Hanoi and Its surrounding tour 7 days

Destination: Hanoi – Village around – Ninh Binh – Perfume pagoda – Ha Long

Code: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, G = Guide

Day 1: Arrival at Hanoi (D, G)

Upon arrival at Noi Bai airport, our guide will greet and accompany you to your hotel. Free time until you?ll be picked up to watch water puppet performance, a traditional art form closely connected with the long-standing spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. You?ll then be driven to a good local restaurant and enjoy a welcome dinner with us. Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B, L, G)

The morning tour will begin with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the resting place of Uncle Ho. You will also see his house-on-stilts and learn about the simple life of the Vietnamese?s beloved leader. Your next visit will be Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas, which still maintains its unique architecture armonious with nature and boasts many precious Buddhist statues. You will then driven to Temple of Literature, the oldest school in Vietnam, giving it the distinction of being the most significant temple in both Hanoi and Vietnam.

In the afternoon, you will call at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, an excellent instruction to the cultural heritages of Vietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic groups. Later on, you will visit the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake – a striking blue gem in the city centre. The tour ends with 1 ?hour walking tour around the Old Quarters to enjoy its warmth and coziness, looking up to contemplate centuries-old and weather-beaten houses, both familiar and exotic, etc. Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi.

Day 3: Exploring villages around Hanoi (B, L, G)

Today, you will first visit Van Phuc, a centuries-old village renowned for the fine silk-making and silk products. The luster of its rich and colorful fabric has been a source of inspiration for Vietnames poets to write about. Driver and guide will then take you to Bat Trang ceramic village where you can watch craftspeople forming, painting and glazing their products in traditional ways. You’ll have lunch box in the village.

In the afternoon, you will be driven to visit Dong Ho village, famous for its traditional unique paintings on ‘giay do’ paper. You’ll continue your visit at Dong Ky village where most of the local families produce furniture inlaid with pearl. You’ll then return to Hanoi for overnight stay.

Day 4: Hanoi/Ninh Binh/Hanoi (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you will leave Hanoi for Ninh Binh by car. On your arrival in Hoa Lu, the first capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, you’ll visit Dinh and Le temples, which are dedicated to Emperor Dinh and Emperor Le. You’ll also have a brief visit to the remains of the Old Palace before heading to Tam Coc (Three Grottos). Lunch at a good local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you?ll be rowed along a gentle river between paddy fields to the beautiful grottoes of Tam Coc. You’ll enjoy the mysteries of nature which might be boundless inspiration for any visitors coming here to contemplate the endless fun. Drive back to Hanoi for your overnight accommodation.

Day 5: Hanoi/Perfume Pagoda/Hanoi (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you will be driven through the picturesque countryside to Perfume Pagoda, one of the most important Buddhist sites in Vietnam. Upon arrival, you will embark on a rowing boat trip along the scenic waterway of Yen Stream to the main wharf of Huong Tich Mountain. You’ll then start hiking up to visit Perfume Pagoda, a complex of pagodas and shrines built into the limestone cliffs of Huong Tich Grotto. After picnic lunch, you?ll walk downhill and have a brief look at Thien Tru Pagoda (Heaven Kitchen). You?ll then take a boat ride back to Duc Harbor where our car and driver await to transfer you back to Hanoi. Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi/Ha Long (B, L, G)

After breakfast, our guide will meet and take you to Ha Long Bay. Enjoy a 3 hour drive with a stopover at Hong Ngoc Embroidery workshop for refreshment and see different kinds of handicrafts skillfully made by disable people.

Upon arrival, you will board a private junk for a 5-hour cruise on Ha Long Bay. Declared as a World Natural Heritage Area by UNESCO, Halong Bay is not only famous for its exceptional scenic beauty but also outstanding geological and geomorphic values. After lunch with fresh seafood, you will visit the Amazing cave and a beach. Weather permitting, you’ll be able to swim, and climb hills for an overview of the Bay’s remarkable seascape. Back to the habour for a return drive to Hanoi. Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi.

Day 7: Hanoi departure (G)

You’ll be free to shop at some of the local market before being driven to the airport for your international departure flight.