Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi.

Arrival at Hanoi airport, the guide and the driver will welcome you and proceed to the transfer to the city center. 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.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Ethnographic museum in which is retraced the ethnic minorities life in Vietnam. The objects, houses, clothes, documents are gathered among the museum. You will have the opportunity to enter in the long house of Ede, Jarai the Rong house or the earthen house of Ha Nhi.

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. Then, you will attend a water puppet show. This is a traditional Vietnamese art that combines folk music and actions of wooden puppets.  Note: On Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday night you will have the opportunity to watch the Ca Tru show and have the opportunity to try the Vietnamese musical instruments. 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 – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc (100km/ 2h journey)

At 95 km away from Hanoi in Ninh Binh province, there is a large number of rich historical heritages of Vietnam, as it was the ancient capital of the country according to the 11th century. Ninh Binh attracts visitors with its historic highness, and culturally rich destination. At Ninh Binh, visit the most authentic sights of this beautiful province Kenh Ga (natural hot springs), Thung Nang (Sun Valley) with a portion of the inland Halong Bay, Tam Coc (three caves also named the HaLong Bay inland), Thai Vi temple, Pagoda Bich Dong. After breakfast you will go to Ninh Binh.

Arrive in Hoa Lu, visit the ancient capital of Vietnam under the Ly Dynasty and Le antérieur. Discovery of two temples dedicated to the Dinh and Le Kings. Lunch in a local restaurant.

Then you will go on an excursion in a rowing boat on the River Tam Coc (three caves). The cruise will last approximately 2 hours. Tam Coc is a small village whose inhabitants organize walks on the Ngo Dong River. You will see the rocks having the same appearance as Phoenix in mandarin hat, turtle. It will be beautiful. Sometimes the river will merge with rice fields and give you the impression of riding a real sea. Such a nice cruise ! By late afternoon bike ride to visit Bich Dong Pagoda and the Temple of Thai Vy. Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel. Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

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

Breakfast and departure to Ha Long. 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. You will cross all the northern basin of the Red River to reach Halong Bay. Upon arrival, you will embark on a cruise in Halong Bay and admire its thousands of islands and islets that emerge from the water in fantastic shapes. Overnight on board. Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 4: Ha Long – Hanoï. Vol pour Hue. (170km/ 3h30 journey  + 700km/ 1h10 flight)

Hanoi-Thang Long means the dragon in flight while Halong Bay means the descent of the dragon. According to the legend, it would come down in the Bay to domesticate marine currents. With the movements of his tail, he deeply gashed the mountain. It is a nice story explaining the origin of the Bay and its thousand of islands, islets and limestone.

You will continue the cruise in junk while you will be exploring places and participating in interesting activities. After lunch, back to Hanoi and then transfer directly to Noi Bai airport for the flight to Hue. On arrival you will be greeted by English speaking guide and driver, city dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 5: Hue. Visit of the city

Hue is the ancient capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty. Hue has a simple beauty, taciturn and quiet with the sun covering the red roofs of the royal palaces. Perfume River increased the romance of the city every sunset. After breakfast, you will board at the Toa Kham wharf for a cruise on the Perfume River. You will disembark to visit the Thien Mu pagoda – the symbol of Hue city. The pagoda is situated on the hill. You will walk step by step on the stairs listening to the legend of the heavenly Lady. The river is like a mirror embracing the pagoda. Lunch on site and following the visit of Hue with the historical sites : the Imperial City, the mausoleum of Tu Duc, Minh Mang mausoleum.  Back to Hue city. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 6: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An (126km/2h45 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 7: Hoi An – Tra Nhieu – Tra Que – Hoi An

