HILL TRIBES, HIGHLANDS & HALONG BAY

Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, is a beautiful city, a cultural melting pot where you can wander down the historic streets of the Old Quarter, browse colourful markets and food stalls, and see pagodas rising form the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake.  A full-day tour with an expert guide will help you uncover Hanoi’s landmarks as well as some of its lesser-known gems. Stay at the stylish Hotel de l'Opera in the heart of the city. 

Sapa sits high in the mist-cloaked northern mountains, guaranteeing spectacular countryside views over terraced rice paddies and lush green valleys. Your hotel, Victoria Sapa, is nestled in the mountains, with waterfalls nearby. Enjoy a half-day trip to Fansipan Mountain, the highest peak in Indochina, by cable car, to be rewarded with panoramic views (a photographer’s dream). Trek around the mountains to visit remote villages and communities, and learn about their traditional customs and practices, and visit local markets, piled high with colourful handicrafts woven by the hill tribes. Along the way, you’ll be treated to beautiful mountain vistas everywhere you look.

Ninh Binh sits in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam, dotted with temples and pagodas, beautiful nature reserves and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed limestone grottoes of Trang An. Emeralda Ninh Binh is a stylish resort near the limestone pinnacles and wetlands of the Van Long Nature Reserve, and is in a perfect location for exploring.

Halong Bay is one of the natural wonders of Vietnam. Join the luxurious Au Co boat for a two-night cruise, drifting past the striking limestone peaks, floating villages and spectacular caves and islands in the bay’s signature emerald waters. Relax on secluded beaches, enjoy a kayaking tour or take a dip to see the unique karst formations up close. Venture on to islands carpeted in dense rainforest with a wealth of endemic flora and fauna, and cycle through pristine, untouched landscapes. At sunset, enjoy a cocktail on deck, and as night falls, the vast starry skies are perfect for stargazing.