[Choose Your Own Hotel] Northern Vietnam Classic 5 Days｜Hanoi・Ninh Binh・Ha Long Bay
Trip highlights
- Three sides of Northern Vietnam in one tripHanoi, the inland bay at Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay — five days covering the classic Northern Vietnam route.
- Three days with a Mandarin-speaking guideA Mandarin-speaking guide is with you for the city's cultural landmarks and the Ninh Binh scenery — this is more than just a car and driver.
- Ha Long Bay cruise with mealsThe Ambassador day cruise includes lunch and afternoon tea on board.
- Choose your own hotelYou decide where to stay; we collect you from that address by private car each day.
- Starts the moment you landThe e-Visa and airport fast track are included, so you step off the plane straight into your car.
What you arrange yourself
- Four nights' accommodationPick and book your own hotel; send us the address after booking and we will build the daily transfers around it.
- International flightsYou choose the departure date and the flights.
- A Mandarin-speaking guide on Day 4The Ha Long Bay cruise is guided in English by the operator.
Final pricing is confirmed by group size, departure date and peak-holiday dates.
Description
5-Day Itinerary
Day 1｜Arrive in Hanoi & Old Quarter Walk
A private car meets you at Noi Bai, then in the evening a Mandarin-speaking guide walks you into the thousand-year-old Old Quarter to open your Northern Vietnam trip.
| Per your flight | Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport |
| Per your flight | Fast track．Private car to your hotel |
| — | Drop your bags at the hotel; lunch at your own expense |
| Your own arrangements | Free time |
| 18:00 | Old Quarter walking tour (with a Mandarin-speaking guide) |
| 21:00 | Back to the hotel |
Included today
- Vietnam e-Visa (standard)
- Noi Bai standard arrival fast track
- Airport pickup
- Mandarin-speaking guide 18:00–21:00
Not included today
- Lunch and dinner
- City transport other than the airport pickup
- Personal spending
Day 1 is adjusted flexibly to your actual arrival time. Apart from the airport transfer, no private car is included today; the Old Quarter is explored on foot.
Day 2｜Hanoi City & Cultural Landmarks
Visit Hanoi's classic landmarks and historic sites with a Mandarin-speaking guide alongside you all day, for a closer look at the old capital.
| 09:00 | Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum |
| 10:15 | Tran Quoc Pagoda |
| 11:15 | Temple of Literature |
| 12:30 | Lunch at your own expense |
| 14:00 | Thang Long Imperial Citadel |
| 15:45 | Train Street cafe (at your own expense) |
| Your own arrangements | Free time．Dinner at your own expense |
| Your own arrangements | Back to the hotel |
Included today
- Mandarin-speaking guide 09:00–17:00
- Private car 09:00–17:00
Not included today
- City attraction tickets (Temple of Literature, Thang Long Imperial Citadel and similar)
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Anything you order at the Train Street cafe
- Personal spending
Today's attraction tickets are paid on site. The order of stops can be adjusted to suit you, and actual timing may shift with traffic and conditions on the day.
Day 3｜Hoa Lu, Trang An Boat Ride & Mua Cave
Head to Ninh Binh for the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, a rowing-boat ride through the limestone waterways of Trang An, and the climb up Mua Cave for the view over what is known as the inland Ha Long Bay.
| 07:30 | Depart the hotel for Ninh Binh (about 2.5 hours by road) |
| 10:00 | Hoa Lu Ancient Capital |
| 11:00 | Lunch at your own expense |
| 12:30 | Trang An boat ride |
| 14:00 | Mua Cave |
| 15:30 | Back to Hanoi (about 2.5 hours by road) |
| Your own arrangements | Free time．Dinner at your own expense |
| Your own arrangements | Back to the hotel |
Included today
- Hoa Lu entry ticket
- Trang An boat ticket
- Mua Cave entry ticket
- Mandarin-speaking guide 07:30–18:00
- Private car 07:30–18:00
Not included today
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Personal spending
It is a long drive to Ninh Binh and back today; actual timing may shift with traffic and conditions on the day.
Day 4｜Ha Long Bay Day Cruise
Sail out on the Ambassador cruise among the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, visiting Sung Sot Cave and Luon Cave, with lunch and afternoon tea served on board.
| 08:00 | Depart the hotel for Ha Long Bay (about 2.5 hours by road) |
| 10:30 | Board the ship．Lunch on board |
| — | Sung Sot Cave．Luon Cave．Ti Top Island．Afternoon tea on board |
| 17:00 | Back to Ha Long Bay harbour |
| 19:30 | Back to Hanoi (about 2.5 hours by road) |
| Your own arrangements | Dinner at your own expense．Back to the hotel |
Included today
- Ha Long Bay Ambassador day cruise
- Lunch and afternoon tea on board
- Private car 08:00–20:00
Not included today
- Mandarin-speaking guide (the cruise is guided in English)
- Breakfast and dinner
- Paid extras on board
- Personal spending
The cruise is guided in English by the operator, so no Mandarin-speaking guide today; the boat is shared with other passengers. Actual timing may shift with sea conditions and traffic on the day.
