20-Day Tour: Best of Vietnam

Xin Chao! Welcome to Vietnam!

Today you will be met by your private Maika Tour Guide who will be ready and waiting for you at Tan Son Nhat airport with a welcome sign. We’ll help you with your bags and show you to your private, air-conditioned transport, and whisk you off to your accommodation.

Today is all about resting and recovering after your flight, so relax and get settled in. Alternatively, if you can’t wait to start exploring, we can show you around the local markets and the surrounding area. Join us in the evening for a delicious welcome dinner and enjoy local specialities.

Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh.

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van • Some Walking if Desired

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • Private Transport • Bottled Water • Dinner • Tour Guide

Explore Intricate Tunnel Networks

Today we will take you to experience one of Vietnam’s most famous attractions, the Cu Chi Tunnels! Our day starts with a hotel pickup after breakfast, then we’ll hit the road.

On the way to the tunnels, we’ll stop at a vast rubber tree plantation and learn firsthand about the rubber tapping process. Vietnam is one of the world’s top producers of natural rubber, making this a surprisingly informative little tour.
We’ll soon arrive at the tunnels where we will learn all about their important role in the Viet Cong resistance and how they were used as hiding spots, communication and supply routes, as well as hospitals and living quarters. You’ll have the chance to go underground and experience the tunnels for yourself! This tour offers a fascinating and informative insight into the lives of the Viet Cong, with plenty to see and learn.

After the excitement of the tunnels, we’ll hop back in our van and enjoy the scenic return trip to HCMC. Your guide can either drop you back to your hotel, at a recommended lunch location, at another attraction if you want to continue sightseeing, or we can even take you on an optional street food tour! Set your tastebuds alight and soak in the evening atmosphere as we take you to try local delicacies at hand-picked, traditional eateries.

Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh.

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van • Walking

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • Private Transport • Bottled Water • Tour Guide • Entrance Fees • Lunch

Sampans, Local Families & Tradition

We’ll pick you up at your hotel after breakfast and make sure you’re comfortably seated in your private transport for the 2-hour journey to Cai Be Pier; located right beside the mighty Mekong River. When we arrive, a traditional sampan boat will be waiting to take us along serene canals and waterways that are lush with tropical vegetation and dotted with small villages, so sit back, relax, and take in the views as we cruise downstream.

Our dryland destination will be Tan Phong Island. We’ll make a quick stop at a local fruit orchard, where we’ll be treated to a performance of traditional music by locals. Then we can hop on bikes and enjoy a cycling tour of this marvellous island. Along the way, we will visit native families and learn how they use the land to craft everything from delicate rice paper to the sturdy roofs of their homes. A local family will treat us to Mekong delicacies for lunch, including freshly made spring rolls, fried pumpkin flowers, and beautifully braised pork soaked in coconut juice.

After our special Mekong lunch, we’ll transfer back to our boat and delve deeper into the smaller canals of the delta. Here we can get up close and be a part of the daily life of local people and farmers. We will see the handicraft of local merchants preparing delicious coconut candy, rice-wine, unique hand-crafted pottery, and bricks made from scratch. Then we’ll head to the Vinh Long Pier and market where you can see even more of the specialities the Mekong has to offer.

Finally, we will head to Can Tho to reach your accommodation. We’ll have the chance to relax and explore the beautiful nightlife and tasty cuisine of the night market in this spectacular town during your overnight stay.

Overnight stay in Can Tho.

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van • Machine Boat • Rowing Sampan • Bicycle • Walking

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • Private Transport • Tour Guide • Entrance Fees • Lunch

Floating Markets and Local Coffee

Rise and shine! This morning we will board our private boat to head to Cai Rang, the biggest floating market in the whole of Asia. Sunrise is the best time to see the floating market – you’ll get to experience local produce being sold first hand from boat to boat, have the chance to buy products of your own, and even sip your morning coffee at one of the awesome floating coffee shops!

After the market, we will head back to the hotel for some well-deserved breakfast. Having checked out, we’ll head to My Tho to visit the breathtaking Vinh Trang pagoda. Here your guide will show you around the incredible five-acre site. They will explain the history of this beautiful, Buddhist temple and point out the unique architecture and sculpture. After what promises to be an interesting and enjoyable day, we’ll head back to Ho Chi Minh City and drop you back to your accommodation.

If you’re in the mood for more fun and adventure, the ‘One Night in Saigon: Craft Beer and Cocktails Tour’ is the perfect way to spend a fun night in the city! Click here for more info.(opens in a new tab)

Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh.

