Hanoi and Halong Discovery Tour

📍 Noi Bai Airport to your chosen hotel in Hanoi (35km): 60mins

Arrive in Hanoi and be welcomed by the guide and transferred to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. 

Hanoi, a city of contrasts, defies easy categorization. It's both modern and traditional, chaotic and serene, and always full of surprises. But one thing is for sure: it's a place that’s captivating, to all the senses. 

Overnight in Hanoi.

Notes: The itinerary can be flexible based on the arrival flight schedule; some sites can be visited today to have more time at sites or adding some other sites in the next day (with small surcharge). 

Inclusions:

Today’s full day discovery of Hanoi starts at 08:30.  Begin with a visit to the sixth-century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda, on the shores of serene West Lake.

Next, take a short drive to visit the famed Temple of Literature. In 1076 Quoc Tu Giam - Vietnam's first university, also referred to as Van Mieu, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite, for an incredible 800-years.  

Following, chose a museum option (to be discussed on the actual day of the tour):  

Option 1: Vietnam Women’s Museum.  Highly acclaimed, the museum displays highlights of Vietnam’s vast cultural diversity and the significant role women play in Vietnamese society.  

Option 2: The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (closed Mondays) is a must-visit for anyone interested in learning about the rich cultural diversity of Vietnam. The museum houses a vast collection of interactive exhibits that showcase the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. 

Following the visit of the museum, rest over a well deserved lunch. 

Once sated, visit Hanoi’s iconic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex.  The site is fascinating yet expect long walking distances (Note the Mausoleum is closed Monday and Fridays, each afternoon as well as annually from June 12th to Aug 14th).  

Continuing on foot past the Mausoleum (viewed from outside) to learn about the life and legacy of the nation’s founder. Continue to the ‘house on stilts’ where ‘Bac Ho’ resided from 1958 to 1969 (closed on Monday and Friday). Stroll around the tranquil grounds before completing the circuit at the One Pillar pagoda; built in 1049, the symbol of Hanoi is a unique representation of the city. 

Mid-late afternoon, continue the exploration with a stroll through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. A maze of alleyways and hidden treasures, learn about local life in the ‘36-guilds’ as you weave through the frenetic streets on foot. 

To conclude the day, step back in time to the 11th century and experience the ancient art of water puppetry at the famed Water Puppet Theater. 

Following the introduction to Hanoi’s highlights transfer back to your hotel or your next destination.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Hanoi to Halong Bay (160km): 2,5hrs

The perfect way to see the UNESCO World Heritage areas of Halong and Lan Ha Bay is to spend a night aboard a charming boat. The mystical scenery, where thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, sculpted into wonderous shapes covered in lush flora is truly breathtaking.   

Following breakfast leave Hanoi at 09:00 for the 2.5hours drive to Halong City. Arrive at the pier around noon and proceed with check-in formalities. 

After the welcome onboard and checking into the cabin, lunch will be served whilst cruising. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits or activities (depending on the boat’s set itinerary). Towards the end of the afternoon the boat will anchor for the night surrounded by karst formations. 

Enjoy sunset on the deck followed by dinner, then retire for the evening. 

Overnight on Halong or Lan Ha Bay. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Halong Bay to Noi Bai Airport (190km): 3,5hrs

Wake up to the fresh morning amidst the bay and have breakfast (brunch on some boats) while leisurely immersing in the serene setting of the spectacular rock formations. Proceed to checkout as the cruise arrives towards port. Upon disembarkation, be met by the driver for the transfer back to Hanoi.

Note: 
- The cruise’s itinerary may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.
- Over the past years Halong Bay has been experiencing increasing environmental problems such as pollution, overfishing and impairment of its natural habitats. We encourage you to enjoy the beauty of Halong Bay, but also to help protect and preserve it so that future generations can experience its beauty with responsible tourism behavior which is crucial to reducing issues on Halong Bay and ensuring its long-term sustainability.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast