Another early morning start and the weather was still grey and overcast but at least it had stopped raining. The minibus picked us up at 7.45 and we spent the next hour doing a city tour picking up the other 10 people on the tour. Three hours later we boarded our ‘luxury’ boat which would take us to explore Ha Long bay. There were only 6 of of us on the our 16 berth boat which made things all the more personal with our tour guide ‘Suan’. Suan was a mine of information and we later found out she had studied tourism for 7 years at university.
After boarding we sailed for 2 hours to LanHa Bay and disembarked. We were shown the impressive caves and the million year old stalactites and stalagmites inside the limestone mountains. Ha Long bay has over 1500 square kilometres of limestone and dolomite islets which have recently been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We both really enjoyed the caves……..is this a sign we are getting old?
From there we sailed into the next bay for kayaking. After 15 minutes we returned with wet bums, aching arms and goosebumps. Kayaking is not for us!
Dinner was sea food again, we are both feeling a little ’sea fooded’ out. The following morning was my birthday, oh joy of joys I’m now 40 and unemployed, only kidding.
We got off of the boat at Cat Ba and then 4 of us and Suan went for a 2 hour mountain bike ride. What a wonderful way to spend my birthday. The scenery was stunning,we felt really welcome as all the locals shouted and waved as we passed through.
After the cycle ride we checked into our hotel in Cat Ba town. It is a strange place where it is very obvious the local population are desperate for the US$. It has a growing number of high rise hotels, karoke bars, water fountains and bright lights to entice the overseas visitor.
Having said that we both spent a very entertaining evening with 40 or so other drunken travellers in a karoke bar until we were thrown out. There were 2 of us celebrating birthdays and somehow we were forced into a duet. Last time I sang karoke I said never again…..this time I mean it! Steve even got photographic evidence, trouble is, I look like I’m enjoying it. I’ll never admit it though.
Holiday Indochina has moved its office to 4th floor, VP bank building, 61 Xa Dan street, Dong Da district, Hanoi, Vietnam. Our new location at the center of Hanoi, offer a convenient access to famous sites in Hanoi such as: Hochiminh Mausoleum complex, Temple of Literature, Fine Art Museum and West Lake. Check out our websites for various tours offer and hot deals.
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Halong Indochina Sails cruise- 2days The fleet of 3 luxury cruises can guarantee for the request at any time.Each boat features spacious, well-appointed cabins and suites with large ensuite marble bathrooms, a large sundeck with comfortable lounging furniture and an elegant dining room and bar. The cruise designed and fitted to international standards while maintaining traditional Chinese Junk styling, creating the perfect balance of modern comforts and nostalgic ambiance. Trip general information: * Tour type: Luxury cruising trip on Halong bay * Operation mode: joined-in cruise - Length: 2days * Stop at: Halong bay, Vietnam * Price from: 219USD/cabin
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Vietnam classic trip in distinguished way - 4days Halong is the most well-known site of Vietnam. This tour offers the top-end services featuring most highlights in Hanoi and Halong bay including the luxurious transfer by Mercedes E-class, stay in top hotel in Hanoi - Sofitel Metropole and most luxurious Halong -Valentine cruise, Suite cabin Trip general information: * Tour type: Classic, luxury tour and fully escorted * Operation mode: Private tour - Length: 4days * Stop at: Hanoi capital city, Halong bay * Price from:1831USD/person
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A creative downstream by La Marguerite cruise - 8days This week long cruise offers a distinctive way of experiencing the Mekong as seen through the passionate French Novelist Marguerite Duras, who glamorized the Mekong with a unique cross cultural love epic “The Lover”. The guided tours to historic and cultural sites, local attractions, museums and galleries are developed with personal enrichment in mind. Trip general information: * Tour type: Luxury cruising trip on Vietnam and Cambodia * Operation mode: joined-in cruise - Length: 8days * Stop at: HCMC - the most modern city in Vietnam, Sadec, Phnompenh - the capital city of Cambodia, Tonle river and Siemreap - the land of Angkor complex * Price from: 2092USD/cabin - Special Offer
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Bac Ha colorful market - 3days This tour offers you a special visit to colorful market at Bac Ha. Being a minority ethnic people market, the town of Bac Ha is famous for its Sunday market which is a trading centre and meeting place for couples, friends, and relatives every Sunday. Trip general information: * Tour type: Soft trek and escorted by local guide * Operation mode: Private tour - Length: 3 days * Stop at: Sapa soft trek to Cat cat village, Bac Ha Market * Price from: 165USD/person
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Sapa discovery 4days Sapa is a former French hill station situated in the valleys near the Chinese border. Its high elevation of 1,600 meters creates a cool climate. Today, Sapa attracts visitors for its stunning scenery, comfortable climate, colorful markets, and a variety of ethnic hill tribes living in nearby villages. This is the perfect itinerary for those seeking a retreat with unique experience Trip general information: * Tour type: Classic soft trek and escorted by local guide * Operation mode: Private tour - Length: 4days * Stop at: Hanoi capital city, Sapa mountainous town * Price from: 256USD/person - Special Offer
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North Vietnam expedition 5days The Ha Long bay, dotted with 3000 limestone islets rising from emerald water, is the best known natural wonder of Vietnam. Most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence, the islands feature beautiful beaches and grottoes. The tour also goes to Mai Chau, mostly inhabited by Thai and Muong minorities to enjoy a pure atmosphere in a remote area Trip general information: * Tour type: Classic excursion and escorted by local guide * Operation mode: Private tour - Length: 5 days * Stop at: Hanoi capital city, Mai Chau valley and Halong bay * Price from: 332USD- Special offer
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Nha Trang Hideaway Vacation 5days Nha Trang is another scuba centre in Vietnam, and although big animals are hard to find there (apart from the local morays), the abundance of other marine life makes for fascinating diving. Indeed, Nha Trang is renowned for its vibrant nudi-branchs and extensive coral biodiversity, and over 350 species of coral can be found at dive sites there Trip general information: * Tour type: Beach vacation and non-escorted * Operation mode: Private tour - Length: 5 days * Stop at: Nha trang beach * Price from: 239USD
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Hoi an beach break vacation 5days Hoi An is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vietnam. It attaches the tourists with the ancient charm of temples, shrines with amazing masterpiece of Chinese style tile-roofed wooden houses and a unique blend of Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese architecture. Trip general information: * Tour type: Beach vacation and non-escorted * Operation mode: Private tour - Length: 5days * Stop at: Hoi an beach * Price from: 121USD/person
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Vietnam Discovery - 14 days This 14 day program visits the most interesting places in the country. It’s the perfect introduction to one of Asia’s most fascinating cultures. Your experience will be diversified from the vibrancy of the south to the ancient and solemn of the former citadel in the center then picturesque view of legendary bay and majestic mountains in the north Trip general information: * Tour type: Vietnam Overland and fully escorted * Operation mode: Private tour - Length: 14days * Stop at: HCMC, Cu Chi, My Tho boat trip,Nha trang, Dalat, Hue, Hanoi, Halong bay
