Hanoi is arguably the most beautiful city in Southeast Asia. Part of China for more than a thousand years, much of the city's architecture and many of her narrow, ancient lanes are distinctly Chinese. In our own era, the French constructed magnificent villas and planted thousands of trees that still shade Hanoi's boulevards today.

Hanoi is also a jumping-off place for some of the most picturesque places in Indochina. The most important of these is Halong Bay, a vast UNESCO World Heritage Area. Here you can sail leisurely through hundreds of islets, enjoy the fresh catch of the day, and anchor in a quite cove for a swim.

Hanoi is a paradise for shoppers. Here you will find bargain silks, hand-loomed textiles from ethnic minority villages, antiques, contemporary works of art, and lacquer-ware of every description.

Purple Dragon's Hanoi packages offer great value and save you time and effort by arranging your choice of hotel, round trip airport transportation, and sightseeing with a personal English-speaking guide. You can always add extra nights and optional sightseeing if you wish.

Hanoi Highlights  This is our two-night no-frills introduction to Hanoi. If you can not stay longer, our private English-speaking guide will pack your short stay with Hanoi's essential experiences with a little time left over for shopping.

Grand Hanoi Enjoy Northern Vietnam in luxury at one of the world's most splendid colonial-era hotels, plus an overnight on Halong aboard a teak sailing boat. Includes a day of sightseeing in Hanoi, plus a performance of Vietnam's unique "water puppetry."

Hanoi & Halong Bay  This is our most comprehensive Hanoi and Halong program. In six days you see Hanoi, take an overnight trip to Halong Bay, and choose between a day trip to the legendary Perfume Pagoda, a day visiting the rustic and crafts villages that surround Hanoi, or take a trip to Tam Coc and Phat Diem.

Perfume Pagoda Travel through the picture postcard countryside of Northern Vietnam, then sail up the gentle Yen River to a mountain-top grotto said to be the birthplace of a goddess

Tam Coc & Phat Diem Sail through a valley that some call "Hanoi on Land" then visit "Vatican of Vietnam." This trip is best on Sundays, when Tam Coc is filled with thousands of people from the countryside attending mass.

Tam Dao Hill Staton The French knew how to beat the summer heat. They built mountain retreats called "hill stations" where they spent summers in comfort and luxury. The Tam Dao hill station is charming miniature town adjacent to one of Vietnam's most important nature preserves. This trip is available June through September only.

Traditional Villages & Pagodas Spend a day visiting some of the rural "craft villages" that surround Hanoi. Each of these hamlets specializes in the production of a single commodity--paper, lacquer, furniture, charcoal, ceramics, silk, and even bird cages. You will see craftspeople at work and find wholesale bargains. You will also see some religious treasures. Near most of these villages is at least one ancient pagoda well worth visiting.