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Hanoi & Ha long Bay Less Trodden
This trip to Hanoi and Halong Bay comes with a fresh twist to the norm and takes you on an interactive new understanding of Hanoi as well as exploring less trodden enclaves in the famed Halong Bay with intimate experiences and unhurried nature changing the way one normally experience in the region.
HIGHLIGHTS
Experience the "Path of History" in Sofitel Metropole's bomb shelter
Be led on a Hanoi walking tour with a Vietnam War veteran
Fly by seaplane from Hanoi to Halong Bay in style
Take insightful visits to less-trodden areas of Halong Bay
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE HANOI
Arrive into Hanoi Noi Bai Intl Airport and be met and transferred to the heart of the city. Enjoy a walking tour of Dong Xuan Market and experience the aroma and taste of Hanoi's food culture. Sample some of the iconic dishes that made Hanoi a culinary heaven. Later, meet with a Vietnam War veteran for an insight into Vietnam's storied past and a tour of the 36 Streets Old Quarter. Finally, experience the "Path of History" in Sofitel Metropole Hanoi's bomb shelter which was built to protect guests from the Vietnam War air raids.
Overnight: Sofitel Legend Metropole, Hanoi
Meals: Lunch
DAY 2: HANOI
Begin the morning with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Residence and the Temple of Literature. Thereafter, enjoy lunch at KOTO Restaurant which serves as a platform for trainees to fine tune their skills in hospitality service and culinary arts. In the evening, enjoy a delightful Water Puppet Show near the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake and enjoy dinner thereafter at Green Tangerine with fascinating French Vietnamese fusion cuisine.
Overnight: Sofitel Legend Metropole, Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3: HANOI / HA LONG BAY
After breakfast, transfer to Hanoi Noi Bai Airport and then be escorted to your scheduled seaplane for a delightful 1hr journey to Halong Bay where you can witness the panorama of the limestone islands from atop. Upon landing, be escorted to your private cruise for check in and welcome drinks. Enjoy lunch as you sail towards Bai Tu Long Bay. Spend free time to enjoy kayaking or swimming on the Vung Ha beach. Continue cruising as you watch the glorious sunset while savouring traditional Vietnamese cuisine.
Overnight: Bhaya Legend Halong
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4: BAI TU LONG BAY / LAN HA BAY
Awake to a refreshing day and while tucking into breakfast, sail towards Vung Vieng, nestled amongst the limestone peaks, unaffected by ocean waves and strong winds. Make a visit by kayak or bamboo boat to enjoy the scenery. Have the chance to enjoy lunch picnic style on the beach and thereafter, enjoy an excursion of Cat Ba Island and visit Viet Hai Village. In the evening, you may participate in a cooking class and then enjoy a sumptuous dinner. You may also join the staff onboard for some fun squid fishing.
Overnight: Bhaya Legend Halong
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5: DEPART HA LONG BAY / HANOI
Enjoy some Tai Chi practise in the morning perhaps as we sail back to the harbour. Disembark thereafter and be transferred to your private seaplane for a short return to Hanoi Noi Bai Intl Airport for connection to your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast
OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO YEN TU MOUNTAIN
DAY 5: HA LONG BAY / YEN TU MOUNTAIN
DAY 6: YEN TU MOUNTAIN
DAY 7: YEN TU MOUNTAIN / DEPARTURE HANOI
Consider an optional extension to the sacred beauty of the Yen Tu Mountain - designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historical site of the Tran Dynasty and a sacred place of worship for Buddhist pilgrims surrounded by ancient pagodas, shrines, towers and forests. Enjoy a cable car ride to visit Hoa Yen Pagoda before a gentle hike takes us to the top of Dong Pagoda, perched majestically atop Yen Tu Mountain at a height of 1,068m. Thereafter, we descend where a 2 nights stay at the Legacy Yen Tu ensues. inspired by the ancient architecture of Yen Tu and painstakingly designed and conceptualized by Bill Bensley, take a step back in time in this stunning property, one of the most ambitious projects ever taken on by Bensley.
Overnight: Legacy Yen Tu by MGallery
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
A historic luxury landmark since 1901, Sofitel Legend Metropole is located in Central Hanoi near the Old Quarter and offers pampering spa services, 24-hour room service and a heated swimming pool. Still retaining the hotel's original grandness, rooms feature elegant neo-classical or classic French decor and equipped with free Wi-Fi, flat screen tv and DVD player. The hotel also offers a blend of eastern and western spa therapies, a gym as well as 3 restaurants serving Asian, Vietnamese, Italian and French cuisines.
The Legend Halong 1 cabin provides 1 Deluxe Royal Suite and can receive up to 2 passengers, including a maximum of 2 adults and 1 children (under 12 years old) per cabin. With its spacious suites and luxurious facilities, the Legend Halong is a marriage between a traditional Art and the modern Occidental style, a dream ship meant to create magical and unforgettable memories.
OPTIONAL DESTINATION STAY EXPERIENCE YEN TU MOUNTAIN
Designed by Bill Bensley, the impeccable Legacy Yen Tu by MGallery is a reflection of heritage and spirituality. Built using ancient methodologies to emulate the peaceful way of life, the rooms feature the signature wooden-inked slab traditionally used for calligraphy and an outdoor patio living area. Situated near to Ha Long Bay, this is the perfect abode to discover the ancient golden era and Buddhist legacy of Yen Tu Mountain.
