6 - day The best of Vietnam tour

Set off your city tour with drive through French area to the Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh delivered the independence declaration in the morning of September 2nd 1945. Lining up for entering inside the Soviet-style mausoleum where late president Ho Chi Minh’s corpse has been reserved for years.  Then walk through the gardens of the Presidential Palace to House 54 where Ho Chi Minh lived during 1954-1958. Strolling along the little pond, you will see Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts, the humble dwelling was modeled of hill tribes traditional dwelling far north of the country where Ho Chi Minh and his government ever lived during French war. Take photos of the One Pillar Pagoda - one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples which was built since 11th century. 

Short drive to the 900-year-old Temple of Literature, which served as the first national university of Vietnam till end of 18th century.

Lunch with Ha Noi specialty at a local restaurant. 

Drive out of the central city to visit the Museum of Ethnology showcases the diverse culture of Vietnam's 54 ethnic minority groups through a collection of clothes, textiles, musical instruments and many other items from daily life.
Explore the fascinating Old quarter  by cyclo before wrapping the tour with water puppet show, an unique folk art of Viet Nam from about 11 century.

Please note: The Ho Chi Minh mausoleum is closed every Monday and Friday (outside grounds and garden area will be open on these days) and normally closed from September 4 through November 5 for preservation and maintenance of the building. 

• Meals: Breakfast / lunch
• Accommodation: Hanoi

Drive south to Ninh Binh province on a 2-hour journey to Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage site.Trang An is well known for its outstanding natural beauty and the scenic karst formations which contribute to its reputation as being the “Halong Bay in land.” 

Upon arrival, board a small rowing boat and wind lazily down the peaceful river while passing through a series of caves. While enjoying the sounds of soaring birds overhead and paddling along the crystal-clear waters of the river, jagged limestone hills jutting skyward out of electric green rice paddies will be sure to bring out the photographer in you.

Return to the pier to get to a local restaurant for lunch.

Heading to Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital during the Dinh and Le dynasties dating back to the 10th- 11th  century. We visit 02 temples dedicated to kings of the dynasties.

We then head to Mua cave complex. Upon arrival, set off 20 minutes hiking up some 500 steps to top a mountain where you can take in wonderful view of Tam Coc and surrounding Karst. .

• Meals: Breakfast/lunch
• Accommodation: Ninh Binh

8:00: embark your 3.50hrs drive through Red river delta’s peaceful villages. On route, make a visit to Pho Minh Buddhist pagoda in Nam Dinh province. Upon arrival in Cat Ba Island, check in your hotel. 

Have lunch at a local restaurant.

This afternoon, you will visit Trung Trang the biggest valley on Cat Ba Island with an area of about 300 hectares, lower than sea level from 10 to 30 meters. Having hundreds of natural stalactites with the unique shape, the cave makes people associated with the image of the fairy. There has one range of rocks standing in parallel, if you slap hands, you will hear the sound so far away. 

Then our guide will take you to Military Hospital Cave. Inside the cave, there is a hospital and completed functional areas with 3 floors and 17 rooms; the system of roads, wind hallway and light direction are completed from the entrance area to the back area. The hospital has ventilation system from inside the cave to the top of mountain by zigzag shape to not only get air and light easily, but also avoid the bombs.

Head back to Cat Ba for night.

• Meals: Breakfast/ lunch
• Accommodation: Cat Ba town

This morning you will get off the beaten track to explore the green mangrove forest of Phu Long by a small fishing boat. The boat will take you along a river which goes inside the forest. The scenery along the way is lovely with the background of the rock mountains afar. Get off your boat and do walking at Viet Hai Village. Then paddle your kayaks to explore the mangrove forests. Weave yourself along narrow creeks. After the kayaking, pay a visit to a limestone cave, then get back to your private car and head to Cat Ba tourist wharf where your private boat awaiting. Lunch on boat while cruising to the middle of Lan Ha Bay. After lunch, the boat stops by a beach for you to take a swim and enjoy the stunning scenery of the bay. 

• Meals: Breakfast/ lunch
• Accommodation: Cat Ba town

You have free morning to explore around by yourself.

This afternoon, our driver will take you back to Hanoi for your depature flight.

Meals: Breakfast