2-night pre-extension - $399 per person
Day 1
Fly in to Hanoi and transfer to Hanoi’s deluxe Sofitel Metropole (or similar).* Take the rest of the day to relax after your flight.
Day 2
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and ride through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta as the daily village life of Vietnam unfolds around you. You will see people working in the terraced rice fields, water buffalo dotting the landscape and lush, green scenery everywhere. Suddenly you are presented with the stunning panorama that is Ha Long Bay; enjoy the views as you approach the shore. Board a traditional wooden junk for your Ha Long Bay cruise. Lunch is served as your guide discusses the bay’s features, history and ecosystem and explains the legends that surround the various rock formations, islets, caves and grottoes you encounter, such as Stone Dog, Incense Burner and Fighting Cock. At the core of the islets, visit Heavenly Residence Grotto and Driftwood Grotto. Disembark at Ha Long Pier later this afternoon and check in to the elegant Novotel Ha Long Bay for a 1-night stay. (B, L)
Day 3
Awaken to the spectacular Ha Long Bay seascape—perhaps take a walk along the shore in the early-morning mist. After breakfast, ride back to Hanoi to check in to the deluxe Sofitel Metropole. Other cruisetour guests will be joining you there; tomorrow your cruisetour begins with a historic city tour of Hanoi. (B)
The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch
*For 2012, transfers are not included. Let us know if you would like help arranging your airport transfers. For 2013, airport transfers are included if Viking air offer is purchased and flight arrival or departure date coincides with cruise/tour start or finish date only.