Hanoi Pandaw

PM: Transfer from Hanoi to Tuan Chau, Halong Bay (approximately 130km and 2.5-hour journey) by bus with a guide. Upon arrival, embark your Pandaw ship and enjoy lunch on board. Cast off in the afternoon with a welcome cocktail for an evening sail, dropping anchor in Coconut Beach a sheltered bay amidst the beautiful island scenery.

Note:

TRANSFER FROM HANOI AIRPORT

We will pick you up at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport. Last departure is no later than 10:30am (Unless there are any delays with your flight).

Your guide will be waiting for you with a Pandaw Sign at column No 12 outside of the international arrival exit. Arrival in Halong Bay at 12.00pm.

For passengers arriving earlier, you have the option to wait at the airport to join with other passengers arrival on the same day (latest by 10.30AM), or you can take a taxi to our meeting point (Pan Pacific Hanoi Hotel, 1 Thanh Nien Road, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam) at your own expense then joint group transfer to our ship.

Please note: Guides and drivers are not allowed inside the terminal building. We will be waiting for you outside with a Pandaw sign. Hanoi Airport has two exits; if you don’t see us, please try the other exit on the same level (30 meters).

TRANSFER FROM HANOI CITY

Meeting point for embarkation in Hanoi will be the Pan Pacific Hotel (1 Thanh Nien Road, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi 10000, Vietnam) and registration will be at 09:30am in Song Hong Bar. Please ensure you are checked out and ready in reception on time, departure 10:00am.

For those not staying at the Pan Pacific Hotel, please ask your hotel reception support by arrange a taxi to the meeting point at 09.30am for registration.

PRIVATE ARRIVAL AT HA LONG BAY

For passengers already in Ha Long Bay on the night before, please come to Tuan Chau International Jetty. Embarkation time will be between 12:00 and 13:00.

AM & PM: Morning sail around Halong Bay and beyond with its 1,500 dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations, dating back 1 approximately 20 million years. We make a stop at Viet Hai Village and continue our journey by mountain bike or electric buggy to visit the village's vegetable farm and typical village houses. 2 Enjoy a breathtaking ride along a small road winding its way through the limestone rocks. In the afternoon, we will continue cruising towards Lan Ha Bay for a visit to a floating fishing house. Weather 3 permitting, we will end the day with cocktails at 3-Peach Island's beautiful beach in Halong Bay.

AM: Our exploration of Halong Bay continues, and we stop at the so-called "Dark and Bright Cave." Take a kayak or a local basket boat rowed by fishermen and enter this 1 remarkable cave into an enclosed area similar to a crater. Bats can be heard in the cave, and massive stalagmites hang from the ceiling.

PM: In the afternoon, we leave Halong Bay and enter the river, where we drop anchor near Hai Phong.

AM: Observe the lively and interesting life of the Kinh Thay river, a key commercial waterway.

PM: In the afternoon we visit Thanh Ha Commune, considered the origin of water puppetry in Vietnam. After a stroll or bicycle through the quaint village, we enjoy a private water puppet show set under shade by a beautiful pond of lotus and lilies, as it has been enjoyed for centuries. We continue cruising until late evening and drop anchor midstream.

AM: This morning, we sail along the Lower Red River and Day River while getting more acquainted with your expedition vessel during a ship tour.

PM: After lunch onboard, we head ashore to Co Chat village in Nam Dinh. Here, we visit local craftspeople who are making silk by hand and explore the local markets filled with exotic produce.

AM: We continue our exploration of the Red River Delta, cruising towards Ninh Binh before mooring at Khanh Thien Village. In the morning, we disembark and embark on a journey to Phat Diem, home to the magnificent Phat Diem Cathedral, a 19th-century Roman Catholic church showcasing a unique blend of Vietnamese and European architectural styles.

PM: After lunch, explore Khanh Thien Village by local transportation or bicycle, discovering a host of local handicrafts including water hyacinth weaving and a variety of rice paper and cakes. Conclude the day with an enchanting performance by local artists showcasing ‘Chau Van’ singing, an ancient art form unique to this region.

AM & PM: Discover ‘Halong on Land’ today as we visit Ninh Binh, and take small bamboo rowing boats through the magnificent limestone caves. Visitors traveling in September and October, or April and May will witness the valleys shine golden as the rice fields prepare for harvest. We then return to our ship and sail upstream on the Red River towards Hanoi.

