Amazing Hanoi Stop Over and Halong Bay with full-day kayak

Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Hanoi is the oldest capital city in Southeast Asia and has been one of the few cities in Asia left entirely void of the western-style boxy business architecture. We Hanoi people regard our capital city as heart of Vietnam.

Upon arrival, meet and greet by our guide and driver, transfer to your hotel for check in. Let's experience on a cyclo, the popular mean of transport in Hanoi, enjoying views of what is happening on the streets of the Old Quarter.

Enjoy “welcome dinner” at traditional restaurant with Vietnamese cuisine. In the evening, you will have tickets for a performance of traditional Water Puppetry, an art form unique to northern Vietnam , and a good, light-hearted introduction to its rural culture. Overnight at Golden Lotus (3***), conveniently located within 5-minute walk to Hoan Kiem Lake, old quarters with it’s walking streets and colonial architectures. (D)

Day 2: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Deluxe Legend Cruiser
Halong bay, the magnificent heritage with its 1,968 islands rising from the emerald water of the Gulf of Tonkin. Ha Long is an excellent example of a Karst landscape created by a complex chain during millions of years of geological movement. Let us take you back in time on a fascinating relaxing journey along the Red River Delta to the World Heritage Site, the Halong Bay

Meet and greet by our guide at your hotel, transfer to Halong City by van (3.5 hour drive). On the way to Halong city enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life.

Arrive in Halong board Halong Legend Cruiser. Lunch served with a welcome drink while the boat cruises the bay to enjoy the beautiful limestone seascape. After visiting Amazing cave we stop at a floating house and go kayaking to Luon cave to enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the bay. Fresh fruit platter will be served followed by a dinner between 6h30 and 7h00 pm. Overnight on board. Overnight at Deluxe Legend Cruiser (B/L/D)

Day 3: Deluxe Legend Cruiser - full day Kayak
Sunrise breakfast is ready to serve at around 7h30 am. Soaking your body for our kayaking. The guide will show you the most beautiful parts of the bay through a maze of islets amidst dramatic natural scenery to explore stalactite caves such as Drum cave, Man’s head islet, Turtle islet and Fairman’s cave before heading to Van Gia fishing village for BBQ lunch and relaxation. You will have a chance to understand more about fishermen’s daily life in the bay.

Afterwards we continue kayaking to the other side of the bay to visit a pearl farm. We return to the junk at around 4h00 pm for the second night. Overnight at Deluxe Phoenix Cruiser (B/L/D)

Day 4: Deluxe Legend Cruiser - Halong Bay - Hanoi
Sunrise breakfast, morning cruise back to Le Tonkin, lazy on the top deck. Let spend time enjoying the beauty ò creator. Having lunch on board with variety of local foods before back to Halong whaft. Have a short break of 15 minutes and en route to Hanoi. Free dinner at your expense, and spend night at the Golden Lotus Hotel (B/L)

Day 5: Hanoi departure
The day will be free for strolling in the charming ancient capital, enjoy the savour of Hanoi speciality, until transfer to airport for flight home (B)
End of arrangements

Tour price:
* Min. 2 persons: 265 USD p.p
* 3-4 persons: 250 USD p.p
* 5-6 persons: 245 USD p.p
* 7-8 persons: 240 USD p.p
* 8-10 persons: 230 USD p.p

Price included:
* Breakfast and accommodation on twin/double occupancy
* Transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as program (except Ha Long Bay Trip)
Group boat cruise in Ha Long Bay
* Kayaking service (2 persons per kayak)
* English-speaking guides as program
* Admission fees as program
* Full meals: lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary)
* Drink water during transfer

Price excluded:
* International flight tickets and airport tax.
* Visa fees to Vietnam
* Meals not specified above.
* Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
* Traveling insurance
* Tips to local driver and guide (3 USD per person per day)

Classic of Vietnam

10 days Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
Trip Code: HS-HNSG
Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

The kaleidoscope of color and beauty you encounter will tantalize all the senses as you travel the length of Vietnam.

