8-day Hanoi Ba Be Ninh Binh Halong Bay

Day 1: Hanoi arrival

1. Hanoi
   1h
   On arrival, our guide greeting and pick up at the airport then transfer to Hanoi, check-in hotel, and free at the rest of the day.

Day 2: Hanoi - Ba Be Lake (SIC Tour)

1. Ba Be National Park
   4h
   You will then travel to the Tay village of Coc Toc, where the houses are built in traditional Tay fashion on stilts. The local Tay population is extremely friendly to visitors and will welcome you with open arms, introducing you to their way of life central pillars of which are fishing on the lake and rice-farming. This is where you will spend the night in a homestay, to really get an intimate look at Tay culture and daily life. After checking in at the homestay, your afternoon will be free to spend as you wish, though we recommend going for a walk to explore the beautiful surroundings. Following this, we will take you to Hua Ma Cave, featuring thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. The rest of the day is again yours to do with as you please, though we offer the optional activities of guided walks/bike rides around Coc Toc Village and kayaking trips on the lake. If you’d rather spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the serene views, then that’s also an option.

Day 3: Trekking in Ba Be National Park (SIC Tour)

1. Ba Be National Park
   4h
   On your second day in Ba Be, you will have the chance to explore its diverse and beautiful landscapes as you go trekking through the park. Your guide will start off by taking you to Coc Toc Village, visiting the local Tay fishermen who live there, before crossing Pelu Stream and navigating some steep terrain. You’ll be greatly rewarded for the effort, as once you reach a higher altitude you will be assailed by magnificent views of the mountains. As you journey ever higher, you will stop in a H’mong village, where a picnic lunch will be prepared for you. After you’ve eaten and rested, you will continue through the vast mountain ranges and valleys to see the stilt houses of the Dzao people and visit one of their local schools before visiting a second H’mong Village and returning to your homestay by the lake

Day 4: Ba Be Lake - Hanoi (SIC Tour)

1. Thac Ba Lake
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Morning, take the boat to discover the lake. The boat will then continue along the Nang River, giving you a chance to explore the caves of Puong Grotto where you can marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites created through river erosion, as well as observe the thousands-strong bat colony that lives here

Day 5: Hanoi Full day city tour (SIC Tour)

1. Chua Tran Quoc
   30m
   Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest of its kind in Hanoi, dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De Dynasty (544 - 548). The Buddhist shrine has undergone several changes throughout the years, particularly its renaming from An Quoc to Tran Quoc (protecting the country) by Emperor Le Huy Tong in the 17th century
2. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is the place where Uncle Ho’s corpse is placed for people all over the country and international visitors to visit their beloved old father. Right from the first steps to Ba Dinh Square, from afar, visitors can see Uncle Ho’s tomb standing up with the words “Ho Chi Minh President” with extremely prominent and impressive plum pink stone.
3. One Pillar Pagoda
   30m · Admission ticket included
   One Pillar Pagoda (Mot Cot pagoda or Chua Mot Cot) – a distinctive and unique architectural structure and historical site. It is considered a symbol of Hanoi city with a thousand years of civilization due to bearing the architectural splendor hallmark of the famous historical dynasty in Vietnam.
4. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
   10h · Admission ticket included
   Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi offers an insight into the 54 different ethnic groups of Vietnam in an effort to preserve cultural heritage and promote socio-cultural diversity within the country.
5. Temple of Literature & National University
   45m · Admission ticket included
   The Temple of Literature is often cited as one of Hanoi’s most picturesque tourist attractions. Originally built as a university in 1070 dedicated to Confucius, scholars and sages, the building is extremely well preserved and is a superb example of traditional-style Vietnamese architecture.
6. Dền Ngọc Son
   45m · Admission ticket included
   Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi attracts tourists and locals looking to get away from the noise and frenetic pace of the city. Peaceful and quiet, the lake surrounds Ngoc Son Temple, a pagoda sitting in the centre on a small island.
   The temple attracts many visitors and was built in commemoration of the 13th century military leader Tran Hung Dao who was renowned for his bravery in the battle against the Yuan Dynasty.

Day 6: Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Hanoi (SIC Tour)

1. Hoa Lu Temples of the Dinh & le Dynasties
   2h · Admission ticket included
   In 968, Dinh Bo Linh declared himself as the King. Since then Hoa Lu existed as the capital for the next 41 years (968 – 1009), of which 12 years was under the Dinh dynasty – King Dinh Tien Hoang, the country named Dai Co Viet, and 29 years later was under the Le dynasty – King Le Dai Hanh. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long – present day Hanoi. Hoa Lu became the old citadel. In Hoa Lu there are now 2 temples have been built on the ground of the old royal palace, one is dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang, the other is to King Le Dai Hanh. The visit offers a chance to know more about part of feudal dynasties and historical periods in Vietnamese history.
2. Tam Cốc-Bich Dộng
   2h · Admission ticket included
   You will take the rowing boat at Tam Coc Harbour. Arranged by local people here, the boat is rowed by both hand and legs. The boat will take you to 3 specular caves with hundreds of limestones on the way. If you travel during harvest season, you will see many terrace rice fields in golden colors.
   The boat rowing will be in around 2 hours. Not only you could see the peaceful scenery of mountain, rice paddy fields, temples, you also have chances to learn about local people cultures on their daily life.
   Optional activities: Enjoy a bicycle ride through the countryside after the boat trip.

Day 7: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hanoi (SIC Tour)

1. Hạ Long Bay
   4h
   7:45 – 8:30 am: The tour guide will pick you and transfer to Halong Bay (around 3-3.5 hours of driving)
   12:00 – 12:30 pm: You will be welcomed the boat where lunch will be prepared and served to you on board by the crew. While having lunch, the captain will drive the cruise around the most beautiful islets among thousands of limestone islands such as Dog islet, Incense Burner Islet, Fighting Cock Islet etc.
   One stop of the 4-hour cruise is Dong Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace Cave), located on a remote island in the bay.
   4:00 pm: Return to the harbor around and we will stop for one break in the middle of the way so you have a chance to go to the restroom or have a drink.

Day 8: Hanoi departure

1. Hanoi
   1h
   Free of the day until transfer to the airport for the flight departure.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels