Travel Map
Detailed Itinerary
- Upstream: Hanoi - Hoa Binh
- Downstream: Hoa Binh - Hanoi
DAY 1: HANOI - HALONG - EMBARKATION
Transfer from Hanoi International Airport/Meeting point to Halong Bay to embark the cruise with a stop for lunch enroute. Cast off in the late afternoon for an evening sailing to drop anchor in a sheltered bay amidst the amazing island scenery.
TRANSFER FROM HANOI AIRPORT
We pick you up at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport – Seat in coach. Last departure is no later than 12.00 noon. Please look for a Pandaw sign with your name on in the arrival hall. Arrival in Halong Bay at 16.00pm.
TRANSFER FROM HANOI CITY
For passenger already in Hanoi the night before, please meet us at: 10.00am.
Registration at hotel lobby 10.00am. Coach departs from Sofitel at 11.00am. Arrival in Halong Bay at 16.00pm.
PRIVATE ARRIVAL AT HA LONG BAY
For passengers already in Ha Long Bay on the night before, please come to Tuan Chau International Jetty at 16.00pm for check in.
- Meals: Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 2: HALONG BAY CRUISE
Morning sail around Halong Bay and beyond with its 1,500 dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations, dating back 20 million years. We will visit by local boat a local floating home, kayaking or taking a rowing basket boat to bright & dark limestone caves.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 3: HALONG BAY - RIVER CRUISE
Morning continue cruising in Halong Bay then we will enter the river in the afternoon and setting sail to Pha Lai. Observe the lively and interesting life of the river, a key commercial waterway. We will anchor mid-stream.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 4: DUONG RIVER CRUISE
Morning sail on Duong river to Duc Tai Village. take a walking around Duc Tai Village and visit a local family where bamboo baskets being made by family member. Back to the ship and have lunch while the ship cruising on Thai Binh river. PM excursion to Thanh Ha commuinne for water puppet show & village walkabout. Continues cruising to Ninh Giang.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 5: NINH GIANG - HANOI
In the morning take a walking tour in Ninh Giang commune to visit local market and taste a homemade special cake (BANH GAI). Then we will continue to Stork 's island on a 25 minutes bus ride before wer return back to the ship for lunch. Afternoon cruising to Ha Noi.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 6: HANOI
Dropped anchor in the bustling city of Hanoi, passengers will visit some highlights of this Asian metropolis, must see’s like the notorious Vietnam war prison known as the Hanoi Hilton, temple of literature where Confucius did his thinking and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Afternoon walking tour of Hanoi including a visit to a coffee shop where we learn about Vietnam’s famous coffee making industry. Before returning to your ship you will enjoy a traditional unicorn and lion dance at the jetty.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 7: LOWER RED RIVER CRUISE
Morning visit Bat Trang ceramic village then sail through day from Hanoi up the Red River to Viet Tri, not the most picturesque of towns but an excellent base for going deeper into Highland Vietnam. Going ashore we visit a timeless Arcadian Vietnam with emerald green rice paddies punctuated by lime stone rock formations. Of particular interest is the Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas, hardly known, yet with exquisite temples dating from the 8th and 11th century and home to some fine Buddhist statuary carved from jackfruit trees. We will arrive in Viet Tri in the evening.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 8: LO RIVER
In the morning cruising to Tien Du ferry station to the conical hat making village of Gia Thanh. Take in the sights and sounds of the bustling river with all kinds of craft and activity. By bus we continue to Hung Lo Temple.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 9: DA RIVER
Enjoy a day sailing downstream admiring the unspoilt beauty of the Da River. We pass the Ba Vi National Park with its rich and diverse tropical and sub-tropical flora and fauna before arriving at Hoa Binh. We will visit the UNESCO village of Duang Lam.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 10: HOA BINH
Hoa Binh was the site of a major battle with the French in 1951 & 1952 and is home to the Muong ethnic group.This morning we will take a boat ride on the reservoir of Hoa Binh power station and visit a local village and tonight you will enjoy the traditional performance of local hill tribe people.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 11: HOA BINH - DISEMBARKATION
Disembark after breakfast (08.30am) and visit a museum and local village where villagers still wear traditional dresses. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, followed by a transfer to Hanoi airport or drop off point Sofitel Plaza.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
- Accommodation: N/A
DAY 1: HOA BINH EMBARKATION
Transfer to Hoa Binh, embark your ship at around 15.00pm and set sail downstream for sunset and a night on the Da River.
TRANSFER FROM HANOI AIRPORT
We do pick you up from Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport – seat in coach. Last departure is no later than 12.00 noon. Please look for a Pandaw sign with your name on in the arrival hall. Arrival Hoa Binh for embarkation at 15.00pm.
TRANSFER FROM HANOI CITY
For passenger already in Hanoi the night before, please meet us at:
SOFITEL PLAZA HANOI
1 Thanh Nien Road, Ba Dinh District
10000 HANOI
VIETNAM
Tel +84 4 382 38888
Registration at hotel lobby 11.00am. Coach departs from Sofitel at 12.00noon. Arrival at Hoa Binh Jetty at 15.00pm.
