LOW WATER: DECEMBER - APRIL
HIGH WATER: JUNE - NOVEMBER
CRUISES
DOWNSTREAM: HOA BINH-HALONG BAY
UPSTREAM: HALONG BAY - HOA BINH
Discover the best of North Vietnam
Pandaw Cruises Red River – Hong Bay 11 days
Destinations: North Vietnam
Trip type: Cruises
Duration: 11 days 10 nights
Sight-seeing: Hoa Binh – Viet Tri – Duong Lam village – Bat Trang ceramic-Hanoi – Halong Bay
Downstream: Hoa Binh to Halong Bay
Upstream: Halong Bay to Hoa Binh
For the first time travellers will be 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 down town 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.
Day 1: Halong Bay Embarkation | Meal: D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
Transfer from Hanoi International Airport or meeting point to Halong Bay to embark your Pandaw ship with a stop for lunch enroute. Cast off late afternoon for an evening sailing, dropping anchor in a sheltered bay amidst the beautiful island scenery.
TRANSFER FROM HANOI CITY
For passenger already in Hanoi the night before, please meet us at: 10.00am
PAN PACIFIC HOTEL HANOI
1 Thanh Nien Road, Ba Dinh District
10000 HANOI
VIETNAM
Tel +84 4 382 38888
Registration at hotel lobby 10.00am. Coach departs from Pan Pacific Hotel Hanoi 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.
Related
Day 2: Halong Bay | Meal: B - L - D | Overnight: Pandaw 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 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. It is a breathtaking trip 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 dependent, we will end the day with cocktails at a beautiful beach in Halong Bay.
Related
Day 3: Halong Bay - Hai Phong | Meal: B - L - D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
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 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 are enter the river where we drop anchor near Hai Phong.
Related
Day 4: The King Thay river | Meal: B - L - D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
Observe the lively and interesting life of the Kinh Thay river, a key commercial waterway. Afternoon excursion to Thanh Ha Commune with village walk and a private water puppet show set under shade by a beautiful pond of lotus and lilies. We continue cruising until late evening and drop anchor midstream.
Related
Day 5: Bat Trang ceramic village | Meal: B - L - D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
Today we will be cruising towards Hanoi. Enroute, stop at Bat Trang, a ceramic village, in the afternoon. Before returning to your ship after the excursion you will enjoy a traditional unicorn and lion dance at the jetty.
Related
Day 6: Hanoi | Meal: B - L - D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
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.
Related
Day 7: The Lower Red River | Meal: B - L - D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
Morning 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. Afternoon excursion to a carpenter village. We will arrive in Viet Tri in the evening.
Related
Day 8: Lo river | Meal: B - L - D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
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.
Related
Day 9: Da river & Duong Lam village | Meal: B - L - D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
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.
Related
Day 10: Hoa Binh | Meal: B - L - D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
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.
Related
Day 11: Hoa Binh Disembarkation - Hanoi | Meal: B - L
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 Pan Pacific Hotel Hanoi.
Estimated arrival at Hanoi Airport at 17.00pm and continuing to Pan Pacific Hotel Hanoi, arriving 18.00pm. Your flight out of Hanoi airport must be after 18.00pm (domestic) or 19.00pm (international).
Day 1: Hoa Binh Embarkation | Meal: D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
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:
PAN PACIFIC HOTEL HANOI
1 Thanh Nien Road, Ba Dinh District
HANOI., VIETNAM
Tel +84 4 382 38888
Registration at hotel lobby 11.00am. Coach departs from Pan Pacific Hotel Hanoi 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.
Related
Day 2: Hoa Binh | Meal: B-L-D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
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. Tonight you will enjoy the traditional performance of local hill tribe people.
Related
Day 3: Da river | Meal: B-L-D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
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.
Related
Day 4: Viet Tri | Meal: B-L-D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
After breakfast you 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.
Related
Day 5: Lo - Red river | Meal: B-L-D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
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. Afternoon visit to a carpenter village. Return to the ship and continue cruising the scenic Lo River.
Related
Day 6: The Lower Red river | Meal: B-L-D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
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.
Related
Day 7: Hanoi | Meal: B-L-D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
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.
Related
Day 8: Luoc - Thai Binh river | Meal: B-L-D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
We will be cruising in the morning. Afternoon, 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 dinner.
Related
Day 9: Kinh Thay - Bach Dang river | Meal: B-L-D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
Morning sailing on the Thai Binh River and visit the Thanh Ha Commune where we take a walking tour. Here, we enjoy also a water puppet show. Observe the lively and interesting life of the river, a key commercial waterway. 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 !
Related
Day 10: Halong Bay | Meal: B-L-D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
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.
Related
Day 10: Halong Bay | Meal: B-L-D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruise
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.
Related
Day 11: Halong Bay - Disembarkation - Hanoi | Meal: B-L
Morning sail back to Tuan Chau Jetty. Disembark at 11.00am for transfer to Hanoi Airport or Pan Pacific Hotel Hanoi with stop for lunch at a local restaurant.
Please note: This is a seat in coach service to the airport. Your domestic flights must depart after 18.00 pm. Your international flights must depart after 19.00 pm
RV ANGKOR PANDAW
Sister to the Katha and from the same yard delivered in 2013, the only difference with the Katha is an enclosed air conditioned dining room insisted on by an American charterer. Originally on the Mekong in 2015 we transferred her to the Red River in North Vietnam. In fact the enclosed dining room has proved useful as it can be cold up there in winter.
Build 2012 in Saigon
Length: 138.61ft / 42.25m
Beam: 28.50ft / 8.70m
Draught: 3ft / 90cm
Berths: 32 pax
ACCOMMODATIONS
10 main deck and 6 upper deck staterooms
Air-conditioned panorama dining room
Spacious, open-air lounge
Observation deck
Lounge bar
24hrs hospitality bar
Fair-trade Shop
Guest relation desk
Library with contemporary and classic literature
Hair Dryers in all cabins
WINING & DINING
Local master chef heading an experienced international culinary team
Semi-buffet breakfast, Semi-buffet lunch, and seated theme dinners
Daily lean & light menu options
Complimentary coffee, water, tea, soft drinks, local beer, local spirits, juices
Extensive wine list with premium wines
Series of cultural performances, educational talks, cooking classes, and ship tour
Welcome drink on arrival
Welcome cocktail
Farewell Reception
Theme dinners
Lounge bar
24 hrs hospitality bar
Onboard bakery with daily freshly baked breads and rolls
SAFETY & SECURITY
All onboard crew is trained and certified as per international marine standards (VIRES)
Fire alarm system in all cabins, public areas and back areas
Fire fighting system in all ship areas
Expert marine superintendant
24 hrs watch on duty
Certified hygiene standards for all areas (Johnson & Diversey)
Locally made soft drinks, local beer and local spirits, jugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes, mineral water.
Transfers between ports of embarkation and Hanoi International Airport at the start and end of the voyage.
International flights
Port dues (if levied)
Laundry
All visa costs
Fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions)
Imported beverages such as wines, premium spirits and liqueurs, fancy soft drinks like Perrier, espressos and cappuccinos at bar
Tips to tour guides, local guides, bus drivers, boat operators and cyclo drivers.
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