Escape to Bai Tu Long Bay
Relaxed
4 Days
Trip Overview
Escape from the city with this 3-day retreat in remote and beautiful Bai Tu Long Bay, the rarely-visited sister of tourist hotspot, Halong Bay. Sail the high-seas on a traditionally-built stylish junk, leaving the noise of crowds and civilization behind as you kayak, swim, and sunbathe in this little piece of heaven that seems to have been created just for you.
Highlights
- Kayaking, swimming, and sunbathing in Cong Do and Bai Tu Long Geology Park
- Floating on a sampan through a secluded floating fishing village
- Learning how to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes
This Tour is Perfect for
- A weekend getaway or extension of a longer Vietnam travel itinerary
- Leisure travel in a relaxed style
- Families with children of all ages
Detailed Itinerary
Topas Travel creates tailor-made tours for our guests according to their specific requests. This itinerary has been designed to show you just one of many options
In Brief
Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Day 2: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Bai Tu Long Bay
Day 3: Bai Tu Long Bay
Day 4: Bai Tu Long Bay – Hon Gai Pier – Hanoi
Day 1: Welcome to the land of the ascending dragon | Hanoi arrival
Xin Chao and welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, a Topas representative will welcome you to the land of the ascending dragon before heading straight to your hotel in the heart of the city. The day is at leisure to discover Hanoi on your own, wandering the crooked alleys of the iconic Old Quarter and the promenade around Hoan Kiem Lake.
Included meals: N/A
Transfer distance and activities:45’ drive
Day 2: Sail through Halong Bay to remote Bai Tu Long Bay| Hanoi – Halong Bay - Bai Tu Long Bay
Depart Hanoi at 8am and make your way through the Red River Delta on a 3.5 hour drive to Hon Gai Pier, a gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay. Check in to your cabin and get accustomed with your cruise ship before making your way to the dining room to settle down for a delicious seafood lunch depending on the catch of the day (vegetarian and kid’s menus are also available).
Sail through the gorgeous scenery of Halong Bay, leaving the crowds and ships behind as you make your way east towards the borders of Bai Tu Long Bay, pausing for a break in scenic Cong Do Area to kayak, swim, and sunbathe on quiet beaches.
Head back to the ship and enjoy a sundowner while joining the Chef in re-creating some traditional Vietnamese cuisine classics during a cooking demonstration followed by dinner.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Distance and activities: 3.5h drive – 2h kayak
Day 3: Tai Chi and kayaking | Bai Tu Long Bay
As the sun rises over the bay, join the ancient practice of Tai Chi on the sundeck, a martial art known for its health benefits and meditational use. After working up an appetite, sit down for a delectable breakfast before boarding a smaller ship to dive even further into Bai Tu Long Bay.
Pass by exotic limestone formations in Cap La and Cong Dam hamlets before arriving to Bai Tu Long Geology Park. This pristine area is home to tons of isolated beaches and floating houses, making it the perfect location to explore by kayak. Find your own private beach or swim in the warm jade-like waters, the choice is up to you!
After a hot lunch served on the boat, join a local fisherman’s family and learn how to fish the traditional Vietnamese way. Return to the mother ship and relax onboard until dinner time, retiring to your comfy cabin for a good night’s sleep.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Distance and activities: Full-day swimming and kayaking
Day 4: Floating villages and farewell | Bai Tu Long Bay - Hon Gai Pier - Hanoi
Spend your final morning in the Gulf of Tonkin with another Tai Chi session or a hot cup of coffee or green tea as you watch the sun rise. Around 7:45, board a small bamboo row boat and lazily float through the canals of a secluded floating village, an iconic image of the region.
Back at the ship, a brunch is served as you cruise through the now-familiar scenery on the way back to Hon Gai Pier. Disembark, bid farewell to cabin and crew, and return to Hanoi, arriving to the city around 4pm.
Included meals: Brunch
Distance and activities: 3.5h drive
Tour Inclusions
- 1-way private A/C airport transfer with welcome guide
- Join-in 3 day/2 night Cruise (Led by English-speaking Cruise Manager on board)
- All accommodation indicated as twin-shared cabin
- All meals as indicated in the program
- All entrance tickets to Bai Tu Long Bay and Halong Bay
- Free refillable water in vans
- 1 x English speaking local tour guide on airport transfer Day 1
- Government Value Added Tax
Important Notes
Tour Exclusions
- Drinks and alcohol
- Vietnam visa (On request with additional charge)
- Travel insurance (Compulsory with Topas Travel programs)
- Upgrades to higher standard rooms or single supplements
- Personal travel items (Please visit our Vietnam weather page for more information)
Essential Information
This program utilizes comfortable accommodation in the form of carefully curated hotels, lodges, and homestays. Hotels and lodges have been selected with the active traveler in mind, offering standard services and located as close to nature and local engagement as possible. Homestays are simple and equipped with western toilets and amenities such as fans and mattresses. If you have a specific property in mind you wish to stay at, please let your travel designer know so they can work it into your program.
All bookings are made with and through Topas Travel. By booking a trip with Topas Travel, you agree to the terms and conditions set forth here.