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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 considered as the first university of Vietnam. By visiting the temple, you can watch the old objects that reflect the past kingdoms of Thang Long.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.Lunch in a local restaurant.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.

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

Day 3: 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. Arrival 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

Jour 4 : Tam Coc – Baie de Bai Tu Long  (170 km / 3h30 de route)

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.  Breakfast and departure to Ha Long. Arrival at Hon Gai port, go on board the junk, installation in a cabin, welcome cocktail and presentation of the cruise ship. Lunch with a panoramic views of the Bai Tu Long Bay. Swimming in the crystal clear water. Visit Thien Canh Son cave. Short cruise on Hon Co Island where you can go swimming or kayaking. Back to the boat to relax. Overnight on board.

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Bai Tu Long bay – Hanoï (170 km/ 3h30 de route)

You will have breakfast in the fresh air and enjoy the view of the Bai Tu Long bay. You will visit the fishing village of Vung Vieng, meet the local population and then visit the school and the fishing farm. Free time to go swimming. Continue the cruise to the port enjoying lunch (à la carte). Landing and return to Hanoi. Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel. Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6: Hanoï. Flight to Dong Hoi (488km/1h flight)

Breakfast and transfer to the airport for the flight Hanoi-Dong Hoi.

The Quang Binh province is 500 km away from Hanoi and 1220 km from Ho Chi Minh City. 85% of its surface is covered with mountains, forests and beaches on nearly 117 km in length. It becomes an ideal destination for beach holidays and discovery travel. A UNESCO heritage site, the National Park Phong Nha-Ke Bang aims to protect the most important karst formations in the world. The park is famous for its caves, the vast Phong Nha cave, the largest in the world which flows the longest underground river in the world.

The guide and driver will welcome you. Then you will take the road and go to Phong Nha national park – Ke Bang where you will take a cruise on rowing boat on the underground river, length of 1500 meters. You will enter in a pure space to explore the Phong Nha cave, a natural rock together forming a maze of 8 km length, dug 14 caves bristling with stalactites and stalagmites. Then you can stroll into the cave and admire the natural rock carvings. This walk will be very relaxing.

You will continue the tour by visiting the Thien Duong cave (Paradise Cave). It was discovered by scientists of the British Speleological Association in 2005. With a length of 31 km, it is considered as the longest dry cave in Asia. With natural primitive characteristics, the cave looks like a picturesque landscape painting which is very attractive for visitors. Return, dinner in town and overnight at the hotel. Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7: Dong Hoi –  Quang Tri – Hue  (230km / 4h30 journey)

After breakfast you will visit the citadel of Quang Binh, built in 1631 under the Nguyen Dynasty. This monument was intended to protect the ancient royal citadel. By visiting the citadel, you will admire the original architecture in harmony with the military art of the time. Old of 4 centuries, the fortress reflects the history symbolizing vitality and longevity of this territory. In Quang Tri, you will have the opportunity to visit the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), Ben Hai River and Hien Luong Bridge. These are important sites, they mark the violence of the fights in the province of Quang Tri during the American war. Drive to Hue. Arrival in Hue, transfer to the hotel. Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel. Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8: Hue. Visit of the city.

After breakfast, you will board at the Toa Kham wharf for a cruise on the Perfume River. Visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, the symbol of Hue city. The pagoda is located on the hill. You will have to walk while you will be listening to the legend of the heavenly Lady. The river is like a mirror embracing the pagoda. Continuation of the visit of Hue with the historical sites : the Imperial City, the Tu Duc mausoleum, Minh Mang mausoleum. Lunch on site, dinner and overnight at the hotel. Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9: 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 10: 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 tranquil 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 and lunch

Day 11: Hoi An – Da Nang. Vol pour Sai Gon

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. 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 12: Saigon – Ben Tre – Can Tho (180 km/ 4h00 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

Jour 13: Can Tho – Chau Doc  (110 km/ 2h30 journey)

After breakfast at the hotel, departure by motor boat to visit one of the most lively floating markets of the Mekong Delta, Cai Rang, with its hundreds of boats jostling and colliding against each other, while their owners are trying to sell their wares. A cruise along the river will give you the opportunity to see closely the daily life of the inhabitants of the delta and an authentic Vietnam. Here, the real roads are waterways, furrowed sampans and boats. The Mekong Delta is squared by a multitude of canals, rice fields, fruit gardens, islands and villages. Here we slide on the water with boats or canoes. The people of the delta have been shaped by the waters of the river that govern human life, from birth to death. Everything depends on the Mekong : the work in the fields, orchards or paddy fields, fishing, transport, traditions. Departure by road to Chau Doc. Quick stop in Long Xuyen for lunch.  The road continues to Chau Doc, a pleasant small town near the Cambodian border which has significant Chinese communities, Cham and Khmer. Arriving in Chau Doc you will visit Mount Nui Sam, an important pilgrimage site in the region, the temple of the Queen of the country, and Tay An Pagoda. Check-in at the hotel and dinner in town. Overnight at hotel. Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 14: Chau Doc- Sai Gon  (300 km/ 7h00 journey)

You will go on a boat trip, you will first go along an amazing floating village. These heavy wooden houses with flowered balconies offer all the comfort (including television) and each one of them have its own fish stock, they remain in their natural environment and feed with kitchen scraps. The boat then reaches a small Cham village with houses on stilts. You will visit mosques. Then drive to Saigon. Arrival in Saigon and transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Saigon. Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 15: Sai Gon. Return flight.

You will have free time in Saigon until your transfer at Tan Son Nhat airport for your return flight.

Included meals: Breakfast.

END OF THE TRIP