HANOI-HALONG-HANOI

2 DAYS / 1 NIGHTS on boat

 

                       The name Ha Long is literally translated as “Descending Dragons”. Prior to the 19th century, this name was not recorded in any documents or archives. When mentioning the present-day Ha Long Bay, old historical books often referred to them as the seas of Giao Chau, Luc Chau, Luc Thuy, Van Don, Hai Dong or An Bang. Not until the late 19th century did the name Ha Long Bay appear on the Bac Bo Gulf (Tonkin Gulf) chart of the French.

So when did the name Ha Long Bay originate? A legend has been handed down in the local area relating to the name Ha Long Bay, which says: 

“Long ago, in the first founding days, the Viet people were attacked by foreign aggressors. The Jade Emperor sent the Mother Dragon and a herd of Child Dragons to help the Viet fight the invaders. While the enemy vessels were launching massive attacks against the mainland, the dragons descended in flocks from the sky. They spat out innumerable pearls which, in a moment, were changed into innumerable stone islands linked together into a firm citadel that checked the enemy’s advance and smashed their vessels into pieces.

 After the invaders were driven out, Mother Dragon and her Child Dragons did not return to Heaven but stayed on earth, right at the place where the battle occurred. The spot where the Mother Dragon landed was Ha Long, and where the Child Dragons came down was Bai Tu Long. The place where their tails violently wagged was called Long Vi( present Tra Co peninsula).

 

Pick-up at your hotel in Hanoi in the morning.  Departure for Halong bay through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta. Arrive in Halong and step back in time to French Indochina as you board the Emeraude Café, a wonderful replica of one of the classic steamships of the era. Enjoy lunch as you leave the harbour and cruise through limestone karsts and clear waters among the hundreds of unspoilt islets and grottos of Halong Bay. Several options are available for the afternoon - swim off the boat's platform, make use of the on-board kayaks, or take part in a Vietnamese spring roll cooking demonstration on the sundeck. After the sun sets, enjoy a Vietnamese buffet dinner and the award-winning Indochine will be screened on the sundeck should you desire to watch a movie before retiring to your cabin.
        

For early risers, complimentary tea and coffee are served on the sundeck followed by a Tai Chi class. Enjoy a wholesome breakfast as your boat weaves through strangely shaped limestone rock formations on the return to Halong City. Disembarkation at about 9h, back to Hanoi. Stop on route to visit But Thap Pagoda in Bac Ninh province, the pagoda was constructed in the 13th century during the Tran Dynasty and rebuilt in the 17th century during the Ly Dynasty. This is one of the most popular pagodas in the north of Vietnam and is known as the center of Buddhis. Arrive Hanoi in late afternoon..
     

Have a good trip !

 

Our net price per person in USD with DBL or TWIN sharing: From 145 USD/pax

Services including:
01 night on 4* cruise with breakfast or Bhaya cruise or  Victory cruise
03 meals as mentioned in the programme (01 breakfast, 01 lunch, 01 dinner)
Shuttle bus Hanoi-Halong-Hanoi
Visit But Thap pagoda
Entry fees mentioned in the program.
English speaking guide on boat

Services excluding:
International & domestic Air ticket  
Personal expenditures such as: Drink, Telephone, and Camera & photo fees, Tips….that not mentioned in the program.
Visa arrangement.
Insurance for luggage, health….
Services not mentioned in above
 

MORE OPTIONS:
Hanoi-Halong with cooking class - 3 days
Catba island discovery - 3 days

Services including:
01 night on Emeraude cruise with breakfast or Bhaya cruise or  Victory cruise
03 meals as mentioned in the programme
Land transportation by private bus and driver
Visit But Thap pagoda
Entry fees mentioned in the program.
English speaking guides

Services excluding:
International & domestic Air ticket  
Personal expenditures such as: Drink, Telephone, and Camera & photo fees, Tips….that not mentioned in the program.
Visa arrangement.
Insurance for luggage, health….
Services not mentioned in above