The Northern Gourmet – 05 Days

Our tour guide and driver will greet you at Noi Bai airport. During the 45-minute drive to the city center (Hanoi Old Quarter), our guide will inform you about the popular sites as well as activities and food in the city. Afterward, you will arrive at your hotel, check in and rest. Included: English-speaking guide Private transportation 02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day Conifer Grand Hotel (ROH Room) 42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Ha Noi City, Vietnam https://conifergrandhotel.com

8:00 AM: Our tour guide will take you to Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in the North of Vietnam. Take a stroll along the West Lake to head to the Temple of Literature, the first National University of Vietnam and a World Heritage site. Continue to the Hoa Lo Prison Museum (Hanoi Hilton), a somber note on Vietnamese history, as you will see the cruel conditions that Vietnamese activists had to endure during the French Colonization. Travel back to your hotel or the Old Quarter for a rest. At 4:00 PM, explore the unique cuisine of Hanoi through a street food tour. Enjoy a walk to Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart of Hanoi, then head to a small alley, Bao Khanh and have a taste of Banh Cuon (steamed rice rolled cake), one of the most difficult dishes to make in the North of Vietnam; even Gordon Ramsey struggled when making these. We arrive at Hang Manh Street after passing the French-built Saint Joseph Cathedral that was constructed in 1888. The street is famous for Bun Cha Dac Kim, a certified Michelin choice and one of the most popular street food dishes. And then we try Banh Mi at Banh Mi 25, another unskippable dish when you are in Hanoi. Made by combining the French baguette with local food and herbs, it creates an unforgettable taste that will leave you craving for more. The next stop is Pho (rice noodle soup). This is a dish that anyone who comes to Vietnam should have on their bucket list. The perfect combination of traditional Vietnamese noodles and pot au feu, a French soup. Finish your trip with a drink at Hidden Gem Coffee, a unique coffee shop that uses discarded products to decorate their shop. Enjoy local drinks (egg coffee, honey ginger tea, lemongrass tea, or a local beer bottle) before coming back to the hotel. Included: English-speaking guide Meal: B, D Private transportation Entrance fees 02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day Conifer Grand Hotel (ROH Room) 42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Ha Noi City, Vietnam https://conifergrandhotel.com

8:00 AM: Travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, enjoy the ride through the beautiful landscape of the Red River Delta countryside, painted by rice and vegetable fields. You can ride a bicycle or take a walk through the villages to enjoy the gorgeous landscapes of rice fields, a river, and limestone mountains. There are several photo stops for you to take beautiful selfies, then walk to discover Thung La Temple, which was built in the 11th century. Meet Mr. Tuong, the temple guardian, and enjoy a 20 minute drum show. Afterwards, take a sampan boat trip along the stream and among the limestone mountains to discover the beauty of Van Long Nature Reserve. Sometimes, if you are lucky, you might get to see the white monkeys and egrets along the cliffs. After the boat trip, visit an embroidery village where Mrs Lam, a local artisan, will teach you how to do the traditional technique. She will proudly explain the techniques of her traditional craft. At the end of the day, transfer back to your hotel in Hanoi. Included: English-speaking guide Meal: B, L Boat: Van Long Private transportation Entrance fees Bike: Ninh Binh Leisure: Thung La temple music 02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day Conifer Grand Hotel (ROH Room) 42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Ha Noi City, Vietnam https://conifergrandhotel.com

9:00 AM: Pick up at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter). Enjoy a two and a half-hour drive from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay on the national highway No. 5B. Your journey will pass through a series of villages and rice fields in the Red River Delta. Have a stop for drinks and restrooms. Continue driving to the harbor around noon; get warmly welcomed at cruise reception. 12:00 PM: Meet the crew members of Peony Cruises at Tuan Chau Port, Quang Ninh province. 12:30 PM: We will take you to Peony Cruises on our support vessel. During this time, you will get a short briefing about the itinerary. 1:00 PM: After boarding the cruise, you'll receive refreshments and wet towels before a special lunch featuring regional specialties. We then set sail for Lan Ha Bay. 3:30 PM: We'll visit the Tra Bau area, renowned for its unspoiled, poetic natural beauty and attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. Take a kayak trip to discover the emaculate beauty of the limestone islands. Surround yourself in the emerald waters of the bay or enjoy the Jacuzzi on the cruises. 5:30 PM–6:30 PM: Join a cooking class to learn how to make one of the most famous traditional dishes of Vietnam: Spring rolls or head to the top deck of the cruise to get a view of the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Enjoy a Happy Hour: Buy One, Get One Free at the bar. It's also the ideal time to capture the greatest sunset over Lan Ha Bay. 7:30 PM: Indulge in delicious local food that our talented chef has prepared and served. This delightful dinner is served in an intimate, romantic setting. 9:00 PM–10:00 PM: Relax and indulge in exotic cocktails and drinks at the sky bar (with surcharge). Treat yourself to a spa service (optional) or relax on the top deck under the brightly illuminated sky. Included: Shuttle bus: Hanoi - Tuan Chau English-speaking guide (on board) Meal: B, L, D Entrance fees Kayak: Halong Leisure: Swimming, Squid fishing Cooking class: Halong (on board)—cooking demonstration 02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day Peony Cruise 2D1N (Deluxe Balcony Cabin) 5/33B Pham Ngu Lao street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi City, Vietnam Website: http://peonycruises.com

6:00 AM: Begin the day with a Tai Chi session and enjoy the sunrise. 6:45 AM–7:15 AM: Enjoy breakfast while getting back to Gia Luan Jetty. (Breakfast time may be adjusted to follow the real itinerary.). 7:30 AM–9:00 AM: Join the Cat Ba World Biosphere Tour. Transfer from Gia Luan to Trung Trang Cave, one of the most magnificent cave systems on Cat Ba Island, Vietnam. The limestone cave has thousands of stalactites in various shapes and sizes. 9:30 AM: Return to the main boat from the cave and check out of your cabin. Luggage is to be placed outside of the cabin. Early lunch at the restaurant. Settle any bar bills at the restaurant's desk (if any). 10:30 AM–11:00 AM: Leave the Peony Cruises and transfer back to Tuan Chau port. 11:30 AM–12:00 PM: You should be ready at Tuan Chau port. Our driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby (Hanoi Old Quarter) to take you to Noi Bai airport (45 minutes drive to international or domestic hall, according to your request). Thanks for the visit to our city. Note: International flights require you to be at the airport for 3 hours, and domestic flights require you to be there 2 hours before departure time. Included: English-speaking guide (on board) Meal: B, L Private transportation Entrance fees Leisure: Morning Tai Chi 02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day