5-Day Family Adventure in Hanoi & Surroundings Itinerary

Join a guided street food tour to taste the best of Hanoi's culinary scene. Sample local dishes at various street food stalls and markets. After the tour, take a leisurely walk around the Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake) and visit the Long Bien Bridge (Cau Long Bien) for a glimpse of local life.

Have lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien, where you can try the famous bun cha dish. In the afternoon, visit the Hanoi Opera House (Nha Hat Lon) and take a guided tour to learn about its history and architecture. Then, explore the vibrant Dong Xuan Market.

Enjoy a dinner at La Verticale, a French restaurant with a Vietnamese twist. Afterward, take a leisurely walk around the Hanoi Opera House (Nha Hat Lon) and enjoy the evening ambiance.

Depart from Hanoi early in the morning for a day trip to Ha Long Bay. Upon arrival, embark on a cruise to explore the stunning limestone karsts and emerald waters. Visit Titop Island for panoramic views and enjoy various activities on the cruise.

Enjoy a seafood lunch on the cruise as you continue to explore the bay. Visit Luon Cave and take a bamboo boat ride through the serene waters. Afterward, return to Hanoi in the late afternoon.

For dinner, try the local specialty, Cha Ca Thang Long, a delicious fish dish. Spend the evening relaxing and sharing stories of your day's adventure.

Depart from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, also known as the "Halong Bay on land." Explore the Trang An Landscape Complex (Trang An Grottoes) by boat, passing through caves and admiring the natural beauty. Visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu and learn about its history.

Enjoy a local lunch at Quan An Ngon, known for its traditional Vietnamese dishes. In the afternoon, visit Tam Coc, also known as "Halong Bay on rice paddies," and take a boat ride through the picturesque landscape.

Return to Hanoi in the evening and have dinner at Madame Hien, known for its authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Take a leisurely walk around the Hanoi Old Quarter and enjoy the vibrant nightlife.

Start your day with a cooking class in a local villa, where you'll learn to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes. After enjoying the fruits of your labor for lunch, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to learn about the country's diverse ethnic groups.

Have a late afternoon snack at Green Tangerine, a charming restaurant housed in a colonial building. Then, take a guided tour of the Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong), a complex of Buddhist temples and shrines built into the limestone cliffs.

For your final dinner in Hanoi, savor the flavors of Vietnamese cuisine at Cau Go Vietnamese Cuisine Restaurant. Afterward, take a leisurely walk around the Hanoi Old Quarter and pick up some souvenirs or handicrafts as mementos of your trip.