Imagine a city where the exotic chic of old Asia blends with the dynamic face of new Asia. Where the medieval and modern co-exist. A city with a blend of Parisian grace and Asian pace, an architectural museum piece evolving in harmony with its history, rather than bulldozing through like many of the region’s capitals. Hanoi is where imagination becomes reality.

A mass of motorbikes swarms through the tangled web of streets that is the Old Quarter, a cauldron of commerce for almost 1000 years and still the best place to check the pulse of this resurgent city. Hawkers in conical hats ply their wares, locals sip coffee and bia hoi (beer) watching life (and plenty of tourists) pass them by. Witness synchronised t’ai chi at dawn on the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake while goateed grandfathers tug at their wisps over the next chess move. See the bold and beautiful dine at designer restaurants and cut the latest moves on the dance floor. Hanoi has it all: the ancient history, a colonial legacy and a modern outlook. There is no better place to untangle the paradox that is modern Vietnam.

Itinerary in brief

Day 1 : Hanoi arrival 
Day 2 : Hanoi - Halong Bay Tours
Day 3 : Ha Long Bay Tour - Hanoi
Day 4 : Hanoi City Tour
Day 5 : Hanoi City Tours - Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi arrival

VietnamTripAdvisor’ car will pick you up at Noi Bai airport and take you to a hotel in the center of Hanoi.  Overnight in hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2 : Hanoi - Ha Long bay ( B , L , D )

08.30 approx
Our guide will meet you at your hotel. Mini bus or private car pick up.  
Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta. You will have a chance to take photos.
Comfort break
The distance from Hanoi to Halong bay is approximately 3 ½ hours.
12 noon approx Arrive Halong Bay. Welcome aboard The Paloma. Meet the captain and crew and join us for a welcome cocktail as we tell you about life onboard.
Check into your cabin. Time to refresh and unwind.
Set sail as lunch is prepared by our chef.
Join us for a relaxing lunch in the restaurant or on the outdoor dining area. Enjoy the stunning views of the Bay, its dramatic limestone islands as we sail through the calm waters.

Afternoon While we make our way to Bai Tu Long Bay, relax on the sundeck and watch the world go by or take an afternoon nap in your cabin.
Early afternoon we arrive at Cong Do Island with its many lagoons home to numerous species of sea-life, such as shrimp, crab, fish, squid and aquatic plants while south-west of the island has a preserved, almost undamaged coral reef.

We drop anchor.

Opportunity to go swimming in the clear warm waters or go kayaking. Kayaking is suitable for all levels and ages. Our expert will run through the safety procedures and after a basic paddling lesson our experienced guide will lead you to explore the Bay, its lagoons and beaches.

For those who prefer a relaxing afternoon, make the most of sunbathing on deck or pamper yourself with a massage and sauna in our luxurious spa.

Early evening Back on board, enjoy the sunset with evening cocktails and fresh fruit.
Take an opportunity to refresh and then join friends for a pre-dinner drink in the bar.
A BBQ dinner is served in the restaurant or outdoor dining area, which is a gastronomic delight.After dinner, unwind in the bar where there is a selection of books, magazines and board games or relax in the spa; watch a movie on our plasma TV; join some of our team to go cuttle fishing at night or take a late night swim under the stars. Accommodation and overnight on junk.

Day 3 : Ha Long Bay - Hanoi ( B , L  )

06:30
For the early risers join us for a Tai Chi session on the sun deck. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body and there is no better environment to practice this than amongst the limestone peaks and islands.
Take an opportunity to view the sunrise over the Bay or have an early morning swim
Breakfast, coffee and tea and served.
We set sail again and head to Vong Vieng floating fishing village.
Drop anchor.
Our guide will give you some information and interesting facts about this fascinating village and its local community.

Disembark and travel on the sampans rowed by the local people. They will be your guides through their fishing village where you can meet the locals, visit the school and pearl farms. See at first-hand what life is like living on the water.
We are proud of our working partnership with, and support of, this community.
Back on board we start to head back the harbour.

10:00 Take time to refresh and relax before checking out. Bags can be left in the luggage store.                        
An early lunch is served.

12 noon Return to the shore and disembark from The Paloma as our crew say farewell.                        
Transfer to minibus or private and return to Hanoi
Arrival back at your hotel approximately 16:30/17:00
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4: Hanoi City Tour  ( B , L )

From your hotel, we will go north to visit Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, His House on Stilt, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc pagoda, Quan Thanh temple, Army Museum and Hanoi Flag Tower. After lunch, continue to visit Hanoi Hilton prison and Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam ( Temple of Literature). then have Cyclo in the Old Quarter and visit Dong Xuan market, enjoy Water Puppet show in the afternoon. Back to hotel free time and overnight in Hanoi.

Day 5 : Hanoi Departure ( B )

Free at leisure until time to transfer to the airport for the flight back your Sweet home.

• We are one of a small number of companies that are licensed by Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

• Our prices are competitive while you are offerred services worth every money of yours.

• Our clients ever had wonderful experiences in Vietnam. Most of them have applauded and highly appreciated the services we provided.

• At our pleasure, we do a refund to you in any case the services does not satisfy you.

• Book shortly and then we will be able to make arrangements perfect.

Class	Tour cost per Person (in $US) from 1 June 2010 to 30 July 2011
	2	3 - 5	6 - 8	9 - 12
Superior 3*	225	215	205	195
Fist Class 3+*	290	275	265	250
Deluxe 4*	360	345	335	320

Accommodation	Superior (3*)	First Class( 3+*)	Deluxe ( 4*)
Hanoi hotels	Hanoi View hotel,Nam hai 1 hotel	Hanoi Medalion hotel, or Hanoi Elegance 5 hotel	Flower Garden Hotel, Sunway hotel
Halong Cruise	Bai Tu Long Junk Cruise, Phoenix cruise	Paloma Cruise Halong	Dragon Pearl Cruise Halong

Trip Included :

• Hotel accommodation as specific or similar, base on twin sharing

• Private car/mini bus,  

• English or French speaking guide. Other languages can be arranged upon request

• All meals as per program (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)

• Welcome Cocktail

• Cruise Itinerary and Program

• Entrance and Sightseeing Fees

• Luxury Cabins and Suites with A/C

• Luxury en-suite Bathroom

• Kayaking (subject to availability)

• Snorkel Equipment (subject to availability)

• Meeting Facilities and Equipment

• Insurance, Taxes and Service Charges on Junk

Trip Excluded :

• Drinks, except otherwise mentioned

• International flight and international airport tax on departure

• Insurance, Personal expenses & Tips

• Vietnam Visa - this can be done with our Visa service