Hanoi and Halong Bay Trip with the Stanleys

Monday, 12/3: Arrive, check into hotel (The Church Hotel);

Dinner at Nam Phuong (casual), 19 Pho Phan Chu Trinh; +84 4 824 0926

Tuesday, 12/4: See Hanoi Luxe Guide for daytime activities in Hanoi. Old Quarter Tour (Start at Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake), Opera House performance, Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison Museum, Art Shopping, Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. Shows at 5:15, 6:30, and 8pm. 57B Dinh Tien Hoang; +84 4 825 5450. Lunch at Au Lac Café (57 Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem, +84 4 825 7807).

Dinner at Bobby Chinn, 1 Ba Trieu St, Hoan Kiem; +84 4 934 8577; www.bobbychinn.com.

Wednesday, 12/5: Full day exploring and shopping in Hanoi. Shopping at To Tich Street (Dragon Gallery, Kien Boutique, Bao Minh, L’Unique, Vietnamese Craft Guild).

Drinks at the Metropole Sofitel. Dinner at Verticale?

Thursday, 12/6: Depart for Halong Bay (Emeraude-Cruises.com)

Pickup at 8:30am from the Church Hotel

Friday, 12/7: Transfer back to Hanoi for final night in Hanoi at the Church Hotel.

Saturday, 12/8: Transfer to airport provided by The Church Hotel. Depart Hanoi airport for Hong Kong. Plane departs at 9:45am (call to confirm), arrives in Hong Kong at 12:05pm.