Big River... No great deal about it... 750 plus miles long. It was unfortunately always brown. It’s a vast river with lots of ships and cruise boats surrounded by vast green banks. The Red River is the largest river in Northern Vietnam. It rises in central Yunnan province, southwestern China, and flows southeast in a deep, narrow gorge, across the Tonkin region, through Hanoi, to enter the Gulf of Tonkin after a course of 750 miles (1,200 km). Almost every building has lightning rods, sometimes four or even six, on the rooftop. There's a perfect beach for every week of the year. Ha Long Bay's crowds, however, are unmissable. The captain reverses to get us out. It starts in Yunnan, China flowing through Vietnam and ends in the Gulf of Tonkin. Escape the bustling confines of Hanoi city, and breath the fresh air on this full-day rural Vietnam tour. more, See a show or catch a game—with your seats all set, Browse our largest collection of experiences, Explore on your feet—and never miss anything. A unique feature of the houses we see from the upper deck is that many of them have fake gables. From a frontal view, it looks like another floor, but it's only a triangular façade with nothing behind it, giving the appearance of small Buddhist shrines atop the roofs. Duc Doc says his favorite part of the trip is Ha Long Bay, a spectacular labyrinth of karst cliffs that thrust out of tranquil waters off Vietnam's northeast coast. As the small wooden craft approaches, I can see his legs rotating the oars in perfect rhythm. Nonetheless, on day five of the journey, we get stuck in a sandbar, such are the shifting sands of the current. See local villagers going about their daily lives as you come to appreciate a quieter slice of Vietnamese culture. The genius of these replica paddle steamers is the shallow draft -- only 1.2 meters. With a passenger capacity of 32, the ratio of guests to staff is almost one to one, which helps explain the meticulous attention to detail.

Our captain is Duc Doc, a local North Vietnamese who, perhaps unsurprisingly, cut his teeth on this network of waterways by piloting a cargo boat for three years. Construction is everywhere, and hotels and casinos are going up fast. As they pass our mighty ship, a replica of a colonial river steamer, they both stare up in curiosity. Red River is mainly seen as a part of Hanoi City regarding the fact that the biggest bridge that connect airport to the city is also on that river. I visited some of the market gardens along the banks of the river and was told that the area produces three or four crops a year, depending on the vegetables being grown. Shopping Malls, Conference & Convention Centres, Continue your visit to www.tripadvisor.com, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this a must-do if you are travelling with a, Is this a place or activity you would go to on a, Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, After 6 short months travelling South East Asia, I was on the way to the airport in Hanoi and passed the red river, over the big suspension bridge. "There's a lot of traffic, and it can get very misty in the winter months. The day's activities conclude with sunset cocktails on the top deck, followed by an unhurried three-course dinner accompanied by a buffet of salads, cold cuts, cheeses and breads. Rice paddies are immaculately manicured, bordered by banana groves, passion fruit trees and peanut plantations. From the top deck, I offer a wave and they break into big smiles as the man lifts both arms aloft, proudly advertising the fact that he can row with no hands. There are kayaks at hand for those who wish to paddle into low-lying caves.

"The lower part of the river is not so beautiful," he says. The Red River is the largest river in Northern Vietnam. deposited in the delta, forming rich and fertile soil for vegetables, rice and flowers. I assume they must be attached to some kind of mechanized bicycle chain, but no, he's simply rowing with his legs, looking as comfortable as if he were watching TV while pedaling an exercise bike. The boatman appears to be cycling.

Children scream as they jump into the river; men sit fishing by the banks; women wash clothes in the clear dark water. fields and fishing villages. Visitors will invariably be welcomed to a village home with an offering of green tea. So the river is not only a major source of fish for Vietnam but an essential source of vegetables. In addition, the industrial city of Hai Phong is only a few miles south, putting the onus on tourism authorities to move quickly to prevent this scenic wonderland from deteriorating. Another unique characteristic of the northern Vietnamese is the custom of burying loved ones in their paddy fields. We see several sturdy stone Catholic churches as well, built during the French colonial period. Or, if it's evening, they might tempt you with a splash of rice whiskey. One of the great benefits of river cruising is that boats can anchor frequently at villages and small ports, either to pick up provisions from the local market or let the passengers take in an excursion or two.

Join us on a 12-month journey to see them all, The extraordinary wooden houses of Central Vietnam, Island hopping in Vietnam: Beaches, retreats, ex-prisons. The Red River delta is the economic centre of Northern Vietnam and Haiphong, the main port, lies on a branch of the delta. I would have enjoyed a cruise up it if I’d.

adds Craig Kilgour, a retired minister from New Zealand, over his evening beer.

A woman in a conical hat squats on the very bow of the boat. It's one of many charming sights I witness as I cruise up the Red River, considered the cradle of civilization in Vietnam. Soon enough we're back on board and the ship's two 350-horsepower engines roar to life. Among the highlights of Pandaw's excursions are water puppet performances, ethnic dancing, a bird sanctuary, Buddhist and Taoist temples and visits with local artisans and craftspeople. Although the national marine park is vast and supposedly protected as a UNESCO site, up to 500 ferries a day carry day-trippers in and out of the crags and peaks. Over the next 10 days he recites many a historical anecdote as we sail on the RV Angkor Pandaw from the magnificent Ha Long Bay up the Red River to Hanoi, and into the clear rustic waters of the Da River, a journey of more than 600 kilometers. However as you travel away from Hanoi and to the west on the river you see beautiful view at river banks with traditional houses. "Finally got to see what we came to see," says Andrew Baker, 72, an academic from Melbourne and one of the 22 passengers I meet on board. Although the practice is now banned, thousands of shrines and tombstones still pepper rice fields as far as the eye can see. This is the scenic part of the voyage: looming lush mountainsides and fresh countryside breezes. Dining is a thrice-daily feast of East-meets-West flavors and healthy fare. Hotels near Indochina Adventures Travel - Vietnam Day Tours, Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks in Hanoi, Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing in Hanoi, Temple of Literature & National University, Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake), Flexible itineraries and personal experiences, Your ship’s come in for waterside trips and more, Sample the local scene with in-the-know guides, Bundled tickets and extras for smart savings, All ashore for easy trips straight from port, Almaz International Cuisine and Convention Center. The Upper Red River veers northwards to China, but we take a sneaky left-hand turn down the Da River (Black River). The tour offers plenty of opportunities to get off the boat and explore. It means these flat-bottomed boats can navigate uncharted waters with a decent degree of confidence, and can still navigate upstream or downstream in the dry season when the water levels are at their lowest. The Red River rises in China's Yunnan Province, then through Vietnam, past Hanoi, and into the Red River Delta, a huge area of some 7,000 square kilometers that extends 150 km inland and 80 km along the coast.

It starts in Yunnan, China flowing through Vietnam and ends in the Gulf of Tonkin. After the customary tours of Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and the inspirational Temple of Literature, it's reassuring to get our legs on land with a walking tour of the Old Quarter, taking in its French architecture, bustling narrow boulevards and cafes. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.

With a toot of the horn, the ropes are cast off and away we sail. Aside from catfish, anabas and African carp (ca ro phi), villagers on these riverbanks also breed shrimps and oysters. The RV Angkor Pandaw can accomodate up to 32 passengers.

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