Vietnam, a magnificent nation with a deep historical background, a lively cultural scene, and breathtaking scenery, is an ideal vacation spot for families and couples. The country is home to several UNESCO-recognized natural marvels situated in the southeastern part of the Indochina Peninsula. With its ancient monuments, colonial architecture, and beautiful mountains, Vietnam offers a great travel experience. Its diverse landscape, comprising mountains, forests, wetlands, and a lengthy coastline, hosts a rich array of wildlife across various habitats.
Our Short Vietnam Tour Package is a perfect trip for those travelers who are interested in discovering this beautiful country in a short period of time. During the 4 nights 5 days holiday trip to Vietnam, you will explore the major sightseeing and visiting places in Vietnam. It is an Asian country known for its beautiful cities. You will be visiting and exploring the major attractions of 3 famous cities Hanoi, Halong, and Ninh Binh.
Hanoi City Attractions
Hanoi, located in northern Vietnam on the western bank of the Red River, is the second largest city with an impactful history. There are many historical and culturally interesting places in Hanoi that are UNESCO listed. With its natural scenery and subtropical city view, it draws lots of visitors from home and abroad. You will be visiting some of the amazing destinations, such as Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake, Dong Xuan Market, Hang Gai, Hang Dao, Hang Ngang, and the famous Temple of Literature.
Tran Quoc Pagoda: Tran Quoc Pagoda, built in the 6th century on the small peninsula of Hanoi's on the east side of Hanoi West Lake, is one of the oldest pagodas in the city. It has three main buildings: the front area, incense burns, and the upper palace. Inside, you'll find stunning statues, including a remarkable Shakyamuni Buddha and a Bodhi tree. The pagoda offers a serene atmosphere and stunning views of the lake and mountains.
Hoan Kiem Lake: Located in the Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hoan Kiem Lake is a relic that has seen many ups and downs in the history of Hanoi. It is known as the Sword Lake or Lake of the Restored Sword and is a natural freshwater lake in the middle of Hanoi. This area is like a giant fair with all kinds of commodities and activities. In addition to shopping, you can dine at nearby restaurants. This lake is surrounded by several important landmarks and attractions, including the Huc Bridge, Ngoc Son Temple, and the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. There are several activities to enjoy around Hoan Kiem Lake, such as taking a leisurely stroll around the lake, practicing tai chi, or jogging. You can also rent a paddleboat or take a cyclo tour to explore the area.
Dong Xuan Market: Located in the old quarter of Hanoi, it is the largest indoor market, primarily for traders from the north, but also features retail stalls. On the first floor, you'll find clothes, shoes, accessories, and electronics from China. The second floor offers clothes and fabrics, while the third floor specializes in baby clothes and essentials. Food and drinks are available in the northern section until the night. You can buy attractive colorful clothes, stuffed animal toys, sea foods, meat items, and so on.
Hang Gai: Hang Gai Street, one of the 36 streets in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, is a great place to buy top-notch silk. The special feature of Hang Gai Steet is the harmonious combination between house design, store architecture, and religious places. Most houses are built in traditional architectural styles. Almost all households here trade in silk as well as services about silk.
Hang Dao: It is renowned as the richest and busiest street in the old quarter. It is a busy trading place, has vibrant walking streets on weekends, and has also preserved some important historical sites. Hang Dao Street is also a busy hub of fashion and retail. From clothes and jewelry to fancy watches and shoes, the street is packed with lots of shops that cater to the changing tastes of both locals and tourists from around the world.
Hang Ngang: It is the hidden gem in Hanoi, offering a fascinating history and culture. This narrow, winding street is known for its unique charm, lined with old architecture and bustling shops that have been passed down through generations. It is renowned for its traditional craft stores, which offer a glimpse into Hanoi’s rich artistic heritage.
Temple of Literature: Located to the south of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, it was founded in 1070, nearly 1000 years ago, by the Emperor Ly Thanh Tong as a temple to worship the Chinese philosopher Confucius. After that, it became Vietnam’s Imperial Academy (a prestigious school for top academics). The Temple of Literature is considered to be the first university in Vietnam. It is not only a historical attraction but also attracts many tourists and students coming to pray for their studies. It consists of 5 courtyards. The temple features beautiful architecture, including red and gold roofs, ornate gates, and intricate carvings. Inside, you'll find a series of courtyards, pavilions, and shrines, each with its own unique character and significance. You can also see stone steles inscribed with the names of Vietnam's top scholars.
