Experience the Ultimate Northern Vietnamese Adventure With 1 Night Aboard the Deluxe 4* Paloma Cruiser On the Mythical Waters of Halong Bay & 3 Nights at the 4* Hanoi Church Boutique Hotel in the Charming Old Quarter! Also Enjoy a Sunset Boat Party, Vietnamese Cooking Demo, Kayaking, Tai Chi Session & Folk Music or Water Puppet Show! Relax With Return Airport Transfers & English Speaking Guide Throughout!
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Means & Time | Destination | Activity | Meal | |
[car] | Day 1 | Hanoi | Arrival in Hanoi | None |
[car] | Day 2 | Hanoi | Hanoi city tour | B,L |
[boat] | Day 3 | Halong | Discover the Halong bay on 4* cruiser | B,L,D |
[boat] | Day 4 | Halong | Continue discover Halong bay and back to Hanoi | B,L |
[walk] | Day 5 | Hanoi | Freetime in Hanoi with water puppet show | B |
HIGHTLIGHT
- Day tour exploring Hanoi 1000 year ancient city
- Water puppet show
- 2 way transfer from/to Hanoi airport
- Experience the ultimate adventure across the North of Vietnam for 5 incredible days
- Stay for 3 nights in the cultural melting pot of Hanoi at the elegant 4* Church Boutique hotel in the inspiring Old Quarter
- Enjoy a 1 hour cyclo tour of the Old Quarter
- Yummy buffet breakfast every day
- Explore Dong Xuan Night Market and the Opera House
- See a traditional Vietnamese folk music show or a charming tradional water puppet show
- Then jump on your shuttle bus direct to Halong!
- You’ll be welcomed into your deluxe cabin aboard the Paloma Cruiser.
- Glide through the still waters of Halong Bay and marvel at over 3000 natural rock sculptures
- Learn of their mythical history: Halong means ‘where the dragon descends into the sea’
- Visit Vung Vieng fishing village by local rowing boat
- Enjoy kayaking, sunbathing, swimming and even try your hand at squid fishing
- Marvel at the stalactites and stalacmites in the Surprise Cave
- Enjoy an onboard Vietnamese cooking demonstation
- Eat a magnificent multi course breakfast, dinner and lunch aboard your ship
- Have fun with a sunset boat party!
- Take a peek at the itinerary!
- Eat steaming bowls of noodle soup and fresh rice paper rolls from hawker stalls
- Don’t forget about the French influence: you’ll be supping the best bread and coffee in Asia!
- Professional English speaking guide for the duration of your tour
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DAY 1: ARRIVE IN HANOI
Pick you up at the Airport and transfer to the Church Boutique hotel. Stay overnight in Church Boutique Hotel.
DAY 2: (B,L) HANOI CITY TOUR
This fully guided day tour takes you to the best places that this beautiful and charismatic city has to offer. Various selected highlights include the Ho Chi Minh Complex, Temple of Literature, Museum of Ethnology, Ngoc Son Temple and an hours cyclo tour around the bustling old quarter. Lunch will be served at one of Hanoi’s local restaurants.

