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Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

Hanoi also known as “Thang Long”, its historical name meaning “flying dragon”, was the main feudal capital of the country for hundreds of years – from the Ly Dynasty (11th century) to the dynasty of Le postérieur (late 17th century), so far the city of Hanoi still preserves the historical, traditional and typical monuments of Vietnamese culture and values of the immortal spirits of Hanoians.Arrival at Hanoi airport, the guide and the driver will welcome you and proceed to the transfer to the city center.You will explore the city and the old quarters in a rickshaw. Then you will go to Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) and you will listen to its legend. Foreigners cannot miss when they arrive in Hanoi because this lake is considered to be the heart of the city. Small visit of the Jade Temple and the Brush tower.Lunch or welcome dinner (according to arrival time)

Option: If you don’t want to visit the city right after because of the long flight, we will suggest you a massage. You will have one hour to relax, extra cost of 15$ per person will be ask.Included meals: lunch and dinner.

Day 2: Hanoï – Visit of the city

You will go to the Literature Temple. This is an important monument since it is regarded as the first university of Vietnam. By visiting the temple, you can watch the old objects that reflect the past kingdoms of Thang Long.Lunch in a local restaurant. You will arrive at the Tran Quoc Pagoda (the pagoda of the defense of the Fatherland), which was built in the 6th century under the Ly Antérieur Dynasty. It was the Buddhist center of the Thang Long Citadel during the dynasties of Ly, Tran (for about 250 years). Currently, it still preserves many ancient artifacts : the Buddhist canonical books, statutes, bells and drums… You will hear the story of the founding and development of Buddhism in Vietnam, a religion with a national character. In addition, you will have the opportunity to explore the charm of the West Lake Pagoda which is located on the side of the lake. You will feel the rhythm of the daily Hanoian life entering the old quarters. Although the city is becoming more and more dynamic, active and modern, we can still feel past vibrations in the neighborhood of the 36 streets : the Kim Ngan Dinh (communal house jewelry), the old house at 87 Ma May, Hoan Kiem Lake, temple of Jade, the Brush tower. By late afternoon, you will attend a water puppet show. This is a traditional Vietnamese art that combines folk music and actions of wooden puppets. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Note: For nightly Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday you will have the opportunity to watch the Ca Tru show and have the opportunity to try the Vietnamese musical instruments. Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 3: Hanoï – Ha Long (170 km/ 3h30 journey)

Halong Bay is known as the 8th wonder of the world thanks to its magnificent landscapes, beautiful caves, pure air and rich of biodiversity. Having a 1500 square meters area, more than 3,000 limestone islands, Halong Bay is a truly surprising destination.

07:45 : Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi.

12.00 : Embark at Hon Gai International harbor, in the Indochina Junk

13.00 : Check-in, enjoy welcome drink & cruise briefing.

13.30 : Have lunch while cruising to magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay; admire the fascinating formations of the bay.

15.00 : Swimming in the beautiful water.

15.40 : Discovery of the hidden Thien Canh Son cave.

16.45 : Cruise to Hon Co where you will be able to relax on the white sandy beach, swim or do kayaking.

18.00 : Back on board and relax.

19.00 : Dinner and overnight on board.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 4: Ha Long – Hanoï. Night train to Lao Cai (170 km/ 3h30 journey)

07.30: Morning view of Bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast in the fresh air.

08.30: Visit of the fishing village of Vung Vieng in a rowing boat, meeting with the inhabitant.  You will go through a floating school and fish farm.

09.30: Free time, swimming in the middle of the bay.

10.00: Check out of the cabin. Start cruising towards the harbor while the lunch is served.

