HIGHLIGHTS THE NORTH & CENTRAL VIETNAM

Arrive in Hanoi, the modern capital of Vietnam. You will be free to get refreshed, explore the city on your own and check into your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast at hotel, head out to Ba Dinh Square and start our day with The Presidential Palace (formerly Palace of the Governor-General of French Indochina), Ho Chi Minh’s house-on-stilt and nearby One Pillar Pagoda. Following is a visit to the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam built in 11th century. Next is a visit to the National Museum of Vietnam History You then drive to Hanoi Center, explore the lively Old Quarter of Hanoi. This bustling heart of Hanoi has been a commercial centre since King Ly Thai To built his palace there in the 11th century. Skilled craftsmen started to migrate and artisan guilds were formed on the famous “36 Streets”. Previously, each street carried the name of the item produced and sold there, and many still have the same names. This is a place you must see to experience Hanoi, where you will find shopping and cultural/historical sites all wrapped into one. Overnight in hotel in Hanoi.

After breakfast, travel overland to Ha Long bay and embark the cruise upon arrival. Halong bay is definitely an outstanding natural beauty which has been well known not only in Vietnam but also worldwide. The rock formations are wonderful with variously shaped islets which many of them containing fabulous caves full of colorful stalactites and stalagmites. The caves, floating villages, beaches are really indispensable to a complete trip. Your trip will commence with an extravagant welcome seafood lunch while the boat is navigating around the magnificent islets reflecting in emerald water to reach a floating village where the locals live on fishing offshore or raising fishes in cages. Especially, the cruise boat would take you to the best cave in Ha Long bay, Sung Sot or Surprising cave before a short walk on a beach from which you can do a moderate exercise by taking four hundred steps to reach island’s top for panoramic view of the bay. Enjoy your dinner and overnight on board. Note: Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, tide levels and operating conditions. Unused services are not subject to a refund.

Keep cruising around the bay for further discoveries of the fantastic natural beauty. Your Brunch is served before disembarking the cruise ship at about noon. Drive back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Arrive in the early morning in Hanoi, you will have breakfast at local restaurant before transfer to the airport to catch the morning flight to Danang, the largest central city in Vietnam. Upon arrival in Danang you will be met and transferred to Hoi An. In the afternoon you will go on a guided walking tour of Hoi An, a former trading post of seafaring Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese merchants, a center for traditional architecture, tailored clothes and beautiful modern art. Join a lantern making class to create your own Hoi An lantern. Discover your inner skill and keep your handiwork as a souvenir of this beautiful Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.

You will start the day cycling along back roads witnessing Vietnamese rural life first hand, working the ground with a farmer in an organic vegetable village. After that you will have relaxed time soaking your feet in some herb before having Lunch with the family in the village. Overnight in Hoi An.

Have breakfast at the hotel. Free until transfer to the airport for your departure. End of services.