On arrival in Hanoi — Noi Bai International Airport, meet your guide and driver after passing through customs and drive to Ninh Binh for around 2.5 hours. Check-in to the hotel upon arrival and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (Official hotel check-in time is at 14:00).

Meals - No included (Guests have the option to enjoy dinner at the hotel or explore nearby local restaurants at their own expense.)

Option 1: Overnight at Tarn Coc Ricefields resort, Bungalow with Garden View

Option 2: Overnight at Ninh Binh Hidden Charm hotel, Superior room

Option 3: Overnight at Emeralda Tam Coc Resort, Superior room

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, you will visit Mua Cave for viewing the picturesque landscape of the countryside and the wonderful Ngo Dong River from the peak above. The way leading to the cave formed by a long stone staircase zigzags through the karst, there are nearly 500 steps to a simple altar to Quan Am (the Goddess of Mercy). The attraction is very peaceful, natural since there are huge karst mountains along with an impressive landscape around.

Next, we will explore Hoa Lu — a scenic area in Ninh Binh — the former capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries when Vietnam was under the Dinh and Le dynasties. You will explore some of the monuments dedicated to both emperors before having lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we drive to Tann Coc where you will have a bike ride through paddy fields. Then, you will take a sampan ride along a river in Thung Nham, which is used by farmers in the village nearby to access their paddy fields, an irresistible treat. Just relax and enjoy the sensation of being gently paddled by hand in a little boat into the center of the “Ha Long Bay inland”. A great break in this unique experience, along a stretch of the blue green river, and marvel at dancing water refractions under the coolness while passing a limestone cave.

Option 1: Overnight at Tam Coc Ricefields resort, Bungalow with Garden View

Option 2: Overnight at Ninh Binh Hidden Charm hotel, Superior room

Option 3: Overnight at Emeralda Tam Coc Resort, Superior room

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, you will drive to Pu Luong Nature Reserve via a breathtaking mountain pass giving you a panoramic view of the whole valley. You arrive at your accommodation in time for a delicious lunch, followed by free time to explore the beautiful retreat, with its captivating panoramic views and tranquil setting.

In the afternoon, you have the chance to get close to village life and interact with locals living in the hills above the Retreat. A glimpse at daily life, walk around working farmland and rice fields, and get to know more about the local culture. Walking back to the retreat for a nice dinner.

Overnight at Pu Luong Retreat, Deluxe New Wing

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

This is a common and easy walk around the most beautiful valley of rice terraces in front of the Retreat. We start to descend into the beautiful valley facing the Retreat where you walk around tumbling rice terraces. Then we will walk through small paths shrouded in vegetation to slowly reveal a picturesque Uoi village sitting at the base of a towering mountain. Your camera will not be able to sit still when you see the panorama view of the village from above.

Continue to walk downhill to a local home, where you can take a rest then take a bicycle to go around Lan village. If time permits, we will visit a local family where we can learn about their traditional brocade weaving (not guaranteed). We will cycle through the rice paddies and another village to explore more of the surrounding landscape. You will be transferred back to Pu Luong Retreat to check-out your room at noon. We will have lunch at the lodge before heading to Mai Chau.

In the afternoon, you will have the biking tour to explore local minority villages and local markets which provides ample opportunity for photos and gives you an opportunity to learn a little more about the locals' lives and traditions.

Option 1: Overnight at Minh Tho homestay, Private room

Option 2: Overnight at Mai Chau Ecolodge, Deluxe room

Option 3: Overnight at Mai Chau Ecolodge, Suite room

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

Wake up surrounded by nature, enjoy breakfast, and get ready to go with your local tour guide to visit more remote rural villages Na Meo and Na Mo villages to understand more about their culture and customs. Later, you will visit the local market before walking back to the homestay for lunch and check-out.

Have lunch and free time to relax before departing back to Hanoi by private car.

Option 1: Overnight at Hanoi Boutique Hotel, Deluxe room

Option 2: Overnight at GM Premium Hotel, Deluxe room

Option 3: Overnight at Melia Hotel, Deluxe room

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, meet your guide and driver to head for Hoan Kiem Lake and join groups of locals practicing Tai Chi and aerobics — a regular morning routine! After visiting Ngoc Son temple in the middle of the lake, you will head to a traditional café where you can try Vietnam's local iced coffee, ca phe sua da, and if you're feeling adventurous — the ‘egg coffee’. You then continue to a street food stall for a delicious banh mi — a typical baguette sandwich filled with a variety of ingredients.

Afterwards, we will head to Hanoi's Old Quarter where you will see some of the French colonial architecture of former times, including St. Joseph's Cathedral — a French gothic building constructed in 1886. Next, walk to the Hoa Lo Prison, where Vietnamese as well as American and French prisoners of war were once held. Then it's on to the Huu Tiep Lake, better known as ‘B-52 lake’, where the wreckage of a US B-5 bomber can still be seen. At noon, you stop to enjoy Hanoi's traditional bun cha, noodle dish, made with grilled pork and rice noodles.

