceful sound of the sea the next morning.
4. Explore more of Halong Bay on a second day of the cruise On Day 5, you will continue to explore the beauty of Halong Bay on the second day of the cruise. You will visit more of the bay's stunning islands and caves and have the chance to participate in some outdoor activities, such as kayaking or swimming. In the afternoon, the cruise will return to the harbor, and we will take you back to Hanoi.
5. Enjoy delicious Vietnamese cuisine Throughout the tour, you will have the chance to taste some of Vietnam's most delicious and iconic dishes. From the famous pho to the fresh seafood in Halong Bay, you will experience the authentic flavors of Vietnamese cuisine.
6. Learn about Vietnamese culture and history This tour is not just about sightseeing, but also about learning and understanding Vietnamese culture and history. You will visit some of the most significant cultural and historical landmarks in Hanoi, Bai Dinh Pagoda, and Trang An Complex, and have the opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about their way of life.

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam! On your first day, you can arrive in Hanoi at any time as the only activity scheduled is the airport pick up. A Legend Travel Group car driver will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your hotel. Once you have checked in, the rest of the day is free for you to rest or explore the city and form your own first impressions of Vietnam. The airport transfer is included in the itinerary, so you don't have to worry about arranging transportation on your own. Stay overnight in Hanoi and get ready for an exciting adventure!

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Accommodation Options:

TK-123 Hanoi - 3-star or similar

Lion Boutique Hanoi Hotel - 4-star or similar

Hotel du Parc Hanoi - 5-star or similar

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up by our friendly guide to begin your exploration of Hanoi City. The first stop will be at Tran Quoc Pagoda, located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. This pagoda is the oldest in Hanoi and was built in the 6th century. Admire the stunning architecture and learn about the history and culture of this important landmark.

Next, visit the Ho Chi Minh complex, where you will have the chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. Take a leisurely walk around the garden to see the two houses where he lived and worked from 1954 to 1969. Then, visit the One Pillar Pagoda, which worships the Goddess of Mercy and is considered the most unique pagoda in the world.

Please note that Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. If your tour falls on either of these days, an alternative itinerary will be arranged.

Afterwards, head to the Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of the 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam. However, if your tour falls on a Monday, the museum will be closed, and you will visit the Women’s Museum instead.

Enjoy a delicious lunch at our restaurant, where you will have the opportunity to taste some of the best Vietnamese cuisine.

After lunch, continue your tour with a visit to the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam established in the 11th century. This is a great place to learn about the education system of Vietnam in ancient times.

The city tour will conclude with a visit to the Hoa Lo Prison, originally used by the French colonists in Indochina for political prisoners and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. During this later period, it was known to American POWs as the "Hanoi Hilton."

After an exciting day of exploring Hanoi City, you will be transferred back to the hotel for check in. Free at leisure and stay overnight in Hanoi.

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Accommodation Options:

TK-123 Hanoi - 3-star or similar

Lion Boutique Hanoi Hotel - 4-star or similar

Hotel du Parc Hanoi - 5-star or similar

After having breakfast at the hotel, we will pick you up at 8:30 am for a day tour of Bai Dinh pagoda & Trang An ecosystem in Ninh Binh province. The drive from Hanoi to Ninh Binh will take about 2 hours.

Our first stop is at Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest pagoda in Vietnam with 500 La Han statues and the biggest bronze Buddha statue in Vietnam, standing at 10 meters tall and weighing 100 tons. We will have time to visit the Buddha Prayer place and explore the grandeur of this holy site.

Next, we will have lunch at a local restaurant and taste some of the delicious local specialties, such as Goat meat with elderberry and pork storage vessel.

After lunch, we will continue our tour to Trang An Scenic Landscape complex, which was recently recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Here, we will take a small sampan boat ride along the river, passing by the picturesque mountain and green fields landscape. The boat will take you to explore the cave complex of Trang An, including Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, and Nau Ruou Cave, each with their unique charm and mystery. This area is often referred to as "Halong Bay on land" due to its striking similarities in scenery.

In the late afternoon, we will drive back to your hotel in Hanoi, arriving at around 6:00 pm. You will then have time to check in and stay overnight in Hanoi, where you can relax and reflect on the highlights of the day.

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Accommodation Options:

TK-123 Hanoi - 3-star or similar

Lion Boutique Hanoi Hotel - 4-star or similar

Hotel du Parc Hanoi - 5-star or similar

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, our private mini-van/bus will pick you up between 8:30 am to 9:00 am to begin your journey to Halong City. During the 3.5-hour drive, you will have the opportunity to view the simple countryside and rice paddy life along the way. Once you arrive at the port, you will board your private boat - an authentic Chinese Junk - and begin your amazing cruise through the stunning Halong Bay, a World Heritage Site. Lunch will be served on board and will consist of a selection of the freshest seafood.

During the cruise, we will visit "the Amazing cave" and then take a swim in the tranquil emerald waters of Halong Bay. We will then cruise further into a quiet area where we will anchor and spend the night. You will enjoy dinner and relax as the sun sets over the bay. Afterward, you are free to swim in the phosphorescent water, retire to your cabin, or even fall asleep under the stars on the top deck, surrounded by the magic of Halong. You will spend the night on the boat, taking in the stunning surroundings of the bay.

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Accommodation Options:

MILA Cruises - 3-star or similar

Pelican Cruises - 4-star or similar

Paradise Sails Cruises - 5-star or similar

Wake up early in the morning to witness the stunning sunrise and take in the fresh ocean air. Enjoy a delicious breakfast served on the boat while cruising leisurely through thousands of breathtaking islands in Halong Bay. This is a great opportunity to capture some amazing photos of the picturesque scenery.

During the cruise, we will also stop to visit a floating fishing village and hear legendary stories of the fishermen's daily life. Lunch will be served on the boat as we cruise back to the Halong City pier. From there, we will return to Hanoi.

Upon arrival at Hanoi Old Quarter at around 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm, your tour with Legend Travel Group comes to an end. We hope you had an enjoyable experience with us and look forward to seeing you on your next adventure. If you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.