Depending on your flight schedule, our driver waits for you at the airport then takes you from the airport to your hotel.

Your Hanoi adventure begins in the morning as the tour guide greets you at the hotel around 8:00. The first stop is the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you can pay respect to Vietnam’s beloved leader and explore the peaceful grounds, including the modest stilt houses where he once lived. A visit to the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, one of the most unique temples in the world, adds a special cultural touch to the start of your journey. Around mid-morning, you’ll continue to the Museum of Ethnology (or the Women’s Museum on Mondays) for an engaging look into the traditions of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.

By lunchtime, at around 12:30, enjoy a meal at a local restaurant and taste authentic Vietnamese cuisine. The afternoon unfolds with visits to Tran Quoc Pagoda, a serene lakeside sanctuary dating back to the 6th century, and the historic Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1070. Later, around 15:30, the tour leads you to Hoa Lo Prison, once known as “Maison Centrale” and remembered as “Hell on Earth,” where powerful exhibits tell stories of resilience during Vietnam’s fight against colonial rule. By 16:30, you return to your hotel for some leisure time.

As the sun sets, prepare for an evening filled with flavor and energy. Stroll through Hanoi’s vibrant streets and hidden alleys, where sizzling woks and fragrant herbs signal the start of your street food adventure. From the comforting warmth of pho to the smoky flavors of bun cha and the crunchy satisfaction of a banh mi, every bite reflects the city’s culinary soul. Sweet treats like che and refreshing goi cuon complete the experience, leaving you with lasting memories of Hanoi’s food culture before the night winds down.

07:30 – 8:00: Our tour guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter for transfer to Ninh Binh.

09:15: You will have a short break of 15 – 20 minutes to stretch your legs, use the facilities or have a quick snack.

10:30: Visiting Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam from years 968 to 1010. Then you will visit the Temple of Dinh King and Le King to learn more about Vietnamese history under the Dinh, Le, and Ly Dynasties.

11:15 – 11:45: It’s time to join our 30 minutes cycling activity to discover the life of the local people. Or stay behind and either relax in the restaurant for sightseeing and capture the views around lake, waterfall and valleys.

12:00: You will have a buffet lunch with local specialties in the private area of our Trang An Heritage Garden. The vegetarian option is also available.

13:15 – 13:30: Option 1: Tam Coc, known as “Halong Bay on the land”, where you will spend 1.5 hours on the boat to explore this area. On this excursion down the Ngo Dong River, you will pass through the beautiful paddy fields, limestone karst formation, and a stunning cave system including Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba caves for a unique experience.

Option 2: Trang An, a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO in 2014. There, you can spend 1.5 hours on the boat ride to enjoy the beauty of this place, which owns a beautiful tunnel cave system and appears in the New Version of Kong in 2016 – “Skull Island”.

15:30: We continue to visit Mua Cave and climb 500 steps to reach the peak of Ngoa Long Mountain, overlooking the amazing view of the city and Tam Coc below.

16:30 – 17:00: Transfer back to Hanoi.

19:00 – 19:30: Drop you off at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter.

Overnight in Hanoi.

08:15 – 08:45: Hotel or private address pick up with our shuttle bus. Short break half way.11:45 – 12:00: Arriving Tuan Chau marina, transferred by tender of La Pandora cruises.

12:45 – 13:00: Welcome aboard the cruise. Refresh with our welcome drink. Meet the captain, crew in the cruise briefing, safety instruction.

13:00 – 13:15: A special lunch in Vietnamese cuisine of fresh seafood and an assortment of appetizing favorites are served while sailing through Islets of Con Vit.

16:00: The Cruise sails through Lan Ha Bay. The area is surrounding of extraordinary limestone karsts landscapes. We progress to Ong Cam Area of Lan Ha Bay- a separate part of Ha Long Bay. This is a quiet tourist paradise in Vietnam, enjoy kayaking and/or enjoy swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the Bay.

17:30: Back to the Cruise, drop anchor for staying overnight. Enjoy cooking demonstration (teaching you how to make our speciality, Spring rolls) and the complimentary Sunset Party on the sundeck with local wine and fresh fruit.

19:00: Dinner is served in the restaurant. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff. After dinner, retiring to your cabin or join the fishing excursion, watch a movie, have a drink at the bar, wifi access or play exciting games.

Overnight on board.

06:00: Enjoy sunrise and admire the never-ending miraculous scenery of the Bay. Practice an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck.

06:30: Light breakfast, coffee and tea served.

07:00: Visit Dark & Bright Cave and islets by local rowing boats which is a wild and mysterious beauty in the middle of the World Heritage.

09:15: Back to our cruise, relax before checking out.

10:00: Lunch is served on board.

12:00: Disembark at the Tuan Chau marina by tender. Take our shuttle bus to return to Hanoi

Get transferred to the airport by a another private car/van.