Discover the captivating Northern and Central Vietnam: travel from Hanoi to Hoian in 8 days 7 nights (Hanoi-Halong bay-Hoian-My Son)!
Trip Overviews: This Hanoi to Hoian tour will highlights the best UNESCO heritage sites along the northern – central coastline Vietnam. Starting with Vietnamese capital city Hanoi, stroll yourself in this vibrant destination, a good blend of old and modern features. Take a relaxing 3 day cruise trip to Halong bay – the world’s natural wonder. Soak up the sun in unspoilt beaches of Hoian. Vietnam houses some of the most beautiful beaches all over the world, but Hoi An is a true gem. Immerse yourself in this captivating ancient town. Discover My Son – the holy sanctuary Ruins, enjoy a day trip to learn more about this epic temple complex created by Cham people long century ago.
BRIEF ITINERARY:
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Hanoi full day sightseeing Tour
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay overnight cruise
Day 4: Halong Bay overnight cruise
Day 5: Halong cruise – Hanoi – Danang – Hoi An
Day 6: Hoi An sightseeing tour
Day 7: Hoi An – My Son Religious Sanctuary – Hoi An
Day 8: Hoi An – Danang – Departure (B)
Halong Bay Cruise
DETAIL ITINERARY:
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Upon arrival at Noi Bai airport, our local guide will pick up outside the baggage claim area and transfer hotel. Take some rest after your flight and then do a short walking around Hanoi old quarter. Take a cyclo trip around the bustling streets of Hanoi and then sit down in the theatre to enjoy a special water puppet show. You are invited for a welcome dinner at a special local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi Full day Sightseeing Tour (B, L)
Breakfast at your hotel, then transfer to visit Ho Chi Minh residence complex comprising his Mausoleum, former residence, Presidential Palace, the impressive house on stilts, the nearby One Pillar Pagoda dating back to 1049. The One Pillar Pagoda, formally Diên Huu is a historic Buddhist temple. It is regarded alongside the Perfume Pagoda, as one of Vietnam’s two most iconic temples. Continue your visit to Tran Quoc or National protection Pagoda located on a little island on the west lake. Afterward you will learn more about the historical and cultural events at the peaceful Temple of Literature, known as the Vietnam’s first university since the 11th century. Lunch will be served in a Vietnamese restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will visit Ethnology museum- the best museum in Hanoi to study about different ethnic groups in Vietnam. Back to the city central, you continue walking around Hoan Kiem Lake and visiting Ngoc Son Temple which to be the heart of Vietnam. Tour ends late afternoon and transfer back to your hotel for relax. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay overnight cruise (B, L, D)
Have breakfast and check out your hotel, we leave Hanoi for Halong Bay – the World Heritage site and one of the seven natural world wonder. We enjoy about 3 and a half hours driving. En route we will have short break and enjoy stunning countryside landscape. We drive through ever green rice paddies of the north Vietnam.
12h: 15 PM we check in cruise boat. Upon boarding you are greeted with a welcome drink and gather in the dining room for a comprehensive safety and boat orientation briefing followed by itinerary details.
After the briefing and check in we have a bit of free time till lunch is served at 1:00pm. Lunch is a multi-course Vietnamese and Western set menu. Any and all dietary needs will be catered to.
During lunch we cruise through the Bai Tu Long Bay, cruising through the most beautiful and quiet area in Bai Tu Long Bay and Halong Bay to visit Cua Van Fishing Village. Cua Van Floating Fishing Village (the largest fishing village on the Bay). At the village, which has a population of about 600 residents living in about 150 floating houses, guests can choose between kayaking through the village or visiting on small bamboo boats (sampans) rowed by the villagers.
Back on board after visiting the village and attend a Cooking Class. Our chef will demonstrate and help you make some typical Vietnamese food. Take this chance to make some traditional Vietnamese food which are easy enough so that you can make at home. In addition we will have the first of our double happy hours from 6:00 till 7:00 PM during which time one free drink will be received for each one ordered. The dinner is served at 7:30pm.
Dinner is a sumptuous buffet featuring an array of salads, seafood, meat dishes, seasonal fresh fruits and deserts.
After dinner guests can relax in the dining room and lounge or on the upper deck and enjoy the second happy hour from 9:00 till 10:00. Board games and playing cards are available and massage services as well (massage service is available throughout the cruise). Also, everyone can try their luck at squid fishing from the boat with help from the crew. Overnight on the Junk.
