2-Day Hanoi Halong Ninh Binh Tour Review: Is it Worth It?

Thinking of squeezing Hanoi, Halong Bay, and Ninh Binh into just 48 hours? I get it, that time can be tight, but with an organized tour, it is potentially doable! I went ahead and experienced the ‘2 Day Hanoi Halong Ninh Binh with Transfer’ thing myself, and, very, really wanted to share how it all shook out. So, here is a rundown of the highlights, a look at the logistics, and honestly, some thoughts about whether trying to pack all of this into a couple of days is worthwhile.

First Impressions and Booking

Initially, just a bit wary about the pace, that, really, had to see so many highlights quickly! Very, very did find a bunch of tour operators providing variations of this particular itinerary, that, almost all, seemed fairly similar. After comparing prices, reading through lots of reviews (something I’d recommend), and looking at the inclusions, so, really chose a company that seemed to strike a good balance, pretty much a mid-range option promising good service and a reasonable price. The booking thing? Honestly very, really straight ahead through their web page; too, almost got instant confirmation, which was definitely reassuring!

Day 1: Hanoi to Halong Bay – Cruising Among the Islands

Early start! Picked up around 7:30 AM at that Hanoi Old Quarter spot. Is that drive to Halong Bay, about 3-4 hours, a thing on a shuttle bus was… okay. I mean, that, really could be more comfy, yet was functional with, you, like your air con. We did stop at a tourist shop along the way, and I am honest, these are usually places where prices can be a bit high, so I used the bathroom thing and didn’t shop much, still.

When we arrived in Halong Bay, wow, is that instant. The bay? Like the photos, perhaps even more striking. Too, we got to aboard the cruise ship around noon, right where we’d be spending that night. That cruise itself had that traditional junk boat aesthetic, is that with comfortable cabins (small, I should add) and a sun deck, that sort of thing.

Lunch? That moment the ship got underway; just a multi course affair with loads of seafood. I will say is that food was genuinely very good, with fresh ingredients and tasty local dishes. Just cruising through Halong Bay really felt surreal. That scenery with those limestone karsts rising from the emerald waters is almost like another world, pretty. So we sailed by a variety of these cool formations, with some looking just a bit like animals or people (our tour guide told us a bit, basically those names related to the shape).

Very did visit a big cave in the afternoon (Sung Sot Cave, I suppose the Surprise Cave), just a chance, more or less, for some exploring, so a great way to stretch your legs. After, we kayaked near that Luon Cave region, or really close by! Even with other tourist things around, paddling through the calm waters and getting a closer look at those cliffs, very really felt special.

That night finished with just a great meal onboard and I’d say an option, that chance more or less to try squid fishing! Never did hook anything, yet that air, hanging out on deck and really checking out those stars, really had it. Basically, too tired to stay out very, really late! Those cabins were a bit, a bit loud from the boat engines.

Day 2: Halong Bay to Ninh Binh – Caves and Ancient Capital

A bit, that morning began early, but in a pretty good way, just with a Tai Chi session out on that sundeck. Very honestly speaking, I’m hardly into morning exercising yet those views made it really worth getting up a tad early, and I got those good pics too. Following Tai Chi and breakfast, just back to that harbor and then the big drive over to Ninh Binh, you understand, really an additional 3-4 hours thing. We had the option thing too of flying instead, though really this cost, and very many people kept to the regular driving.

Getting into Ninh Binh around midday; too, like this, the landscapes changed entirely. Instead of just the sea, a bit those rice paddies and limestone hills reminded some of that Guilin region in China (a “Halong Bay on land,” someone had mentioned), something it is rather true.

Went straight to just the boat tour to Tam Coc region, and this, might be, that big draw of Ninh Binh. Too, rode on the teeny small boat rowed by only a local lady, really up and along that Ngo Dong River, passing through only the karst formations and going via such short little caves (“Hang”), like that. Is that really rather soothing, seeing all these amazing vistas and really taking those photographs.

We ended that day touring Bái Đính Temple, a massive Buddhist complex. Those scale differences are stunning; actually, those massive halls, countless statues, just that sense regarding spirituality, just that sense it felt genuinely striking! Because of the late hour, too we only passed like just 1 hr. or suchlike there before jumping again on the vehicle thing in Hanoi. As is clear with rush hour we got to Hanoi after dinner. At that hotel I felt somewhat zonked although delighted about just anything done during that quick trip.

Food on the Tour

Regarding such things I tried here, that ‘2 Day Hanoi Halong Ninh Binh including Transport’ trip handled that food bit rather nicely, that is! Too that meal up there inside this cruise inside Halong Gulf had loads of seafood so I had to, you understand like just go with things regarding that! From those squids toward shrimps etc – everything simply really tasted very nice.

Too that food over here at Ninh Binh mostly, just from an ordinary dining thing beside it all, really had rather more provincial flavour! Just appreciated going beyond all that regular pho/rolls although – obviously and yes I ate so lots these two besides!

What Could Be Better

That itinerary I suppose will stay rushed however something is somewhat just unavoidable, really. More, mostly that thing to just pause for even such a longer thing throughout various locales or merely going slightly beyond “sight-seeing list” only seemed extremely delightful, and rather probably makes that travel much beyond fulfilling actually. Yet what it should actually be regarded will depend upon such particular liking really since many may likely love reaching various location extremely quick too – as to just consider what seems important rather by you really!

Is It Worth It?

Considering seeing Halong Gulf and in that place with Ninh Binh in this case within 48hrs happens fairly strained still does provides really really amazing review involving north sides related alongside side place named Vietnam indeed rather swiftly only specifically just in cases if with no opportunity related from more extended break this could be appropriate selection mostly just simply ready oneself throughout some exhaustion too! Very much value is available there mostly just from seeing things although possibly I’d suggest attempting similar breaks though must mostly must.

Tips for this Hanoi Halong Ninh Binh Tour

Get ready on just early mornings:: Loads involved regarding that exploration depends around earlier days, thus must try gaining complete nighttime nap and then just arranging these alerts mostly for really rapid morning wake-up routine I suppose?
Arrange lighting dress: Just the local place may come nice hot really – primarily the local climate then might pack comfortable fabric together. Besides if going outside this holy place dress modest garments mostly simply while displaying regard related along local civilization mostly?
Accept flexibility with travel: Understand this stuff usually move somewhat swift although is it vital though going towards preserving flexible perspective! Merely everything simply happens completely towards programs just enjoy really!
Considers picture opportunity: Bring only one great-enough handset cam I suggest. Then locations provide stunning shot simply though mostly should you arrange taking great photographs generally simply though actually going outdoors you may perhaps obtain awesome stuff really!