Hanoi and Halong

Vietnam's thousand-year-old capital and a bay of 1,600 limestone islands — a UNESCO World Heritage Site

What we can arrange for you

A junk-boat sea excursion in Halong Bay from 5 nights

Group tours

Ready-made "Hanoi + Halong" programmes including flights, an island cruise, accommodation, and excursions around the capital.

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Halong Bay from above — ships amidst the rocks VIP

Bespoke tours

A private junk with overnight accommodation among the islands, the finest hotels in Hanoi, and a personal guide — a tour fully tailored to your wishes.

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Hanoi business district service

Additional services

Insurance, visa support, Hanoi–Halong transfers, restaurant and ticket bookings — full support throughout your trip.

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The Temple of Literature in Hanoi popular

Excursions

Halong cruises, sightseeing in Hanoi, the Temple of Literature, the Old Quarter, water puppets, and street food.

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A junk-boat sea excursion in Halong Bay from 5 nights

Group tours

Ready-made "Hanoi + Halong" programmes with flights and an island cruise.

View tours →
Halong Bay from above — ships amidst the rocks VIP

Bespoke tours

A private junk with overnight stay, the finest hotels, and a personal guide.

Learn more →
Hanoi business district service

Additional services

Insurance, visas, Hanoi–Halong transfers, and ticket bookings.

All services →
The Temple of Literature in Hanoi popular

Excursions

Halong cruises, the Temple of Literature, the Old Quarter, and street food.

All excursions →
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Hanoi and Halong Bay

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, with a history spanning more than a thousand years, founded in 1010 by Emperor Ly Thai To. The "36 Streets" Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake with the Turtle Temple, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 170 kilometres from the capital lies Halong Bay — one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, where 1,600 limestone islands and rocks create a fantastical landscape.

The cultural wealth of the region is striking. The Temple of Literature — Vietnam's first university, founded in 1070, with 82 stelae mounted on stone tortoises. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on Ba Dinh Square, the West Lake with the ancient Tran Quoc Pagoda dating from the 6th century. In Halong Bay — the Sung Sot and Thien Cung caves with their fantastical stalactites, and floating fishing villages where families have lived on the water for generations.

AMIST tour operator organises combined "Hanoi + Halong" tours from 5 nights with full support — charter flights, comfortable transfers (170 km, 3 hours), and overnight cruises aboard traditional junks among the islands. Russian citizens enjoy visa-free entry for up to 45 days. The AMIST team will select a hotel in the Old Quarter, arrange excursions, and ensure an unforgettable Halong Bay cruise.

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in Hanoi — a UNESCO World Heritage Site
45 days visa-free
9–11 h flight
+18…+34 °C seasonal
VND (₫) VND
−4 hours from Sakhalin

When to Visit Hanoi and Halong

Hanoi and Halong have a subtropical monsoon climate. The best time is from October to April: comfortable temperatures, little rainfall, ideal for excursions and cruises. From May to September it is hot and humid.

Jan role: head:meta_keywords +18°
Feb role: head:meta_description +19°
Mar +22°
Apr +27°
May +31°
Jun +33°
Jul +33°
Aug +32°
Sep +30°
Oct +27°
Nov +23°
Dec +19°

How to get there

Convenient routes — via Moscow or Vladivostok. There are direct Vietnam Airlines flights from Moscow. Total travel time 9–11 hours.

  • Airport — Noi Bai (HAN), 25 km from central Hanoi
  • Vietnam Airlines — direct flights from Moscow
  • Scheduled flights: S7, VietJet, Aeroflot (with a connection)

Noi Bai Airport is located 25 km from the city centre from Hanoi. The journey takes 40–50 minutes.

  • Bus 86 from the airport — bus to the Old Quarter for 35,000 VND
  • Grab — fixed-fare app
  • AMIST transfer — meet-and-greet and transfer included in the package tour

Halong Bay is located 170 km to the east from Hanoi. The journey takes 3–3.5 hours:

  • AMIST transfer — a comfortable minibus, included in the tour
  • Shuttle buses — scheduled services run by tour operators
  • Helicopter — sightseeing flight over the bay (45 minutes, VIP)

Interesting Facts About Hanoi and Halong

15 fascinating facts about the thousand-year-old capital and the UNESCO bay

01

One of the New 7 Wonders of Nature

Halong Bay was named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2011. 1,600 limestone islands and rocks rise above the emerald waters. The bay covers an area of 1,553 sq km, and the rocks are over 500 million years old.

02

A thousand-year-old capital

Hanoi was founded in 1010 by Emperor Ly Thai To. According to legend, he saw a golden dragon ascending above the river and named the city Thang Long — "Ascending Dragon". It is one of the oldest capital cities in Asia.

