“Vietnam – Timeless Charm” Becomes New Slogan of Vietnam Tourism

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism ( VNAT ) under Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism announced  the new slogan and the symbol of the Vietnam Tourism Promotion Program on 28 December, 2011. Therefore, the term “Vietnam –Timeless Charm” and the symbol of five petals lotus have been officially selected as the Slogan and Logo of Vietnam Tourism in 2012 – 2015.

The representative of  VNAT, Ms Thanh Huong said that lotus is chosen as the symbol as it shows the  inheritance and brings new impression to the public, opening up a new horizon of time, space, and diversity of tourism products.

About the new Slogan and Logo of Vietnam Tourism:

Vietnam tourism used to get the Slogan “Vietnam – The Hidden Charm” in 2005 – 2011. The term “Charm” has been accompanied by our tourism for a long time and initially left good impression for visitors to Vietnam. The term “Timeless” means time, diversity and longevity. This also implies that the tourists will need more and more time to discovery the richness and diversity of Vietnam’s tourism products and services as well.

The Lotus has been known as the National Flower of Vietnam. According to Oriental Philosophy, five is a good number presenting vitality. The lotus in painting of Hoai Duc is formalized into  five petals with five colours, which symbolizes proliferation, vitality and the beauty of Vietnamese people.

Color of the petals makes an idea for tourism products, experience and emotion when visitors come to Vietnam. The bright green color of the symbol manifests island and sea tourism. The green color presents ecological tourism and the nature. The yellow color is the symbol of cultural and historical tourism. Violet is for adventure tourism and Pink is Vietnamese’s hospitality.

Ms Huong also pressed that lotus with five petals is an inherited image of the previous symbol: The lotus bud has hidden beauty and the lotus flower with five blooming petals is symbol of a new developing process of Vietnam Tourism.

According to the VNAT, this new Logo and Slogan is a result of the competition for Slogan Creation took place from August to December last year. 233 Contestants sent 400 works to the organizers. Top ten works were sorted out for open comments from State Agencies, businesses, experts, and professional consultants. And finally, the Lotus symbol of Tran Hoai Duc is selected. He is a professional graphic artist, designing illustrations for some Newspaper such as: Children Paper, Hoa Mi Paper, For Men Magazines…

Billionaire Facebook visit Ta Van village – Sapa

Billionaire Facebook visit Ta Van village – Sapa

Come to Sapa town at evening, after walking through a round of tourist town famous Northwest, Mark Zuckerberghas decided to stay in Topas Eco-tourism in Thank Kim district far from around 22km to Sapa town.

Topas eco-tourism area (Sa Pa).

Topas Eco Resort is located in the Thanh Kim district. This is eco-tourism zone by a Danish business construction from May 10/2003. The rest of Topas built on high hills, from here can see the panoramic Hoang Lien Mountain and Muong Hoa stream flowing poetic foot mountain is famous waterfall called love.

According to the BBC reporter is known, this morning, Boss of Facebook to get up quite late and close to 9 am and decided to choose three places are tourist village of Ta Van Commune Day, Silver Falls and near noon will visit the town of Sa Pa tourism.

Nguyen Thi Huong, Deputy Director General of Tourism Topas Eco said: Before leaving to visit the tourist sites of Sa Pa, Mark Zuckerberg has left in the hotel guestbook.

Mark Zuckerberg and his team have asked to move the aircraft to land helipad of the Military Command of Lao Cai.

All menus and schedule of the trip in Sa Pa are kept secret. Especially during the Christmas holiday in Sa Pa,Mark Zuckerberg has asked Tourism Company in Sa Pa 10 layout guides and each guide using in a point in the schedule.

A reliable source said Boss of Facebook do not fly to Hanoi this afternoon (26/12) as the initial information that remain in Sa Pa and will probably stay at a hotel in the tourist town This famous.

