City Guide – Hanoi & Halong Bay

Trip Guide for Booked Guests

City Guide – Hanoi & Halong Bay

This morning we embark on a tour including a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex: The Vietnamese leader’s mausoleum, which overlooks Ba Dinh Square; Ho Chi Minh’s house, which is built on top of stilts surrounded by a botanical garden and lotus pond. Walk up the steps to see some of his belongings in his bedroom.

Afterwards we visit the Temple of Literature.

Following an included lunch at Cau Go Restaurant, we return to the hotel for an afternoon of leisure or self-guided exploration. (B/L)

Overnight in Hanoi at Intercontinental Westlake hotel

Day 4 – September 20, 2023: Hanoi – Halong Bay

This morning following breakfast we transfer to Halong via motor coach. We’ll arrive to the Paradise Elegance around 12:30. After check-in and a short briefing about our cruise, we’ll enjoy our welcome lunch at Le Marin Restaurant. During lunch we sail toward Halong Bay, passing the famous Fighting Cocks Islet, and Thien Cung and Dau Go Caves.

Following lunch, your first excursion is a visit to Tung Sau Pearl Farm, an area in Halong Bay dedicated to growing pearls and practicing a handmade technique based on Vietnamese tradition and Japanese technology. This is also an ideal destination for kayaking. Later this afternoon we visit the magnificent Sung Sot Cave, where you can take in the panoramic views across Halong Bay after visiting the cave. Alternatively, you can opt for an afternoon of pampering at Le Parfum Spa or an afternoon tea in Le Piano Bar. Once back on board there will be a cooking demonstration and pre-dinner sunset cocktails. We anchor overnight at Coconut Tree Island.

After dinner in Le Marin restaurant, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy live music at Le Piano Bar. Or, take the opportunity for squid fishing, a spa treatment at Le Parfum Spa or watch movies in your cabin. (B/L/D)

Day 5 – September 21, 2023: Halong Bay / Siem Reap

Early this morning watch the sunrise while taking part in a Tai Chi session on L’Odyssée Sundeck, followed by a light breakfast in Le Piano Bar.

Around 7:30 we make a visit to Titov Island, where you can go swimming or hike to the top for another stunning, panoramic view of the Bay. Once back on board, enjoy breakfast as we once again cruise past Thien Cung and Dau Go Caves and Fighting Cocks Islet.

After a late morning check- out, we return to shore and journey back to Hanoi airport. Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, we check-in for our included flight to Siem Reap, then enjoy an included lunch at the airport prior to our flight. Our estimated arrival to Siem Reap is at 5:10pm.

After check-in to the beautiful Victoria Angkor Hotel, and join guests on the main program for a welcome reception, then enjoy dinner on your own and rest up for the start of the main program tomorrow. (B/L)

Notes: Due to cruising conditions, itineraries may change without prior notice. Wi-Fi is available in the restaurant/bar area, but internet connectivity is limited due to the geography of Halong. Thank you for your understanding.

Hanoi City Insights

Local Guide Contact: TRI 090 373 6773

Recommended Taxi Services: Taxi Group – Taxi Xanh – Taxi Mai Linh – Taxi G7– Taxi Thang Long

Free Time Activities:

Name	Address	Daily schedule	Entrance fee
Woman Museum	36 Lý Thường Kiệt street	Open: Tuesday to Sunday 08h00 – 16h30	40.000 đồng
Fine Art Museum	66 Nguyen Thai Hoc street	Open: Tuesday to Sunday 08h00 – 17h00	40.000 đồng
Military History Museum	30 Dien Bien Phu street	Open: Tue, Wed, Thur, Sat, Sun 08h00 – 11h30: 13h00– 16h30	40.000 đồng
National History Museum	01 Trang Tien street	Open: Monday to Sunday 08h00 – 17h00	40.000 đồng
Ethnology Museum	Nguyễn Văn Huyên street	Open: Tuesday to Sunday 08h00 – 17h30	40.000 đồng

Trang Tien street	From Hoan Kiem lake to Opera House, with book stores, art galleries….

Restaurant Recommendations:

Cha Ca Thang Long, Duong Thanh street. One of the most popular eateries in town for this tasty local speciality. There’s only one dish on the menu, monk fish in saffron sauce, but they’ve been serving it now for generations. (Lunch/dinner)

Vin Steak, 7 Xuan Dieu, near the Vine, is small but cosy, serving French cuisine and wide selection of wine (Lunch/dinner)

Al Fresco, 62 Xuan Dieu. A cosy venue for Western cuisine, reasonable prices and within the walking distance from the Intercontinental hotel (Lunch/dinner)

Moose & Roo Bar, 36 Xuan Dieu, one of the convenient places for cold beer and Western food within walking distance (Lunch/dinner)

Cugini, 6 To ngoc Van, a good restaurant for Italian food (Lunch/dinner)

Fat Pig, 74 Quang An, a popular place in the neighborhood, good BBQ and beer (Lunch/dinner)

Culina, 142 Tu Hoa, one of the good Western restaurants in the area, popular to both foreign and local customers, 5 minute walk from hotel (Lunch/dinner)

Downtown, 7 Hang Muoi, an Old Quarter style restaurant with reasonable prices and friendly staff, serving mainly local food, 5 minutes by taxi from hotel (Lunch/dinner)

Ngon restaurant, 18 Phan Boi Chau, a popular place for mainly locals, serving a wide range of Vietnamese traditional food. (Lunch/dinner)

Gay Hanoi:

Turtle Lake Brewing, 105 P. Quảng Khánh, Quảng An, Tây Hồ, Hanoi. A beautiful and spacious venue that is a hot spot for many LGBTQ Events. They’re home to The One and Only DRAG Brunch in Hanoi. Three hours of endless fun and brunch while day drinking surrounded by All Star Queens. https://www.facebook.com/TurtleLakeBrewingCompany

GC Bar (Golden Cock), 5 Bao Khanh, Hang Trong, District 1, Hanoi. Hanoi’s best-known gay bar and one of Vietnam’s longest-running gay venues. GC gets very busy on Friday and Saturday nights, with gay locals, expats and foreigners. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100036275124652

For more details on gay Hanoi, check out: https://www.travelgay.com/destination/gay-vietnam/gay-hanoi