the P.O.S.H. guide
The best of Southeast Asia
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Hanoi Day Trips
There's a lot to see both in and around Hanoi, some of which are difficult to see on your own. If you want to make sure you see all the city has to offer, you may wish to book a tour in advance through Viator. Viator offers a full range of full day and half day tours, excursions and even airport transfers in many of Southeast Asia's popular tourist destinations. By booking in advance through Viator, you'll be sure to get the tours you want, and you won't be suprised at the cost.
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Halong Bay Overnight Junk Boat Cruise  Duration: 2 days | $ 168.75 |
Imagine waking up surrounded by the tranquil beauty of Halong Bay - one of Vietnam's most spectacular natural wonders. Dotted with limestone islands in a sea of azure blue water you will explore the World Heritage listed Halong Bay aboard a junk boat. While you cruise the bay, enjoy a seafood lunch, dinner, swimming, kayaking (optional) or visit one of the many limestone caves. Halong Bay covers an area of 1,500 square km. With more than a thousand limestone peaks rising up from its crystalline emerald waters this area is rightly viewed as one of the natural wonders of Vietnam and is one of five World Heritage-listed sites. This two-day itinerary gives you the chance to enjoy Halong Bay from the comfort of your junk.
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Halong Bay Small Group Adventure Tour including Cruise, from Hanoi  Duration: 11 hours | $ 60.00 |
Discover the striking beauty of World Heritage-listed Halong Bay on this Halong Bay small group adventure tour from Hanoi. Drive through the rural villages of northern Vietnam, board a private Chinese junk and set sail through turquoise waters dotted with over 2,000 magnificent limestone islands. Explore the many karsts and enjoy a seafood buffet while taking in the bay's mystical scenery. Your Halong Bay tour begins with a 3.5-hour drive from the hectic pace in Vietnam's capital city, Hanoi, to the tranquil and beautiful Halong Bay. En route stop at the Hong Ngoc Humanity Center, developed to provide support to communities in the area. The handicrafts made at the center are available for you to purchase. On arrival in Halong City board the Chinese junk for your cruise on Halong Bay, famous for its lime karsts jutting out of the green waters creating a spectacular vista as nearly 2000 islands fill the bay. A UNESCO listed World Heritage site since 1994, Halong Bay means "Bay of the Descending Dragon". Legend has it that a long time ago when the Vietnamese were fighting off foreign invaders, the gods sent a family of dragons to assist in the fight. During the battle the dragons spat out jewels that would later become the islands that now are scattered around the bay. The private 5-hour cruise explores some of the grottos or caves that have formed in many of the islands that fill Halong Bay. Visit a fishing village where you learn about the culture and customs of the local inhabitants. Providing the weather is warm enough there is a chance to stop and swim in the emerald waters of the bay. For those not wanting to swim, relax on board and soak up the atmosphere. Enjoy a scrumptious seafood lunch on board the boat before returning to Hanoi. | ||
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Halong Bay 3-Day Junk Boat Cruise Duration: 3 days | $ 281.25 |
Enjoy more time exploring Vietnam's Halong Bay, one of Vietnam's most spectacular World Heritage listed natural wonders, on this 2-night cruise aboard a junk boat. Dotted with limestone islands in a sea of azure blue water you will cruise the bay, enjoy seafood lunches, dinner, swimming, kayaking (optional) and visit one of the many limestone caves. This three-day cruising itinerary to Halong Bay in Vietnam gives you the best chance to enjoy the World Heritage listed Halong Bay from the luxury junk boat. Here you can relax on the tanning deck, swim in the clear, aqua blue waters and enjoy the best cuisine available in the bay. All the while you will be looked after by our dedicated and attentive crew. There is also the option of exploring some of the bay's most secluded lagoons using our fleet of modern easy-to-maneuver kayaks for some unforgettable scenery only accessible by kayak.
