Hanoi, Hoa Lu, Tam Coc, Hai phong, Halong 6 days/5 nights

After breakfast this morning, we start our full day tour of Hanoi including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the national leader whose memory is honored here. We will also visit The House on stilts behind where Ho Chi Minh lived on and off from 1958 to 1969, as well as to see the Hanoi landmark - one pillar Pagoda, a symbol of purity, rising out of a sea of sorrow. We’ll visit the Temple of Literature, where Vietnam’s first university was established here in 1076. After lunch at local restaurant, continue our city tour with visit to the Museum of Ethnology, where we'll learn about the fascinating cultural diversity of this ancient land, Hoan Kiem Lake, Opera House. Then take an hour cyclo (trishaw) tour for visiting the Hanoi’s Old Quarters. We’ll see Vietnam’s history reflected in the French-influenced lakes, public parks, and tree-lined boulevards. After dinner, we attend a water puppet show at Thang Long puppet Theatre. 

After breakfast this morning, we drive to Ninh Binh, one of the ancient capitals of Vietnam during 10th and early 11th centuries. Enjoy a 95km drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam’s first capital, Hoa Lu. Situated on the edge of the Red River Delta in a narrow valley surrounded by limestone mountains. After visiting the two remaining sanctuaries of the ancient citadel which are dedicated to the two former Vietnamese Kings, you will take enjoyments from a relaxing ride on small sampans on the river as we are rowed through winding rivers cutting through the rice paddies to the grottoes of the sacred Tam Coc Caves. Enormous limestone karsts jut out from the green rice fields, which is why this area is often referred to as ‘the dry Halong’. The boats are rowed by a local man or woman into the caves, you will have a chance to witness the daily life of local people, watch them making the embroidery, a traditional product here for many years, share funs with them... After visit, disembark and transfer to Hai Phong city where we will spend the night. We have dinner tonight at local restaurant.

After breakfast at our hotel, we today begin our tour of Hai Phong city with visit to Du Hang pagoda founded three centuries ago. Though it has been rebuilt several times, it remains a fine example of traditional Vietnamese architecture and sculpture. Afterwards, we set off for Ha Long Bay of Vietnam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a cruise on spectacular Halong Bay. With its clear, emerald waters and mountains draped in velvety cloaks of vegetation, “The bay of the descending dragon” is dotted with more than 3,000 mountain islands rising from the clear emerald waters of the Gulf Tonkin, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. Our vessel is of particular interest – we board a junk, a wooden sailboat in the traditional Vietnamese style. We drop anchor at an island pierced with surreal grottoes, then enjoy lunch on board. We resume our cruise in the afternoon and also enjoy dinner on our boat, where we will spend the night.

Rising early you may have a chance to see the sunrise in Halong Bay or doing Taichi on top.  We continue our cruise of beautiful Halong Bay this morning before returning to Hanoi for lunch at local restaurant. After that drive back to Hanoi for refreshment. Dinner tonight is on your own.