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Halong Bay and the Red River Cruise

Halong Bay and the Red River Cruise

From AUD $8,004

Description

On a Pandaw ship travellers are able to explore the key sites of Northern Vietnam by river ship traversing the Red River delta and its main tributaries, connecting the wonders of Halong Bay with the excitements of downtown Hanoi, and then on into the interior, well off the beaten track. This is a combination of scenic beauty, lively and interesting (sometimes industrial) life of the river and exploring rivers where no other tourist craft operate.
Sailing deep into Highland Vietnam we will discover the mountain villages and a number of tribal areas. We will go as far as is navigable up the Song Red River and then down the little known Da or Black River. Note that this is a real river expedition and itineraries and schedules very much subject to change due to uncertain local conditions.

Trip Name
Halong Bay and the Red River Cruise
Days
11
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury River Cruising Length: 42.2 m Passenger Capacity: 32 passengers Built: 2012 RV Angkor Pandaw is a 46-metre luxury river cruise vessel, sister ship to the Katha, with 16 staterooms accommodating 32 guests. Built in 2012 and transferred to the Red River in North Vietnam, the ship features an enclosed, air-conditioned dining room, spacious open-air lounge, observation deck, and lounge bar. Cabins, finished in teak and brass, include panoramic French windows, air conditioning, Nespresso machines, minibars with complimentary drinks, spa-branded amenities, premium mattresses, and nightly turndown service. Guests can also use yoga mats and quality mountain bikes for independent exploration. Dining is led by a local master chef with an international culinary team, offering semi-buffet breakfasts and lunches, theme dinners, and daily light menu options. Complimentary drinks, an extensive wine list, and cultural performances enhance the experience. Excursions are supported with cold towels, bottled water, shoe cleaning, and first-aid-trained guides. The crew is fully trained to international marine standards, ensuring safety, hygiene, and 24-hour onboard support.