From the modern day life of Saigon to the charms of Hoi An, the atmospheric imperial capital of Hue, vibrant Hanoi and the natural beauty of Halong Bay, you will enjoy something different every single day of this trip


Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Arrive in bustling Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. As passengers will be arriving at various times today, there are no planned activities. Some suggestions include: Taking a walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter – a maze of street, each one traditionally devoted to a different product or industry. In the evening attend a performance at the famous Water Puppet Theatre. Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) or Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Museum. The Mausoleum houses the remains of Ho Chi Minh, the founding father of the unified Vietnam (the mausoleum and museum is closed in October-December)

Day 2: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B,L,D)
Transfer by road (approx 3 hours) to Halong Bay to board a traditional 'Junk' boat which will be home for the evening. Halong Bay is considered Vietnam's greatest natural wonder; expect to be awed by the amazing limestone karsts jutting dramatically from the water. Perhaps a pre-dinner swim or kayak before enjoying a seafood dinner and a very peaceful night beneath the stars. Take the opportunity to visit some of the caves en-route and stop at one of the secluded bays for swimming (weather permitting). Overnight will be spent on the boat which has comfortable air conditioned private cabins.

Day 3: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Hue (B,L)
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast served on board as the Junk continues to cruise throughout the morning, stopping by the islands of Man's Head and Turtle Island. A visit to Luon cave by small bamboo boat is also possible. After an early lunch on board the boat, head back to Hanoi with time for shopping or further sightseeing until our overnight train to Hue. The train to Hue is part of the famous Reunification express. This is a local basic train and we have 4 berth shared cabins.
Day 4: Hue (B)
Arrive early into Hue, once the imperial capital. A true highlight of Hue is the surrounding countryside. We can visit Thien Mu Pagoda and continue on to the tomb of Nguyen Emperors.

Day 5: Hue – Hoi An (B)
In the morning, we go on a guided tour around the Citadel which also contains the Forbidden Purple City, modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. Badly destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968 significant restoration work has since occurred. Late morning we board our private bus and make the 4 hour drive to Hoi An crossing over Hai Van Pass (subject to weather conditions). We may also have time to stop at Lang Co Beach. We will arrive in Hoi An late evening.

Day 6: Hoi An (B)
The picturesque port town of Hoi An, once known as Fabio, was an important trading town with strong south Chinese influence and connections. As you walk amongst this living museum you could visit sites such as the Museum of History and Culture, the Tan Ky house, the Japanese bridge, the Fujian Assembly Hall and lunch at a riverside restaurant to sample some of the local delicacies. Hoi An is also a shopping Mecca for tourists in the region – tailors can produce virtually anything overnight – clothing, silk lanterns, lacquer ware and other crafts abound.

Day 7: Hoi An – Da Nang (B)
Just north of Hoi An is Danang, a major US military base during the war and site of an excellent museum documenting Cham art and history.

Day 8: Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Drive to Danang airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the sprawling metropolis that was once the capital of South Vietnam and remains the country’s commercial center.
During your free time you can take a tour by cyclo (rickshaw) to various sights around town. See Notre Dame Cathedral, Gustav Eiffel's Post Office, the Opera House, Rex Hotel, and town hall or you may wish to visit the War Remnants Museum or the Reunification Palace.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Visit the Cu Chi tunnels west of Ho Chi Minh City. With our guide, explore the underground network of man-made tunnels dug by the local Vietnamese to hide and fight during the war.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh departure (B)After breakfast, the tour ends and you are free to depart at any time


Tour price:
3* star: 679$ Per Person (Min. 2 persons)
4* star: 939$ Per Person (Min. 2 persons)
5* star: 1,149$ Per Person (Min. 2 persons)


What's Included
Entrance to Halong Bay caves, Halong Bay boat trip with seafood lunch and dinner, Entrance to Imperial Citadel and tomb, Cu Chi tunnels

Group Size
Max 15, Avg 10

Group Leader
local guides.

Accommodation
Hotels (7 nights), sleeper train (1 night), Junk Boat (1 night)

My Own Room
Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops, with the following exceptions: Night 2, Halong Bay boat; Night 3, Sleeper Train

Transport
Train, local bus, air conditioned bus, boat, cyclo, and plane.

Meals Included
07 Breakfasts, 01 Lunches, 01 Dinner.

Meal Budget
Allow USD150 for meals not included.