Start a new day at 08.00 AM from Ba Men Temple paddle to Dau Be Island, visit to the floating Fishing village where Fishermen are not only fishing but raising Crabs and Shrimps as well. There is a stop on the isolated beach for swimming until meeting the Mother boat for lunch at noon.
Highlight:
Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - kayaking - Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Detail - Kayaking in Mekong Detail
Including:
Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver, Boat Trip + Meal as mentioned: B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = dinner + Accommodation: Overnight on Boat (shown in Tours program) + Local Hotel + Kayaking Boat + English speaking guide + Entrance fee to indicated sights
Not Including:
International air-tickets and airport departure tax, Meals not mentioned in the program (between 7 - 15 USD/meal/person) ,Drinks, phone calls and all personal expenses ,Travel insurance.
Accommodation:
Hotels.
Itinerary in brief
Day 1: Hanoi - Ha Long
Day 2: Ha Long - Kayaking
Day 3: Ha Long - Kayaking
Day 4: Ha Long - Kayaking
Day 5: Ha Long - Kayaking
Day 6: Ha Long - Hanoi
Day 7: Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta
Day 9: Kayaking on Mekong River
Day 10: Kayaking on Mekong River
Day 11: Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City tour
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh - Cooking class
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh - Departure
Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi - Ha Long
08:30AM. Pick up at the hotel and drive to Halong Bay. Arrive Halong Bay around noon and board a traditional red-sailed junk for a seafood lunch while sailing on the bay. After a seafood lunch, you receive instructions on kayaking techniques and safety procedures. Start 2,5 hour paddling around Van Gio Island. Nice swimming before coming back the main boat for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Ha Long - Kayaking
Start a new day at 08.00 AM from Ba Men Temple paddle to Dau Be Island, visit to the floating Fishing village where Fishermen are not only fishing but raising Crabs and Shrimps as well. There is a stop on the isolated beach for swimming until meeting the Mother boat for lunch at noon. At 02.00 PM, cross Lan Ha channel by kayak to the Three-Peach island, a wonderful place for swimming, fishing and sunbathing.
Overnight on board (B, L, D)
Day 3: Ha Long - Kayaking
Full day with kayak to paddle and explore the Three Peach Island starting from 7.30 AM. Evening, dinner on board while our boat is cruising towards Cat Ba island.
Overnight on board (B, L, D)
Day 4: Ha Long - Kayaking
Morning disembark Cat Ba island and drive to Cat Ba National Park for whole day trek through jungle with packed lunch & water (25KM hard trek). Pick-up by our boat at Viet Hai Fishing village at the other side of Cat Ba Island. Cruise to Trong Mai island, upon arrival is time for swimming and relaxing after a hard day trek.Overnight on board (B, L, D)
Day 5: Ha Long - Kayaking
Morning motorized cruise to nearby Hanh Cave with the whole day for exploration by kayak to approach the Hanh cave. Hanh Cave is about 2 km long and it used to be a hidden place of Military during the American War & It was also a main route for coal transported by bamboo boats from Cam Pha down to Hon Gai Port.Overnight on board in front of Hanh Cave. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Ha Long - Hanoi [B,L,D]
We cruise back to Halong City in the morning then drive back to Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi at noon, we check in the hotel and lunch at restaurant. In the afternoon, go to the market with our chef to buy materials for the course of cooking. You will see how Vietnamese trade, bargain and you will learn how to choose good things for the dishes. Then the Chef would guide you prepare, cook and present dishes. Dinner with dishes you have learned. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.
Day 7: Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh [B,L,D]
Transfer to Noi Bai Airport for flights to Saigon city. Local guide and car welcome at Tan Son Nhat Airport, transfer to the hotel for checking-in, free to explore daily life of the most excited city in Vietnam.
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta [B,L,D]
Drive from Saigon to Vinh Long, check on deluxe boat. Afternoon, kayaking along small channels to enjoy the river life and village along Mekong River. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 9: Kayaking on Mekong River [B.L.D]
Full day kayaking to explore Mekong River. Optional cooking class on board with our chef at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 10: Kayaking on Mekong River [B,L,D]
Full day kayaking to explore Mekong River. Optional cooking class on board with our chef at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 11: Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh [B,L,D]
Kayaking in the Mekong River Transfer back to Saigon. Arrive Saigon in the afternoon, check in the hotel, dinner at local restaurant.
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City tour [B,L,D]
Full day of Saigon city tour to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, Thong Nhat Conference Hall, Historical Museum, Cholon market, Chinatown, Thien Hau Pagoda, The Binh Tay market, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, and Lacquer ware factory. You come back the hotel at about 06.00 PM. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh - Cooking class [B,L,D]
In the morning, go to the market with our Chef to buy materials for the course of Vietnamese food. You will learn how to choose good things for these dishes. Then you and the Chef prepare and cook the dishes. Lunch with dishes you have learned. Afternoon, free to explore town on own. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh - Departure
to day we have free time until transfer to airport for your flight to your home.
CRUISE INFORMATION:
There are some main differences on the boat/junk types as the following:
Space on the boat, with the standard one - you would have to expect small size boat, from your bedroom to the sun deck, whilst the Superior & Deluxe class will have larger sized dining area that is warm and cozy, more importantly with comfort in your cabins (larger bed, bigger glassed window) as well as the sunbath area (with comfortable chairs)
Toilet & shower on boat/junk, if you wish to have comfort in your privacy, Standard boat will not be a choice since the toilet is normally outside (shared bathrooms), while Superior will offer this and you will even find it better at Deluxe class.
Facilities on the Superior and Deluxe boat are up-to-date international standard, good air-conditioning in the cabin, fine toilet facilities whilst there is normally a fan in the cabin at the standard boat.
Well trained, devoted and courtesy staff will always make your stay unforgettable on the Superior and Deluxe junk.
Halong Bay is beautiful and we suggest enjoy it in Superior or Deluxe Junk, paying a bit more but you will find it worth every cents you pay for.
KAYAK INFORMATION:
The kayaking equipments consist of paddle, dry bag, life jacket, flash light and sit on top kayak or sit inside kayak. The sit on top kayak has a length of 4 meters and 1 or 2 seats. The sit inside kayak also measures 4 meters and and 1 or 2 seats.