Source: http://www.easytoindochina.com

CEO of Facebook visits Ha Long Bay

 10.00 am on 24th Dec, Mark Zuckerberg and his girlfriend to leave Hanoi and Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh) by helicopter. Facebook CEO is not the defining moment back to Hanoi.

The source of VnExpress.net, flights from Gia Lam Airport (Hanoi) and landed at Bai Chay Ferry areas (Quang Ninh). Now, it’s still unidentified Zuckerberg and his girlfriend will be Christmas in Ha Long or elsewhere.

This source said that customers can contact the plane to head back to Hanoi during the day or maybe the next morning. Under a contract with this VIP group, the captain will serve entirely at the request of customers.

Usually a tour helicopters are 24 guests, from Hanoi to Ha Long takes 50 minutes, fly around the world natural heritage about 5 minutes. Under this service package, the plane will wait for visitors in about 3-4 hours. Cost of a return trip than $ 6,400.

Ha Long had received many VIP delegations. Photo: Yellow.

Prior to 22.12 pm, who ranked ninth in the list of media personalities in the world decided to Vietnam Christmas with his girlfriend and the first image of Facebook CEO has been recorded.

Zuckerberg has selected Vietnam as the place to welcome Christmas. UK visa from 16/12 to 2-week period, to Hanoi with special and saved at the Metropole Hotel. Meanwhile, his girlfriend Priscilla Chan has check-in location "Hanoi" on a map integrated Facebook account.

In two days in Hanoi, Zuckerberg had to visit the streets with places like Hoa Lo Prison, Hoan Kiem Lake, a clothing store ...

The source said, Zuckerberg will hire helicopters to Ha Long tour, then continue to the Christmas holiday in Sapa.

Open ferry travel between Phu Quoc Island and Kep city

Open ferry travel between Phu Quoc Island and Kep city (Cambodia)

Representative of Koh Tonsai Association Tourist vessels of Kep city in Cambodia (adjacent to Ha Tien - Kien Giang) informed, in the quarter 1-2012 will be connected Kep tourism city to Phu Quoc island of Vietnam by ferry travel.

Ferry travel will be operated by Vietnam companies, there will be many trips back during the day, and each turn can accommodate 40 guests and the travel time of about 60 to 90 minutes, depending on weather conditions. To prepare for the tourist ferry service between Phu Quoc and Kep, Ministry of Economy and Finance of Cambodia has set up customs department at the Kep pier. The preparations for entry and exit procedures are being implemented here.

Truc Lam Pagoda

Truc Lam Pagoda (or Thien Vien Truc Lam in Vietnamese )  is a Zen Buddhist  located  on Phuong Hoang Mountain, about 5 kilometers far from the Central of Da Lat City. The pagoda was built in 1993 and still managed by the Monk Superior Thich Thanh Tu. It is covering an area of  24,5 hectares with a beautiful nursery Garden taken care by monks and nuns who regularly collect  a lot of new kinds of flowers and plants. Thanks to lying on the high mountain and hiding under the pines, the climate in here is very cool and fresh. Especially, the garden inside the temple is always full of flowers.

From the pagoda, we can expand our view to  the romantic Tuyen Lam Lake, surrounding by pine forest. When the fog covers hills and water face of the lake in the early morning, we will easily get the feeling of light – heartedness as  natural.
Being under the help of architect Ngo Viet Thu, the Temple has feature of East Asia and is harmonious with nature beauty and scenes.

To enter  the main hall of the pagoda - Ceremonial Hall, from Tuyen Lam Lake , we have to climb  over 140 steps  and pass the Triple gated entrance. The hall is flanked by the Bell Tower on the right and guest facilities on the left. Both are meticulously carved, very nice and delicate. The long Bell named Dai Hong Chung was made by famous craftsman from Hue City .The bell  is 1,1 tons heavy and engraved with many poems of serene meaning.

