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Northern Viet
Nam is among the most beautiful and unspoiled destinations beckoning savvy
visitors. Hanoi is the intriguing gateway to this surviving bit of Eden.
Vietnam's bewitching capital city stands as testament to thousands of years of
conquering suitors who have sought to possess her. Today, Hanoi is a vibrant,
paradoxical place - a living museum filled with historic treasures, contemporary
achievements, nightlife, and astounding shopping opportunities that will
thrill thrifty treasure-hunters. Our guests will also be treated to the geologic
wonders in nearby Halong Bay, with panoramic vistas shrouded in mist, like
fairytale landscapes from a Chinese watercolor. Unlike many other travel
companies you get a private boat. You do not have to be gay to enjoy this
package. Our mainstream guests choose us because they know they will get
something better from a gay company. Our guide meets you on arrival at Noi Bai airport and takes you into the city on a drive that is practically a tour in itself. The one-hour trip takes you past cornfields, a flood plain of rice paddies, and modern factories, then through Hanoi's narrow, winding lanes. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the Ancient Quarter, or take a twilight cyclo (pedicab) ride around Hoan Kiem Lake.
Your Vietnamese guide escorts you to Hanoi's most important sites: Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (if open) and Museum, the One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Pagoda, and the meandering streets of the Ancient Quarter. For lunch you sample Hanoi's famous pho (noodle soup) [included]. Tonight you have tickets to the Water Puppet Theater - a uniquely Vietnamese art form combining puppetry, water ballet, and folk music.
This morning you journey far beyond the outskirts of the city to the shores of the gentle Yen River. From there, you travel by boat through lush farmlands to the Perfume Pagoda, one of Buddhism's most significant spiritual sites, where pilgrims burn offerings for the spirit world in huge limestone grottoes. Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon. Tonight you are free to explore the city's intriguing nightlife on your own. (A visit to the Perfume Pagoda involves a one-hour walk up a sometimes-steep trail. If you prefer a less active day of sightseeing, you may instead choose to visit equally beautiful Tam Coc).
Even at dawn, Hanoi vibrates with life. As you drive into the countryside you catch glimpses of handsome young athletes exercising around Hoan Kiem Lake. Heading east by minibus, the morning is filled with the remarkable contrasts of the northern Vietnamese countryside where there is always something spectacular off in the distance. Arrive in Ha Long City in time for lunch. Local legends of giant dragons crashing to earth come to life as you cruise among thousands of dramatic islands sprinkled across awesome Ha Long Bay. After dinner you are free to explore local scene. Overnight in a Ha Long City hotel.
Early morning finds you cruising Ha Long Bay once again. Explore magnificent caves or head to a secluded bay for a swim. Return to shore in time for lunch [included], then return to Hanoi by cocktail hour. Tonight you are free to bid farewell to heavenly Hanoi.
The morning is free for last-minute shopping along colorful Hang Bong, or to sip coffee in a shady cafe overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. Later, you are driven to Noi Bai Airport in time for your flight. Why not continue your adventure with some of our great side trips in North Vietnam, or a short flight to sizzling Saigon or historic Hue and Hoi An?
TET Holiday 2009: We regret that we can not
accept Vietnam reservations during the period January 25 through 29 due to
the TET (Vietnamese New Year) Holiday. Since it is considered unlucky to work
during this period, practically everything closes and some prices double. We do
not recommend visiting during this time because there are no public festivities
and visitors are left with almost nothing to do.
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INCLUDES
private airport transportation accommodation with daily breakfast guided sightseeing and night tour Yen River and Perfume Pagoda trip Water Puppet performance Halong Bay overnight trip  Graceful architectural treasures dot Hanoi  Fantastic, fairytale landscapes
Includes
Club Sanook Members who use our packages in Vietnam can use a Club Sanook mobile phone free during your trip if you make arrangements with me in advance. We will give you the number before you depart so you can leave it with friends and family. There are a few rules, of course, but we will send you details before your trip. Please make your arrangements in advance. Recommend This Page to a Friend Surf Better Traveling for Business? You can take an instant discount when you select any two or three Purple Dragon Vietnam packages together. Details are on the Club Sanook website. (See details above.)
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Where We Shine: Our guides in Hanoi work for us — not for a local tour company, so we know you are getting the best guide available. They love to show our guests things that most group tours never have a chance to see. All of our hotels are in safe, central locations. Unlike most other tours to Halong Bay and Perfume Pagoda, you travel in comfort in a private car with a personal guide. We promise
never to put you in an ancient bus full of backpackers.
