Start our day with a visit to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, this is a very special place for all Vietnamese and also famous for foreigners around the world to see the whole complex, Uncle Ho’s house on stilt where he lived and worked from 1958 -1969, his fishing pond and his garden.

Then head to One Pillar Buddhist Pagoda built in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong who ruled from 1028 to 1054. Ly Thai Tong was childless and dreamt that he met the bodhisattva Avalokiteshava, who handed him a baby son while seated on a lotus flower. Ly Thai Tong then married a peasant girl that he had met and she bore him a son. The emperor constructed the temple for the gratitude for this miracle. 

Further on our excursion, we visit to Van Mieu, temple of literature to dedicate to Confucius and his four best disciples. This was also the first national university of Vietnam built in 1076 within the temple to educate Vietnamese bureaucrats, nobles, royalty and other members of the elite. This university remained open from 1076 to 1779.

The interest thing in this place is the collection of steles of doctorates whose names, birth place, year of the examination, and the rank were engraved onto the marble stone stele placing on the top of the turtle. There are 1307 graduated doctor names on 82 stele in this place.

After visiting this wonderful place, we will have lunch at restaurant in old quarter with specialty food of Hanoian - Cha Ca (Grilled Fish) and refresh.

Later in the day we visit to Ethnology Museum which is very rich culture collection of 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam. The simple agriculture stools, fish traps, hand weaving cloths, crafts, festivals, folk arts, traditional houses, and lively activities of each tribe are all here for us to discover.

Finish our day we continue to Hanoi’s picturesque West Lake area and the sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. From here transfer (or stroll along the lakeside) 700 meters to the nearby Taoist temple of Quan Thanh dedicated to Tran Vu, one of the principal deities in Taoism. Return your hotel then free at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi

At 07.00, you will have a 2 hours car ride to Duc Wharf. From here you will have a cruise on the Yen stream to Perfume mountain, with a break to visit the “registration” pagoda.

The rowing boat journey takes more than 1 hour through the amazing landscape of mountains, water and rice fields. Upon arrival, you will take a more a 1.5 hour walk up the steps to the top of the Perfume mountain to visit the Huong Tich pagoda.

After exploring the cave, acknowledged as one of the most beautiful limbstone caves in Northern Vietnam, you will descent back to the whalf and have lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, you have opportunity to visit Thien Tru, the biggest and the most worth seeing Pagoda in the area, before coming to the wharf for the boat trip to the Duc Wharf, where your vehicle is waiting. You will arrive back to Hanoi in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Hanoi

Hanoi to Perfume Pagoda: 70km (1h30)

Note

The Perfume Pagoda’s festival begins from the middle of the second lunar month and lasts until the end of the third lunar month (March and April), attaching a great numbers of Buddhist pilgrims. In case you prefer to visit the Pagoda in quiet atmosphere, you would avoid coming there during its festival.

At 8:30AM, our driver and guide guide pick you up at your hotel then transfer to Duong Lam Ancient Village.

Upon arrival, we will walk along the small ancient alleys to visit Mong Phu Communal House. Then you will continue strolling around the village to explore the daily life and farm works of Vietnamese farmers.

Stop to visit two ancient houses and meet host live in the houses for generals and enjoy lunch under the ancient traditional house served by the host. There you will have the chance to taste the unique local food of the villager.

Then we will visit Ngo Quyen Temple and Phung Hung Temple where worship two national heroe kings of Vietnam.

The last destination of the day is Mia Pagoda located at the end of village close by local market.

Drive back to Hanoi in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Hanoi

Hanoi to Duong Lam: 55km (1h30)

07:30 - 08:00 Shuttle bus pick up from your hotel and depart for Ha Long Bay.

12:00 Upon arrival at the harbor, the staffs of cruise welcome the guests at the waiting room. Embark on the junk, and check in cabin. Enjoy welcome drink, followed by a feast on a delicious lunch while the junk slowly sailing among beautiful of islets.

Afternoon activities: Explore the area of Hon Co Island and Thien Canh Son Cave (also know as Co Cave - Grass Cave). After exploring the cave, tourists can relax on the long white sandy beach of the island, enjoy swimming and revel in the breathtaking view of Bai Tu Long Bay.

Go back to the cruise for sailing to Cong Do sleeping area. Relax then enjoy the dinner on board. Enjoy Happy Hour with special menu from 16:30 to 19:00. You will get discount with all of the drinks: cocktail, mock tail and mixed drinks. On board, attend chef’s cooking demonstration and try making spring rolls. Then Gala Elegant set dinner is served on board.

Evening activities: relax at leisure; watch movie, board games or massage & spa services, squid fishing or chatting... (Massage and spa fee is not included in the price)

Overnight on board.

Hanoi to Halong: 200km (3,5 hours)

Wake up early to join tai-chi class on the sundeck at the break of dawn on Bai Tu Long Bay.

Breakfast is served with cookies and tea, café at dinning room of the junk.

Next, tender transfer guests to Vung Vieng fishing village to see the pearl farms and fisheries.

Back to the junk, arrange the luggage and check out. Then enjoy an early lunch (brunch) while cruising back to main land.

Arrive at the harbor, disembark and transfer to your hotel in Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi 

You will commence the trip from your hotel in Hanoi by a transfer to Bat Trang Pottery Village, 15km east of Hanoi and is famous for making fine ceramics.

On arrival, you will be able to stroll in the small alleys of this old village to watch local people producing their fine products of porcelain and pottery and visit some of the houses used as workshops and showrooms.

You will then drive to Dong Ho Village, famous for its traditional folk paintings, where you spend time in an artist’s house to learn about the creative process.

You will enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant on the way before visiting But Thap, one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam and known as Vietnam first Buddhist center.

This pagoda is also well-known for traditional Vietnamese Art of wood carving and sculpture, especially the statue of Buddha with thousand hands and thousand eyes.

The statue of Multi-eyes Multi-arms Guanyin (Avalokitesvara) is also the highlight of But Thap Pagoda. You will then have a transfer back to Hanoi.

End the trip.

Hanoi to Bat Trang: 16km (40 minutes)

Bat Trang to Dong Ho: 30km (1 hour)

Bat Trang to But Thap Pagoda: 7km (20 minutes)