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Hanoi & Halong Bay

5 days

PRIVATE TOUR: See northern Vietnam's most captivating destinations with a 5 day break that covers the best of Hanoi from the Old Quarter to Ba Dinh Square with a night spent on a traditional junk boat cruising around Halong Bay.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Free cancellation
Free amends
Available on all departures booked at least 40 days in advance. Cancel or change your booking for FREE for up to 7 days after booking

Tour Overview

Duration

5 days

Starts

Hanoi

Ends

Range

Private

Tour Guide

Yes - for all included sightseeing

Group Size

Min 2 / Max N/A

Minimum age

5 yrs, accompanied by an adult

Departs

Any day of the year

Hotel Rating

Superior

Countries

Vietnam

Arrival Transfer

Yes

Departure Transfer

Yes

Meals included

Breakfast: 4, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 1
Per person from
USD$695.00
Total From
USD$1,390.00
Deposit From
Final payment
USD$436.00
$1,172.00

Tour Highlights

Hanoi - Explore Vietnam's charming capital with French colonial glamour and Asian spirit
Ba Dinh Square - Visit the home of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the One Pillar Pagoda
Museum of Ethnology - Walk around the fascinating displays of Vietnam's colourful ethnic groups
Old Quarter - Wander around the atmospheric narrow streets with traditional shop fronts and busy cafes
Halong Bay - Marvel at this UNESCO Listed region with thousands of stunning limestone peaks and islets
Junk boat cruising - Spend a night on board with time to relax on the sundeck

Included

Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
Guided sightseeing on day 2 conducted by a local English speaking specialist guide
3 nights 4 star hotel (3 and 5 star hotel options available - please enquire) and 1 night on board a traditional junk boat in Halong Bay (private en suite cabin)
Activities on days 3 and 4 on shared basis on a shared junk boat
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and departure transfer on day 5
All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles
Entrance fees to all included sites

Not Included

International flights and visa
Tipping - An entirely personal gesture

Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Vietnam

Welcome to Hanoi, one of southeast Asia's most charismatic cities with just the right amount of colonial charm and modern commotion with mopeds zipping along narrow streets lined with traditional houses and shopfronts. On your arrival at Hanoi's international airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check in (available from 2pm onwards). The remainder of the day is at leisure so you may wish to head out and explore Hoan Kiem Lake.

Overnight: Hanoi

Day 2 - Hanoi City Tour

Today's sightseeing tour takes in the best of Hanoi, kicking off with Ba Dinh Square where the squat granite mausoleum of Vietnam's most famous leader - Ho Chi Minh - is laid to rest. Close by is the attractive and well-preserved stilted house where Ho once lived, now surrounded by well-tended gardens. Next up on the itinerary is the historic Buddhist temple known as the One Pillar Pagoda.

Touring continues with the Temple of Literature, the first university to have been built in Vietnam back in the 11th century. The complex features pagodas, courtyards, ponds and ancient trees making it a lovely spot for a little wander. Get to know Vietnam's colourful ethnic groups at the absorbing Museum of Ethnology. A highlight of your visit is sure to be the full-scale village houses arranged in the garden of the grounds.

Later this evening discover Hanoi's historic heart and soul as you head out on a walking tour of the Old Quarter where you can sample some of the city's tastiest snacks and street food from noodles to pancakes. The final stop of the day is the lively 'international corner' where locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy a cold beverage watching city scenes play out in front of them.

Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Cruising Halong Bay

This morning depart Hanoi and transfer to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the jewel in Vietnam's scenic crown. Board a traditional junk boat for a cruise among the karst islands, carpeted with vegetation and rising dramatically from the vivid green waters of the bay. During your cruise you'll pass striking rock formations and sample a delicious lunch of freshly caught fish and seafood.

In the afternoon there will be the chance to swim in the waters, watch a cooking demonstration out on deck or simply relax on one of the loungers enjoying the incredible vistas. The day ends with a gastronomic feast with the other guests on board.

Overnight: Halong Bay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - Tai Chi and Caves

Start the day with a calming Tai Chi lesson, often accompanied by an amazing sunrise and the quiet breathtaking beauty of the bay’s landscape. It's the perfect way to start your day. On the way back to the harbour the boat will pass many beautiful spots, stopping for the chance to explore Surprise Cave, one of the bay's many impressive caves that have been illuminated with neon lights to reveal a magical landscape of mineral formations.

Returning back to dock you will be met and transferred back to Hanoi by car where the remainder of the evening is at leisure.

Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Depart Hanoi

Today marks the end of your touring arrangements with a departure transfer to the airport in time for your onward departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Reviews

Arrangements went well until final transfer to Airport. I think it was not booked! Luckily I had the Tour Guide WhatsApp and sorted it. Photos of Junk in Brochure are misleading. Didn't see any boats like that! Suggest updating and refer to "boat"!

