4DThe Classic North · Ninh Binh + Ha Long Bay

Limestone on land,limestone at sea.

Two days rowing through the karst valleys of Ninh Binh, two days drifting across Ha Long Bay with a night on the water. One journey, designed around you.

Duration
4 days · 3 nights
Starts & ends
Hanoi Old Quarter
Stays
Ninh Binh · Ha Long · Cruise
Style
Private tour
The journey

The north of Vietnam, at the right pace.

Most visitors see Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay as two rushed day trips from Hanoi, with eight hours on the road for a few hours of scenery. We built the Classic North the other way round. You sleep where the landscape is, so you are on the river before the crowds and on deck when the sun goes down over the bay.

Across Vietnam is a small team that plans every trip by hand. Tell us how you like to travel and we shape the hotels, the cruise and the timings to suit you. You deal with one person from the first message to the last day.

Philip, your trip designerPlans and answers personally +84 84 635 9779 philopentours@gmail.com
Stone stairway winding up the limestone to the Mua Cave pagoda above rice fields
Rowing boats gliding between limestone peaks in Trang An
Cruise sundeck at golden hour facing the islands of Ha Long Bay
Duration4days3 nights, Hanoi to Hanoi
UNESCO heritage2sitesTrang An and Ha Long Bay
On the bay1nightaboard a cruise among the islands
Your host1designerPhilip, from first message to drop-off
Guests in Ninh Binh

What guests say about Ninh Binh.

★★★★★ Verified guest reviews
+1
★★★★★GetYourGuide · Verified booking

Such an amazing day exploring Ninh Binh! I booked a private tour for 4 with a guide. Our wonderful guide was Philip and our driver was Son. I chose our pickup time and location, along with which attractions we wanted to see/do in Ninh Binh. Everything was well organized and prepared, including a delicious lunch. The highlight of our day was the Tam Coc boat tour and bike riding along the local streets. Philip was a great guide and so fun to just hang out and chat with. He paid extra attention to making sure my mobility challenged mom was comfortable throughout the excursions, and I really appreciate that. Highly, highly recommend booking with this company!

GuestPrivate tour for 4
★★★★★GetYourGuide · Verified booking

Highly recommend this custom tour! My husband and I did a private tour with Mai as our guide and we had a great time. We got picked up directly from our hotel in Hanoi in the morning and dropped off in the evening. The transportation was in a nice car with excellent air conditioning. We got to customize our day so we chose in advance to go to Mua Cave, Hoa Lu, and Trang An (for a boat ride). HIGHLY recommend the boat ride in Trang An but Mua Cave may be difficult for those who have mobility issues. It was really hot with 500 steep stairs and when it rains it can get pretty slippery. We had a great local lunch and Mai was so helpful and friendly all day. She took many beautiful photos too (including our engagement!)

Samantha PecanUnited States · July 2, 2026
★★★★★GetYourGuide · Verified booking

We had an unreal private day trip to Ninh Binh. Our guide Anna spoke excellent English, making it easy to learn about the local history, culture, and attractions throughout the day. She was incredibly friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable, and happy to answer our questions. What really stood out was the flexibility of the tour. We were able to tailor the day to our interests, with plenty of freedom to decide where we wanted to go and how much time we spent at each location. We especially loved Hang Mua and Tam Coc. The stunning scenery, excellent guiding from Anna, a comfortable vehicle with a very friendly driver, and the flexibility to customise the itinerary made this one of our favourite day trips in Vietnam.