AM & PM: Dropping anchor in the bustling city of Hanoi, passengers will embark on a captivating journey through Hanoi, venturing beyond the typical tourist trail. Explore the historic Temple of Literature, a testament to Vietnam's Confucian roots, and gain a poignant understanding of the city's past at the Hoa Lo Prison. Immerse yourself in the vibrant Old Quarter, a sensory feast of sights, sounds, and aromas. Witness the unique spectacle of Train Street, sipping Vietnamese coffee as a train passes just inches away. Explore the local markets of Hang Da and Hang Gai Street and meet for transfer back to the Hanoi Pandaw at Thang Long Theatre.

AM & PM: This morning, we visit Bat Trang ceramic village, a hub of ceramic production for generations. The ceramics made here are famous throughout Vietnam and adorn many homes both north and south. Before returning to the ship, a local dance troupe will treat us to a lion dance on the pier. This colourful and energetic dance is customary during festivals throughout Vietnam, most notably during Tet. We then set sail into the lesser visited upper Red River beyond Hanoi. We make a stop at a small village dedicated to the handmade production of Vietnam’s most famous headwear, the Non La conical hat before continuing to Thay Pagoda. Hardly known, yet with exquisite temples dating from the 11th century, we visit this beautiful temple beside a lake and explore the village that surrounds the pagoda.

AM: In the morning we go ashore to visit the UNESCO-praised village of Duang Lam. In the afternoon, visit the carpenter and smith village of Ly Nhan.

PM: We sail upstream on the Upper Red River to Viet Tri. Enjoy traditional dances on board.

AM: Disembark after breakfast and visit the conical hat-making village of Gia Thanh.

PM: By bus, we continue to Hung Lo Temple, Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, followed by a transfer to Hanoi airport or drop off point Pan Pacific Hotel Hanoi.

Note:

After lunch at local restaurant departure for Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport. Estimated arrival at Hanoi Airport between 14:30 to 14.45, Pan Pacific hotel arriving between 15:30 to 16.00. Your flight out of Hanoi airport must be after 16.00pm (domestic) or 17.00pm (international).

After lunch at local restaurant departure for Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport and the Pan Pacific hotel. Estimated arrival at Hanoi Airport between 14:30 to 14.45, Pan Pacific hotel arriving between 15:30 to 16.00. Your flight out of Hanoi airport must be after 16.00pm (domestic) or 17.00pm (international).

Please arrange your own taxi from the Pan Pacific hotel to your hotel in Hanoi if different.

AM: Transfer from Hanoi to your ship moored along the Red River in Viet Tri.

PM: After lunch we visit Lac Long Quan or the Hung Kings Temple and learn about the history of the Hung Kings and the founding of the first nation in Vietnamese history. We return to the ship for your welcome dinner and introduction to your crew.

Please note:

TRANSFER FROM HANOI AIRPORT

We pick you up at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport – Seat in coach. Last departure is no later than 12.00 noon. Pandaw guide will be waiting for you with a Pandaw Sign at column No12, on the right hand sided of the international arrival exit.

Please note: Guides and drivers are not allowed inside the terminal building. We will be waiting for you outside with a sign. Hanoi Airport has two exits; if you don’t see us, please try the other exit on the same level (30 meters).

TRANSFER FROM HANOI CITY

Meeting point for embarkation in Hanoi will be the Pan Pacific Hotel (1 Thanh Nien Road, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi 10000, Vietnam) and registration will be at 09:30am in Song Hong Bar. Please ensure you are checked out and ready on time, departure 10:00am.

For those not staying at the Pan Pacific Hotel, please ask your hotel reception support by arrange a taxi to the meeting point at 09.30am for registration.

AM & PM: A day of exploring the various crafts produced throughout the delta. We start with a visit to Hung Lo temple where we will be serenaded with traditional folk music as well as enjoy an exploration this quaint traditional town. In the afternoon we visit the smith village of Ly Nhan to witness first-hand the traditional production methods still being used to this day.

AM: We visit the UNESCO praised village of Duong Lam an ancient village that is a well preserved example of a traditional Vietnamese village from centuries ago with intricate architecture and fascinating culture.

