Halong Bay/Hong Gai

Hong Gai is gateway to Halong Bay and the Red River Delta. This region, "the Bay of the Descending Dragon," is dotted with more than 3,000 mountainous islands, each with its own unique landscape. The islands are famous for their dolomite and limestone rock formations. At the western end of Halong Bay is Cat Ba Island, where Chinese and Vietnamese pirates settled during the late 19th century. Today a large section of the island is devoted to a protected national park.

The following Shore Excursions are available for this port on this cruise, and may be reserved beginning 180 days before the cruise begins.

Hanoi and Flight Over Halong Bay
Tour Code: HNG-5640
Duration: 9 1/2 hours
Retail Value: $699.00
Price: $499.00

Experience the stunning beauty of Vietnam by coach, air and on foot during this full-day adventure that features a helicopter ride over

Halong Bay and an orientation tour of Hanoi.

Depart Hong Gai by coach for the brief ride to the helicopter airport, where you will board a Russian-built Mi-8 or Mi-17. During the 1-hour flight, you will view the magnificence of Halong Bay, dotted by 3,000 islands situated in the clear emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Along the way, you will take in breathtaking views and photo opportunities over the South China Sea, whose natural setting is characterized by hundreds of beautiful limestone mountains rising from the water.

After your helicopter ride, you will re-board your coach for the drive into the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, an exquisite city boasting glorious French-Colonial architecture, numerous lakes and bustling, bicycle-cluttered streets. Upon arrival, you will proceed to the imposing Ba Dinh Square, which is dominated by Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the impressive marble and granite tomb in which the father of the country lies in state. It is closed on Mondays and Fridays, and the last visits are scheduled at 10 a.m. during the remainder of the week.

Leaving your coach, you will begin your walking tour in the Mausoleum area. Although an interior visit is not possible, the building itself makes for a memorable photograph. Next, you will pass the former French Governor's Residence, and the tranquil lotus ponds at the entrance to Ho Chi Minh's Cottage. Further on, you will see the rebuilt One Pillar Pagoda before re-boarding your coach for a visit to the Temple of Literature. Adjacent to the temple is Vietnam's first national university, built in 1076 AD. You will then take a pleasant stroll through the tranquil 5-walled courtyard, and see the pavilion where Men of Letters once recited their poetry.

After a local lunch at a Hanoi restaurant, your drive will proceed to Hoa Lo Prison, where captured American pilots were held during the Vietnam War. You will see where John McCain and Douglas B. Peterson, ex-Ambassador to Vietnam, were imprisoned after they were shot down. Board the coach again for Hoan Kiem Lake, where you can see the Ngoc Son Pagoda perched on a tiny island in the middle of the lake. Hoan Kiem Lake is also known as the Lake of the Restored Sword, and you will learn about the legend from which its nickname originated.

Your tour will conclude at the ancient quarter, or 36 Street District. The streets here were named after the tradesmen that worked in them, and include such monikers as Tin Street, Paper Street and Silk Street. Some time will be made for you to explore your surroundings on foot and do some shopping prior to your 3-hour return drive to the ship.

Please note: Using helicopter transportation one-way shortens your full-day tour to Hanoi by approximately 1.5 hours. Operation of this tour is contingent upon favorable weather conditions. Since this tour is limited to 24 guests, we encourage pre-booking online.

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Terms & Conditions:

Free Unlimited Shore Excursions are for full fare guests only, capacity controlled and subject to availability. Requested excursions may not be available at time of booking. Supplement will apply on Regent Choice excursions (indicated by the above) and excludes Private Arrangements and all Adventures Ashore programs. In order to ensure quality guides and sufficient transportation, we must provide the tour operator with passenger counts at least 36 hours in advance. Therefore no refunds will be given within 36 hours of tour departure for cancellations or no-shows. Please pay special attention to scheduling and tour lengths when booking your shore excursions. In many cases, it is not possible to participate in more than one tour per day in a given port. Tours operate rain or shine. Tours require minimum participation levels to operate so please sign up as early as possible. Tours may be cancelled if minimum participation levels are not met. Prices, Itineraries and General Information shore excursion prices are subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases or currency fluctuations. Please consult the Destination Services Desk onboard for information. During local or national holidays, access to certain facilities (such as museums or archaeological sites) may be limited or denied. In such instances, adjustments will be made to minimize inconvenience to guests. Some tours have limited availability. Tours are generally available for reserving 180 days prior to the beginning of a cruise. Please sign up early to avoid disappointment. Regent Seven Seas Cruises reserves the right to require guests to complete a liability waiver for select shore excursions. For more information, please visit the Destination Services Desk onboard.