Excursion Mid-voayge land adventure: hanoi in-depth tour at Halong Bay

Fascinating Hanoi is nearly 1,000 years old and the proud capital of Vietnam. With its many attractions, an overnight stay is a must on any visit to this dynamic destination. Situated on both sides of the Red River, the city with a population of roughly 6.5 million is the country's economic, cultural and political centre. Beautiful French colonial buildings stand next to traditional houses, and thousands of scooters, motorcycles and bicycles clutter the streets, vying for space with cars and buses. Take in a little of both its ancient and modern history. Upon your return to Ha Long Bay, experience the natural wonder of this UNESCO site on your junk cruise, before re-joining the ship.

01MIDHAL-C Hanoi In-Depth

Duration: 1.5 Days/1 Night

Departure: Halong Bay at approximately 2:30pm

Rejoin ship: Halong Bay at approximately 5:00pm

Reserve: A minimum of 90 days prior to sailing

IMPORTANT NOTE

This Land Adventure is a small group luxury tour, providing bespoke cultural and sightseeing experiences. We limit the tour to a small group in order to ensure your experience is a high-quality one. Spots are available on a first come, first serve basis. If the program fills up, you'll be accommodated on a space-available basis. Advanced booking is required via Silversea Reservations. We suggest booking early to secure your spot(s).

Please be advised that a minimum number of participants is required for this program to run as described. In rare cases when the minimum number of participants is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the program at an increased rate based on private arrangements or to cancel your specific departure for a refund. The self-cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, is 90 days or sooner to initial sailing date at the rate of 100% program fare per person. The payment for your Land Adventure is due in full on the same date as your final payment due for your cruise. Per Silversea's general payment terms, bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner.

All Land Adventures are non-transferable and non-refundable within 120 days of sailing, with the exception of cancellation by Silversea. Our family-friendly land programs require adult accompaniment of any guests under the age of 18. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Silversea and our local operators make every effort to ensure your land program runs as described. Our local operators reserve the right to modify tour sequence, sites visited and venues mentioned due to operational reasons.

VISA INFORMATION:

Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for Vietnam. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.

LOCAL CURRENCY:

Viet Nam Dong and US dollars are well-accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited. Guests must bring one passport-sized photos (2"X2") with them.

Explore ancient and modern Hanoi with more time to take in the many sites that make Vietnam's capital and second largest city a bucket-list destination for so many.

Explore ancient and modern Hanoi with more time to take in the many sites that make Vietnam's capital and second largest city a bucket-list destination for so many.

DAY ONE - Ha Long Bay / Hanoi

On arrival in Ha Long, disembark the ship and climb aboard your authentic 'junk' and explore the bay.

Ha Long Bay is among Vietnam's most celebrated attractions and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its seascape offers fantastic sites of fragmented limestone outcroppings, sheer cliffs, huge rock arches and tranquil coves. Many of the rock formations rise from the sea to heights between 300 and 900 feet like green-clad plaster monsters.

The name Ha Long Bay, or 'where the dragon descends into the sea,' has its origin in an ancient legend, according to which a huge dragon descended and assisted the Vietnamese in their fight against northern invaders. After victory, the dragon and its young remained, turning into a fence of rocky islands to protect the locals. Even today, sailors and locals still claim sightings of a giant sea monster. Some of the outcroppings, caves and grottoes have a most exotic appearance. They have been given such names as Face Island, Isle of Wonders and Isle of Surprise, among others.

At the end of the cruise, commence your journey of approximately 2.5-3 hours to Ha Noi. The drive from the pier to Hanoi offers ample chances to take photos of buffaloes and rice fields, farmers working together on the cooperatives, mountains, coal mines, old factories, and former battlefields, as you pass through the countryside.

Check-in and dinner at the Hanoi Intercontinental.