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van • Rowing Sampan • Walking

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • Private Transport • Bottled Water • Tour Guide

Central Highland Exploration

Road trip time! Our destination today is Da Lat in the Central Highlands. We’ll be on the road for a total of 7 to 8 hours and of course, make various fun and interesting stops along the way. We’ll leave HCMC via Thu Thiem Tunnel which takes us under the Saigon River and onto the smooth direct road to Da Lat, a beautifully scenic drive.

Our first stop will be the La Nga River and the floating fish farm. Here, we can hop in a rowboat and see how local fishermen use traditional methods to produce a huge variety of native river fish.

Come lunchtime, we’ll make a stop in Bao Loc where we can stretch our legs, enjoy the fresh air and refuel with a delicious lunch served at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we’ll visit one of the vast tea plantations that Bao Loc is famous for. Have your cameras ready to capture the beauty and tranquillity of the green fields as they are gently hand cultivated by expert tea pickers in traditional conical hats.

Continuing our scenic drive, we’ll soon arrive at cool, fresh Da Lat. What better way to celebrate our arrival than visiting the famous Datanla Waterfalls where we can take in the clean, crisp highland air and beautiful surrounding forest. We’ll have some fun and take a mini roller coaster down through the pine forests surrounded by wildflowers — a great way to refresh and recharge after our long drive.

When we’re ready, we’ll venture into Da Lat town, also known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ surrounded by hills and pine forests and dotted with elegant, French-colonial villas mixed with newer, uniquely Vietnamese-styled buildings and attractions too. We’ll drop you off at your accommodation where you can rest and enjoy the evening.

Overnight stay in Da Lat.

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van • Rowboat

Trip inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • Private Transport • Bottled Water • Tour Guide • Entrance Fees • Lunch

Panoramic View & Stunning Nature Await

Today we’ll continue reaching for the sky! After breakfast, we’ll take our private transport all the way up to Da Lat’s famous cable car station. From this high point, we’ll get settled in a cable car and begin a fabulous descent over Da Lat city and Tuyen Lam lake. We’ll drink in the panoramic views, all ornately surrounded by tall pine trees and colourful wildflowers. Make sure to have your camera ready to capture these amazing vistas!

The cable cars will drop us at our first stop, Truc Lam Zen Monastery, the biggest in Vietnam. This peaceful Buddhist temple is surrounded by yet more beautiful flowers and carefully tended bonsai trees. Here we can enjoy a truly zen moment while listening to wild bird songs and taking a leisurely stroll around the temple.

Next, we’ll enjoy a change of scenery and visit the summer house of King Bao Dai, the final emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty. Built in the 1930s, the house is a fantastic representation of French art deco style, with a Vietnamese twist of course. We’ll go inside and enjoy a glimpse into how daily life was for this holidaying king!

The remainder of the day will be filled with other must-see attractions of Da Lat including the Crazy House, built by Vietnamese architect Dang Viet Nga, which looks like something straight out of the pages of a fairy tale! We’ll also visit the uniquely designed train station and Da Lat day markets where you can shop ’til you drop or grab a refreshing drink and simply watch the crowds.

As the day draws to a close, we’ll catch the sunset at Linh Phuoc Pagoda, famous for the huge dragon guarding its doorway. Here we can marvel at the temple’s impressive decor and huge statues, yet another photo hotspot!

Overnight stay in Da Lat.

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van • Cable Car • Walking

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • Tour Guide • Entrance Fees

Temples, Buddhas, and Sea Breezes – Nha Trang

Today we will set off early after breakfast and begin our road trip towards the beautiful beach city of Nha Trang which will take about 4 hours.

Our route takes us along the outskirts of Da Lat and through Trai Mat village, famous for the thousands of little greenhouses that cultivate some of the best vegetables and flower varieties in Vietnam. You’ll get an idea of how lush and fertile this area is as we begin to pass the many tea and coffee plantations. Of course, we’ll stop at one and learn how Vietnam became the world’s second-largest exporter of coffee, and about all the hard work and skill required to cultivate this special bean, beloved (and needed) by millions of people worldwide. Don’t forget to ask your guide about ‘Weasel Coffee’, the most expensive and unusual variety of coffee in the world!

Equipped with new knowledge and appreciation for our morning elixir, we’ll get back on board our private transport and continue on, swinging by the spectacular Khanh Vinh Pass and its stunning views, where we can stop for photos.

