6D5N HANOI-NINH BINH-HALONGBAY

Code: N/A | Tour type: N/A | Duration: N/A

Overview

Code: TOUR-23501

Tour type: Group tour

Duration: 6 days

This 6-day journey through Northern Vietnam brings you from the historic capital to majestic landscapes shaped by mountains, rivers, and the sea. Begin in Hanoi, where ancient temples, lively streets, and timeless traditions reflect the cultural heart of Vietnam. Continue to Ninh Binh, often called “Halong Bay on land,” where towering limestone cliffs rise above serene rivers and golden rice fields. Explore the peaceful countryside, ancient pagodas, and dramatic cave waterways before returning to the city. Your adventure concludes with an overnight cruise on the emerald waters of Halong Bay, drifting among iconic limestone karsts and tranquil coves. A seamless blend of culture, nature, and relaxation awaits on this unforgettable northern escape.

Highlight

  • Hanoi
  • Ninh Binh
  • Halong Bay

Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVAL – HANOI CITY ⌄
🚐 Transferring 🏨 Hotel in Hanoi
  • Upon arrival in Hanoi City, you will be picked up from airport to a hotel in Hanoi for check in and relax.
  • Overnight in Hanoi City.
DAY 2: HANOI – FULL DAY CITY ⌄
🚐 Transferring 🚩 English speaking tour guide 🍴 Breakfast, Lunch
  • Morning: History & Heritage
  • After breakfast, start with the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Mausoleum, Museum, One Pillar Pagoda).
  • Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda (West Lake).
  • Tour the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam), Vietnam's first national university (11th century).
  • Lunch.
  • Afternoon & Evening: Culture & Departure
  • Visit the Museum of Ethnology.
  • Enjoy a Cyclo ride through the Old Quarter.
  • Watch the Water Puppet Show.
  • Stop by Hanoi Train Street.
  • Overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 3: HANOI - BAI DINH - TRANG AN ⌄
🚐 Transferring 🚩 English Guide 🏨 Hotel in Hanoi 🍴 Breakfast, Lunch
  • Morning:
  • 07:30: Pick up from hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter, drive through peaceful countryside to Ninh Binh (around 2 hours).
  • Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest Buddhist complex in Vietnam, featuring giant bronze Buddha statues, hundreds of Arhat figures, and panoramic mountain views.
  • Midday:
  • Afternoon:
  • Enjoy a Vietnamese buffet lunch at a local restaurant with specialties such as goat meat and crispy rice (com chay).
  • Take a boat trip in Trang An, gliding through stunning limestone caves, emerald rivers, and tranquil valleys – “Halong Bay on land.”
  • Relax and take photos amid the breathtaking natural scenery.
  • Evening:
  • 17:00: Depart for Hanoi.
  • 19:30: Drop off at hotel. End of tour.
  • Overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 4: HANOI – HALONG BAY CRUISE ⌄
🛳️ Sharing cruise 🚩 English Guide 🍴 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • 08:00 AM: Leave Hanoi for Ha Long by vehicle.
  • Arrive Ha Long shaft at noon, you are welcomes on board. Enjoy a welcome drink, check-in your cabin.
  • A fresh seafood lunch will be served on boat during cruise through mystic Ha Long Bay to see the amazing karsts with different formations:
  • Mat Qui (Monster's face) islet
  • But Moc islet
  • Cap De islet
  • Trong (Drum) cave
  • Trinh Nu cave
  • Then head to Luon cave, enjoy swimming if weather permit, sun bathing at Ti Top beach or climb the peak of the mountain for a breathtaking panorama view of Ha Long Bay.
  • Overnight on cruise
DAY 5: HALONG BAY – HANOI ⌄
🛶 Basket Boat Experience 🚐 Shuttle bus 🏨 Hotel in Hanoi 🍴 Breakfast, Lunch
  • Morning:
    Wake up early for Tai Chi on the sundeck and enjoy breakfast with the sunrise.
    Visit a Pearl Farm Village, learn about the pearl-making process, and enjoy some free time for swimming or kayaking.
  • Afternoon:
    Brunch on board as the cruise slowly returns to the harbor.
    Disembark and drive back to Hanoi (around 3 hours).
  • Evening:
    Arrive in Hanoi and check in at your hotel.
    Free at leisure or explore the Old Quarter by night.
    Overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 6: HANOI – DEPARTURE ⌄
🚐 Transferring 🍴 Breakfast

    After breakfast time, you are free for shopping and souvenirs.
    Relax until transferred to Noi Bai airport for your ongoing flight.

What's Included
  • Travel Agency Service:
  • Support fee, consultation, coordination with local suppliers.
  • 24/7 Customer care support.
  • Local Supplier Services:
  • Accommodation (hotel/homestay/cruise).
  • Meals as specified (B, L, D).
  • Transportation as indicated in the program.
  • Shared cruise trips (if mentioned).
  • Sightseeing entrance fees as listed.
  • English-speaking tour guide at the destination.
What's Excluded
  • Other meals and drinks/ personal expenses.
  • Air fares/ airport taxes.
  • Optional tipping for local guide & driver: 3 – 5 USD/Pax/Day tour.

