| Day 1: Thay pagoda and handicraft villages (bike 35km)
From Hanoi, a 30km-drive brings you to the 15th century Thay Pagoda, famous for its fantastic collection of carved wooden Buddha statues. After exploring the pagoda, bike through sweeping rice paddies, stopping at a traditional So noodle-making village. Peddle on through other villages, experiencing daily life deep in northern Vietnam’s countryside and learning about the local traditions. Enjoy a picnic lunch before taking a leisurely walk beneath an avenue of betel nut trees to Chuong village, where villagers still produce one of Vietnam’s most enduring symbols – the conical palm-leaf hat. After shuttling back to Hanoi spend the late afternoon sightseeing around Hoan Kiem Lake, whose waters are said to hide a sacred—and indeed magical—golden turtle. Spend your first night in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 2: Nam Hong - Lim Town (bike 40km)
After traveling by shuttle to Dong Anh, a suburban district of Hanoi, bike through the Nam Hong flower village and on through other villages that grow bonsai trees. Spin through a colorful patchwork of green paddy fields, vegetable plots and flower fields en route to the ancient citadel of Co Loa, a large complex of temples and ruined earth fortifications that date back to the third century B.C. From the citadel ride to Thiet Ung village, famous for its intricate wooden statues, and visit the 200-year-old home of a prize-winning master carver. A quaint brick road leads to Dong Ky, another wood carving village, this one specializing in furniture. Peddle along a river dyke to Lim town, stopping to visit a beautiful village temple that perches above a lotus-covered pond. Travel by shuttle to Bac Ninh and enjoy a home-cooked meal followed by a performance of traditional Quan Ho folk songs performed by local artists clad in colorful 1930s-style dresses. Shuttle back to Hotel and spend the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 3: Lim Town- Ha Long (kayak 5-7km)
Depart Lim Town for Ha Long with many photo opportunities en route: rice paddies, water buffaloes, farmers in the fields. Arrive at Ha Long Bay around noon and board our traditional wooden junk, then dine on fresh-caught seafood. After lunch, explore one of the largest caves in the bay, Sung Sot (Surprise Cave). Return to the boat for instruction on kayaking techniques and safety procedures, then follow your guide to explore three sea caverns. Back on the boat take the time to photograph the sun slipping behind the bay’s myriad islands, then join your fellow travelers for dinner. If you wish, take a night-time paddle through the moonlight bay, then retire to your cabin to be lulled to sleep by the soft lapping of the waves.
Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Ha Long Bay (kayak 5-7km)
Kayak through the biggest floating fishing village in Ha Long Bay, making stops at the floating primary school and at various floating houses to discover the locals’ unique way of life. After lunch, a two-hour paddle brings you to the Three Lagoons, which you enter via a sea cavern. Next stop is Ba Men Temple, where local fishermen make offerings to the Whale God. Return to the junk and cruise to Three Peach Island, an ideal spot for a swim. Back on board, travel to Titop Island, where the boat will anchor overnight. Enjoy dinner on board and relax.
Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 5: Ha Long - Hanoi (kayak 5-7 km)
Enjoy the sunrise and an onboard breakfast as you cruise back to Duck Rock, from where you paddle to Incense Burner Island and explore a cave. Back on board the junk, enjoy the magnificent scenery as you cruise back towards the harbor. Following lunch in Ha Long City, drive back to Hanoi and bid the group farewell. Tour end at your hotel in Hanoi. Meal: Breakfast, lunch
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Package Vietnam Tours
