5-DAY NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT OF VIETNAM

DAY 1 : HANOI – ARRIVAL
Meet on arrival at Hanoi / Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2 : HANOI CITY TOUR – HALONG BAY ( B/L)
AM: the city tour with visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex in Ba Dinh Square, one of the most visited attractions in Hanoi. First stop is Hochiminh Mausoleum (closed on Monday, Friday, all afternoon and during renovation period June – August yearly) to explore the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-place, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda, which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 – the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Continue to the Temple of Literature and Quoc Tu Giam, see Vietnam’s first university, constructed in 1070 – it’s gardens and well-preserved architecture will offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Then visit the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda at West Lake (One of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam) before heading to restaurant for lunch
PM: start a journey 165-km east of Hanoi to Halong Bay, one of the must-see attractions in Vietnam listed as World Nature Heritage by UNESCO with thousands of spectacular limestone islands rising from the clear, emerald sea in the Gulf of Tonkin.
Arrival Halong check in hotel and overnight in Halong.

DAY 3 : HALONG BAY HANOI – HALONG BAY (B/L)
AM: enjoy 4-hours cruise through Halong Bay, passing bizarre rock formations, such as the Dinh Huong (the Incense Urn), Cho Da (the Stone Dog), islands with sandy beaches, and Ga Choi (the Fighting Roosters) islets. Discover Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty, known in Vietnamese as “Dragon descending to the sea”. You will visit Thien Cung (Heaven Palace cave) – the most beautiful primitive cave of Ha Long Bay and the longest dry cave in Asia. Then continue hiking to nearby Dau Go grotto, listen to the legend about the cave and admire its a mysterious waterfall, with hundreds of stalactites instead of water. Fresh seafood is served on the boat before disembark.
PM: return to Hanoi capital. Free time to walking around Hoan Kiem Lake to see the peaceful green waters, The Huc Bridge, Thap But (Pen Tower) and Ngoc Son temple & shopping around old quarter.
Evening: attend the performance of the famous Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4 : HANOI – HOA LU – TAM COC – HANOI (B/L)
Depart for Ninh Binh, 110 km far from Hanoi, this is a cultural and historical destination combined with natural beauty scenic landscapes. It also known as “Halong bay on land”. Upon arrival, visit the historic capital of Vietnam and the famous ancient temples of Le and the Dinh Dynasties. Then proceed to Tam Coc for lunch at local restaurant.

PM: After lunch, boat trip on Ngo Dong River to visit Tam Coc to see the beauty of the karst formations as you pass along their base and row into one of the many caves carved through the limestone. Then, take a bike and start riding around the village to explore the gorgeous rice fields surrounded by limestone mountains with a unique route. Then return to Hanoi
Optional visit to Bich Dong Pagoda under the introduction of our local guide to know more about the Vietnam history and understand the origin of Buddhism. Leave Ninh Binh and drive straight back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 5: HANOI – DEPARTURE (B )
Time at leisure until transfer to Hanoi/Noi Bai International Airport for departure flight.