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  4. North Vietnam Coastal Cruising: Hanoi to Danang

Experience Hanoi, Hue, Halong Bay and the unspoiled paradise of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Vietnam has hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline, but it’s mostly the local fisherman who get to see it. This new small-ship adventure cruise offers a chance to experience it in a way few tourists have. Starting in Hanoi, visit not only Halong Bay, historic Hue, and the important war sites of Vinh Moc and Khe Sanh, but also the largely unknown natural paradise of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. This immense, unspoiled haven takes the ancient limestone scenery to the next level – or more precisely, underground. If there’s one natural wonder to see in Vietnam before it changes, this is the one.

Start
Hanoi, Vietnam
Finish
Danang, Vietnam
Destination
Vietnam
Style
Comfort
Theme
Adventure Cruising
Code
TTMN
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 48

Why you'll love this trip

  • Witness the spectacle of early morning exercise at Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. Here the local rituals could be anything from laughing yoga to ballroom dancing

  • Be enchanted by the dreamlike scenery of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam’s must-see natural wonder of limestone islands

  • Venture to where relatively few tourists have gone before – the extraordinary Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, where caves as long as 30 kilometres were discovered only recently

  • Spend time at the Vinh Moc tunnels and Khe Sanh Combat Base, both of which provide an eye-opening insight into the America-Vietnam war

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a small ship adventure cruise, which means you’ll be sailing on a yacht with up to 47 other people. The boat is spacious and comfortable, but it focuses more on the destination than onboard activities. Instead of a pool, we have the sea itself. Instead of a casino, we’ve got board games and a good book. There’s also no formal dress code to worry about. Wi-Fi is available for a small charge.

  • Our ship moves under engine power, rather than sailing, so all cabins will experience light engine noise when the ship is moving (and occasionally when we drop anchor). It’s probably worth packing earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.

  • If you’re concerned about seasickness, there are seasickness tablets onboard. The ship will experience some roll and pitch in choppy conditions, however all of our ships come equipped with stabilisers to minimise movement. Most of our departures run in peak season, when the seas are calmer. Your crew will do all they can to minimise any discomfort.

  • There are no lifts (elevators) on-board our ships, so you’ll have to navigate a few steep flights of stairs. Handrails are always available.

Map of North Vietnam Coastal Cruising: Hanoi to Danang including Vietnam
Amazing Halong Bay in Vietnam
Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park in Vietnam
Citadel in Hue, Vietnam
Kayaking through Halong Bay in Vietnam
Your boat the Panorama II

Boats

Panorama II

On this itinerary, you'll be travelling aboard the Panorama II

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Itinerary
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Welcome to Vietnam. A complimentary arrival transfer is included if you're arriving today. In the evening after a welcome meeting at the hotel, you may like to sit down to an optional dinner with fellow travellers. Enchanting Hanoi stands in contrast to its southern counterpart Ho Chi Minh City, with an atmosphere that's a little less frantic, due in no small part to the abundance of lakes and parks to escape to.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
A complimentary arrival transfer will be provided if you arrive today,
or if you arrive earlier and have booked with Peregrine to stay at the
joining hotel.

Those feeling active can rise early for a leader-led walking tour this morning. This includes 'laughing yoga', tai chi and other lakeside activities enjoyed by Hanoi's local population. It's a great first taste of everyday life in Vietnam. Today you'll also visit a traditional water puppet theatre. Here your host Liem invites you into his home, a small-scale theatre that continues a long running family tradition, passed down from generation to generation. Witness not only the show itself but gain a behind-the-scenes insight into how the puppets are made and animated. Afterwards, return to the hotel for a 2 pm bus transfer from Hanoi to Halong, to board the Panorama II.
Accommodation
  • M/S Panorama II (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Local Lunch
  • Hanoi - Old Quarter Tour
  • Hanoi - Local water puppet performance
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Transfer to a smaller local boat today for a tour around beautiful Halong Bay. Take in glorious views of this World Heritage-listed beauty and its pretty limestone islands. You'll also visit a cave in the area and have the option for swimming from Ti Top Island. Overnight on board the Panorama II.
Accommodation
  • M/S Panorama II (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Kayaking from the Panorama II - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please note - local laws require that we have a security guard on
board our boat at all times during our time in the Halong Bay area.

Settle into a full day's sailing, heading south towards Hon Lang, which is located just north of Na Trang. Take the opportunity to relax with a drink, play some board games, chat with fellow travellers, or simply curl up on a comfortable chair on deck with a good book as the glorious coast streams by.
Accommodation
  • M/S Panorama II (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Arrive in Hon La at around 8 am, then transfer by bus to the unspoiled Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Spanning 885 square kilometres and boasting some of Asia's most ancient limestone karst landscapes, this chunk of land is one of the last true paradises of Vietnam. Visit the Thien Duong cave (aka Paradise Cave), which clocks in at an astounding 31 kilometres long and was discovered only in 2005. Later, set sail overnight for Vinh Moc, departing at midnight.
Accommodation
  • M/S Panorama II (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Phong Nha National Park Visit
  • Thien Duong Caves Visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Arrive at 9 am in Vinh Moc, where another incredible, but very different, underground site is found. The tunnels here were built to shelter local communities in the Demilatarised Zone that separated North and South Vietnam during the war. As you'll learn, the tunnels grew in sophistication and depth, and many families resided in this underground village in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Some 17 children were born down here. Today you'll also visit the Khe Sanh Combat Base, where the bloodiest conflict of the Vietnam-America conflict took place.
Accommodation
  • M/S Panorama II (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Vinh Moc Tunnel site visit
  • Khe Sanh Combat Base visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Dock at Chan May, then transfer by road to Hue, the former imperial capital and hub of Vietnam's historic past. Here the group will split up into smaller groups for a guided tour of the city with local guides. This includes a visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery that dates back to 1601. You'll enjoy some tasty vegetarian fare for lunch at a pagoda. Also visit the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, with its beautiful lake, frangipani and pine trees. In the evening, enjoy a final dinner onboard with your shipmates.
Accommodation
  • M/S Panorama II (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Farewell Dinner
  • Vegetarian lunch at Hue Pagoda
  • Guided Walking Tour of Hue
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Disembark in Da Nang after breakfast.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners

Transport

Small cruise ship, zodiac, bus

Accommodation

Small ship cruise 7 nights

Included activities

  • Local Lunch
  • Hanoi - Old Quarter Tour
  • Hanoi - Local water puppet performance
  • Phong Nha National Park Visit
  • Thien Duong Caves Visit
  • Vinh Moc Tunnel site visit
  • Khe Sanh Combat Base visit
  • Farewell Dinner
  • Vegetarian lunch at Hue Pagoda
  • Guided Walking Tour of Hue

Dates & availability

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Important notes

BOOKING CONDITIONS
Adventure Cruising trips have a deposit of A$600 per person (different amounts apply in other currencies) and the balance is due 90 days before departure.
If a booking is cancelled 90 days or more before departure - the cancellation fee is the full loss of the deposit paid.
If a booking is cancelled between 89 and 31 days before departure - the cancellation fee is 50% of the total booking cost, or the deposit, whichever is greater.
if a booking is cancelled 30 days or less prior to departure - the cancellation fee is 100% of the total price of the voyage.
Other fees may apply for air tickets and other arrangements booked in conjunction with a voyage.

SINGLE TRAVELLERS
Rooming on this trip is twin-share. Single travellers will share a Twin room with another traveller of the same gender. If you’d prefer not to share, a single cabin supplement is available at an additional charge.
Please note, it is not possible to share with a stranger in any double cabin category (as bedding in these cabins is one double bed).

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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