Essence of Hanoi & The Bay Of Dragons
5 Days

Upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Free on your own. You will stay overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at hotel. You will start visiting first place named Tran Quoc Pagoda, a Buddhist relic and national heritage lying on the West Lake. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s complex included his mausoleum, the final resting place of Viet Nam’s greatest father, walking along Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house where he lived and worked from 1958 to 1969. Visit One-Pillar Pagoda – the one modeled after a lotus flower, a symbol of Hanoi city.

In the afternoon, visit one of Hanoi's museums, either the History Museum or the Museum of Ethnology. The History Museum is housed in an elegant building from the 1930s and includes exhibits spanning the entirety of Vietnam's history including prehistory, proto-Vietnamese civilizations, the Dong Son Culture, the Oc-Eo Culture and the Khmer Kingdoms. The alternative to the visit of History Museum is the Museum of Ethnology (close on Monday), which brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country.

You will visit Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son temple the focal point of the city. Enjoy a traditional water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi.

8:00 – 8:30 Meeting point/or hotel pick-up for trip to Tuan Chau International Marina, Halong City

11:30-11:45 Welcome to Heritage Cruises Lounge at No.28B of Tuan Chau International Marina. Please move from the Heritage Cruises Lounge to the speedboat (about 30 – 40 minutes) to the Heritage Binh Chuan Cruises Cat Ba Archipelago.

12:30 Board the Heritage Cruises boat and enjoy a welcome drink as you receive a cruise briefing, safety instructions, and check-in to your suite.

12:40 Heritage Cruises takes you to contemplate the magnificent sceneries made from the limestone mountains of Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago. This bay is untouched and remote, as not many cruise boats use this route.

13:15 Lunch is served at L’ Indochine Restaurant.

15:30 The cruise vessel approaches the Ba Trai Dao (Three Peach beaches) (upon the weather), or Tra Bau area in Lan Ha Bay, a natural frontier between the provinces of Halong and Haiphong. This secret hideaway has beaches, caves, and coves, plus the spectacular natural beauty of about 400 islands. Guests can try kayaking or simply swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the bay.

17:00 Return to Heritage Cruises, enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite.

18:00 Activities include afternoon tea, and the chef will lead a Vietnamese cooking class

Join our HAPPY HOUR (from 17:00 to 19:00) while enjoying the amazing scenery while watching the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.

19:15 A memorable dining experience will be offered at Le Tonkin Restaurant, with local food in an intimate and romantic setting.
19:45 Turn down service

21:30 Enjoy evening views of the bay at the bar on the top deck. Try your hand squid fishing on 1st deck or watching movie, sing karaoke on 3rd deck. The bars are open until late.
Overnight onboard

06:15 Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck.

06:45 Have a light breakfast on board.

Or you can choose a luxurious breakfast, especially served in the swimming pool on the 3rd floor (time from 6:30 – 8:30). Maximum for 2 groups of guests and maximum to 6 guests (with surcharge).

07:15 Head off in a bamboo boat to explore the Dark and Bright Cave to enjoy the sparkling stalactites on the ceiling and feel the soul of the surrounding nature.

9:00 – 9:30 Return to the boat for checkout
09:30 Enjoy brunch while cruising back to the mainland

10:30 Return to Tuan Chau Marina and disembark for your onward journey

11:30 If you have booked our limousine service, our chauffeur will pick you up to take you to your hotel in Hanoi.

14:00 – 14:30 Our chauffeur will drop you off at your hotel.

There are no activities planned for your final day, so you can unwind and plan for the next leg of your journey or opt to take in even more of the city’s offerings before being escorted to the airport for your departure flight.