Hidden Charms of Northern Vietnam – 7 Days

Xin chào! Welcome to Hanoi, the Capital city of Vietnam! On arrival at the Airport, we will be welcomed by our guide and transfer to our hourly hotel next to the train station for check-in and relaxation.

SURCHARGE FOR EARLY CHECK-IN HAS BEEN INCLUDED

Have a rest then at lunch time, we will take a walk with a fixed route across various famous local food stalls to enjoy dinner in the most authentic Viet manner. Strolling through the street hawkers that sell a staggering variety of products. We tempt our taste buds with 3 choices for dinner at local eateries among below dishes:

• Fresh rice noodles with grilled pork and herbs (bún chả – Obama approved!)
• Different versions of Phở (Hanoian specialty!) such as noodle soup Phở or Phở Chiên Phồng (deep-fried phở) or Phở Cuốn (steamed rice phở roll with fried beef and salad)
• Nộm/Gỏi: Vietnamese banana flower salad / coconut blade salad (with shrimp and pork) / lotus root salad / shredded chicken salad
• Xôi: Sticky Rice with all kinds of toppings: char siu, caramelized pork and eggs or chicken
• Noodle soup with shredded chicken, eggs, steam pork cake (bún thang)
• Crab paste Vermicelli Soup (bún riêu cua)
• Steamed Rice Rolls (bánh cuốn)
• Noodle soup with duck meat (miến/bún ngan)
• Bánh tráng: Rice Paper with dried beef/shrimp, quail eggs, shredded mango
• Bánh mì: baguette filled with pate, chili and many other different choices of fillings
• Bánh tôm: deep frying prawn cake

After the food tour, your personal guide will escort you safely back to your hotel stay. At 17PM, we will meet you at your hotel lobby and give you a brief introduction. The guide will tell you all you need to know to have a completely enjoyable tour before we embarking on our journey to explore the Capital city by jeep. Going on the tour, we will also be introduced to delicious traditional Hanoian cuisine.

Afterwards, we will drive through a maze of alleyways known only by locals and get to know the behind-the-scenes stories along the exciting journey through Hanoi traffic. We will drive through the vibrant French Colonial Quarter and Old Quarter area with majestic French-style houses. Our jeep will take you through the green boulevards of Indochina’s capital, where you can see the influence of French architecture. Along the ride, we will pass by all the landmarks of the city such as the embassy area, Hanoi Opera House, Long Bien Bridge and many more.

We will then proceed our journey to the West Lake to get to know a more modern part of life in the city. This is known as “Hanoi Modern Quarter”, opposed to the Old Quarter area. Not only it is the city’s largest lake, West Lake is also perhaps the most romantic corner of Hanoi which has appeared in many songs, stories and, poems about the city. Due to the lake’s unique “Feng shui” location, dozens of spiritual sites have been created all around it. Our knowledgeable tour guide will explain everything while we zipping around the lake, through the ancient villages nestled in the city’s most peaceful areas. Then, move on to Truc Bach Lake nearby – a frantic Hanoi with thousands of skyscrapers in the city’s new areas.

Your personal guide and driver will escort you safely back to your hotel at 21:30.

This morning, time will be free for you to spend at your own leisure. At lunch time, be picked up and go out for lunch at a local restaurant in town. Then, we will venture out to visit some of the most famous local markets in Hanoi. A few suggestions are as below (guide’s recommendations will be given based on your preferences):

• Dong Xuan Market – a must-visit if you’re looking to experience the local lifestyle – you might even end up leaving with a pair of cheap sunglasses and a Vietnamese conical hat
• Hang Da Market – great for purchasing imported wines, second-hand clothing, and quality fabrics at very attractive prices
• Cho Hom Market – renowned for offering the most extensive collection of fabrics in Hanoi, making it a popular shopping venue for clients’ custom-made clothing

Later tonight, we will visit the lively Ta Hien Beer Street, the nightlife hotspot of Hanoi Old Quarter. On Ta Hien, our guide will escort you through crowded streets and you can enjoy the bustling nightlife of the city to the fullest and immerse yourselves in the locals’ lifestyle. Have fun and stay safe!

