Xin Chao! Welcome to Hanoi, one of Asia’s most enchanting cities, full of culture and history. You will be greeted at Noi Bai airport by our local guide and learn a bit about this fascinating country on the way to your hotel.

You will have time to relax at your hotel and adjust to the pace of Hanoi. This beautiful city is bustling with energy and will soon dispel even the slightest feeling of jetlag. Try an iced coffee (cafe sua da) or iced tea (tra da) in one of the many typical cafés and learn about the Vietnamese café culture. For those that are hungry there are many small local restaurants and food stalls available. These little food outlets form the pulsating culinary heart of the Vietnamese cuisine.

For dinner (optional), help yourself to some local specialties such as bun cha (smoked and grilled pork in stock with rice noodles and fresh herbs) or cha ca la vong (a 200-year-old Hanoian specialty of marinated grilled fish served with dill and peanuts).

Overnight in hotel.

Wake up early, grab your cameras and head out to Hanoi’s biggest flower market in Quang Ba. You will have the chance to take in the beauty and wonderful aromas of flowers from villages all around Hanoi, Sapa and Dalat. The diversity and vibrant colours on display guarantee amazing pictures.

On your way back to the old centre, you will visit the banks of Truc Bach Lake. Every morning, hundreds of Hanoians gather here to practise Tai Chi, do their daily fitness exercises or play some badminton. You can join in or simply enjoy this oasis of peace and serenity in the middle of the city centre.

Let’s skip breakfast at the hotel and join the locals in the streets for a bowl of Pho. This aromatic beef noodle soup is without a doubt Vietnam’s most famous dish.

Next is a quick stop at Ba Dinh Square for some pictures. This historic spot is where Ho Chi Minh declared the Vietnamese independence in 1945.

Afterwards, you will enjoy the cooking class with Hidden Hanoi restaurant (closed on Sunday) for special dishes in the North of Vietnam. Hidden Hanoi will not just only show you how to cook but also they will teach you more about Vietnamese culture through out the course with the short movie demonstrating a traditional Vietnamese kitchen; by explaining the importance of rice and its cultural significance; the different spices, when and how they are used; the market; and of course fish sauce. Enjoy your own-cooked lunch.

After lunch at the beautiful cooking class location, you are picked up to explore the many sights and sounds of Hanoi: The Old Quarter, 36 Guild Streets, Ba Dinh Square and the One Pillar Pagoda. The program this afternoon is flexible and certain sights and attractions can be added or removed according to your preferences.

Before dinner, enjoy the show at the world-famous Water Puppet theatre (Alternatively, there is option to attend a local traditional theatre around Hoan Kiem Lake and witness a ‘Cheo’ performance with the surcharge).

In the evening, transfer to Hanoi Railways station for the night train to Lao Cai.

Arriving in the morning at Lao Cai Station you will be met by our driver at the station’s exit. The driver will be holding a sign with the FantaSea’s logo and your name clearly marked and escort you to your minibus.

Sapa town, the queen of the mountains, is a 40 minute drive from Lao Cai station.  Be sure to look out of the windows at the captivating views of emerald green valleys, majestic mountains shrouded in cloud and intricate rice paddy fields.

Upon arrival at your hotel, you will have breakfast and a chance to freshen up. After which, your tour guide will pick you up for the tour starting at 9am. First you will be driven in a private car to Lao Chai, an established Hmong minority village which has been inhabited for centuries. Trekking through this village you will have the opportunity to see the products of this rich culture at its best, with hereditary rice terraces, traditional homes and a vibrant community. We will then trek on to Ta Van village where you will visit the Giay minority people. This group traditionally fished for a living and as a result established themselves close to rivers. They have mastered the art of fishing with bamboo sticks, and cook the fish inside bamboo. Nowadays however you are more likely to see the Giay working in fields planting or harvesting rice.

