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 A gay cruise and cultural tour of Ha Long Bay and Hanoi’s best sights. This 5-day tour is designed as a luxurious extension to our Mekong Gay River Cruise but also makes a great escape on its own. Spend 3 days and 2 nights in majestic Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its otherworldly limestone islands. Then visit Vietnam’s capital city Hanoi, home of revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh.
Visiting Halong Bay and you can experience very diverse natural landscape, varying from long sandy beach to thousand-year-old-lime karst. Halong Bay covers nearly 1900 islets of different size, some very large such as Thien Cung Cave or Surprise Cave, others as small as a few meters wide. Discover what you will see as you make your way to this natural wonder. Discover the best of Halong Bay with our comprehensive and up to date tourist guide. Find exciting activities in Halong Bay, from iconic sightseeing spots and fun-filled days out to top cruise experiences.
• 2-night cruise aboard a luxury cruise ship
• Excursions to charming villages, magical grottoes, and secret lakes on Ha Long Bay
• Kayak in Cua Van Floating Village
• Experience a unique folk music performance by Hanoian artist Hat Xam
• Hanoi city tour including stops at the Ho Chi Minh complex, and the Temple of Literature which was built to honour Confucius
• Tai Chi lessons
Day 1
Chào ban – welcome to Vietnam! Things kick off with a morning flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Cat Bi, followed by a 1.5-hour drive to Ha Long Bay where our ship – the Au Co – awaits. Sip something tropical during our safety briefing, then lunch is served. Our first stop is Trinh Nu Cave, a majestic grotto carved by nature. Here we can relax on the secluded beach, or take in the stunning views while kayaking in the jade-colored water. Back on the main vessel we can soak up the sun, settle into a massage, or enjoy happy hour at the bar. Later, join in on the excitement of Masterchef “Halong Bay Edition” and try your hand at creating authentic Vietnamese dishes. We’ll moor by Lom Bo Island overnight.
Please note: Today’s flight is not included in the cost of the tour. Please see Important Information for a special note on purchasing domestic airfare.
Accommodation: The Au Co Cruises The Au Co
Day 2
Wake up to a Tai Chi lesson or sleep in until breakfast when we’ll sail to Cua Van, a floating village set amidst towering islands. We’ll board kayaks and bamboo boats to journey amongst the fishing families and their homes. Later, we can walk, bike, or take a trolley to Viet Hai village, known for its stunning surroundings, before savouring a traditional village-style lunch prepared by locals. We’ll even have an opportunity to take a dip in an emerald lagoon with crystal-clear waters. At 5pm happy hour begins anew with traditional cooking and fruit-carving demos on the sun deck and a delicious seafood BBQ.
Accommodation: The Au Co Cruises The Au Co
Day 3
Start your day with more Tai Chi before we visit the wondrous and massive Sung Sot Cave. We’ll then enjoy brunch, check out, and disembark the ship for our transfer to Hanoi. On arrival we’ll check in to our luxurious French Quarter hotel, with a but of time to unwind before we’re treated to a unique Hanoian folk music performance by artist Hat Xam. Later, we’ll savour an included dinner at an upscale restaurant.
Hotel: MGallery Hanoi Hotel de l'Opera, Hanoi
Day 4
After breakfast, we’ll begin our city tour at the Museum of Ethnology where the highlight is a beautiful outdoor area featuring genuine houses and compounds built and used by many different ethnic groups.
Continuing on, we’ll visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, before enjoying lunch at a restaurant owned by an NGO that trains disadvantaged youth in the hospitality industry. Then it’s on to Ba Dinh Square, a.k.a the Ho Chi Minh complex, where the revolutionary leader declared Vietnam’s independence in 1945. We’ll visit the Stilt House – where he lived – along with the Presidential Palace which he shunned given its colonial credentials. We’ll also visit the nearby One Pillar Pagoda before wandering through the chaotic old quarter for a quintessential Hanoian experience. This evening, we’ll gather for dinner at a Michelin-rated restaurant featuring contemporary Vietnamese food.
Hotel: MGallery Hanoi Hotel de l'Opera, Hanoi
Day 5
There are no activities planned today. You’ll be transferred to the airport in time for your flight home. Safe travels!
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