PM: After lunch we continue downstream on the Red River and visit a timeless Arcadian Vietnam with emerald green rice paddies punctuated by lime stone rock formations. We make a stop at a small village dedicated to the handmade production of Vietnam’s most famous headwear, the Non La conical hat before continuing to Thay Pagoda. Hardly known, yet with exquisite temples dating from the 11th century, we visit this beautiful temple beside a lake and explore the village that surrounds the pagoda.

AM & PM: Dropping anchor in the bustling city of Hanoi, passengers will embark on a captivating journey through Hanoi, venturing beyond the typical tourist trail. Explore the historic Temple of Literature, a testament to Vietnam's Confucian roots, and gain a poignant understanding of the city's past at the Hoa Lo Prison. Immerse yourself in the vibrant Old Quarter, a sensory feast of sights, sounds, and aromas. Witness the unique spectacle of Train Street, sipping Vietnamese coffee as a train passes just inches away. Explore the local markets of Hang Da and Hang Gai Street and meet for transfer back to the RV Hanoi Pandaw at Thang Long Theatre.

AM & PM: This morning we visit Bat Trang ceramic village, a hub of ceramic production for generations. The ceramics made here are famous throughout Vietnam and adorn many homes both north and south. Before returning to the ship, a local dance troupe will treat us to a lion dance on the pier. This colourful and energetic dance is customary during festivals throughout Vietnam, most notably during Tet. We sail through the maze of waterways this afternoon and are entertained onboard by your Pandaw Chef with a cooking class and fruit carving.

AM: After breakfast we head ashore to Co Chat village, Nam Dinh. Here we visit local craftspeople making silk by hand and the local markets filled with exotic produce.

PM: After lunch onboard we moor at Khanh Thien Village, a quaint town known for it’s skilled craftspeople. We explore this cultural hub by local transportation or bicycle and discover a host of handicrafts including water hyacinth weaving and a variety of rice paper and cakes. We end the evening with a performance by the locals of ‘Chau Van’ singing, an ancient art form local to this area.

AM: Discover ‘Halong on Land’ today as we visit Ninh Binh and take small bamboo rowing boats through the magnificent limestone caves. Visitors in September and October or April and May will witness the valleys shine golden as the rice fields prepare for harvest.

PM: After lunch we continue our exploration of the Red River Delta with a journey to Phat Diem, home to Phat Diem Cathedral, a 19th-century Roman Catholic church built in an eclectic blend of Vietnamese and European architectural styles. We continue upstream on our journey to Halong.

AM: Observe the lively and interesting life on the river before we reach our next destination in the afternoon.

PM: Excursion to Thanh Ha Commune with a village walk and a private water puppet show set under shade by a beautiful pond of lotus and lilies. 

We drop anchor near Hai Phong Port, the gateway to Halong Bay. 

AM & PM: Cast off early morning along the river before entering Halong Bay’s amazing island scenery with its 2,000 dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations dating back 20 million years. Exploring Halong Bay, we stop at the so called “Dark and Bright Cave” where we take a kayak or a local basket boat rowed by fishermen and enter this remarkable cave into an enclosed area similar to a crater. Bats can be heard in the cave and massive stalagmites hang from the ceiling. We continue our cruise through Halong Bay until we drop anchor in a quieter part of the bay.

AM: Continuing our sailing we make a stop at Viet Hai Village. We continue our journey by mountain bike or electric buggy to visit the village’s vegetable farm and typical village houses. It is a breath-taking trip along a small road winding its way through the limestone rocks.

PM: In the afternoon we will continue cruising towards Lan Ha Bay for a visit to a floating fishing house. Weather dependent, we will end the day with cocktails at a beautiful secluded beach.

AM: Morning sail to Tuan Chau Jetty.

PM: Disembarkation at 09:00 Tuan Chau Port at Halong Bay. After lunch at local restaurant departure for Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport and central Hanoi hotels. Estimated arrival at Hanoi Airport at 15.30 PM, hotels in Hanoi arriving around 16.30 PM. Your flight out of Hanoi airport must be after 16:30 (domestic) or 17:30 (international).

Please note:

After lunch at local restaurant departure for Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport and the Pan Pacific hotel. Estimated arrival at Hanoi Airport between 14:30 to 14.45, Pan Pacific hotel arriving between 15:30 to 16.00. Your flight out of Hanoi airport must be after 16.00pm (domestic) or 17.00pm (international).

Please arrange your own taxi from the Pan Pacific hotel to your hotel in Hanoi if different.