After breakfast, you will arrive at the pier for a 15 minutes cruise to the village of Kim Bong. You will visit the shipyards, learn the traditional way of production of the local. You will continue your bike ride to the village of Tra Nhieu lying in the middle of the river Song Thu. By visiting this place, you will listen to the stories of the territory, look at the daily activities of fishermen.  Short walks in the peaceful and quiet village. Exploring mats production workshops. On the road to your hotel you will pass through the Whale temple. Short stop to take pictures. You will join Mr. Minh and his family of three generations. A house close to a quiet natural garden. Welcome cocktail. You will learn tyring to know them, they are open and welcoming. They will explain you their daily lives. You will walk around the village to visit a garden and watch agricultural activities. You will also try to grow vegetables. Back to the homestay, you will join a cooking “class”, cooking traditional regional dishes such as the nem Hoi An, Huu Tam or grilled fish… before tasting it. Little nap. Relaxation with a massage with medicinal herbs. Return to Hoi An. Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel.  Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8: Hoi An – Da Nang. Flight to Saigon

Free time until the transfer to the  airport for your flight Danang – Saigon.  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.

Arrival in Saigon. Meeting with guide and driver. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will visit the city. Cho Lon is very well known by visitors. It was founded in the 17th century by Chinese migrants, it has attracted many traders from other countries. Until now, Cho Lon and its surroundings are the cohabitation of space and trade of Chinese, Indian and Vietnamese. By visiting the region of Cho Lon (market), you’ll discover another face of the city of Saigon, a multicultural place.

Visit the Hindu Temple Mariaman : the temple is located in the middle of Saigon, we recognize it through its native architecture and mystical. It is appreciated as a famous heritage among three current Hindu monuments in Saigon. This is the place where we practised the Mariaman cult – Indian woman genius. By visiting this temple, visitors can watch the statutes, sculptures, antiques, listen to the story of the foundation, and discover the spirits of the temple.

Then you will head to the mosque at number 66 Dong Du Street. The mosque is one of the Islamic centers, which was built as early as in Saigon in 1935. The mosque attracts many believers and tourists. Its architecture is simple, spacious and airy with arches, columns and long corridors that symbolize the typical Indian art. Outside the religious function, the mosque is still the place where public activities are organized and where children learn about the ideologies of the Koran. You will be able to go and watch believers pray every friday. A Muslim spectacle in the heart of Saigon.

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 make 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 as crystals. You’ll feel a romantic and poetic Saigon. Overnight at the hotel.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9: Sai Gon – Ben Tre – Can Tho (180km/ 4h 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.

Breakfast at the hotel. Around 8.00am, you will head to Ben Tre province in the middle of the Mekong Delta. After 2.30pm, you will go to the Vietnam capital of coconut trees. From the pier of Hung Vuong, you will make a motorized sampan trip on the river Tien towards Ben Tre. A quick stop in the brick-making workshop. Visit of a workshop production of coconut candies.

You’ll continue the tour to the village of Thanh Nhon. You will visit the mats workshop. Then you will take “xe loi” or the bike for a ride through the coconut gardens, rice paddies and vegetable fields to discover the local life. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will make a rowing boat cruise through the canals of water surrounded by palm trees. Transfer by boat back to the pier and landing.

Drive to Can Tho. Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel. Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10: Can Tho – Sai Gon  (180km/ 4h journey)

At 34 km away from Vinh Long south-west, on the banks of Song Hau (River Hau), Can Tho is located in the heart of the Mekong Delta and is the main city of the province of the same name. This is the most important political, economical and universary center of the region. Can Tho is a good base to go by boat to discover the Mekong arm, villages and floating markets.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will ride a motor boat to visit the floating market of Cai Rang – one of the liveliest floating markets of the Mekong Delta. You will have to go at dawn. Hundreds of boats gather on the decorated water over splendid sun. The sellers wearing conical hats will be happy to choose, from the pyramids of fruit piled up in their boats, ripe fruit, that they will peel the skin off and prepare before your eyes.Transfer to orchards where you will enjoy seasonal fruits. Then you will visit the ancient house in Binh Thuy. The driver will wait for you here, and then come back to Saigon. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner and second night in Saigon.Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11: Sai Gon. Return flight

You will have some free time in Saigon until the transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport. Return flight.  Included meals: breakfast

END OF THE TRIP