Hanoi Backstreet Tour and Halong Cruise

OVERVIEW

The tour program is the combination of the mystical scenery of Halong Bay and the ancient culture of Hanoi. Within a day, you can not only take a visit to a thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, sculpted into bizarre shapes and surrounded by colorful floating villages is a truly a breathtaking destination but also an interesting cultural and historic monuments having more than thousand years of history.

Highlights

• Weave between the limestone karsts and islands of Halong Bay: Tortoise Island, Man’s Head Island…
• Visit floating fishing villages and a beautiful limestone caves: Sung Sot Cave, Bo Nau Cave…
• Relax aboard amid breath-taking scenery.
• Hanoi's history, culture, religion and tradition
• Hanoi's food (specialties)
• Exploring every single corners of Hanoi by motorbike

Start/end
Ha Long port

Trip theme
History, Local Life, Culture

Physical level

Duration
36 hours

Price
US$ 165

What's included in this trip?

Meal included
1 Lunches

Transport
Air-conditioned

Included activities
Explore the parts-unknown of Hanoi, Wandering around the Old Quarter, discovering several Vietnamese handcrafts & shopping,Hanoi Food Culture Experiences, Halong Bay cruise

Tour does not include
Alcoholic Beverages, Additional waters or beverages not mentioned above, Visa, Personal expenditures, Travel Insurance, Tips, Other than mentioned in the trip notes & itinerary

 

ITINERARY

DAY 1: HANOI BACKSTREET BY VINTAGE JEEP

Quickly depart for Hanoi - the heart of the Vietnamese nation, transfer takes 2.5 hrs. (using the new highway Halong - Hanoi).

11:00: Arrival in Hanoi. Wandering around the Old Quarter, discovering several Vietnamese handcrafts & shopping.
12:30: Meet your Back-street guide and start your thrilling backstreet adventure!
Part 1: Explore the parts-unknown of Hanoi  

• Riding through the maze of zigzagging backstreets and narrow alleyways & markets.
• Diving into the rivers of motorbikes and the Hanoi street symphony.
• Traveling with all your senses heightened: Watching, Hearing, Touching, Tasting, Smelling…
• Experiencing the GOOD, the BAD and the WEIRD of the city as it is what it is.
• Experiencing different slides of life behind the scene, the hidden part of the iceberg, the parts unknown.
• Meeting people where they live, work, learn and pray.
• Building personal connections and culture exchanges.

Part 2: Hanoi Classical Romance & City’s Highlights

• Riding through the chronology of time in Hanoi from the thousands-year-old parts to the modern parts of the city.
• Cruising around the enchanting French Colonial Quarter, vibrant Hanoi Old Quarter.
• Passing by the must-see highlights of Hanoi such as Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, Presidential palace, Ba Dinh Square, Temple of Literature, Tran Quoc temple, West Lake, Truc Bach Lake, Hoan Kiem Lake, Opera House, Saint Joseph Cathedral and train tracks.
• Crossing and watching the sunset on the historical and legendary Long Bien Bridge.

Parts 3: Hanoi Food Culture Experiences

• Savoring 7 AUTHENTIC Vietnamese dishes and Hanoi delicacies.
• Unique egg coffee, local moonshine, green tea, local beer…
• All food and drinks are healthy, organic and authentic.

17:00: Return to the cruise.
19:30: Drop off at the port and see you tomorrow!

DAY 2: HALONG BAY CRUISE HALF DAY (5 HRS - NO LUNCH)

08:00: Pick up at cruise passenger station.
Transfer (20 minutes) to the sightseeing pier on Tuan Chau Island to board a private half-day junk for a 4-hour cruise on the emerald green waters of Halong Bay.
The cruise includes a short hike up to an island for a visit to a limestone cave (Thien Cung or Heavenly Palace cave) with many beautiful stalactites and stalagmites and cruising by a fishing village where you can see how lives on the water and their making living there are.

Get on a rowing boat to visit Ba Hang Cave to enjoy the marvelous scenery here, boating is an activity you cannot ignore as your hands are free to take photos and admire the scenery.
We will start the cruise back to Halong City where your vehicle will be waiting for you to take you back to the cruise.
12:30: Drop off at your cruise.

Thank you! And see you again!

PRICE

PRICING IN US DOLLAR PER PERSON

Rates applied from 1 October 2024 to 31 December 2025

IMPORTANTS NOTES

Specific notes for certain tours :

• Cruise or Itinerary can be changed with prior notice according to the weather or Halong Bay Management permission
• Our Junk boat capacity is 40 but we limit it for only your group for your best comfort.
• Our group tour suggests for a small group so quoting is up to 16-18 people per junk boat. If you have more people, please get back to get a new quote.

