Ha Long Bay & the Red River

Day 1 Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Hanoi.

Day 2 Transfer to the Hotel Pan Pacific for breakfast followed by the 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 3 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 4 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 5 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 6 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 7 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 8 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 9 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. Optional tour of the ship including the galley, crew area and engine room. (B, L, D)

Day 10 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. (B, L, D)

Day 11 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 12 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 via Saigon. (B, L)

Day 13 Arrive London Heathrow.

• Key
• B - Breakfast
• L - Lunch
• D - Dinner

Day 1 Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Hanoi.

Day 2 Transfer to the Hotel Pan Pacific for breakfast followed by the 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 3 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 4 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 5 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 6 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 7 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 8 Sail upstream on the Red River to visit the famous stone Cathedral of Pat Diem. Continue to Hanoi. (B, L, D)

Day 9 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 10 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 11 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 12 Disembark. See the conical hats of Gia Thanh village and Hung Lo temple. Return to Hanoi (4 hrs) for overnight flight via Saigon. (B, L)

Day 13 Arrive London Heathrow.

• Key
• B - Breakfast
• L - Lunch
• D - Dinner