In the afternoon, you go to the Temple of Literature built in 1076, where Vietnam's first university was established to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite — a fascinating glimpse into the country's past. Last but not least, head to a street where the tracks of Hanoi's railway pass only meters from the entrance to homes. Together with your guide, you can walk along the tracks and take some beautiful photos of the city. The day finishes with a refreshing glass of draught beer at a local bia hoi spot — a chance to mingle with the locals.

Note: During the tour, you will be trying different street foods, so we recommend not to eat a heavy breakfast from your hotel.

Option 1: Overnight at Hanoi Boutique Hotel, Deluxe city view room

Option 2: Overnight at GM Premium Hotel, Deluxe room

Option 3: Overnight at Melia Hotel, Deluxe room

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We will pick you up at your hotel after breakfast and drive to Ha Long City. Enjoy the landscape of the Red River Delta countryside. Stopover in Hai Duong province for refreshments.

Option 1: Overnight on Overnight on Swan Cruise, Deluxe cabin

• 12.30: Arrive at our waiting lounge at Ha Long international cruise port, you will have a bit of time to relax. Wait for our captain to finish the registration and transfer by tender to our boat.

• 12.45: Enjoy a welcome drink and spend a couple of minutes briefing about safety on the boat and activities included then we check in our cabin.

• 13.30: Delicious Vietnamese set menu will be served while leisurely cruising further into Bai Tu Long Bay.

• 15.00: Arrive in the kayaking area — that is Cap La Island. Enjoy kayaking through the karst and breathtaking nature, swimming and relaxing.

• 17.30: Get back to the boat and enjoy our Sunset party while our cruise sailing to the overnight anchorage.

• 19.00: Sumptuous set dinner on board.

• 20.30: Free time to challenge yourself in Vietnamese puzzle games, or gathers your group/family for a board game; try your luck with squid fishing or simply have a cocktail and enjoy the quiet night on the bay.

*** Transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay by shared shuttle bus operated by the Cruiser.

Option 2: Overnight on Dragon Legend Cruise, Deluxe cabin

• 12:00 — 12:30 Arrive at the Waiting Lounge at Indochina Junk Office. And then, go to HaLong harbor by buggy.

• 12:30 — 13:00 Check-in, enjoy the welcome drink & cruise briefing.

• 13:30 — 14:30 Have lunch in the outdoor dining room (depending on the weather condition) while cruising to magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay, admire the fascinating formations on the way.

• 15:30 — 16:30 Visit Vung Vieng fishing village by a rustic rowboat, meet the local people, and pass through the floating school and fish farms.

• 16:45 — 19:00 Back to junk for refreshing before having dinner on board. 19:00 — 20:30 Elegant dinner served onboard.

• 20:30 — 23:00 Free time for relaxing, communicating with the staff, evening activities (watching movies, listening to music, squid fishing...). Overnight on Bai Tu Long Bay.

*** Transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay by shared shuttle bus operated by the Cruiser.

Option 3: Overnight on Heritage Cruise, Delta cabin

• 8:00 — 8:30 Hotel pick-up for trip on new highway to Tuan Chau International Marina, Halong City (if you book our shuttle bus).

• 12:00 Welcome to Heritage Cruises Lounge at No.28 of Tuan Chau International Marina for refreshments before boarding for the cruise

• 12:30 Board the Heritage Cruises boat and enjoy a welcome drink as you receive a cruise briefing, safety instructions, and check-in to your suite. Lunch is served at L'lndochine Restaurant.

• 12:40 Heritage Cruises takes you to contemplate the magnificent sceneries made from the limestone mountains of Lan Ha Bay — Cat Ba Archipelago. This bay is untouched and remote, as not many cruise boats use this route.

• 15:30 The cruise vessel approaches the Ba Trai Dao (Three Peach beaches) (upon the weather) or Tra Bau area in Lan Ha Bay, a natural frontier between the provinces of Halong and Haiphong. This secret hideaway has beaches, caves, and coves, plus the spectacular natural beauty of about 400 islands. Guests can try kayaking or simply swimming in the crystal clear water of the bay.

• 17:30 Return to Heritage Cruises, enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite, and with a cocktail in hand watch the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.

• 18:30 Activities include afternoon tea and the chef will lead a Vietnamese cooking class

• 19:30 A memorable dining experience will be offered at the restaurant, with local food in an intimate and romantic setting.

• 21:30 Enjoy evening views of the bay at the bar on the top deck. Try your hand at squid fishing. The bars are open until late. Overnight onboard.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Option 1: Overnight on Swan Cruise, Oeioxe cabin

• 06.00: Start your day with a Tai Chi routine on the sundeck or catch a morning view of the stunning bay's landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.

• 07.30: Breakfast will be served in Western style, familiar to you to fulfill your strength and ready for another exploring day.

• 09.00: Transfer to a day cruise, we cruise passing several floating hamlets including Cap La and Cong Dam, we enter the Center of pristine Bai Tu Long Geology Park. There, we will visit Vung Vieng fishing village to interact with local people.

• 12.00: Back to the boat for a delicious hot lunch at noontime

• 14.00: Spend more time kayaking and swimming at Cong Dam, or relaxing on a boat. If the weather allows, we can take a glance at Thay Cave before going back to the anchor point.

