Hanoi City Tour with Halong Bay

Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport, welcome by our guide, and transfer to your hotel. The driving time is approximately 40 minutes. Starting with the Temple of Literature, the oldest university in Hanoi and a perfect example of ancient architecture built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius. In the afternoon, visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple located on an islet in the lake. Hoan Kiem Lake is the center point of Hanoi and home to a rare endangered giant turtle species. Its name “Returned Sword” comes from a legend of a sacred sword being lent to an ancient Vietnamese King by a holy turtle from the lake and later returned to the turtle. Shopping time at Dong Xuan market.

After breakfast, we will join a half-day city tour to visit Ho Chi Minh Complex which features the life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where the nation’s founder’s body is preserved (closed on Monday, Friday, and through October - November), the colonial Presidential Palace, originally the French Governor Office and a fine example of French architecture in Hanoi, and the rural style Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. Stop by one of Hanoi’s icons, the One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th Century in dedication to Buddha of Compassion and reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond. Continue to the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, sages, and outstanding Vietnamese scholars. Having lunch before transferring to Ha Long Bay, which is about 160 km long and takes approximately 3.5 hours. Moving through the countryside on the way will bring you a clear perspective of a country whose 80% of the population lives in farming. Have a quick rest stop en route before reaching Ha Long City. Check in hotel then spend time at leisure. Dinner at a local restaurant. Evening: you’re free at leisure to discover Ha Long town, visit the night market, Casino or enjoy a Foot Massage (under your account).

Have breakfast at a hotel between 6-7 AM and then transfer to the dock to board a cruise boat to explore the legendary Ha Long Bay. Ha Long means Descending Dragon in Vietnamese as legend has it that a holly dragon landed down here from the sky. The bay, famous as one of the world’s wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2. The boat will stop at Dau Go Island for you to visit Thien Cung Cave (Heaven Palace) and Dau Go Cave (Wooden Stakes). Dau Go Cave in the 13th Century was a depot to store pointed wooden stakes, which later were used by Vietnamese great military commander Tran Hung Dao to trap and puncture Mongolian naval boats in the famous battles of Bach Dang. Continue cruising while fresh seafood lunch is served on board. Return to the dock, disembark, and travel back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel in Hanoi to relax before enjoying tasty foods at one of our beloved restaurants.

Have breakfast at the hotel, explore a rest corner of Hanoi Old Quarter to buy souvenirs for relations, or just relax at the hotel until check-out time and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.