Vietnam

In flight.

In flight.

Welcome to Hanoi, the political and administrative capital of Vietnam and the major metropolis of the North! After collecting your luggage at the airport, you will be greeted by your national guide who will accompany you throughout your stay and ensure the transfer to the city (approximately 1 hour).

The rooms will be available from 2:00 PM.

Dinner is on your own (at an additional cost).

Breakfast at the hotel

Stroll around Ba Dinh Square where the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is located. Ba Dinh Square is the central element of what can be called the “Ho Chi Minh complex” (outside – closed every Monday and Friday), consisting of the Mausoleum, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Stilt House, and the Presidential Palace. On foot, you move from one site to another by crossing this imposing rectangular square, which allows you to step back from the impressive mausoleum. It is on this square that the country’s independence was proclaimed.

You will then visit the university of princes and mandarins (the Temple of Literature) which is located not far from there. Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour. Called Van Mieu in Vietnamese and built in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, the Temple of Literature was the first university in Vietnam. It was intended for the education of the children of the nobility and mandarins, and it is here that the first literature exam in the country took place. As early as 1484, the names and merits of the laureates were engraved on a stele resting on the back of a turtle. Today, you can still admire 82 of the 116 steles erected at the time.

For dinner, you are invited to discover the traditional Cha Ca meal in a typical Hanoi restaurant. It is a specialty of fish with herbs, fried on a small clay brazier and served with rice noodles.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Museum of Ethnography (closed every Monday), located northwest of Hanoi. As the name suggests, it presents the 54 ethnic groups living on Vietnamese territory, through 25,000 everyday life objects. Traditional costumes, musical instruments, jewelry, and weapons illustrate the traditions and customs of all these peoples that you will have the opportunity to admire.

Next, enjoy a one-hour rickshaw ride (which was once the most common means of transportation in the capital) in the heart of the city’s colonial quarter as well as the old craft district, and finally around Hoan Kiem Lake, the nerve center of the capital. It is around this place that all of Hanoi’s life is organized. The lake’s shores are lively from 5:30 in the morning until 10:00 at night.

It is also a place linked to a legend: one day, the heavens supposedly entrusted Emperor Le Thai To with a magical sword to drive the Chinese out of Vietnam. Once the task was accomplished, as he was walking around the lake, a giant turtle is said to have emerged and reclaimed the sword to return it to its divine owners, hence the name “Lake of the Returned Sword”.

A break is planned at the lake to also visit the surprising Ngoc Son temple, which seems to literally emerge from the lake waters on a thin carpet of grass.

Incense ceremony:

The Vietnamese people believe that when incense is burned, the rising smoke creates a bridge between the earth and the heavens, connecting them to the gods and members of their family who have left this world to pass into the next. You will discover how important it is for the Vietnamese to prepare their incense well before visiting a temple or pagoda. You will be invited to participate in the ceremony and may feel the same spiritual connection as the locals.

Discovery of Hanoi’s street food:

This evening, you will have the opportunity to discover what makes Old Hanoi so captivating by tasting a wide variety of Vietnamese specialties. You will start with Banh Cuon, steamed rice noodle sheets filled with a variety of ingredients. After this first tasting, you will stop at a famous restaurant on Hang Dieu street to taste Vietnamese noodles prepared in the southern style, which are as popular with locals as they are with travelers. You will then go to a “hidden” corner of Hanoi for a short walk along a “graffiti wall” where you will also find cafes offering a beautiful view of Hanoi’s bustling streets. You can enjoy your drink and feel the rhythm of the capital’s nightlife.

Overnight at Rey Hotel Hanoi 4* or similar

(B, D, S)

You will depart in the morning by road towards Halong, where you will arrive around noon. There, you will embark on a cruise in the must-see Lan Ha Bay, part of Halong Bay. This bay, known worldwide, is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam, with its gigantic rock islets covered in vegetation that seem to emerge from the water. Halong Bay includes about 1,900 islands and islets of rocky pinnacles, generally uninhabited and untouched. This ensemble creates a spectacular marine landscape, which earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1994. Lunch and dinner will be taken on the junk boat.

Accommodation: Overnight on a non-private junk – Orchid Trendy or similar

Distance: 170 kilometers – 2 hours 45 minutes

(B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Depending on the season, it is advisable not to get up too late to enjoy the beautiful sunrise that gradually illuminates the bay, thus revealing all its wild beauty.

Tai Chi class on board.

The cruise will then continue in the heart of the bay until your disembarkation late in the morning.

Early brunch on board (around 09:30-10:30).

Route towards Ninh Binh (220 km – 4h30 min).

On the way, you will stop in the village of Yen Duc, known for being one of the cradles of water puppet theater. You will attend a water puppet show directly inspired by the daily life of the delta’s farmers: rice planting, buffalos led to pasture, fishing scenes, as well as songs and dances celebrating a bountiful harvest. After the show, you can stroll in the courtyard of the village temple and in the streets to discover rural life and craft workshops, before continuing the journey towards Ninh Binh.

You arrive in Ninh Binh, nicknamed the “Inland Halong Bay.”

