Hanoi & Halong: A Tale of Two Treasures – 4-Day Cultural & Cruise Adventure in Vietnam

After breakfast, your guide will take you deep into Hanoi’s cultural soul. Begin at the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam) — built in the 11th century to honor Confucius and serve as Vietnam’s first national university. Walk through tranquil courtyards and admire the stone steles engraved with the names of ancient scholars, symbols of the country’s reverence for learning.

Continue to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, a fascinating window into the lives of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Explore its open-air exhibitions of traditional stilt houses, colorful costumes, and handmade instruments — each one telling a unique story of heritage and harmony.

After lunch, journey into Hanoi’s French Quarter, affectionately called “Little Paris,” with its elegant boulevards and colonial-era architecture. Stop by Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside view), Presidential Palace, and One Pillar Pagoda — one of Vietnam’s most iconic landmarks.

As evening approaches, unwind with a magical Water Puppet Show, an art form born in the rice paddies over a thousand years ago. Watch wooden puppets dance on shimmering water, accompanied by live traditional music that captures the humor and spirit of Vietnamese rural life.

🎭 Emotional Highlight: The puppets seem alive — their movements reflecting the soul of Vietnam’s countryside, where legends are told not just in words, but in rhythm and song.

Return to your hotel for a restful evening.

Included:

• English-speaking guide

• Meals: Breakfast

• Transportation

• Entrance fees

• Leisure: Water Puppet Show

• 2 bottles of mineral water per person/day

• Accommodation: Conifer Grand Hotel (Deluxe Room) or similar

  • www.conifergrandhotel.com

🚗 Distance: 140 km – 2.5 hours

After breakfast, depart Hanoi for the coastal town of Hai Phong, gateway to Lan Ha Bay — a quieter, more pristine part of the famous Halong Bay. Along the way, the landscape transforms from urban sprawl to the peaceful scenes of rice paddies, water buffaloes, and village life.

At 12:00 PM, board the tender that takes you to your elegant floating home — Peony Cruise. A refreshing welcome drink awaits, followed by a short briefing as you settle into your Deluxe Balcony Cabin.

By 1:00 PM, a sumptuous lunch of fresh seafood and local delicacies is served as the cruise sets sail into the mystical waters of Lan Ha Bay, one of the most breathtaking seascapes on Earth.

In the afternoon, explore the tranquil Tra Bau area by kayak, paddling through emerald lagoons surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. Swim in the bay’s crystal waters, or relax in the onboard Jacuzzi while gazing at the endless horizon.

As sunset paints the sky in gold and crimson, join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration and learn the art of rolling fresh spring rolls. Enjoy Happy Hour at the sky bar — the perfect moment to capture the magic of twilight over the Gulf of Tonkin.

Dinner is a fine dining experience under the stars — the bay’s silence broken only by the soft lapping of waves.

Later, unwind with a cocktail on the sundeck, try your hand at night squid fishing, or simply lie back and stargaze into the tranquil darkness.

🌄 Emotional Highlight: The moment your kayak drifts between limestone giants and the world falls silent — you’ll understand what true peace feels like.

Included:

• Shuttle bus Hanoi – Tuan Chau

• English-speaking guide (on board)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Entrance fees

• Kayaking & swimming activities

• Leisure: Cooking class, squid fishing

• 2 bottles of mineral water per person/day

• Accommodation: Peony Cruise (Deluxe Balcony Cabin)

  • www.peonycruises.com

🚗 Distance: 140 km – 2.5 hours

Wake up early to the soft glow of dawn for a Tai Chi session on the upper deck — a perfect way to greet the morning as the sun rises over the limestone peaks.

Enjoy a light breakfast as the cruise gently sails toward Cat Ba Island, where you’ll disembark for a visit to Trung Trang Cave — a magnificent cavern adorned with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites shaped by time and water. Wander through its cool chambers and marvel at the natural artistry carved by nature itself.

Return to the cruise to check out, and savor an early lunch as you cruise back to the harbor.

At 11:00 AM, disembark at Tuan Chau Port, where your driver awaits to transfer you back to Hanoi or directly to Noi Bai Airport for your departure flight.

As you look back on the emerald waters, you’ll carry with you memories of still mornings, glowing sunsets, and the quiet magic of Vietnam’s most beautiful landscapes.

🌞 Emotional Highlight: As the limestone peaks fade in the distance, you’ll realize that you’re leaving not just a place — but a feeling of serenity that stays forever.

Included:

• English-speaking guide (on board)

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

• Transportation (Lan Ha Bay – Hanoi – Airport)

• Entrance fees

• Leisure: Morning Tai Chi

• 2 bottles of mineral water per person/day