7-Day Vietnam Tour: Ninh Binh, Halong Bay & Hoi An
Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Halong Bay - Da Nang - Hoi An
Overview
This seven-day route is our most scenery-led northern journey, and the only one to include Ninh Binh — the "Dry Halong Bay", where a sampan glides through the Trang An UNESCO landscape past the tenth-century capital of Hoa Lu. From there it follows the classic north-and-central path: an overnight Halong Bay cruise, Hoi An's Ancient Town and coconut-forest basket boats, and the Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge. Choose it if you want Vietnam's most dramatic landscapes alongside its cultural highlights, without heading south.
Top Stops on This Journey
Popular destinations you'll explore across this 7-day itinerary
Hanoi
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, renowned for its centuries-old architecture, rich culture, and distinctive blend of Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French influences.
Why you'll love it
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- Temple of Literature
- Old Quarter
Halong Bay
Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Vietnam famous for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone karsts.
Why you'll love it
- Sung Sot Cave
- Ti Top Island
- Cat Ba Island
Hoi An
Hoi An is a well-preserved ancient trading port in central Vietnam, celebrated for its yellow-painted houses and traditional lantern-lit streets.
Why you'll love it
- Japanese Covered Bridge
- Tan Ky Old House
- Hoi An Ancient Town
Journey Highlights
Gallery
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive in Hanoi – Half Day City Tour
Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, cyclo ride. Optional Water Puppet Show.
- Temple of Literature
- Hoan Kiem Lake
- Cyclo ride
Hanoi – Ninh Binh Tour (Hoa Lu & Trang An)
Travel to Ninh Binh. Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital (10th century) and Trang An UNESCO boat ride.
- Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
- Trang An UNESCO boat ride
- "Dry Halong Bay" scenery
Hanoi → Halong Bay Overnight Cruise
5-hour scenic cruise through 3,000+ limestone karsts, grotto visit, swimming. Overnight onboard.
- 5-hour Halong Bay cruise
- Hidden grotto visit
- Swimming
- Overnight cruise
Halong Bay → Hanoi → Fly to Da Nang
Sunrise in Halong Bay, Luon Cave by sampan. Flight to Da Nang.
- Sunrise in Halong Bay
- Luon Cave
- Flight to Da Nang
Da Nang – Bay Mau Coconut Forest – Hoi An Ancient Town
Basket boat ride at Bay Mau. Hoi An Ancient Town: Japanese Bridge, Assembly Halls, Night Market.
- Basket boat & spinning boat
- Hoi An Ancient Town
- Japanese Bridge
- Night Market
Da Nang – Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge Tour
Ba Na Hills cable car, Golden Bridge, Fantasy Park, Linh Ung Pagoda, French Village & Wine Cellar.
- Ba Na Hills cable car
- Golden Bridge
- Fantasy Park
- French Village
Departure from Da Nang
Leisure time for shopping until airport transfer.
- Leisure shopping time
- Airport transfer
What's Included
- Hotel stay with daily breakfast
- Private AC transport
- English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees
- Bottled water
- Meals as per itinerary
Not Included
- Vietnam Visa
- Early check-in/late check-out
- Personal expenses
- Extra meals/drinks
- Travel insurance
- Domestic flight: Hanoi → Da Nang
- Mandatory tipping
Starting from
AUD $1,090
per person
Free personalised itinerary planning