Awesome Northern Vietnam Tour to Hanoi – Halong – Ninh Binh

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise
Day 3: Halong Bay Cruise – Hanoi
Day 4: Free or optional tour to Ninh Binh
Day 5: Hanoi Departure

DAY 01: HANOI – ARRIVAL

On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel in Hanoi for a check-in.

PM: There will be a “water puppet show” arranged for you to attend. Water puppetry – “puppets that dance on water” is a tradition that dates back as far as the 11^th century when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam. Today’s Vietnamese water puppetry is a unique variation on the ancient Asian puppet tradition. 

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 02: HA NOI – HA LONG BAY (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel

08:00: You will be picked you up at your hotel

12:00 CHECK-IN Warmly welcomed by Athena Team in Halong International Harbour. Complete the luggage check-in procedure at the waiting lounge before boarding for the cruise.
12:30 ONBOARD Transferred to the Athena Cruise by a tender boat. The Cruise Manager and the whole crew member welcome you onboard, a safety briefing and clearing our the itinerary will be delivered while you are enjoying our signature welcome drink
12:45 HAPPY LUNCH Lunch is served at our cozy restaurant. As the cruise departs towards Halong Bay – a natural wonder of the world, absorb yourself in the gorgeous scenery and famous sights of limestone
14:45 ACTIVITIES The cruise stops at “Bo Nau” cave (Pelican Cave), the core area of the world’s natural heritage. Transferring by tender to “Sung Sot” Cave (Surprising cave) – the biggest and the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay.
15:45 ACTIVITIES Leaving Surprising cave, keep moving by tender to the Titov island was named by Uncle Ho, after Gherman Stepanovich Titov – the Soviet astronaut who visited in 1962.
Enjoy swimming, relaxing on the beach or climbing the steps of the Rock to the top of the island. A magical panoramic view of Halong Bay will surprise you there

17:00 RELAX Back to the Athena Cruise after a chain of interesting activities. Time for relaxing while the cruise moves to the overnight place – (Titop587)
18:00 – 19:00 HAPPY HOUR Take advantage of the Happy hours “Buy 1 get 1 free” drink while the sun is giving way to stunning twilight.
18:30 COOKING CLASS A Cooking Demonstration of traditional Vietnamese dishes will be organized by Athena Head Chef
19:00 DINNER A fusion set menu will be served to warm up your stomach after a long active day
20:30 CHEERFUL EVENING Freetime for evening activities: film entertainment, mini-games (in the dining room); squid fishing; massage… The Cruise Manager will be there to support you

17:00 RELAX Back to the Athena Cruise after a chain of interesting activities. Time for relaxing while the cruise moves to the overnight place – (Titop587)
18:00 – 19:00 HAPPY HOUR Take advantage of the Happy hours “Buy 1 get 1 free” drink while the sun is giving way to stunning twilight.
18:30 COOKING CLASS A Cooking Demonstration of traditional Vietnamese dishes will be organized by Athena Head Chef
19:00 DINNER A fusion set menu will be served to warm up your stomach after a long active day
20:30 CHEERFUL EVENING Freetime for evening activities: film entertainment, mini-games (in the dining room); squid fishing; massage… The Cruise Manager will be there to support you

DAY 03: HA LONG BAY – HA NOI (B/L)

06:30 TAI-CHI CLASS Good morning the Bay by joining Tai-Chi Exercise on the sundeck in 30 minutes whilst cruising to “Luon” Cave
07:00 BREAKFAST A light breakfast is ready to serve at the restaurant
07:30 VISITING CAVE Visit “Luon” cave – one of the caves open to the form beautiful endemic then vegetation of Halong Bay. 2 options to choose how to discover it: kayaking for free and traditional woven (bamboo) boat rowed by a local boatman (public ticket 50.000đ/person)
09:00 CHECK OUT Come back to Athena cruise, relax and pack the luggage. Leave the luggage outside the door. Athena team will collect and get them ready on the Pier.
09:30 BRUNCH Enjoy a brunch buffet at the restaurant after check-out while cruising toward the port
10:45 GOODBYE Transfer by tender back to Halong International Habour and disembarkation.
Farewell to guests.