NOTE: Services in the package are provided and operated by licensed partners. Happy Vietnam Tours ensures service and reputation throughout the tour program.

Total price (VAT included)

Please select a departure date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! This itinerary is a suggested travel idea designed to inspire your journey. It serves as a starting point and can be fully customized to match your interests, schedule, and preferences. Whether you'd like to adjust the activities, include additional destinations, or tailor the pace of the trip, we're here to create a personalized experience just for you. Let us know what you're looking for, and we’ll craft an itinerary that perfectly fits your vision.

A private tour means your journey is exclusively yours. You'll have your own professional guide and private vehicle, giving you the freedom to travel at your own pace. You can linger longer at spots you love, make spontaneous stops for photos, and enjoy an experience built entirely around your interests, not a fixed group schedule.

Yes, absolutely! We specialize in creating personalized journeys for solo travelers, couples, families, and small groups of friends. As a solo traveler, your itinerary is tailored completely to you. A single supplement fee may apply for accommodation, but we will always work to find the best options for your needs.

Your personalized proposal will include a detailed list of inclusions. Typically, this covers:

  • Accommodation with daily breakfast
  • Private, air-conditioned transportation
  • A private, licensed tour guide
  • Entrance fees for all scheduled sights
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary

Exclusions: international flights, visa fees, travel insurance, and personal expenses.

We offer a wide range of accommodations to suit your style, from charming boutique hotels and eco-lodges to luxury resorts. To ensure maximum flexibility, we don't specify hotels in our sample itineraries. Your travel expert will suggest carefully selected options in your proposal, and we are happy to adjust them based on your preferences.

Visa requirements vary greatly depending on your nationality and destination. While your travel expert will offer guidance during the planning stage, we strongly recommend checking the official embassy or consulate website for the most current information.

Our booking process is simple and collaborative:

  1. Send a Request: Fill out the form on our website with your travel ideas.
  2. Personalize Your Trip: A travel expert will contact you to craft a detailed proposal, which you can refine until it’s perfect.
  3. Confirm & Book: Once you are 100% happy with the plan, you confirm your trip with a deposit.

To secure your booking, we require a deposit, which is typically 30% of the total tour cost. The final balance is due 60 days before your departure. Our cancellation policy is structured based on how far in advance the cancellation is made.

For full, detailed information, please see our Booking Terms & Conditions.

Yes, travel insurance is essential for your trip. At Happy Vietnam Tours, we do not include insurance in our packages to allow you the freedom to choose an insurance provider that best suits your needs and guarantees your rights. Your trip is a significant experience, and having reliable insurance ensures you are well-supported in case of unexpected events.

Please note that basic insurance policies in the host country may not meet your expectations regarding support or administrative procedures. Therefore, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance from your preferred provider.

Important: All customers are required to have valid travel insurance, and we request that you share your insurance details with us before departure.

  • 5 stars: 20 (100%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
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Janink

We came home with so many good memories from Hanoi, Sapa and Halong Bay. Great food, breathtaking views and a lovely guide who took good care of our family. Thank you Happy Vietnam Tours for the wonderful experience!

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Jorgejesus

Ninh Binh exceeded our expectations! Trang An was so peaceful and beautiful, especially going through the caves by boat. Bai Dinh Pagoda was also very impressive. Such a relaxing day away from busy Hanoi.

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Anonymous

Trang An is even more beautiful in person than in photos! The boat ride was relaxing and the limestone mountains all around us were breathtaking. Thank you Anna and Happy Vietnam Tours for arranging such a lovely day!

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Flynn Menkens

Hanoi was lively and interesting, especially walking around the Old Quarter and trying different local dishes. I really enjoyed the Trang An boat trip too — the scenery was peaceful and beautiful. Bai Dinh Pagoda was impressive, and Halong Bay was definitely a highlight. Staying overnight on the cruise and waking up surrounded by limestone islands was an unforgettable experience.

Everything was well arranged, our guide was friendly and helpful, and the schedule was easy to follow. We had a really enjoyable trip and would happily recommend this tour to anyone visiting Vietnam for the first time. 😊

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Vicky Lyn

This was our first time visiting Vietnam and we really enjoyed the experience. Hanoi was lively and interesting, while Ninh Binh gave us a completely different atmosphere with beautiful scenery and peaceful surroundings. Bai Dinh and Trang An were both worth visiting. The Trang An boat trip was definitely a highlight for us. We also really enjoyed the Halong Bay cruise. The views were incredible and it was nice to have some time to relax after exploring Hanoi.

Overall, a very enjoyable trip with a good itinerary. We would happily recommend it!