The pagoda is divided into 2 areas: interior and exterior. The exterior part for visiting  includes Ceremonial hall, sitting room, library, Tinh Tam Lake, Thanh Luong Hill… The Interior part has separate  places for monks and nuns and not for visiting.
Beside many beauties and scenes of Da Lat, Truc Lam Pagoda is really an ideal choice for visitor when arriving this  City. Enjoying a very restful atmosphere with beauty of nature of a “little Paris” among Da Lat Romantic.

A house with a living soul

Nguyen Khanh Chi 

Travelling back and forth along busy Dinh Liet Street, not many people catch a glimpse of the old garden house – the oldest of its type still standing in Ha Noi. Follow the small lane through a moss-covered arch, visitors enter an environment of peace and tranquillity, feasting their eyes on a large garden filled with plants big, small, tall and short. Many of them, such as bamboo, star-fruit trees or areca (betel nut), are more than 40 years old. In the middle of the garden there remains an old well.

The house and its 180sq m garden – a five-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake – is a national treasure. The Ha Noi People’s Committee has ordered its preservation and it will probably be preserved as a private museum. In the 1940s, Pham Thi Te, now 98, and her husband – the then owner of the famous Su Tu (lion) Silver brand – bought land fronting both Hang Bac and Dinh Liet streets. They had four daughters and four sons.

There, they built a two-storey, 16-room house of mixed French-Vietnamese design and gave their married children and their spouses two rooms each.

Previously, the main gate to the house was at 115 Hang Bac Street, and the back gate was on 6 Dinh Liet Street. With time gone by, the 600m living area has been reduced to about 200m and the back gate has become the main entrance.
From afar, one may think the house is a temple. Each corner of the tiled roof is embellished with knives stylised in the image of a dragon hovering in the clouds.

“For the past 70 years, we have clearly understood the value of the land, but we are determined not to sell so Ha Noi can boast of preserving an old garden house with a mixture of both traditional and Western architecture – a destination for tourists,” said Te.

Time has passed, but everything in the house remains intact, from the carved wooden doors and the furniture. Throughout the house, there is a rare combination of cultures and architecture: wooden pillars, designs on walls or doors imprinted with images of flowers, animals or letters like Tho (longevity) which imply happiness and longevity for the whole family.

The architecture has drawn many visitors, both local and foreign, to the house, including those from the Canadian embassy here in Ha Noi or a group of heritage officials from France, Te’s eldest son, Pham Ngoc Giao said. The house is also listed in Japan’s guide book The 36 Guild Streets in Ha Noi’s Ancient Quarter.

Architect Dao Ngoc Nghiem, former head of the municipal planning and architecture department, said the house presented a unique architectural achievement. “Tube houses are typical in the city’s ancient streets. This garden house was not influenced by that style, thus, it has a rarely seen value,” Nghiem said.

Giao said it was not that his parents were rich enough to buy and build such a large garden, but that they wanted to have an environment filled with green trees and fresh air to subsidise for the loss of rural life after they moved to Ha Noi from Hai Duong Province.

Sitting by the table set, which dated back to Giao’s grandfather, he said it was of the same age as a set of tables and chairs in the guest room at the Opera House.

Giao said besides its architectural value, the house carried much-respected spiritual value. “It’s regarded as part of the country’s cultural heritage. But it should be filled with a soul. We are determined to keep the house to honour our mum’s wish,” he said, emphasising that they are living to protect not only the house, but more importantly the family ties and values – the soul of the house.”

Respect for the elders and others has been a living principle for Te’s descendants and respect for others means the entire family values gender equality. “The house accommodates five generations, counting my grandparents. As people born and raised in the Old Quarter, we have always enjoyed a warm family.”

That’s why visitors to the house always see a living, not a dead museum, Giao said. Recently, a group of Thai teenagers in a tour to Ha Noi came and asked for permission to perform their typical dances in the living room. Te’s great grandchildren joined in with some Vietnamese songs and dances. Witnessing this, Giao said happily that the house was once again a place for cultural exchange.