03

Hoan Kiem Lake and the sacred turtle

According to legend, a sacred turtle dwelt in the lake and returned a magical sword to Emperor Le Loi after his victory over the Chinese. The lake is the spiritual heart of Hanoi, and the Turtle Temple stands on a small islet.

04

The Temple of Literature — the first university

Founded in 1070 as the first university of Vietnam. 82 stone stelae mounted on tortoises bear the names of doctoral graduates over 300 years. The complex of five courtyards is one of the most beautiful temples in Hanoi.

05

Thang Long Citadel

This imperial complex — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — was a centre of power for more than 1,000 uninterrupted years. Excavations have revealed 13 layers of history, dating back to the 7th century. An archaeological museum operates on the grounds.

06

Sung Sot Cave — the "Cave of Surprises"

The largest cave in Halong Bay, with two enormous chambers. The fantastical stalactites and stalagmites are illuminated by multicoloured lights. A climb of 50 steps is rewarded by a panorama of the bay from the viewing platform.

07

Water puppet performances

This unique Vietnamese art form was born 1,000 years ago in the rice paddies. Wooden puppets dance on the water to live music. The Thang Long Theatre in Hanoi holds performances daily — tickets sell out fast.

08

The "36 Streets" Old Quarter

Each street is named after a trade: Silk Street, Silver Street, Paper Street, Tin Street. The merchant traditions have lived on since the 15th century. Narrow "tube houses" only 2–3 metres wide stretch back 50–60 metres deep.

09

Pho Bo — a soup from Hanoi

This famous Vietnamese soup of rice noodles and beef originated right here in Hanoi. The broth is simmered for 12 hours with spices. The best establishments open from 6 a.m. — the queue out on the street is the surest sign of quality.

10

The floating villages of Halong

The fishermen have lived on the water for generations, travelling in round basket boats propelled by oars. The village of Cua Van numbers more than 170 floating houses. A kayak excursion offers a glimpse into the everyday life of the fishermen.

11

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

A granite monument to the founder of modern Vietnam stands on Ba Dinh Square — the very place where he proclaimed independence in 1945. Admission is free, but a strict dress code and silence are required.

12

Train Street

A train passes within a metre of the houses twice a day — residents move their chairs aside, then put them back as soon as it has gone. The street has become a tourist hit, with cafés operating right beside the tracks.

13

Egg coffee

Cà phê trứng was invented in 1946 at Giảng café, when milk was in short supply. Egg yolk is whipped with sugar and condensed milk until it forms a creamy foam. The café is still open today and you'll find a queue outside.

14

Tran Quoc Pagoda — 6th century

Hanoi's oldest Buddhist temple stands on a tiny islet in West Lake. Founded in 541 and rebuilt several times over the centuries. The 15-metre red-wood pagoda is reflected in the water at sunset.

15

Junk-boat cruises

These traditional wooden sailing vessels are the iconic image of Halong. An overnight stay among the islands aboard a luxury-class junk is one of the most romantic ways to travel anywhere in Southeast Asia.

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Tours

Tours to Hanoi and Halong

A thousand-year-old capital and cruises among karst islands — discover northern Vietnam

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Excursions

Excursions in Hanoi and Halong

Day-trip programmes — cruises, temples, caves, and street food

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Traveller reviews

What our travellers say

★★★★★

Halong is something unreal — photographs simply cannot convey the scale. When we stepped onto the deck of the junk in the morning and saw the islands shrouded in mist, we got chills. Hanoi was equally impressive: the Old Quarter, pho bo on every corner, and water puppets. AMIST organised everything perfectly.

Tatiana and Mikhail S. "Hanoi + Halong", January 2026
★★★★★

Ninh Binh was an unexpected discovery — every bit as stunning as Halong itself! The kids were thrilled by the kayaking among the cliffs — safe and incredibly beautiful. The AMIST manager tailored the programme perfectly to the children's age. The Halong cruise was the cherry on top.

The Volkov family "Grand Tour North", February 2026
★★★★★

The Temple of Literature is a true place of power — I've never felt such an atmosphere anywhere else. Egg coffee at Giảng café is a flavour you simply cannot forget. The Old Quarter is an endless labyrinth in which you long to get lost. Five days flew by as one.

Irina P. "Cultural Hanoi", December 2025
★★★★★

Sunrise amid the limestone karsts of Halong is a moment worth flying halfway around the world for. The Sung Sot cave is enormous, and kayaking in the hidden lagoons is a real adventure. The junk was comfortable, the food on board excellent. AMIST are true professionals.

Andrey K. "Halong Cruise", November 2025
★★★★★

This is already our fourth trip with AMIST — we've been to Sakhalin, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and now Hanoi and Halong. Every time they exceed our expectations. The managers know our tastes and offer the perfect options. AMIST is our tour operator for life!

Natalya and Viktor G. Long-standing clients, March 2026
1 / 5

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