Itinerary

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1. Day 1: Hanoi Arrival.

   Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. Your driver and guide will meet you outside the baggage claim of Noi Bai International Airport and take you to your hotel located in the city center. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Meals: N/A. Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

2. Day 2: Hanoi City Tour.

   Today you have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital; with its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas. Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone. Your city tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house), the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Presidential Palace; the Temple of Literature; the Quan Thanh Temple, the tranquil Tran Quoc Pagoda, West Lake; and your choice of one of the city's museums (either the History Museum or the Ethnology Museum). Enjoy a late afternoon traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture. Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

3. Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on cruise.

   Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel then set out on a 3 to 4 hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Halong Bay. Spend 24 hours on a traditional Junk Cruise in the amazing bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board the boat. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood on board as we sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong’s many islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the bay’s three largest caves (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island cove with sheltered white-sand beaches. Weather permitting; take a dip in the warm waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Pass the night on-board lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters. Optional: Travel Vietnam recommends the 25-minute seaplane scenic flight and cruise combination tour departing from Tuan Chau Habour. It will be a "love at first sight" as you admire Halong Bay's magnificent beauty and panoramic view from the air. Feast your eyes on more than 1,900 magnificent islands and limestone pillars. (Excluded in the tour package, contact your travel consultant to book with best offer!) Note: The above itinerary is subject to change without prior notice and depends on weather conditions. The itinerary is a sample for our standard service on a 3 star junk/ cruise. Additional itineraries are available through our luxury cruise lines on the Violet, Jasmine, Hera, Signature, Sealife, Au Co, or Paradise... Please contact us for more details. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Accommodation: Overnight on cruise.

4. Day 4: Halong Bay – Hai Phong – Ninh Binh.

   Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore the nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the cruise for brunch then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as you navigate back to Halong City, where your driver will meet you at the dock and transport you to Ninh Binh via Hai Phong City (about 4 hours). Check-in to your hotel and spend the evening at your leisure. Meals: Breakfast, Brunch & Dinner. Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh.

5. Day 5: Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu Ancient Town & Trang An.

   After breakfast, visit ancient temples and walk up a hundred steps to the top of the mountain to enjoy a breath taking panoramic view of Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital city under the Dinh Dynasty (between 968 and 1009 AD). Some of the sanctuaries and tombs have survived the years and can still be seen today. Apart from the historical interest, the area is also one of astounding natural beauty with limestone peaks whose splendor is often said to surpass that of Halong Bay. Enjoy a leisurely cruise to visit Trang An, a nature reserve similar to Tam Coc, however, less crowded. Trang An is a complex of cultural, historical and natural heritage sites, recognized by UNESCO in 2014, as the world's first mixed heritage of Vietnam. Limestone hills surround a peaceful river which passes through a series of caves (one which takes 15-minutes to pass through in darkness). It is an “eco-tourism” area; the only interruptions here are the sound of birds and the gentle paddle of the oar upon the crystal clear river. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh.

6. Day 6: Ninh Binh – Quang Binh.

   After breakfast, bid farewell to Ninh Binh and head to Quang Binh, a province on the North Central Coast of Vietnam. Check into the Sun Spa Resort, located along pristine white sand Bao Ninh Beach and on the banks of the legendary of Nhat Le River. Spend rest of the day seaside or as you wish. Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Quang Binh.

7. Day 7: Quang Binh: Explore the Home of Kong Skull Island Movie (Tu Lan cave system)

   Option: Tu Lan cave system (Tan Hoa – To Mo – Tan Hoa). Operating: from November to September (closed in Oct). Availability: Weekly- Monday and Friday. Adventure Level: Easy (8 km) for physically active guests (swimming is necessary). With only one day, you will have the chance to explore Tu Lan Cave System’s untamed jungle & limestone mountain region. This is well-known as the home of the Hollywood blockbuster movie "Kong: Skull Island (2017)" which is listed as the best war movie of the year by ABC News. Jordan Vogt-Roberts – the film director of Kong: Skull Island once said: "The world will pay attention because they will see how beautiful this place is; they will travel, discover and fall in love with it like the way that I did". After early breakfast, drive 110km (~ 2 hours) via Phong Nha and over the Da Deo Mountain Pass to reach the ethnic minority village of Tan Hoa and the Oxalis Headquarters. After a safety briefing, checking gear and signing the Release Form, the day adventure begins with a 2 km walk across peanut and buffalo fields to reach the Rao Nan River. After crossing the river you’ll reach the impressive Hang Chuot (Rat Cave) to explore its massive formations for up to 280m. Return back to the river another way, then trek through Hung Ton Valley to reach Hung Ton Cave. Explore this wild cave by descending a 15 m ladder with a safety rope before swimming 50m through the cave and following an underground river to reach To Mo Valley, where a delicious BBQ lunch will be awaiting you. After swimming at the waterfall, trek over Hung Ton Mountain (1 km), across Hung Ton Valley (500 m), and another small hill down to Rao Nan River (500m). Finish the day crossing back over peanut and buffalo fields (2.5 km) to the Oxalis Headquarter, where a cold drink and shower will be awaiting your return. 10:00, your driver will transfer you back to your resort. This day tour is to give you a taste of Tu Lan, but if you really want the ultimate adventure we encourage you to spend the night in the jungle on our Tu Lan Cave Encounter (2 days) or add another night camping in a cave on our Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer (3 days)! Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. Accommodation: Hotel in Quang Binh.

8. Day 8: Quang Binh – Free at leisure on beach.

   Enjoy a free day as you wish! Perhaps enjoy spa treatments at the hotel or relax on a beautiful beach. An incredible Son Doong Cave Expedition of 4 days 3 nights in Quang Binh will give you a wonderful chance to explore the world’s largest cave and exit via the Great Wall of Vietnam. This is expected to be your expedition of a lifetime. Ask your travel consultant to get more information! Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Quang Binh.

9. Day 9: Quang Binh – Fly to Hanoi – Departure.

   Have breakfast at hotel then drive to Dong Hoi Airport to catch your flight to Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport. Your adventure ends here. Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: N/A.