| Day | Plan | Transport |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, water puppets | on foot |
| 2 | Ba Dinh, Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison | Grab |
| 3 | Ha Long Bay day cruise | minibus or coach |
| 4 | Ninh Binh: Trang An, Mua Cave or Hoa Lu | minibus, coach or train |
Days 1 and 2: Hanoi
For the detail, follow Hanoi in 2 days: Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter and the water puppet theatre on the first day; the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo Prison on the second.
Where to sleep for this itinerary. Stay in Hoan Kiem: it is the area that cuts the most travel time between the stops of this plan. Compare hotels with free cancellation in Hoan Kiem and see our where-to-stay guide (Hanoi) to pick the neighbourhood.
Day 3: Ha Long Bay
The day cruise usually includes the return transfer from Hanoi, lunch and a cave or kayak stop; real time on the water is four to five hours. See the day cruise from Hanoi. The drive is long: leave at the time the operator gives.
Day 4: Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh fits in one day: a boat ride at Trang An or Tam Coc, the Hang Mua climb (about 500 steps, in the morning or late afternoon) and the old capital of Hoa Lu. See Ninh Binh in one day and the Hanoi - Ninh Binh train.
If you have one day less or more
- 3 days: Hanoi in 3 days.
- 5 days: Hanoi in 5 days.
Practical tips
- Where to stay: the Old Quarter for all three nights; see where to stay in Hanoi.
- Season: Ha Long Bay is prettier without haze; see the best time to visit Hanoi.
- Luggage: you stay in the same hotel, so do not move it.
FAQ
Are four days enough for Hanoi? Yes: two days in the city and two excursions.
Which day for Ha Long Bay? Day 3, after seeing the city, but you can swap it with Ninh Binh.
Do I need to book ahead? Yes in high season, for both excursions.
