Northern Vietnam Unveiled

Discover Hanoi’s rich imperial legacy on a private full day exploration shaped by more than a thousand years of history and cultural diversity. With your private driver and English-speaking guide, begin on the city’s outskirts at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where insightful exhibits and artifacts reveal the traditions of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Return to the city center to visit the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. Pause for lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien, famed for hosting Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain, before continuing to the Ho Chi Minh Complex at Ba Dinh Square. Stroll the peaceful grounds to view the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (exterior), Presidential Palace, Stilt House, and One Pillar Pagoda, gaining insight into Ho Chi Minh’s life and legacy. Later, cross the red wooden bridge to Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake, then wander the lively lanes of the Old Quarter. Enjoy the buzz of markets and colonial-era streets—perhaps with an egg coffee or local snack, before returning to your hotel, or stay on to explore and dine at your leisure.

You will be privately transferred from Hanoi to Halong Bay by a professional driver and an English-speaking guide. Approximate travel time is 3 hours.


Welcome aboard!

Take some time to get settled in to your stateroom, and to explore the length of your ship. You'll be welcomed aboard by the captain and crew with a Welcome Drink in the foyer. Your cruise adventure will begin shortly.


Anchor at the picturesque Frog Lagoon, where you will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of on-board activities or watersports. You can choose to unwind in the Infinity Oasis Pool and Jacuzzi, experience the thrills of the inflatable water slide, swim in the green emerald water, take in the beautiful landscape of Lan Ha Bay by kayak or try your luck at mini-golf on the top deck.


As the sun begins to set, admire the picturesque views from the Spirit of Sea Lounge and the Ocean sky sun deck, while you opt to enjoy a drink with your fellow cruise mates at Happy Hour. Afterward, join a cooking demonstration guided by the onboard chef, where you will learn how to make traditional Vietnamese dishes.


Relax with a movie at Spirit of The Sea lounge, play exciting board games in the Cigar & Poker room, experience a squid fishing demonstration or simply unwind on your balcony and watch as night descends on Lan-Ha Bay.

Welcome the new day with a sunrise Tai-Chi Class on the sundeck.


Set out in a traditional bamboo rowing boat to the captivating realm of the Dark & Bright Cave. Journey into the heart of the Cave, where an entrancing angled passageway will unveil the cave's secrets at water level. As you glide through this mystical corridor, you will experience it's tranquil circular lake, surrounded by lush foliage and towering, majestic stone cliffs.


Bid farewell to the crew and your fellow cruisemates as you disembark from your ship.


You will be privately transferred from Halong Bay to Hanoi by a professional driver and an English-speaking guide. Approximate travel time is three hours.

You will be privately transferred from Hanoi to Topas Ecolodge in Sapa by a professional driver and an English-speaking guide. Approximate travel time is five hours.


Dining at Topas Ecolodge is a feast for both palate and senses, set high in the mountains overlooking the terraced valleys of Sapa. The lodge’s restaurant showcases fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms and villages, with a menu that blends Vietnamese specialties and international favorites. Savor traditional northern dishes such as grilled pork with mountain herbs or spring rolls crafted from organic vegetables, alongside Western comfort foods prepared with care. The panoramic views from the dining room add a spectacular backdrop, shifting with the light of day—from misty mornings to golden sunsets. Whether enjoying a hearty breakfast before trekking or a candlelit dinner under starry skies, dining here feels both intimate and unforgettable.

Depart Sapa by trekking to Suoi Ho village to see tea plantations and cardamom gardens. Follow the buffalo trails to visit the hospitable villages of the Black Hmong minority people in Matra. After passing a school and scenic views, a picnic lunch will be served. After lunch, you will continue the trek to Ta Phin village to visit the Red Dao people and their handicraft shops.

Your ride through the suburb of Sapa will be mostly downhill terrain, making for a leisurely ride with lots of time to enjoy the scenery. You will pass by Sapa town before heading downhill to Ta Phin. In Ta Phin, witness the daily life of the Red Dao and Black H'mong people. You will also have time to take a short walk around the village. A private vehicle will meet you for the ride back to Sapa.

You will be privately transferred from Topas Ecolodge in Sapa to Hanoi by a professional driver and an English-speaking guide. Approximate travel time is five hours.


Hanoi is a foodie’s paradise – internationally renowned chefs and self-proclaimed gourmet food fanatics regularly make the journey to Vietnam’s capital to partake in the diverse culinary offerings iconic to the city. Your private English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel and walk with you to nearby Hoan Kiem Lake to start your culinary journey – guests staying outside the Old Quarter will be accompanied via taxi with their private guide. Stroll down Hang Gai “silk” street to Hoan Kiem Street, a blink-and-you-miss-it 170-foot long street famous for Hanoi’s iconic street food. Walk past St. Joseph Cathedral Church to Café Nhan for a sample of traditional Vietnamese coffee, hand prepared with Arabica beans grown in Northern Vietnam and particularly delicious over ice with condensed milk. Of course, no food tour in Hanoi would be complete without sampling some pho. Queue up at Pho Bat Dan, a famous choice among the locals for steaming bowls of nourishing noodle soup. Make sure to leave some space for Banh Cuon on Hang Ga street, a delicious rice noodle roll made with steamed fermented rice better, filled with seasoned ground pork, wood ear mushrooms, and shallots. Pull up a seat at a street-side stall as the vendor expertly prepares Nom bo kho, a dried beef salad made with sour kohlrabi, mango, coconut, and chili. End your evening at Ta Hien beer corner with a refreshingly cold and affordable draught beer.

You will be privately transferred between your accommodations and Hanoi Airport by a professional driver and an English-speaking guide.