Feel the greetings of the fresh atmosphere right after you get off the flight. A blend of traditional Vietnamese culture and French colonial architecture will instantly make you fall in love with the city.

You would want to reach your hotel soon. On the way, you will scan the city and see people going on about their daily lives. 

After some time at your hotel, it is time that you step out to experience Hanoi’s nightlife, which you normally don’t get in cities like Kathmandu. We give you two popular options: Bia Hoi Junction and Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. 

If you’re with your friends and you all want to taste the original Vietnamese draft beer while enjoying the evening breeze, you can choose to go here. With that, you can also mingle with the locals and be a part of the city’s energy. If you want a more cultural and family-time experience, we suggest you head to the Thanh Long Water Puppet Theatre where you can learn the amazing traditional Vietnamese stories. It is also a great opportunity for you and your family to enjoy a fun performance that teaches so much about Vietnam’s heritage and artistic history.

Both places offer unique and memorable experiences, just consider your personal preferences and interests if you are indecisive of what you want.
 

Explore Hanoi more and learn about its culture and intriguing history. There will be a lot of walking so wear comfy shoes that do not hurt your leg. Also, you will visit some religious places so it will be respectful if you dress appropriately. It will be best to start your morning by visiting the One Pillar Pagoda, a special Buddhist temple carved on a single stone pillar. This unique temple will give you an image of a lotus flower blooming from a lake. The breeze feels warm and scents of jasmine mingle with your senses as you stand there, admiring the intricate carvings of this temple. You can also hear the gentle sound of bells from the distance.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a must visit. It is very popular among the locals mainly because this iconic structure is the resting place of the nation’s legendary leader, Ho Chi Minh. That is where the impressive structure got its name from. The Maulsoeum’s exterior grandeur will strike you but as you move inside, you will find the vibe to be solemn and gentle. You will stand in a queue as you wait to pay respects to the late leader. 
 
Now it is time to take a few minutes to drive to our next destination, the Temple of Literature which is also the nation’s first university. The temple complex shows you what traditional Vietnamese architecture looks like, with its ornate carvings and silent courtyard. 

After an hours-long tour, you will enjoy a Vietnamese meal like pho, a fulfilling noodle soup, and Bahn mi at a restaurant nearby. After a short rest, the trip takes you through the Old Quarter, a place known for its narrow, winding streets and small traditional shops, on a cyclo. 

A rooftop bar, sipping on a chill cocktail, could be an ideal evening in this city. Or you could take a walk around the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake. Call it a day with another yummy Vietnamese dinner.
 

Mornings are always fresh and active in Hanoi. After two days in bustling Hanoi, it is time we escape to a quieter countryside that will bring some sanity and that is Ninh Bing. It is just a few hour's ride from the city till you reach the quieter side.

The first place we will explore on this day is the Tam Coc which is attracting tourists due to its limestone karst formations and emerald-green rice paddies. Get ready to enjoy a scenic ride along a tranquil river that takes you through narrow caves. Know that the boatmen are skilled and professional and know the river well. So, you are in safe hands.

Also, the terraced rice paddies go as far as one’s eyes can see. Just imagine the amount of beauty this adds to your journey.

Once the amazing boating ride ends, we will explore the ruins of Hoa Lu. The ruins of the temples and palaces that once reigned there will tell you how rich their past was. Isn’t it beautiful when you experience cultural and historical richness with a surrounding of lush greenery surrounding all the slides?  Hoa Lu was the Vietnamese capital for hundreds of years.

Give your taste buds some delightful local street foods. Ninh Bin offers lots of culinary experiences with delicious and affordable items. Some of them are Bun Bo Nam Bo, Cha Ca La Vong, and Nem Ran.

A tour of the small countryside that has so much historical, natural and cultural beauty and that too along with so many tasty dishes. Isn’t that a day well spent?
 

This day is going to be water-fun-filled. We will visit Halong Bay in the northern part of the country. We will head to our destination by bus and take will take a couple of hours till we enter into the tall limestone karsts that come out from green waters, creating a landscape like you have never seen before. Summer will be the perfect time for you to visit this place as you will be able to see the hidden coves and caves by kayak. 

Here, you will indulge in lots of sea foods like grilled squid, steamed fish and clams. We will spend the night aboard a cruise ship enjoying the most sunsets ever and watching the stars as the ship drifts through the waters. You have options from luxury cruises to budget-friendly cruises to junk boat cruises. Decide which one you want.

It might feel like the four days in Vietnam went by too quickly. Do some last-minute shopping to buy souvenirs and gifts for people back home if you have to. It is recommended to bargain if you’re shopping at the markets. Sellers often overcharge when they meet tourists.

Double-check all flight details and make sure your documents are all with you, collect your luggage and leave early for the airport.