A little later we’ll make a refreshment stop at a small coffee shop, nestled beside a cool stream. Here we can grab some ice cream or try a Vietnamese speciality, Ca Phe Sua Da, freshly made coffee (from the nearby plantations), iced, and served with sweet condensed milk- delicious!

We’ve almost reached today’s destination, Nha Trang, where the waves and sea breeze will be waiting to greet us. Once we arrive we can get checked in, have a rest and refresh before heading out in the afternoon for a delightful city tour which will include a visit to Long Son Pagoda to marvel at the huge white buddha sitting atop a stone staircase, peacefully gazing down at visitors and worshippers alike. We’ll also see Po Nagar Cham Towers; ancient temples found within the medieval principality of Kauthara. An excellent chance to experience ancient history alongside modern-day Nha Trang.

As an optional activity, we can visit one of the many local spas that specialise in mud baths! The clay has famous detoxifying properties that rejuvenate skin and offer a fun way to relax. Come evening, don’t hesitate to ask your guide for some fantastic dinner recommendations to ensure you have an unforgettable dinner by the sea!

Overnight stay in Nha Trang.

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van • Walking

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • Tour Guide • Entrance Fees

Vietnam’s Underwater World

Today’s destination is one of the nearby islands, Hon Mun. This beautiful little paradise rests just minutes offshore from Nha Trang, so we’ll take our private transport down to Nha Trang Wharf where we’ll catch our private boat and set sail for paradise.

Before arriving at Hon Mun Island, we’ll take advantage of our location and visit a small fishing village on Mieu Island. We’ll swap our larger boat for a traditional bamboo basket raft, enjoying the novelty as we paddle gently to shore. Once on dry land, your guide will take you on a walk through the village, giving you a glimpse into the daily life of the fishermen and their families.

Back on our private boat, we’ll continue on to Hon Mun Island. We’ll anchor the boat in the perfect location to ensure we get the best waters for today’s activity: snorkelling!

The island’s surrounding waters are shallow, warm and crystal clear, the perfect environment for vast corals and tropical fish. All snorkelling equipment will be provided for you onboard, as well as a delicious lunch. If you’re in the mood for a chilled beer or soft drink, they will be available for purchase.

As the sun begins to set over the sparkling water, we’ll pull up anchor and start to cruise back to the wharf where our private transport will be waiting to take us back to the hotel. After a well-deserved rest and refresh, you’ll be ready for dinner. Feel free to head out by yourself or we can arrange a dinner and party together for our last night by the sea!

Overnight stay in Nha Trang.

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van • Motor and Rowboat

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • Tour Guide • Lunch • Snorkel Equipment

Exploring Hoi An’s Charms

This morning we will bid farewell to the beach and catch a morning flight to Da Nang, where the central team will be ready and waiting for you with private transport to Hoi An, just a short 40-minute drive away from the airport, and where the next part of our adventure begins!

We’ll drop you off at your hotel and leave you to get settled. We’ll meet again later to start our walking tour of Ancient Hoi An and the peaceful Old Town. The area is completely pedestrianised and an absolute joy to walk around. It’s impossible to take more than a few steps without seeing ancient buildings and temples full of character from Hoi An’s colourful past. A former port city with a melting pot of influences from China, Japan, and France, it truly is a beautiful and unique place, perfectly preserved and yet full of new life!

You’ll see many highlights on this walking tour including the Japanese covered bridge, the old merchant’s house, and the famous lanterned streets and markets. For lunch, we’ll be free to either sample local delicacies at a restaurant or try tasty street food as we wander through this ancient town.

Come sunset, thousands of lamps and colourful lanterns will be lit all along Hoi An’s picturesque streets, buildings, and trees – even the river will be filled with floating lanterns. It truly is a sight to behold and makes for a magical experience and an unforgettable evening out.

Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Today You’ll Travel By: Aeroplane • Private Car/Van • Walking

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • Private Transport • Bottled Water • Lunch • Tour Guide

Experience Local Life At Herbal Village

After a hearty breakfast, your guide will arrive at your hotel with first-rate bikes for today’s tour. We’ll get comfortable on our bikes and then set off through the streets for Tra Que Herbal Village, located about 3km from the Old Quarter. The route is easy to navigate and follows a nice flat path so you can take advantage of all the sights you’ll see along the way.

