Hạ Long Bay Cruise and Cave Exploration
08.00: Pick up from your hotel by an English-speaking Vietnamese guide in Hanoi Old Quarter.
08.00-08.30: Travel comfortably on the new Hanoi-Haiphong-Halong Expressway, saving time along the way. During the drive, you can enjoy views of local life, rice fields, roadside scenes, and the longest sea-crossing bridge, while skipping the usual commercial shopping stop.
10.50-11.15: Visit a pearl workshop. Hạ Long Bay is famous for its floating pearl farms and pearl products for export.
11.45: Board the cruise. The bus arrives at Tuan Chau Marina, where you can easily board from the private pier.
12.40: Enjoy lunch on board with a set menu.
14.00: Go kayaking, take a sampan or rowing boat, or simply relax on board. The cruise moves to the Hangluon area, known for its three tunnels and water cave, where you can enjoy kayaking, a rowing bamboo boat ride, or sightseeing as the boat slowly continues through the bay.
15.05: Discover Surprising Cave in the core area of the heritage site. Leave the boat and spend about 1 hour exploring Sung Sot (Surprising) Cave.
16.15: Watch the afternoon sunset during a tea break on board.
17.15: Rejoin the bus and say goodbye to Hạ Long Bay. Disembark and travel back to Hanoi via the new expressway.
18.15: Take a short restroom break if needed.
19.30-20.00: Return to your accommodation.
