Charm Of Vietnam with cruise: Hanoi – Halong – Danang – Hoian – Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho

Upon arrival Noi Bai airport your are met and transferred to your hotel. Then you are free.

Note: Check in time is 14:00 P.M.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meal included: None

After breakfast take a full day city tour of Hanoi. Your first stop is the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh. Visit the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close by is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origin dates back to the foundation of Hanoi a thousand years ago. Your tour of Hanoi continues with a trip to the remarkable Temple of Literature, well known as Vietnam’s first university. After lunch you’ll enjoy the impressive Ethnology Museum dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. You’ll then continue to the peaceful lake of HoanKiem. In front of this lake is the famous Water Puppet Theatre where you’ll see a fantastic performance before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

Meal include: Breakfast at hotel
Lunch and dinner at local restarant

After breakfast at hotel, our tour guide and driver will pick you up and transfer to Halong Bay – the number one destination in Vietnam.
The boat sets sail to cruise into the Bay. Find yourself getting acquainted with the facilities onboard. A delectable buffet lunch with a feast of choices is served in the restaurant. Savour your first hours in Halong Bay on the sun deck by simply let your eyes wander around the scenery.

We arrive at the area of Cua Van floating fishing village. From here we start to explore a cave, named Tien Ong, and the floating fishing village. Tien Ong is the most recently explored cave. It shows evidences of human civilization dating back to 10,000 – 8,000 BC. The cave is just 5 meters above sea level, 50 meters deep and covers 1000 square meters. Our guide takes you on a loop though the cave and explains about the historical findings and the cave’s particularities.

The voyage continues to the fishing village. You can either hop on a small bamboo boat rowed by the local people or paddle by yourself in a kayak. The second option is a perfect way to freely move around in the calm area and gain an insight into the village life.

After returning to the boat we sail to the overnight mooring area Luom Bo. During this time Halong Bay reveals its most magnificent beauty – we call it the “blue hour”. Rewind on the sun deck with a drink of your choice and let the moment sink in. During the sailing time our Chef demonstrates as well the preparation of particular Vietnamese dishes. Feel free to join and practice by yourself.

Dinner is served in the restaurant either à la carte or buffet style. Afterwards the night is yours to kick-back and abundantly enjoy these unique moment amidst a surreal landscape. A presentation in our dining area with more interesting facts and insights on Halong Bay is also offered after dinner. We wish you a good night in Halong Bay where once upon a time Dragons played with sparkling jewels.

Meal included:
Breakfast at hotel
Lunch and Dinner on board

Wake up at dawn to the lapping of the wave and the smell of freshly brewed coffee which is available with pastries in the dining room. Join the Tai Chi morning class on the sun deck which is a truly one-time experience. By following the moves of our instructor you merge with the surrounding scenery.

By the tender boat we transfer to our day boat named “Sunset”. It is a smaller, cozy vessel via which we discover the further hidden charms of Halong Bay. Breakfast is served as Sunset sails for the Surprise Cave, in Vietnamese “Sung Sot”. Sung Sot is the biggest cave in Halong Bay at over 10,000 square meters. It is a magnificent site with the most beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. The further you go inside the bigger it gets. We explore this natural sensation for about 60 minutes.

Once back on the Sunset take some time to relax. Lean back on your sunbed while Sunset smoothly sails further into the Bay. Here you have the chance to have another close encounter with the fairylike Halong Bay. Via kayak you can float through this bizarre water landscape. The cliffs stretch vertically out of the water and you feel a sense of freedom meandering through this green medley of water and tree-topped islets. Back on board lunch is served in the restaurant.

Back on board lunch is served in the restaurant. Sunset continues the journey to a floating pearl farm. Halong Bay is also a place where pearls are cultivated. In a small factory we learn how pearls are harvested and processed. After the visit we leisurely sail back to the mother ship. Back “home” you have time for spa or sunbathing while we sail to the overnight night spot.

The dinner is served in the restaurant around seven o’clock. Before you retire to your cabin you might like to have some fun with squid fishing together with our crew or simply lean back on one of the loungers and listen to serenity of Halong Bay.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on cruise

For early risers (~6.30 o’clock) tea, coffee and pastries are available at the restaurant area. A Tai Chi class is offered on the sundeck again to ease mind and muscles. The boat continues to sail to Titop Island. We set over by tender to this little landmass in the bay. Prepare yourself for a refreshing morning swim on a sandy beach beneath high rock formations. If you prefer to be more active climb up to the hill top of Titop Island from where you have stunning views over Halong Bay (it is 400 stone steps up which takes about 20 minutes to the top, minimal fitness and proper footwear is required). There is also a viewing platform about half-way up with great panoramic views.