The herbal village is famous for its fertile lowlands which produce the fragrant herbs used in Vietnamese cooking like sweet basil, peppermint, and cilantro- all lovingly cultivated by hand. We’ll meet with locals and have the opportunity to get involved with the daily tasks essential to keeping this special place flourishing. Here you can take a selfie with a water buffalo, and even try your hand at the art of lantern-making. Phew!

Next up will be a welcome coffee and lunch break. Cao Lau will be on the menu- a dish exclusive to Hoi An consisting of pork, noodles, and plenty of fresh herbs and greens from the very fields you’ll be standing in. After some rest and digestion, it’s time to get back in the saddle and head back towards the city. The tour will cover about 17 km over 4 hours, but of course, it is flexible to meet the needs of your group.

Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Today You’ll Travel By: Bicycle • Walking

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • Private Transport • Bottled Water • Bicycle Tour with Guide • Lunch

Today You Choose The Adventure!

Today is a scheduled free day for you to do as you wish, whether that’s to chill out and put your feet up, do some souvenir shopping, or simply enjoy some alone time. Don’t worry though, if you’re keen to continue adventuring we have a range of fantastic optional activities for you!

Take part in a hands-on cooking class and market tour and have a go at making (and eating) a classic Vietnamese feast including crispy spring rolls, grilled sea bass in banana leaf, and bun cha pork patties. Dietary requirements can be accommodated.

If you’re feeling active, we can take you hiking up the Marble Mountains, a group of limestone hills dotted with beautiful pagodas and caves housing Buddhist shrines and temples. The views from the top are worth the climb! Alternatively, experience the wonder of the ancient My Son Cham ruins, centuries-old Hindi temples built to honour the god Shiva. They are remarkably well preserved with many intricate carvings and complete structures still standing strong.

Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • Tour Guide • Transport to Activities

Ancient History & Beauty Await

After breakfast we’ll set off in our private transport for Hue; the former seat of the Nguyen Dynasty Emperors and Vietnam’s capital city until 1945. Our route will take us through the Hai Van Pass, meaning ‘sea clouds’ so-called because of the majestic views of the sea and white sand beaches. There are some fantastic photo opportunities along this pass, so we’ll include plenty of photo stops to make sure you capture these stunning views. If we get peckish along the way, we can stop for an optional lunch, views included of course!

Once we arrive in Hue and get checked-in it’s time to hit the road, cyclo-style! We’ll head straight to the Citadel; a UNESCO World Heritage Site guarded by an ancient moat and thick stone walls. The vast Citadel encompasses the Imperial City, Forbidden Purple City, and the Royal Theatre, so stretch those legs and get ready for an afternoon full of culture, history, amazing architecture, and countless photo opportunities.

Afterwards, we’ll take you back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest and happily share some top recommendations for dinner in the city.

Overnight stay in Hue.

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van • Cyclo • Walking

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • Private Car/Van • Bottled Water • Cyclo and Driver • Tour Guide

Tombs, Pagodas & Dragon Boats!

Today will be a full-day tour so we can see all the best that Hue has to offer, starting with Thanh Toan Bridge. This hidden gem, located off the tourist track in a small village, is characterised by a rare squared timber arch, ancient ceramics, and calligraphy inscriptions. It may have been built centuries ago but its unique beauty is still very much apparent. We’ll also visit some locals including the inspiring Ms Thuy, who specialises in making Vietnam’s world-famous conical hats.

Next up is the tomb of King Tu Duc, the most popular and impressive of all the royal mausoleums. It houses courtyards, pavilions, temples, and chambers. Your tour guide will tell you all about its fascinating history and the king’s life of imperial luxury, from his 104 wives to the unfortunate end of his 200 burial servants.

Just before lunch, we’ll visit Bunker Hill which overlooks the Perfume River and boasts amazing panoramic views. The area served as a great military vantage point by providing secret observation posts for the surrounding territory. Many bunkers still remain so you’ll have the chance to get up close and investigate them.

We’ll have lunch and recharge our batteries at a serene nunnery pagoda and then head off for our next destination: Tiger Arena, an ancient colosseum where tigers and elephants would fight to the death in the name of royal entertainment.

The final leg of our tour today takes us to the iconic seven-storey Thien Mu Pagoda, the unofficial symbol of Hue city. From here we’ll board a classic dragon boat and cruise down the Perfume River towards the city, where you’ll be picked up and transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Hue.

