5-day itinerary from Hanoi to Ninh Binh and Halong

Hanoi has a deep history and rich culture with colorful life and is the first destination for tourists to explore North Vietnam.

If you have a short time to explore the capital of Vietnam and are looking for a 5-day-and-4-night itinerary, this perfect program gives you the highlights to see and do in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Halong.

Day 1: Museums, Lake, Temple and Water Puppet (L)

We start the trip by visiting one of the famous museums, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. You will find out the history and culture of 54 different groups of Vietnamese people.

Continue to visit one more museum – the Museum of Women. The museum introduces the different sides of the female life, including the clothes, their roles in the family and society, the circle of the female life (grow up – get married – give birth), and many stories of the women in daily life.

Keep exploring the Literature of Temple, the first national university in Vietnam. The temple was built in 1070. It is the symbol of the educational spirit of the Vietnamese people.

Then, you visit the Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi Center. You can take pictures to remember your time in Hanoi, because here is a vital place in the history of Hanoi and the local people.

Take a rest, and enjoy the Puppet Performance. This typical traditional art is well-preserved with the unique skills to perform.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Visit Trang An and Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh from Hanoi (B, L)

Trang An Tourism Complex, recognized as one of the UNESCO World Heritage, is situated in the northern province of Ninh Binh. Bai Dinh Pagoda is famous for its big-scale pagoda and has plenty of statues.

Trang An-Bai Dinh tour is one of the popular tours from Hanoi.

We start from the hotel in Hanoi to Ninh Binh, with around 2 hours to drive. You will visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, which has hundreds of Buddhist statues in different feelings and shapes. Typically, this area has a huge statue of Buddha made in bronze standing 10 meters tall.

You take a break and have lunch at a local restaurant with Ninh Binh traditional dishes. This lunch is optional.

We will continue the excursion to Trang An to enjoy the cave complex. The scenery of Trang An covers the incredible beauty cast by the river, mountains, caves, and blue sky. The boat trip will range from 2 to 3 hours, rowed by local people.

After the boat trip, we transfer to your hotel in Ninh Binh to relax.

Day 3: Transfer to Halong Bay from Ninh Binh to spend a night on the cruise (B, L, D)

In the early morning, The driver (without a guide) will drive (around 4.5 – 5 hours) from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay to explore one of the top beautiful landscapes in Vietnam. Halong Bay has hundreds of islands scattered in the sea. That’s great to spend a night on the cruise on the bay.

Day 4: Welcome morning in Halong Bay and drive back to Hanoi (B, L)

The morning opens in Ha Long Bay with fresh pink rays of sunlight stretching across the sea, stretching on the green islands, creating a magnificent picture.

This is the best time of the day for you to breathe the fresh-air atmosphere of the new day, receiving the endless energy of heaven and earth.

Then, you will continue exploring the beauty of the bay. At noon, come back to the port to start driving back to Hanoi for your relaxation.

Day 5: Walking for food tour & go shopping (B, L)

Vietnamese food is colorful and flavorful. Today is a chance for you to taste the local foods in Hanoi.

There are many ways to taste the local food: Join a cooking class or take a walking food tour.  Vietnamdrive introduces you to a walking tour to taste street food in Hanoi.

This is the list that you can taste:

(1) Pho – Vietnamese Noodle Food (choose the best place)
(2) Bun Cha Ca Hanoi – Fish Pie Vermicelli of Hanoi
(3) Banh Cuon – Wet Rice Spring Rolls
(4) Banh Mi – Vietnamese famous bread
(5) Cafe Trung – Egg coffee

The food tour can take from 2 – 3 hours. Then, you can spend the rest of your time to go shopping.

If you want to book or customize anything, Vietnamdrive is happy to support you.