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13 nights from

£5995

Ha Long Bay & the Red River

From Ha Long Bay to Hanoi and the Highlands, this serene journey sails on a luxury small ship of the renowned Pandaw fleet, cruising the Red River and its tributaries to caves, craft villages, karst rock cones, and the cultural landmarks of Northern Vietnam

Sailing deep into the highlands to discover the complex culture and ravishing riverscapes of Northern Vietnam, this is an intriguing cruise of contrasts, from the bustling, vibrant capital to backwater villages off the beaten track. The ‘Song Hong’ Red River and less-visited tributaries drift through other-worldly landscapes of limestone karsts, luxuriant hills, misted mountains and bright green rice paddies. Bamboo jetties jut from the banks as the waterways flow past ‘floating’ fishing shacks to historic sites, traditional craft communities, and the little-changed lifestyles of hill tribes. The slow-boat journey begins amid the beguiling caves and islands of the ‘descending dragon’, Ha Long Bay, before cruising westward to Bat Trang and onward to Hanoi, where a thousand years of heritage is echoed in architecture, from Chinese pagodas to French colonial elegance, the characterful Old Quarter, and striking signs of modernity; all intermingled and straddling the Red River itself. We follow the ancient trade route’s course to its last navigable point at Viet Tri, then take the tangents to the Lo River’s Tien Du dragon temple, and onto the Da (Black) River to visit the UNESCO village of Ancient Duong Lam, for a glimpse of life in times gone by. 

Overview

  • 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 / Nam Dinh
  • Day 8  - Ninh Binh / Khanh Thien
  • Day 9  - Ninh Binh / Hanoi
  • Day 10  - Hanoi
  • Day 11  - Bat Trang / Red River
  • Day 12  - Duang Lam / Ly Nhan
  • Day 13  - Hung Lo / Hanoi / Return Flight
Book Tour

Tour Highlights

  • Small vessel cruising
  • UNESCO Site: Ha Long Bay 
  • Visit Ancient Village Duong Lam
  • Explore, traditional, rural villages
  • Sail deep into Highland Vietnam
  • Cruise Da/Black River

From Ha Long Bay to Hanoi and the Highlands, this serene journey sails on a luxury small ship of the renowned Pandaw fleet, cruising the Red River and its tributaries to caves, craft villages, karst rock cones, and the cultural landmarks of Northern Vietnam

Notes:

The cruise itinerary may vary according to local conditions.

Accommodation

Pan Pacific Hotel – Hanoi

An elegant 4-star hotel offering views of the West Lake, Truc Bach Lake and Red River and close to the vibrant Old Quarter. Restaurants, bar, gym, pool and WiFi (free). 273 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.

Vessels

RV Angkor Pandaw

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.). 

Dates & Prices

per person in a Main Deck cabin

Tue 04 Feb 2025
From London Heathrow
  • 1 Place Remaining
Fri 11 Apr 2025
From London Heathrow
Sat 03 May 2025
From London Heathrow
Sun 28 Sep 2025
From London Heathrow
Mon 20 Oct 2025
From London Heathrow
Tue 13 Jan 2026
From London Heathrow
Thu 26 Feb 2026
From London Heathrow
Sat 11 Apr 2026
From London Heathrow
Price Includes:

Air travel and taxes, all port charges, transfers, 10-night cruise, full board on cruise, excursions, tipping for crew, 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.

Notes:

VIP arrival in Hanoi plus private transfers to the hotel with a guide (if travelling on a group flight). On return to the UK use of a day room at Pan Pacific included, and private transfer to Hanoi airport.

Supplements per person

Single Supplement
  • Single Supplement
  • £875
Upgrades
  • RV Angkor Pandaw - Upper Deck Twin/Double Cabin from £895
  • RV Angkor Pandaw - Upper Deck Sole Use Cabin from £1935
Tour Only
  • Save
  • up to £800
  • Arrival transfer
  • £32
  • Departure transfer
  • £32

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