Explore Hanoi and Halong Bay 4 Days Private

DAY1    HANOI - ARRIVAL WITHOUT GUIDE

Arrival transfer to hotel and free time for exploring the surroundings of Hanoi.

Meal: None

ACCOMODATION -GOLDEN SILK HOTEL 4* OR SIMILAR

DAY2    HANOI CITY TOUR FULL DAY    

Your Travelmates guide will meet you at 8am to begin your city tour with a visit to Ho Chi Minh Square (Ba Dinh), dedicated to the father of modern Vietnam – Uncle Ho, to see his Mausoleum (see notes below), view the Presidential Palace, his house on stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda. Continue your tour with a visit to the Temple of Literature - Vietnam's first university now dedicated to Confucian worship. After stopping for a local lunch (either "Pho" rice noodles served with beef or " Bun Cha" rice noodles served with barbecued pork), you will visit the Ethnology museum. This will give you a fascinating insight into the lifestyle, culture and customs of Vietnam's various minority groups. You then visit the “Hanoi Hilton” - the nickname given to a prison built by the French where U.S pilots were imprisoned during the Vietnam War - part of the site is now converted into a museum. Continue to explore the soul of the city with a brief walking tour through the fascinating Old Quarter - 36 ancient streets where you can observe the daily bustle of life around the markets where locals continue to trade as they have done for centuries. Ending your busy day with a stop at a local coffee shop for Hanoi's famous drinks - egg coffee.

Important message:

Please note that the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is accessible only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays between 7:30am and 10:30am. The Mausoleum is closed for annual maintenance in September for 2-3 months and can only be viewed from the outside. All other sites in the Ho Chi Minh complex are still accessible during this period. Entry to the Presidential Palace is not permitted.

Meal: Breakfast

ACCOMODATION -GOLDEN SILK HOTEL 4* OR SIMILAR

DAY3    HALONG BAY DAY TRIP FULL DAY

This morning, you will be met at your hotel at around 8 a.m for the journey east of 150 km to Tuan Chau port (around 2.5 hours) where you will have approximately 6 hours aboard your boat cruising the magnificent Halong Bay. Considered Vietnam’s greatest natural wonder, Halong Bay boasts over 3,000 islands that rise out of the sea to provide a spectacular natural environment - you will also have the opportunity to stop at one of the many grottoes and enjoy the view at Luon Cave where the bamboo boat brings you inside (or do the kayak at the extra charge) in Ha Long bay. In the late afternoon, return to Hanoi where you will be dropped at your hotel at around 07.00pm, where the tour ends. 

Meal: Breakfast and lunch

ACCOMODATION -GOLDEN SILK HOTEL 4* OR SIMILAR

DAY4    HANOI - DEPARTURE WITHOUT GUIDE

Free at leisure until transfer to the airport for onward travels.

Meal: Breakfast

OVERVIEW
Locally known as the ‘city of lakes’, Hanoi is Vietnam’s modern-day capital and one of our favourite cities with more than a thousand year history. Travellers coming to Hanoi enjoy her unique old quarter streets, elegant colonial architecture and distinctively delicious foods. Travelmates put together this introductory itinerary for first time travellers who would like to get a snapshot of Hanoi best as well as a day trip to the magnificent Halong Bay. Additional activities can be easily added to suit any personal interest or extended to neighbouring destinations.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
Instant Confirmation is available for requests outside 15 days in low season and 30 days in peak season.
The price featured on this page is a per person price in USD, applicable for a group of 4 travellers 
Single Supplement is available on request

Please contact sales@travelmates.asia for other special requests or a customised itinerary.
Cancellations for accommodation, flight, trains and cruises will be specific as suppliers' terms and conditions, and for touring cancellations within 7 days or no show will incur a 100% cancellation fee.

INCLUSIONS:
3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast
1 lunch
Drinking water
Transport in air-conditioned vehicles
Entrance fees
Experienced English-speaking guide
Private touring

EXCLUSIONS
Personal expenses, meals other than stated in the itinerary, or tips for local guide and driver.

INCLUSIONS:

• 3 nights accommodation with daily breakfast
• Drinking water
• Transport in air-conditioned vehicles
• Entrance fees
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
• Experienced English-speaking guide
• Private touring, shared cruise on Halong Bay with lunch

EXCLUSION

• Personal expenses, meals other than stated in the itinerary, or tips for local guide and driver (USD5 per day).