Pu Luong to Halong Bay: 6-Day Trek, Cycle and Cruise from Hanoi

Hanoi•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

5–6 days

Fitness Level

Good baseline fitness for repeated half-day treks and cycling; able to walk 5–10 km across uneven terrain.

Overview

A six-day circuit from Hanoi that stitches Pu Luong’s rice terraces and Thai villages with Ninh Binh’s ancient capital and a Lan Ha/Halong Bay cruise. Expect moderate treks, cycling, homestays and a relaxed junk-boat finale.

Pu Luong to Halong Bay: 6-Day Trek, Cycle and Cruise from Hanoi

other

bus-tour

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Nov 6

Travelers

You step off the bus before dawn and the air smells of damp earth and cooked rice; limestone peaks loom like slow-breathed giants as mist peels away from terraces. The first day in Pu Luong is tactile—wooden stilt houses, bamboo waterwheels turning with a soft creak, children skipping across a hanging bridge. Walking here feels like moving through a portion of rural Vietnam that still follows the pace set by seasons and soil.

Adventure Photos

Pu Luong to Halong Bay: 6-Day Trek, Cycle and Cruise from Hanoi photo 1

Adventure Tips

Pack a light daypack

Bring a 20–30L pack for hikes and boat days with a rain shell, water, and snacks—luggage is transferred separately.

Waterproof footwear

Trails and cave approaches get muddy—sturdy, quick-dry hiking shoes help on slippery dirt paths.

Cash for villages

Small markets, homestays and tips are cash-friendly—carry small denominations of VND.

Respect temple etiquette

Dress modestly at Hoa Lu and temple sites and remove hats when entering shrines.

Local Insights

Wildlife

White-throated langurs (in remote karst pockets)
Kingfishers and egrets along waterways

History

Hoa Lu was Vietnam’s capital in the 10th century and preserves temples and walls from the Dinh and Early Le dynasties, offering a window into early Vietnamese statecraft.