Set sail deep into Highland Vietnam on this 11-day Halong Bay and Red River downstream cruise. Journey to the Lo River and visit the conical hat-making village in Gia Thanh. Then sail downstream to the Red River and visit timeless Arcadian Vietnam with emerald green rice paddies punctuated by lime stone rock formations. Explore the bustling city of Hanoi to see the highlights of this Asian metropolis and be welcomed back to the ship by Lion Dances. Sail down the lower Red River to Dien Xa Bonsai village. Then sail through the Day River to Ninh Binh. Enjoy the lively life on the river as you cruise along the Luoc, Thai Binh, and Kinh Thay Rivers. Then the ship drops anchor near Hai Phong Port, the gateway to Halong Bay, where your cruise concludes.
Highlights
Sail around Halong Bay with its 1,500 limestone islands and rock formations
Observe the lively life of the Kinh Thay River, a key commercial waterway
Explore Hanoi must-sees: Vietnam War prison, temple of literature, and more
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Transfer to Viet Tri, embark your ship and set sail downstream for sunset and a night on the Red River. Tonight you enjoy a traditional dance on board.
In the morning transfer to Gia Thanh village and visit the conical hat making village. Then continue by bus to visit Hung Lo Temple where you can enjoy a UNESCO recognized "Hat Xoan" performance. In the afternoon, moor in Minh Chau to visit a carpenter village and smith's village in Vinh Phuc province.
You can visit the UNESCO praised village of Duang Lam, then sail downstream on the Red River and visit a timeless Arcadian Vietnam with emerald green rice paddies punctuated by lime stone rock formations. Of particular interest are 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.
Dropped anchor in the bustling city of Hanoi, passengers can 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. Welcome back to the ship by Lion Dances.
In the morning going off shore to visit Bat Trang ceramic village followed by a Unicorn Dance. Sail down the lower Red River to Dien Xa Bonsai village.
After breakfast, visit Dien Xa Bonsai village followed by lunch. In the afternoon, visit the famous Phat Diem stone Cathedral and a local house where they make rice wine. Back to the ship then sail up the Day River to Ninh Binh.
In the morning you visit Thung Nang, taking a rowing boat to the so called "Halong on land" in Ninh Binh. In the afternoon you 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. You visit local Woodworking Artisans who produce items for local and international markets.
Observe the lively and interesting life on the river before you reach the next destination in the 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. Drop anchor near Hai Phong Port, the gateway to Halong Bay.
Cast off early morning along the river before entering Halong Bay’s amazing island scenery with its 2,000 dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations dating back 20 million years. Exploring Halong Bay, 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. Continue cruising around Halong Bay until the ship drop anchor in Rang Dua.
You make a stop at Viet Hai Village and continue the 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 you can continue cruising towards Lan Ha Bay for a visit to a floating fishing house. Weather dependent, you can end the day with cocktails at a beautiful beach in Halong Bay.
Day 11: Halong Bay | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Morning sail to Tuan Chau Jetty. Disembark and transfer to Hanoi Airport or Pan Pacific Hotel Hanoi with stop for lunch at a local restaurant.
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$3,5812-3 travelers
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Pandaw Stateroom
Bedroom: 12' x 10'
Bathroom: 6' x 4'
Showeroom: 2'8" x 3'4"
Single Bed: 6'7" x 3'3"
*Available in Twin or Double Configuration
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 191 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 191 reviews on
19 hours ago
I think it was very helpful that Franny and I spoke on the phone. I think she had a better idea of what we were looking for, and she planned a great itinerary for us!
Elizabeth
1 day ago
I've just started the process, but Tilly has been very helpful and has a great personality that puts a traveler at ease. I think the paperwork has just begun so I can't give an overall rating of the whole experience. So far, so good.
Christine Allen
3 days ago
Claire made sure she knew what my expectations and priorities were and offered options based on that. She also suggested a visit to a city i did not know about. She was pleasant friendly informative and helpful
Al Kirkley
1 week ago
Cheska is a great asset for your company she is very knowledgeable and pleasant to work with
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1 week ago
Adventure Life set us up with great guides and locations, seamless transportation, and good advice. Will work with them again. Thanks