Source: easytoindochina.com

Kull - Da Nang – Hoi An - Hue – Phong Nha

(5days / 4 nights)

Day 1: Kull - Danang - Marble Mountain – Hoian Ancient Town (L/D)

Pick-up guest at Da Nang and transfer to visit Marble Mountains - named as 5 elements of universe and stone carving village of Hoa Hai. Move to the ancient town of Hoian for lunch and hotel check-in.. Take a walking tour around the old sections (charming and wonderfully preserved, combining Chinese, Japanese and European influences), enjoy traditional music at 15:15 p.m. Free to explore the “Hoi An ancient night”, get yourself back to the 17th century, relax and soak up the atmosphere. Dinner and over night inHoi An.

Day 2: Hoi An – Hue Imperial City (B/L/D)

Breakfast and check-out. Leaving Hoi An for the old capital of Hue, through Hai Van tunnel, en route, photo stop at the top of Cloud - Ocean pass and Lang Co fishing village. Luncheon and hotel check-in. Afternoon visits of the Imperial Citadel - The grand palace of the last dynasty of Nguyen and Goddess-heavenly pagoda. Dinner at restaurant and take a dragon boat trip to enjoying Hue folksong on Perfume river. Over night in Hue.

Day 3: Hue – Phong Nha Cave - Hue (B/L/D)

Early breakfast. Move to the national park of Phong Nha – Ke Bang - classified as the world heritage site, stop over at La Vang church and DMZ of Quang Tri. Lunch at restaurant. Boat trip on Son river to visit Phong Nha cave. Back to Hue. Dinner and overnight in Hue.

Day 4: Hue – Danang (B/L)

Breakfast and check-out. Visit to the tombs of King Khai Dinh and King Tu Duc and  lunch at restaurant. Transfer to Danang for overnight. Free at your time to visit the nice city in the evening…

Day 5: Danang - Kull (B)

Transfer to the airport for departure flight. Tour end.

Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnels – Mekong Delta - Hanoi – Halong Bay

(06 Days 05 Nights)

Day01: Saigon Arrival       Dinner                                    

Arrival in Saigon, meet Welcome Vietnam Tour local guide at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Flight: 15h45) and transfer to hotel for check in. A short Sai Gon city tour (if time permit): Thien Hau Pagoda, China Town. Welcome dinner on cruise along Saigon River. Overnight at hotel in HCMC.

Day 02: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (My Tho) – Ho Chi Minh        Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner                                             

AM: Transfer to My Tho. Boat ride on Mekong river and visit an orchard island where almost all the tropical fruit of southern Vietnam can be found and tasted.

PM: Back to Ho Chi Minh City. The rest of the day is free. Overnight hotel in HCMC.

Day 03: Ho Chi Minh City  Tour And Cu Chi Tunnel                Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

AM: Transfer to Cu Chi. Visit the underground village, which used to be a bitter battle ground for a long period during the Vietnam war. The amazing network of over 200 km of underground tunnels will offer you impression of the former fierce war in South Vietnam.

PM: Ho Chi Minh Sight-seeing tour: Reunification Palace, War Crime Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office, former US Embassy, Ben Thanh Market. Overnight hotel in HCMC.

Day 04: Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi              Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Free at leisure till transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for departure to Hanoi. On arrival at Noi Bai Ai, you are met and drive to the historic complex of Ba Dinh. Visit Ba Dinh Square, where The Late President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnams Independence on 2 September 1945, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and continue to the One Pillar Pagoda, the must-see monument in Hanoi - It is an ancient Buddhist pagoda, built in the early 11th century in the reign of King Ly Thai Tong, all construction supported by only one pillar, resembling a Buddhist lotus. Tran Quoc Pagoda. Quan Thanh Temple.

PM: Transfer to Ha Long. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Halong.