Itinerary



Day 1 - 1 - Hanoi - Halong Bay
Transfer from Hanoi to Tuan Chau, Halong Bay (approximately 130km and 2.5-hour journey) by bus with a guide. Upon arrival, embark your Pandaw ship and enjoy lunch on board. Cast off in the afternoon with a welcome cocktail for an evening sail, dropping anchor in Coconut Beach a sheltered bay amidst the beautiful island scenery.
Day 2 - 2 - Halong Bay
Morning sail around Halong Bay and beyond with its 1,500 dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations, dating back 1 approximately 20 million years. We make a stop at Viet Hai Village and continue our journey by mountain bike or electric buggy to visit the village's vegetable farm and typical village houses. 2 Enjoy a breathtaking ride along a small road winding its way through the limestone rocks. In the afternoon, we will continue cruising towards Lan Ha Bay for a visit to a floating fishing house. Weather 3 permitting, we will end the day with cocktails at 3-Peach Island's beautiful beach in Halong Bay.
Day 3 - 3 - Halong Bay - Hai Phong
Our exploration of Halong Bay continues, and we stop at the so-called "Dark and Bright Cave." Take a kayak or a local basket boat rowed by fishermen and enter this 1 remarkable cave into an enclosed area similar to a crater. Bats can be heard in the cave, and massive stalagmites hang from the ceiling. In the afternoon, we leave Halong Bay and enter the river, where we drop anchor near Hai Phong.
Day 4 - 4 - The Kinh Thay River
Observe the lively and interesting life of the Kinh Thay river, a key commercial waterway. In the afternoon we visit Thanh Ha Commune, considered the origin of water puppetry in Vietnam. After a stroll or bicycle through the quaint village, we enjoy a private water puppet show set under shade by a beautiful pond of lotus and lilies, as it has been enjoyed for centuries. We continue cruising until late evening and drop anchor midstream.
Day 5 - 5 - Day River
This morning, we sail along the Lower Red River and Day River while getting more acquainted with your expedition vessel during a ship tour. After lunch onboard, we head ashore to Co Chat village in Nam Dinh. Here, we visit local craftspeople who are making silk by hand and explore the local markets filled with exotic produce.
Day 6 - 6 - Khanh Thien Village
We continue our exploration of the Red River Delta, cruising towards Ninh Binh before mooring at Khanh Thien Village. In the morning, we disembark and embark on a journey to Phat Diem, home to the magnificent Phat Diem Cathedral, a 19th-century Roman Catholic church showcasing a unique blend of Vietnamese and European architectural styles. After lunch, explore Khanh Thien Village by local transportation or bicycle, discovering a host of local handicrafts including water hyacinth weaving and a variety of rice paper and cakes. Conclude the day with an enchanting performance by local artists showcasing ‘Chau Van’ singing, an ancient art form unique to this region.
Day 7 - 7 - Ninh Binh
Discover ‘Halong on Land’ today as we visit Ninh Binh, and take small bamboo rowing boats through the magnificent limestone caves. Visitors traveling in September and October, or April and May will witness the valleys shine golden as the rice fields prepare for harvest. We then return to our ship and sail upstream on the Red River towards Hanoi.
Day 8 - 8 - Hanoi
Dropping anchor in the bustling city of Hanoi, passengers will embark on a captivating journey through Hanoi, venturing beyond the typical tourist trail. Explore the historic Temple of Literature, a testament to Vietnam's Confucian roots, and gain a poignant understanding of the city's past at the Hoa Lo Prison. Immerse yourself in the vibrant Old Quarter, a sensory feast of sights, sounds, and aromas. Witness the unique spectacle of Train Street, sipping Vietnamese coffee as a train passes just inches away. Explore the local markets of Hang Da and Hang Gai Street and meet for transfer back to the RV Angkor at Thang Long Theatre.
Day 9 - 9 - Bat Trang Ceramic Village
This morning, we visit Bat Trang ceramic village, a hub of ceramic production for generations. The ceramics made here are famous throughout Vietnam and adorn many homes both north and south. Before returning to the ship, a local dance troupe will treat us to a lion dance on the pier. This colourful and energetic dance is customary during festivals throughout Vietnam, most notably during Tet. We then set sail into the lesser visited upper Red River beyond Hanoi. We make a stop at a small village dedicated to the handmade production of Vietnam’s most famous headwear, the Non La conical hat before continuing to Thay Pagoda. Hardly known, yet with exquisite temples dating from the 11th century, we visit this beautiful temple beside a lake and explore the village that surrounds the pagoda.
Day 10 - 10 - The Upper Red River
In the morning we go ashore to visit the UNESCO praised village of Duang Lam. This ancient village is a well preserved example of a traditional Vietnamese village from centuries ago with intricate architecture and fascinating culture. In the afternoon we visit the smith village of Ly Nhan to witness first-hand the traditional production methods still being used to this day. We then sail upstream for your farewell dinner onboard.
