Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay to embark your Pandaw ship followed by lunch on board. Cast off in the afternoon with a welcome cocktail for an evening sail, dropping anchor in a sheltered bay amidst the beautiful island scenery.

Morning sail around Halong Bay and beyond with its 1,500 dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations, dating back 20 million years. Make a stop at Viet Hai Village and continue our journey by mountain bike or electric buggy to visit the village’s vegetable farm and typical village houses. It is a breathtaking trip along a small road winding its way through the limestone rocks. In the afternoon, continue cruising towards Lan Ha Bay for a visit to a floating fishing house. Weather dependent, end the day with cocktails at a beautiful beach in Halong Bay.

Our exploration of Halong Bay continues and you stop at the so called “Dark and Bright Cave”. Take a kayak or a local basket boat rowed by fishermen and enter this remarkable cave into an enclosed area similar to a crater. Bats can be heard in the cave and massive stalagmites hang from the ceiling. In the afternoon, you leave Halong Bay and enter the river where the anchor drop near Hai Phong. 

Observe the lively and interesting life of the Kinh Thay river, a key commercial waterway. Afternoon excursion to Thanh Ha Commune with village walk and a private water puppet show set under shade by a beautiful pond of lotus and lilies. You continue cruising until late evening and drop anchor midstream. 

This morning you sail on the Lower Red River and Day River. Afternoon visit the Dien Xa Bonsai Village where you walk to the bonsai village and meet with local artists and share their bonsai experience. Cruise on Day River towards Ninh Binh City.

In the morning you visit Tam Coc, taking a rowing boat ride to visit the so called "Halong on land" in Ninh Binh. In the afternoon, visit the quaint village of Pham Phao where guests can walk around the village visiting a host family where musician instruments have been made and repaired for generations. Listen to the owner who plays every instrument within his family run business. Visit local Woodworking Artisans who produce items for local and international markets.

In the morning you sail upstream on the Red River to Phat Diem Cathedral visit the famous stone cathedral of Pat Diem. Then continue on the Red River to Hanoi.

Dropped anchor in the bustling city of Hanoi, passengers visit some highlights of this Asian metropolis, must see’s like the notorious Vietnam war prison known as the Hanoi Hilton, temple of literature where Confucius did his thinking and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Afternoon walking tour of Hanoi including a visit to a coffee shop where you learn about Vietnam’s famous coffee making industry. Before returning to your ship, enjoy a traditional unicorn and lion dance at the jetty.

Morning going off shore to visit Bat Trang ceramic village then sail through day from Hanoi up the Red River to Viet Tri, not the most picturesque of towns but an excellent base for going deeper into Highland Vietnam. Going a shore, visit a timeless Arcadian Vietnam with emerald green rice paddies punctuated by lime stone rock formations. Of particular interest is the Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas, hardly known, yet with exquisite temples dating from the 8th and 11th century and home to some fine Buddhist statuary carved from jackfruit trees. Arrive in Vinh Phuc in the evening.

In the morning, go ashore to visit the UNESCO praised village of Duang Lam. In the afternoon, visit the carpenter and smith village of Ly Nhan. You sail upstream on the Upper Red River to Viet Tri. Enjoy traditional dances on board.

Disembark after breakfast and visit the conical hat making village of Gia Thanh. By bus you continue to Hung Lo Temple, Lunch is be served at a local restaurant, followed by a transfer to Hanoi airport or drop off point Pan Pacific Hotel Hanoi.