Northern Vietnam adventure and Mekong discovery - 13 Days

Landing at the Noi Bai airport, you are welcomed by professional tour guide and driver at the pickup lobby. Enjoy 45-minute driving to the city center (Hanoi Old Quarter) with city's briefing information about the most visited spots, culture, traffic and cuisine....Arrive in your hotel, check in and have a rest.

Note: Hotel check in time at 14.00

In the morning, explore the Tran Quoc Buddhism pagoda. It dates back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De Dynasty. Take a leisurely walk on a romantic road, crossing West Lake before heading to the Temple of Literature which is best known as the first National University and a World Heritage site.

Continue to the Hoa Lo Prison museum (Hanoi Hilton) which presents Vietnam’s history while the French ruled and the war between Vietnam and the USA.

After lunch, transfer to the French Quarter – a “little Paris” in Hanoi with tree-lined boulevards, government head offices and a big square. Visit (outside) the mausoleum, worshipping Ho Chi Minh who got Vietnam Independence back from the French. Enjoy a leisurely walk in the botanical garden to visit the Presidential Palace - Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live and work.

Continue the trip to Hoan Kiem Lake to visit the Pen Tower then cross the Sunlight Bridge to Ngoc Son temple which is located on the Jade islet since the 19th century and is dedicated to Confucian and Taoist philosophers and the national hero Tran Hung Dao.

After that, we will go to the Old Quarter which is always considered a live city museum. The unique tube houses, small alleys, temples, open door markets and street vendor foods come together in a beautiful harmony. At last we come to the very historical Long Bien Bridge, enjoy different city views and enjoy the sunset on the Red River. Get back to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Depart from your hotel in Hanoi to Ha Giang via the highway to Phu Tho. Stop to visit the Dao village in Ham Yen, Tuyen Quang. First, discover the houses on stilts, a typical style of ethnic groups in this undulating region.

Arrive in Ha Giang in the middle of the afternoon, beginning a trek to the Me – Lup – Tha villages. Featuring serene beauty, these villages are made up of hundreds of houses on wooden stilts covered by palm leaves. In front of the houses, there are small ponds for raising fish and water hyacinth cultivations for pigs. You will be welcomed by big smiles from the villagers testifying to their legendary hospitality. Visit a typical house and discover the local daily life. Arrive in Tha Village, a village on the palm hills with rice fields where you can rest in the serenity.

Finally, check in your accommodation and free to stroll around to catch the rhythm of daily life in the mountain before sunset.

Travel to Dong Van with the magical landscapes of this region present along the route. Before arrival at the Quan Ba pass, we will stop to visit a village of Bo Y people in the Quyet Tien Commune. Their origin is from China. The Bo Yis a small community of 2000 people who populate in the mountainous parts of the north. Stop at the Quan Ba pass and take a short break to admire Quan Ba town with the famous Twin Fairy Mountain (Nui Co Tien).

Continue drive to the Limestone rock plateau zone, considered as mountainous Halong Bay. This majestic natural treasure has been listed in the World Geological Park book. On the way, you will discover “Nha Trinh Tuong” (a special type of house) by a walking to the Lung Hoa Village. This is the typical house of Hmong people in the village which is built on sticky ground. Next, visit the Palace of the H'mong King (Dinh Vua Meo). Dating back 100 years ago, far from the plain, the regions of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, Meo Vac created an autonomous zone with their own king. They cultivated poppies and their economy was based on the opium business with China. Arrive in Dong Van, check in accommodation and relax.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart from Dong Van to Meo Vac by crossing Ma Pi Leng Pass which seduces you with the breathtaking view of limestone mountains, Nho Que River and H'mong Villages nested in the mountain. Continue toBao Lac. This is well known for the Black Lo Lo ethnic group. This region was highlighted by the French media, “The journey into unknown land”. This documentary was filmed in Khuoi Khon village of the Lo Lo people, 9km away from Bao Lac town, by the rugby player, Frederik Michalak. Lunch is served in Bao Lac town and check in to your hotel.

In the afternoon, we transfer to Coc Xa village, in the Na Van commune. This village of the Lo Lo ethnic group remains more authentic than Khuoi Khon village which became more touristic after the famous documentary. Walk through the rice fields and trails in the village, visit the local people's houses, and talk with the hosts to understand more about the local life as well as their traditional customs. Go back to the town and stay overnight in your hotel.

Depart to Ba Be via Tinh Tuc, 30km from Bao Lac, in Hung Dao commune, there is a beautiful village of San Chi ethnic. Of course, we will stop to visit and discover the beauty of the village. You are one of a small number of travelers who get to visit this area because of its hidden location behind the hill. The village has hundreds of houses on stilts nested on the side of mountains and views of the beautiful valley. To reach to the village, you will have to walk up a 2km steep incline. The higher you walk, the better view you get. Visit a family to understand the authentic life of this ethnic group.

Continue to Ba Be, where you will be surprised by the magnificent nature where the mountains gently meet the valleys of rice terraces. Stop to film or take photos whenever possible. Upon arrival in Ba Be, check in your accommodation in Pac Ngoi Village and go cycling through several villages of Tay ethnic groups to Hua Ma cave (5km from the village). This is an attractive place with amazing formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Finally, come back to your accommodation.

In the morning, take a walk from the village to the pier to enjoy a boat trip on the lake (It is possible to swim in the lake). Stop to discover the Fairy Pond in the middle of the primitive forest. After the lake, move to Nang river. Walk along the river bank and be immersed in the beauty of wild and reach Dau Dangwaterfall.