Day 05: Visit Halong Bay - Ha Noi            Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

8H00: Take a private boat trip to visit Ha Long bay (A Natural World Heritage) with: Thien Cung grotto, Dau Go Cave, Dinh Huong, Ga Choi Islet,... Which is crammed with stalactites and stalagmites. There are numerous rocks and islands, which are predominantly composed of hardened dolomite together with smaller amounts of calcium carbonate. Lunch on boat with seafood.

13H00: Transfer back to Ha Noi. Dinner at local restaurant. Enjoy Vietnam traditional water puppet show.    

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 06: Hanoi Departure              Breakfast

Free at leisure, till drive to Noi Bai International Airport for departure. Home sweet home.

Expected to welcome the six million international visitors in Quang Ninh

VNAT said, with current growth, Vietnam's tourism sector is expected to welcome the six million international guests by the end of this December.

According to VNAT, the period of water withdrawal in 2011, Vietnam's tourism will reach not only the number of tourists in the country where the quality of the service industry began to thrive with positive feedback. Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism is gearing up urgently complete new scenario for the year 2012 National Tour.

Before that, according to international visitors on 11 months of  2011 year, Vietnam's tourism was seen as "rolling target" soon with 5,420,624 international passengers (including the year in which the target is 5.3 to 5.5 million visitors), up 17.8% over the same period in 2010. In particular, visitors from most countries and territories are increasing, China continues to be the national leader in number of tourists to Vietnam with over1.2 million, up 49% by the end of  Nov 2011 (compared with only about 900,000in 2010 respectively).

If nothing changes, a celebration to the six million international visitors will be held in Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province.

Vietnam Northern Tours: Highlight Ha Long Sa Pa 6 Days Tour

For this trip 6days/ 5 nights we will start off in Hanoi, you'll have an educational and participative experience that will show you the rich history, deep culture and emerging prosperity of today's Vietnam. After exploring and shopping the bustling, tree lined boulevards of Hanoi, you'll soon be escaping on a relaxing cruise or sea kayaking trip in World Heritage Halong Bay.

http://vietnamtravelways.com/vietnam-details-tour-program/70/vietnam-northern-tours-highlight-ha-long-sa-pa-6-days-tour.html

Day 01 :  Arrive Hanoi

Our car will meet you at Noi Bai airport and transfer you to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 02 : Hanoi to Halong Boat Cruise (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

We transfer overland to Halong Bay, northeast of Hanoi and enter into the and Red River Delta, rich with rural beautypictures que rice-farming villages. Once reaching Halong Bay, We board the wooden junk and set sail for a leisure cruise of Halong Bay. Declared a World Heritage Site to protect its beauty, we'll cruise through its three-thousand islands and rich rock-formations, passing by Ga Choi Island, Dinh Huong Island, Dog Island, Sail Island, and even visit Sung Sot Cave. Lunch served on-board while viewing the islands. Dinner and overnight in Halong Bay on Cruise.

Day 03 : Halong Bay - Hanoi - Lao Cai (Breakfast, Lunch)

Keep cruising around the bay. Back to Halong bay harbour. Lunch. Back to Hanoi. Free time for shopping and dinner. In the evening, take the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train. (Soft Sleepers)

Day 04 : LaoCai - Sapa - Cat Cat & Ta Phin Village (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Arrive at Lao Cai Train station at about 6.30, welcome by our local guide and take a ride to Sapa. Have breakfast and relax before exploring Sapa Town. In the afternoon, take a 2km trek to Cat Cat Village, home of H'mong Ethnics. Meet & talk with locals to learn more about their daily life. Then continue the ride to Ta phin village (12km from Sapa) home to the Red Dzao minority. Visit Ta Phin Cave, Ta Phin handicraft shops and explore the daily life of Red Dzao. Here you have good choice to buy woven and textile brocades, which are hand made by ethnic people. Visit a small hamlet of Black H'mong people here too. Overnight in Sapa

Day 05 : Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van Village - Lao Cai (Breakfast, Lunch)

In the morning, take a drive to visit Lao Chai village – home of Black H’Mong – here you will trek through terraced rice fields to villages, meet and talk with locals to learn more about their daily life and habits. Then trek through Ta Van village – home of Dzay hill tribe and get on car back to Sapa. A short shopping in town before moving to Lao Cai station. Have dinner at local restaurant before getting on AC 4 berth soft sleeper train.

