Savor the Beauty of Hanoi & Halong Bay 4 Days

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Upon arrival in Hanoi, be met by the guide and private car and be transferred to the hotel for check-in. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B)

Explore the charming city of Hanoi, often referred to as the ‘Paris of the East’, with its yellow ochre colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes. Visit the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument of marble and granite built to house the preserved body of beloved revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, affectionately known to the Vietnamese as “Uncle Ho”. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built in 1049 of wood in the shape of a lotus blossom and set on a single stone pillar. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university built in the late 11th century. The picturesque temple is an example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote. In the afternoon, visit the fascinating Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays) which houses an extensive collection of traditional costumes and artefacts from Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups. Drive back to central Hanoi for a walking tour through the famed Old Quarter known for its ‘36 streets of 36 wares’ named after the original 36 artisan guilds that date as far back as the 13th century. Conclude your day by watching an entertaining water puppet performance, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form said to have originated in the flooded rice fields of the Red River Delta where villagers entertained themselves by manipulating puppets over the water. The show uses colourful wooden puppets to depict scenes of rural life and episodes of national history set to music.  

NOTES: Suggested departure time: 08:00 & Tour duration: 07 hours
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed every Monday & Friday, all morning from 15 June to 15 August

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B/L/D)

Depart for a 2.5 hour journey to Halong Bay. Make a stop en route for some refreshment (around 15-20 minutes). On arrival in Halong Bay, board your deluxe junk, settle into your cabin and prepare your appetite for an enjoyable lunch on deck. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.
Overnight aboard on Halong Bay.

Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi & Departure (B)

Rise early and greet the day with another refreshing Tai Chi demonstration on the upper deck. the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi or Haiphong for the onward flight.

End of service!

Services Included

• Accommodation in a 4-star luxury hotel or 5-star prestige hotel according to the selected option, based on double or twin sharing.
• One overnight cruise in Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay in a private cabin, with cruise category depending on the selected package.
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver for airport transfers, Hanoi sightseeing and Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hanoi transfers.
• English-speaking licensed local guide during sightseeing days as mentioned in the program.
• Airport transfers in Hanoi according to the itinerary.
• Meals mentioned in the itinerary: breakfasts, lunches, dinners and brunch as specified.
• Entrance fees for all sightseeing places mentioned in the program.
• Hanoi city discovery including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Old Quarter walking experience, Hoan Kiem Lake or other confirmed cultural visits according to the final itinerary.
• Halong Bay luxury cruise program including limestone karst scenery, private cabin, onboard meals, kayaking, swimming, Tai Chi, sunrise experience, cave visit, bamboo boat or onboard activities according to the cruise operation.
• Bottled water and tissues during private road transfers.
• Local taxes and service charges for included ground arrangements.
• 24/7 local support during the trip.

Services Not Included

• International flights to and from Vietnam.
• Domestic flights, if requested in a customized version of the itinerary.
• Vietnam visa stamping fee or e-visa fee, if applicable.
• Personal travel insurance, including medical, cancellation and baggage coverage.
• Drinks, minibar, laundry, spa treatments and personal expenses.
• Meals not clearly mentioned in the itinerary.
• Single room supplement.
• Early check-in and late check-out at hotels unless specifically included.
• Hotel room upgrades, suites, premium cruise suites or private cruise upgrades if requested.
• Optional seaplane over Halong Bay, private food tour, private cooking class, spa package, private photography tour or special celebration setup unless clearly included in the confirmed program.
• Tips for guides, drivers, cruise crew, porters and local service staff.
• High-season, Christmas, New Year, Lunar New Year or public holiday supplements, if applicable.
• Additional costs caused by weather, road conditions, cruise operation changes, kayaking restrictions or force majeure events.
• Any service not clearly listed under “Services Included”.