Northern Vietnam Escape 5 Days
Hanoi & Ha Long Bay
Tour code: STNVE5D
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi (Dinner)
Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam. You are greeted by your guide and driver at Noi Bai International airport for your transfer to the hotel. Balance of the day is at your leisure. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant and an overnight stay in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi in Style (Breakfast/ Lunch)
This moring, experience the lifestyle of Hanoi. First, visit to traditional market (wet markets) where a huge array of produce is sold. In the morning the market is abuzz with shoppers buying what they need for the day’s meals. Everything from fresh tropical fruits, an abundance of fragrant herbs, fresh meats, fresh flowers and even live fish and frogs are sold! Vietnamese cuisine is highly regarded as one of the world's best, but few realize the variations that are found in the cuisine. Then walk through the backstreets where small vendors set up their stalls along the road. Take a rest whilst enjoying a cup of Vietnamese coffee or tea.
Continue wander about the Old Quarter streets to enjoy aromas from local street food stalls. There is the chance to sample what probably could be termed Vietnam’s ‘national dish’ – the world renowned “pho”! The most popular choices are “pho bo” (beef noodle soup) or “pho ga” (chicken noodle soup). Continue exploring the lively small streets stopping to sample some of Hanoi’s other favorite street food including "Bun Cha" - A Hanoi noodle soup which is served with fried "Nem’ (spring-rolls filled with pork or crab) and “Banh Cuon” - Thin steamed rice flour pancakes filled with minced pork and cloud ear mushrooms are served piping hot, still soft and delicate.
Afternoon, enjoy a relaxing cyclo ride through Hanoi's Old Quarter. The best way to explore the picturesque area of the Old Quarter is by "cyclo" (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi). Also known as the "36 Streets District", it was once the thriving commercial centre of the city. Each of the 36 short lanes used to specialise in a particular trade represented by one of the guilds. This is still reflected in the names of certain streets: like Silk Street, Gold Street and Fish Street. Among the ancient homes and attractive temples there is a multitude of tantalising souvenir shops. Afterwards you will be dropped off at a nearby theatre to enjoy one of Vietnam's unique and traditional arts. Water puppetry is a highly entertaining form of theatre using the water surface as a stage. Standing waist-deep in the water, the master puppeteers are hidden behind a bamboo screen. The technical virtuosity of the puppeteers is startling and the music enticing. The entire atmosphere is truly enchanting. Many of the brief episodes relate to scenes of daily life. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay, Natural World Heritage site (B/L/D)
Depart from Hanoi and travel by shuttle bus to the spectacular World Heritage site of Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin (approximately four hours). Arrive at jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After your welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board. Overnight aboard on Halong Bay
Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi (B/-/-)
Enjoy your fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards Ha Long port. Disembark and travel back to Hanoi by shuttle bus.
Note: 2 days cruise itinerary is subject to change bases on each cruise company, transfer by cruise’s shuttle bus (driver pick-up, there is no tour guide on the bus), english speaking guide is available on board.
Day 5: Hanoi – Departure (B)
There's no plan for today, you will have free time at leisure until transfer to the airport for the departure flight! End of services!
Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam. You are greeted by your guide and driver at Noi Bai International airport for your transfer to the hotel. Balance of the day is at your leisure. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant and an overnight stay in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi in Style (Breakfast/ Lunch)
This moring, experience the lifestyle of Hanoi. First, visit to traditional market (wet markets) where a huge array of produce is sold. In the morning the market is abuzz with shoppers buying what they need for the day’s meals. Everything from fresh tropical fruits, an abundance of fragrant herbs, fresh meats, fresh flowers and even live fish and frogs are sold! Vietnamese cuisine is highly regarded as one of the world's best, but few realize the variations that are found in the cuisine. Then walk through the backstreets where small vendors set up their stalls along the road. Take a rest whilst enjoying a cup of Vietnamese coffee or tea.
Continue wander about the Old Quarter streets to enjoy aromas from local street food stalls. There is the chance to sample what probably could be termed Vietnam’s ‘national dish’ – the world renowned “pho”! The most popular choices are “pho bo” (beef noodle soup) or “pho ga” (chicken noodle soup). Continue exploring the lively small streets stopping to sample some of Hanoi’s other favorite street food including "Bun Cha" - A Hanoi noodle soup which is served with fried "Nem’ (spring-rolls filled with pork or crab) and “Banh Cuon” - Thin steamed rice flour pancakes filled with minced pork and cloud ear mushrooms are served piping hot, still soft and delicate.
