Package overview
This is the tightest version of the Hanoi–Ha Long Bay pairing on offer, with a single full-day Hanoi city tour followed directly by an overnight cruise, then a same-morning transfer back to Noi Bai Airport for departure. There's no Ninh Binh countryside day and no second Halong Bay night, which keeps the trip to four days total.
It works well as a short stopover for clients transiting through Vietnam, or as the opening segment of a longer combined itinerary with Cambodia, Laos or the rest of Vietnam booked separately. October to April tends to give the most comfortable weather on the bay, with calmer seas and cooler daytime temperatures.
Trip highlights
- Full-day Hanoi city tour covering Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Old Quarter
- Overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay aboard a traditional junk
- Surprise Cave visit and a swim stop near Ti Top Island
- Squid-fishing option and cabin overnight aboard the cruise
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (about a 45-minute, 25 km transfer from the airport)
Vietnam's capital greets arriving clients with French colonial streets, lakeside pagodas and the dense trading lanes of the Old Quarter. With only one full sightseeing day ahead, many groups use the arrival afternoon for an easy first walk around the Old Quarter before an early night.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour
The day covers Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, then Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda beside West Lake. After lunch, the group visits the Museum of Ethnology before finishing at Hoan Kiem Lake and a walk through the Old Quarter.
Day 3: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, board overnight cruise (about 3 hours / 170 km one way)
An 8am pickup starts the drive through the Red River Delta's rice fields and villages to Ha Long Bay. Once aboard the traditional junk, the cruise passes Dinh Huong, Ga Choi and Dog Island, stops at a pearl-farming site and paddles into Luon Cave, with a swim near Ti Top Island before sunset and dinner served on board.
Day 4: Ha Long Bay to Hanoi Airport, departure (about 3½ hours / 190 km one way)
A Tai Chi session on the sundeck opens the last morning before a visit to Surprise Cave, entered by around 100 steps and explored on foot. After brunch, the boat disembarks at Tuan Chau International Passenger Port for the road transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for the onward or homeward flight.
What's included
- INCLUSIONS
- EXCLUSIONS
- ACCOMMODATION
- VISA
- PAYMENT TERMS
- CANCELLATION POLICY
- DO'S IN VIETNAM
- DON'TS IN VIETNAM
- Accommodation with twin/ double/ triple sharing room basis with daily breakfast in the category chosen or similar (subject to availability).
- Meals as mentioned in the Tour Itinerary.
- Sightseeing & Transfers according to the above Tour Itinerary Details only.
- Transportation by vehicle with A/C
- Local English-speaking guide’s assistance.
- All Entrance fees for attractions included in the program
- All activities and cruises clearly mentioned in the program
- Government taxes & service charge
- Air Fare / Train fare.
- Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, porterage, water sports.
- Early check-in, late check-out
- Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
- Room Up gradation Charges.
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc (to be borne by the client, which is directly payable on the spot).
- Travel Insurance.
- Bank Charges
- Tip to Driver & Guide (Compulsory)
- Airport Taxes
- Visa and Visa arrangement
- Anything which is not included in the inclusion.
Not included
- Air Fare / Train fare.
- Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, porterage, water sports.
- Early check-in, late check-out
- Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
- Room Up gradation Charges.
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc (to be borne by the client, which is directly payable on the spot).
- Travel Insurance.
- Bank Charges
- Tip to Driver & Guide (Compulsory)
- Airport Taxes
- Visa and Visa arrangement
- Anything which is not included in the inclusion.
Book this package
Visa requirements, payment terms and cancellation rules for this destination are set out on our [Vietnam travel information page](vietnam/travel-information).
Rates are quoted on request for your dates, party size and hotel category. Send us the itinerary reference and we will come back with a net B2B quotation.