Day 5｜Free Time & Airport Drop-off
The last day is yours — walk the city or pick up souvenirs, then meet your driver for the airport at the time your flight requires.
| Your own arrangements | Explore the city．Souvenir shopping |
| Per your flight | Meet at the hotel, private car to the airport |
| Per your flight | Departure fast track |
| Per your flight | Board your flight home |
Included today
- Noi Bai airport drop-off
- Noi Bai standard departure fast track
Not included today
- Mandarin-speaking guide (no guide today)
- Breakfast and lunch
- City transport other than the airport drop-off
- Personal spending
Day 5 is adjusted flexibly to your actual flight time. Apart from the airport drop-off, no private car is included today.
Guide and private car at a glance
| Day | Mandarin-speaking guide | Private car |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 18:00–21:00 | Airport pickup |
| Day 2 | 09:00–17:00 | 09:00–17:00 |
| Day 3 | 07:30–18:00 | 07:30–18:00 |
| Day 4 | None (the cruise is guided in English) | 08:00–20:00 |
| Day 5 | None | Airport drop-off |
Three of the five days include a Mandarin-speaking guide. Day 4 in Ha Long Bay is a cruise, guided in English by the operator. Vehicle use or guiding beyond the hours listed above is charged separately.
Who this trip suits
What the price covers
Included
- Vietnam e-Visa (standard)
- Standard arrival and departure fast track
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Three days with a Mandarin-speaking guide (Day 1 evening, Day 2, Day 3)
- Private car on Days 2–4
- Hoa Lu entry ticket
- Trang An boat ride
- Mua Cave entry ticket
- Ha Long Bay Ambassador day cruise
- Lunch and afternoon tea on the cruise
- Trip planner and customer support
Not included
- Four nights' accommodation
- International flights
- All meals (except lunch and afternoon tea on the cruise)
- Day 2 city attraction tickets
- A Mandarin-speaking guide on Day 4 (the cruise is guided in English)
- A Mandarin-speaking guide on Day 5
- Express visa surcharge
- Peak-holiday surcharges
- Tips for the driver and guide
- Personal spending
- Activities you arrange outside the itinerary
Transfers and meeting points
Cancellation policy
| When you cancel | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|
| 41 or more days before departure | 5% |
| 31–40 days before departure | 10% |
| 21–30 days before departure | 20% |
| 2–20 days before departure | 30% |
| 1 day before departure | 50% |
| On the day of departure / no-show | 100% |
Tickets, passes, visas and fast-track services cannot be cancelled, refunded or rescheduled once purchased. Cancellation fees are calculated on the tour price after deducting administrative fees already paid out.
Peak-holiday surcharges
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 2026-09-02 | Vietnam National Day |
| 2026-12-31 | New Year's Eve |
| 2027-01-01 | New Year's Day |
| Lunar New Year 2027 | From lunar Dec 29, i.e. 2/5–2/9 |
| 2027-04-16 | Hung Kings' Festival |
| 2027-05-01 | Labour Day |
| 2027-09-02 | Vietnam National Day |
Booking dates that fall on the days above are taken as acceptance of the surcharge. We calculate the exact amount and tell you before you book.
FAQ
Are flights included?
No — this package covers the local itinerary and transfers. Please book your own international flights; you choose the departure date.
Is accommodation included?
No — please book the four nights yourself, wherever you prefer.
After booking, send us the name and address of your hotel in central Hanoi and we will arrange the daily transfers around it.
Is the price per person or per group?
This package is priced per traveller; the price shown on this page starts at NT$19,200 per person.
The larger your group, the lower the per-person price; the final amount is confirmed by group size, departure date and peak-holiday dates.
What is the minimum group size?
This package runs with two or more travellers, and each group departs on its own.
We do not currently accept solo travellers paying a single supplement; for groups of eight or more, please ask our trip planner for a quote.
Is there a Mandarin-speaking guide every day?
A Mandarin-speaking guide joins you on Day 1 evening, Day 2 and Day 3。
Day 4 Ha Long Bay is the Ambassador cruise, guided by the operator in English, with no Mandarin-speaking guide.
Day 5 is free time plus the airport drop-off, with no guide.
Is the Ha Long Bay cruise a private charter?
No — the Ambassador cruise is a scheduled day trip, so you share the boat with other passengers。
. The transfers to and from the harbour are still your own private vehicle, never shared with other travellers.
Can the itinerary be adjusted?
Yes, within the booked vehicle hours and service area. On a private tour you can change the order of stops and how long you spend at each — just tell us when you book.
Going beyond the day's vehicle hours or service area is charged separately; the Ha Long Bay cruise is a fixed itinerary and cannot be changed.
Is it suitable for families or older travellers?
The land days use a private vehicle throughout, never shared with other travellers, so the pace and rest stops can be adjusted to suit you.
Child safety seatsare NT$300 each per day; please tell us the children's ages and how many seats you need when booking.
Please note: Day 3 (Ninh Binh) and Day 4 (Ha Long Bay) involve about 2.5 hours each way, and Ha Long Bay requires boarding a boat. If you are travelling with young children or older travellers with limited mobility, please let us know when booking.
