Route by ExportMyMap
Hanoi, Ninh Binh & Ha Long Bay: 5-Day Itinerary
18 places
Two Hanoi days introduce the old streets and imperial heritage before two days among Ninh Binh’s waterways and limestone hills. A separately arranged Ha Long cruise completes the outline; allow time between regions.
- Make your own copy without signing in: move stops between days and add or remove places from the list.
- Open places or daily routes in Google Maps when you need them.
- Print your itinerary or download a PDF to take with you.
Showing 14 of 14
Day 1: Hanoi Old Quarter
3 stops- 1
Hanoi Old Quarter
Neighborhood
Vietnam
Narrow trading streets and traditional shopfronts shape Hanoi’s historic commercial quarter north of Hoan Kiem Lake.
View in Google Maps - 2
Hoan Kiem Lake
Lake
Vietnam
Tree-lined paths encircle this central lake, providing an open waterside setting between Hanoi’s old streets and busy city blocks.
View in Google Maps - 3
Ngoc Son Temple
Temple
Vietnam
A red pedestrian bridge reaches this temple on a small island in Hoan Kiem Lake, close to the Old Quarter.
View in Google Maps
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
4 stops- 1
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Landmark
Vietnam
The monumental mausoleum stands on Ba Dinh Square, forming a focal point of Hanoi’s ceremonial and political landscape.
View in Google Maps - 2
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
Palace
Vietnam
Archaeological remains and surviving gates reveal layers of Hanoi’s imperial history within this UNESCO-listed former centre of royal power.
View in Google Maps - 3
Temple of Literature
Temple
Vietnam
Courtyards, pavilions and stone stelae mark this Confucian complex associated with Vietnam’s historic imperial academy and scholarly traditions.
View in Google Maps - 4
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Temple
Vietnam
This Buddhist pagoda occupies a small peninsula beside West Lake, with a red tower rising above its lakeside temple grounds.
View in Google Maps
Day 3: Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex
2 stopsAllow time for the Trang An boat circuit and a road transfer to Hoa Lu. Bai Dinh is a separate optional temple outing.
- 1
Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex
Nature
Vietnam
Limestone towers, waterways and caves form a cultural landscape near Ninh Binh. Boat routes explore selected sections of this extensive protected area.
View in Google Maps - 2
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Palace
Vietnam
Temple compounds recall Vietnam’s early royal capital among limestone hills. This historic site is separate from modern Hoa Lu’s decorative night district.
View in Google Maps
Day 4: Tam Coc
2 stops- 1
Tam Coc
Nature
Vietnam
Rowboats follow the Ngo Dong River between limestone hills and cultivated fields, passing through low caves along the waterway.
View in Google Maps - 2
Hang Mua / Mua Caves Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Vietnam
Steep hillside steps lead above the Tam Coc landscape, opening views across limestone peaks, river bends and the surrounding fields.
View in Google Maps
Day 5: Ha Long Bay
3 stopsArrange the boat trip separately. Actual stops depend on the operator, weather and sea conditions.
- 1
Ha Long Bay
Bay
Vietnam
Limestone islands rise from sheltered northern waters, creating a seascape explored by organised cruises with individually defined routes and landing places.
View in Google Maps - 2
Sung Sot Cave
Cave
Vietnam
A large limestone cave on Bo Hon Island contains spacious chambers and varied rock formations, usually reached as part of a bay cruise.
View in Google Maps - 3
Ti Top Island
Island
Vietnam
This small island combines a sandy beach with a hillside viewpoint over Ha Long Bay. Cruise operators determine whether it appears on their route.
View in Google Maps
Photo credits & sources
Independent place information and licensed photographs. Opening Google Maps is optional. Content checked: 2026-10-09.
Hanoi Old Quarter
Old Quarter market, Hanoi, 20240123 1811 3411.jpg — Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake 07.jpg — Christophe95 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Ngoc Son Temple
Hanoi - Ngoc Son Temple.jpg — P. Hughes · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Temple of Literature
Constellation of Literature pavilion, Temple of Literature, Hanoi, Vietnam, 20240123 0939 3103.jpg — Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Hanoi Vietnam Mausoleum-of-Ho-Chi-Minh-01.jpg — © CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi.jpg — katiebordner · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long: place identity and background
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Trống Đồng building, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.jpg — NamHyHoangPhong · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Hanoi Train Street
Hanoi train street - NKS.jpg — NKSTTSSHNVN · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi, Vietnam, 20240123 1211c 3302.jpg — Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex
Trang An Landscape Complex, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam, 20240202 1456 5313.jpg — Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex: place identity and background
Tam Coc
Tam Cốc-Bích Động in Ninh Binh province.jpg — travel oriented · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Hang Mua / Mua Caves Viewpoint
Ninh Binh - NinhBinh1648.jpg — lumoplank · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Hang Mua / Mua Caves Viewpoint: place identity and background
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Ancient capital of Hoa Lu, 10th century (2) (38469352492).jpg — Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
A view of Bai Dinh Pagoda - panoramio.jpg — VŨ HÙNG · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Ha Long Bay
Halong Bay in Vietnam.jpg — Thomas Hirsch / User:Ravn · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Sung Sot Cave
Sung Sot Cave, Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, 20240128 1607 3880.jpg — Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Ti Top Island
Hạ Long Bay, Ti Tốp Island, 2020-01 CN-01.jpg — © Steffen Schmitz (Carschten) / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.
Lan Ha Bay
Lan Ha bay jonques.jpg — Velvet · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; displayed cropped to fit.