Back on board (around 8:45 o’clock) you may like to shower and freshen up. Now it is time to enjoy the last sailing time back to the harbor. A full breakfast is served in the dining room. Relax on the sun deck or dine in the restaurant while savoring the last cruise moments of this iconic site before arriving back on shore.

Our crew bids farefells and helps with your belongings. Disembark at Tuan Chau where our tour guide and driver waiting to return to Hanoi to take flight to Danang. On arrival Danang airport, you are met and transferred to Hoian ancient town. Then you are free. Overnight in Hoian.

Meals included: Breakfast and brunch on board

Please note that our itinerary in Halong Bay is subject to change due to local conditions

The ancient architecture of Hoian is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional buildings with Chinese and Japanese influence. There’s plenty to see in this delightful town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, Pottery Museum, 200 years old Tan Ky House, Chua Ong Pagoda and vibrant market. Today we include these on a walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls, which reflect the town’s multi-cultural past. You’ll understand why many visitors come to Hoi An again and again. In spite of the beautiful setting, many visitors site the food as the highlight of their trip to Hoi An – ask your guide for a recommendation! Overnight in Hoian

Meals included:
Breakfast at hotel
Lunch at local restaurant

There is some free time for your own exploration in Hoian until we transfer to airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh. On arrival Tan Son Nhat airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Then you are free. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Meals included:
Breakfast at hotel
Lunch at local restaurant

After an early breakfast you’ll avoid the city heat to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Viet Cong in the American war. Afterward we will return the city to visit some of the most important attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, beginning with the Reunification Palace, which was the former residence of the Southern Vietnam President until the end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral (outside only because it’s under renovation) and the Old Saigon Post Office. Afterwards, we’ll visit the History Museum where there is a special exhibition of Phu Nam country which dates back to the 2nd century ‘Oc Eo’ civilization. You’ll also visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, one of the best examples of Taoist temples in Vietnam. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Meals included:
Breakfast at hotel
Lunch at local restaurant

Panorama River Cruise
In the morning we pick you up at your hotel in Saigon and take you to Can Tho or Cai Be. You board your wooden river cruise vessel around noon. After a refreshing welcome drink we show you our on-board facilities and your cosy cabin. As lunch is served, the boat starts cruising. Sit back and watch the fantastic scenery and the daily life of the Mekong people.

In the afternoon you can disembark for a guided leisurely stroll through a village and the surrounding fruit orchards or rice fields. Meet the friendly locals and taste the local produce and fruits.

Get back on board and enjoy a drink at the bar or relax on deck as the sun sets over the magnificent water landscape of the Mekong river. The cruise boat will anchor for the night. The day ends with a delicious on-board dinner. You stay overnight on board your floating hotel in the Mekong Delta.

Meal included:
Breakfast at hotel
Lunch and dinner on cruise

Life on the water and floating markets
Wake up well rested to the sound of the river and get ready for another exciting day of sightseeing in the Mekong Delta. At 6.30h the cruise vessel sets off for a sunrise cruise. Watch the locals go about their daily work drying exotic fruits and building ships on the wooden yards while enjoying an early breakfast.

After breakfast, we will board a sampan boat to Cai Rang floating market, the region’s busiest and most lively market. Marvel at the sheer abundance of exotic fruits and vegetables. We will pull up to the boats for talking and bargaining with the merchants. We will also visit some of the local candy and cake making factories or boat through the green water landscape to see local houses, verdant orchards and ship-building yards.

Later in the morning your can boat through the green water landscape on a little rowing sampan to see local houses, verdant orchards and ship-building yards. Alternatively you can discover the nearby town by foot or explore the small side canals of the Mekong river on a bicycle.

The cruise boat then resumes its journey as lunch is served. In the afternoon there will be another side trip to one of the exotic villages along the way.

Meals include: Breakfast, lunch and dinner on cruise

An exotic world of its own
After breakfast and an early start through the glorious morning atmosphere on the Mekong river we will visit another floating market. Be sure not to miss the great photo opportunities for authentic snapshots of the Mekong people and their life.

Take another sampan side trip right into the lush rural landscape, the fertile fields, the exuberant green. Then it’s time to pack up and return to the pier from which we started.

The Mekong Delta cruise boat tour ends at around 11.00 — 11.30h on the pier. On even dates, you will have lunch at the Mekong Rest Stop. On odd dates, lunch is served in Vinh Long City.

Then transfer to airport for your flight departure. The trip ends.

Meals included:
Breakast on cruise
Lunch at local restaurant

End of services.