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Private Tour: Hanoi City Full-Day Tour including Cyclo Ride Duration: 7 hours 30 minutes | $ 45.00 |
Known as the 'Paris of the East', Hanoi is one of Asia's most charming cities. Spend your private Hanoi full-day tour enjoying the essential sites including The Ho Chi Minh Complex and The Temple of Literature, the Museum of Ethnology, Ngoc Son Temple and picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. To complete the day, take a cyclo tour through the historic Old Quarter and explore the many markets streets dedicated to a variety of local wares. This private Hanoi tour takes in all of Hanoi. Start the tour by visiting the Museum of Ethnology, widely acknowledged as the best in the Vietnam which houses a display dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic minority peoples. Afterwards, head to Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake. The Ngoc Son temple is set on a tiny island on the Hoan Kiem Lake and dates back to the 13th century. The lake itself is a picturesque focal point of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike. | ||
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Private Tour: Perfume Pagoda Day Trip from Hanoi Duration: 10 hours | $ 53.75 |
Take an active day trip from Hanoi to the Perfume Pagoda, one of the most important religious sites in Buddhist Vietnam. The pagoda itself is built into limestone cliffs and can only be reached by boat and foot. Cruise along scenic waterways and walk up mountain paths visiting the pagodas and temples that were built in this area of Vietnam over centuries. The Perfume Pagoda, also known as Reach Chua Huong is surrounded by the beautiful Perfume Mountain. This is one of the most important Buddhist temples in Vietnam and the sight of a yearly pilgrimage between February and March following the Vietnamese New Year. The pilgrims pray for good health and prosperity in the coming year. Legend has it that the temple was built by a monk who was in search of enlightenment. Since then, the Perfume Pagoda has been the subject of poems, songs, stories and a backdrop to many paintings. Vietnamese lunch will be served at one of the little food stalls near Thien Tru Pagoda. After lunch the boat will take you back to land for the drive back to Hanoi. | ||
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Private Tour: Deluxe Halong Bay Day Cruise including Seafood Lunch from Hanoi Duration: 11 hours | $ 62.50 |
Take a one-day tour to the spectacular World Heritage listed site of Halong Bay by a traditional Vietnamese junk boat, while enjoying a delicious seafood lunch. Halong Bay is one of Vietnam's most spectacular natural wonders with over 3000 natural limestone islands dotting the bay. Bring your swimmers to enjoy a dip in the azure waters or simply relax on the deck. Your full-day tour to Halong Bay begins with the drive from Hanoi which takes approximately 3-hours by road. Once at Halong Bay, board your junk for a cruise of this stunning area, stopping along the way for a swim as well as a visit to one of many limestone caves in the area. Whilst on board indulge in a delicious seafood lunch. | ||
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Vietnamese Cooking Class at Hanoi's Cooking Centre Duration: 4 hours | $ 73.75 |
Learn the secrets to preparing a great Vietnamese dish on this half-day cooking tour in Hanoi. Your Hanoi cooking tour will begin with a quick walk to the famous Chau Long market, where you will learn more about the various ingredients that go into a Vietnamese dish. It's then onto the Hanoi Cooking Centre for your hand's on cooking lesson followed by a chance to try your new creation. Vietnamese food is healthy, simple to cook and downright delicious. This half day cooking tour in Hanoi will provide you with a hands-on lesson on how to shop for, and to cook, authentic Vietnamese food. At midday sit down and enjoy your own Vietnamese creations accompanied by local beer or wine plus receive detailed recipes cards to take home. Happy eating! | ||
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Hanoi Sunrise Small Group Adventure Tour Duration: 8 hrs | $ 45.00 |
Rise with the sun and the Hanoi locals on this small group tour of Hanoi. Experience early morning Hanoi as you walk to Hoan Kiem Lake "Lake of the Restored Sword', enjoy a traditional Vietnamese breakfast, take in the views from a rooftop cafe in Hanoi's old quarter then head to a local restaurant to learn the secrets of Vietnamese cooking. Traveling in a small group , maximum 12 passengers, this tour allows for a unique and intimate experience. Enjoy a morning walk to Hoan Kiem Lake "Lake of the Restored Sword" to experience early morning Hanoi. Legend has it that in the mid 15th century the gods provided the Emperor Le Thai To a magical sword to defeat the Ming dynasty Chinese invaders. Following the victory the emperor was boating on the lake when a giant tortoise reared up and took the sword, returning it to its rightful owners. Today the lake is a gathering place for the residence of Hanoi doing their morning exercise. You will have opportunities to join in on the morning activities such as tai chi. After a energetic start to the day enjoy a traditional local breakfast - real flavor of Pho - followed by a Vietnamese coffee at a café in Hanoi's old quarter. The last stop is a family run Vietnamese restaurant to join a cooking class and learn the finer points of authentic Vietnamese cuisine. The cooking class includes a walk to Hang Be food market to learn about Vietnamese ingredients. Once back at the restaurant you will learn to cook several Vietnamese dishes. It is then time to relax and feast on your Vietnamese culinary creations. | ||
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Ho Chi Minh's Hanoi Small Group Adventure Tour  Duration: 9 hours | $ 30.00 |
Walk in the footsteps of Ho Chi Minh and discover the sights of Hanoi on this full-day tour. Visit Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, the world famous Museum of Ethnology and enjoy a walking tour of the Old Quarter. Enjoy Vietnamese style "Pho" or Noodle Soup for lunch. Join your local guide with a a visit to the complex where Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam's independence in 1945, and see the reverence with which Vietnamese people treat their "Uncle Ho". You'll also visit several sites including House 54 where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked between 1954 and 1958 and the Stilt House where Ho Chi Minh lived until his death in 1969. Your tour continues with a journey through Hanoi to the Temple of Literature and university which has educated the royal family and children of the aristocracy or "mandarins". For an authentic Vietnamese experience you'll enjoy Vietnamese style "Pho" or Noodle Soup for lunch. After lunch visit the Museum of Ethnology, to learn more about the cultural diversity of Vietnams ethnic minorities. Established by the Vietnamese government in 1997, the museum provides you with a fascinating insight into the diverse cultures, customs and lifestyles of the 54 ethnic groups that inhabit Vietnam. Your tour concludes with a stroll through Hanoi's hectic old quarter. Visit the local Hang Be or Dong Xuan local markets, before finishing with refreshments at a bia hoi, a traditional Vietnamese 'pub', where you have the opportunity to swap stories with local people eager to practise their language skills. At the end of your tour, you are free to continue exploring the area or your guide will assist you in getting a taxi back to your hotel. | ||
Travel Insurance
World Nomads travel insurance is designed for adventurous travellers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and activities such as skiing and snowboarding.