Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay to embark your Pandaw ship followed by lunch on board. Cast off in the afternoon with a welcome cocktail for an evening sail, dropping anchor in a sheltered bay amidst the beautiful island scenery.

Morning sail around Halong Bay and beyond with its 1,500 dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations, dating back 20 million years. Make a stop at Viet Hai Village and continue our journey by mountain bike or electric buggy to visit the village’s vegetable farm and typical village houses. It is a breathtaking trip along a small road winding its way through the limestone rocks. In the afternoon, continue cruising towards Lan Ha Bay for a visit to a floating fishing house. Weather dependent, end the day with cocktails at a beautiful beach in Halong Bay.

Our exploration of Halong Bay continues and you stop at the so called “Dark and Bright Cave”. Take a kayak or a local basket boat rowed by fishermen and enter this remarkable cave into an enclosed area similar to a crater. Bats can be heard in the cave and massive stalagmites hang from the ceiling. In the afternoon, you leave Halong Bay and enter the river where the anchor drop near Hai Phong. 

Observe the lively and interesting life of the Kinh Thay river, a key commercial waterway. Afternoon excursion to Thanh Ha Commune with village walk and a private water puppet show set under shade by a beautiful pond of lotus and lilies. You continue cruising until late evening and drop anchor midstream. 

This morning you sail on the Lower Red River and Day River. Afternoon visit the Dien Xa Bonsai Village where you walk to the bonsai village and meet with local artists and share their bonsai experience. Cruise on Day River towards Ninh Binh City.

You continue your exploration of the Red River Delta today, sailing toward Ninh Binh before mooring at Khanh Thien Village. Disembark in the morning for a journey to Phat Diem, home to Phat Diem Cathedral, a 19th-century Roman Catholic church built in an eclectic blend of Vietnamese and European architectural styles. After lunch, explore Khanh Thien Village by local transportation or bicycle and discover a host of handicrafts, including water hyacinth weaving and a variety of rice paper and cakes. End the evening with a performance by the locals of ‘Chau Van’ singing, an ancient art form local to this area.

Discover ‘Halong on Land’ today as you visit Ninh Binh and take small bamboo rowing boats through the magnificent limestone caves. Visitors in September and October or April and May can witness the valleys shine golden as the rice fields prepare for harvest. Then return to the ship and sail upstream on the Red River towards Hanoi.

Dropped anchor in the bustling city of Hanoi, passengers visit some highlights of this Asian metropolis, must see’s like the notorious Vietnam war prison known as the Hanoi Hilton, temple of literature where Confucius did his thinking and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Afternoon walking tour of Hanoi including a visit to a coffee shop where you learn about Vietnam’s famous coffee making industry. Before returning to your ship, enjoy a traditional unicorn and lion dance at the jetty.

This morning, visit Bat Trang ceramic village, a hub of ceramic production for generations. The ceramics made here are famous throughout Vietnam and adorn many homes both north and south. Before returning to the ship, a local dance troupe treats you to a lion dance on the pier. This colorful and energetic dance is customary during festivals throughout Vietnam, most notably during Tet. Then set sail into the lesser visited upper Red River beyond Hanoi. Make a stop at a small village dedicated to the handmade production of Vietnam’s most famous headwear, the Non La conical hat, before continuing to Thay Pagoda. Hardly known yet with exquisite temples dating from the 11th century, visit this beautiful temple beside a lake and explore the village that surrounds the pagoda.

In the morning, go ashore to visit the UNESCO-praised village of Duang Lam. This ancient village is a well preserved example of a traditional Vietnamese village from centuries ago with intricate architecture and fascinating culture. In the afternoon, visit the smith village of Ly Nhan to witness firsthand the traditional production methods still being used to this day. Then sail upstream for your farewell dinner onboard.

Disembark after breakfast and enjoy a morning excursion en route to Hanoi. Start with a visit to Hung Lo temple, where you are serenaded with traditional folk music, as well as enjoy an exploration of this quaint traditional town. Lunch is served at a local restaurant, followed by a transfer to Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport or Hanoi City.