2-Day Ninh Binh & Halong Bay Exploration

From

$300.00

Duration

2 days

Tour Type

4.7 by 2 reviews

Quality5
Location4.5
Amenities5
Services4
Price5

Reviews

Wishlist

Overview

Ninh Binh – Ha Long Bay | 2 Days 1 Night

Embark on a captivating two-day journey through two of Northern Vietnam’s most iconic destinations — Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay. This tour is perfect for travelers seeking to experience the region’s natural wonders, cultural heritage, and serene landscapes in a short yet fulfilling itinerary.

Day 1: Discover the Beauty of Ninh Binh

Begin your adventure in Ninh Binh, known as the “Inland Ha Long Bay.” Highlights include:

Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex – a UNESCO World Heritage Site offering a peaceful boat ride through limestone caves and lush valleys.
Bai Dinh Pagoda – the largest Buddhist temple complex in Vietnam, renowned for its majestic architecture and spiritual atmosphere.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – step back in time and explore the rich history of Vietnam’s first imperial capital.
Tam Coc – often compared to a dreamlike painting with its stunning rice paddies and karst formations.

Day 2: Cruise the Wonders of Ha Long Bay

Continue your journey to the world-famous Ha Long Bay, another UNESCO-listed site. Enjoy:

Sung Sot Cave (Surprising Cave) – one of the bay’s most impressive and expansive limestone caves.
Kayaking at Luon Cave – paddle through tranquil emerald waters surrounded by vertical cliffs.
Titov Island – hike to the top for breathtaking panoramic views or unwind on the pristine beach below.

Why Choose This Tour?

Carefully curated itinerary covering must-see destinations
Comfortable transport and professional guides
Ideal for nature lovers, culture seekers, and short-term visitors

This 2-day-1-night tour is a seamless blend of discovery and relaxation — a journey through Vietnam’s majestic landscapes and timeless heritage.

Included/Exclude

Modern Bus following the Itinerary. Complimentary bottle of water per person on bus.
Halong Sonata 5 star day cruise on Halong bay with buffet lunch, Traditional music live show, Jacuzzi…
English-speaking guide as indicated in Itinerary.
Meals including 2 lunches, 1 breakfast and 1 dinner
All entrance fees indicated in our itinerary.
Accommodation at Homestay or Bungalow base on twin or double sharing room.
Cycling and swimming at the Bungalow.

Beverages & travel insurance.
Kayaking or Bamboo boating (100,000 VND/person, depending on price listed on the floating house).
Electric car in Bai Dinh: 100.000VNĐ/pax.
Tour guide overnight at bungalow and next morning.
Tips for tour guide and personal expenses.
Children from 5 to 8 years old are charged 75%. From 9 years old and up are charged 100%. Children under 5 years old are free (excluding entrance ticket, meal and bus seat), single supplement.

Note: The itinerary can be changed due to weather conditions.

Tour Plan

DAY 1: BAI DINH or HOA LU – TRANG AN or TAM COC – MUA CAVE (Lunch, Dinner)

07:00 – 07:40 – Our guide will meet you at your hotel/ homestay and start a 110km modern bus journey through the verdant landscape of the countryside. Short break en route.

Option 1: Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda

10:00 – Arrive at the Glimmering Bai Dinh pagoda complex, the largest pagoda not only in Vietnam but also in Southeast of Asia. Scenically set on the foot hill of Dinh Mountain, surrounded by amazing views of the exquisite river valley below and the limestone karsts dotted around, which will take your breath away.

You will visit some of the highlights that are nationally renowned: 500 stone statues of ‘La Han’ (Arhats), 2 huge bronze bells, one weighing 27 tons and the other weighing 36 tons. Visit the Quan Yin statue with thousands of arms and eyes, as well as the Gautama Buddha statue.

Option 2: Visit Hoa lư Ancient Citadel

10:00 – Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel, home to Dinh King Temple and Le King Temple, dating back to the 17th Century.

12:00 – Enjoy lunch at our restaurant with a selection of great local cuisines.

