Day 1: Hanoi
Hanoi (Dinner)
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Half-day visit of the "Old" Hanoi through the narrow and crowded streets of the old town on board a traditional Cyclo. Passing through workshops of Embroiderers or manufacturers of "paper objects", traditional pharmacies, candy stores, clothes, hats, wooden puppets, bags, belts and watches shopping becomes a fun, curious and unusual treasure hunt. Diner at a Typical Restaurant.
Day 2: Hanoi
Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Hanoi (Breakfast, Dinner)
Departure from Hanoi and for 2 hours and a half we travel on a road towards the south, surrounded by rice fields where nearby is possible to admire the daily life of the Vietnamese farmer. We reach a spectacular scenery characterized by endless rice fields broken only by massive stone picks where amazing caves open to the view decorated by incredible stalactite and stalagmite. These caves are possible to visit only by using little boats driven by the locals. The most important cave is Tam Coc. Visit the Monumental Gate to enter the sacred site where there is the funerary temple of the Dinh Dynasty. Lunch at a Typical Restaurant. Return to Hanoi in the evening.
Day 3: Hanoi
Hanoi (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Visit the local Market and try to do some Vietnamese typical dishes. Lunch with the food prepared by the guests. Half-day excursion to experience the classic places of the cultural capital of Vietnam. Passing in front of the imposing mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh we enter the Governor General of Indochina's residence, where the President's house is located. Not far away is the famous One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049, opposite the Dien Huu Pagoda. We visit Van Mieu, the Confucian Temple of Literature, which is the oldest Asian university dating back to 1070. In the heart of the city lies the Lake of the Returned Sword, with the tiny island of the Jade Mountain Temple at its center. The day ends with an hour of fun at the Water Puppet Show: a show unique in the world, where the actors are puppets that revive ancient folk legends and scenes of everyday life on a stage made of water. Dinner in a typical restaurant. Return to the hotel.
Day 4: Ha Long
Hanoi – Halong Bay (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay. After a brief stop in an exhibition center displaying the best of local silk, ceramic and stone sculptures we proceed to the port, ready to embark on one of the most beautiful cruises in Asia. The visit to the spectacular Halong Bay takes place on a beautifully restored traditional Chinese junk, which will take you through a myriad of islands, islets and pinnacles emerging from the sea in weird shapes. Covered with pristine jungle and often punctured by caves and cracks, the karst formation of Halong has been in for centuries in legends of pirates and demons. Lunch on board. Dinner on board.
Day 5:
Halong – Hanoi (Breakfast, Brunch)
The cruise continues throughout the morning, allowing plenty of time to relax while sailing surrounded by spectacular natural scenery. Brunch on board. Return to the port and disembark. Transfer to the airport.
