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.

DAY 1 : Hanoi – Halong Bay – Titop Island – Trong Cave – Ho Dong Tien Area (L/D)

07:30: 
- Pick up from your hotel around Hanoi Old Quarter. Drive to Halong Bay. Enjoy the peaceful scenery through the countryside on the way.
10:00: 
- Stop on the way for short break.
12:00: 
- Arrive at Tuan Chau habor
12.15: 
- Transfer by tender to the boat – enjoy Welcome Drink.
12.30: 
- Check in Fantasea boat and begin cruising to Halong Bay. Relaxes & Lunch is to be served at the restaurant.
13:30: 
- The boat will be cruise to Ga Choi mountain then stop at Titop beach. Swimming or Climb to top of TITOP to see all the beauty of Ha Long bay.
14:30: 
- Cruise to Trong cave for Kayaking for around 1 hour.
17:00 - 18:30: 
- The boat cruising to Ho Dong Tien.
19.00 - 20:00: 
- Dinner will be served at the restaurant.
21.00- 23:00: 
- Relaxing on boat (Karaoke, Squid fishing or drink on the sundeck)
23.00: 
- Overnight on Fantasea Cruise at Ho Dong Tien area. 

DAY 2 : Halong Bay– Surprise Cave – Hanoi (B/L)

Get up early to enjoy sunrise at your leisure.
07:00- 08:00: 
- Coffee, tea and breakfast served at restaurant.
08:00: 
- Boat cruise to the Surprise Cave area.
08:15: 
- Transfer by tender to the Surprise Cave.
09.30: 
- Come back the boat and join cooking class.
11.00: 
- Lunch will be served on boat while the boat cruising to Tuan Chau habor. More chances to discover Halong beauty passing Cho Da, Chan Voi islets.
12:00: 
- Get on bus.
14.30:  
- Stop-over for short break.
17:00: 
- Arrive in Hanoi. Drop you at hotel, trip ends.

INCLUSIONS

- Full equipped luxury en-suite cabin with A/C, hot water
- All meals on board (02 lunches, 01 dinner, 01 breakfast)
- Complimentary 02 bottled mineral water inside the cabin
- Welcome drink
- Tai Chi
- Cookery demonstration
- Entrance and sightseeing fees
- Kayaking
- Shuttle bus (from Hanoi to Halong Bay and return)
- Fishing equipment
- English speaking guide
- On board insurance and service charges

EXCLUSIONS

- Beverages
- Tips and other personal expenses
- All other services not clearly mentioned above

PICK UP / DROP OFF 

You will see that the pick up and drop off time are well noted in the cruise itinerary. Generally speaking, almost al cruise trip will start at noontime, thus if you are leaving from Hanoi, you will need to depart between 7:45AM and 8:30AM 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 

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.

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.

WEATHER CONDITIONS HALONG BAY

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

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