11.45: Disembark

15.45: Go back to Hanoi. Dinner in town, then you will be transferred to Hanoi train station for the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on board (air conditioned, 4 people cabin).Livitrans Express train (or Tulico Express ; or Fanxipan Express). Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 5: Lao Cai – Ma Tra – Ta Phin – Sapa (40 km/ 1h00 journey)

Located 367 km away from Hanoi, Sapa is considered as a very attractive destination by visitors, as the heart of the North-East region of Vietnam thanks to its pleasant climate and beautiful landscape. It is also a place where ethnic minorities live together with their own traditions. These specialties are the face of a the “city in the clouds” that travelers would like to reach. Arrival at Lao Cai train station, you will be welcomed by the driver and the guide. Breakfast and shower in a mini hotel near the station. Then you will take the road to Sapa. You will visit the village of Ma Tra which is 7 km away from Sapa. Village life remained authentic, which will be a great opportunity to discover the traditions and customs of the inhabitants. You will definitely have the opportunity to meet the minorities. Leaving the village, you will continue the excursion to the village of Ta Phin, boasts of beautiful rice field terraces. Visit of the cave of Ta Phin. Then you will go to Sapa. Arrival in Sapa, you will continue the visit along the small streets, visit the old church and the market. You will visit a local “shopping center”. It is here that ethnic minorities do business. Immersing yourself in their daily lives remains simple. Then you will have free time for personal discovery.  Lunch on site, dinner in town. Overnight at the hotel. Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 6: Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van

After breakfast, you will start the day with a hike to the ethnic villages of Red Zao, flower H’mong, and Tay. You will go through beautiful rice field terraces. If you come to Sapa in August or September, you will have the chance to discover the most beautiful landscapes of the region. All space is covered with yellow rice ready to be picked. From the top, you’ll see the landscape of valleys, the springs flow along the hills, roofs balms are hiding in the shade and children laughing in the yard.In the village of Ta Van, you will have the chance to meet the locals in a traditional Hmong house. Preparation of food and alcohol tasting and cooked meals for yourself.Lunch, dinner and overnight at the homestay (housing conditions are basic comfort).Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 7: Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai – Su Pan – Ban Ho

After breakfast, you will start hiking to the village of Giang Ta Chai. You will walk to the edge of the rice field terraces, along the bamboo forests, climbing to Cau May (the deck of clouds) and Thac Bac (silver drop). Stop to observe the beauty of these sites. Lunch with the locals.Crossing the sources, you will continue to the village of Su Pan, the village of Black Hmong and Red Dzao. The stilt houses built on the hill, stone walls, green peach, and rice fields… all contribute to the daily life of the villagers. Arriving at the village of Ban Ho, you’ll be able to see the valleys, hear the birds singing and watch the inhabitants of the forest. Overnight at the homestay. Another meal will be served at the home of the Tay. You will have the opportunity to taste the specialties of each ethnicity.Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 8: Ban Ho – Sapa – Lao Cai – Hanoï. Flight to Hue(317km/ 5h journey)

Breakfast. You will visit the waterfall discovered by french people. After that, the bus will be waiting for you and then return to Sapa. You will have some free time for sightseeing, visit the morning market and buy small souvenirs.Leaving Sapa, take the road towards the town of Lao Cai. City ​​stop for lunch. Then you will visit the Thuong temple (the temple up the mountain) by practicing the cult of Vietnam’s national heroes. This is the place where we practice the Tran Hung Dao cult hero, a Vietnamese real historical figure who led the people against the Mongolians in the 13th century. Garden tour of the 12 animals made of stone.Before going back to Hanoi, explore the local spirit by visiting the Holy Mother Temple located next to the national gate of Vietnam and China.Return to Hanoi by the highway. Between Hanoi and Lao Cai, the trip lasts about 4 hours and 30 minutes. On the road, you’ll be able to admire the landscapes that change gradually as one move from the plains to the mountains. While an overnight train cannot offer you this experience. Back to Hanoi, direct transfer to Noi Bai airport for the flight Hanoi-Hue in the evening.
Arrival in Hue, the guide and the driver will welcome you and transfer you to the city center. Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel.Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 9: Hue – Thuy Bieu – Hue