Day 11 - 11 - Viet Tri
Disembark after breakfast and enjoy a morning excursion en route to Hanoi. We start with a visit to Hung Lo Temple, where we will be serenaded with traditional folk music and enjoy an exploration of this quaint traditional town. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant followed by a transfer to Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport or Hanoi City.
Day 12 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
07-09-202617-09-2026AUD $8,004Main Deck Twin Sharing
07-09-202617-09-2026AUD $10,005Upper Deck Twin Sharing
07-09-202617-09-2026AUD $12,006Main Deck Twin Single Use
07-09-202617-09-2026AUD $15,007Upper Deck Twin Single Use
18-09-202628-09-2026AUD $8,004Main Deck Twin Sharing
18-09-202628-09-2026AUD $8,004Main Deck Twin Single Use
18-09-202628-09-2026AUD $10,005Upper Deck Twin Sharing
18-09-202628-09-2026AUD $10,005Upper Deck Twin Single Use
29-09-202609-10-2026AUD $12,006Main Deck Twin Single Use
29-09-202609-10-2026AUD $15,007Upper Deck Twin Single Use
29-09-202609-10-2026AUD $8,004Main Deck Twin Sharing
29-09-202609-10-2026AUD $10,005Upper Deck Twin Sharing
10-10-202620-10-2026AUD $8,004Main Deck Twin Sharing
10-10-202620-10-2026AUD $10,005Upper Deck Twin Sharing
10-10-202620-10-2026AUD $12,006Main Deck Twin Single Use
10-10-202620-10-2026AUD $15,007Upper Deck Twin Single Use
21-10-202631-10-2026AUD $8,004Main Deck Twin Sharing
21-10-202631-10-2026AUD $10,005Upper Deck Twin Sharing
21-10-202631-10-2026AUD $12,006Main Deck Twin Single Use
21-10-202631-10-2026AUD $15,007Upper Deck Twin Single Use
01-11-202611-11-2026AUD $10,062Main Deck Twin Sharing
01-11-202611-11-2026AUD $12,075Main Deck Twin Single Use
01-11-202611-11-2026AUD $12,578Upper Deck Twin Sharing
01-11-202611-11-2026AUD $15,094Upper Deck Twin Single Use
12-11-202622-11-2026AUD $10,062Main Deck Twin Sharing
12-11-202622-11-2026AUD $12,075Main Deck Twin Single Use
12-11-202622-11-2026AUD $12,578Upper Deck Twin Sharing
12-11-202622-11-2026AUD $15,094Upper Deck Twin Single Use
23-11-202603-12-2026AUD $11,622Main Deck Twin Sharing
23-11-202603-12-2026AUD $14,527Upper Deck Twin Sharing
23-11-202603-12-2026AUD $17,433Main Deck Twin Single Use
23-11-202603-12-2026AUD $21,791Upper Deck Twin Single Use
26-12-202605-01-2027AUD $8,004Main Deck Twin Sharing
26-12-202605-01-2027AUD $10,005Upper Deck Twin Sharing
26-12-202605-01-2027AUD $12,006Main Deck Twin Single Use
26-12-202605-01-2027AUD $15,007Upper Deck Twin Single Use
06-01-202716-01-2027AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
06-01-202716-01-2027AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
06-01-202716-01-2027AUD $13,207Main Deck Twin Single Use
06-01-202716-01-2027AUD $16,509Upper Deck Twin Single Use
17-01-202727-01-2027AUD $9,148Main Deck Twin Sharing
17-01-202727-01-2027AUD $10,977Main Deck Twin Single Use
17-01-202727-01-2027AUD $11,435Upper Deck Twin Sharing
17-01-202727-01-2027AUD $13,721Upper Deck Twin Single Use
28-01-202707-02-2027AUD $9,148Main Deck Twin Sharing
28-01-202707-02-2027AUD $10,977Main Deck Twin Single Use
28-01-202707-02-2027AUD $11,435Upper Deck Twin Sharing
28-01-202707-02-2027AUD $13,721Upper Deck Twin Single Use
08-02-202718-02-2027AUD $10,062Main Deck Twin Sharing
08-02-202718-02-2027AUD $12,075Main Deck Twin Single Use
08-02-202718-02-2027AUD $12,578Upper Deck Twin Sharing
08-02-202718-02-2027AUD $15,094Upper Deck Twin Single Use
19-02-202701-03-2027AUD $10,062Main Deck Twin Sharing
19-02-202701-03-2027AUD $12,075Main Deck Twin Single Use
19-02-202701-03-2027AUD $12,578Upper Deck Twin Sharing
19-02-202701-03-2027AUD $15,094Upper Deck Twin Single Use
02-03-202712-03-2027AUD $8,004Main Deck Twin Sharing
02-03-202712-03-2027AUD $10,005Upper Deck Twin Sharing
02-03-202712-03-2027AUD $12,006Main Deck Twin Single Use
02-03-202712-03-2027AUD $15,007Upper Deck Twin Single Use
13-03-202723-03-2027AUD $9,148Main Deck Twin Sharing
13-03-202723-03-2027AUD $10,977Main Deck Twin Single Use
13-03-202723-03-2027AUD $11,435Upper Deck Twin Sharing
13-03-202723-03-2027AUD $13,721Upper Deck Twin Single Use
24-03-202703-04-2027AUD $9,148Main Deck Twin Sharing
24-03-202703-04-2027AUD $10,977Main Deck Twin Single Use
24-03-202703-04-2027AUD $11,435Upper Deck Twin Sharing
24-03-202703-04-2027AUD $13,721Upper Deck Twin Single Use
04-04-202714-04-2027AUD $8,004Main Deck Twin Sharing
04-04-202714-04-2027AUD $10,005Upper Deck Twin Sharing
04-04-202714-04-2027AUD $12,006Main Deck Twin Single Use
04-04-202714-04-2027AUD $15,007Upper Deck Twin Single Use
15-04-202725-04-2027AUD $8,004Main Deck Twin Sharing
15-04-202725-04-2027AUD $10,005Upper Deck Twin Sharing
15-04-202725-04-2027AUD $12,006Main Deck Twin Single Use
15-04-202725-04-2027AUD $15,007Upper Deck Twin Single Use
26-04-202706-05-2027AUD $8,004Main Deck Twin Sharing
26-04-202706-05-2027AUD $10,005Upper Deck Twin Sharing
26-04-202706-05-2027AUD $12,006Main Deck Twin Single Use
26-04-202706-05-2027AUD $15,007Upper Deck Twin Single Use
07-05-202717-05-2027AUD $8,004Main Deck Twin Sharing
07-05-202717-05-2027AUD $8,004Main Deck Twin Single Use
07-05-202717-05-2027AUD $10,005Upper Deck Twin Single Use
