Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city known for its mix of French colonial architecture, historic landmarks, and busy local districts. Upon arrival, meet our representative at the airport before beginning your Hanoi city tour. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you can see the exterior or interior of Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum depending on operating schedules, before walking through the surrounding gardens and visiting the traditional houses where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked between 1954 and 1969. Please note that Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays, with outside viewing only during closure periods. The Mausoleum is also typically closed annually from 15 June to 15 August for maintenance. Continue to the One Pillar Pagoda, one of Hanoi’s best known religious landmarks recognised for its unique architectural design. In the afternoon, continue to Cathedral Big Church for an outside visit before heading to Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, a popular gathering area in the centre of Hanoi. The day continues into the Hanoi Old Quarter, where travellers can enjoy time exploring the local streets and shopping areas known for handicrafts, souvenirs, fashion items, and local products. Later, visit Hanoi Train Street, where the railway tracks run closely alongside residential buildings and cafés, creating one of the city’s most photographed urban scenes. Dinner is included before overnight stay in Hanoi.

After breakfast, depart from Hanoi and travel toward Halong Bay, one of Vietnam’s most recognised coastal landscapes known for its limestone islands across the Gulf of Tonkin. The journey includes a 25 minute stopover en route before continuing to Tuan Chau International Cruise Port. Between 11:30 AM and 12:00PM, arrive at Tuan Chau International Cruise Port where the cruise staff will welcome guests at the waiting lounge before completing the check-in procedures. At approximately 12:15 PM, board the Amanda Premier Cruise and attend a short cruise briefing covering safety information and onboard arrangements. Continue with a buffet lunch served in the dining room while the cruise begins sailing through Halong Bay’s limestone scenery. At around 03:00 PM, gather at the reception area for transfer by tender boat to Luon Cave, a water cave area surrounded by limestone formations. Continue to Titop Island, where there will be time for hiking, swimming, relaxing, or enjoying the surrounding bay scenery. From 05:45 PM to 07:30 PM, enjoy happy hour and sunset party activities on the sundeck with complimentary tea, Vietnamese snacks, and canapés, drinks are on pax account. The cruise also offers a traditional Vietnamese stick dancing music performance followed by a cooking demonstration featuring Vietnamese fresh spring rolls. Dinner with a set menu will be served in the dining room or on the top deck depending on weather conditions. In the evening, you may enjoy karaoke sessions until approximately 10:15 PM, visit the sky bar on the top deck, or join squid fishing activities near the reception area. The cruise remains anchored overnight in a quieter section of the bay.

Begin the morning with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck at approximately 06:15 AM. Between 06:30 AM and 07:00 AM, enjoy a light breakfast with coffee, tea, cake, and fruit before departing to explore Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest and most well-known caves in Halong Bay. The cave is recognised for its large chambers and distinctive limestone rock formations. Access to the cave includes walking through forested pathways and climbing stone steps leading into the cave entrance. After the visit, return onboard between 08:30 AM and 09:30 AM. You may relax in your cabin, enjoy the herbal foot bath prepared by the crew, sunbathe on the sundeck, take photographs of Halong Bay, or shop for souvenirs onboard. Check out procedures begin at approximately 09:30 AM. You are requested to place luggage outside the cabin and return room keys to the reception desk while the crew transfers luggage to the waiting area. At around 10:00 AM, enjoy an early buffet lunch at the restaurant on the second floor before the cruise returns to Tuan Chau Marina at approximately 11:00 AM. Disembarkation follows before returning to Hanoi for overnight stay.

After breakfast, depart from Hanoi and travel toward Ninh Binh, an area recognised for its limestone mountains, rivers, and rural landscapes often referred to as one of northern Vietnam’s most scenic regions. Upon arrival, visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the former capital of Vietnam between 968 and 1010. The site offers insight into Vietnam’s early feudal dynasties including the Dinh, Le, and Ly periods. Lunch is served at a local restaurant before continuing to Trang An (or Tam Coc), a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its limestone valleys, cave systems, and river scenery. The area also gained international recognition as one of the filming locations for Kong: Skull Island. Enjoy approximately 2.5 hours on a boat journey through Trang An’s cave and river system before continuing with a 45 minute cycling activity through the nearby villages, offering a closer look at local rural life in the region. Return to Hanoi in the evening with overnight stay in the city.

After breakfast, enjoy some free time depending on your departure arrangements. You may wish to do some final shopping, enjoy a short walk around the city, or simply relax before making your way to the airport for your onward journey. At the scheduled time, transfer to the international airport for departure. We hope your time in Vietnam has given you the opportunity to experience the contrast between Hanoi’s city atmosphere, the coastal scenery of Halong Bay, and the landscapes of Ninh Binh. Thank you for travelling with Fayyaz Travels, and we wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.