Today, time will be on your own! If you like shopping, the Silk Street in the Old Quarter is a good place for art galleries, embroidery, lacquer ware, silver articles, and jewelry; Hang Than Street where you will find delicious local snacks: Flan cake, Coconut Jelly or Mixed fresh fruit served with crushed iced and condensed milk.

Enjoy your breakfast at hotel then be picked up by the cruise’s representative at around 08:30-09:30AM. Our schedule for the day will go as follows:

11:30 Arrive at La Regina Private Lounge – Lot 24, Tuan Chau Marina – Ha Long, enjoy welcome drink and express check-in before boarding.
12:15 Transferred by speed boat/ tender to La Regina Grand Cruises. Welcome aboard the cruise, refresh with our welcome drink while Cruise Manager briefing cruise orientation, activities and on-board safety. The boat starts to cruising to Lan Ha Bay.
13:00 Cruise leaves to explore Lan Ha Bay. You will be enjoying a meal that features the distinctive Vietnamese cuisine taste while relaxing and avoiding the crowds on well-traveled roads.
15:30 You will arrive at Light and Dark Cave – one of the best attractions on Lan Ha Bay which is best known for its pristine and tranquil beauty. Exploring the area by local boat or kayaking. After that, you can swim in the green emerald and cool water around the cruise.
17:30 Return to the cruise and enjoy the Bay sunset while enjoying the “Happy Hour” special. You may also join our chef in the kitchen to learn how to make traditional spring rolls.
19:00 If the weather permits, enjoy dinner on the sundeck or in Ha Long Bar & Restaurant, which is on the second floor. You will have the chance to savor meals produced from premium, fresh ingredients in a distinctive fusion style that fuses the essence of traditional Vietnamese cuisine with the innovative influences of modern cuisine.

06:00 Greets first light of the Day on Sundeck, warming up your body with Tai Chi lesson or enjoy leisure time in room.
07:30 Breakfast is served at restaurant.
08:00 Boarding our day boat and start cruising toward Viet Hai Fishing Village.
09:30 Arrive Viet Hai local pier for your 30-minute biking on a paved road along a nice lagoon then head up to a small slope before descending through a tunnel cave. The pleasant ride along the jungle path will lead you to Viet Hai, a small village nestled between jungle and limestone.
12:30 Lunch is served whether at the village or on board.
15:00 The cruise come to Ba Trai Dao Beach. The sea water in Ba Trai Dao Beach is very clean, and on sunny days, the bottom can be seen. It’s also safe for swimming and kayaking.
16:00 Return to the main boat and leisure till dinner.

06:00 Greet the new day on the sundeck with a tachi session. Enjoy the fresh air on the bay while you unwind with a cup of tea or coffee. 06:30 Light breakfast is served inside Ha Long Restaurant.
06:45 Enjoy a quick breakfast on board and get your day going with plenty of energy.
07:30 You will join the tour of Cat Ba World Biosphere. It will take you around 30 minutes to transfer from Gia Luan to Trung Trang – one of the most impressive caves in Cat Ba Island, Vietnam.
09:30 Back to the main boat for relaxing and check out at the reception, please put all your luggage at the outside of your cabin, crew member will help to bring luggage on land.
09:45 Lunch is served in the restaurant while the boat heads back to the harbor.
11:00 Disembark from the cruise as our crew bid farewell, back to Tuan Chau Marina by our speed boat and the cruise’s bus services will transfer you back to your hotel stay in Hanoi. Check-in to your hotel and have a rest.

Today, time will be free for you to do as you wish before our driver and guide arrive at your hotel stay to escort you to the Airport in good time for your departure flight back home. Thanks for traveling with Vietnam local tour operator!