Hidden North Vietnam – Ha Long & Ninh Binh Trip from Hanoi

8:00 Tour guide and car pick you up at your address to depart to Ninh Binh.  

09:30-10:00 Arrive at Mua Cave and start an amazing trek up to the top of Ngoa Long Mountain for watching the spectacular rice valley with a precious view of nature.  

12:30 Have lunch in local restaurant with some Asian local special dishes. 

14:30 Start to visit Trang An tourist attraction, take boat trip to visit cave complex: Nam cave, Vong Cave, Thanh Truot Cave, Dai Cave, Film School – here, the huts are restored and reproduced the scene of the everyday life, the aboriginal abode appeared in the famous Kong movie, see scenery of mountain and rivers.  

On the way back to your hotel, we stop to visit Bich Dong Pagoda where you have a chance to worship and make offerings, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, and learn more about Buddhism in Vietnam.  

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🛌🏻 Accommodation

• Overnight in Ninh Binh 

Having breakfast at your hotel. 

Take your time to visit Thai Vi Temple by bike which is one of the oldest temples in Ninh Binh before heading to Nam Dinh Province.  

We then pay a visit at Cat Dang Lacquer Craft Village in Y Yen District. This village is said to have a history of over 600 years. Through the stages of existence and development, up to now the artisans of Cat Dang lacquer craft village continue to maintain the traditional profession of producing lacquer products on wood, mainly thrones, chairs, and tables, palanquins, statues, paintings… serving religious activities. At the same time, local people develop many consumer and daily life product designs to suit the needs of the domestic and export markets. 

Arrival at Nam Dinh city, having lunch at local restaurant before heading to hotel for checking in and relax.  

15:00 Take part in a city tour, starting with Nam Dinh Flag Pole which is one of four localities in the country that the Nguyen court built a citadel and flagpole (along with the flagpole in Hue in 1807, the flagpole in Hanoi in 1812, and the flagpole in Bac Ninh in 1838).  

Next to the Flag Pole is Nam Dinh Museum where display antiquities and unique cultural and artistic values of Thanh Nam land.  

Continuing riding, the tour takes you into some streets in Nam Dinh old quarter area. 

Our last stop is Tran Hung Dao Monument, the great general under Trần Dynasty, one of the heroes, famous generals of Vietnam with two-time victories Mongolian army invasion. After that, the vehicle will take you through the charming streets of Nam Dinh Old Quarter, where you can catch a glimpse of the peaceful daily life of the locals. 

The tour will stop by a Xiu Pao pastry workshop – a signature delicacy influenced by the Chinese community that once lived in Nam Dinh. Here, you’ll have the chance to sample a freshly baked, piping-hot Xiu Pao, with its crispy, multi-layered crust and soft, flavorful filling – a perfect harmony of textures and taste. 

We then taking a taxi to be back hotel for relaxation.   

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🛌🏻 Accommodation

• Overnight at hotel in Nam Dinh City.  

08:30 we check out hotel and will firstly visit Hồng Quang Village – one of the most beautiful water puppet villages in Vietnam and experience how the local artisans make a real water puppet. They will tell you stories about the history of water puppet culture and how they preserve this folk art from generations. 

Leaving a puppet village, we get in the car and head to Giao Thuy District and reach Xuan Thuy National Park. Get on the boat to visit deeper into the park, reach the claim field then we have lunch on a claim hut. Enjoy the sea breeze and atmosphere.   

14:00 Bid farewell to a National Park, we transfer to EcoHost Hai Hau for checking in and relax in the green lush garden of EcoHost. 

16:00 Get on the bike, we continually visit Pham Phao village which is famous for wooden caving and traditional trumpet making and church. On the way, we will also visit the tile-roof bridge of Luong Pagoda in Hai Anh Commune which was built in the 16th century in unique architecture that reflects the Vietnam Countryside. You will have a chance to explore the daily life of local people and learn Vietnamese ritual and worship to ancestors.  

After visiting, we head back Ecohost to enjoy a herbal foot bath that will nourish both your foot and your mind 

Having dinner and resting in the peaceful village. 

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🛌🏻 Accommodation

• Overnight in the village. 

08:00 Bid farewell Ecohost Hai Hau and we head to Ha Long 

11:30-11:45 Welcome to Heritage Cruises Lounge at No.28B of Tuan Chau International Marina. Please move from the Heritage Cruises Lounge to the speedboat (about 30 – 40 minutes) to the Heritage Binh Chuan Cruises Cat Ba Archipelago. 

12:30 Board the Heritage Cruises boat and enjoy a welcome drink as you receive a cruise briefing, safety instructions, and check-in to your suite. 

12:40 Heritage Cruises takes you to contemplate the magnificent sceneries made from the limestone mountains of Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago. This bay is untouched and remote, as not many cruise boats use this route. 

13:15 Lunch is served at L’indochine Restaurant 

15:30 The cruise vessel approaches the Ba Trai Dao (Three Peach beaches) (upon the weather), or Tra Bau area in Lan Ha Bay, a natural frontier between the provinces of Halong and Haiphong. This secret hideaway has beaches, caves, and coves, plus the spectacular natural beauty of about 400 islands. Guests can try kayaking or simply swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the bay. 

17:00 Return to Heritage Cruises, enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite. 

18:00 Activities include afternoon tea, and the chef will lead a Vietnamese cooking class 

Join our HAPPY HOUR (from 17:00 to 19:00) while enjoying the amazing scenery while watching the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. 

19:15 A memorable dining experience will be offered at Le Tonkin Restaurant, with local food in an intimate and romantic setting. 

19:45 Turn down service 

21:30 Enjoy evening views of the bay at the bar on the top deck. Try your hand squid fishing on 1st deck or watching movie, sing karaoke on 3rd deck. The bars are open until late. 

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🛌🏻 Accommodation

• Overnight onboard 

06:15 Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck. 

06:45 Have a light breakfast on board. 

Or you can choose a luxurious breakfast, especially served in the swimming pool on the 3rd floor (time from 6:30 – 8:30). Maximum for 2 groups of guests and maximum to 6 guests (with surcharge). 

07:15 Head off in a bamboo boat to explore the Dark and Bright Cave to enjoy the sparkling stalactites on the ceiling and feel the soul of the surrounding nature. 

9:00 – 9:30 Return to the boat for checkout 

09:30 Enjoy brunch while cruising back to the mainland 

10:30 Return to Tuan Chau Marina and disembark for your onward journey 

11:30 If you have booked our limousine service, our chauffeur will pick you up to take you to your hotel in Hanoi. 

14:00 – 14:30 Our chauffeur will drop you off at your hotel.  

We get on the car and head back Hanoi. Good bye and see you again! 

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