AM
– Pick you up at your hotel at 8.00AM
– Visiting Ho Chi Minh Complex: Completed in 1975 the complex contains Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh museum.
– Visiting The Temple of Literature: Originally built as a temple to Confucius, this is the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070. Inside are the stone steles mounted on the backs of turtles, inscribed with the names of the university’s graduates. The complex is divided into five courtyards with different paths that would originally have been reserved for the Emperor and his mandarins. One of the courtyards contains the statue of Confucius guarded by two beautiful bronze storks standing on turtles. The temple highlights the importance influence that Vietnamese society has placed on education.
PM
– Museum of Ethnology: This museum is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples. As well as the comprehensive array of exhibits inside, there are also traditional tribal houses reconstructed within the grounds.
– Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake: The Ngoc Son temple is set on a tiny island on the Hoan Kiem Lake, with history dating back to the 13th century. The temple is reached by crossing the Huc Bridge which literally means the ‘Place Touched by Morning Sunbeams’. The Hoan Kiem Lake is the local point of the city and the source of many legends. One legend has it that in the 15th century Emperor Le Thai To vanquished the invading Chinese with the help of a magical sword. Whilst rowing on the lake an enormous turtle seized the sword from his grasp. The Emperor took this to mean that peace had returned and the sword had been given back to its guardian spirit. In honour of the event he renamed the lake ‘Ho Hoan Kiem’ – Lake of the Restored Sword.
– One hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter – a must for any visitor to Hanoi! A cyclo (pronounced see-clo) is a Vietnamese version of a cycle rickshaw, originally used as the main form of transportation in Vietnam, it has now been overtaken by motorbikes, but still very much remains at the heart of Vietnamese culture. Sit back and relax as you witness the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life from the comfort of your arm chair! The Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets, is a bustling area of narrow streets home to literally thousands of small businesses, shopkeepers and street vendors, selling everything from bananas to books. Originally each of the 36 streets names’ were related to the products being sold there. Hence you can walk from Fish Street to Tin Street to Bamboo Street. It’s a great place to explore and the slow pace of a cyclo will enable numerous photo opportunities.At approximately 6pm we will return you to your hotel.
18.00 Back to your hotel. It’s your free time now to have dinner.
19.30 VIETNAMESE FOLK MUSIC SHOW
“The traditional houses of the Old Quarter are a huge part of the neighbourhood’s appeal, but you’ll rarely have an opportunity to see beyond their shopfronts. Here, you can – this house is a beauty, lovingly restored and frozen in its late-19th-century condition. The woodwork upstairs is particularly impressive, and it’s surprising to see how effectively the courtyard creates an open, livable space.” – from Lonely Planet
19.30 Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday night at 7pm there is a performance of Ca Tru (ceremonial song) at the traditional house – an very ancient house – located at 87 Ma May Street. You can reach the house on food, it’s very central in the Old Quarter.
21.00 Exploring the nightlife in the Old Quarter or come back to your hotel for relax and taking a rest.
Stay overnight in the Church Boutique Hotel.
DAY 3: (B,L,D) DISCOVERING HALONG BAY ON 4 STAR CRUISER – PALOMA CRUISE
Route: Bai Tu Long bay – Vong Vieng floating village – Trong cave – Ha Long bay – Sung Sot cave
Highlight: The area immediately northeast of Halong Bay is known as Bai Tu Long Bay and is the focus of our special itinerary. Hundreds of islets rising from the clear waters, long sandy beaches beckon, grottoes and lagoons entice the visitor – an area relatively underdeveloped and unpolluted by the tourist trade.
On board you will be delighted with our top notch service and fine dining experience. Our menu is an innovative blend of European cuisine with an Asian twist. In Vietnam food preparation and presentation is an art form. A healthy and refined cuisine with exotic flavours features Vietnamese herbs, spices and other well-known traditional specialties. Non-meat eaters will be able to sample some of the best vegetarian food in Vietnam.

7.45 – 8.15 Our bus will pick you up at your hotel.
12.30 Arrive at Paloma office, Halong City. Transferred by tender to Paloma Cruise – enjoy welcome drink. Receive cruise briefing, check into cabins and begin your cruise. Arrive at Paloma office, Halong City. Transferred by tender to Paloma Cruise – enjoy welcome drink. Receive cruise briefing, check into cabins and begin your cruise.
13.15 – 14.30 Have lunch – delicious Vietnamese set menu (Massage service is available after lunch and thoughout the cruise).
15.00 Head to Bai Tu Long Bay, pass the towns of Hon Gai and Cam Pha, Oan Lagoon, Mat Quy (Monster Head) and Am Tich (Teapot) Islets and Vung Vieng fishing village.
Visit the Vung Vieng fishing village by local rowing boat (01 hour) or Kayak into the village then return to the vessel for your leisure or join one of the following optional activities: Sunbathing, traditional massage, swimming etc.

17.00 Drop anchor in the calm water surrounded by islets near Hang Trong.
Happy hour (sunset party)
18:30 Vietnamese cooking demonstration on boat.
19.15 Sumptuous Set-dinner onboard.
21:00 Relaxing on your cabin or join the on board activities: film entertainment, light music for dancing in the dining room (please book in advance with your tour guide), board games and playing cards are available, and massage services are available. Passengers may also try their luck at squid fishing from the boat.
Happy Hour! Buy two drink – get one free (wine by the bottle excluded)
Overnight aboard Paloma Cruise.
DAY 4: (B,L) CONTINUE EXPLORING HALONG BAY AND BACK TO HANOI
06.15 Start your day with Tai Chi on the Sundeck while complimentary tea & coffee are served
07.00 Have breakfast in the dinning room.
08.00 Explore the Surprise Cave (Sung Sot).
08.15 Transfer by tender to the Surprise Cave. Walk up about 100 steps to the cave entrance and tour the cave for approximately 45 minutes. Walk down about 100 steps and return to the boat.
10.00 Upon return to the boat you will have 30 minutes to freshen up and finish packing. Please remove all of your belongings from the cabins, you may leave heavy luggage outside of the cabins (staff will transfer directly to the pier).
10.30 Enjoy Set Menu for lunch in the dining room. We will settle bills after breakfast. Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery as we approach the pier.
11.30-12.00 Arrive at Hon Gai Habour. Transfer by tender to the pier, relax inside the Paloma Office while waiting for return transportation
16.00-16.30 Arrive in Hanoi. The bus drop you off at the Church Boutique Hotel.
17.00 Your free time to relax and finding food in Hanoi.
Stay overnight at Hanoi Church Boutique Hotel.
DAY 5: (B) FREE TIME IN HANOI WITH WATER PUPPET SHOW
AM Watching the Water Puppet Show at Thang Long theatre.
“You can’t leave Hanoi without seeing a traditional water-puppet show. The shows, which appeal to all ages, are charming, picaresque entertainments accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese pit orchestra” – From Lonely Planet
11.30AM Checkout the hotel. Our car pick you up at the hotel to transfer to the Hanoi airport.
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CHURCH BOUTIQUE HOTEL
3 nighs in a luxury 4 star hotel in Old Quarter Hanoi
Church Boutique Hotels are a group of newly built and refurbished hotels which combine Vietnamese hospitality with international standards and exquisite services. Each hotel has its own unique blend of contemporary style, unrivalled character and sheer elegance which make the hotels, the perfect place to stay for all visitors to Hanoi.
Located within the old quarter and in the heart of the shopping district of Hanoi, within walking distance to Hoan Kiem legendary lake, famous Water Puppet Theatre, Dong Xuan Night Market and Opera House, Church Boutique Hotels offer guests the opportunity to fully immerse in the life of the Hanoians – culture, history, shopping, food.
Church Boutique Hotels take pride in pampering our guests with services such as in room dining, safe deposit box, baggage storage, laundry & valet service. Guests can savour tasty Vietnamese and International dishes in the hotels’ all day dining restaurant/bistro/café, La Petite Eglise. Daily buffet breakfast and a wide range of set and a la carte menus are served in the restaurant.

