Hanoi, Bat Trang, Halong Bay 07 Days/ 06 Nights

After breakfast this morning, we begin our full-day tour of Hanoi. Stretching along the banks of the Red River, Vietnam’s charming capital retains much of its French colonial character. As we visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the national leader whose memory is honored here. We will also visit The House on stilts behind where Ho Chi Minh lived on and off from 1958 to 1969, as well as to see the Hanoi landmark - one pillar Pagoda, a symbol of purity, rising out of a sea of sorrow. We’ll visit the Temple of Literature, where Vietnam’s first university was established here in 1076. After lunch at local restaurant, continue our city tour with visit to the Museum of Ethnology, where we'll learn about the fascinating cultural diversity of this ancient land, Hoan Kiem Lake, Opera House. Then take an hour cyclo (trishaw) tour for visiting the Hanoi’s Old Quarters. We’ll see Vietnam’s history reflected in the French-influenced lakes, public parks, and tree-lined boulevards. After dinner at local restaurant, enjoy the Water puppet show at Thang Long theater. Afterwards transfer back to hotel for the night. 

This morning, we drive to a rural village and visit a ceramics workshop for an opportunity to speak with the hard working, friendly people who work here. We’ll also experience a ride around the village on a cart drawn by a water buffalo, a traditional means of transport. We’ll also walk the village and mingle with the locals. It’s a great opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of rural life in Vietnam.

This afternoon is free for independent exploration of this fascinating city. Because Hanoi was isolated from Western development after 1954, it has a uniquely preserved concentration of French and Chinese colonial-era architecture. With other members of the group, or on your own, you may want to stroll to interesting traditional and contemporary art galleries. Hanoi’s other attractions include beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Quan Thanh Temple, and the Opera House. Dinner tonight is on your own.

After breakfast we set off for Halong Bay—the Emerald Bay of Vietnam—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We arrive in the early afternoon and transfer to a pier for our overnight cruise. With its clear, emerald waters and mountains draped in velvety cloaks of vegetation, it’s little wonder that Halong Bay has been the inspiration for generations of Vietnamese poets. Resting peacefully across the Gulf of Tonkin near the Chinese border, this region—literally “the bay of the descending dragon”—is dotted with more than 3,000 mountain islands, whose jagged profiles seem to rise out of nowhere. Against the backdrop of this lush landscape—of innumerable caves, beaches, soaring cliffs, and grottoes—the Vietnamese go about their daily lives, fishing and harvesting, reaping the riches of the land and sea. Our vessel is of particular interest—we board a junk, a wooden sailboat in the traditional Vietnamese style. We drop anchor at an island pierced with surreal grottoes, then enjoy lunch onboard ship. We resume our cruise in the afternoon and also enjoy dinner on our boat, where we will spend the night.

Today we continue our cruise of Halong Bay, enjoying all our meals aboard the boat. We’ll stop on an island this morning for a short walk and a visit to one of the bay’s many limestone caves. You’ll have the option to paddle a kayak if you like. Then we’ll return to our junk for lunch onboard and an afternoon of cruising the sparkling waters. Enjoy dinner on our boat, where we will spend the second night.

Rising early you may have a chance to see the sunrise in Halong Bay. Today we continue our cruise of Halong Bay. After brunch onboard You’ll have the option to paddle a kayak if you like. Then we’ll return to our junk for brunch onboard we disembark the boat and drive to Hanoi for last night accommodation. Farewell dinner tonight will be arranged at a local restaurant.