After hotel pickup in the morning from Hanoi's Old Quarter, you're driven to Halong Bay. The World Heritage area in the Gulf of Tonkin is designated by UNESCO for its seascape of nearly 3,000 uninhabited rocky islets.
During the roughly 4-hour drive, depending on traffic conditions, you'll pass through the famed Red River Delta. Enjoy a brief stop at Hai Duong City, where locals manufacture gifts and souvenirs.
On arrival around midday, step aboard your cruise boat for a tour of the limestone formations, and discover many names inspired by their shapes: Pelican Grotto, Chopstick Rock, Butterfly Rock, Turtle Rock, Fishman’s Head, Fighting Cocks, Sea Dog, and more. Soak up the magnificence while you dine on a seafood lunch.
You have the option of kayaking to grottos like Surprising Cave, swimming, or relaxing on the sun deck (drinks available for purchase). Then, your boat returns to the wharf in the late afternoon, here discover the stalactites and stalagmites of the Thien Cung cave before being transferred back to your Hanoi hotel by car or coach.
