This 10-night adventure travels well off the beaten track into the highlands and mountain villages of northern Vietnam. In contrast visit bustling Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital, plus an overnight cruise in the amazing limestone island scenery of Halong Bay.
For the first time cruise travellers can explore Northern Vietnam by river ship, traversing the Red River delta and its main tributaries. Starting at the scenic wonders of Halong Bay, experience downtown Hanoi, and then venture on into the interior on this enchanting Vietnam river cruise.
Our river expedition starts in amazing Halong Bay with an overnight cruise amongst the limestone islands and floating villages. Following the Kinh Thay river to Hanoi, from our mooring visit highlights including the notorious 'Hanoi Hilton' Vietnam war prison and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
Cruise deep into the highlands of northern Vietnam along the Red River and discover the mountain scenery and villages which are home to many of Vietnam's ethnic communities. Travel as far as is navigable up the Red River and then down the little known Da or Black River. In the following days take a morning boat ride on the reservoir of Hoa Binh and explore the inner workings of the power station. In the afternoon, visit a museum and local village where villagers still wear traditional dress, before being treated to a traditional performance by local hill tribe people.
The itinerary for this expedition is indicative only - as it travels into remote areas changes to the itinerary will inevitably occur. A flexible approach is required if you book this cruise.
Tips to tour guides, bus, boat and cycle operators
Extensions
We can arrange additional nights in Vietnam
Cruise Map
Itinerary
Day 1Halong Bay
Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay to embark your Pandaw ship followed by lunch on board. Cast off in the afternoon with a welcome cocktail for an evening sail, dropping anchor in a sheltered bay amidst the beautiful island scenery.
Day 2Halong Bay
Morning sail around Halong Bay and beyond with its 1,500 dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations, dating back 20 million years. We make a stop at Viet Hai Village and continue our journey by mountain bike or electric buggy to visit the village’s vegetable farm and typical village houses. It is a breathtaking trip along a small road winding its way through the limestone rocks. In the afternoon we will continue cruising towards Lan Ha Bay for a visit to a floating fishing house. Weather dependent, we will end the day with cocktails at a beautiful beach in Halong Bay.
Day 3Halong Bay
Our exploration of Halong Bay continues and we stop at the so called “Dark and Bright Cave”. Take a kayak or a local basket boat rowed by fishermen and enter this remarkable cave into an enclosed area similar to a crater. Bats can be heard in the cave and massive stalagmites hang from the ceiling. In the afternoon, we leave Halong Bay and are enter the river where we drop anchor near Hai Phong.
Day 4The Kinh Thay River
Observe the lively and interesting life of the Kinh Thay river, a key commercial waterway. In the afternoon we visit Thanh Ha Commune, considered the origin of water puppetry in Vietnam. After a stroll or bicycle through the quaint village, we enjoy a private water puppet show set under shade by a beautiful pond of lotus and lilies, as it has been enjoyed for centuries. We continue cruising until late evening and drop anchor midstream.
Day 5Day River
We sail along the Lower Red River and Day River this morning whilst getting more acquainted with your expedition vessel as you enjoy a ship tour. After lunch onboard we head ashore to Co Chat village, Nam Dinh. Here we visit local craftspeople making silk by hand and the local markets filled with exotic produce.
Day 6Khanh Thien Village
We continue our exploration of the Red River Delta today, sailing toward Ninh Binh before mooring at Khanh Thien Village. We disembark in the morning for a journey to Phat Diem, home to Phat Diem Cathedral, a 19th-century Roman Catholic church built in an eclectic blend of Vietnamese and European architectural styles. After lunch we explore Khanh Thien Village by local transportation or bicycle and discover a host of handicrafts including water hyacinth weaving and a variety of rice paper and cakes. We end the evening with a performance by the locals of ‘Chau Van’ singing, an ancient art form local to this area.
Day 7Ninh Binh
Discover ‘Halong on Land’ today as we visit Ninh Binh and take small bamboo rowing boats through the magnificent limestone caves. Visitors in September and October or April and May will witness the valleys shine golden as the rice fields prepare for harvest. We then return to our ship and sail upstream on the Red River towards Hanoi.
Day 8Hanoi
Dropping anchor in the bustling city of Hanoi, passengers will visit some highlights of this Asian metropolis including must-sees like the notorious Vietnam war prison known as the Hanoi Hilton and the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first University that is dedicated to the Chinese Philosopher Confucius. We also stop outside The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum along the way to discuss the work required to preserve the body of ‘Uncle Ho.’ In the afternoon we take a walking tour of Hanoi old quarter, a bustling maze of food and shopping that is an assault on the senses. We visit a coffee shop to learn about Vietnam’s famous coffee making industry and try an authentic egg coffee.
Day 9Bat Trang
This morning we visit Bat Trang ceramic village, a hub of ceramic production for generations. The ceramics made here are famous throughout Vietnam and adorn many homes both north and south. Before returning to the ship, a local dance troupe will treat us to a lion dance on the pier. This colourful and energetic dance is customary during festivals throughout Vietnam, most notably during Tet. We then set sail into the lesser visited upper Red River beyond Hanoi. We make a stop at a small village dedicated to the handmade production of Vietnam’s most famous headwear, the Non La conical hat before continuing to Thay Pagoda. Hardly known, yet with exquisite temples dating from the 11th century, we visit this beautiful temple beside a lake and explore the village that surrounds the pagoda.
Day 10Upper Red River
In the morning we go ashore to visit the UNESCO praised village of Duang Lam. This ancient village is a well preserved example of a traditional Vietnamese village from centuries ago with intricate architecture and fascinating culture. In the afternoon we visit the smith village of Ly Nhan to witness first-hand the traditional production methods still being used to this day. We then sail upstream for your farewell dinner onboard.
Day 11Viet Tri
Disembark after breakfast and enjoy a morning excursion en route to Hanoi. We start with a visit to Hung Lo temple where we will be serenaded with traditional folk music as well as enjoy an exploration this quaint traditional town. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant followed by a transfer to Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport or Hanoi City.
New ItineraryHalong Bay and the Red River
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