• 16.30: Return to the main boat and enjoy sunset party afterwards 19.00: Dinner will be served.

• 20.30: Free time for joining Games, you may also try your luck with squid fishing.

Option 2: Overnight on Dragon Legend Cm/se, Oeit/xe cabin

• 06:00 — 08:00 Start a new day with Tai Chi on the sundeck & morning view of Bay's landscape. Have breakfast in the fresh.

• 08:00 — 08:30 Cruise to Cong Dam while discovering geological values of Bai Tu Long Bay. 10:00 Enjoy kayaking through the hidden lagoons and geological park in Cong Dam

• 12:00 Have BBQ lunch on a wild beach

• 15:00 Return to Dragon Legend Cruise to refresh yourself in Mineral Seawater Pool, Fitness Room or join in cooking demonstration with Banh Xeo while cruising to Cong Do area

• 19:00 Having dinner on board.

• 20:30 Have dinner and free time for communicating with staff, evening activities (squid fishing,...) and service on board. Overnight on board.

Option 3: Overnight on Heritage Cruise, Delta cabin

• 06:15 Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck, followed by coffee, tea, and pastries.

• 8:30 Transfer to a speedboat to visit Viet Hai Village. Take a bicycle ride or electric car through a rainforest tunnel that leads to a rice-field vista. Visit a traditional house in a village deep in a national park where you can observe the lifestyle of the local people and enjoy lunch in the village. Return to the speedboat to visit Lan Ha Bay.

• 13:30 Visit the Cat Ba Archipelago, cruise through Cai Beo floating village and then go to the Ba Trai Dao beaches where you can explore the secret trail and beaches, enclosed by vertical cliffs (if the weather and tide permit) or just swimming and kayaking in Tra Bau area.

• 15:30 Return to Heritage Cruises to enjoy cocktails, beer, and fine wine as the sky changes color. 17:30 Enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite, and with a cocktail in hand watch the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. The chef will lead a Vietnamese cooking class

• 19:30 Enjoy a fine-dining experience in the main restaurant

• 21:30 Welcome the night at the bar on the top deck, or try squid fishing. The bars are open late. Overnight onboard

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

Option 1: Overnight on Swan Cruise

• 06:00 | Sunrise Tai-chi section on the sundeck or catch a morning view of the stunning bay's landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.

• 07.00: Breakfast will be served in Western style, familiar to you to fulfill your strength and ready for another exploring day.

• 08.00: Explore the well-hidden Thien Canh Son Cave.

• 09.00: Upon return to the boat you will have about 30 minutes to freshen up and finish packing. 10.00: Attend a Vietnamese cooking demonstration. You can quickly learn a simple but delicious Vietnamese dish that Gordon Ramsey (a 2 Michelin Star Chef) used to guide — Nem Cuon or challenge yourself in fruit and vegetable carving.

• 11.00: Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch on the boat.

• 12.00: Back to the harbor and disembark at Ha Long cruise port 12.30: Our bus will take you back to Hanoi.

** Transfer from Ha Long Bay back to Hanoi by shared shuttle bus operated by the Cruiser.

Option 2: Overnight on Oragon Legend Cruise

• 06:00 — 08.00 Morning view of Bay's landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast in the fresh air.

• 08:30 — 09:30 Arrive at Hon Co Island to explore the well- hidden Thien Canh Son cave

• 10:00 Return to the boat and cruise back to Cap La. Check out of the cabin. Start cruising towards the harbor while a Buffet lunch will be served.

• 10:30 Enjoy a buffet while cruising towards the harbor.

• 11:30 — 12:00 Disembark. Drive to Yen Duc village in Dong Trieu province for a short break in this typical Vietnamese agricultural village which is rich in culture and traditions.

• 13:00 — 13:45 Enjoy a water puppet show performed by local artists. 16:00 Arrive in Hanoi.

*** Transfer from Ha Long Bay back to Hanoi by shared shuttle bus operated by the Cruiser

Option 3: Overnight on Heritage Cruise

• 06:15 Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck. 06:45 Have a light breakfast on board.

• 07:15 Head off in a bamboo boat to explore the Dark and Bright Cave to enjoy the sparkling stalactites on the ceiling and feel the soul of the surrounding nature.

• 9:00 9:30 Return to the boat for checkout

• 10:00 Enjoy brunch while cruising back to the mainland

• 11:00 Return to Tuan Chau Marina and disembark for your onward journey.

• 12:10 While waiting for the pick-up service to your next destination, enjoy the comfort of our lounge

• 14:00 If you have booked our limousine service, our chauffeur will pick you up to take you to your hotel in Hanoi.

*** Transfer from Ha Long Bay back to Hanoi by shared shuttle bus operated by the Cruiser.

Options available for the overnight stay -

Option 1: Overnight at Hanoi Boutique Hotel, Deluxe city view room

Option 2: Overnight at GM Premium Hotel, Deluxe room

Option 3: Overnight at Melia Hotel, Deluxe room

Meal: Breakfast

Enjoy free time until the pick up and transfer around 2.5-3 hours prior your departure flight.

(Hotel check-out time is at noon)