On day 2, you will visit some of the great places in Ba Dinh Square, which faces 4 significant landmarks in Hanoi.
Ba Dinh Square
Located on Hung Vuong Street, it is a large complex of historical and cultural sites. It is the largest square in Vietnam, where many important national historical events in modern history took place. This square is 367 meters long and 85 meters wide and can accommodate 200,000 people. The 4 sides of the square face important Hanoi landmarks. A visit to this square gives you a chance to take a tour of the surrounding historical and cultural sites. In Ba Dinh Square, you can visit some of the best attractions, such as the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, President’s Fishpond, House on Stilts, and One Pillar Pagoda.
Presidential Palace: It is a historical site complex where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from December 19, 1954, to September 2, 1969. This palace was built between 1900 and 1906 as the residence of the governor general of French Indochina. This building is designed in European style and will take approximately 7 years to build. The Presidential Palace is now mainly used for meeting foreign national officials as well as for all important guests from all over the world coming to Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: Located in the middle of Ba Dinh Square, is a great work of significance, showing the deep feelings that Vietnamese people have for their leader. It is known for its historical significance and as the final resting place of a beloved leader. After the death of Ho Chi Minh, the body was preserved and put on display within the mausoleum. It has become the place of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese who pay their respects to Ho Chi Minh. Now this place has become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all around the world who are interested in learning about Vietnam's complex history and the life and legacy of Ho Chi Minh.
House on Slits: Located in the garden of the Presidential Palace, this is a house where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1958 until his passing in 1969. The house is 10.5 meters in length and 6.3 meters in height. It has two floors with a wooden tilted roof. It became a popular historical and cultural destination, attracting many tourists to pay a visit and learn about the revolutionary life of the president.
One Pillar Pagoda: Located at the south west of Ba Dinh Square, is a cultural and spiritual attraction in Vietnam and Asia’s most remarkable architectural temples. It was constructed in 1049 by Ly Thai Thong, who was famous for his extraordinary architecture. The whole building is built on a single pillar, which is planted in the middle of the lotus pond. This place is not only a famous tourist attraction but also a stop for religious pilgrims.
Halong City Attractions
Located on the west coast of the Gulf of Tonkin, it is a popular tourist destination. It is famous for the unique formation of nearly 2000 limestone islands and islets in the emerald ocean and is also a first class provisional city in Quang Ninh Province, known as a tourism paradise in the northern region. The famous destination you should visit in this city is Halong Bay, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. It is a natural beauty with thousands of large and small islands as well as many unique caves. Here you will be visiting Thien Cung Cave (Heaven Palace Cave), and you will also get to see Fighting Cocks Islets, Sail Islets, and Turtle Island.
Thien Cung Cave: Located at an altitude of 25m on Dau Go Island southwest of Ha Long Bay, is a mystical site that dates back millions of years and was discovered in 1993 by groups of fishermen who were rushing and seeking a shelter to avoid the desperate storm when they were completely wet and scared to death. The origin of Thien Cung Cave is derived from the Dragon King. The space inside the cave is large, with high ceilings. The cave is dry and has four huge pillars that have sculptures of creatures such as fish, birds, trees, and human daily life. Walking inside the cave, you will hear the sound of a drum as if in an old festival, which is actually the sound of wind blowing through the cavern (large cave). The centre of the cave was the wedding hall of the Dragon Prince and Miss May. There are varied shapes of stalactites, which can spark the imagination of visitors.
Fighting Cock Islets: Regarded as the symbol of Halong Bay, it is one of the popular tourist destinations that is in the shape of a rooster and a hen. They are standing opposite each other, which also creates interesting visuals. The diverse flora and fauna found on the islet further enhance its appeal and also catch nature lovers and photographers. It is a paradise for snorkelling and scuba diving enthusiasts, with crystal clear water and rich marine life.
