Hanoi Family Tour 5 Days

Excursion to Bat Trang pottery village, Temple of Literature, driving through the Old Quarter, enjoying water puppet show.

8:30 AM: pick up from your hotel to Bat Trang Village, located on the bank of the Red River 20km from the Hanoi center. Bat Trang is one of the most famous traditional craft villages in the country, specializing in porcelain crafts. Built over 700 years ago, Bat Trangs’ name has a Chinese origin meaning “a large field where the bowls are made”. Bat means bowl and Trang means a specialized area.

On arrival, we will visit the communal house dedicated to the man who created the porcelain craft village. Make a special visit to a family factory. Your tour guide will explain the processes of making ceramic products and you might have a chance to work with the craftsmen. Stroll around to explore village, visit some traditional ceramic ovens and have a look beautiful products in the shops. Enjoy time for shopping souvenirs.

Travel back to city center, have a break for lunch (by your own account) before visit the Temple of Literature which was built under the Ly dynasty in 11th century for worshipping Confucius and teaching Royal children. Enjoy a walk in the garden to the city’s symbol Khue Van Cac. You will then visit the World Heritage "stone steles” which shows the name of outstanding students. Continue to explore the Quoc Tu Giam which is considered as the first national university of Vietnam.

Continue by driving through French quarter, passing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace to the Hanoi Old Quarter which was built in the 15th century as a trading center in the capital city with 36 streets of different products. Despite the changes, the Old Quarter is always considered a live city museum. The unique tube houses, small alleys, temples, open door markets and street vendor foods come together in a beautiful harmony. Discovering the town by walking is the best way to stimulate all your senses.

Finally, enjoying the water puppet shows that is the unique performances, first appeared in the 11th century. In these shows, the daily life, culture and belief of Vietnamese people are described by puppets on water. The show usually integrates a traditional music performance as well.

Come back to your hotel. End of the day service

8:00 AM: Start from Hanoi to the Moon Garden homestay in the Ky Son village.

On arival, enjoy some fresh local green tea then free to discover the Moon garden Home stay and the village.

11:00: Join in a cooking class for authentic Vietnamese cuisines and enjoy lunch.

13:30: Hand Spa - Enjoy having your fingers dipped in a fragrant lime bowl in a traditional herbal hand massage. Then, relax and take some further conversation with the host family, sharing cultures, and learning about traditional customs. If you want to learn Vietnamese they will be more than happy to teach you.

Experience your Foot Bath in warm water with ginger, salt and mugwort medicinal herbs. While waiting for medicinal herbs to be prepared, you can enjoy our local drink and taste some of the local products such as traditional dessert, maize, sweet potato, cassava, peanuts depending on season.

17:00: Travel back to your hotel in Hanoi.

8:00 AM: Pick up at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter). Enjoy 3-hour drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Your journey will pass the series of villages and rice fields in Red River Delta. Have a stop for drink and restroom. Continue your driving, arrive at the harbor around noon, get warmly welcomed at reception.

12:30: Checks in boat with cruise briefing and safety instructions. Start cruising and explore Halong Bay - one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Enjoy buffet lunch with Vietnamese dishes served while cruising through the bay, passing the most beautiful and quiet areas, such as Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock, Soi Sim beach, Coconut Three Islands In the afternoon, visit Tung Sau area, covered by the leaping rocks, cultured pearl fishery. You can wit yourself the process of the jewel, from culturing to harvesting and sculpting. Moreover, you have a chance to do kayaking based on your preference. Enjoy busy space with pearl maker, you can experience the completion of pearl. Visiting the beautiful Titov beach for swimming (if the weather permits), Titov Beach is especially famous for its fresh atmosphere, clean water, and smooth white sand that create a great ambiance for tourists to relax or passengers can take steps to reach on the top of  Titov island to have a whole panorama view of Halong Bay. Back to the boat and free time while sailing to Luon Bo area, and anchor for overnight.

Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu)

18:30: Attend the Cooking class on sundeck – How to make Vietnamese spring rolls - traditional Vietnamese food. Then enjoy Happy Hour (Buy one drink-get one free). It is time for chit chat and relaxing. Watch the magnificent sunset over Halong Bay.

Dinner – Deluxe Vietnamese BBQ Set Menu Dinner

Evening activities include: Leisure time to enjoy a chat around the bar, watching movies and many sort of Vietnam cultural films, relaxing and spending a romantic night on Pelican Halong Cruise’s music, playing cards, chess are available, reading magazines in room and dining room. You may also try your luck at squid fishing & fishing from the boat.

06:30: The day starts early onboard with Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Tai chi also called Tai chi chuan, combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow and gentle movements.

Coffee, tea and pastries for breakfast are served in the dining room with morning view of bay’s landscape.

Transfer by tender to Sung Sot Cave. Walk up about 100 steps to the cave entrance. It takes approximately 45 minutes to visit Sung Sot Cave, one of the biggest caves in Halong bay with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Return to the cruise by tender. Check out and settle your bill at reception.

Have a buffet brunch and enjoy the bay scenery while cruising back to the Tuan Chau Wharf.

11h30-12h00: Disembark

Welcome by driver at the harbor then enjoy travel back to Hanoi. Have a rest at the middle of the way. Drop off at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter).

Private driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby (Hanoi Old Quarter) for about 45 minutes to Noi Bai airport (international or domestic hall according to your request). Thanks for the visit to our city.