A Glimpse of Vietnam From Hanoi

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 will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (outside Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house), the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Presidential Palace; the Temple of Literature; Ethnology Museum (closed on Monday), the tranquil Tran Quoc Pagoda, West Lake;

Later, hop on a cyclo, one of the most typical vehicles in Hanoi, is a human-powered transport with a seat at the front for passengers and the driver at the back. With this an hour leisurely ride, which is perfect chance for photos and slow-moving sightseeing, you will have the local closer touch. Starting from the old quarter of Hanoi. Along the perimeter of the market, dozens of street hawkers sell a staggering variety of produce from live seafood to exotic fruits and spices.

Your guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture including details on ingredients and historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes. We eat as we go, trying different street food dishes and sampling a tasty French-inspired snack from a street cart and local street food restaurants.

Walking through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, we tempt our tastebuds with the famed Hanoi street food dishes such as Bun Cha ( The 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017- Obama's dish in Hanoi), Nom Bo Kho, Banh Cuon, Viet Fried Spring Rolls "Spring roll is one of Viet Nam’s best-loved dishes. These traditional Vietnamese spring rolls were originally made from shrimp, pork, carrot, crab, veggies within a roll".., at a local eatery ( Small restaurants, some outside, some inside ). Watch in awe as the skilled chefs demonstrate for you how this tasty dish is put together.

Continuing into the atmospheric heart of the Old Quarter, we wander past street stalls and quiet residential lanes where you can observe local life that has changed little since Hanoi was founded over 1000 years ago.

Our next two snack stops are at outdoor barbeque stalls. We sit down with the Hanoi locals and sample various meat, vegetable and bread specialties that are flame grilled over hot coals for extra flavor. It’s then time for dessert as we venture down a small alley to join in the local tradition of feasting on fresh fruit served in a cup and smothered with crushed iced and condensed milk – this specialty is one not to be missed! Your local guide will then take you to one of Hanoi’s best kept secrets, a hidden street food restaurant to taste the top ten street foods in Hanoi is Banh My Hanoi, Vietnamese Rice Wine, and famous Egg Coffee in Hanoi. This hard-to-find café is one of the few left in the narrow street inside the old quarter of Hanoi. Or, if coffee is not your style, a cold beer awaits!.

At the end of the trip, back to your hotel.

Halong Bay is one of the most loved spots in Vietnam for a reason - it's gorgeous. On this Halong Bay tour, we take you away from the hectic pace of life in Hanoi and introduce you to the tranquil, beautiful Halong Bay.

Following breakfast, journey east through the rich farmland of the Red River Delta to Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnam's most scenic impressive sights. On arrival you are welcomed onboard a traditional junk. Settle into a private comfortable cabin and unpack for a two-day cruise around Halong Bay. Along the way, enjoy a huge lunch served on board and admire the picturesque scenery of islands. These limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. You will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to Sung Sot Cave, one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. The remainder of day is for your own pleasure; observing the bay, lazing around the deck or simply soaking up the sunshine.

Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea and light breakfast before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk and check-out of your cabin as you navigate back to Halong City. It’s time for you to take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of the bay. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier.

Your guide and driver will meet you at the dock and take you to Noi Bai Airport of Hanoi for your in-country flight to Danang. On arrival, your tour guide and driver will transfer you to hotel in Hoian, a destination with two faces: the charming, old-world trading port of narrow streets and traditional houses, and the beach with its luxurious resorts and long stretch of clean white sand.

A popular getaway destination, known for its quaint village atmosphere complete with art galleries, cheap tailors and numerous bars and restaurants. Best to spend your romantic honeymoon here away from the bustling city traffics. Everything here is moving at a very slow pace, the purpose is for you to slow down your pace as well, to enjoy every little moment of your experience here.

Located on the banks of the poetic Thu Bon River, Hoian ancient town is an Eastern oriental classic captivation. With the strategic location on the banks of the great river, it used to be one of the major trading centers in Southeast Asia during the 16th century due to the early western trader occupying period. Start the day later than usual by leisurely wandering around the charming historic town, you can see many centuries-old intact buildings including the Japanese Bridge, Chinese Assembly Hall, Chua Ong Pagoda, Tan Ky ancestral house and some colonial architectures. You are free in the afternoon.

Complete your trip and return to Hanoi's international airport. A delicious early lunch will be served. We can drop you off at a hotel in the city or take you straight to the airport for your onwards flight. This is where your trip with us will end. We thank you kindly for joining Incredible Asia Journeys and we would love to be able to host you again in the future.