Many travellers reach northern Vietnam with only a few days: a stopover on a longer Asia trip, a business visit with a weekend free, or the first part of a north-to-south journey. The three classic sights, Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Halong Bay, are close enough to combine, but squeezing all three into a short stay needs careful planning. These are the itineraries we use as starting points.
Our three short-break itineraries
| Itinerary | Days | What you do | From, per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi – Ninh Binh Cycling – Galaxy Cave | 3 | Arrival in Hanoi; cycling between villages in Nho Quan, a farm activity and family cooking class, rowing boat to Galaxy Grotto, night near Van Long; Dich Long cave and pagoda before returning | US$420 |
| Hanoi – Halong Bay Classical | 4 | Arrival, a full Hanoi city tour, road to Halong Bay and an overnight cruise in a private cabin, tai chi at sunrise | US$560 |
| Hanoi Culinary Tour & Halong Bay | 5 | Evening food tour on arrival, a Hanoi cooking class with market ingredients, two days and one night on Halong Bay with kayaking and a cooking class on board | US$700 |
Prices are the current “from” prices on each tour page and depend on dates, hotel category and group size. Your quote shows the exact amount.
Which one fits your trip?
You love food
The five-day culinary itinerary is built around eating well: a street-food evening on the day you arrive, a cooking class with ingredients from a local market and a second cooking session on the boat. It is the most relaxed of the three.
You want the classics at a steady pace
The four-day classical tour gives you a full day in Hanoi with a private guide and car, then the drive of around two and a half hours to Halong Bay, with a stop on the way, and a night on board.
Plan your Vietnam trip in 1 minute
Pick your month to see the weather by region, or estimate your budget — then get a private itinerary from our Hanoi team.
Typical seasonal patterns; weather varies year to year. Our team checks your exact dates when we prepare your itinerary.
"From" prices published on our Vietnam tour cost guide: per person per day, 2 travellers sharing, private guide & driver, hotels, listed activities. International flights, e-visa, insurance and tips not included. Final price is confirmed in your written quote.
You prefer countryside to the sea
The three-day Ninh Binh programme is for travellers who want fresh air and village life. Cycling distances range from about 5 to 15 kilometres, depending on how far you want to ride.
Can I see all three in four or five days?
Yes, but we only recommend it with five days. A realistic plan is:
- Day 1: arrive in Hanoi, evening walk or food tour.
- Day 2: Hanoi city tour.
- Day 3: drive to Ninh Binh, boat trip and cycling, overnight in Ninh Binh.
- Day 4: drive directly from Ninh Binh to the Halong piers and board your cruise.
- Day 5: sunrise on the bay, return to Hanoi or the airport.
Driving from Ninh Binh straight to the bay avoids going back through Hanoi. We arrange this as a tailor-made itinerary; the price depends on the cruise and the hotels you choose.
Getting the most from a short break
Short trips leave little room for delays, so we plan them carefully. If your flight lands early in the morning, we book the hotel room from the night before so you can sleep; if it lands in the evening, the first full day starts later. We avoid weekends for the Halong Bay day or cruise when we can, because domestic visitors make the bay busier on Saturdays and Sundays, especially in summer. In the storm months, roughly July to September, we put the cruise early in the trip, so a suspended sailing can be swapped with Ninh Binh rather than lost.
Ninh Binh is the part most often squeezed. A day trip is possible, but a night there lets you take the boat in the quiet early morning and cycle between villages in the late afternoon light. If you can give the trip five days, that night is the best use of the extra day.
If one day is all you have, our Vietnam day tours list the private outings we arrange from Hanoi and other cities.
What is included
All three itineraries include private door-to-door transfers, accommodation in twin or double rooms with breakfast, an English-speaking guide, the meals listed in the programme and sightseeing tickets; the Halong itineraries include the cruise. International flights, travel insurance, drinks and tips are not included. Guides in other languages can be arranged on request.
How to book
Send us your arrival and departure times and we will confirm whether the itinerary works as it is or should be adjusted. A 30% deposit confirms the booking and the balance is due 45 days before departure; see how to book with us.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need for Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Halong Bay?
Five days is the minimum we recommend to see all three without rushing: two in Hanoi, one in Ninh Binh and an overnight cruise on the bay.
How much does a short private tour of Hanoi and Halong Bay cost?
Our Hanoi and Halong Bay Classical tour starts from US$560 per person for 4 days, and the 5-day Hanoi culinary tour with Halong Bay from US$700. Prices vary with dates, hotels and group size.
Can I go from Ninh Binh directly to Halong Bay?
Yes. We drive directly from Ninh Binh to the cruise pier, so you do not need to return to Hanoi in between.
Are these tours private?
Yes. Transfers, the guide and the city and countryside excursions are private. On the Halong cruise you have a private cabin on a shared boat.
Is a 3-day trip to Ninh Binh enough?
Three days including arrival covers cycling, a boat trip and a night in the countryside. Add a day if you also want Trang An and Hoa Lu.