You are then transferred to the hotel. Local dinner.

You spend the night at the Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel and Resort 4* or a similar establishment.

(B, D)

Breakfast

By boat and bicycle, you will visit the Van Long nature reserve and its surrounding villages. You will cross rice fields surrounded by a spectacular landscape of rocky peaks, winding canals, and lush vegetation.

Arrival in a typical village in the heart of the Red River Delta (Bac Bo). Participation in a cooking class and introduction to the preparation of a local dish.

Dinner with a local family.

In the afternoon, transfer to Mai Chau along a road lined with terraced rice fields. You will then arrive in the Mai Chau region, located in the heart of Thai territory.

Check-in.

Supper and overnight stay at the Avana Retreat 5* hotel or a similar establishment.

Distance: 190 km – 4 h

(B-D-S)

Breakfast

Mai Chau – Bamboo Forest – Bao La – Buoc Village:

Today, you will be transferred to the starting point where you will begin your hike descending towards a stream, crossing a suspension bridge and passing through the surrounding rice fields before reaching the other side of the valley.

There, you will climb through a bamboo forest to reach the top where you can see the fish ponds and the villagers’ bamboo huts. Then, you will descend again through the bamboo forest to reach a main road.

Crossing the road and a small stream, you will start walking through the rice fields to reach the Bao village. You can make a short stop to visit a traditional stilt house and learn more about the culture and daily life of the locals.

Dinner with a host family.

Return by bus to the hotel for a free afternoon.

Hike distance and duration: 5 kilometers – 2 hours

Level: 0

Elevation gain: +150 meters

Dinner and overnight at Avana Retreat Hotel 5* or similar

(B-L-D)

Breakfast

In the morning, you will leave Mai Chau heading towards Hanoi airport, with a stop at Duong Lam, where you will exchange your car for a bicycle to ride around the village. The ride will take you to discover the temples of Kings Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung, as well as the Mia Pagoda. Built in the 15th century, the latter is surrounded by nearly 300 statues representing Buddhist deities.

Dinner in the village.

Then, transfer to Hanoi airport (1 hour) for the flight to Danang.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your new local French-speaking guide and transferred to Hoi An (30 km – 1 hour).

Local dinner and overnight at the Legacy Hoi An Resort 4* hotel or similar

(B-D-D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, you will discover the old town of Hoi An, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The uniqueness of the place lies in the fact that it combines Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, and French architectural elements.

Then, a bike ride to the Tra Que vegetable village, renowned for its aromatic herbs (mint and basil being the most notable). This morning will also be an opportunity to discover the life of local farmers and their techniques. They will introduce you to the work of digging and harvesting vegetables. During dinner, you will taste the famous specialty of the village, tam huu, a mix of shrimp, pork, and aromatic herbs, as well as six other regional specialty dishes.

Next, you will return to Hoi An in the early afternoon. You will have the afternoon free to explore the city at your leisure.

Supper in a local restaurant with a tasting of Cao Lau, a specialty of Hoi An. The vermicelli soup with pork and vegetables is a culinary specialty of the city.

Overnight at the Legacy Hoi An Resort 4* hotel or similar.

(B, L, D)

Free morning for your personal exploration of the city or to enjoy the beach.

Dinner with a tasting of “Bánh Vac,” also called “white rose,” a white rice dumpling stuffed with shrimp. This dish is only prepared in Hoi An.

In the afternoon, departure along the scenic Hai Van Pass road towards Hue.

Many stops are planned along the way to admire the breathtaking views.

For dinner, continue your discovery of traditional local cuisine with “Bún Bò Huế,” Hue-style noodles accompanied by beef, a dish originating from the ancient imperial city.

Overnight at the Senna Hue Hotel 4* or similar.

Distance: 150 km, 3.5 hours

(B, L, D)

Breakfast

Your first visit to Hué takes place in the mysterious atmosphere of the Citadel.

The citadel was built over 30 years starting in 1804 under the orders of the first emperor Gia Long and was inspired by Vauban’s fortifications. A true fortified city, it is composed of three parts: the capital city, the imperial city, and the forbidden city, as well as more than 100 palaces of original architecture, spread across numerous sectors. The citadel was partially destroyed in 1968, during the Vietnam War, but many donations today allow this invaluable heritage to be revived.

Visit a typical garden house.

Local dinner.

In the afternoon, you will visit the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, one of the most beautiful sites in Hué. Built during the emperor’s lifetime, in a narrow valley, about 8 kilometers from the center of Hué, it is a model of traditional Vietnamese art and architecture. In a soothing and tranquil atmosphere, about 50 buildings are spread across the entire tomb area. Altars, pavilions, theaters, and temples are gathered in what is called the worship area. The visit will take you along paved paths by the lake to the emperor’s tomb, its enclosure, the main courtyard, and the pavilion of the tomb’s stele. You will probably be surprised by the size of the imperial tombs reflecting the founders’ dream of grandeur, power, and beauty.

You will visit a traditional Vietnamese conical hat factory, the “non ba tam,” and then attend the making of incense sticks.