Day 06 : Hanoi (Breakfast, Lunch)

A short city tour to: Ngoc Son temple and Hoan Kiem Lake; HoChiMinh complex: HoChiMinh museum, HoChiMinh mausoleum; One pillar pagoda; West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda. Lunch. At leisure until transfer to Noi Bai Airport for onward flight..

Passport and Visa into Vietnam

Passport and Visa into Vietnam

The Old Quarter in Hanoi

I was lucky I had lived in Hanoi's Old Quarter for 16 years, until my father decided to move to another place near Hanoi's railway station. The 1,000 year old quarter is located right at Hanoi's center and very famous for its history and charm. It was formed in the 11th century, when King Lý Thái Tổ decided Hanoi became Vietnam's capital in 1010 and at that time Hanoi was called "Thăng Long" (Soaring Dragon). Although the Old Quarter is often called "the 36 old streets", there may have actually been more streets (see my list below). Most of the street names start with "Hàng", which means "shop", and the next word after "Hàng" would be a name of some product for sale. For example, "Hàng Bạc" (a street where silver products were sold), "Hàng Bông" (cotton products) etc.

At present, the land in Hanoi's Old Quarter is the most expensive land in Vietnam. Any front side shops on such major streets like Hàng Đào or Hàng Gai can offer an unimaginable price. There are some old houses which were built in the late 19th century, are still preserved until today. You can see in this blog some photos that.

were taken at House No. 87 on Mã Mây street. Some generations had lived at that house, then the owner decided to donate the house, so that it could be a museum. The house was restored and open in October 1999 thanks to the French assistance. 

One of the gates into the old citadel, which still remains up to now, is the "Ô Quan Chưởng" gate. It was built in 1744 and located at the end of Hàng Chiếu street. It's also the first image in this blog. 

Hanoi's Old Quarter is challenged by rapid changes. There are many travel agencies and new hotels as well as restaurants for tourists on some streets of the Old Quarter. Night markets are open at every weekend along Hàng Đào street to Đồng Xuân market. I wish, someday in the future, only bicycles would be allowed to go inside the Old Quarter. Then it would be fun walking down the narrow and winding streets in Hanoi's Old Quarter and thinking about how Hanoi was like in the old days. 

Below is the meaning of the streets in Hanoi's Old Quarter which was published in the Timeout Guide of Vietnam Investment.

There's an old caligraphy artist at House No. 87 on Mã Mây street. His presence and painting work at that house are to introduce Vietnamese culture to the visitors.

Review. Some streets have changed their names or products for sale: 

Bát Đàn (wooden bowls), Bát Sứ (china bowls), Chả Cá (roasted fish), Chân Cầm (string instruments), Chợ Gạo (rice market), Gia Ngư (fisherman), Hài Tượng (sandals), Hàng Bạc (silversmiths), Hàng Bè (rafts), Hàng Bồ (baskets), Hàng Bông (cottons), Hàng Buồm (sails), Hàng Bút (brushes), Hàng Cá (fish), Hàng Cân (scales), Hàng Chai (bottles), Hàng Chỉ (threads), Hàng Chiếu (mats), Hàng Chĩnh (jars), Hàng Cót (bamboo latices), Hàng Da (leather), Hàng Đào (silk dyes), Hàng Đậu (beans), Hàng Dầu (oil), Hàng Điếu (pipes), Hàng Đồng (copper), Hàng Đường (sugar), Hàng Gà (chicken), Hàng Gai (hemp), Hàng Giấy (paper), Hàng Giầy (shoes), Hàng Hành (onions), Hàng Hòm (cases), Hàng Hương (incense), Hàng Khay (trays), Hàng Khoai (sweet potato), Hàng Lược (comb), Hàng Mã (votive papers), Hàng Mắm (pickled fish), Hàng Mành (bamboo screens), Hàng Muối (salt), Hàng Ngang (transversal street), Hàng Nón (hats), Hàng Phèn (alums), Hàng Quạt (fans), Hàng Rươi (clam worms), Hàng Than (charcoal), Hàng Thiếc (tin), Hàng Thùng (barrels), Hàng Tre (bamboo), Hàng Trống (drums), Hàng Vải (cloths), Lò Rèn (blacksmiths), Lò Sũ (coffins), Mã Mây (rattans), Ngõ Gạch (bricks), Thuốc Bắc (herbal medicines).