Turtle Island: It is a small island resembling a small turtle swimming in the water, which is covered by the flora of the Cat Ba Archipelago, so it is green all year around. It is the famous attraction with its unique formation, the sea turtle, representing a gentle, stable creature with hundreds of life in the Northeast Sea.
On the way back to Hanoi, you will visit the Ceramicic and Hand Embroidery Workshop, where you will get a chance to see the friendly seller making beautiful hand embroidery and ceramic items, and you can buy one at a very affordable price. You will get a deeper understanding of historical ceramics and embroidery in Vietnamese culture, including their roles in daily life, rituals, and celebrations.
Ninh Binh City Attractions
The next famous city you will be visiting on this tour is Ninh Binh, located 90km away from Hanoi. It is a perfect destination to explore natural beauty, rich history, and unique cultural heritage. It was once the capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and early Le dynasties, and many of the historical relics and monuments from this time period can still be seen today. There are some must visit places in the Hoa Lu district of Ninh Binh City.
Hoa Lu District
It is a district of Ninh Binh Province and the former capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries, located in Truong Yen commune. It is famous for its stunning historical scenery and unique architectural values. There are different places in Hoa Lu you will be visiting in this tour; they are temples of the Dinh & Le dynasties, Trang An, Sang Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou, and Tam Coc.
Temple of Dinh and Le Dynasties: It is the ancient temples that are honours to the founders of Dinh and Le Dynasties. It is the oldest and most significant structure in Hoa Lu.
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Temple of the Dinh Dynasties: It has a vast complex spanning an area of approximately 5 square kilometers, comprising courtyards, gardens, and a lake. At the entrance, you will see a stone pillar inscribed with Chinese characters. This temple brings tourists back to the past with many legends about Hoa Lu.
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Temple of the Le Dynasties: This temple is also known as a lower temple and is smaller in size. It is the best ancient temple in the country, where you will encounter lots of sculptures and the one-of-a-kind Hon Non Bo (the Vietnamese art of imitating the scene of nature).
Trang An: Located within Ninh Binh Province of North Vietnam near the southern margin of the Red River Delta, it is a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks (areas of land made up of limestone) permeated with valleys, partly submerged, and surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs. It is renowned for its striking natural beauty, including towering limestone cliffs, verdant forests, and pristine rivers. In 2014, Trang An Eco-tourism Complex was also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural and cultural significance.
Sang Cave: It is a small cave in Trang An with a length of about 100m. It is renowned for its natural beauty and historical importance. It is believed that, during the Dinh Dynasty, Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang used this cave as a military base for strategizing and planning his battles. Today, visitors to Sang Cave go for exploring large interiors with stalactite formed slowly over thousands of years as water dripped from the cave's ceiling.
Ba Giot Cave: Situated in the Scenic Landscape Complex of Trang An, it is one of the most popular caves known for its three natural waterfalls. Its name, “Three Drops Cave,” signifies droplets of water pouring from its ceiling. The local belief holds that receiving three drops of water on one’s palms brings fortune and happiness, adding a touch of mystique to this natural wonder. It is an ideal destination for those seeking a refreshing break during their journey.
Nau Ruou Cave: Located in the Trang An ecological tourism area, it is a charming place in the middle of a majestic and romantic landscape, also known as a liquor cave, as thousands of liquors are brewed from the freshwater, which was an excellent product to dedicate to the king in the feudal period, now again enchanting travellers. It is a popular tourist spot, where visitors can see thousands of wine jugs placed throughout the cave and feel the aroma of wine throughout the air.
Tam Coc: Located in Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province,it is a part of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a dual UNESCO World Heritage Site with both cultural and ecological significance. Tam Coc, which means “Three Caves” in Vietnamese, is an area of three Ninh Binh caves. The entire area is renowned for its stunning beauty as well as the historical significance of the past feudal dynasties. Within Tam Coc, you can find a series of caves that have captivated travellers for generations: Ca Cave, Hai Cave, and Ba Cave.
With these destinations, your trip in Vietnam will be over. The Short Vietnam Tour Package will give you an amazing experience of travel, and you will see different destinations with different histories and their own uniqueness. This trip is private as well as a customizable tour package and allows you to tailor every aspect to your preferences, ensuring an unforgettable adventure. So why wait? Let's discover beautiful Vietnam today.
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