Day 4: Halong Bay Overnight Cruise (B, L, D)
Early guests can join in a Tai Chi lesion- morning exercise on the sundeck at 7:00 AM. Breakfast will be at 7h:45. You can enjoy some morning coffee, tea and pastries from 6:30 AM
At 8:30 AM we transfer to a day cruise boat, a spacious and comfortable wooden junk with lounge and dining room and a sundeck with lounging furniture. The day’s activities include cruising to less trafficked areas of the Bay for swimming, kayaking at the Bat Cave and a visit to the fishing village where there are extensive fish farms and a working pearl processing factory and showroom. Lunch is served on board mid-day and passengers return to the main boat at about 4:00pm for free time on board till the pre-dinner happy hour from 6:00 till 7:00 and dinner at 7:30.
After dinner guests can enjoy their second evening on the Bay relaxing in the dining room and lounge or on the upper deck and enjoy the happy hour from 9:00 till 10:00. Board games and playing cards are available and massage services as well (massage service is available throughout the cruise). Also, everyone can have another chance to try their luck at squid fishing from the boat with help from the crew.
Day 5: Ha Long – Hanoi -Da Nang – Hoi An (Brunch)
The next morning coffee, tea and breakfast pastries are on offer from 6:45. Tai Chi lessons are led by our tai chi master at 7:00 before we leave the boat at 7:45 for a walking tour of Titov Beach Island. About one hour is spent on the island allowing time for a climb up the steps to the peak for a breathtaking 360 degree view of the Bay (there is also an expansive viewing deck half way up). After the climb there is time left to relax on the beach and have a swim.
Back on board it’s time for final packing and freshening up before enjoying a full breakfast buffet, including traditional Vietnamese Noodles (Pho). After breakfast guests may relax in the dining room and lounge or on the deck enjoying the last Bay views before disembarkation at 11:00 am. Meet your guide at the harbor and drive back to Hanoi airport to catch flight to Danang then drive to Hoi An ancient town. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 6: Hoi An walking City Tour (B, L)
After breakfast at hotel, we will have a walking tour around the ancient town of Hoian to see the key attraction of this thousands of years old.
There are many cute shops and art galleries in Hoi An’s Old Town. We can say that almost every house is an art work. This tour gives you the chance to discover amazing gems in the small alleys, stroll through the atmospheric and UNESCO World Heritage–listed streets of Hoi An’s well- preserved Ancient Town. We will learn about the legends of the Chinese assembly halls from your guide after lunch.
As an UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ancient Town is packed with buildings of historical and cultural significance, and boasts a number of streets that are off-limits to cars. We will walk past the many Chinese assembly halls, from the Cantonese Chinese Congregation with its impressive main altar, to the Hainan Chinese Congregation, which serves as a memorial to 107 merchants from Hainan Island who were mistaken for pirates and killed during the reign of Emperor Tu Duc. This story will be illustrated more detail Stop by the Japanese Covered Bridge, which was constructed in the 1590s by the town’s Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream. You will have free time to take pictures and explore the daily life from the local people. Stay overnight in Hoi An.
Day 7: Hoi An – My Son Religious Sanctuary – Hoi An (B, L)
After breakfast at your hotel, our guide and driver will meet you and today we drive about 55 km to My Son Sanctuary to discover the ancient world and the world-famous religious complex of temples dated back the 4th to the 12th centuries, the Champa Kingdom flourished on the coast of Vietnam with My Son as its religious and intellectual center.
Located in a valley of dramatic beauty, the monuments of My Son are the most important constructions of the Champa Kingdom. As your guide takes you through the complex, learn about the history, architectural styles and cultural significance of the temples. Some 20 remain out of more than 70 temples that once spread out over this beautiful valley; several are well-preserved while others are in ruins, some damaged during the Vietnam War.
While you walk, get out your camera for photographs of the temples with dramatic mountain backdrops, and listen as your guide explains the influence of India and Hinduism on the Champa people and points out the Hindu deities memorialized at My Son.
After a fascinating morning of exploring the My Son temples, depart around noon to return to your hotel and overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An – Da Nang – Departure (B)
Fee time at your leisure until transfer to Da Nang airport for your departure flight.
End of services.
Tour Inclusions:
- All transfer and transportation with air-conditioning
- Hotel accommodation base on twin sharing room
- Domestic airfares (Hanoi-Danang)
- 02 night on the cruise in Ha Long bay
- English speaking tour guide ( other language upon request)
- Meals as states in the itinerary
- Boat trip and excursions in Ha Long Bay
- Entrance fees and drinking water during touring
- Government taxes
Tour Exclusions:
- Visa to Vietnam
- International airtickets
- Single room supplement
- Other meals and drinks
- Other optional and activities not on the package
- Travel insurance, personal expense
- Gratuities for local guides and drivers
