Vietnam: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Arrival in Hanoi

Arrive at any time into Hanoi. The day is unstructured, leaving time to drop bags and get a first feel for the city's Old Quarter. A walk around Hoan Kiem Lake is a classic orientation. For those interested in the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, note its limited morning hours and closures on Mondays and Fridays.

Overnight Junk Cruise in Ha Long Bay

The day begins with an overland transfer from Hanoi to Bai Chay harbour, the main access point for Ha Long Bay. Here, you board a traditional junk boat for an overnight cruise through the limestone karsts that define the seascape. The afternoon is spent on the water, with stops to explore caves and climb to an island lookout for panoramic views of the bay's thousands of islets. Dinner is a seafood spread served on board, followed by a night spent in a private cabin on the water.

From the Bay to the Imperial City

Wake up on the waters of Ha Long Bay. After breakfast and lunch on the boat, the cruise concludes, and you sail back to port for the return journey to Hanoi. The afternoon is free in the capital—a final chance for a coffee by the lake or a bowl of street-side *pho*. In the evening, the focus shifts to the main train station for the 13-hour overnight journey south to Huế. The sleeper trains have four-berth cabins, air-conditioning, and basic facilities.