A symbol of Vietnam along with the Ao Dai, the traditional attire of women (pronounced ao-zai), the “non” protects from rain and sun. It is perfectly suited to the rigors of the Vietnamese climate. Used throughout the country by the Vietnamese population, it is made from bleached palm leaves, softened, and then sewn one by one onto a bamboo frame.

You leave the factory with your conical hat.

Royal supper. With very strong culinary traditions in Hué, we invite you to experience a supper inspired by the Vietnamese royal tradition. Dressed in mandarin costumes, you board a bus through the city to reach the restaurant of the Thanh Lich Royal Boutique hotel where you will have supper in a royally decorated room to the sound of a traditional music orchestra.

Night at Senna Hue Hotel 4* or similar

(B, D, S)

You will discover a pagoda where you can meet a monk and talk with him about Buddhism and its influence on the lives of the Vietnamese.

Then, under the guidance of the monk, you will have the opportunity to make paper flowers yourself before sharing a vegetarian dinner.

Transfer to Hue airport (15 km – 30 min) for the flight to Saigon.

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your new local French-speaking guide and transferred to the city (15 km – 40 minutes). The room will be available from 2:00 PM.

Saigon is the most modern, bustling, and westernized city in Vietnam. Also called Ho Chi Minh City, the city was marked by various occupations during the colonial era. Due to its ideal geographical location, close to the Mekong River Delta, Cambodia, and Laos, it has always been a very commercial city and almost never sleeps.

Dinner in a local restaurant, then you will spend the night at the Orchids Saigon Hotel 4* or similar.

(B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel

Discover Cholon – The Chinese Quarter of Ho Chi Minh City

Founded in the 17th century by a Chinese community, Cholon is located 7 kilometers from the city center. Cholon has always been a Chinese enclave on Vietnamese soil. After many years of tumultuous cohabitation, the Chinese community (the Hoa) has now reconstituted itself and lives without fear in Cholon, “The Great Market,” which has gradually become one of the essential cogs in the economy of Ho Chi Minh City.

Your exploration of the Cholon district will inevitably lead you to one of the traditional shops and dispensaries, to the Tian Hau Pagoda, the most majestic in the city, as well as to the Binh Tay Market. This market is located in a large ocher building designed by a French architect and financed by a Chinese merchant. It is reputed to be the most impressive in Vietnam with its thousands of stalls and its great variety of goods. It is the genuine temple of commerce in Ho Chi Minh City!

Departure from Saigon to Ben Tre (105 km – 2h30)

Stop at the Chet Say Bridge to visit Mr. Mười Nghiệp’s house and observe the traditional process of making coconut rice paper.

Embark on a boat at Family Café for a picturesque cruise along the Cai Son River.

Enjoy a riverside meal at Hai Hồ Restaurant, with local specialties such as large freshwater shrimp and elephant ear fish.

Stop at Mrs. Sáu’s place to discover beekeeping, coconut candy production, and chocolate making. Enjoy honey tea and traditional Đờn Ca Tài Tử music.

Explore the village by xe lôi (rickshaw), with a stop at Mrs. Sáu’s family house to observe traditional mat weaving. Continue by xe lôi to the paddle boat station.

Boat return to the Family Café pier, where guests can take a xe lôi to the Mai An Tiêm pier for a car transfer.

Local dinner. Overnight at the hotel. Ben Tre Riverside Resort 4* or similar.

(B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel

In the morning, transfer to the pier for a boat ride along the Thom River, with a stop at a coconut craft village to observe the processing of coconut fibers and coconut peeling.

Cross the Co Chien River to a small island where the locals grow grapefruits and coconuts. Participate in local activities such as tasting butterfly pea tea, roasting eggs in straw, and enjoying an herbal foot bath.

Visit another farmer’s house to learn more about rice wine production and taste local specialties such as fried bananas, sweet grapefruit soup, and regional sweets.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Head to Tra Vinh to explore Khmer culture. Visit Bà Om Pond, an ancient and iconic site, as well as the Ang Pagoda, a 10^th century Khmer Buddhist temple, to discover local religious traditions.

Return to Saigon, check into the hotel and dine at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Orchids Saigon Hotel 4* or similar.

(B, L, D)

Breakfast

Free morning to enjoy the hotel’s facilities.

Rooms available until noon.

You will dine at a local restaurant and discover Banh Xeo, a hot and crispy pancake filled with bean sprouts, slices of pork, and shrimp. You will thus experience Saigonese culinary differences compared to those of other regions.

Continuation of the visit to the bustling southern capital.

You will discover that the architecture in the center of Ho Chi Minh City is still very representative of the colonial era and Chinese influence. The city’s historical sites are located in District 1: the grand central post office, with its metallic framework designed by Gustave Eiffel, the Notre-Dame Cathedral in red bricks (exterior), somewhat like Notre-Dame de Paris, the Opera House, the Reunification Palace, and Dong Khoi Street.

Note: The cathedral is closed for renovation until 2027 – exterior view only.

Then, transfer to Saigon airport for your departure flight.

Free dinner

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