Chic and modern guestrooms showcase Vietnamese contemporary design with a French touch.
Offering a total of 74 tastefully designed guestrooms in 3 locations, each Church Boutique Hotel embodies elegance at its finest to enable guest to work, relax and unwind with ease. Each of the rooms and suites offer a choice of king ,queen or twin beds . The amenities include individually controlled air-conditioning, en suite bathroom, hair dryer, mini-bar, tea and coffee making facilities, flat screen LCD TV with international TV channels, cable and wireless internet access, IDD telephone and in-room safe.



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WATER PUPPET SHOW
“You can’t leave Hanoi without seeing a traditional water-puppet show. The shows, which appeal to all ages, are charming, picaresque entertainments accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese pit orchestra. Order your tickets early in the day for the best seats. Your hotel can probably help” – From Lonely Planet

Water puppetry (Vietnamese: Múa rối nước – “puppets that dance on water”) is a tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century CE when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam. Today’s Vietnamese water puppetry is a unique variation on the ancient Asian puppet tradition. This art form is unique to North Vietnam and only finds its way to the world stage in recent years as a result of the normalized relation with the West. Today the Thang Long puppet troupe is the most well known in Ha Noi.
Water puppetry is performed in a pool of water with the water surface being the stage. The puppeteers stand behind a screen and control the puppets using long bamboo rods and string mechanism hidden beneath the water surface. The puppets are carved out of wood and often weigh up to 15 kg. A traditional Vietnamese orchestra provides background music accompaniment. Singers of Cheo (a form of opera) with origin in north Vietnam sing songs which tell the story being acted out by the puppets.

The theme of the skits is rural and has a strong reference to Vietnamese folklore. It tells of day-to-day living in rural Vietnam and Vietnamese folk tales that are told by grandparents to their grandchildren. Stories of the harvest, of fishing and of festivals are highlighted. Legends and national history are also told through short skits. Many of the skits, especially those involving the tales of day-to-day living, often have a humorous twist.
The puppets are made out of wood and then lacquered. The shows are performed in a waist-deep pool. A large rod supports the puppet under the water and is used by the puppeteers, who are normally hidden behind a screen, to control them. Thus the puppets appear to be moving over the water. When the rice fields would flood, the villagers would entertain each other using this form of puppet play.
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- PRICE: Contact us
- Tour ID: VN5D04
Children price policy
- FOC for children under 4 years old, applicable for 1 children sharing a room with 2 adults (No extra mattress), limited to one child per cabin.
- Children from 4 to 7 years old are charged 50% of the price and applicable for 1 children sharing a room with 2 adults (No extra Mattress), limited to one child per 2 adults.
- Children over 7 years old are charged as an adult
Notes
- Extra bed (mattress) on the Halong boat charges $25 USD net.
- Pick up time about 7:45 – 8:15, drop off time about 4:30 – 5:00 at the hotel lobby
Inclusion
- Vietnamese Folk Music Show or Water Puppet Show by your choice
- 2 way airport transfer and all other transports & transfers mentioned
- Cyclo fee
- All meals mentioned with “B” is breakfasts, “L” is lunch and “D” is dinner
- Welcome Drink upon boarding in Halong bay
- Entrance and Sightseeing Fees
- English-speaking Tour Guide
- Luxurious accommodation
- Fish equipment for relaxing in Halong bay
- Kayaking in Halong bay
- Hallong onboard insurance, tax, service charges
Exclusion
- Airfares
- Massage Services on Halong boat (please see massage menu in cabin)
- Beverages, Tips and Personal Expenses
- All other services not clearly mentioned above
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