Vietnam Independent Travel Ideas

Day 1. Hanoi to Halong Bay.
Arrive to Halong public pier to a warm welcome by your friendly crew. Welcome drink upon arrival, the Bai Tho Junk. Check in. Lunch is served at the restaurant - enjoy fresh local specialities while cruising among thousands of karst islets. Pass by the most breathtaking scenery such as Dog Islet, Insence Burner Islet, Floating Village, Fighting Cocks Islet and Thumb Islet. Visit the Surpring Cave.then cruise to Titop Island. Hike to the top of a karst for a panoramic view at the peak, go for a walk on the sandy beach or swim in the emerald water surface of the World Heritage Site. Enjoy the sunset from topdeck then dinner is served. After dinner enjoy night fishing with the crew or indulge in some karaoke before turning in. (LD)

Day 2. Halong Bay.
Wake up in the early morning to the fresh air and breezes from the sea. Sunrise is over Halong bay. After breakfast, join another junk to discover a lagoon. Board the Bai Tho passing by Human Head Islet, Turtle Islet, Horse Saddle Islet and Drum Cave (Trong Cave). Visit the largest Floating Village, Cua Van, which was established in 1962 . An excellent opportunity to interact with villagers and discover their life style. Kayaking available if booked in advance. Continue on to the Dark and Bright tunnel Caves. Take a sampan trip around the lagoon while viewing colorful coral reefs. After lunch, continue cruising past Toad Islet. Dinner and overnight. (BLD)

Day 3. Halong Bay to Hanoi.
After your Western-style breakfast, embark on a sampan to visit Tunnel Cave (Hang Luon) and float through the mountain to the other side. After the Tunnel Cave, set sail back to Halong pier by cruising in Bai Tu Long Bay. Continue cruising passing by the Poem mountain (Nui Bai Tho) and Bai Chay Bridge. Disembark back in Halong Bay public pier and continue your return journey back to Hanoi centre. (B)

PRICES:

Please request current prices.

PRICE INCLUDES:

3 days/2 night cruise in a Deluxe cabin, meals as indicated by BLD, , assistance of English speaking staff on board, round trip transfers from Hanoi to Halong Bay.

Kayaking on Bai Tho Boat:

Kayaking can be arranged in advance for approximately US$25 per kayak (2 seats) per day.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Moderate: Bai Tho

Day 1. Hanoi to Halong Bay.
Check-in at Bhaya Café, Halong City and embark on Bhaya Classic for a Welcome Cocktail followed by a cruise briefing. Savor a delicious Vietnamese buffet lunch as Bhaya Classic heads to Bai Tu Long Bay passing the towns of Hon Gai and Cam Pha, Oan Lagoon, Mat Quy (Monster Head) and Am Tich (Teapot) Islets and the Vung Vieng fishing village. Visit the fishing village by local rowing boat then return to the vessel for free time at your leisure or join one of the following optional activities such as kayaking into the village, swim near the boat, take a traditional massage or a side trip by tender to an isolated pristine beach for swimming. Cruise through the Halong Bay to the overnight anchorage near Ho Dong Tien. Happy Hour & Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the Sundeck followed by a sumptuous seafood dinner onboard. Retire to your cabin or join the fishing program. (LD)

Day 2. Halong Bay.
Start your day with Tai Chi on the Sundeck. Weigh anchor and cruise the Bay while enjoying an early breakfast. Transfer to Bhaya Spirit for the Lan Ha Bay excursion. Indulge in guided kayaking, swimming & snorkeling at Three Peach Beach, a pristine natural beach lapped by the turquoise water. Fresh seafood lunch is served onboard. Continue on to discover Ho Ba Ham Islet, the most remote point in Lan Ha Bay and bordering the Gulf of Tonkin. Visit its quaint fishing village and lagoon. Time permitting, there will be time for kayaking through an amazing tunnel under a karst mountain. The vessel cruises back through the bay to its overnight anchorage near Ho Dong Tien. Once again, enjoy the Happy Hour & Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the Sundeck. Dinner will be a set Seafood dinner onboard.

Overnight onboard Bhaya Classic. (BLD)

Day 3. Halong Bay to Hanoi.
Greet the day once again with morning Tai Chi exercises while viewing the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, cruise through the Bay passing beautiful spots like Trong (Drum), Trinh Nu (Virgin) and Me Cung Caves, and Coc Ngoi (Toad) Islet. Explore the Surprise Cave (Sung Sot). Return to Bhaya Classic and feast on a buffet brunch while the vessel cruises leisurely back to harbor. Disembark at Bhaya Café, Halong City then return journey back to Hanoi. (B)

PRICES:

Please request current prices.

PRICE INCLUDES:

3 days/2 night cruise in a Deluxe cabin, meals as indicated by BLD, , assistance of English speaking staff on board, round trip transfers from Hanoi to Halong Bay.

Complimentary services on Bhaya Cruise:

Kayak service, a bottle of mineral of water per guest per day in the cabin, Visit to Sung Sot Cave, Tai Chi Class, Cooking demonstration

Accommodations:

First Class: Bhaya Cruise

Day 1. Hanoi to Halong Bay.
Early morning transfer (approximately 8AM) from your Hanoi hotel to Halong Bay. Your paradisiacal voyage across Halong Bay starts around noon on Tuan Chau Island at the doorstep of Vietnam’s most fascinating wonder. As the vessel sets sails, you will be greeted by the Paradise Crew and Cruise Manager. Discover some of the treasures disseminated across the Bay of the Descending Dragon during the afternoon: fascinating caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, and fantastic rock formations rising up out of the emerald water. While onboard, you can take advantage at leisure of our Spa, Beauty & Massage services (price not included); surrounded by a stunning setting in motion, you will attend our chef’s cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking.  Destined to be one of the highlights of your Paradise stay, a highly refined, innovative and varied cuisine will be presented for lunch and dinner in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages from around the world. BL

Day 2. Halong Bay.
As the day breaks, you are invited to join a Tai Chi demonstration taking place on the top deck of the vessel. Enjoy a buffet breakfast on the main vessel before being transferred to the day-boat, Paradise Explorer. You will then depart for Cat Ba Island. Arriving at the Viet Hai Jetty you will have the opportunity to take a bicycle trip through untouched forest and wildlife and enjoy the village scenery, trekking through the core of Cat Ba National Forest. Return to the Paradise Explorer for lunch. Then continue cruising through Halong Bay to dark and light cave areas where you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling. Around 4PM, transfer back to Paradise Luxury. Back on the main vessel, relax and enjoy the facilities at leisure. BLD

Please note: for summer itineraries (from 01 May-30 Sep), guests will be taken to a fishing village, a kayaking and swimming location instead of going to Viet Hai area on Cat Ba Island due to seasonal conditions. 

Day 3. Halong Bay to Hanoi.
Early birds can attend a Tai Chi demonstration on the sundeck at the break of dawn Your morning is at leisure as you enjoy breakfast onboard. You will continue cruising around Halong Bay. Arrive back to Halong, where you will disembark at approximately 11AM and journey back to Hanoi.

PRICES:

Please request current prices.

PRICE INCLUDES:

3 days/2 night cruise in a luxury cabin or suite, meals as indicated by BLD, assistance of English speaking staff on board, round trip transfers from Hanoi to Halong Bay, kayaking and snorkeling equipment,  morning tai chi, and welcome cocktail.

Accommodations:

First Class: Paradise Luxury Cruise