In the good care of our Muong ethnic hostesses
Photo: ZIR

VNA 12  Well-being on Halong Bay

Well-being on Halong Bay / 2 or 4 days

1. From Hanoi, by car, in the direction of Halong Bay maritime..along dykes, canals and though hamlets. Board onto your wooden junkboat. Body and face massage, with sandalwood and lemongrass oil and honey, onboard our boat – with our specialised hostesses and special ingredients. Seafood meal. Night onboard.

2. Wake up midst a thousand islands. You can navigate, swim, and walk on nearby Cong Tay Island. Manicure and pedicure. Foot and hand massage, aromatic mud scrub - mask made with fresh, local products: cucumber, papaya, coconut, aromatic herbs....onboard the boat. Seafood lunch.

Return to Hanoi by car at the end of the day (2 day program).

Disembark onto Cat Ba Island. Dinner and night in a hostel on the island.

3. Early the next morning, trek across the hills and through the forests of Cat Ba. The Ao Ech Mountains with an altitude of some 400m. Guided walk (optional) of 3-4 hrs. Awe-inspiring scenery of the protected High mountains with ricefields, rivers and colourful villages....Return to dry land by boat or ferry. Then by car to La ferme du Colvert, arrive early evening. Then a Perfumed Hamman, Vietnamese-style....where we celebrate Tet – the Vietnamese New Year and the arrival of Spring each year....

....with Bamboo leaves, Lemongrass, Grapefruit, Bo Ket and Coriander grains (Tre, Buoi, Sa, Mui, Huong Nhu, Cuc Tan…), this traditional ritual will ensure a great night’s sleep! Dinner and Night in a stilt house.

Day 4. Leave for a 2-3 hr bicycle ride. Pass through villages, farms and hamlets, meeting locals from the Muong tribe. Lively, colourful Luong Son morning market. Return for lunch.

PM: Full treatment: Hair, face and body. Body massage using fresh, natural ingredients (depending on the season and subject to availability). Ginger, sandalwood oil, honey, rice alcohol with lemon, cinnamon, Tiger balm Star anise....

Aromatic mud scrub by our Muong minority group hostesses. First look at some Vietnamese embroidery. Infusion of local Sa and Che (Lemongrass and Green Tea) and a house snack. Return to Hanoi, by car, at the end of the day.

Departure days: Tuesdays and Fridays.

Practicalities:

• 2 x 30min treatments (Hair and face / body and perfumed hammam). See program.
• Full-board.
• Accommodation in a cabin and 1 night in a traditional stilt house, bordering the lake (4 day program).
• Cruise + Halong Bay outings: 1 day + 1 night or 2 days + 2 nights, depending on program.
• Walks and bicycle rides on the islands (4 day program).
• Transfer by car Hanoi - Halong - Hanoi + La ferme (4 day program).
• La ferme performances (4 day program). On the boat: by request and at an extra charge.
• From 6 pers. upwards (extra charge below this number).

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