Vietnam "The Red River"
May 2028
Our 10-day Red River cruise plus Hanoi, exploring the wonders of one of the worlds great rivers.
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Vietnam "The Red River and Halong Bay"
At Outside the Square (OTS) Adventures, we believe that the best travel experiences aren't about ticking boxes on a frantic itinerary; they’re about finding the balance between structure and freedom. Our upcoming journey to Northern Vietnam brings this philosophy to life through a Hanoi (3 night) and on the Pandaw "Red River" cruise (10 nights). The Red River is a world away from the busy tourist trails of the Mekong. It offers a rare, slow-paced look at the heart of Vietnam, winding through lush landscapes, remote villages, and ancient temples. Partnering with Pandaw—a cruise line legendary for its intimate, colonial-style ships and focus on deep cultural immersion—we have curated a trip that is as sophisticated as it is authentic. We bypass the usual tourist traps, focusing on local dining, vibrant markets, and the quiet beauty of a Vietnam that remains largely untouched by mass tourism. This is more than a cruise; it is a chance to travel with a small, like-minded group of friends who appreciate the finer things, a relaxed pace, and the joy of truly "outside the square" exploration. Please NOTE this is not a "Gay" cruise by any means, its a OTS group, sharing with other guests, and it has always been great fun. OTS has run many collaborations with Pandaw, in Cambodia, India, and Vietnam and they are quite wonderful. Day 1 - Arrival into Hanoi You can arrive any time today on any flight, and make your way by taxi to our hotel, where we will be to greet you. Its a free time day, to head off exploring or relax after your long flight by the pool or treat yourself to a massage. This evening we can get meet up for drinks and get to know each other. Day 2-VIET TRI Breakfast and a leisurely start to the day. Late morning we will take a transfer from Hanoi to our ship moored along the Red River in Viet Tri. After lunch we visit Lac Long Quan or the Hung Kings Temple and learn about the history of the Hung Kings and the founding of the first nation in Vietnamese history. We return to the ship for our welcome dinner and introduction to our crew. Day 3-THE LO RIVER A day of exploring the various crafts produced throughout the delta. We start with a visit to Hung Lo temple where we will be serenaded with traditional folk music as well as enjoy an exploration this quaint traditional town. In the afternoon we visit the smith village of Ly Nhan to witness first-hand the traditional production methods still being used to this day. Day 4-UPPER RED RIVER We visit the UNESCO praised village of Duong Lam an ancient village that is a well preserved example of a traditional Vietnamese village from centuries ago with intricate architecture and fascinating culture. After lunch we continue downstream on the Red River and visit a timeless Arcadian Vietnam with emerald green rice paddies punctuated by lime stone rock formations. We make a stop at a small village dedicated to the handmade production of Vietnam’s most famous headwear, the Non La conical hat before continuing to Thay Pagoda. Hardly known, yet with exquisite temples dating from the 11th century, we visit this beautiful temple beside a lake and explore the village that surrounds the pagoda. Day 5-HANOI Dropping anchor in the bustling city of Hanoi, will embark on a captivating journey through Hanoi, venturing beyond the typical tourist trail. Explore the historic Temple of Literature, a testament to Vietnam's Confucian roots, and gain a poignant understanding of the city's past at the Hoa Lo Prison. Immerse yourself in the vibrant Old Quarter, a sensory feast of sights, sounds, and aromas. Witness the unique spectacle of Train Street, sipping Vietnamese coffee as a train passes just inches away. Explore the local markets of Hang Da and Hang Gai Street and meet for transfer back to the RV Angkor at Thang Long Theatre. Day 6-BAT TRANG CERAMIC VILLAGE This morning we visit Bat Trang ceramic village, a hub of ceramic production for generations. The ceramics made here are famous throughout Vietnam and adorn many homes both north and south. Before returning to the ship, a local dance troupe will treat us to a lion dance on the pier. This colourful and energetic dance is customary during festivals throughout