Highlights
Combine the beauty of northern Vietnam’s most magnificent natural landscapes with the culture and shopping paradise of its capital city on this 5-day highlights program featuring delicious cuisine and intriguing activities. Start your holiday in Hanoi before getting a taste of the simple life in Ninh Binh’s Trang An and Halong Bay, both renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Details
DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL - THE OLD QUARTER (D)
Xin Chào and welcome to the stunning capital of Vietnam, Hanoi! Once you have completed immigration procedures at Noi Bai International Airport, say hello to your local guide and transfer to the city centre, where you will find your hotel for the night.
Then, get acquainted with the city with a guided tour of the Old Quarter’s 36 famous labyrinth-like streets, by cyclo (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi). There will be plenty of chances for selfies and shopping as you learn about the city’s artistic side and interesting history. The tour includes sampling Vietnamese coffee or traditional desserts (chè), as well as a stop at Hoan Kiem Lake’s island temple, Ngoc Son.
End the evening with a delicious welcome dinner featuring all of Hanoi’s classic delicacies before turning in for the night in your hotel’s comfortable bed.
Overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 2: HANOI - NINH BINH - HALONG BAY (B,L,D)
After breakfast, take a two-hour private transfer with your guide to Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ninh Binh province. Noteworthy for its breathtaking natural landscape of vibrant river valleys framed by limestone karst mountains, Trang An is a quintessential look into Vietnam’s most beautiful scenery and countryside culture.
Here the farmers often have two harvest seasons due to the way they plant the rice, giving guests ample chances to catch the beauty of the golden rice fields, from late May to mid June and mid August to early September.
One of the best ways to discover the areas hidden grottos and caves is by rowboat, which you will get to experience over a 2-3 hour rowboat ride as a local woman guides you with ease using only her feet to move the oars! Don’t forget your camera as in addition to the wonderful scenery, there are stops at centuries’ old sacred temples along the way.
Lunch at a local restaurant to try Ninh Binh cuisine, continuing on by private transfer through peaceful villages in the Red River Delta to Halong Bay. After a day of discovery, relax by the pool or enjoy a massage treatment at the hotel’s spa.
Overnight in Halong.
DAY 3: THE WONDERS OF HALONG BAY (B,L,D)
After breakfast, discover the natural wonders of Halong Bay, another wonderful UNESCO World Heritage Site by day cruise, passing thousands of limestone karts rising out of the smooth, emerald-like waters. Stop to visit one of Halong’s most famous caves, before having an extravagant lunch in your ship’s dining room.
Return to the pier in the early afternoon, with plenty of time to discover this beautiful coastal city at leisure. For those who are young at heart, check out Sun World’s Halong Complex for thrilling games and cable car rides, or reach new heights with a bird’s eye view of the area with a scenic seaplane tour to enjoy a panoramic view from above!
Overnight in Halong.
DAY 4: HALONG - HANOI (B,L,D)
Take some time this morning to soak up all the beauty of Halong for the last time, perhaps with a morning walk, before breakfast is served at the hotel. Then, return to Hanoi via a 2.5 hour comfortable private transfer followed by a large lunch in a typical Hanoian restaurant.
Once you’ve had enough to eat, travel back in time to 1076 when Vietnam’s first university, the famous Temple of Literature, first opened. Stroll through the garden-like grounds and admire the tranquility found within its walled perimeter in the middle of the city. Continue on the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – a complex of historic imperial buildings dating all the way back to the 7th century and Hanoi’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dine at a popular Hanoi restaurant tonight for dinner to conclude your trip, thinking back on all of the wonderful moments that have passed during the previous 4 days.
Overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 5: HANOI DEPARTURE (B)
Spend the morning at leisure as you snap up those last-minute souvenirs around the Old Quarter of Hanoi before a noon check-out. Then head to Noi Bai International Airport to catch your flight home.
Special Rates
Please contact us for the best rates.
Services included
+ 4-night hotel accommodation based on twin/double share (see Accommodation section for details)
+ 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
+ Traditional private boat trip in Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex
+ Premium Halong Bay join-in day cruise with lunch aboard Sea Octopus or Halong Princess
+ Traditional private cyclo tour in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
+ English, Chinese, Korean, or Japanese-speaking local guide (please enquire for other languages)
+ Tours and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle unless stated otherwise
+ Entrance fees for all mentioned visits, activities and tours
+ VAT and service charges.
Services not included
+ Admission tickets to Sun World Halong Complex and Queen Cable Car ride
+ Halong Bay seaplane sightseeing tour (recommended to book in advance)
+ International and domestic flights (quoted separately)
+ Visa fees (if any), travel insurance, and tips
+ Meals other than mentioned above
+ Early check-in or late check-out fees
+ Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, etc)
+ Peak season surcharges and compulsory gala dinners on 24th Dec and 31st Dec
+ Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above.
Terms & Conditions
PAYMENTS
A deposit of 30% of the total booking is required within three days from the date of confirmation. The balance payment is due at 45 days prior to tour commencement date. For bookings made less than 45 days, full payment is required. Bookings will be cancelled if payments are not received by the due date(s).
Payment can be made via bank transfer or credit cards. In addition to the total payable amount, credit card payments will incur a merchant fee of 2.5% for MasterCard and Visa, 3% for American Express. Any bank charges and merchant fees must be covered by the customer.
CANCELLATIONS
Confirmed bookings must be cancelled by the party leader in writing (by email) and this will only be effective once the written cancellation is confirmed by FantaSea Vietnam. Cancellation by the party leader will be subject to the following cancellation fees from the date the written cancellation is received:
+ more than 45 days prior to tour date - 10% of total cost
+ between 31 and 45 days prior to tour date - 25% of total cost
+ between 16 and 30 days prior to tour date - 50% of total cost
+ within 15 days prior to tour date or “no show” - 100% of total cost.
AMENDMENTS
Any amendments to confirmed bookings must be requested by the party leader in writing (by email). Whilst we will endeavor to assist, we cannot guarantee that requests will be met. If we can make the requested change, you will be provided with a quote detailing any additional costs, whether incurred due to your amendments, imposed by a Third-Party Travel Provider, or our amendment fees. In all cases, the following amendment fees shall apply:
+ If amendments are made more than 45 days prior to scheduled tour date: the first amendment is free of charge. From the second amendment: a charge of U$80 per amendment for a short trip (less than 7 nights) or U$150 per amendment for a long journey (7 nights or more).
+ If amendments are made within 45 days prior to scheduled tour date: the above standard cancellation fees will apply, and full price will apply to new travel arrangements.
We will not charge any cancellation/amendment fees if it is due to a breach by us of any of our obligations or due to our fault; or if the Third-Party Travel Provider amends your booking through no fault of the customer.
