Halong Bay Cruise & Ninh Binh Heritage Tour (3 Days)

08:30 – 09:00: Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter and travel to Tuan Chau Marina.

Enjoy a comfortable journey to the harbor, with a short stop along the way for refreshments. Upon arrival, board the Fantasea Cruise and begin your journey through the spectacular limestone seascape of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch on board as the cruise sails among thousands of majestic limestone islands rising from the emerald waters.

In the afternoon, explore Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave), one of the largest and most impressive caves in Halong Bay, with its fascinating rock formations and dramatic chambers.

Continue to the peaceful Pearl Farm area, where you can kayak through the calm waters or simply relax and admire the surrounding scenery.

As the sun begins to set, unwind on the sundeck and enjoy the Sunset Party before savoring a delicious Vietnamese dinner.

Overnight aboard the Fantasea Cruise.

Wake up to the peaceful beauty of Halong Bay and enjoy breakfast on board as the cruise continues through the bay's majestic limestone landscape.

Visit Titop Island, where you can hike to the summit for panoramic views across Halong Bay or relax on the sandy beach below.

Return to the cruise and join a hands-on Vietnamese cooking demonstration. Learn how to make traditional spring rolls, then prepare your own and enjoy them as part of an early lunch while the cruise sails back toward Tuan Chau Marina.

Disembark around midday and transfer by shared limousine from Ha Long City to Ninh Binh Province, with the journey taking approximately 3.5 hours.

Upon arrival, stop briefly at a designated rest point in Tam Coc before continuing to Phat Diem Commune. Check in at your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. You can relax at the hotel or take a leisurely stroll through the charming town.

Enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Overnight at Phat Diem Plaza Hotel.

After breakfast, visit the remarkable Phat Diem Stone Cathedral, one of Vietnam's most extraordinary religious landmarks. Built in the late 19th century, the cathedral combines traditional Vietnamese architectural elements with European Gothic influences.

Continue to a nearby local market with your guide and experience the lively atmosphere of everyday life in Phat Diem. Browse fresh seasonal produce, fragrant herbs, and traditional ingredients, and select what you will use to prepare your lunch.

Return to the hotel for an authentic hands-on Vietnamese cooking experience. Guided by local cooks, learn how to prepare a selection of traditional regional dishes using the fresh ingredients you have just chosen at the market.

Roll up your sleeves, discover local cooking techniques, and enjoy the delicious dishes you have prepared yourself for lunch.

After lunch, check out of the hotel and travel to Tam Coc, one of Northern Vietnam's most iconic natural landscapes.

Upon arrival, enjoy a traditional sampan boat ride along peaceful waterways surrounded by dramatic limestone karsts, emerald rice fields, and natural caves. Often referred to as "Halong Bay on Land", Tam Coc offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in Northern Vietnam.

In the afternoon, begin the journey back to Hanoi.

Expected arrival in Hanoi's Old Quarter: around 18:00 – 18:30, depending on traffic conditions.

(B = breakfast | L = lunch | D = dinner)