PASSENGERS WITH OWN ARRANGEMENTS
Please arrive at Hoa Binh Jetty (behind AP Plaza Building) for embarkation at 15.00pm. .
- Meals: Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 2: HOA BINH
Hoa Binh was the site of a major battle in 1951 & 1952 with the French and is home to the Muong ethnic group. We will visit a museum and a local village where villagers still wear traditional dresses. Then take a local boat ride on the reservoir of Hoa Binh power station or optional tour to Mai Chau. Tonight you will enjoy the traditional performance of local hill tribe people.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 3: DA RIVER
We enjoy a day sailing downstream admiring the unspoilt beauty of the Da River. We pass the Ba Vi National Park with its rich and diverse tropical and sub-tropical flora and fauna before arriving at Trung Ha. On board your guides and chefs will entertain you with cooking demonstrations and a talk on Northern Vietnam.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 4: VIET TRI
After breakfast we will travel by coach through beautiful scenic countryside to the UNESCO village of Duong Lam. Then we continue cruising downstream to Viet Tri. Take in the sights and sounds of the bustling river with all kinds of craft and activity.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 5: LO RIVER - RED RIVER
In the morning we cruise to Tien Du ferry station where we visit the village of Gia Thanh famous for the making of conical hats. This is travel off the beaten track, as no tourists visit this area. Travel to Hung Lo Temple for "Hat Xoan" and enjoy a performance of local dance from the villagers. Return to the ship and continue cruising the scenic Lo River.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 6: LOWER RED RIVER
Going ashore we visit a timeless Arcadian Vietnam with emerald green rice paddies punctuated by lime stone rock formations. Of particular interest is the Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas, hardly known, yet with exquisite temples dating from the 8th and 11th century and home to some fine Buddhist statuary carved from jackfruit trees. In the afternoon, we visit Bat Trang ceramic village. We then sail on the Lower Red River to Hanoi arriving in the evening.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 7: HANOI
Dropped anchor in the bustling city of Hanoi, passengers will visit some highlights of this Asian metropolis, must see’s like the notorious Vietnam war prison known as the Hanoi Hilton, temple of literature where Confucius did his thinking and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Afternoon walking tour of Hanoi including a visit to a coffee shop where we learn about Vietnam’s famous coffee making industry. Before returning to your ship you will enjoy a traditional unicorn and lion dance at the jetty.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 8: LUOC - THAI BINH
Morning local boat ride to Stork 's Island with its well-maintained bird sanctuary and take a walking tour of Ninh Giang commune visiting the local market. Enjoy a homemade special cake (Banh Gai) and return to the ship for lunch. Afternoon cruising to Thanh Ha Commune where we take a walking tour visiting Thanh Ha Commune. Here, we enjoy a water puppet show & village walkabout. Observe the lively and interesting life of the river, a key commercial waterway.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 9: DUONG - KINH THANH - BACH DANG RIVER
Morning sailing on the Duong River to Duc Tai Village where we take a walking tour around the village and visit a local family where bamboo baskets being made by family member. Back to the ship and have lunch while the ship cruises through amazing scenery to Halong Bay. We arrive at Halong Bay around 4 pm for a sunset cruise. Tonight enjoy a barbeque on a secluded bay in Halong Bay – quite wonderful!
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
DAY 10: HALONG
Morning sailing in Halong Bay and beyond, with its 2,000 dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations dating back 20 million years. We will visit, by local boat, a floating home, stop at a beach and enjoy kayaking or taking a rowing basket boat to bright & dark limestone caves.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: RV Pandaw Cruise
*NOTE: Although it is our intention to operate the itinerary as detailed proposal, we will do our utmost to stick to the set itinerary, however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. It may be necessary to make some changes as a result of climatic conditions, alterations to cruise schedules or other operational factors.
Cabin & Rates
Note*: room image would be not the same all the Pandaw Cruises.
Roomtypes | Rates (US$/person) |
Tour Price/person
Important information
What's included ?
Price Includes
- Vietnam visa approval letter
- Mekong 11 days package by RV Pandaw Cruise
- Local English speaking guides
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Entrance fees for sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary
- Port tax and services charge
Price Excludes
- Vietnam Visa stamping fee
- Meals and services other than those noted in the itinerary
- Laundry, telephone calls, and personal expenditures
- Gratuities for guides, drivers, porters, boat crew, and personal, non-itinerary services
Children Rates
- Please contact us for the rate of children 1 adult and 1 child – 1 cabin – child receives 50% reduction from adult price.
- 2 adults and 1 child – 2 cabins – 1 cabin with no single supplement and 50% reduction for the child.
- 2 adults and 2 children – 2 cabins – 50% reduction for both children. Please note our cruises are not suitable for young or small children as the ships have railings but no netting.
Terms and Conditions
Payment Terms
- A 20% deposit of your total booking value with Pandaw is required upon confirmation and is non refundable.
- Final balance must be paid 65 days before departure or the booking will be cancelled and the deposit forfeited.
Cancellation Terms
For cancellations of bookings, the following charges will apply- From time of booking until 65 day prior to departure non-refundable deposit
- From 64 days and less till departure, no show, late arrival or early return 100% cancellation fee
Pandaw Cruise Departures
Customer Reviews
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