A Pandaw cruise on Ha Long Bay, the Red River delta and its tributaries, through the dramatic landscapes and waterscapes of Northern Vietnam and the capital of Hanoi
(limited dates/availability)
Day 1 - Flight
Day 2 - Hanoi
Days 3 & 4 - Ha Long Bay
Day 5 - Ha Long Bay/ Hai Phong
Day 6 - Kinh Thay/Thanh Ha
Day 7 - Bat Trang
Day 8 - Hanoi
Day 9 - Red River/Viet Tri
Day 10 - Lo River/Gia Thanh
Day 11 - Da River/Duong Lam
Day 12 - Hoa Binh
Day 13 - Hoa Binh/ Hanoi/Return Flight
Day 1 - Flight
Day 2 - Hanoi
Days 3 & 4 - Ha Long Bay
Day 5 - Ha Long Bay/Hai Phong
Day 6 - Kinh Thay/Thanh Ha
Day 7 - Day River/Ninh Binh City
Day 8 - Tam Coc
Day 9 - Red River/Phat Diem/ Hanoi
Day 10 - Hanoi
Day 11 - Hanoi/Vinh Phuc
Day 12 - Duang Lam/Viet Tri
Day 13 - Gia Thanh/Hanoi/Return Flight
The Red River flows 700 miles from the Himalayas in Yunnan to the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam and as the original route to the coast, until replaced in colonial times by the railway to Hai Phong. In Vietnam it was the scene of historic triumphs over the Chinese. From Ha Long Bay to Hanoi and the highlands, the (Song Hong) Red River and its tributaries drift through a landscape of limestone karsts, luxuriant hills, misted mountains and bright emerald rice paddies. Cruise the Red River and its lesser-known tributaries through northern Vietnam allowing access to historic sites, highland Vietnam, hill tribes and the classic landscapes and waterscapes of Indochina. The Hanoi of today is without question one of the most fascinating cities in South East Asia. No other can compare in terms of the concentration of quality architecture, built during the Chinese and French colonial eras. As a result of the country’s isolation from western development after 1954, Hanoi is preserved as a magnificent tribute to a great era of colonial architecture.
Culture & Natural Wonders
UNESCO Site: Ha Long Bay
Full Board on Cruise
Most Drinks Included
Local Expert Guides
Group Size: 2 – 19
Day 1 Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Hanoi.
Day 2 Transfer to the 4-star Hotel Pan Pacific for overnight. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 3 Transfer to Ha Long Bay (4 hrs). Well over a thousand islands and islets are scattered across the bay; a National Park with numerous caves, some little more than limestone pillars crowned with forestry, others with beaches, hemming ragged shorelines, or clusters of craggy karst cones soaring skyward from the sea. All are UNESCO protected and even more spectacular when colour-washed by sunset. Embark on the RV Angkor Pandaw for ten nights and cast off for an evening of sailing, mooring in a sheltered bay amidst the beautiful island scenery. (L, D)
Day 4 Morning sail around Ha Long Bay and its islands dating back 20 million years. Mesmeric, magnificent, mystical scenery makes Ha Long Bay a magnet for visitors to Vietnam. Stop at Viet Hai village to visit a local vegetable farm and typical village houses. Cruise towards Lan Ha Bay to visit a floating fishing house. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Further cruising around Ha Long Bay, visiting a cave by local boat before entering the river to moor near Hai Phong. Entertainment on board. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Observe the lively and interesting life of the Kinh Thay River. Visit Thanh Ha for a village walk and a private water puppet show. Continue cruising until late evening. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Spend the day cruising towards Hanoi. Stop at Bat Trang, a ceramic village. Traditional unicorn and lion dance at the jetty. (B, L, D)
Day 8 In Hanoi visit the war prison also known as the Hanoi Hilton, the Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Visit a coffee shop and learn about Vietnam’s coffee making industry. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Sail upstream on the Red River to Viet Tri. Stop to visit a timeless Arcadian Vietnam with emerald green rice paddies punctuated by limestone rock formations and a carpenter village famous for exquisite carvings and wood work techniques. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Cruise to Tien Du ferry station to the village of Gia Thanh, makers of the conical hats (known as ‘non la’). Drive to Hung Lo Temple. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Cruise downstream while admiring the unspoilt beauty of the Da River. Pass through the Ba Vi National Park with its rich and diverse tropical and sub-tropical flora and fauna before arriving at Hoa Binh then visit the UNESCO-praised village of Duong Lam. Optional tour of the ship including the galley, crew area and engine room. (B, L, D)
Day 12 Visit Hoa Bin, site of a major battle with the French in 1951 and 1952 and home to the Muong ethnic group. See the Hoa Binh Dam at the Black River, the largest hydroelectric dam in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Take a morning boat ride on the reservoir of Hoa Binh power station and visit a local village. Evening traditional performance by local hill tribe people. (B, L, D)
Day 13 Disembark at Hoa Binh and visit a museum and local village where villagers still wear traditional dress. Return to Hanoi (4 hrs) for overnight flight. (B, L)
Day 14 Arrive London Heathrow.
