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Vietnam Mekong delta tourist boat cruise

Paddling through the Rice Paddies

Bite-sized trip

  • Itinerary:
    Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Hanoi
  • Duration:
    2 days / 1 night (flexible)
  • Price:
    From £ 228.- per person (excluding flights)
Paddle past bright green rice terraces, gaze up at lofty limestone fingers and cycle through the tropical countryside. Most visitors rush through the Ninh Binh area on a day trip from Hanoi, but they’re missing out. Spending a night here will give you a real glimpse of rural hospitality and a chance to explore without the tourist traffic. Known as ‘Dry Halong Bay’, this is an area of outstanding natural beauty dotted with tucked-away pagodas.
Vietnam local woman rowing a paddle boat
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Day 1 – Arrival in Ninh Binh

Leaving Hanoi just after lunch, you’ll arrive in Ninh Binh a couple of hours later. If you’re coming from Halong Bay this will be roughly doubled. On arrival get settled in your cosy hotel, take a walk along the river and get into the laid-back groove of rural life.

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Day 2 – Bike trip and departure

This morning you’ll set off early before the day-trippers trickle in. Hopping on a bike for some very scenic cycling, you’ll follow a narrow path between rice terraces and past towering shards of jungle-clad limestone where you’ll be treated to panoramic views all along the way as you cycle through the valley of Van Long.

You’ll return to your hotel for breakfast before visiting the beautiful wetlands, where you will take a bamboo boat ride along the river past limestone cliffs and rice paddies. Then you’ll have time to explore some of the ancient temples, including Bich Dong Pagoda (or Pagoda of the Emerald Grotto), just outside Tam Coc, with its fascinating cave temples and sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, and the Temples of Dinh and Le Dynasties. After the day of adventure you will drive back to Hanoi.

If you would like to spend an extra night here just let your travel specialist know!

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Accommodation

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Paddling through the Rice Paddies

For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options

Vietnam accommodation pool
Vietnam accommodation bedroom
Vietnam accommodation bathroom
Vietnam accommodation bathroom
Vietnam accommodation exterior and garden
Option
1

Upgrade to our In Style accommodation

  • Price:
    from £ 325.- per person (excluding flights)
  • Included:
    In Style accommodation, excursions, transport and meals as described above

For this bite-sized trip we have an alternative option available for your accommodation. Our In-Style version is something a bit more special or unique but still with lots of local flavour! If you would like to upgrade your accommodation for this bite-size trip select our In Style option below.

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This bite-sized trip can be combined well with

Vietnam boats Bai Tu Long Bay
Bite-sized trip

Drift Between Limestone Peaks

  • Hanoi - Bai Tu Long Bay - Hanoi
  • 2 days / 1 night (flexible)
  • From £ 215.- per person (excluding flights)
View bite-sized trip
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Vietnam Hanoi tourist eating street food
Bite-sized trip

Xin Chao Hanoi!

  • Hanoi
  • 3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
  • from £ 138.- per person (excluding flights)
View bite-sized trip
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Vietnam local tour guide on a boat
Bite-sized trip

A Break by the Beach

  • Hoi An Beach
  • 4 days / 3 nights (flexible)
  • From £ 365.- per person (excluding flights)
View bite-sized trip
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Vietnam children riding cattle
Bite-sized trip

At Home with the Hill Tribes

  • Hanoi - Mai Hich - Hanoi
  • 2 days / 1 night
  • From £ 285.- per person (excluding flights)
View bite-sized trip
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