Best Of North Vietnam

Welcome to Hanoi, you will be collected by our local guide at Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to your hotel to leave your luggage. The rooms are at your disposal from 2 PM. Take a short rest before starting the city tour in the afternoon with the most highlights included: Ho hi Minh Mausoleum where the great President Ho Chi Minh rests in peace, One Pillar Pagoda - the special pagoda with a particular structure, Tran Quoc Pagoda - the oldest of its kind in Hanoi, dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De Dynasty (544 - 548). Back to the hotel and check-in. The balance of the day at your leisure. Meals on your own. Overnight at the Deluxe hotel.

08:00 pick up from your hotel in Hanoi then depart for Cao Bang. On the way, you visit Museum of the Cultures of Vietnam’s Ethnic Groups in Thai Nguyen City. There will be a stop for lunch before your transfer extremely north to Cao Bang through scatterings of villages and rice paddies. You will get the chance to stop at a village known for its tobacco production (depend on growing season). This is the road less-travelled offering you the enjoy the views in peace. Tonight, you have dinner and stay overnight in the homestay of a Nung's family in Quang Uyen or Deluxe hotel.

After breakfast at the homestay, you will depart for Trung Khanh which lies on the border with China. Here you will have the chance to meet the Nung people in the village of Phuoc Sen, a mountainous village famous for its traditional blacksmith craft. The farming tools made here are an integral part of the lifestyle which is evident in the surrounding rice paddies and fields. Nestled in amongst these amazing landscapes is the breathtaking Ban Gioc Waterfall which spans over 300 meters, half in Vietnam and half in China. You will have time to soak up the powerful atmosphere of the falls and take some fantastic photos before heading to another natural wonder, Nguom Ngao Cave. This cave stretches out 2,144 meters underground and is brimming with incredible stalactites and stalagmites. You will then make your way to return Cao Bang town and going down on snake pass to Ba Be Lake, tonight you will stay overnight on traditional house of Tay ethnic family. At the homestay/Deluxe hotel, you can relax and unwind from the day and enjoy a meal of home cooked local food.

Breakfast at homestay. Then you can relax on board, do some wildlife spotting or if you need to cool off, you can jump into the cool, clean waters for a refreshing swim. As you float on Ba Be Lake, you can take in the scenery of the surrounding karsts decorated with patches of wild vegetation and inhabited by all sorts of interesting creatures. The boat ride along the Nang River, with time to explore the stunning Ba Be Lake, the caves of Puong Grotto where you can explore the stalactites and stalagmites which are a result of the erosion of the river on the karst as well as looking out for the bat colony several thousand strong. You will depart for the journey back Hanoi, a drive of approximately 150 miles (230 kilometers). We will stop at some hills tea plant before returning to your hotel in the bustling city of Hanoi.

09:30 You will be collected from Hanoi Old Quarter to take the highway to Dinh Vu ferry, Dinh Vu Port, Haiphong city where we arrive at around 11h30. You can take special tea at Orchid Cruise’s lounge by warm welcome. 12:00 Transfer by tender to the ORCHID CRUISE. On the way to the main boat, you will have a chance to see Cai Trap canal. 12:15 We welcome our guests onboard the ORCHID CRUISE and then check in, enjoy Welcome Drink, receive cruise briefing, safety instructions and check in. Start cruising and explore Halong Bay - one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. 12:40 ORCHID CRUISE proceeds to Da Chong islet, where you can see a lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago. Have lunch while passing via the islets of Con Vit and Gia Luan. These amazing limestone karst formations rise up out of the sea in an impressive manner. This area is untouched, as not many cruise ships use the route via the Cat Ba Island - Thoi Quyt area - Coc Ngoi islet - through Cua Van to Ba Trai Dao area. 15:00 We progress to Ba Trai Dao beach area of Lan Ha Bay- a separate part of Halong Bay. This is a quiet tourist paradise in Vietnam. The region is known for its pristine beaches and spectacular beauty, having about 400 fascinating islands. You may prefer to try your hand at kayaking or simply just enjoy a swim. This is a great experience, immersed in the crystal clear water of the bay, in the Ba Trai Dao area (Visiting Ba Trai Dao from October to May. From June to September, visiting Tra Bau area, belongs to Lan Ha Bay. Tra Bau is also one of the ideal destinations for kayaking and swimming. Come here, you will have a chance to immerse yourself in blue water.) 17:30 Returning ORCHID CRUISE, you can watch the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Onboard you may join a traditional cooking class. Our chef will instruct you in the making of some Vietnam dishes. In the early evening the boat has its Happy Hour deal Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu) 19:30 Deluxe dinner is served. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff. This is a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting 21:30 Enjoy the landscape of the bay at night up on the top deck. Relax whilst enjoying drinks from the bar. Try your hand at night squid fishing, watching a movie in the restaurant. Overnight on board. Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu) 23:00 End of Day Five program

06:00 The day starts early onboard ORCHID CRUISE with Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Coffee, tea and pastries for light breakfast are served in the dining room with morning view of bay’s landscape, then continue our journey. 08:30 Transfer to day boat for visit Viet Hai village. You will take the bicycle trip along the village path and go through rain forests and dark tunnel. Enjoy stunning scenery of rice fields on the way. Stop at the village to relax. Visit an ancient local house, made from straw, mud, bamboo…you will have chance to see the local life on a valley of local people. Optional electric car service is available (at an extra cost). Back to day boat for visiting Bai Tu Long Bay. Lunch served on day boat. 13:30 Visit Bai Tu Long Bay, free kayaking and swimming at Ba Ham Lake area situated in the middle of a narrow, rectangular area, with the all four sides enclosed by vertical cliffs. (if the weather permit). 16:00 Return to ORCHID CRUISE. You will join a traditional cooking class. Our chef will instruct you in the making of some Vietnam dishes. Watch the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. In the early evening the boat has its Happy Hour deal. 19:30 Deluxe dinner is served. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff. This is a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting 21:30 Enjoy the landscape of the bay at night up on the top deck. Relax whilst enjoying drinks from the bar. Try your hand at night squid fishing, watching a movie in the restaurant. Overnight on board. Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu) 23: 00 End of Day Two program

06:00 Why not rise early to witness the bay at its very best whilst enjoying an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck; after which we serve light breakfast. Upon completing breakfast continue our journey and head out in bamboo boat to explore the bay in the area where the Toi Sang cave is situated. 09:30 Visitors then return ORCHID CRUISE for check-out procedures 10:00 Whilst cruising back you can enjoy a delightful brunch 11:35 We return to the quay side in the south of the bay, where our visitors disembark. 12:10 We bid farewell at Dinh Vu ferry, this is the end of the program. We hope you have enjoyed your time with us and wish you a safe onward journey. 14: 00 Back to your drop-off point in Hanoi. The rest of the day is free to explore the city on your own. Overnight at Deluxe hotel at Hanoi.

Today it’s time to fly back home. Say goodbye to the wonderful new friends you have made on the tour. Check out with pleasant memories of your European trip which you will cherish for a lifetime. (Breakfast)