Rowing boats on the river between limestone hills at Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Vietnam · 3 nights, 4 days

Hanoi, Ninh Binh & Halong Bay Day Cruise

from ₹35,100 per person, twin sharing, flights extra

Hanoi to Ninh Binh to Halong Bay

About this trip

A short, easy taste of northern Vietnam from one Hanoi base. See the capital’s pagodas and Old Quarter, take a boat through Ninh Binh’s rice-field karsts, and spend a day cruising Halong Bay.

One of our Vietnam tour packages from Kochi. Flights quoted from your city.

Going from Kerala

There is no non-stop flight from Kerala at the moment: most routes from Kochi change once, in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok, for Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. We fly you into one city and out of the other, so no day is lost going back.

The Christmas break suits the north (Hanoi and Halong Bay are cool and clear) and the south alike. In the April–May summer break, Da Nang and Hoi An are at their best. The Onam break is still good for Da Nang and Hoi An; the north is in its monsoon then: hot, green and showery.

Length
3 nights, 4 days
Route
Hanoi to Ninh Binh to Halong Bay

Vietnam at a glance

  • Heritage
  • Cruise
  • City break

Highlights

  • Tran Quoc, Hanoi’s oldest pagoda
  • Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter
  • Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient royal capital
  • Sampan boat ride in Tam Coc
  • Halong Bay day cruise
  • Cave visit and kayaking or bamboo boat
  • Indian dishes at lunch on board

Route

  1. Hanoi
  2. Ninh Binh
  3. Halong Bay
  • Hotel
  • Breakfast
  • Transfers
  • Cruise

Day by day

  1. Day 1:Arrive Hanoi & City Tour

    Turtle Tower on its islet in Hoan Kiem Lake, among the trees of Hanoi
    Hanoi

    Your guide meets you at Noi Bai Airport, then an afternoon tour shows you the heart of Hanoi.

    • Private transfer from Noi Bai Airport to your hotel
    • Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi
    • Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside view) and One Pillar Pagoda
    • Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter
    • Please book a flight landing in the morning

    Meals:No meals

  2. Day 2:Hanoi to Ninh Binh to Hanoi

    A day trip south to Ninh Binh for an ancient capital and a gentle boat ride among limestone peaks.

    • Drive to Ninh Binh, about 2 hours
    • Hoa Lu, the ancient royal capital of Vietnam
    • Sampan boat ride in Tam Coc (shared boat)
    • Return to Hanoi in the evening

    Meals:Breakfast

  3. Day 3:Hanoi to Halong Bay to Hanoi

    Limestone islands rising from calm water in Halong Bay, Vietnam
    Halong Bay

    A shared day trip to Halong Bay, cruising past limestone islands with a cave stop and lunch on board.

    • Shared transfer to Halong Bay, about 3 to 3.5 hours
    • Shared day cruise through the limestone islands
    • Visit a spectacular cave
    • Kayaking or bamboo boat ride (as per the cruise programme)
    • Lunch on board, with Indian dishes alongside the local buffet
    • Late evening return to your Hanoi hotel

    Meals:Breakfast & Lunch on the cruise

  4. Day 4:Depart Hanoi

    Breakfast, a little free time for shopping if your flight allows, then your transfer to the airport.

    • Breakfast at the hotel
    • Free time for shopping, flight permitting
    • Private transfer to the airport (driver only, no guide)

    Meals:Breakfast

What the price covers

Included

  • 3 nights in 3-star hotels (or similar), twin sharing
  • Stays: Hanoi – La Dolce Vita Hotel
  • 4-star and 5-star upgrades available
  • Daily breakfast, plus lunch on the Halong Bay cruise
  • Private airport transfers and car with driver; shared transfer for the Halong Bay day
  • English-speaking guide on touring days
  • Entry fees for the sights listed
  • Shared Halong Bay day cruise and shared sampan boat in Tam Coc
  • Bottled water on touring days

Not included

  • International flights
  • Vietnam e-visa and travel insurance
  • Tips for guides and drivers (about US$3 per person per day)
  • Meals not listed, drinks and personal expenses
  • Christmas and New Year surcharge (24–25 Dec, 31 Dec–1 Jan)

We can add

Vietnam visa for Indians: what you need

From our travellers

  • Rated 5 out of 5

    We booked our Vietnam trip with Ethan Holidays and it was an absolute delight! From the smooth visa process to peaceful transfers and friendly guides. Our stays were super cute, many with pools and jacuzzis. And the sweetest part? They arranged a surprise birthday celebration for my friend on the cruise!

    Minsha Anto

    Vietnam trip · Google review

  • Rated 5 out of 5

    We, a group of seven members, recently had a thrilling holiday in Vietnam for 8 days. The entire itinerary, travel and accommodation arrangements were done by Team Ethan, led by Ms. Ruby. We had a memorable vacation at two destinations, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, and the accommodation at both was very comfortable, with tasty food. The tour itinerary was perfect, with courteous and supportive local guides and comfortable travel by vehicle, and all of us really enjoyed the trip. Kudos to Team Ethan for arranging such an exciting trip.

    Johny P D

    Vietnam trip · Google review

  • Rated 5 out of 5

    We recently traveled to Thailand with Ethan Holidays and had the most amazing experience! Every detail was taken care of, from airport pickups to hotel check-ins, island tours, transfers, and even local recommendations. They customized the itinerary based on our needs, and everything ran like clockwork. What really stood out was their attention to detail and how quickly they handled last-minute changes.

    Manisha Mohan

    Thailand trip · Google review

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Before you ask

What does the price cover?

It is the lowest price per person for this trip, with two people sharing a room, for what the trip lists as included. Hotel standard: 3-star hotels. Flights from your city are quoted separately. Indicative price: it can change with dates and availability. Ask us for today’s price for your dates.

Do I need a visa?

Indian passport holders need Vietnam’s online e-visa, valid for up to 90 days, and we apply for it for you. Vietnam’s immigration department decides.

Vietnam visa for Indians: what you need

When is the best time to go?

The south and Phu Quoc are best December to April, when Hanoi is cool and Halong Bay can be misty. The north is at its best in spring and from September to November; Da Nang and Hoi An February to August.

Can you change this trip?

Yes. Every package on this site is a starting point. Tell us your dates, pace, hotel preferences and budget in the form below and we rebuild the itinerary around you.

Rowing boats on the river between limestone hills at Ninh Binh, Vietnam

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