Sapphire Cruise | 3D2N Ha Long Bay

TOUR INFORMATION
The information below on your itinerary and details are intended to assist you as you consider your travel options for Vietnam with Friends Travel Vietnam. In addition to the detailed itinerary each tour has been supported with some useful information to provide you with an overview of your accommodation & meals, all things as money, passports, visas, vaccinations, insurance, clothing, personal equipment and much more to help you with your travel preparations.

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DAY 1: HANOI - HAI PHONG – LAN HA BAY - HALONG BAY (Lunch/ Dinner)

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09:00 – 09:30
Your air-conditioned transfer vehicle will collect you from your hotel in Hanoi and convey you to Hai Phong at approximately 11:30am.
12:00
You will be taken aboard our support vessel and travel from the wharf via the bay to board our luxurious craft, Sapphire Cruise. You will be welcomed aboard and greeted with a complimentary drink. Our friendly and professional crew will conduct a compulsory safety procedure session and then you are free to check into your cabin and freshen up. We encourage you to explore our luxuriously-appointed ship then watch the magical landscape cruise past.
13:15
A special lunch of fresh seafood and an assortment of appetizing delicacies will be served. You will be enchanted when decadently dining on our luxury junk, our lavish interpretation of a traditional Vietnamese boat. Life just doesn’t get better than this! We then set sail for Lan Ha Bay, passing Da Chong islet where you can see an ancient lighthouse built by the French over a century ago.
15:00
 The final part of the cruise takes us through the Cua Van area to Lan Ha Bay (part of Halong Bay). The 300 or so karst islands and limestone outcrops of Lan Ha are stunning with their pristine, snow-white beaches. You can explore Ba Trai Dao beach via kayaks or immerse yourself in the crystal clear waters.
17:00
It’s time to return to your lavish liner and cruise to your evening accommodation.
17:30 – 18:30
Happy hour? We offer an extensive drinks list including special offers such as two for one drinks.
19:15
You can spoil yourself with a unique Dinner in our distinctive restaurant.
20:45 - 12:00
It is now time to relax with an exotic cocktail and drink in the evening landscape. Our bar offers a wide range of wine, beer and liqueurs and is always a welcome sight for guests after a day sailing on the Bay. You can order an indulgent spa service, watch movies, go squid fishing or simply relax on our roof top deck under the cover of a brightly illuminated sky.

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DAY 2: VIET HAI VILLAGE - BA HAM LAKE (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
 

06:30
Early birds are welcome to attend sunrise Tai Chi on our upper deck and it's an excellent way to get your energy levels up for today's adventures. You will be fascinated by the exquisiteness in the early hours as you enjoy a coffee, tea.
08:00 
Enjoy a buffet breakfast with best local coffee brand and freshly fruit juices.
09:00 
Next we board our Day Boat to head to Viet Hai Village. You will take the bicycle trip along the village path and go through rain forests and dark tunnel. Enjoy stunning scenery of rice fields on the way. Stop at the village to relax. Visit an ancient local house, made from straw, mud, bamboo…you will have chance to see the local life on a valley of local people. Optional electric car service is available (at an extra cost).
12:00
Have lunch with Signature set menu on our day boat.
13:45
Free kayaking and swimming at Ba Ham Lake area situated in the middle of a narrow, rectangular area, with the all four sides enclosed by vertical cliffs. (if the weather permit)
16:00
Back on board Sapphire Cruise, take some time to freshen up, take a nap or just relax at your leisure as we cruise to our overnight area. Witness one of the most brilliant sunsets you will ever see.
17:30-18:30
Bar opens for Happy Hour.
18:00
Enjoy cooking demonstration to discover our Vietnamese cuisine of traditional spring rolls.
19:15
A special dinner will be served offering you outstanding food and quality service.
20:45 – 00:00
This evening is yours to enjoy whatever you please. Tonight we will hold a movie night with a selection of films available. We also have a selection of board games for your entertainment. Our bar is always open and is an ideal place to meet new people and share stories about your adventures.

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DAY 3: DARK & BRIGHT CAVE – HA LONG BAY - HANOI (Light Breakfast/Brunch)

06:30
The nicest time of the day on Lan Ha Bay is the morning. Head to the upper deck to participate in our daily Tai Chi sessions. Relax with an early morning cup of tea, coffee or juice anywhere you wish on the boat and watch the never ending miraculous scenery unfold before you.
07:00
Light breakfast will be served in our restaurant (pastries, tea, coffee)
7:30 - 9:15
Enjoy the last stage of your trip to Dark & Bright cave and islets by local rowing boats which is a wild and mysterious beauty in the middle of the World Heritage. Back to our main board afterward.
09:30
Check out of your cabin as we draw closer to the mainland. After a final early brunch and a last goodbye from our crew at 11:30
You will board our tender and head back to the wharf where you will be met by your return trip vehicle to transfer you to Hanoi.
12:10-12:30
Get on the luxury van and get back to Hanoi.

