Magnificent View of Halong Bay

It was quite last minute planning as elder son, Sher in SPM year.  So we have actually put all travels/holidays on hold.

My hubby saw the advertisement in newspaper and quickly told me to call up the travel agent regarding Hanoi.  So we were actually the final 5 pax for our group departure during  Raya public holidays.  We departed on 8 August 2013 via Vietnam Airlines.

Ours was 5 days 4 nights Hanoi/Halong Bay/Tam Coc/Van Phuc + overnight on chartered cruise.

Hanoi or Thang Long "ascending dragon" is the Vietnamese capital.  A charming city with old quarter monuments and colonial architecture surrounded by lakes.

Our flight reached airport late night and off we went to the yummylicious Vietnam signature noodle soup before we were checked into our Hotel Crowne Plaza West Hanoi.

The next day we went to Tam Coc - known for Halong Bay on land. We climbed onto the tiny boat for a peaceful river cruise, rowing through a series of interlink caves which was quite a thrill.  We had lunch at a restaurant nearby. And then continued with Bich Dong - standing on the highest temple, you could view the fields and mountain of Tam Coc, State Theater Opera House and Trans Quoc Pagoda.

Rowing boat with legs!

Day 3 we visited Ba Dinh Square - famous square where Ho Chi Minh read the proclamation of independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Residence, Temple of Literature - Vietnam first university was here and One Pillar Pagoda - a historic Buddhist temple.

We then proceeded to Hon Gai Harbour for our 2 days 1 night cruise at Halong Bay. We had our buffet lunch on  board the Pelican cruise. After lunch, we were given our room key.  Great view from our cabin. I could not take my eyes off the view sitting by the window.

At 3 pm, we took a smaller boat to Halong Bay's most famous and one of the largest stalactite cave (Sung Sot Cave) enjoying the unique natural rocks inside the cave. By 6 pm we anchoraged at Tip Top island for a swim.  Dinner was served on cruise.

Before dinner, a small activity was organized where the staff on board taught us how to make Vietnamese Spring roll. We had the spring rolls there and then.  After dinner, you can either choose to watch movie but tell you the television set is so small, enjoy the wind and scenery or go for squid fishing.

 

 

Spectacular views from our room

 

Our room on board Pelican cruise

The next morning we woke up early for tai chi exercise prior to our buffet breakfast. After meal, we explored Luan Cave using rowing boat. We took lots of photo before disembarked back to Hanoi.

Cruising through back to pier

Nighs squid fishing

 

All meals served on the cruise were good.  I have no complaint. In fact all the meals served for this tour were all good.

We went to Hoan Kiem Lake, shopping at 36 Ancient Street and watched water puppet show before our buffet dinner at a large restaurant and we were really hungry by then time we reached the restaurant and buffet is the perfect choice!

Luan Cave

It was indeed a relaxing trip and the most memorable was the magnificent view of Halong Bay.