Vietnam - Days 1-3
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi (independent arrival) (the clients’ own tickets - Cape and Islands Travel will be happy to help you arrange your international flights)
Upon arrival at the airport, meet with your Vietnamese English-speaking guide and your tour coordinator, Peter Karl. "Welcome" flowers presented to each passenger, followed by individual private car transfer to our hotel (regular check in time 2:00p.m.). Group dinner this evening in the hotel restaurant (Vietnamese cuisine) 7:00p.m.
Overnight at Sofitel Metropole hotel/ Classic room (D)
Day 2
Around 0530 am, optional early morning Tai Chi excursion on the shore of Hoan Kiem lake with the local people. Back to the hotel to freshen up and breakfast. Then, enjoy a sightseeing tour of this charming capital with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument made of marble and granite and then a visit to his nearby former residence. Post mausoleum tour of the One Pillar Pagoda and surrounding park. Enjoy a cultural talk and interaction with a well-known Doctor/Historian who has been living through the French and American times to understand Vietnam culture and history from the outset of the trip (at the Temple of Literature's hall). Followed by a stroll with your guide to visit the Temple of Literature, with its ancient Vietnam architecture, dedicated to Confucius which broke the Buddhist monopoly in education; the temple was then regarded as the site of the first university of Vietnam. Back to our hotel or at a local restaurant for lunch break (lunch is under guests' own account). Afternoon, visit the beautiful Ethnology Museum to discover the many ethnic groups that comprise the people of Vietnam. Return to town and enjoy a 45min cyclo ride through the Old Quarter of "36 streets and 36 wares" to witness the vibrant life along the street sides. The trip ends with a visit to the Lake of the Restored Sword. We enjoy dinner this evening at Wild Lotus restaurant which offers the best Northern cuisine and Indochine atmosphere.
Overnight at Sofitel Metropole hotel/ Classic room (B, D).
Day 3 : Hanoi - Halong
After breakfast, depart Hanoi and we will take a three and a half hour drive
to Halong Bay. This three and a half hour journey will take us through the
scenic landscape of the rural northeast rice growing region. We will stop
en-route at a crafts cooperative for a rest break and tea or coffee. Arrive
at HaLong Bay on the Gulf of Tonkin which was the haunt of Vietnamese and
Chinese pirates. At Halong Bay, the romance of old Vietnam still lingers,
with dramatic karst islets randomly scattered and the beautiful red-sailed
junks gliding across the waters. This World Heritage Site, with more than
3000 islands rising steeply from the water, creates an extraordinarily dramatic
seascape. On arrival, we will embark on our deluxe "junk". Our junk
will sail this afternoon toward the many islands of Ha Long Bay. A fresh seafood
dinner is served on board this evening. Overnight on board.
Overnight on traditional wooden Halong Ginger junk (B, L, D)
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