Notes
The cruise itinerary may vary according to local conditions.
Day 1 Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Hanoi.
Day 2 Transfer to the 4-star Hotel Pan Pacific for overnight. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 3 Transfer to Ha Long Bay (4 hrs). Well over a thousand islands and islets are scattered across the bay; a National Park with numerous caves, some little more than limestone pillars crowned with forestry, others with beaches, hemming ragged shorelines, or clusters of craggy karst cones soaring skyward from the sea. All are UNESCO protected and even more spectacular when colour-washed by sunset. Embark on the RV Angkor Pandaw for ten nights and cast off for an evening of sailing, mooring in a sheltered bay amidst the beautiful island scenery. (L, D)
Day 4 Morning sail around Ha Long Bay and its islands dating back 20 million years. Mesmeric, magnificent, mystical scenery makes Ha Long Bay a magnet for visitors to Vietnam. Stop at Viet Hai village to visit a local vegetable farm and typical village houses. Cruise towards Lan Ha Bay to visit a floating fishing house. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Further cruising around Ha Long Bay, visiting a cave by local boat before entering the river to moor near Hai Phong. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Observe the lively and interesting life of the Kinh Thay River. Visit Thanh Ha for a village walk and a private water puppet show. Continue cruising until late evening. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Visit the Dien Xa Bonsai Village and meet with the local artists. Sail upstream from Day River to Ninh Binh city. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Take a rowing boat to visit ‘Halong on Land’ in Ninh Binh, afternoon visit the village of Pham Phao where musical instruments have been made and repaired for generations. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Sail upstream on the Red River to visit the famous stone Cathedral of Pat Diem. Continue to Hanoi. (B, L, D)
Day 10 In Hanoi visit the war prison also known as the Hanoi Hilton, the Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Visit a coffee shop and learn about Vietnam’s coffee making industry. Traditional unicorn and lion dance. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Visit Bat Trang ceramic village and sail up the Red River. Excursion to highland Vietnam to see the rice paddies and limestone rock formations, visiting Tay village and pagodas. (B, L, D)
Day 12 Visit the UNESCO accredited Duong Lam village. Afternoon visit the carpenter and smith village of Ly Nhan. Sail to Viet Tri. Traditional dance performance. (B, L, D)
Day 13 Disembark. See the conical hats of Gia Thanh village and Hung Lo temple. Return to Hanoi (4 hrs) for overnight flight. (B, L)
Day 14 Arrive London Heathrow.
Notes
The cruise itinerary may vary according to local conditions.
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Operated by the excellent Pandaw River Expeditions, our partner of many years, the intimate RV Angkor Pandaw has a mix of Vietnamese and Cambodian crew and is hand finished in brass and teakwood with an air-conditioned panorama dining room, observation deck, open-air lounge, bar, fair-trade shop, library and WiFi (free/limited). Enjoy a range of Asian and Western cuisine served either as a buffet or à la carte with the occasional themed dinner. Tea, coffee, water and locally made soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are included on board. Bottled drinking water is distributed before excursions and shoe cleaning, cold towels and a refreshing drink is offered post excursion. 16 air-conditioned, outside cabins with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, luggage storage and wardrobe; 10 Main Deck and six Upper Deck cabins (172 sq. ft.).
2023
per person in a Main Deck cabin
Thai Airways from Heathrow
2024
per person in a Main Deck cabin
Thai Airways from Heathrow
per person in a Main Deck cabin
Thai Airways from Heathrow
per person in a Main Deck cabin
Thai Airways from Heathrow
(limited dates/availability)
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
(limited dates/availability)
2023: Sep 7 & 29
2024: May 6
Double cabin for sole use £645
Cabin Upgrades
Upper Deck £675
Upper Deck double for sole use £1445
Extension Options
Extra Nights - Hanoi
Pan Pacific Hanoi (per night) £95
Single supplement £95
Arrival or departure transfer add £22
Independent Arrival
Save £800
Arrival/departure transfer with group included
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, all port charges, transfers, 10-night cruise, full board on cruise, excursions, local guides and representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, visa procurement, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
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VAT No. 805146159
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