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INCLUSIONS

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-Transfer to and from Halong Bay/ Haiphong by big coach
- Welcome drinks with warm/cold tissues
- Entrance fees and sightseeing fees
- Accommodation in luxury air-conditioned en-suite cabin with standing shower and private bathtub.
- In-house English speaking guide
- Full board meals:
2days - 01 lunch, 01 dinners, 01-morning snack, 01 brunches.
3 days - 02 lunches, 02 dinners, 01-morning snack, 02 brunches.
- Taichi session, bamboo boat in Dark & Bright Cave, kayaking in Ba Trai Dao beach, cooking demonstration, night squid fishing.
- A bottle of wine in Suite cabin

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EXCLUSIONS

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- Airfare, visa arrangements 

- Beauty Spa Services & Massage 

- Beverages, tips, gratuities and other personal expenses  

- All other services not clearly mentioned above 

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PICK UP / DROP OFF 

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You will see that the pick-up and drop off time are well noted in the cruise itinerary. Generally speaking, almost all cruise trip will start at noontime, thus if you are leaving from Hanoi, you will need to depart between 9:00AM and 9:30AM to meet the cruise schedule. Standard included is a seat on the shuttle bus provided by the cruise service. There are 2 ways to be picked up for your departure, we always pick you up as confirmed by email.

HOTEL / STAY: 
- Pick up zone only from Hanoi Old Quarter
- From hotel or stay
- Please wait at the lobby 

* Client will be responsible to confirm their stay in Hanoi Old Quarter, if not confirmed your stay for pick-up you will be required to come to our meeting point at 7:30AM, we always reconfirm your pick up details departing time by email

MEETING POINT:
- From "Friends Travel Vietnam's" office
- Address Hanoi Old Quarter at 62 Hang Buom street. 
Important:
Not being on time or being present is seeing as non-shown up!

The cruise trip will return to the harbor by 11 AM or 12 PM on the last day of the trip and you can expect to reach your hotel in Hanoi or our office between 4:00 and 4:30PM. 

Keep in mind to arange and plan your travel accordingly to your itinerary. For example if you arrive at Hanoi airport at 9:30AM, it will be too late for a cruise departing on the same day. Similarly, any onward flight or train trip from Hanoi will need booked to be later than 7PM so that you can avoid all the hassle involved.
Please ask for advice if needed or if you are not sure about it.

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WHAT TO BRING

Most of the cases, Halong Bay will be a side trip from your grander voyage to Vietnam. If possible, leave your luggage with a hotel (if trusted) and bring only day pack with you to best enjoy the trip. Take into account that you will need to carry them onto the shuttle bus, then onto the deck, then from the deck back to land. The lighter you pack, the better. Below are a few tips for you to pack smartly.

Travel documents: These are essential and you may be denied boarding without valid documents such as passport and visa. 

Clothes: You will need at least 3 set of clothes: for casual day wear, for evening wear and for swimming if you plan to do so. If you travel between May and October, it is fine to bring shorts and skirts and short sleeve shirts. For the rest of the year, bring extra sweaters since Halong Bay can get quite cold. In December and January for example, bring some light jackets.

Water bottles: Although the cruise will have water ready for you, some shuttle bus will not have them. Keep yourself hydrated all through out the trip to best enjoy it. Please note that water will not be complimentary.

Footwear: Sandals and walking shoes are both fine though the frequent exposure to water may make your feet wet and stinky with high capacity shoes. Sandals, on the other hand, may make you feel uncomfortable walking insides the caves or when you climb the rock to the top of some grotto's.

Electronic device: Camera is another essential item on your to-pack list. Charge the battery to full before you leave Hanoi and always leave them charged when you are in the cabin. There are so many things in Halong Bay to capture photos of and you do not want to miss the opportunity. Bringing the laptop or expensive device with you to Halong Bay may be better than leaving them at the hotel back in Hanoi. Always keep an eye on your personal belongings to minimize the risks. Unless otherwise noted, all cruises on our website are equipped with wifi facility for you to keep in touch with friends and relatives.

Others: A raincoat will be helpful in rainy summer months. The cruise will have umbrella ready but it does not hurt to bring your own. Sunglasses and sunscreen also work great for the sunbathing moments on the top deck of cruise and junks. Bring your medication if required by doctor. If you are seasickness, stock up on pills. Waterproof backpack.

What not to bring:

Below are what you should not bring with you on board – some are prohibited by the cruise:
Firearms, in-flammables, sharp objects, Illegal drugs and substances, Irons, hot plates and kitchenware, Alcoholic beverages, Pillows, Blankets & Towels those are already provided on board.

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WEATHER CONDITIONS HALONG BAY

Month	Temp (°F) Average Daily Max - Min	Temp (°C) Average Daily Max - Min	Rainfall (mm) Average Monthly
January	68-57	20-14	5-2
February	70-59	21-15	30-12
March	73-64	23-18	70-33
April	81-70	27-21	71-34
May	89-75	32-24	200-150
June	97-76	36-25	180-150
July	97-77	37-26	250-190
>August	97-77	36-25	280-195
September	88-75	28-21	240-140
October	82-70	28-21	75-29
November	75-64	24-18	26-8
December	70-59	21-15	45-12

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DIETARY OR SPECIAL FOOD REQUEST
In order to take care of your special food request we would like you to inform us by email in advance. info@friendstravelvietnam.com

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ADVANCED REGISTRATION WILL BE REQUIRED 
Please provide us your passport information (name, date of birth, passport number, visa validity) prior to departure.