Cruising Ha Long Bay and Vietnam's Red River

Day 1 Hanoi to Ha Long Bay

Today marks the start of your 11-day Ha Long Bay and Red River cruise. Transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay where you will board your cruise ship stopping en-route for lunch. Cast off late afternoon with a welcome cocktail and be inspired as the spectacular scenery comes into view. Sail through the labyrinth of limestone karsts before dropping anchor in a sheltered bay looking out to the magical landscape. Enjoy your first dinner on the upper deck as you get to know your fellow passengers. (L/D)

Day 2 Ha Long Bay

This morning explore the dramatic rock formations and cave systems of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which dates back 20 million years. Visit the village of Viet Hai, which you can explore by mountain bike or electric buggy and stop off at the local vegetable farm and stunning viewpoint that overlooks the limestone islands. In the afternoon continue cruising towards Lan Ha Bay where you can discover a traditional floating village. Weather dependent, end the day with cocktails at a beautiful beach where you can also swim in the warm water. (B/L/D)

Day 3 Ha Long Bay to Haiphong

After breakfast continue to explore Ha Long Bay and travel to the ‘Dark and Bright Cave’, a beautiful grotto in the bay. Take a kayak or local basket boat rowed by fisherman through this remarkable cave and admire the spectacular stalagmites hanging from the crater ceiling and watch the bats darting across the roof. Enjoy one final cruise through the beautiful landscape of Ha Long Bay before travelling to Haiphong where you will moor overnight. In the late afternoon enjoy a demonstration from the chef who will show you how to prepare traditional Vietnamese spring rolls and carve fruit. (B/L/D)

Day 4 Haiphong to Thanh Ha

Continue upstream on the lively Kinh Thay River that is a commercially important waterway in Vietnam. As you cruise along the river enjoy a presentation of Vietnamese history, geography and river life from your guide and enjoy a traditional lunch on the sun deck. This afternoon visit a remote village in the Thanh Ha province. Take a village walk with locals and watch a private water puppet show set under shade by a beautiful pond of lotus and lilies. Water puppet shows are a Vietnamese tradition dating back to the 11th century originating in the villages of the Red River Delta. Return to the boat and continue sailing upstream before dropping anchor and mooring overnight. Enjoy cocktails and dinner onboard. (B/L/D)

Day 5 Thanh Ha to Hanoi

Today spend most of the day onboard cruising the Duong River and later the Red River passing the beautiful countryside as you make your way towards Hanoi. En route stop at Bat Trang, a 7th century pottery village, where you can learn how local artisans create ceramics using the rich clay that is famous in the area. On return to the ship enjoy a traditional unicorn and lion dance on the jetty, which originates from China and is now a popular performance throughout Southeast Asia. (B/L/D)

Day 6 Hanoi

After breakfast disembark in Hanoi, Vietnam’s bustling capital known for its delicious street food, architectural highlights and millions of motorcycles. Spend the morning at leisure exploring some of the city’s highlights including the impressive Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the wonderful Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and Hoan Kiem Lake. In the afternoon take a walking tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter which has been Hanoi’s commercial district for over 1,000 years. Each street in the Old Quarter traditionally specialised in a specific product or craft, for example jewellery, silk and spices, and subsequently each street is named after what was manufactured and sold. Spend an afternoon meandering down the myriad of bustling streets admiring crumbling-colonial houses and tasting Vietnam’s famous coffee. (B/L/D)

Day 7 Hanoi to Viet Tri

Leaving Hanoi behind, continue up the scenic Red River towards Viet Tri in the Phu Tho region, which acts as an excellent base for visiting the Vietnamese highlands. Head ashore to visit remote villages and admire the beautiful countryside of rolling rice terraces punctuated by limestone rock formations. In the afternoon visit the beautifully-located Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas as well as carpenter village famous for exquisite carvings and wood work techniques. Arrive into Viet Tre in the early evening. (B/L/D)

Day 8 Viet Tri

Today sail down the mighty Lo River and take in the sights and sounds of river life. Take a trip to the village of Gia Thanh which is known for making the famous Vietnamese conical hats. Known locally as ‘non la’, the hats are handmade using palm leaves and bamboo. Spend some time with the locals to discover how they are made and the importance they hold in Vietnamese life. After lunch continue to Hung Lo Temple, an important Buddhist temple. Enjoy a traditional ‘xoan’ singing performance, a form of storytelling that has been passed down from generations over hundreds of years. (B/L/D)

Day 9 Viet Tri to Hoa Binh

Spend the day sailing downstream on the Da River and admire the unspoiled beauty of the region. Pass through the Ba Vi National Park which is home to rich and diverse tropical flora and fauna before arriving to the province of Hoa Binh where the ship will moor for the next two nights. This stunning region was the site of the Battle of Hoa Binh during the First Indochina War in the early 1950s and is steeped in history. Today visit the ancient village of Duong Lam, which is where two of Vietnam’s kings were born. Known for its 300-year old houses, grand pagodas, original fishbone roads and banyan trees, spend a few hours exploring this prestigious village. In the afternoon relax on deck and enjoy cocktails and dinner in the evening. (B/L/D)

Day 10 Hoa Binh

After breakfast visit the Hoa Binh Dam on the Black River, Vietnam’s largest hydroelectric dam. Spend the rest of the day cruising, admiring the spectacular scenery and visiting remote villages. In the evening enjoy sundeck cocktails and watch a traditional dance performance from a local hill tribe group. (B/L/D)

Day 11 Hoa Binh to Hanoi

Today marks the last day of your spectacular Ha Long Bay and Red River cruise. After an early breakfast disembark the boat and visit a local museum and village where villagers still wear traditional Vietnamese dress. Enjoy lunch at an authentic restaurant followed by a transfer back to either Hanoi airport or the Pan Pacific Hotel. (B/L)

Cruising Ha Long Bay and Vietnam's Red River

11 days from £2820 per person

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Itinerary: Cruising Ha Long Bay and Vietnam's Red River

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