Breakfast. You will start a bike ride around Thuy Bieu village and go through the arena tigers village. It was the place where the show fights between elephants and tigers were held to entertain the royal family. The last happened in 1904 at the time of Emperor Thanh Thai.Then you will cycle to the village of grapefruit Thuy Bieu which is between the city center and the tombs of the Nguyen emperors. The ancient village is known for the quality of grapefruits. In the past, they were offered to the emperor and his family. By visiting the village, you will discover the traditional sculptures of Central Vietnam. The old houses, houses and gardens have retained their original styles from the Nguyen Dynasty. During the ride, some stops will be provided for the visit of communal houses (temple dedicated) and in a family with the older ​​three houses of the area. You will continue the ride along the river full of natural scents. Back to the homestay and you will help the family to prepare the lunch with figs and duck with lemongrass.After lunch, you’ll have the opportunity to relax with a massage with medicinal herbs. Then you will board on a boat for a cruise on the Perfume River to the Heavenly Lady Pagoda, the symbol of the city. The tower of the pagoda looks like a brush. You will visit the pagoda and admire the sunset. Then you will go back to Hue. Dinner in town, and overnight at the hotel.Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 10: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An(130 km/ 2h30 journey)

You will continue your tour to Hoi An – one of the main ports of Vietnam in the 17th and 18th centuries. You will ascend the hill of Hai Van (hill clouds). From above, you will be able to watch the beautiful coastal landscapes of the Centre.  Stop at Da Nang – colonial Touran to visit the Cham Museum, which houses a large collection of sculptures typical of Champa Kingdoms.Arrival in Hoi An – a city with the old quarters regarded as one of the 8 heritages of Vietnam by UNESCO. Passengers, travelers, merchants… there are lots of people but older homes are still hiding in a quiet space. Yellow walls and small shops represent the traditional face of Hoi An.After having lunch in a local restaurant, you will continue to discover the beauty of the city. The guide will take you to the pagoda Phuc Thanh – the oldest one in Hoi An which was built in 1454 by a Chinese monk, in addition with the Japanese bridge, the town hall Phuoc Kien, and the traditional house of Tan Ky. You’ll be able to taste the specialties of Hoi An. Dinner. Overnight at the hotel.Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 11: Hoi An. Free time

Breakfast at your hotel. Free day in Hoi An for your personal discoveries. Lunch and dinner. Possibility of going to the beach (4km away from the center) or walking in the surrounding countryside. Overnight at the hotel.Included meals: breakfast

Day 12: Hoi An – Kontum(254km/5h journey)

Tay Nguyen (the highlands) is part of Central Vietnam, which contains the 5 provinces : Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong. It is a territory that still retains the specific traditions and cultures. It is also the place of coexistence of people of Gia Rai, Ede, M-nong, and K-ho, members of the 54 Vietnamese ethnic minorities. With a wealth of spirits, Tay Nguyen attracts many travelers. The visit of this area will be a great opportunity to discover a dynamic picture of the daily life of the Centre minorities.After breakfast, the guide and driver will welcome you from your hotel and you will begin the journey of discovery of the highlands. You will take the national road 14B, also called the Ho Chi Minh Trail through the hills, forests and villages of minority residents of the Centre as Jarai, Bahnar, Ede, or M’nong. Breakfast in a local restaurant. You will continue the journey by visiting historic war landmarks such as the crossroads of Indochina, Dakto or Phoenix Airport. Arrival in Kontum, visit of the wooden cathedral, the orphanage Vinh Son I, the Thua Sai seminary, the Konklor bridge. Dinner in town. Overnight at hotel.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 13: Kontum – Pleiwer – Pleiku (90km/2h journey)

After breakfast depart for a trek through the villages of Bahnar people. You will make a canoe trip on the wild river Dakbla. You will continue to Pleiku. Along the way, you will visit the village of Pleiwer (or Pleiphun) of Jarai, one of the largest ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands : collective tombs with statues, the water point… And then you will go to Lake Sea to contemplate an ancient volcano extinct for hundreds of millions of years. Overnight at hotel. Lunch, dinner in town. Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Jour 14 : Pleiku – Buon Ma Thuot(190 km/ 4h30 journey)

