Time For Vietnam

Welcome to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam.

Upon arrival, greeted by the local tour guide and transfer to downtown. Check in your hotel. Afternoon, visit Ba Dinh Square – the biggest square in Hanoi where all the biggest cultural, political events

of the cities, especially demonstrations, take place. Start our visit at the Complex of Ho Chi Minh including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (from outside only as it closes in the afternoon), Ho Chi Minh’s house-on-stilts, his

fish pond and the One-Pillar Pagoda. Then, the Temple of Literature which is considered as the first university of Vietnam.

Later, we have an overall view of the capital by cyclo in 1 hour, which wanders around the Old Quarter of Hanoi and the Hoan Kiem Lake (the “Sword” Lake). From here wandering on the narrow streets of the Old

Quarter to experience the daily life of the local people. Transfer back to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Have breakfast at hotel. A 90km driving south of Hanoi will lead you to Ninh Binh, the site of the one capital city of ancient Vietnam before Hanoi took its leading role in 11th century. The area is featured by lots of

well-known sceneries, which include Tam Coc Caves and Hoa Lu ancient capital with the old temples dedicated to King Dinh & King Le reigned in 10th century. The visit in Ninh Binh starts by a boat trip in Tam

Coc where spectacular limestone karsts jut out from the green paddy fields reminding about Guilin (China) and Halong Bay of Vietnam, which gives this scenery the name “Halong-bay-on-land”.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Further discovery in Ninh Binh will be continued by visiting Bich Dong Pagoda. Afternoon drive back Hanoi, on the way, stop to visit Hoa Lu, the site that used to be the kings’ palace in 10th century and now famous

for the wooden relieves of the shady Dinh and Le temples. Late afternoon back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at hotel. Head East for more than 3.5 hours to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994 and 2006. Upon arrival at Tuan Chau Marina,

check in a 4 hours day cruise to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes, where almost each islet has its own name,

adopting its shape or reminiscent like Sail Island, Fisherman’s head rock, Butterfly rock or Turtle islet etc. We stop to visit Grottos, passing floating houses. Have lunch on board before returning to the pier. Disembark

from the boat, transfer back to Hanoi. Your time at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at hotel and check out. You are free until transfer to airport (no guide) for departure flight