Halong Bay & Ninh Binh 2 Days 1 Night

Tour Itinerary

Halong bay cruise –> Ninh Binh Tour
Duration: 2 days 1 night.

Day 1: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise – Ninh Binh (L, D)

8:00-8:30: Bus and tour guide pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi center, then depart for Ha Long Bay via the expressway. Short break en-route.

11:45: Arrive at Tuan Chau Island and enter a private waiting lounge to board the Halong Sonata Cruise. Begin your enchanting 6-hour journey through the scenic 2-day sleeper boat cruise route, renowned for its stunning, uninhabited islets and rock formations. A buffet-style lunch will be served on board.

14:00 – 16:30: Explore the Bo Hon archipelago, starting with a visit to the Surprising Cave, famous for its impressive stalagmites and stalactites. 

Next stop is Luon Cave, where you can choose to kayak or take a bamboo boat, immersing yourself in the beauty of the serene lagoon. Then visit Titov Island, where you can swim on the sandy beach or climb to the peak for a panoramic view. Titov Island boasts pristine, beautiful natural scenery and a remarkably tranquil atmosphere. It features a long, exceptionally clean sandy beach, kept fresh by the regular ebb and flow of the tides.

16:30: Return to the ship for a Sunset Party, enjoying live traditional music as the ship cruises back to Tuan Chau Harbor. Spend your time on the upper deck sunbathing, and revel in the camaraderie of fellow travelers amidst the world-renowned natural scenery.

18:00: Disembark the boat and transfer to Ninh Binh. Enjoy dinner at a rest stop along the way.

21:00: Arrive in Ninh Binh, check in at the bungalow, and have a good night in Tam Coc.

Day 2: Bai Dinh/Hoa Lu – Trang An/Tam Coc – Hang Mua – Hanoi (B, L)

7:00 – 9:00: Enjoy breakfast and relax at the hotel. Or take a bike ride through the countryside of Tam Coc – Bich Dong area (your own arrangement).

9:30: Bus and tour guide pick you up and beginning the tour in Ninh Binh.

Option 1: Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda

10:00 – Arrive at the Glimmering Bai Dinh pagoda complex, the largest pagoda not only in Vietnam but also in Southeast of Asia. Scenically set on the foot hill of Dinh Mountain, surrounded by amazing views of the exquisite river valley below and the limestone karsts dotted around, which will take your breath away. 

You will visit some of the highlights that are nationally renowned: 500 stone statues of ‘La Han’ (Arhats), 2 huge bronze bells, one weighing 27 tons and the other weighing 36 tons. Visit the Quan Yin statue with thousands of arms and eyes, as well as the Gautama Buddha statue.

Option 2: Visit Hoa Lư Ancient Citadel

10:00 – Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel, home to Dinh King Temple and Le King Temple, dating back to the 17th Century.

12:00 – Enjoy lunch at restaurant with a selection of great local cuisines.

In the afternoon: 

Option 1: Trang An boat trip 

13:30 – Leave for the Trang An Grottoes, an outstanding natural beauty of majestic limestone massifs covering an area of 20 square kilometers, rising dramatically from rice paddy fields. Deep within the interconnected chains of towering mountains lie pristine areas of mystical valleys, numerous freshwater ponds, and jungle.

Embark on a traditional sampan gently rowed down the exquisite river, passing through numerous caves including Lam Cave, Vang Cave, Dai Cave, Thanh Truot Cave, and Cao Sơn Temple, Suoi Tien Temple, Vu Lam Temple…

Option 2: Tam Coc boat trip

13:30 – Board a small sampan to visit Tam Coc, which literally means ‘three caves’ (a 1.5-hour boat trip). With views reminiscent of Halong Bay, featuring majestic limestone cliffs and mysterious caves, as well as countryside landscapes with peaceful streams, rice paddies, and deserted green fields, Tam Coc truly offers a diverse range of sights. You will experience the fresh air and peaceful moments, providing excellent opportunities for photography enthusiasts to capture special moments and stunning scenery.

16:00 – Visit Mua Cave and embark on an amazing trek up to the top of Ngoa Long mountain to witness the spectacular rice valley with spacious view of the nature.

17:00: Get on the bus and transfer back to Hanoi.

19:00-19.30: Drop off at your hotel or the original meeting point.