Have breakfast at the hotel.
Drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam’s first capital, Hoa Lu.
Reach Hoa Lu and visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009).
If time permits after visiting Hoa Lu, take a half-hour walk up one of the surrounding limestone karst hills, boasting spectacular views.
Later depart for a traditional Vietnamese lunch in Tam Coc. Along the way stop to take photographs of local villages and the stunning landscape.
After lunch, board a private sampan (see options for Tam Coc sampan trip below). As the boat gently slices through the water, take note of the enormous limestone karsts jutting out from the green rice fields giving rise to the area’s nickname, ‘Halong on Land’.
The adventurous sort can have the option of climbing up Bich Dong Pagoda on nearby Ngu Nhac Mountain. Dating to 1428, it is comprised of three structures: Ha, Trung, and Thuong Pagodas. Return by sampan to Tam Coc town before returning to Hanoi.
*Option 1: Trang An Boat Option (in place of Tam Coc): Trang An is a less visited nature reserve illustrated by limestone hills and a peaceful river passing through a series of caves (one of which takes 15-minutes to pass through in darkness). An ‘eco-tourism’ area, the only interruptions here are the sound of birds and the gentle paddle of the oar upon the crystal clear river.
*Option 2: Thung Nang Boat Option (in replace of Tam Coc): Thung Nang is another less-visited area that is similar in style to Tam Coc. Pass through a cave, fields of lotus (in summer) and reach a quaint pagoda before returning on the same route.
In the evening enjoy performance of CHEO (traditional music typical from Northern Vietnam).
Overnight will be in Hanoi.