Vietnam, most notably during Tet. We sail through the maze of waterways this afternoon and are entertained onboard by your Pandaw Chef with a cooking class and fruit carving. Day 7-DAY RIVER After breakfast we head ashore to Co Chat village, Nam Dinh. Here we visit local craftspeople making silk by hand and the local markets filled with exotic produce. After lunch onboard we moor at Khanh Thien Village, a quaint town known for it’s skilled craftspeople. We explore this cultural hub by local transportation or bicycle and discover a host of handicrafts including water hyacinth weaving and a variety of rice paper and cakes. We end the evening with a performance by the locals of ‘Chau Van’ singing, an ancient art form local to this area. Day 8-NINH BINH Discover ‘Halong on Land’ today as we visit Ninh Binh and take small bamboo rowing boats through the magnificent limestone caves. Visitors in September and October or April and May will witness the valleys shine golden as the rice fields prepare for harvest. After lunch we continue our exploration of the Red River Delta with a journey to Phat Diem, home to Phat Diem Cathedral, a 19th-century Roman Catholic church built in an eclectic blend of Vietnamese and European architectural styles. We continue upstream on our journey to Halong. Day 9-LUOC - THAI BINH - KINH THAY RIVERS Observe the lively and interesting life on the river as we spend a morning sailing the delta. Enjoy an exploration of your vessel with a ship tour before lunch. In the afternoon we visit Thanh Ha Commune, considered the origin of water puppetry in Vietnam. After a stroll or bicycle through the quaint village, we enjoy a private water puppet show set under shade by a beautiful pond of lotus and lilies, as it has been enjoyed for centuries. We drop anchor near Hai Phong Port, the gateway to Halong Bay. Day 10-HALONG BAY Cast off early morning along the river before entering Halong Bay’s amazing island scenery with its 2,000 dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations dating back 20 million years. Exploring Halong Bay, we stop at the so called “Dark and Bright Cave” where we take a kayak or a local basket boat rowed by fishermen and enter this remarkable cave into an enclosed area similar to a crater. Bats can be heard in the cave and massive stalagmites hang from the ceiling. We continue our cruise through Halong Bay until we drop anchor in a quieter part of the bay. Day 11-HALONG BAY Continuing our sailing we make a stop at Viet Hai Village. We continue our journey by mountain bike or electric buggy to visit the village’s vegetable farm and typical village houses. It is a breath-taking trip along a small road winding its way through the limestone rocks. In the afternoon we will continue cruising towards Lan Ha Bay for a visit to a floating fishing house. Weather dependent, we will end the day with cocktails at a beautiful secluded beach. Day 12-HALONG BAY to HANOI Morning sail to Tuan Chau Jetty. Disembark and transfer to our hotel back in Hanoi with stop for lunch at a local restaurant (approximately 130km and 2.5-hour journey). Tonight is your chance to book one of the cities famous restaurants, or enjoy "street food" which is deliciouse. Day 13-HANOI Today is a our "freedom to choose your passion" day, lots of suggestions, from shopping, Museums, Galleries, Spa day, a optional cooking class, or enjoy a day by the hotel pool. This evening we will all get together for our goodbye meal hosted by OTS. Day 14-Departure day You can depart anytime today, making your own way by taxi to the airport for your onward flight home or onto another adventure. Solo travelers NOTE! This trip has a very inexpensive single supplement for a room/cabin of your own. |
13th May to 26th May 2028
Starts and finishes in Hanoi (HAN) Vietnam 14 day adventure. This trip will be escorted by Richard, OTS founder Inclusions:
Not Included:
Estimated cost for 2028
Please NOTE this one off trip has very specific deposit and payment rules based on the Pandaw contract.
The green "Book Now" button will appear above when live bookings and deposits open for this trip.
Payment options Due to the nature of Adventure travel and the prices of the resources on which it depends, the published price of any trip is subject to change at any time, before or after booking confirmation, up to 60 days before the departure. 
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