Afternoon, enjoy a relaxing cyclo ride through Hanoi's Old Quarter. The best way to explore the picturesque area of the Old Quarter is by "cyclo" (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi). Also known as the "36 Streets District", it was once the thriving commercial centre of the city. Each of the 36 short lanes used to specialise in a particular trade represented by one of the guilds. This is still reflected in the names of certain streets: like Silk Street, Gold Street and Fish Street. Among the ancient homes and attractive temples there is a multitude of tantalising souvenir shops. Afterwards you will be dropped off at a nearby theatre to enjoy one of Vietnam's unique and traditional arts. Water puppetry is a highly entertaining form of theatre using the water surface as a stage. Standing waist-deep in the water, the master puppeteers are hidden behind a bamboo screen. The technical virtuosity of the puppeteers is startling and the music enticing. The entire atmosphere is truly enchanting. Many of the brief episodes relate to scenes of daily life. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay, Natural World Heritage site (B/L/D)
Depart from Hanoi and travel by shuttle bus to the spectacular World Heritage site of Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin (approximately four hours). Arrive at jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After your welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board. Overnight aboard on Halong Bay
Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi (B/-/-)
Enjoy your fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards Ha Long port. Disembark and travel back to Hanoi by shuttle bus.
Note: 2 days cruise itinerary is subject to change bases on each cruise company, transfer by cruise’s shuttle bus (driver pick-up, there is no tour guide on the bus), english speaking guide is available on board.
Day 5: Hanoi – Departure (B)
There's no plan for today, you will have free time at leisure until transfer to the airport for the departure flight! End of services!
| Cities | Hotels List or similar | Room Type | Website |
| Superior Category/ 3-star plus hotel | |||
| Hanoi | Thien Thai Hotel | Deluxe | www.thienthaihotel.com |
| Halong | Glory Cruise | Deluxe | www.glorylegendcruises.net |
| First Class Category/ Good 4-star hotel | |||
| Hanoi | Lan Vien Hotel | Superior | www.lanvienhotel.com.vn |
| Halong | Pelican Cruise | Deluxe cabin | www.pelicancruise.com |
| Deluxe Category/ Good 5-star hotel | |||
| Hanoi | Pan Pacific Hanoi (Former Sofitel Plaza) | Deluxe | www.panpacific.com |
| Halong | Indochina Sails Junk | Deluxe cabin | www.indochinasails.com |
| Luxury Category/ Luxury 5-star hotel | |||
| Hanoi | Sofitel Metropole Hanoi | Grand Luxury | www.sofitel.com |
| Halong | Paradise Luxury | Deluxe balcony | www.paradisevietnam.com |
Prices are quoted in US dollars per person base on minimum two travelers
| Group Size |
Valid from 1 Oct 2016 to 30 Apr 2017. Price per person in USD for private party of |
||||
| 2 persons | 3-4 persons | 5-6 persons | 7-9 persons | Single Supp | |
| Superior | 425 | 390 | 370 | 360 | 115 |
| First Class | 515 | 485 | 465 | 455 | 175 |
| Deluxe | 719 | 688 | 668 | 658 | 380 |
| Luxury | On Request! | ||||
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
+ 03 nights hotel accommodation in a shared double or twin room throughout
+ 01 night cruise accommodation (shared double or twin cabin, in-house english speaking guide)
+ Transfers and tours with an English speaking local guide as specified in the itinerary
+ Meals as specified in the itinerary (B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
+ Entrance fees for the sightseeing described above.
+ Boat trip & cruise as per tour
+ Vietnam visa on arrival pre-approved letter (if required)
+ Mineral water available on the vehicles
+ Service charges, room tax and handling fees.
TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES:
+ All International flight tickets from/to Vietnam
+ Early check in or late checkout are not mentioned in our program
- Check in time at hotel 14:00pm - Check out time at hotel 12:00pm
+ Personal insurance
+ Travel insurance
+ Expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc.
+ Visa stamp fee at international gate (25 USD per person)
+ Tips for local guides and coach drivers
+ Compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and Peak Season Surcharges for the following periods:
- Independent Day from 02 September to 03 September 2016
- Christmas Eve gala dinner (December 24, 2016)
- New Year’s Eve gala dinner (December 31, 2016)
- New Year & Holiday: 24 December 2016 to 10 January 2017
- Lunar New Year from 27 January 2017 to 4 February 2017
- The Hung Kings Anniversary from 6 April 2017 to 7 April 2017
- Victory Day & Labour Day from 29 April 2017 to 02 May 2017
+ Other services not mentioned above
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