Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport, welcome by our guide, and transfer to your hotel. The transfer distance is approximately 40 minutes. Hanoi or “River-bound City” as its name 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 in Asia.

Late afternoon, visit Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoan Kiem Lake is the center point of Hanoi and home to a rare endangered giant turtle species. Its name “Returned Sword” comes from a legend of a sacred sword being lent to an ancient Vietnamese King by a holy turtle from the lake and later returned to the turtle. Shop or walk at leisure in the Old Quarter of 36 ancient streets.

Meals: No Meal

Accommodation: A hotel used in Hanoi

Morning, start a city tour beginning with Ho Chi Minh Complex which features the life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder. At the complex, visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where the nation’s founder’s body is preserved (closed on Monday, Friday and through October – November), the colonial Presidential Palace, originally the French Governor Office and a fine example of French architecture in Hanoi, and the rural style Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. Stop by one of Hanoi’s icons, the One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th Century in dedication to Avalokiteshvara or Buddha of Compassion and reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond. Continue to the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, sages and outstanding Vietnamese scholars.

Afternoon, transfer to Ha Long Bay which is about 160 km or 3.5 hour drive away. Moving through the countryside on the way will bring you a clear perspective of a country’s whose 80% of population live on farming. Have a quick rest stop en route before reaching Ha Long City. Check in hotel then spend time at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: A hotel used in Ha Long

For Group 1-9pax: Sharing boat and Lunch at a local restaurant         
Morning, breakfast at the hotel between 6-7 AM, transfer to the dock for boarding a shared boat to explore the legendary Ha Long Bay. Ha Long means Descending Dragon in Vietnamese as legend has it that a holly dragon landed down here from the sky. The bay, famous as one of the world’s wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2. The boat will stop at Dau Go Island for you to visit Thien Cung Cave (Heaven Palace) and Dau Go Cave (Wooden Stakes). Dau Go Cave in the 13th Century was a depot to store pointed wooden stakes, which later were used by Vietnamese great military commander Tran Hung Dao to trap and puncture Mongolian naval boats in the famous battles of Bach Dang. Return to the dock, and disembark. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch travel back to Hanoi.

Afternoon, drive back to Hanoi and shopping in Hanoi Old Quarter. Evening at leisure.

For Group 10pax up: Private boat and lunch on cruise

Morning, breakfast at the hotel between 6-7 AM, transfer to the dock for boarding a cruise boat to explore the legendary Ha Long Bay. Ha Long means Descending Dragon in Vietnamese as legend has it that a holly dragon landed down here from the sky. The bay, famous as one of the world’s wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2. The boat will stop at Dau Go Island for you to visit Thien Cung Cave (Heaven Palace) and Dau Go Cave (Wooden Stakes). Dau Go Cave in the 13th Century was a depot to store pointed wooden stakes, which later were used by Vietnamese great military commander Tran Hung Dao to trap and puncture Mongolian naval boats in the famous battles of Bach Dang. Continue cruising while fresh seafood lunch is served on board. Return to the dock, disembark, and travel back to Hanoi.

Afternoon, drive back to Hanoi and shopping in Hanoi Old Quarter. Evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Vietnamese).

Accommodation: A hotel used in Hanoi

Free at leisure until transfer to airport for departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast

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