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van • Dragon Boat on Perfume River

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • All Transport • Bottled Water • Tour Guide • Lunch

Wartime Tunnels and Sandy Beaches

Today we’re back on the road with a new destination, the stunning Phong Nha National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. We have about 210 kilometres to cover today, so we’ll break up the journey starting with a quick stop at Hien Luong Bridge which is located between the North and South of the county. During the war, it was painted two different colours, blue for the North and yellow for the South, and the colours can still be seen today!

The next stop is the historical Vinh Moc Tunnels which played a prominent role in the Vietnamese War. Strategically positioned in the middle of the country, the tunnels provided shelter to more than 90 families who literally disappeared underground! They sheltered from bombs, lived, and worked in a complex tunnel system almost 2 kilometres in length. Your guide will take you around this fascinating site, and indeed into the tunnels where relics of daily life are displayed. As we emerge from the tunnels, our exit point will be onto a white sand beach, facing the East Sea- it’s quite the experience!

After a stroll along the beach and a quick refreshment break we’ll get back on the road for the final leg of today’s road trip. Before you know it, we’ll be pulling into Phong Nha where we can get you checked into your hotel and then later head out for a delicious dinner.

Overnight stay in Phong Nha.

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van • Walking

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • Private Car/Van • Bottled Water • Entrance Fees • Tour Guide

Cool Caves Await

Good morning and welcome to Phong Nha Ke Bang National park, the largest in Vietnam and proud holder of UNESCO World Heritage Site status! This whole area is known to many as the Cave Kingdom as it’s home to more than 300 caves including the world’s largest, Hang Son Doong.

After breakfast and check out, we’ll be visiting two of the most popular and beautiful cave systems; Phong Nha and the aptly named Paradise Cave. We’ll travel by boat to reach the mouth of Phong Nha cave, cruising along the scenic Son River towards the entrance. The cave systems in this area were formed from the oldest karst mountains in Asia, approximately 400 million years ago. Be prepared to be stunned by some of the world’s most impressive limestone formations including huge stalactites and stalagmites, mysterious grottoes, and the longest underground river in the world! Everything is delicately lit and laced with secure walkways creating a cool, mysterious ambience for the ultimate subterranean experience.

After lunch, our second cave fix of the day will be at Paradise Cave. To reach the cave entrance we’ll hike upwards along securely built walkways and stairways. There are plenty of rest spots and viewpoints along the way, offering fantastic vistas and unmissable photo opportunities. Don’t be fooled by the small entrance to the cave! Once inside, a vast chamber will surround you making you feel small! The cave offers a cool, damp freshness, a welcome change from the tropical heat outside. Look out for the beautiful limestone pool and towering stalactite formations.

After leaving no crevice unexplored, it’s time to emerge back into daylight, return to our transport, and head back to our hotel for a well-deserved rest after our cave adventure!

Overnight in Phong Nha.

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van • Walking • Motorised Boat

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • Private Car/Van • Bottled Water • Lunch • Entrance Fees • Tour Guide

Travel Back in Time in Hanoi

After breakfast and hotel check out, we’ll make the short 1-hour journey to Dong Hoi airport (via private transport), where we’ll catch our domestic flight to Hanoi! As you touch down in the capital, the northern team will be ready and waiting to greet you. You’ll be privately transported to your accommodation to rest and get settled in. We’ll leave you with some fantastic lunch suggestions.

In the afternoon, we’ll kick things off with a cyclo tour of the Old Quarter. You’ll meander through narrow, winding streets where merchants and artists once gathered to sell goods in times gone by. There are plenty of fantastic photo opportunities here as well as the chance to experience this unique glimpse of Hanoi’s past.

We’ll also see Hoan Kiem Lake, which acts as a peaceful central point for locals who come here to practice tai chi, exercise, meditate and even dance – wherever you look people are enjoying the space, moving their bodies and socialising. The lake also holds an ancient legend about an emperor, a magic sword, and a golden turtle! Your guide can share the whole story with you while you explore this must-see location and take in its peaceful yet active vibe.

We’ll crown the evening with a trip to Thang Long theatre to see the famous water puppets show. This delightful art form dates back to the 11th century and is accompanied by live music and traditional singing.

Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Today You’ll Travel By: Aeroplane • Private Car/Van • Walking • Cyclo

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • Flight • Private Pickup and Drop-off • Tour Guides • Cyclo Tour

Explore Hanoi’s Culture

After breakfast, we’ll pick you up and head to the magnificent Ho Chi Minh Complex, the final resting place of the Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh. We’ll visit the Mausoleum, the Presidential Residence, and the One Pillar Pagoda- one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples.

