Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi (D)

Arrive in Hanoi . Meet the guide and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Have a dinner and overnight in Hanoi .

Day 2: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Hanoi (B, L, D)

Drive 70km through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam ’s first capital, Hoa Lu. After visiting the two remaining sanctuaries of the ancient citadel, take a sampan on a river through the rice paddies to the grottoes of the sacred Tam Coc Caves . Enormous limestone karats jut out from the green rice fields giving rise to this place’s other name, ‘Halong on Land’. Lunch at a local restaurant is included. Return to Hanoi in the afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi .

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong (B, L, D)

After breakfast visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Palace of the former Governor of Viet Nam, the wooden  stilt house where Ho Chi Minh lived for the last years of his life and the One Pillar Pagoda. Continue going by road to Ha long. Transfer to hotel on arrival. Dinner is in a local restaurant. Overnight in Ha long.

Day 4: Halong - Hanoi (B, L, D)

A morning cruise in a private junk on the emerald green waters of Ha long Bay, among the 3,000  spectacular limestone islands. The cruise ends with a fresh seafood lunch on board. Return to Hanoi by road in the afternoon. Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show in the evening before having a dinner. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 5 : Hanoi (B)

At leisure until transfer to Noi Bai Airport for onward flight.