Jazz LawlerAustralia · May 30, 2026
★★★★★GetYourGuide · Verified booking

Fabulous! Awesome! Highly recommend!! Mai and our lovely driver ensured we had a magical day in Ninh Binh. The heavens opened and we were drenched from the rain but as Mai said, ‘it makes for great memories’. Mai ensured we kept dry with ponchos. We were kept hydrated with water. Mai organized everything so well and looked after us (her family for the day 😆). The boat ride was simply spectacular. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole day! Thank you Mai and team 💞

Elle RehfischAustralia · July 3, 2026
★★★★★GetYourGuide · Verified booking

Had a great experience with mae as the guide. She was knowledgeable and kept the whole day happy and interesting. Driver was also good

Vineet ChawlaIndia · May 5, 2026
★★★★★GetYourGuide · Verified booking

The activity in Ninh Binh went very well. Mae, our guide, was very attentive at all times and made us feel very comfortable throughout the day. In addition, apart from taking us to see the most iconic places in the Ninh Binh region, she and the driver took us to hidden places without tourists so that we could enjoy and see the country in its purest state. It couldn’t have been better.

Sonia Gifre CasasSpain · September 2, 2026 · Translated from Catalan
★★★★★GetYourGuide · Verified booking

Great, well-organized day trip to Ninh Binh! We had a very nice day exploring beautiful Ninh Binh. The operator contacted us beforehand with a clear overview: no delays, hidden costs, or surprises. Pickup was perfectly on time, and the car was clean and comfortable. Our guide, Hieu, was friendly and knowledgeable, sharing history and fun facts. It was great that he joined us on all activities. Our thoughts on the itinerary (we chose ourself): Trang An boat ride: Absolutely amazing, the highlight of the day. Bai Dinh pagoda: A massive site, made easy with the electric shuttle. Waterfall restaurant: A scenic spot for lunch in Tam Coc. Thai Vi temple: A small, beautiful, and peaceful stop. Duck feeding: Different from Insta-reels but fun. The ducks roam free, meaning cyclists or traffic might pass between you. Overall, a well-spent day with a smooth schedule and great guidance. Recommended for a hassle-free trip!

Aishwarya SardjoeNetherlands · August 7, 2026
Day by day

Four days, two worlds.

A sample plan. Timings shift with the season, the tides and how you like to travel, and we fine-tune them with you before you go.

  1. Day 01 Hanoi → Hoa Lu → Trang An
    Rowing boats passing a limestone peak and temple pavilion in Trang An

    The ancient capital and the river of grottoes

    We drive south past rice fields to Hoa Lu, Vietnam's capital in the 10th century, where temples to the Dinh and Le kings sit at the foot of the karst. After a lunch of Ninh Binh's local dishes, a local rower takes you through Trang An's flooded valleys, under cave ceilings and past riverside shrines.

    • Pick-up at your Hanoi hotel
    • Hoa Lu ancient capital temples
    • Trang An rowing boat, about 2.5 hours
    • Check in among the rice fields, dinner
    Rowing boatLunch · DinnerNinh Binh
  2. Day 02 Mua Cave → Tam Coc → Ha Long
    The dragon stairway climbing to the Mua Cave viewpoint

    Sunrise over the valley, then on to the sea

    An early climb up the stone dragon stairway of Mua Cave, about 500 steps, gives the finest view in Ninh Binh while the air is still cool. Then you cycle quiet lanes through Tam Coc's villages and paddy fields. After lunch we drive east to Ha Long for an evening by the bay.

    • Mua Cave viewpoint (optional, worth it)
    • Breakfast, then cycling Tam Coc villages
    • Transfer to Ha Long, about 3 hours
    • Bay-view hotel, evening at leisure
    ~500 stepsCyclingHa Long
  3. Day 03 Ha Long Bay cruise
    A cruise boat anchored on calm turquoise water between limestone islands

    Into the bay, and a night on the water

    You board your cruise at midday and sail out among nearly two thousand limestone islands. Lunch is served as the boat heads into quieter waters. In the afternoon there is a cave and a choice of kayak or bamboo boat. As the light goes gold you are on the sundeck, and the evening brings a cooking class and a long dinner on board.

