Halong Bay and Red River


Traverse a land of breathtaking beauty and diversity on this groundbreaking expedition along the Red River, travelling from stunning Halong Bay, to exciting Hanoi, via the mountain villages and tribal communities of highland Vietnam.

Places Visited

SA (1N) - Hanoi (4N) - Red River Cruise (7N) - Halong Bay (1N) - SA (1N)

tour duration 14 Days from
tour price On Request
Comfortable
Private Tour
Classic
Days 1-2 Fly to Hanoi
Fly overnight to Hanoi.
Days 3-4 The Upper Red River
Transfer to your Pandaw ship. Cruise upstream for sunset on the Red River. Journey down the narrow river past rising mountains between Viet Tri and Hoa Ha village. (B,L,D)
Days 5-6 The Da River
Sail downstream past the unspoilt beauty of the Black River and the astonishingly diverse Ba Vi National Park before arriving at Hoa Binh. The next day head to the largest power station in Southeast Asia for a tour deep within the mountain and visit a 400 ton statue of Ho Chi Minh commanding spectacular views over the Hao Binh valley. (B,L,D)
Days 7-8 Lower Red River
Take a coach journey through idyllic scenery to the sleepy town of Mai Chau, home to the Black Thai and White Thai minorities. Spend the next day at Viet Tri, a timeless Vietnam of emerald green rice paddies punctuated by limestone rock formations. Stop at the rarely visited Tay Village to admire temples dating from the 8th-11th Century. (B,L,D)
Days 9-10 Hanoi
Dock in the bustling city of Hanoi for two days exploring including a water puppets show. (B,L,D)
Days 11-12 Kinh Thay River
From Dong Trieu town we continue towards Halong on the Duong River, stopping off at villages rich in traditions. the following day enter the Kinh Thay River and moor at Yen Duc Village, a beautiful spot in poetic scenery surrounded by mountains. Continue to Halong Bay jetty. (B,L,D)
Day 13 Halong Bay
Rise early to see the sun rise over the karst-scapes of the bay. Board a local boat to visit a floating fisherman village, floating school and limestone caves. Disembark late morning and return to Hanoi. (B)
Days 14-15 Fly Hanoi to SA
Fly overnight to SA, arriving home the following day. (B)

Also Available

Private Departures for this tour

If the dates we have available for this tour don't suit your needs, or you are not sure travelling as part of a group is for you, maybe a Private Departure would be more ideal. Based on exactly the same itinerary as the group tour, our Private Departures give you the freedom to choose your own departure date and simply enjoy your holiday with your family, your partner, or your friends. On most Private Departures your tour will be led by an English speaking driver and you will be met by local guides at each site.

Tailor Your Tour

If you like most of the itinerary which we have suggested but you'd like to change the route and the accommodation, speak to our specialist Tailormade team, who can build your perfect itinerary based around where you would like to go, what you would like to see and how much you'd like to spend. Just call us on 0800 9884 888 and we'll help plan your dream holiday.

A visa is not required for visitors to Vietnam if your stay is less than 16 days. If your stay is for longer than 16 days then a visa is required by all nationalities and a single entry visa should be arranged in advance of travel.
Unlike many other tour operators, we include your entry visas in the price of our tour. We handle the entire visa process – all you need to do is fill out the form and send your passport to us. We are always on hand to help you with any questions or queries you might have when completing the form. 

Phone Calls
International and domestic calls can be made from your hotel room. To call the UK the international access code is 00, followed by the country code 44, then the local area code (omitting the first 0), then the number. To call Wendy Wu Tours it is 00 44 207 403 7860. Emergency 24 hour telephone (out of office hours) is 00 44 7984 041 625.
 
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are growing in popularity and you will find good coverage. There are active roaming agreements with all phone carriers; however SMS and call rates can be expensive. We recommend that you contact your mobile supplier if you intend to use international roaming during your holiday and ensure you investigate all associated costs before you leave the UK.
 
Internet & Email
Internet cafes can be found in all major cities and even in some small towns. This is often the easiest and cheapest way to stay in touch. Most hotels have a business centre with internet access, but at a slightly higher rate. Some hotels may have Wi-Fi which usually comes at an additional cost and may only be available in hotel lobbies. 

Tipping is an expected element in the tourism industry today and Vietnam is no exception. Many passengers are often uncertain of how much to tip so we have established a tipping system whereby every passenger gives a set amount (in US Dollars) to the National Escort who will distribute the amount appropriately. On multi-country tips, this amount will be paid in stages on arrival in each country. If there is no National Escort, you will need to give your money to your Local Guides and tipping amounts for each city will be shown in your final itinerary. The amount for the kitty is calculated for each tour depending on the length, group size and services used during the trip.
 
For independent passengers, or group passengers with pre/post tour arrangements, you should allow USD5-10 per person per day. We will indicate the tipping amounts in your final documents for guidance.

Shopping can be a fun and entertaining component to any travel adventure.  In keeping with most people’s interests whilst on holiday, your tour will include a reasonable number of opportunities to shop for local goods and souvenirs.
 
We have included visits to establishments that not only provide an opportunity to purchase a locally produced, great-value souvenir; but you’ll witness first-hand how these local products are made, their history and how they support the local economy. We are aware that people like to take home souvenirs, so we endeavour to ensure the shops you visit have a reputation for quality, honesty, and authenticity – we do our best to ensure that you don’t get ripped off. 

The cost of all meals is included in your group tour cost. Breakfast is a combination of local and western food, usually served buffet style at the hotel you are staying in. Lunches and dinners consist of traditional cuisine and are served at reputable local restaurants. As is traditional in this region, lunch and dinner consists of small dishes of local cuisine which is then placed on the table for everyone to share so you can experience the variety of speciality dishes. The amount served is more than ample for the whole group. We aim to cater to the tastes of the majority of people and so the food is not too spicy or unusual in taste.
 
Drinks will be at each tour members’ own expense and paid for at the end of each meal. Beer is widely available and cheap. Western style wine is very expensive to import and is not widely available except at upmarket restaurants. Bottled drinking water, soft drinks, and fruit juices are also widely available – remember that you should only have ice or fruit juices from a trusted restaurant, where they will use boiled or bottled water.
 
Due to the French colonial influence in some Southeast Asian countries, black tea (commonly referred to as ‘lip-ton’ by the locals), coffee, and baguettes are available in most places. However, the local style is to have sweet condensed milk with their tea and coffee. Fresh dairy milk is not usually served but many restaurants will provide this if requested. ‘Cafe Sua-da’ (or iced coffee with milk) is a favourite choice amongst the locals.


Why Book This Tour?

This tour is suitable for those who are interested in exploring the northern section of Hanoi. This tour incorporates the most scenic and exciting destinations in northern Vietnam. This tour uses a luxurious Pandaw River cruise boat, ideal for the more discerning traveller.

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