All arrangements went smoothly until the airport transfer at the end didn't show. This was stressful and should not happen. The brochure image of the "junk" is misleading and should be updated showing the current vessel(s)

overall I felt we paid too much for what we got. Thank your for the upgrade though on the Halong Bay Cruise.. I understand the other boats were damaged. The upgrade room was nice, although all night there was a very loud engine noise that kept me awake, so I hardly slept and then didn't go to my outing the next morning. I had to use ear plugs... We barely stayed one day.. we got on the boat at 12:20pm and got off by 10am the next day. So it was fast paced and packed with activities but it did feel like get on and get off because we have others coming . The tour guides on the boat were not personal at all There was no adjustments and acknowledgment that we all were disappointed that the bay was not as we had seen on postcard's, simply because of Typhoon but the staff and management on the boat didn't really acknowledge that at all. So I feel we missed out in beautiful Halong bay, but wouldn't want to go on that ship even though it looked beautiful I also noticed the staff on the boat didn't speak any English... so only 2 people could answer any information. regarding our personal tour guide on Saturday, Sunny... she was fantastic.. really nice and knowledgeable. We really liked being with her and loved that part the most. the drivers to the destination Halong Bay couldn't speak a word of English.. so I only has Sunny to communicate with on WhatsApp.. and she was helpful None of the drivers could speak... so I was taxing Sunny all the time for information and she responded well. The hotel we stayed in was beautiful and we are grateful for that. I appreciate the option. So overallI felt it was too much money for what we got.. so not sure why we paid so much.. I wouldn't do that again. It was basically for 4 nights and one day with a tour guide... transport, transfer and one night on Halong bay... perhaps because we had an extra room.. but knowing Vietnam pricing I felt what we paid for was too much.

The tour was fantastic and our guide Belle and driver Nam were 5/5 for the whole trip. As she got to know the group she was flexible and organized some extra experiences that the group really appreciated.

We could not have been happier with our tour guide and driver, they went above and beyond what I was expecting. And the excellent driver was there for us on the other days always prompt and helpful! Sadly I can’t say the same for the hotel, while the staff were helpful and kind and the sheets etc were very clean, but the floors needed a wash! We left the hotel to do the ha long bay cruise and returned to the same room which still had not had the floors washed. Also not sure about the position of the hotel, I felt like I was in a terrible area but maybe I just didn’t absorb the atmosphere, it was so dirty and smelly in the area around the hotel. Thankyou and I would certainly look at tours on the go again!

Extras and add-ons

If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.

Pre and Post Tour Accommodation

Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.

Pre Tour Accommodation Hanoi

Double

$65per passenger

Twin

$65per passenger

Single

$125per passenger

Post Tour Accommodation Hanoi

Double

$65per passenger

Twin

$65per passenger

Single

$125per passenger

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.

If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.

Bhaya Classic I Junk Boat
Halong Bay

This premier cruise boat offers 18 well appointed cabins with en suite amenities. Cabins are contemporary in design, whilst the finer touches have a distinct oriental influence. All cabins feature large windows creating a bright and airy atmosphere as well as scenic views. Facilities and services onboard include a dining room and bar, a sunbathing area on-deck, masseur and small library.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
Mid Range Junk

Prices & Dates

'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. If travelling solo, an additional ‘1-person’ supplement will apply, contact us for details.

Prices are indicative and will vary depending on your chosen hotels, room availability as well as time of travel. Please bear this in mind if comparing prices as we always aim to deliver exceptional value. Please note that discounts will apply if there are more 4 our more people in your travelling party, since fixed costs like transportation and guiding are shared across the group.

2024
Twin/Double
Single
24 Nov - 28 Nov
$695
$1,025
25 Nov - 29 Nov
$695
$1,025
26 Nov - 30 Nov
$695
$1,025
27 Nov - 1 Dec
$695
$1,025
28 Nov - 2 Dec
$695
$1,025
29 Nov - 3 Dec
$695
$1,025
30 Nov - 4 Dec
$695
$1,025
1 Dec - 5 Dec
$695
$1,025
2025
Twin/Double
Single
2 Jan - 6 Jan
$725
$1,075
3 Jan - 7 Jan
$725
$1,075
4 Jan - 8 Jan
$725
$1,075
5 Jan - 9 Jan
$725
$1,075
6 Jan - 10 Jan
$725
$1,075
7 Jan - 11 Jan
$725
$1,075
8 Jan - 12 Jan
$725
$1,075
9 Jan - 13 Jan
$725
$1,075

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