    • Board the cruise, welcome lunch
    • Cave visit, kayak or bamboo boat
    • Sunset on the sundeck
    • Cooking class, dinner, night on the bay
    KayakB · L · DCruise cabin
  4. Day 04 Ha Long Bay → Hanoi
    The sundeck looking out over the bay in soft morning light

    Tai chi at dawn, brunch among the islands

    Wake to still water and join a gentle tai chi session on deck. A last excursion to an island or cave depends on your cruise's route. Brunch is served as the boat sails back to harbour, then your driver takes you to Hanoi by mid-afternoon, in good time for dinner or an evening flight.

    • Tai chi on the sundeck
    • Island or cave excursion
    • Brunch while cruising back
    • Drop-off at your Hanoi hotel
    SunriseBreakfast · BrunchBack to Hanoi
What's covered

Everything taken care of.

Included

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Hanoi's Old Quarter, with an air-conditioned car and driver throughout
  • English-speaking local guide in Ninh Binh
  • 1 night in Ninh Binh and 1 night in Ha Long, in the hotel style you choose
  • 1 night cruise cabin on Ha Long Bay with all on-board activities
  • Entrance fees, Trang An boat, bicycles, kayak or bamboo boat
  • Meals as listed, plus bottled water every day

Not included

  • International flights and Vietnam visa
  • Drinks on the cruise and at dinners
  • Tips for guides, rowers and crew (always optional)
  • Travel insurance and personal expenses
  • Extras you add, such as an airport transfer or an extra night
Design your trip

Make it yours.

Choose a travel style and any extras, then tell us when you'd like to go. Philip replies with a tailored plan and a price. Nothing is booked or paid until you're happy.

01

Your travel style

02

Add something special

03

When, and who's coming

Start date
Please choose your first day.
Travellers
Adults12+2
Children2–110
04

How we reach you

Please tell us your name.
Please enter a valid email, like name@example.com.
Philip will message you here with your plan. Please add a number we can reach on WhatsApp.
Send on WhatsAppPhilip · +84 84 635 9779

No payment before we confirm. Please don't send money to anyone until Philip has confirmed your trip on WhatsApp (+84 84 635 9779). We never ask you to pay a hotel, cruise or anyone else directly.

On the road

Moments from the journey.

Some of these are our guests' own photos, taken on the trails and boats you'll travel on.

The Ngo Dong river winding through golden rice fields in Tam Coc
Tam Coc in harvest season
Travellers relaxing in a sundeck jacuzzi at sunset on Ha Long Bay
Golden hour on deck
Two guests smiling at the Mua Cave viewpoint with the pagoda behind them
Guests at Mua Cave
Travellers in the carved wooden corridor of Bai Dinh pagoda
Bai Dinh pagoda
Aerial view of a cruise boat on emerald water
Out on the bay
Three guests in a Trang An rowing boat with misty peaks behind
Misty morning in Trang An
Good to know

Questions, answered.

Anything else? Ask Philip on WhatsApp or by email.

October to April is dry and comfortable on the bay. Late May and early June turn Tam Coc's rice fields gold, and September brings the second harvest. Summer is hot and green, with occasional storms that can change the cruise route. We always plan around the forecast.

Yes. The Mua Cave climb and the cycling are optional and easy to swap for a slower morning. Tell us about ages and mobility in the form and we'll choose hotels, cabins and pacing to fit.

Of course. Ha Long first and Ninh Binh second works just as well, and we can pick you up at Noi Bai airport, from a cruise port or from Sapa. Add a note and Philip will reshape the route.

Yes, always. Your car, driver and guide are for your party only, with no other travellers joining. On Ha Long Bay you stay in your own cabin on the cruise; Philip can also arrange a fully private boat if you prefer.

Send the form or message Philip. You'll receive a written plan and price. Once you're happy, Philip confirms the trip on WhatsApp and explains the payment options. Please never pay anyone before that confirmation.

Comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sun cream, a light rain jacket, swimwear for the cruise, and clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples. A small daypack is enough for the Ninh Binh days, since your bags stay in the car.

Across Vietnam

Your four days in the north start with one message.

Tell Philip your dates and the kind of trip you have in mind. He'll come back with a plan, the price and honest advice.

Design my trip Philip