A Discovery of North Vietnam Tour Package
- A Secret Retreats journey -
This journey has been personally designed by Pham Dac Kham, the author of this journey, who lives in Hanoi:
“There is a bug that nothing can cure, the travel bug! I am passionate about my work, I practise it with faith, dignity and humility. Client satisfaction is my daily goal.”
We can of course adjust according to your request.
Highlights of the Journey:
- Secret Journeys, taking you to paths untread by mass tourism.
- Sailing the iconic Halong Bay Tour on a traditional and luxurious sailing junk.
- Rare opportunities to meet and learn about the lifestyles of Vietnam’s mountain peoples.
- Experience the best of a Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Halong Bay Tour, combining history, culture, and breathtaking natural beauty.
From the mountains to the sea on a 7-day North Vietnam Tour Package. Trek to places in the mountainous north far from the beaten track of mass tourism and enjoy encounters with the ethnic groups in this recently opened area. Sail Halong Bay, one of the most romantic and beautiful natural wonders of the world, on a luxurious private sailing junk.
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Your Journey Day by Day
based on 2 people sharing a room
Dinner on your own. We can recommend our Secret Tables in Hanoi.
The temples of Dinh Tien Hoang (restored in the 17th century) and Le Dai Hanh remain, and the stunning views and scenery are worth the stop.
We then head for Tam Coc town, known as Ha Long Bay on Land, where the views and photographic opportunities are endless. It is truly one of the most beautiful places in the entire country. After lunch, we board small sampans and traverse the Ngo Dong River through rice fields, where huge limestone karsts rise from these green fields. The sampans are manned by locals who, incredibly, row with their feet. During this leisure trip, the boats enter three sacred caves, Tam Coc Caves, after which the town itself was named. The boat ride takes approximately two hours and is a very peaceful and scenic time.
Check in at your peaceful retreat for the next 3 days: Aravinda.
The rest of the day is yours, free time at your leisure.
Ride a bike through the countryside to Thai Vi Temple. Situated in the middle of rice paddies and limestone peaks, in a calm and serene atmosphere, its original architecture follows the principles of Eastern geomancy. Continue on the bike towards Bich Dong Pagoda where, if timing allows, and you are brave enough, you may climb the stairs carved into the rock walls and access the pagoda. Your reward will be the amazing and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
We continue to Mua Cave, visiting the secret hospital used during the Vietnam War. Inside the cave, you can challenge yourself with 500 steps to the top of the mountain. Enjoy the fresh air at the “rooftop of Ninh Binh” with some breathtaking views.
In the afternoon, return to the resort and enjoy time on your own. (No meal arrangement.)
A visit to Phat Diem will follow to see the vast cathedral. The vaulted ceiling here is held up by massive columns 10 meters tall and meters in diameter, and during the French era, it was the center of Catholicism. The enormous bell situated on the highest tower is much larger than the one at Notre Dame. Transfer to the Nature Reserve of Van Long and take a boat ride along this beautiful wetland, enjoying spectacular scenery surrounded by rice paddies, lotus ponds, and towering limestone karsts.
Return to the resort for the evening (No meal arrangement).
The bay includes 1,969 islands set in emerald waters and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The bay is named after the legend of the ‘descending dragon’ or Ha Long Bay.
We have prepared a program that leads you to the discovery of Bai Tu Long, a jewel in Halong Bay and outside the well plied channels taken by the majority of Halong Bay’s tourist junks.
Once on board your sailing junk you will meet the captain and the crew, enjoy a refreshing welcome drink and settle down into your cabin for the cruise. Lunch will be served in the elegant dining room or on the outside deck when the cruise starts – a delicious menu of locally caught fresh seafood.
Take a seat on the deck and relax with fresh brewed tea while enjoying the incredible landscape as it unfolds around you; the deep jade coloured water, the limestone islands with their striking shapes rising out of the bay and marching out to the horizons around you. We will be sailing away from the “beaten tracks”, no noise, nothing to clutter your views of the all the natural beauty surrounding you. We will weigh anchor at Cap La Tra San where you can enjoy paddling around the many small islands and lonely beaches by kayak or simply enjoy swimming in the bay.
Dinner will be served around sunset, indoor or outdoor as you prefer
Dinner is served around sunset, indoor or outdoor as you prefer.
Return to your junk for lunch, then disembark for the drive back to Hanoi.
Transfer to the airport or your next destination.
End of service.
Your Accommodation on this Asia Travel Itinerary
La Siesta Classic
Aravinda Resort
Private Junk
A Discovery of North Vietnam Tour Package
based on 2 people sharing a room
The total price includes:
All accommodation in double rooms at the hotels and cruise as detailed in the itinerary.
All meals where mentioned in the program.
All transfers by private, spacious, air conditioned car, with provision of water and refreshing towels, and a professional driver.
All other transportation used for travel including sampan, small boat, etc...
A competent professional guide at each stage of the journey (except during your free time).
All tours as detailed within the program.
All entry fees for places visited within the program.
All program activities (cycling, bike, kayak, or others...).
The cruise in Halong Bay (2 nights).
Government taxes as currently in force.
The total price does not include:
International flights to and from your home country.
Beverages, personal expenses and other services not detailed in the program.
Tipping guides and drivers, which is of course not mandatory, but always appreciated, are subject to your discretion.
Travel insurance of any kind that you subscribe to personally.
Any free time services: including car and driver, tour guide, lunch and dinner where not mentioned in the program as an included pat of the program.
Any applicable departure taxes applied to some countries (Cambodia-Laos).
Visa fees to Vietnam - but we can send you an invitation letter, which is an entry permit, allowing you to land in Vietnam.
Produce the letter to customs, with a passport size photo, and they will issue you with your visa, at a cost of only $25USD, paid directly to them.
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