Transport will be waiting at Ta Van bridge to take you back for lunch (not included) at a local restaurant in Sapa. Then at 2pm your guide will collect you and you will be driven in a private car to the Silver Waterfall, with a 300m drop. Scenic steps will lead you to the foot of the waterfall and the perfect place for photos. Continuing our journey, we will drive a further 3 km to the Tram Ton Pass, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam at approximately 2000m. At this height you will feel the temperature drop but the views are truly stunning, and you will have the opportunity to stretch your legs, explore and take photographs.

A further 3km drive will take you to the start point of your next walk, a path through the primary forest to the Love Waterfall, following the crystal clear waters of the Golden Stream. This area is known for cardamom crops, used for medicine or cooking and are a significant source of income for the minority people. Having returned to the car you will be driven back to your hotel.

Overnight in Sapa.

After breakfast, you and your guide will be driven to visit one of the various weekly ethnic markets found in this area. (Please note that the market available will depend on the dates of your tour).

After the market tour you will be driven back to Lao Cai station with plenty of time to spare before you train is due to depart. Before your guide says goodbye they will recommend restaurants where you can have dinner. Overnight on train.

Market days:

+ Tuesdays – Coc Ly market

+ Wednesdays – Cao Son market

+ Thursdays – Lung Khau Nhin market

+ Saturdays – Can Cau market

+ Sundays – Bac Ha market or Muong Khuong market

Arrive in Hanoi at 5AM, you are welcome by our driver then transfer to a mini hotel for shower & breakfast.

Heading out to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On your way there, you will visit a typical Northern Vietnamese village where the younger and older generations still live together in traditional houses.

Arrive at Tuan Chau island – Take break and welcome drink at Pelican Halong Cruise Lounge.

Transfer to Pelican Halong Cruise.

Welcome drink – receive cruise briefing, safety instructions and check in. Start cruising and explore Halong Bay – one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Enjoy buffet lunch with Vietnamese dishes served while cruising through the bay, passing the most beautiful and quiet areas, such as Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock, Soi Sim beach, Coconut Three Island.

Visiting Tung Sau area, covered by the leaping rocks and cultured pearl fishery. You can witness yourself the process of the jewel, from culturing to harvesting and sculpting, Moreover, you will have a chance to do kayaking based on your preference. Enjoy busy space with pearl maker, you can experience the completion of pearl.

Visiting the beautiful Ti Top beach for swimming (if the weather permits), Ti Top Beach is especially famous for its fresh atmosphere, clean water, and smooth white sand that create a great ambiance for tourists to relax or passengers can take steps to reach on the top of  Ti Top beach to have a whole panorama view of Halong Bay.

Back to the boat and free time while sailing to Luon Bo area, and anchor overnight.

Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu).

Attend the Cooking demonstration on sundeck – How to make Vietnamese spring rolls – traditional Vietnamese food. Then enjoy Happy Hour (Buy one drink-get one free). It is time for chit-chating and relaxing. Watch the magnificent sunset over Halong Bay.

Enjoy dinner with Vietnamese BBQ Set Menu.

Evening activities include: Leisure time to enjoy a chat around the bar, watching movies and many sort of Vietnam cultural films, relaxing and spending a romantic night on Pelican Halong Cruise’s music, playing cards, chess are available, reading magazines in room and dining room. You may also try your luck at squid fishing & fishing from the boat.

The day starts early onboard with Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Tai chi also called Tai chi chuan, combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow and gentle movements. Coffee, tea and pastries for breakfast are served in the dining room with morning view of bay’s landscape.

Transfer by tender to Sung Sot Cave. Walk up about 100 steps to the cave entrance. It takes approximately 45 minutes for cave visiting. Visit Sung Sot Cave, one of the most biggest cave in Halong bay with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Return to the boat by tender. Proper shoes are highly recommended. Back to Pelican Halong Cruise. Check out and settle your bill at reception.

Have a buffet brunch while cruising back to the Tuan Chau Wharf. Relaxing on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery while approaching the wharf.

Continue on to Noi Bai airport for a short flight to Hue (Suggested flight: VN1545/1915 – 2030). You will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight in Hue.