After breakfast, you will start the tour by Minh Thanh Pagoda, the largest and beautiful of the region. You will continue to the city of Buon Ma Thuot. On the road, you will make a short stop in a large and vast coffee plantations of rubber and pepper. Arrival in Buon Ma Thuot, lunch at a local restaurant.In the afternoon, you will head up to the Ban Don Village to visit the bamboo suspension bridge, the old Lao house, houses the grave of elephant hunters. Then visit of the fall of Draysap “fall Mist”. Dray Nu is 30 km away from Buon Ma Thuot. Back to Buon Ma Thuot. Dinner in town and overnight at your hotel.Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 16: Buon Ma Thuot – Da Lat. Visit of the city

After breakfast, you will head up to the city of Da Lat, the city of flowers. Arrival in the city of Da Lat. Installation at the hotel. Visit Da Lat, a pretty little town characterized by its mild climate. Visit Dalat and discover its history, its culture and its unique architecture by visiting the Valley of Love, Lake Ho Xuan Huong, the XQ embroidery center, Domaine de Marie church, the market and the train station. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 17: Da Lat – Saigon(300km/6h journey)

After breakfast at the hotel, free time to stroll through the city before taking the road back to Saigon through rubber plantations, tea plantations and coffee plantations. Stop at Bao Loc to visit a tea plantation and coffee. Arrival in the afternoon in Ho Chi Minh City, to your hotel.Speaking of Saigon, we immediately think of a big city, bustling with shopping malls, tall buildings, which never sleeps. But in depth, the city reveals its “precious pearls” – historical, cultural testimonies expressing the life and spirit of the local people.In the evening, we’ll take you on the Indochina junk for a romantic dinner. You will spend a romantic moment in a charming and intimate space. You will do a 2-hour cruise on the Saigon river and admire the city on the other side, while tasting wine and specialties. You will look at the buildings full of lights as bright crystals. You feel another Saigon, romantic and poetic city.Night at the hotel.Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 18: Saigon – My Tho – Mo Cay

(70 km/ 1h30 journey)

In Vietnamese, the Mekong is called Song Cuu Long which means the river of the Nine Dragons, referring to its nine major tributaries that flow into the South China Sea. In this region known as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam, Mother Nature delivers its benefits besides. Rich and fertile land, clear water and fish, dreamy landscapes : nothing is missing.

Departure to the Mekong Delta, vast and fertile plain which is the rice bowl of Vietnam. On the way, stop to visit a Cao Dai temple. Arrival at the pier and crossing a major arm of the Mekong, arrival at Ben Tre where the river is divided into multiple channels, you will embark on a boat and go through the islands planted with tropical orchards, natural streams river of Ham Luong and get to Mo Cay.Installation at the homestay and you’ll make a bike ride around the village to discover the art of craftsmanship. By late afternoon, you will help the inhabitants of the house to cook, it will be a very good opportunity to understand the art of traditional cuisine in the South of Vietnam. Dinner and overnight at the homestay.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 19: Mo Cay – My Tho – Sai Gon. Return flight (80 km/ 1h30 journey)

Breakfast at the homestay. 07h30 : Departure for the bike ride into the village to discover the daily life of local …. Boat trip to visit the Thom Market 20km away of Mo Cay – the largest coconut selling market. Back to Saigon. If there’s still some time remaining, you’ll visit Saigon, Vietnam’s economic city through the colonial sites. It’s been affected by 95 years of French presence such as the Central Post a gem of colonial architecture with a huge metal frame, a work of Gustave Eiffel and a beautiful glass roof, Notre Dame. The “Big Market” Binh Tay born in 1778 in the center of Chinatown in Cholon, formerly suburb of Saigon, today became the 5th neighborhood of Ho Chi Minh City, where live nearly 500,000 Vietnameses native of China. Transfer to the airport. Return flight.  Included meals: breakfast and dinner

END OF THE TRIP