Taste of Hanoi & Halong Bay

Get ready to see Hanoi as very few others do. This tour is the perfect blend of iconic cultural sites of Hanoi and offbeat districts to sample some genuine local life. The guide meets you in the hotel lobby and off we go. After a short car transfer to the South of Hanoi through a busy urban area, we veer off the main road and enter a very special district. It suddenly feels like stepping back in time, into the 1960’s when Hanoi was a quaint capital populated mostly by modest workers. Wander around these narrow alleys covered in colorful market stalls, feel this incredible vibe and let the guide tell you the story of these funny big yellow blocks. We have a coffee break before transferring to the temple of literature. We visit the little gem of architecture and huge piece of History. For lunch, we suggest to walk to a nearby street food shop. There are several options, our favourite would be the Bun Cha flame-grilled pork meat served with sticky rice noodles. In the afternoon, we continue with the garden of the Presidential Palace, also the place of the one-pillar pagoda and the house on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived. Upon exit, we will refresh at a typical Hanoian bia hoi, where locals sip a fresh and light beer made of rice. We return to the hotel afterwards, evening is at leisure.

We gather in the lobby at 8.00am for a departure to Halong. We drive across the Red River delta and reach the coast little before noon. We embark on a beautifully crafted wooden junk for an overnight cruise in the legendary seascape of Halong. Once on board, we are served a delicious seafood-based lunch, while the limestone rocks are setting up the décor. In the afternoon, we reach a less traveled area and will devote ourselves to relaxation, sunbathing, and visiting a cave. The program is not fixed and depends on the time of the year and weather. We end the day on the sundeck while the sun sets. It is time for an aperitif or to attend a cooking demonstration before dinner. Overnight in a comfortable private cabin with attached bathroom.

At dawn, an early Tai Chi session is proposed, coffee and tea are served early as well for the early birds wishing to see the beautiful lights of sunrise. Check out the cabin and we then go visit one of the biggest caves of the archipelago. We return to the boat and a brunch is served as we are cruising back to the dock. We disembark and drive to Hanoi, where you will enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Please note: Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, tide levels and operating conditions. Swimming or kayaking excursions may be cancelled due to poor weather. Unused services are not subject to a refund. Our private English speaking guide will not escort clients on board.

Today is at leisure until a driver picks you up in the hotel lobby to drive you to the airport for your flight to the next destination. Check-out time is 12.00 the latest.