Paloma Ha Long Cruise - Deluxe standard

Day 01: Ha Noi - Ha Long

08.30: Our guide will meet you at your hotel. Mini bus or private car pick up. Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta. You will have a chance to take photos. Comfort break. The distance from Hanoi to Halong bay is approximately 3 ½ hours. 12 noon, Arrival Halong Bay. Welcome aboard The Paloma. Meet the captain and crew and join us for a welcome cocktail as we tell you about life on board. Check into your cabin. Time to refresh and unwind. Set sail as lunch is prepared by our chef. Join us for a relaxing lunch in the restaurant or on the outdoor dining area. Enjoy the stunning views of the Bay, its dramatic limestone islands as we sail through the calm waters. Afternoon, While we make our way to Bai Tu Long Bay, relax on the sundeck and watch the world go by or take an afternoon nap in your cabin. Early afternoon arrive at Vong Vieng floating fishing village. Drop anchor. Our guide will give you some information and interesting facts about this fascinating village and its local community. Disembark and travel on the sampans rowed by the local people. They will be your guides through their fishing village where you can meet the locals, visit the school and pearl farms. See at first-hand what life is like living on the water. We are proud of our working partnership with, and support of, this community.

Back on board The Paloma we head towards Halong Bay. We drop anchor in the calm waters surrounded by islets. Opportunity to go swimming in the clear warm waters or go kayaking. Kayaking is suitable for all levels and ages. Our expert will run through the safety procedures and after a basic paddling lesson our experienced guide will lead you to explore the Bay, its lagoons and beaches. For those who prefer a relaxing afternoon, make the most of sunbathing on deck or pamper yourself with a massage and sauna in our luxurious spa. Early evening, Back on board, enjoy the sunset with evening cocktails and fresh fruit. Take an opportunity to refresh and then join friends for a pre-dinner drink in the bar.

Dinner is served in the restaurant or outdoor dining area, which is a gastronomic delight. After dinner, unwind in the bar where there is a selection of books, magazines and board games or relax in the spa; watch a movie on our plasma TV; join some of our team to go cuttle fishing at night or take a late night swim under the stars. Accommodation and overnight on junk.

Day 2: Ha Long - Ha Noi

06:30 For the early risers join us for a Tai Chi session on the sun deck. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body and there is no better environment to practice this than amongst the limestone peaks and islands. Take an opportunity to view the sunrise over the Bay or have an early morning swim. Breakfast, coffee and tea and served. After breakfast we sail through the waters and pass by a number of caves including Trong (Drum) cave, Trinh Nu (Virgin) cave, Coc Ngoi (Toad) cave and we drop anchor at Surprise (Sung Sot) Cave. Disembark and visit Surprise Cave located on Bo Hon Island. It is one of the widest grottoes in Ha Long Bay with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites.

10:00 We board The Paloma again. Take time to refresh and relax before checking out. Bags can be left in the luggage store. An early lunch is served. 12 noon Return to the shore and disembark from The Paloma as our crew say farewell. Transfer to minibus or private and return to Hanoi. Arrival back at your hotel approximately 16:30/17:00