06D05N: HANOI-NINH BINH-HALONGBAY-HANDICARFT VILLAGES

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

Overview

Code: TOUR-0040

Tour type: Group tour

Duration: 6 days

This 6-day journey unveils the cultural and natural treasures of Northern Vietnam. Begin in Hanoi, where ancient temples and the lively Old Quarter reflect the city’s timeless charm. Continue to Ninh Binh, known as “Halong Bay on land,” with its peaceful rivers, lush rice fields, and limestone karsts. Cruise overnight on the emerald waters of Halong Bay, surrounded by majestic cliffs and tranquil islands. Conclude your journey by visiting Vietnam’s traditional handicraft villages, where generations of artisans keep ancient crafts alive — from pottery and silk weaving to lacquer art. A perfect blend of history, nature, and local culture awaits on this unforgettable northern adventure.

Highlight

  • Hanoi
  • Ninh Binh
  • Halong bay
  • Handicraft Villages

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL – HANOI CITY
🚗 Driver 🗣️ English speaking tour guide
  • Upon arrival in Hanoi City, you will be picked up from airport to a hotel in Hanoi for check in and relax.
  • You choose from the following places, we will take you to visit:
  • Ho Chi Minh Museum – Learn about Uncle Ho’s life and revolutionary journey.
  • Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university, honoring Confucian scholars.
  • Tran Quoc Pagoda – The oldest pagoda in Hanoi, nestled by West Lake.
  • Museum of Ethnology – Discover the rich cultures of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.
  • Water Puppet Show – A traditional art form performed over water.
  • Train Street Café – Sip coffee inches from a passing train—only in Hanoi!
  • Cyclo Ride – A slow-paced ride through the Old Quarter’s narrow alleys.
Day 2: HANOI - BAI DINH - TRANG AN (B, L)
🚗 Driver 🗣️ English speaking tour guide 🍽️ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
  • 07:30: Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi and drive to Ninh Binh (around 2 hours).
  • Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest Buddhist complex in Vietnam, with stunning mountain views and giant Buddha statues.
  • Continue to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, home to the temples of King Dinh and King Le.
  • Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with Ninh Binh specialties.
  • Afternoon:
  • Take a boat trip in Trang An, drifting through emerald rivers, mysterious caves, and limestone mountains — often called “Halong Bay on land.”
  • Visit Mua Cave, climb to the top for a breathtaking panoramic view of Tam Coc valley.
  • Evening:
  • 16:00: Depart for Hanoi.
  • Enjoy your free time to explore Hanoi’s local cuisine on your own
Day 3: HANOI – HALONG BAY CRUISE
🚐 Shuttle bus 🛳️ Cruise guide ⛴️ Sharing cruise in Halong Bay 🍽️ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise
  • Morning:
  • Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi and transfer to Halong Bay by shuttle bus.
  • Arrive at the pier and check in on your cruise.
  • Welcome drink and cruise briefing before departure.
  • Afternoon:
  • Enjoy lunch on board while the cruise sails through magnificent limestone islands.
  • Visit Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave, one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay.
  • Continue to Titop Island for swimming or a short hike to the top for a panoramic view of the bay.
  • Evening:
  • Return to the cruise, relax on the sundeck or join a cooking demonstration.
  • Enjoy a delicious seafood dinner on board.
  • Overnight on the cruise
Day 4: HALONG BAY – HANOI
🚗 Driver 🛳️ Cruise guide 🍽️ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Halong Bay – Hanoi
  • 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
Day 5: HANDICARFT VILLAGES (B, L)
🚗 Driver 🗣️ English speaking tour guide 🍽️ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Morning
  • 8:15 AM: Pick up at your hotel.
  • Begin the day in Ha Thai Village, meet a celebrated local artisan, and try creating your own lacquer painting as a unique souvenir.
  • Continue to Chuong Village, a 300-year-old village famous for conical hat making.
  • Noon
  • Enjoy a home-cooked lunch prepared by a local female artisan, experiencing authentic Vietnamese hospitality.
  • After lunch, try your hand at painting your own hat or join in hat-making activities.
  • Afternoon / Evening
  • Visit Quang Phu Cau Incense Village, a vibrant village specializing in dyed incense sticks.
  • Explore a household, capture photos of colorful incense bundles, and learn about the entire production process and rural life.
  • 17:00 – 17:30: Return to Hanoi
Day 6: HANOI – RESTING AND SHOPPING (B)
🚗 Driver 🍽️ Meal: Breakfast
  • After breakfast time, you are free for shopping and souvenirs.
  • Package price is based on USD per person
  • Relax until transferred to Noibai airport (Hanoi) for your on going flight.
  • Flight: PLEASE ADVISE
What's Included
  • Meals on cruise (B – breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner).
  • Sharing transportation and sharing cruise as mentioned in the itinerary.
  • All admission costs at places mentioned in the itinerary.
What's Excluded
  • Meals not included in the itinerary (you can arrange your own meals during free time).
  • Accommodation at hotels or domes as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Other meals and drinks/ personal expenses.
  • International air fares/ airport taxes.
  • Visa arrangement & visa stamping fee at immigration counter.
  • 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.