Tour itinerary:This itinerary is subject to change, with or without prior notice, due to local travel conditions, unforeseen circumstances, or force majeure events, all in the interest of ensuring your safety.

To book for this pre-arranged tour:If you wish to proceed with this pre-arranged itinerary, along with all the terms of service clearly outlined in the program, you can either fill out the enquiry form with the necessary details to submit your request, and our travel consultant will get back to you shortly, or you can book directly online through our website if availability is listed.

Tailor this tour:If you book a private tour for you and your group, this itinerary can be customized to best suit your preferred travel timeframe, style, budget, and expectations upon request.

Deposit & Payment:A deposit of 30% of the total price is required to confirm your tour booking. For bookings made within 30 days of the departure date, a 50% deposit is required. The remaining balance is due 15 days prior to your arrival and can be paid online via a payment link or, if agreed, in cash upon arrival.

Customer support & Requirement for information:Either before or during the trip, if you wish to contact us for any query or info, you can use one of the following methods:
- Call or chat Whatsapp our 24/24 hotline: +84 968 604 760, +84 903 432 999 - Or email us at: [email protected]. [email protected] - Also, you can contact us via our live chat window that available on our website

​Visa & Passport:Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the duration of your trip. It is your responsibility to carry a valid passport and obtain all necessary visas, permits, and certificates required for yourl entries/visit.
E-visa or a physical visa must be applied no later than two weeks before your travel or sail date to allow sufficient time for approval and delivery. When applying, ensure your name matches exactly as it appears on your travel documentation. Also, you need to prepare: (i) a photo of passport the page with information – free from any reflections or marks caused by camera flashes. (ii) a recent photo of yourself straight looking without glasses and your ears should be clearly visible in the photo. (Straight looking without glasses). You must also provide the seaport details for entry and exit. Please double-check all information before submitting your visa application, as incorrect details may result in being denied boarding or disembarking at a Vietnam port. If entering Vietnam with an E-visa, you must bring a printed copy to present to the check-in agent on boarding day. For guidance on obtaining a travel visa for Vietnam, please visit: How to get travel visa for Vietnam. If you would like assistance with your visa application, please contact our travel consultant for support.

Travel insurance:It is your responsibility to secure international travel insurance, review the policy carefully before travel, and ensure it provides the required level of coverage. Your insurance should cover personal accidents, medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss, and trip cancellation or curtailment. Please note that some pre-existing medical conditions may not be covered by your insurance provider. Except for local travel insurance included in sightseeing tickets at specific sites, Travel Authentic Asia does not provide travel insurance as part of the trip unless explicitly requested and paid for separately from the tour price.

Weather:The weather in this part of Asia varies depending on the region and season. During winter, from November to March, temperatures in areas like Hong Kong and North Vietnam can range from 4–10°C (39–50°F), with mountainous regions dropping as low as 1–5°C (34–41°F), making it quite cold. Most other regions, however, generally experience warm weather, with temperatures averaging between 25-30°C (77-86°F) and occasionally reaching up to 33°C (91°F) or higher. For detailed weather information about your destination, please consult our travel consultant or check it here on our website.

What to wear:When preparing for your trip, pack versatile clothing suitable for both warm and cool climates. For regions like North Vietnam and Hong Kong during the winter months (November to March), warm clothes and a light jacket are essential, as temperatures can be quite cold. In warmer areas, lightweight, breathable clothing is ideal to stay comfortable. For beach or pool activities, swimsuits and sun-protective clothing are recommended. A light raincoat is also useful year-round, as tropical showers can occur unexpectedly. When visiting sacred places or cultural sites, it is important to dress modestly. In many temples or religious sites, covering your shoulders and knees is expected as a sign of respect. Avoid wearing revealing or overly casual clothing such as shorts or tank tops when visiting such places.

What to take:To make your travels easier, pack lightly and choose a suitcase with wheels for convenience. Keep in mind that many items can be purchased at your visiting destinations, so avoid overpacking and bringing everything from home. For day trips from ports, a smaller overnight bag (if you’re taking an overnight excursion) or a little backpack is handy for carrying essentials. A discreet money belt is recommended for securely carrying money and travel documents. Be sure to pack the following essentials: warm clothing for cooler regions, sunblock to protect against the tropical sun, swimsuits for water activities, and a light raincoat or umbrella to stay prepared for sudden rain showers.