Upon arrival to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport you will be welcomed by our driver (no guide) holding a sign with your name on it. After you collect your luggage, will lead the way to your awaiting vehicle. The distance is about 35km far from Hanoi city center and it’s approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour for transfer

Hanoi or “River-bound City” as its name literally means is Vietnam’s capital with a thousand-year-old history dating back to 1010. The city’s fascinating beauty which is characterized by unique cultural relics, ancient streets of antique houses, elegant French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and romantic lakes has made it one of the most charming cities of Asia.

Meal: None. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

8.00- 8.30: Get picked up by our friendly guide and start to explore Hanoi City

08.45: Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda located in the West Lake

It is the oldest pagoda in Ha Noi built in the 6th century.

09.30: Visit Ho Chi Minh complex, you have a chance to see the embalmed body of  Ho Chi Minh then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969. Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Godess of Mercy – It is the most unique pagoda in the world

11.15: Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam

Special Note: we will visit the Women’s Museum instead of the Ethnology Museum closed on Mondays

12.45: Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine with 8 delicious dishes.

14.00-14.15: Continue to visit the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11 century

15.15: Leave for Hoa Lo Prison Museum which was originally used by the French colonists in Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. During this later period, it was known to American POWs as the “Hanoi Hilton”

16.15 -16.30: Tour finishes. Back to the hotel.

Notes:

• Option Cyclo Ride/ Puppet Show will be done in the end of the tour: Surcharge US$ 5/pax
• Should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, temples, pagodas…
• Children under 3 years old are not allowed to get inside Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closed on Monday and Friday morning. And closes from 5th Sep to 31st October
• The itinerary can be changed due to weather…
• Bat Trang pottery village will be visited on Mon, Wed & Fri (without Ethnology Museum). Ethnology Museum will be visited on Sun, Tue, Thu & Sat (without Bat Trang pottery village).

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

Following breakfast leave Hanoi for a 4 hour drive to Ha Long Bay including a 20-minutes stop on the way. Arrive at the jetty in Ha Long City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. Be welcomed onboard and have lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight on Ha Long cruise

Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Ha Long in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi late in the afternoon.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch (Or 1 brunch). Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

You are free at leisure before being transferred by our driver (no guide) to Noi Bai International Airport for flight departure.
Meal: Breakfast