Our next stop will be Huu Tiep Lake where a B52 bomber was famously shot down and is still partially visible to this day. We’ll then continue our journey of discovery by visiting the Temple of Literature; one of the oldest (built in 1070) and most important monuments in Hanoi. It hosts the Imperial Academy, the first university of Vietnam, and is dedicated to Chinese philosopher Confucius who famously said, “wherever you go, go with all your heart” and so we shall, for lunch!

No doubt we’ll have built up a good appetite after our busy morning, so we’ll head to a local restaurant specialising in Hanoi cuisine to rest and refuel.

Our afternoon will start off with a trip to Hoa Lo Prison Museum, originally built by the French for political prisoners, and later used to hold American POWs. It was during this period that it earned its famous “Hanoi Hilton” nickname. Here, we’ll get a glimpse into life in the prison over the years, except we can walk out the exit afterwards!

As our day of culture draws to a close, we’ll finish things off with a visit to the Museum of Ethnology, where delightful and informative exhibits (inside and outside) illustrate Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities.

Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Today You’ll Travel By: Private Car/Van • Walking

Today’s Inclusions: 1 Night’s Accommodation with Breakfast • Tour Guides • City Tour • Admissions • Lunch

Cruise Through Stunning Halong Bay

The wonderful and experienced team from Bhaya Classic Cruises(opens in a new tab) will be taking excellent care of you today. Starting with a morning pick up, you’ll embark on a comfortable, scenic drive through the Red River Delta to Halong Bay which takes about 3.5 hours. Of course, we’ll make a refreshment stop along the way in a traditional, little town called Sao Do.

We’ll arrive at the passenger port at about midday and once aboard you’ll have a safety and itinerary briefing. Then, with a welcome drink in hand, wave goodbye to the shore for the next 24 hours as we set sail for Halong Bay; a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature!

Lunch will be served on deck as we cruise towards the southwest of the bay, allowing you to gaze up in awe at the mysterious and ancient limestone islands jutting out from the emerald-green water surrounding you.

Our afternoon will include a visit to the fascinating Tien Ong Cave where we’ll descend into a mysterious underground world full of stalactites, caverns, grottos, and vast limestone formations – all delicately lit with safe walkways to make sure you get the best views while protecting this unique environment. As we make our way back up towards the daylight, what better activity than a dip in the emerald-green waters of Halong Bay!

When you’re finished swimming, freshen up for the evening and join us for Sunset Happy Hour at the bar where you can enjoy some drinks, mix and mingle with other guests and even win some fun prizes in the ‘Masterchef Competition’!

As our boat anchors for the night, a delicious set menu dinner will be served, carefully chosen, and prepared to cater for all tastes. Relax and enjoy your meal as you unwind after a busy day of exploring and adventuring.

In the evening feel free to either retire to your cabin and catch some z’s…or join us on deck to catch some squid —a fun night fishing activity!

Overnight stay in Halong Bay.

Today You’ll Travel By: Comfortable Shuttle Bus • Bhaya Classic Cruise Boat • Walking

Today’s Inclusions: Overnight Stay on Cruise Boat • Lunch & Dinner • Entrance Fees

Experience The Magic of Cua Van

Ease yourself into the day with a sunrise tai chi lesson that comes with complimentary tea and coffee — a fantastic way to rejuvenate body and mind while greeting golden dawn in the bay.

Afterwards, a light breakfast will be served while we weigh anchor and set sail for Cua Van Floating Village – proudly featured in the Huffington Post’s ‘11 Insanely Beautiful Small Towns Around the World’(opens in a new tab). From here we can either kayak or take a traditional rowboat to discover local life on the water.

You’ll probably have built up quite an appetite after all that rowing so we’ll also be serving a tasty brunch and a chance to rest before we check out and head back to dry land, where we disembark at Tuan Chau International Passenger Port.

The final leg of today’s adventure takes us back to Hanoi in a comfortable shuttle bus. Don’t worry, we’ll make a refreshment stop at Dong Trieu Ceramics Village before dropping you off at your next accommodation!

Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Today You’ll Travel By: Comfortable Shuttle Bus • Bhaya Classic Cruise Boat

Today’s Inclusions: Kayaking or Row Boat Excursion • Breakfast & Brunch • Transport Back to Hanoi • Hotel Drop-off