In the afternoon:

Option 1: Trang An boat trip

13:30 – Leave for the Trang An Grottoes, an outstanding natural beauty of majestic limestone massifs covering an area of 20 square kilometers, rising dramatically from rice paddy fields. Deep within the interconnected chains of towering mountains lie pristine areas of mystical valleys, numerous freshwater ponds, and jungle.

Embark on a traditional sampan gently rowed down the exquisite river, passing through numerous caves including Lam Cave, Vang Cave, Dai Cave, Thanh Truot Cave, and Cao Sơn Temple, Suoi Tien Temple, Vu Lam Temple…

Option 2: Tam Coc boat trip

13:30 – Board a small sampan to visit Tam Coc, which literally means ‘three caves’ (a 1.5-hour boat trip). With views reminiscent of Halong Bay, featuring majestic limestone cliffs and mysterious caves, as well as countryside landscapes with peaceful streams, rice paddies, and deserted green fields, Tam Coc truly offers a diverse range of sights. You will experience the fresh air and peaceful moments, providing excellent opportunities for photography enthusiasts to capture special moments and stunning scenery.

16:30 – Check in Homestay/ Bungalow and enjoy some leisure time to relax, read books or swim before the dinner around 19:00. After dinner, you can unwind and enjoy the evening atmosphere at the poolside bar. Please note that the tour guide will not be available until the following afternoon.

DAY 2: NINH BINH - HALONG SONATA 5 STAR DAY CRUISE – HANOI (Breakfast, Lunch)

In the morning: Breakfast is served at the Bungalow, then check out.

07:30: Ready to depart for HaLong Bay.

11:45: Arrive at Tuan Chau Island and enter the private waiting lounge to board the Halong Sonata Cruise. Begin your enchanting 6 hours journey through the scenic 2-day sleeper boat cruise route, renowned for its stunning, uninhabited islets and rock formations. A buffet-style lunch will be served on board.

14:00 – 16:30: Explore the Bo Hon archipelago, starting with a visit to the Surprising Cave, famous for its impressive stalagmites and stalactites.

Next stop is Luon Cave, where you can choose to kayak or take a bamboo boat, immersing yourself in the beauty of the serene lagoon. Then visit Titov Island, where you can swim on the sandy beach or climb to the peak for a panoramic view. Titov Island boasts pristine, beautiful natural scenery and a remarkably tranquil atmosphere. It features a long, exceptionally clean sandy beach, kept fresh by the regular ebb and flow of the tides.

16:30: Return to the ship for a Sunset Party, enjoying live traditional music as the ship cruises back to Tuan Chau Harbor. Spend ample time on the upper deck sunbathing, and revel in the camaraderie of fellow travelers amidst the world-renowned natural scenery.

18:00: Disembark and board the bus back to Hanoi, with a short break along the way.

20:30 – 21:00: The tour guide will bid you farewell at your hotel. The trip concludes.

Calendar & Price

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Wed

Thu

Wed

Thu

Wed

Thu

Wed

Thu

General price: Adult (18+ years) $300.00 / ticket | Youth (13-17 years) $300.00 / ticket | Children (0-12 years) $300.00 / ticket

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Wed

Thu

Wed

Thu

Wed

Thu

Wed

Thu

General price: Adult (18+ years) $300.00 / ticket | Youth (13-17 years) $300.00 / ticket | Children (0-12 years) $300.00 / ticket

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Wed

Thu

4.7/5

Wonderful

2 verified reviews

Quality 5/5

Location 4.5/5

Amenities 5/5

Services 4/5

Price 5/5

2 thoughts on “2-Day Ninh Binh & Halong Bay Exploration”

Jessica Nguyen 14 Tháng 10, 2025
4.8
- Quality
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
This tour was beyond amazing! Ninh Binh was peaceful and full of history, and Ha Long Bay completely took my breath away. Everything was well-organized and the guide was super helpful. Highly recommended!
Reply
Mark Thompson 14 Tháng 10, 2025
4.6
- Quality
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
A perfect short getaway from Hanoi. The boat ride in Trang An was unforgettable, and the overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay was so relaxing. Great value for money!
Reply