Day 01: Hanoi Arrival

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be picked up by our guide before being transferred to the hotel for a check-in. In the afternoon, go for a walk within the Hanoi Old Quarters. Our guide will introduce to you some of the renowned local dishes like Banh Cuon (steam rice pancake rolled with mince perk and mushroom), “Bun cha” (Rice Noodle with grilled pork – another Hanoi famous street food), Pho (Rice Noodle soup with beef or chicken) and enjoy some coffee in local coffee shop and later, have dinner at Cha Ca La Vong before staying overnight in Hanoi.

Day 02: Hanoi City Tour and Cooking Class

In the morning, have your breakfast with a hot bowl of “Pho bo” (noodle with beef) at Pho Bat Dan or Pho Bo Hang Dong (subject to the availability of the restaurant) – the typically famous Northern Vietnam Pho. After that, visit the nearby Lo Banh pho Ba Ngoan (Mrs. Ngoan noodle factory) to discover and observe the process of making noodles with no additives. Then, take part in a cooking class at La Verticale from Mr. Didier Corlou:
 

Class 1: Traditional cooking
Schedule: 9.30 am to 13 pm
9:30 – 10:00 am: Meet the chef at La Verticale and start your market visit
10:15 – 13:00 pm: Prepare, cook and taste 5 dishes
 

Menu (can be changed daily):
Vietnamese banana flower salad
Hanoi nems (deep fried spring rolls)
Grilled chicken with lemon leaves
Bun cha
Sautéed pumpkin branches

In the afternoon, visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Temple of Literature – the central of culture of Hanoi. In the evening, enjoy a Water Puppet performance show – the unique art of Vietnamese people from Red River Delta. You will have dinner at Indochina Restaurant and stay overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 03: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on boat

Take a morning departure to Halong bay through Red River Delta.
12h00 – 12h30: Embark on the traditional wooden junk, followed by a short cruising brief.
13h00 – 15h30 : Savor a tasty lunch while cruising among the limestone islands.
15h30 – 16h30 : Kayak among the hidden areas of the bay, which are located around the Bo Nau Cave area. Then go back to the junk.
16h30 – 17h30 : Cruise to Soi Sim island. Go swimming and relax at the beach of Soi Sim or climb up to the top of the island for a panoramic view of Halong Bay.
17h30 : Cruise back to the main boat for a shower. Relax or take snap photos as the sunsets.
19h00: Enjoy dinner on board while you meet and greet with other guests. You may also fish for squid, or just laze around. Stay overnight on board.

Day 04: Halong – Phu Lang Village – Hanoi

06h30 – 07h00 : Start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt.
07h30 – 08h30 : Have breakfast as the sunrises.
08h30 – 09h30 : Explore the amazing Sung Sot Cave – the nicest cave in Halong Bay.
09h30 : Return to the boat. Freshen up and check out of your cabin.
09h30 – 10h30 : Continue your cruise to explore the Bay, passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more.
10h30 – 11h30 : On the way back to the harbor, take part in your next cooking class before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
12h00 – 12h30 : Disembark and visit Phu Lang, a traditional village of terracotta products dating before the 20th century. Explore the village’s narrow and zigzagged alleys, with old houses constructed from broken pieces of old terracotta. After visiting, drive back to Hanoi. Have dinner and stay overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 05: Hanoi – Deparutre

In the morning, take your free time to travel around nearby streets until transition to Noi Bai Airport for departure flight. Tour ends.