HANOI – HALONG BAY – NINH BINH TOUR – 5 DAYS

Upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport you are met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Early check-in with breakfast is guaranteed, so you may rest and freshen up after your flight.

At 13:30 you set out on an orientation tour of the Vietnamese capital. Begin at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, resting place of the father of the nation, viewed from the outside as the mausoleum closes in the afternoons (it is also closed on Mondays and Fridays, and from 14 June to 14 August for annual maintenance). Continue to his former residence and to the One Pillar Pagoda, a historic Buddhist temple built of wood upon a single stone pillar.

Next, visit the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in honour of Confucius and the site of Vietnam’s first university.

The afternoon concludes with a one-hour cyclo ride through the city and time to wander the Old Quarter and its antique shops. Return to your hotel at approximately 17:30. Overnight in Hanoi.

Trang An is a UNESCO mixed World Heritage Site, recognised for both its cultural and its natural values, and a full day here is among the most rewarding excursions from Hanoi.

At 08:15 your guide and driver collect you from your hotel for the 120 km drive to Ninh Binh province. After approximately two hours you arrive at Hoa Lu, the historic capital of Vietnam, and visit the celebrated ancient temples of the Dinh and Le dynasties.

Continue to Trang An for a boat trip through a complex of caves — Sang, Toi, Ba Giot and Nau Ruou — set among mountains and rivers in a landscape often described as Ha Long Bay on land.

At 16:00 you leave Ninh Binh for Hanoi, arriving at approximately 18:00. Overnight in Hanoi.

Please note: cruise programmes may be amended without prior notice according to weather, tide levels and instructions from the local authorities. Spa treatments and drinks on board are not included.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and check out of your room. At approximately 08:30 you are collected and driven to Ha Long Bay along the expressway, passing paddy fields and rural villages along the way.

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. On arrival at the harbour you board a traditional junk and set sail among the limestone islands. A seafood lunch is served on board, with vegetarian dishes available on request, followed by a sampan ride through a traditional floating fishing village. Back on board, join a short cooking demonstration, then relax on the sun deck as the sun sets over the bay before dinner is served.

The remainder of the evening is at your leisure. You may play cards, try your hand at squid fishing, watch a film, or simply enjoy a drink and good conversation at the bar. Overnight on board.

Rise early for Tai Chi on the sun deck, followed by a light breakfast. Disembark for a gentle exploration of a nearby cave, then return to the junk to check out of your cabin and enjoy brunch as the boat sails back to shore.

Your vehicle is waiting to transfer you to Hanoi, arriving at approximately 15:00. Check in at your hotel and freshen up. Overnight in Hanoi.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. You are then escorted to the airport for your onward flight. End of our services.