North Vietnam Experience

Today you have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas, Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone. Your city tour (flexible and could be amended to your own interests) will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house), the Presidential Palace, the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Temple of Literature; West Lake including the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda & Quan Thanh Temple; and one of the city's museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). Later in the afternoon, enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture.

After breakfast at hotel, your driver will meet you at hotel at 8:00 A.M to take you on a 4-hour drive passing the countryside of the Red River Delta to Halong Bay. Launched in November 2009 and outfitted in a classic 1930’s Indochine style, the Halong Violet is one of the most luxurious five-star junk in Halong. Composed of 6 individual themed cabins all including a marble bathroom, jacuzzi and private balcony; the Violet also features a boutique dining room, library & lounge, as well as a state of the art spa & gym. The cruise got well annual maintenance and it still remains the top luxury cruise on the bay.

12.30 Transfer by tender to the boat – enjoy welcome drink, receive cruise briefing and safety instructions.

12.45 Check in and begin cruise.

13.00 Lunch is served.Spa services available after lunch and throughout the cruise. There is a menu of available services in your cabin (You may book services with Spa staff after lunch or at any time with any of the boat's management or guide staff).

15.45 Arrive at the Cua Van floating fishing village area. Upon arrival you will be transferred by tender to Tien Ong cave. There are many caves in Halong Bay, but Tien Ong is the most recently explored and opened for public access.

In 2007 a team of Vietnamese archeologists conducted extensive research which led to the discovery of human bones and artifacts dating to 10,000 – 8,000 BC. The cave has a wide, but short entrance which is said to resemble the shape of a frog's mouth. The cave is 5 meters above sea level and is 50 meters deep and covers 1000 square meters, almost evenly split into two chambers.You will tour the cave for about 15 minutes. From the cave you will re-board the tender and make the short trip to the village.There are two options for exploring the village:

+ One option is to transfer on small bamboo boats rowed by the local people.

+ The second option is to travel by kayak (self-rowed). The kayaking option is $20 per person.

17.15 Depart and sail for about 45 minutes to Luon Bo area, where we will anchor for overnight.

18.00 Violet's Chef will demonstrate the preparation of a particular Vietnamese cuisine in the dining room. Your onboard guide will let you know what item will be prepared and will explain the process during the demonstration. Duration about 20 – 30 minutes.

19.30 Dinner is served.