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Donna Raines

Thanh recommended this coffee shop to us, and it was really good! The coffee was delicious and we really enjoyed the atmosphere here. 😊

If you're visiting Hanoi, definitely give this place a try. I highly recommend it

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Patricia Babraj

One of the things we enjoyed most about Hanoi was simply walking around and trying the local food. There were so many small restaurants and street food places to discover, and every area seemed to have something different. The contrast between busy Hanoi, peaceful Ninh Binh and the calm waters of Halong Bay made the trip especially interesting. We felt like we experienced several different sides of Vietnam in just a few days.

C
Chuck Poeppel

We had a wonderful time exploring Hanoi. The city has such a unique atmosphere, with the busy streets, old buildings, local markets and so much delicious food. We especially enjoyed having time to explore the city at our own pace and discovering small local places along the way. The trip to Ninh Binh was another highlight, with the beautiful scenery around Trang An and the peaceful atmosphere at Bai Dinh. It was a great introduction to Vietnam and we really enjoyed experiencing the local culture.

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John Thorne

I really enjoyed this 6D5N Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay tour. The itinerary was well balanced, so we had enough time to enjoy each destination without feeling rushed. One of my favorite experiences was sitting at Hanoi's famous Train Street with a cup of coffee and watching the train pass by. It was something I had wanted to see for a long time, and it was worth it.

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Robert Mahoney

Our trip to Ninh Binh, Vietnam was truly unforgettable, one of those experiences that stays with me long after I’ve returned home. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, Ninh Binh did not disappoint. From the serene river boat ride surrounded by towering limestone karsts to the peaceful countryside views, every moment felt like stepping into a postcard. If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, I highly recommend having a company like Happy Vietnam Tours.

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Jack Rede

A really enjoyable trip from start to finish! I loved the contrast between busy Hanoi, peaceful Trang An and the beautiful scenery of Halong Bay. The food was great, the hotels were comfortable, and our guide was very friendly and helpful. The overnight cruise was definitely my favorite part — waking up in Halong Bay was such a nice experience. Everything was arranged smoothly, so we could simply relax and enjoy the trip. Would definitely recommend it!

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Diane Kush

We really liked the pace of this 6-day itinerary. There was enough time to explore Hanoi without feeling rushed, followed by a full day in Ninh Binh and an overnight experience in Halong Bay. Each destination felt completely different, so the trip never became repetitive. We could enjoy sightseeing during the day and still have time to relax. For a first visit to Vietnam, we thought this was a very good combination of city, culture and nature.

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Nancy Gilson

The overnight cruise in Halong Bay was the highlight of our holiday. We enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere on the boat and having some time to simply relax and enjoy the scenery. After spending several days exploring Hanoi, the cruise was a perfect change of pace. It was definitely one of the most memorable experiences of our Vietnam trip.

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Lucymin

The day in Ninh Binh was probably our favorite part of the trip. Trang An was absolutely beautiful and the boat ride through the limestone mountains and caves was such a peaceful experience. Bai Dinh was also impressive and very different from what we had seen in Hanoi. Definitely a place we would love to visit again.

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Dashawn Hudson

Hight recommend!

This tour combined some of Vietnam's most iconic destinations into one enjoyable experience. From the lively atmosphere of Hanoi to the peaceful scenery of Ninh Binh and the spectacular views of Halong Bay, every day offered something different. I especially enjoyed cruising through the bay and waking up surrounded by limestone islands. The itinerary was well planned, with a nice balance of sightseeing, relaxation, and local experiences. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Vietnam for the first time. 👍

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Robert Osterday

I really enjoyed this tour. We visited many beautiful places, and each day was different. I especially liked the boat trip in Trang An and the overnight cruise in Halong Bay. Everything was well organized, and the guide was friendly. Overall, it was a nice trip and I would recommend it.

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Tarrion Bables

One of the best parts of the Dolphin Cruise was the food. Every meal was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The crew was incredibly kind and professional, always making sure we were comfortable. The 2-day, 1-night itinerary was the perfect amount of time to experience the beauty of Ha Long Bay.

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Karen Ashim

We had an unforgettable 2-day, 1-night cruise with Dolphin Cruise. The itinerary included kayaking, cave exploration, and a beautiful sunset on the sundeck. Everything was well organized, and the staff provided excellent service from start to finish. Happy Vietnam Tours did a fantastic job arranging every detail.

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Brenda Vine

Our 2-day, 1-night trip on the Dolphin Cruise was absolutely amazing. The cruise was clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. The staff were friendly, attentive, and always willing to help. We enjoyed every moment exploring the beautiful scenery of Ha Long Bay. Thank you to Happy Vietnam Tours for organizing such a wonderful experience.

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Lindsay B Sadler

The trip was really beautiful and amazing. The people in the group were really helpful and welcoming since I was travelling solo- it was a huge comfort. The views are to die for at Trang An and the Mua cave hike. Especially William, who helped with my itinerary and took care of everything before I arrived in Vietnam. He also introduced me to some amazing local food that I really enjoyed. I really love Vietnam and hope to visit again many times in the future