15:00 Arriving in Hanoi, end of the cruise

You will check in and relax before venturing out and discovering the town

Overnight in Ha Noi

DAY 04: HANOI – FREE & EASY (B)

Breakfast at hotel. You will be free to relax or explore more Hanoi otherwise you can weigh our optional group tour to Trang An – Bai Dinh.

OPTIONAL: HOA LU – TRANG AN – MUA CAVE TOUR

(Departure Everyday)

Join us for a day of adventure, where you’ll witness the majesty of Hang Mua Cave, glide through the serene waters of Trang An, and delve into the captivating history of Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel. This is more than a tour; it’s an opportunity to connect with the heart and soul of Vietnam’s rich heritage and astonishing landscapes

ITINERARY:

07:00 – 07:30 – Our guide will meet you at your  hotel/stay and start  110km modern  Bus-journey through verdant landscape of country side. Short-brake en route.

10:30 – Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel with Dinh King Temple and Le King Temple dating back to the 17^th Century.

12:00 – Enjoy the lunch at our restaurant with the great local cuisines.

13:30 – Leave for the Trang An Grottoes, an out-standing natural beauty of majestic limestone massif at 20 square kilometer rise dramatically out from rice paddy fields. Deep into the linked chains of towering mountain are pristine places of mystical valleys, numerous fresh water ponds, and jungle.

Embark on a traditional sampan gently roweddown the exquisite river through numerous  caves: Lam Cave, Vang Cave, Dai Cave, Thanh Truot Cave,...and Cao Sơn Temple, Suoi Tien Temple, Vu Lam Temple…

15:30 – Arrive Mua Cave and start an amazing trek up to the top of Ngoa Long mountain for watching the spectacular rice valley with specious view of the nature.

17:15 – Return to our bus and then come back to Ha Noi

19:30 – Drop you off at your hotel/stay. Trip ends.

Group tour: 55USD per person

* INCLUSION:

+ Pick-up from hotel/ accommodation in the Old Quarter of Hanoi

+ A fully escorted tour with professional, English speaking guide, 2 bottles of water per person

+ Buffet lunch at Trang An Bungalow

+ All entrance fees indicated in our itinerary.

* EXCLUSION

+ Beverages & travel insurance, Tips for tour guide and personal expenses

+ Children from 5 to 8 years old charge 75%. From 9 years old up charge 100%, The children under 5 years old free (exclusion entrance ticket, meal and bus seat)

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 05: HANOI – DEPARTURE (B)

Breakfast at hotel. You have free time to have more experience in Hanoi until be transferred to the Noibai airport to catch a flight to

End of Service

Peak season Surcharge:

COMPULSORY BUFFET GALA DINNER 24 Dec 31ST Dec 2022/2023: to be advised 

*3 Star Hotels in use:

• Hanoi:Silk Queen Grand Hotel (Deluxe room) or similar ones
• Ha Long Cruise: Amanda or Hera cruise (Deluxe Cabin) or similar ones

*4 Star Hotels in use:

• Hanoi: Silk Path Hotel (Deluxe room) or similar 
• Ha Long Cruise: Athena cruise  (Executive Cabin) or similar ones

* Inclusive of above prices:

• Private transfers for the airport pick-up & see-off
• Accommodation in Double/Twin shared room with daily breakfast
• Local English speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees, Water Puppet Show
• 2 days/1 night inclusive overnight cruise trip  (on-board tour guide, full boards, entrance fees, kayaking, private twin-share cabin …)
• 2-Way shuttle bus (Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hanoi)
• Bottled water

* Exclusive of above prices:

• Visa stamping fee on arrival
• Group tour to Hoa Lu -Trang An – Hang Mua
• Travel Insurance in all kinds
• Single room (quoted separately)
• Peak tourist season or special event rates
• Tip, drinks and other personal expenses
• All international and domestic airfares

Check-in and Check-out Time

• Early check-in or late check-out is subject to room availability.
• Check-in                                                        : 14:00 hours
• Check-out                                                      : 12:00 hours
• Early check-in before 06:00                       : 01-night room rate on the arrival date
•  Check-in from 06:00 to 12.00 noon          : Half day charge     
• Late Check-out from 14:00 to 18:00         : Half Day Charge
• Late Check-out after 18:00                        : Full Day Charge

Child policy

• Children under 6 years old is free of charge, maximum 01 child per room.
• Children from 6 years old till 11 years old: 75% of the adult price sharing bed with parents
• Children from 11 years old will be considered as an adult