Keep continue our boat trip in the opposite direction along the Nang River to Puong Cave home to thousands of bats inside the cave. The boat will go through the cave toward to Buoc Lom pier. Meet our driver for a transfer to Hanoi.

12:30: Checks in boat with cruise briefing and safety instructions. Start cruising and explore Halong Bay - one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Enjoy buffet lunch with Vietnamese dishes served while cruising through the bay, passing the most beautiful and quiet areas, such as Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock, Soi Sim beach, Coconut Three Islands In the afternoon, visit Tung Sau area, covered by the leaping rocks, cultured pearl fishery. You can wit yourself the process of the jewel, from culturing to harvesting and sculpting. Moreover, you have a chance to do kayaking based on your preference. Enjoy busy space with pearl maker, you can experience the completion of pearl. Visiting the beautiful Titov beach for swimming (if the weather permits), Titov Beach is especially famous for its fresh atmosphere, clean water, and smooth white sand that create a great ambiance for tourists to relax or passengers can take steps to reach on the top of  Titov island to have a whole panorama view of Halong Bay. Back to the boat and free time while sailing to Luon Bo area, and anchor for overnight.

Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu)

18:30: Attend the Cooking class on sundeck – How to make Vietnamese spring rolls - traditional Vietnamese food. Then enjoy Happy Hour (Buy one drink-get one free). It is time for chit chat and relaxing. Watch the magnificent sunset over Halong Bay. 

Dinner – Deluxe Vietnamese BBQ Set Menu Dinner

Evening activities include: Leisure time to enjoy a chat around the bar, watching movies and many sort of Vietnam cultural films, relaxing and spending a romantic night on Pelican Halong Cruise’s music, playing cards, chess are available, reading magazines in room and dining room. You may also try your luck at squid fishing & fishing from the boat.

06:30: The day starts early onboard with Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Tai chi also called Tai chi chuan, combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow and gentle movements.

Coffee, tea and pastries for breakfast are served in the dining room with morning view of bay’s landscape.

Transfer by tender to Sung Sot Cave. Walk up about 100 steps to the cave entrance. It takes approximately 45 minutes to visit Sung Sot Cave, one of the biggest caves in Halong bay with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Return to the cruise by tender. Check out and settle your bill at reception.

Have a buffet brunch and enjoy the bay scenery while cruising back to the Tuan Chau Wharf.

11h30-12h00: Disembark

In the morning, visit the most striking place in the history of the Vietnam War, the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Cu Chi is a real underground city made up of a large network of tunnels covering an area of over 250km long where the Viet Cong conducted the war of resistance against American troops. All of the tunnels were dug over a period of twenty years using only pickaxes and shovels. The tour includes special entering some part of tunnels. You will also have a chance to visit Ben Duoc memorial temple nearby but far less touristic built in 1993 in memory of the Vietnamese killed at Cu Chi.

the Independence Palace, once used as the home - office of the Presidents of South Vietnam. Our visit includes the North Vietnamese tank which effectively attacked the palace in 1975 to bring the controversial Vietnam War to an end and the five-story palace with its rooms have been preserved in their late 1960s, 1970s style and a bunker basement.

the top visited in Ho Chi Minh – the War Remnant museum. The exhibits offer you all-sided views of the Vietnam War that might bring a big surprise than you are probably used to hearing and seeing.

the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, originally built between 1863 and 1880, evidently reflects the French colonist influences. It’s a picturesque spot in the city.

the most famous market in the city, Ben Thanh Market, which has been opened since 1870. The market not only supplies the daily needs of local people but also excellent place to pick up inexpensive souvenirs and enjoy Vietnam’s local street foods.

Meet our tour guide and driver for your transfer to Cai Be. Visit Cao Dai temple on route. On arrival, embark a small private boat for a cruise in a branch of the Mekong River. Experience the rhythm of life on the legendary Mekong River by visiting the canals lined with orchards.

Visiting craft workshops of rice popcorn, coconut caramel and rice cake…Go biking or walking on the village paths to discover the ancient and beautiful Phu Chau pagoda where the serenity reigns and meet the local people. Enjoy lunch in an open air restaurant where you can taste a famous local specialty, the elephant ear fish. Finally, enjoy tasting delicious fruits while rowing a small rowboat in the canals, shaded by the fruit trees.

Continue your boat trip to Vinh Long and meet the driver at the pier for a transfer to Can Tho. Arrive in Can Tho in the late afternoon.  Check in your hotel and relax. Enjoy free time on your own to discover the city located on the Mekong River side.

Have breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the pier for a boat trip to visit Cai Rang floating market, the largest and most lively market in the Mekong Delta. There are so many colors and smells in the bubbling atmosphere where hundreds of sampans are filled with goods such as rice, fruits, and craft products. Everything is shown to sell from the early morning.

Leave the market and continue the boat trip through the canals and visit a fruit garden (Option - replace the garden with the nursery field by the river). Head back to An Binh Market which is full of fish, fruits and vegetables. Stop at Binh Thuy ancient house which contains the orchid garden where “The Lover” was filmed.

Private driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby for about 30 minutes to Tan Son Nhat airport (international or domestic hall according to your request). Thanks for the visit to our city.

Note: International flights require you to be at the airport 3 hours and domestic is 2 hours before departure time.

In the rush hour (07:00 – 08:30 AM and 16:30 – 18:30 PM), it takes around 1 hour from city center to Tan Son Nhat airport.