Halong Bay Small Group Adventure Tour including Cruise from Hanoi

Commences: Hanoi, Vietnam
Duration: 11 hours

 

Discover the striking beauty of World Heritage-listed Halong Bay on this Halong Bay small group adventure tour from Hanoi. Drive through the rural villages of northern Vietnam, board a private Chinese junk and set sail through turquoise waters dotted with over 2,000 magnificent limestone islands. Explore the many karsts and enjoy a seafood buffet while taking in the bay's mystical scenery.

Your Halong Bay tour begins with a 3.5-hour drive from the hectic pace in Vietnam's capital city, Hanoi, to the tranquil and beautiful Halong Bay. En route stop at the Hong Ngoc Humanity Center, developed to provide support to communities in the area. The handicrafts made at the center are available for you to purchase.

On arrival in Halong City board the Chinese junk for your cruise on Halong Bay, famous for its lime karsts jutting out of the green waters creating a spectacular vista as nearly 2000 islands fill the bay. A UNESCO listed World Heritage site since 1994, Halong Bay means "Bay of the Descending Dragon".  Legend has it that a long time ago when the Vietnamese were fighting off foreign invaders, the gods sent a family of dragons to assist in the fight. During the battle the dragons spat out jewels that would later become the islands that now are scattered around the bay.

The private 5-hour cruise explores some of the grottos or caves that have formed in many of the islands that fill Halong Bay. Visit a fishing village where you learn about the culture and customs of the local inhabitants. Providing the weather is warm enough there is a chance to stop and swim in the emerald waters of the bay. For those not wanting to swim, relax on board and soak up the atmosphere. Enjoy a scrumptious seafood lunch on board the boat before returning  to Hanoi.

Ho Chi Minh's Hanoi Small Group Adventure Tour

Commences: Hanoi, Vietnam
Duration: 9 hours

 

Walk in the footsteps of Ho Chi Minh and discover the sights of Hanoi on this full-day tour. Visit Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, the world famous Museum of Ethnology and enjoy a walking tour of the Old Quarter. Lunch is included at a restaurant located in the old quarter.

Join your local guide with a a visit to the complex where Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam's independence in 1945, and see the reverence with which Vietnamese people treat their "Uncle Ho". You'll also visit several sites including House 54 where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked between 1954 and 1958 and the Stilt House where Ho Chi Minh lived until his death in 1969.

Your tour continues with a journey through Hanoi to the Temple of Literature and university which has educatied the royal family and children of the aristocracy or "mandarins".

Enjoy lunch at a restaurant located in the old quarter for an authentic Vietnamese experience.

After lunch visit the Museum of Ethnology, to learn more about the cultural diversity of Vietnams ethnic minorities. Established by the Vietnamese government in 1997, the museum provides you with a fascinating insight into the diverse cultures, customs and lifestyles of the 54 ethnic groups that inhabit Vietnam.

Your tour concludes with a stroll through Hanoi's hectic old quarter. Visit the local Hang Be or Dong Xuan local markets, before finishing with refreshments at a bia hoi, a traditional Vietnamese 'pub', where you have the opportunity to swap stories with local people eager to practise their language skills.

At the end of your tour, you are free to continue exploring the area or your guide will assist you in getting a taxi back to your hotel.

Special Offer - Save over 35% off the recommended retail price for travel between April 1 and June 30, 2009 - BOOK NOW!

Hanoi Sunrise Small Group Adventure Morning Tour

Commences: Hanoi, Vietnam
Duration: 8 hrs

 

Special Offer - Save over 15% off the recommended retail price for travel between April 1 and June 30, 2009 - BOOK NOW!

Rise with the sun and the Hanoi locals on this small group tour of Hanoi.  Experience the buzz with a pre-dawn visit to the bustling flower and vegetable markets, enjoy a traditional Vietnamese breakfast, take in the views from a rooftop cafe in Hanoi's old quarter then head to a local restaurant to learn the secrets of Vietnamese cooking. Traveling in a small group , maximum 12 passengers, this tour allows for a unique and intimate experience.

Join your local guide bright and early with a walk to visit the early morning flower and wholesale fruit market. Experience the hussle and bustle of the markets with people going about their early morning business, a perfect opportunity to interact with the locals and get some great photos.

From the local market, continue on a walk to Hoan Kiem Lake "Lake of the Restored Sword" to experience early morning Hanoi. Legend has it that in the mid 15th century the gods provided the Emperor Le Thai To a magical sword to defeat the Ming dynasty Chinese invaders. Following the victory the emperor was boating on the lake when a giant tortoise reared up and took the sword, returning it to its rightful owners. Today the lake is a gathering place for the residence of Hanoi doing their morning exercise. You will have opportunities to join in on the morning activities such as tai chi.

After a energetic start to the day enjoy a traditional local breakfast - "real flavor of Pho" - followed by a Vietnamese coffee at a roof top café in Hanoi's old quarter overlooking the Hoan Kiem Lake.

The last stop is a family run Vietnamese restaurant to join a cooking class and learn the finer points of authentic Vietnamese cuisine.  The cooking class includes a walk to Hang Be food market to learn about Vietnamese ingredients. Once back at the restaurant you will learn to cook several Vietnamese dishes. It is then time to relax and feast on your Vietnamese culinary creations.