Best 4-Day Exploration of Halong Bay and Ninh Binh

Day 1: Hanoi to Halong Bay (L, D)

7:45-8:00 AM: The cruise bus will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi, and we will start our trip to explore the stunning bay in the North of Vietnam. We’ll have a quick stop halfway to rest, where you can also glimpse Hai Duong Province and try their traditional “Green bean cake.”

12:30 PM: Upon arriving at our office at Hon Gai Pier, you’ll have some time to relax and enjoy a cup of tea/coffee while we wait for our captain to complete the registration. Afterward, we’ll transfer by tender to our boat.

12:45 PM: Enjoy a welcome drink and take a few minutes for a safety briefing and to check in to your cabin.

1:30 PM: A delicious Vietnamese set menu will be served as we leisurely cruise further into Bai Tu Long Bay.

3:00 PM: We’ll arrive at the kayaking area on Cap La Island, where you can enjoy kayaking, swimming, and relaxing amidst the karst and breathtaking nature.

5:30 PM: Return to the boat and enjoy our Sunset party as the cruise sails to the overnight anchorage.

7:00 PM: Enjoy a sumptuous set dinner aboard the boat.

8:30 PM: Free time to play Vietnamese puzzle games, and board games, try squid fishing, or simply relax with a cocktail and enjoy the serene night on the bay.

Day 2: Discover Halong Bay – Transfer to Ninh Binh (B, L)

6:00 AM: Start your day with a Tai Chi routine on the sundeck or enjoy a morning view of the stunning bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.

7:00 AM: Breakfast will be served in a Western style to prepare you for another day of exploration.

8:00 AM: Explore the well-hidden Thien Canh Son Cave.

9:00 AM: Upon returning to the boat, you’ll have about 30 minutes to freshen up and finish packing.

10:00 AM: Join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration to learn a simple but delicious Vietnamese dish. You can also try fruit and vegetable carving.

11:15 AM: Farewell lunch will be served on the cruise before arriving at the harbor around noon, and then we’ll transfer by bus to Ninh Binh.

4:00 PM: Arrival and overnight stay at Tam Coc River View Homestay, Private Bungalow.

Day 3: Hoa Lu – Mua Cave – Tam Coc (B, L)

Have breakfast at the Bungalow and then get ready to be picked up at 9:30 AM for the tour.

9:30 AM: Pick up from the homestay to visit Hoa Lu – the ancient capital of Vietnam from 986-1010, where you can learn more about the first feudal government of Vietnam.

10:30 AM: Visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam between 968 and 1010. You’ll have the chance to learn about Vietnamese history in the feudal system under the Dinh, Le, and Ly Dynasties.

11:45 AM: Enjoy a buffet lunch at the restaurant with a variety of local foods. Vegetarian options are also available in the buffet lunch.

1:00 PM: Take a 1.5-hour bamboo boat trip to visit Tam Coc. You will be amazed by the charming beauty here, including paddy fields, rivers, a stunning cave system, and more.

2:30 PM: Continue the tour by cycling around the village for 45 minutes to discover the local way of life.

3:30 PM: Return to the Limousine Bus and head to Mua Cave (Dancing Cave). After walking up almost 500 steps, you can reach the top of Lying Dragon Mountain and enjoy an amazing panoramic view of Tam Coc from there.

4:30 PM: Then, we’ll transfer back to the Bungalow for the overnight stay.

Overnight at Tam Coc River View Homestay, Private Bungalow.

Day 4: Bai Dinh Pagoda – Trang An – Hanoi (B, L)

Take some time to relax in the morning, have breakfast, and check out.

9:30 AM: Get ready for the trip to Bai Dinh Pagoda.

10:30 AM: Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, the most famous and biggest pagoda in Southeast Asia, with many records such as 500 Stone Arhat Statues, a 36-ton bronze Bell, a 100-ton Buddha Statue, and more.

12:30 PM: Enjoy lunch in the restaurant with various local foods, including vegetarian options.

1:30 PM: Visit Trang An, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2014. You’ll explore the wonderful tunnel cave system, which was chosen as the filming location for the movie “Kong: Skull Island.”

4:00 PM: Get on the bus to return to Hanoi.

6:00-7:00 PM: Arrive and be dropped off at your hotel in Hanoi.