Overnight at the Hanoi Intercontinental Hotel (or similar) - Hanoi

DAY TWO - Hanoi / Ha Long Bay

After an early breakfast at the hotel, check-out and begin your sightseeing program, covering some of the city's major highlights including Ba Dinh Square which is dominated by the impressive marble and granite tomb where the Ho Chi Minh lies in state. The huge square is dominated by the monumental shrine containing the embalmed body of the 'Father of the Country.' Together with the former Presidential Palace and one-time French governor's residence, the square offers great photo opportunities. Due to long lines and frequent closures, a visit to the mausoleum is not planned. For the Vietnamese, filing past 'Uncle Ho' in his glass sarcophagus is a somber experience in this spiritual center of their independence.

Continue your tour with a walk through the garden located behind the Mausoleum. Stroll past tranquil lotus ponds to Ho's stilt house. The cottage is a simple teak building resembling the homes of the ethnic hill tribes. Take a look inside this humble abode, which Ho preferred to living in the palace.

Your next stop is a visit to the Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucianism and founded in 1076 during the Ly Dynasty. The temple complex is the site of the country's first university, which is the pride of the nation and the most important educational center. The unique entrance gate and 82 stone steles bear witness to an early high level of education at a time when the country gained independence from Chinese occupation. Take a walk through walled courtyards with ancient pavilions and enter the ornate main shrine dedicated to famous teachers and Confucius, where 'men of letters' once recited their poetry.

Carry on to Hoa Lo, translated as 'Hell's hole', it was built by the French in the late 19th century to house Vietnamese prisoners. Nicknamed 'Hanoi Hilton' by the Americans during the Second Indochina War, much of the prison was demolished in 1996. What remains is a museum depicting the horrors of the imprisonment of the Vietnamese and many American pilots including Senator John McCain.

Proceed from here to the city's Old Quarter. Named for the original 36 streets that formed the quarter, this is the most crowded and busy part of downtown. In the streets, each named after a particular trade they once represented, merchants and buyers carry out a flurry of activities. Today, this is a shopping mecca for visitors and residents alike. While walking through this maze of alleys, you may well find a nice souvenir at a good price.

After your morning visits, transfer to a local restaurant for lunch with Vietnamese food.

After lunch, drive past the Hoan Kiem Lake where you will see a tiny island in the middle of the lake and on which is perched the Ngoc Son temple dedicated to Tran Hung Dao, a hero who fought against the Mongolian troops in the 13th century. The lake is also known as the Lake of the Restored Sword, and you will hear the legend that is the origin of this name.

Walk into the old quarters of Ha noi of 36 streets. You will see arrays of shops and local things. The old quarter is full of colors and crowded.

Drive back to Ha long bay and embark the ship.

Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure requires an extensive amount of walking and climbing of steps at all sites visited, making the tour unsuitable for guests with limited mobility or those utilising a wheelchair. An overnight Vietnamese visa will be issued upon departure and will be charged to your account onboard. This Land Adventure involves touring outdoors and guests may be exposed to warm/hot, humid and/or wet weather and insects; please pack accordingly in a small overnight case. Casual, lightweight clothing, comfortable shoes, a sunhat, sun block and sunglasses are imperative. Remember also to bring your camera. US dollars are well accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited. The tour sequence may vary and traffic patterns may affect tour timings; order of sites may change. Anticipate crowds at Ba Dinh Square. The duration of the drive between Ha Long Bay and Hanoi is approximately 2.5-3 hours in each direction. Comfort stops are made along the way and drive time can vary. Operation of the junk cruise is subject to favourable sea and/or visibility conditions.

Programme Includes:

· One-night stay at the Intercontinental Hotel (or similar), Superior category- Hanoi

· One breakfast, one lunch, one dinner (lunch and dinner include choice of two local beers, soft drinks, bottled water; beverage at dinner also includes house wine)

· All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary

· Entrance fees as per itinerary

· Private (for the overland group) junk cruise

Not Included:

Any meals and drinks not specified above, personal charges incurred at the hotel (a credit card must be registered prior), gratuities to drivers and tour guides, shoreside visa, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance and other personal items. Vietnamese visa upon arrival at first Vietnamese port. This fee will be charged automatically to your ship account.