07-05-202717-05-2027AUD $10,005Upper Deck Twin Sharing
18-05-202728-05-2027AUD $8,004Main Deck Twin Sharing
18-05-202728-05-2027AUD $10,005Upper Deck Twin Sharing
18-05-202728-05-2027AUD $12,006Main Deck Twin Single Use
18-05-202728-05-2027AUD $15,007Upper Deck Twin Single Use
29-05-202708-06-2027AUD $8,004Main Deck Twin Sharing
29-05-202708-06-2027AUD $10,005Upper Deck Twin Sharing
29-05-202708-06-2027AUD $12,006Main Deck Twin Single Use
29-05-202708-06-2027AUD $15,007Upper Deck Twin Single Use
04-09-202714-09-2027AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
04-09-202714-09-2027AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Single Use
04-09-202714-09-2027AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Single Use
04-09-202714-09-2027AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
15-09-202725-09-2027AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
15-09-202725-09-2027AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
15-09-202725-09-2027AUD $13,207Main Deck Twin Single Use
15-09-202725-09-2027AUD $16,507Upper Deck Twin Single Use
26-09-202706-10-2027AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
26-09-202706-10-2027AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
26-09-202706-10-2027AUD $13,207Main Deck Twin Single Use
26-09-202706-10-2027AUD $16,507Upper Deck Twin Single Use
07-10-202717-10-2027AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
07-10-202717-10-2027AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
07-10-202717-10-2027AUD $13,207Main Deck Twin Single Use
07-10-202717-10-2027AUD $16,507Upper Deck Twin Single Use
18-10-202728-10-2027AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
18-10-202728-10-2027AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
18-10-202728-10-2027AUD $13,207Main Deck Twin Single Use
18-10-202728-10-2027AUD $16,507Upper Deck Twin Single Use
23-12-202702-01-2028AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
23-12-202702-01-2028AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Single Use
23-12-202702-01-2028AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
23-12-202702-01-2028AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Single Use
03-01-202813-01-2028AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
03-01-202813-01-2028AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
03-01-202813-01-2028AUD $13,207Main Deck Twin Single Use
03-01-202813-01-2028AUD $16,507Upper Deck Twin Single Use
14-01-202824-01-2028AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
14-01-202824-01-2028AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
14-01-202824-01-2028AUD $13,207Main Deck Twin Single Use
14-01-202824-01-2028AUD $16,507Upper Deck Twin Single Use
05-02-202815-02-2028AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
05-02-202815-02-2028AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
05-02-202815-02-2028AUD $13,207Main Deck Twin Single Use
05-02-202815-02-2028AUD $16,507Upper Deck Twin Single Use
27-02-202808-03-2028AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
27-02-202808-03-2028AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
27-02-202808-03-2028AUD $13,207Main Deck Twin Single Use
27-02-202808-03-2028AUD $16,507Upper Deck Twin Single Use
20-03-202830-03-2028AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
20-03-202830-03-2028AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
20-03-202830-03-2028AUD $13,207Main Deck Twin Single Use
20-03-202830-03-2028AUD $16,507Upper Deck Twin Single Use
31-03-202810-04-2028AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
31-03-202810-04-2028AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
31-03-202810-04-2028AUD $13,207Main Deck Twin Single Use
31-03-202810-04-2028AUD $16,507Upper Deck Twin Single Use
11-04-202821-04-2028AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Single Use
11-04-202821-04-2028AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
11-04-202821-04-2028AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
11-04-202821-04-2028AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Single Use
22-04-202802-05-2028AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
22-04-202802-05-2028AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
22-04-202802-05-2028AUD $13,207Main Deck Twin Single Use
22-04-202802-05-2028AUD $16,507Upper Deck Twin Single Use
03-05-202813-05-2028AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
03-05-202813-05-2028AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
03-05-202813-05-2028AUD $13,207Main Deck Twin Single Use
03-05-202813-05-2028AUD $16,507Upper Deck Twin Single Use
14-05-202824-05-2028AUD $8,805Main Deck Twin Sharing
14-05-202824-05-2028AUD $11,006Upper Deck Twin Sharing
14-05-202824-05-2028AUD $13,207Main Deck Twin Single Use
14-05-202824-05-2028AUD $16,507Upper Deck Twin Single Use

Inclusions

    • Explore the wonders of Halong Bay
    • Visit some highlights of the Asian metropolis
    • Hanoi
    • Sail deep into Highland Vietnam
    • Enjoy a UNESCO recognized "Hat Xoan" performance.
    • Visit a timeless Arcadian Vietnam with emerald green rice paddies punctuated by lime stone rock formations.

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