4-Day Northern Vietnam Tour with Hanoi, Ninh Bình and Ha Long Bay

Morning

• 8:30: After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up and transferred to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

• Visit an important place of pilgrimage for Vietnamese people, Ho Chi Minh's House on Stilts, built in the style of Vietnam's ethnic minorities and surrounded by verdant, peaceful gardens. You will also see One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th century of wood on a single stone pillar resembling a lotus blossom, a symbol of purity rising out of a sea of sorrow.

• Then, you will be transferred to visit the Temple of Literature, a Confucius temple and the very first university of Vietnam under the feudal system.

• Afterwards, your Vietnam guide will lead you to a Vietnamese restaurant for lunch with some of the best local foods.

Afternoon

• Continue your trip with your local guide and dive into the sights, sounds, and local corners of Hanoi as you visit the Museum of Ethnology, where you will have a chance to learn about the 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam.

• Next, transfer to shopping malls with international brands and high-quality Vietnamese brands, as well as shops selling Made in Vietnam clothes where local people regularly shop. You will also visit lacquer workshops, known for great traditional Vietnamese handicraft products, and enjoy some coffee in a boutique coffee shop.

• Then, the local guide will arrange a cyclo ride for you - a bicycle with a seat in front and a rider - so you can take a sightseeing tour around Hanoi Old Quarter and the Hanoi Opera House for about 40 minutes.

• Afterwards, the rider will drop you off at your hotel.

• End your long day at the hotel.

• 8:00: Your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to Ninh Bình, a drive of about 2.5 hours. Please carry all your luggage.

• 10:30: Arrive in Ninh Bình and take a Tràng An boat tour to admire the beauty of the limestone mountains and karst caves. This boat tour lasts 2.5 hours.

• 13:00: Have lunch and enjoy special food at a local restaurant.

• 14:00: Visit Hoa Lư Ancient Capital, including the temples of King Dinh and King Le.

• 15:30: Climb to Mua Cave, also known as Dancing Dragon Cave, a high mountain viewpoint where you can take photos with a panoramic view of Tam Cốc.

• 16:30: Return to Hanoi by private car. Say goodbye to your private guide and driver. Tomorrow, you will go to Ha Long Bay by shuttle bus for the cruise.

• 8:30: Have breakfast in your hotel.

• 9:00 - 9:30: A shuttle bus and guide from Santa Maria Cruise will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to Ha Long Bay via the new highway, a drive of about 2.5 hours.

• 12:00: Arrive at the pier.

• 12:15: After boarding Santa Maria Cruise, you will check in. While enjoying welcome drinks, you will be introduced to the itinerary and given a safety briefing.

• 13:00: Savour your delicious lunch and enjoy the stunning views as the boat cruises towards the southeast of Halong Bay, passing Dog Island, Dinh Huong Islet (Incense Burner Islet), and Kissing Rocks - the symbol of Halong tourism.

• Continue cruising to the core zone of Halong Bay. The first visit of the cruise is the Pearl Farm, which lies much deeper inside the bay and much farther than other cruises typically operate.

• 14:45: Your first stop is the Pearl Farm, where you will visit the workshop and have the option of a 45-minute kayaking session, inclusive or exclusive depending on different packages.

• 16:30: You will visit the famous Titov Island, where you can go swimming or hike to the top for another stunning panoramic view of the bay.

• 17:30: Back on board, you can enjoy a sunset party with happy hour - buy one get one free on drinks at Sky Leaf Bar - or join some games provided at reception.

• 18:30: If you are interested in Vietnamese cuisine, please join the traditional Vietnamese cooking class on the sundeck under the experienced chef's guidance, or in the restaurant in case of inclement weather.

• 19:15: Enjoy dinner.

• 20:30: Enjoy Sky Leaf Bar on the top floor. In addition, free squid fishing tools are available at reception.

• 22:30: Overnight on board Santa Maria Cruise.

• 06:00: Warm up your day with an optional Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck, accompanied by a breathtaking view as the sun rises over Halong Bay.

• 06:45: A light breakfast is served at the restaurant. Breakfast is available from 6:45 to 9:00.

• 08:00: Visit magnificent Sung Sot Cave, one of the most extensive caves in Ha Long Bay, known for its beautiful stalactites. You will be surprised by the breathtaking panoramic view across the bay once you exit the cave, as well as the stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years that have taken on fascinating shapes.

• 09:15: Back on board, set some time aside for a final wash-up.

• 09:30: Check out and return to Sun World Bai Chay Harbour.

• 10:30: Farewell lunch is served on board.

• 11:15 - 11:30: Clear your bill, return to the harbour, and board the cruise shuttle bus for the journey back to Hanoi.

• 14:30 - 15:00: Arrive back at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. End of the tour.