After breakfast at the hotel, take a boat ride along the romantic Perfume River. Stop off at the Thien Mu Pagoda on the banks of the river to see the 7-storey Stupa. The pagoda is also home to the old Austin car driven to Saigon by the Venerable Thich Quang Duc in 1963 for his self-immolation. Continue on to visit the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang (1791-1841), built between 1841 and 1843. The Emperor’s mausoleum complex consists of 40 constructions (palaces, temples, pavilions etc.) designed on a symmetrical axis.

Enjoy your vegetarian lunch in the serene atmosphere of the pagoda’s Meditation Hall.

In the afternoon, you will travel down to Da Nang then stop at Lang Co beach, one of the most beautiful bays in the world, before we arrive in Hoi An. This World Heritage site was home to merchants from all over the world. The guided walk through this enchanting and peaceful town will take you back in history. You will have a closer look at the Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese and French influences and visit some of its characteristic trade houses, bridges and temples.

Spend the night in your hotel in Hoi An.

After breakfast, jump on your bicycles and take a beautiful scenic route through the rice paddies to Tra Que Village just outside Hoi An. This little town is well-known for supplying the many restaurants and hotels in the area with fresh herbs and vegetables. Take a walk through the vegetable gardens, experience how the local farmers work the land and learn more about the history of the village and the importance of herbs in Vietnamese medicine and cuisine.

Have some central Vietnamese specialties for lunch such as Tam Huu spring rolls, the local pancakes. After lunch, you can relax before cycling back to Hoi An.

In the afternoon, you can further explore the old quarter and learn more about its rich history, or relax by the pool or on one of the many beautiful beaches.

For dinner (optional), we highly recommend a meal at one of the many fusion restaurants in Hoi An that offer a unique blend between Vietnamese and Western cuisine.

Overnight in hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel. Free time in Hoian to enjoy the beautiful beach in Centre Vietnam.

For the more active, these are several excursions you can arrange:

+ My Son Sanctuary

+ Fishing & snorkeling trip at Cham Island

+ Local food tasting by sidecar & jeep tour in Hoian

Overnight in hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Da Nang for your short flight to Saigon (Suggested flight: VN117/1015 – 1145), also known as Ho Chi Minh City.

Drop your bags at the hotel, have a quick shower, and explore the sights of Saigon. For lunch, you will have the chance to try Banh Xeo, a big savoury pancake made out of rice flour, coconut milk and freshly ground turmeric. The pancake is filled with fresh herbs and vegetables, pork and prawns, and served with nuoc cham (the famous Vietnamese fish sauce thinned with water, lemon and chilli).

In the afternoon, follow the Graham Greene Trail to a journey from colonial to modern Saigon. You will visit the places where Greene lived and worked, past by the HCMC Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Metropole Hotel – famous place from the ‘Quiet American’ novel and film. There is time for an optional tea or coffee at the historical bar before heading off to the other famous Saigon hotel, The Majestic. This hotel and its bar were home to many foreign reporters and secret agents during the Vietnam War. Head up to the rooftop bar to try one of Saigon’s many local beers and enjoy a panoramic view of the city with live music.

Overnight in Saigon.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Pick up at your hotel in HCMC. Depart for My Tho. Take a boat ride along the river, view the stilt houses and the fruit plantation along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise island and have lunch in the orchard. Enjoy a boat ride through Tan Thach natural canal in Ben Tre, cruising under the shadow of the water coconut trees.

Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle. Enjoy a rowing boat ride along the creeks. After taking a delightful walking through the fruit plantation,village. Proceed to Can Tho.

Check into your hotel on arrival at Can Tho. Free to explore the city on your own in the afternoon. You can also visit a village, meet the local people, have dinner with them and enjoy their music. Overnight at your hotel.

Taking very early morning boat trip (5:30am usually recommended) to visit the Cai Rang floating market which is wholesale market of fruit and vegetable at its busiest at this time of the day. Keep cruising through the small channels system and visit a rice noodle making village.

Experience the “Monkey Bridge” in the Delta. Head towards Phong Dien for the smaller, quieter floating market (optional).

Return to Saigon in the afternoon. Overnight in Saigon.

You will have your last breakfast in HCMC and do some last minute shopping before flying back home or on to your next destination.

End of services.