The best way to appreciate Quang Ninh’s iconic seascape, strewn over an area of nearly 2,000 sq km, is to take a 25-minute scenic flight over Halong Bay operated by Hai Au Aviation.

Offering a completely different perspective than from a cruise ship, the flight is performed by a team of skillful pilots on the newest model of Cessna Grand Caravan 208B-EX seaplane. There are a few scheduled flights per day to choose from and the average ticket price is around $90 (children under 2 years old – $9). Hai Au Aviation welcomes cameras, tablets, and mobile phones on all its Halong Bay tours. There is no need to switch off your electronic devices during the flight, travellers can share photos and videos on social media in real time via 4G.

Local tip: try to be one of the first people to board the plane as there are no assigned seats and the view is much better by the window rather than by the aisle. Also it’s quite essential to choose a sunny day for this experience, grey weather will not deliver the same vistas.

As tickets are usually sold a day in advance to comply with the aviation rules, feel free to contact our reception for further assistance.

Location: All flights depart from Tuan Chau Island, 20km (12 miles) from Deja Vu House.

With more than 80% of the land being mountainous, Quang Ninh is a perfect destination for campers and hikers who want to explore Vietnam’s pristine countryside.

Dubbed as the “Sapa of Quang Ninh”, Binh Lieu offers many hiking trails which will take you through verdant valleys and hills, terraced rice fields, cinnamon forests and murmuring waterfalls. Besides it’s natural beauty, tourists can also witness the lives of local indigenous tribes – Tay, San Chi and Dao – which make up 96% of the area’s population. If your travel dates fall on the weekend, make sure to visit colourful ethnic markets where you can buy medicinal herbs, honey, wild bamboo shoots, cinnamon bark and much more. Take it as a unique opportunity to try local specialities, like pho xao, black chicken and five colors sticky rice, play folk games, take photos and make new friends.

Sharing a 43km border with China, Binh Lieu is classed as a restricted area for foreigners so it’s highly advisable to book a guided tour through our reception.

Best time to visit:

For hiking – September to November, when temperatures are mild and rainfall is low.

For cultural events (Luc Na communal house, Soong Co festival and love market) – February to April.

During winter months of December – February the temperatures can be too low (0-10 C) and it may snow occasionally.

Binh Lieu “must see and do” list:

Dinosaur spine trail and the border pole 1305, Khe Van Waterfall, Binh Lieu weekend market (all ethnic groups), Dong Van weekend market (Dao ethnic group), Women’s Football Tournament (San Chi ethnic group).

If you have ever travelled to Japan, you probably had a chance to experience an authentic onsen, a public bath place which uses water from natural hot springs. Lucky for us, the first Japanese standard onsen in Vietnam is only a 20-minute drive from Deja Vu House.

Before embarking on the project, Quang Hanh’s water samples were sent to Tokyo for thorough evaluation. Multiple tests revealed that it’s rich in Na + and Cl-, boric acid and bromine while a neutral pH value makes this water suitable for people of all ages and helps to eliminate toxins, relieve pain, promote blood circulation, boost immunity and reduce stress.
Surrounded by towering limestone karsts, Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh is managed by a professional Japanese team, delivering an authentic experience and the highest standard across all services. So if you are looking for a wellness escape while travelling through Vietnam, this place is just the ticket.

With 25 types of onsen baths and 18 bathing pots, both indoors and outdoors, it will take you a few hours to experience at least half of it. Admire lush green scenery and Japanese-inspired aesthetics as you are soaking in hot mineral water. Make sure to reserve enough time to visit the onsite sauna complex, where you can try all 4 types of saunas at no additional cost. If you want to take your relaxation up a notch, head to the spa area which offers various treatments ranging from Classic Thai to Shiatsu reflexology.
There are different categories of tickets, depending on various factors like time of the day and day of the week. Feel free to contact our reception for assistance.

Upon arrival to Yen Tu ticket office, located at the foot of the mountain, you will have 3 different options:

Free hike: if you are fit for the mission, you can just follow the steps which will lead you to the top in about 4 hrs. Pretty straightforward yet a bit strenuous, this option is very rewarding as it allows you to see all the temples and sacred sights on the route.

Cable Car + hiking: you can take a cable car halfway up the mountain to Hue Quang Golden Stupa and do the rest on foot. Alternatively, you can hike to Hoa Yen Pagoda and then take a cable car to the Golden Buddha.

Cable Car only: this is the fastest way to reach the peak but you will still have to hike between the cable cars and from the Golden Buddha to Bronze Pagoda (approximately 1 hour each way).

Yen Tu Mountain facts:
• Yen Tu Complex is located 60km (32 miles) from Deja Vu House, it takes 80 minutes by bike or car to get there.
• The highest peak in north-eastern Vietnam, Yen Tu Mountain stands at 1,068m (3,504ft) above sea level.
• Yen Tu cable car, with a total length of 2,100m (6,889ft) is divided into two separate sections connected by a footpath: Hoang Long and Bach Long.
• The mountain trail is approximately 6km (3.7 miles), and it takes 8 hours to hike to the peak and back. Using the cable car system cuts visit time in half but still involves a fair share of good old hiking.
• Yen Tu Complex is open every day from 7am – 9pm.

Being overshadowed by neighbouring Halong Bay, Yen Tu mountain rarely gets a mention in popular travel guides but sometimes you have to shrug off the crowds and venture beyond the beaten path to find the best story. The area is famous for its beautiful landscape and cultural heritage of the Tran dynasty, a golden era of Vietnamese philosophy, literature and art. Founded by the third ruler of the Tran dynasty Emperor Tran Nhan Tong at the dawn of the 14th century, Truc Lam Zen Buddhism is Vietnam’s own path to enlightenment that reflects the traditional values and beliefs of its people.

The emperor, who was a national hero in the two wars against the Mongolian invaders, brought peace to the country before handing over the throne to his son in order to start a new life as a monk. He spent the rest of his life practicing Buddhism and spreading his teachings across the country.

The magic of Yen Tu lies in the journey, the natural surroundings still preserve many historic relics hidden under a canopy of ancient pine trees. Walk in the footsteps of the emperor on a winding stone path through the centuries of Vietnamese history. The challenging pilgrimage to the top of Yen Tu mountain during the Lunar New Year celebrations is said to bestow good fortune for the following year. Take your time to contemplate the breathtaking views and offer a few incense sticks to Dong Pagoda perched atop the lofty peak.

An overnight cruise in Halong Bay is the ultimate bucket list trip. With hundreds of boats operating on the bay, your experience will vary based on the time of the year, number of days, and the type of a tour you choose.

The cruise boats range from very simple to ultra luxurious and cost somewhere between $200 to $1500 per cabin and typically include full board (without alcohol) and all the activities: visiting caves, islands, swimming and kayaking, cooking classes, tai chi lessons and sometimes evening entertainment like live band performances or a cinema under the stars. High-end boats typically feature swimming pools, gyms and libraries.

Contact our receptionist for booking an overnight cruise around Halong Bay.