15 days: visit the highlights of Vietnam

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Hanoi arrived

  Welcome upon arrival at Hanoi airport by the local guide, then transfer to Hanoi. Located in the center of the Northern Delta, with a population of 6.2 million inhabitants and an area of 3,398 square kilometers, Hanoi is an ancient city, founded and developed for over 1000 years. Although some relics have not survived wars and time, the city still has many cultural and historical monuments of interest to visitors and residents. Note: Rooms are available from 2:00 pm. Free day in the capital to discover the old town of Hanoi, with its 36 streets and a labyrinth of alleys that make up the historic center of the capital.

• day 2

  A day in Hanoi

  After breakfast, departure to the village of Dong Ngac, located about 15 km from the center of Hanoi. It is an ancient village and a cultural heritage site, recognized for its education and its heroic people by the kings of Vietnam. Visit the Dong Ngac market, then visit a family to explore the daily life of the peasants. Next, stroll around the village with a visit to the Dong Ngac Communal House, whose patterns and architecture are built in the shape of a dragon. You will pass by the old village school, built in 1921, then the mossy village gate. You will cycle on the brick-paved road and enjoy a completely different, calm, and picturesque space. If time permits, we will take a short transfer to visit the ancient Chem Communal House before returning to Hanoi. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will discover the old quarter of Hanoi, a labyrinth of alleys that makes up the historic center of the capital and brings together dozens of traditional trades such as the production and sale of votive papers, bamboo work, etc. Stop at the Hanoi shop to admire the old city house, where you will discover traditional lacquer and silk lacquer (known as the queen of all varieties of silk). The day will end with a traditional water puppet show, consisting of sketches presenting the daily life and beliefs of the rural world.

• day 3

  Hanoi - Mai Chau - Pu Luong

  Departure for Hoa Binh, in the heart of Tonkin, only 80 km west of Hanoi. On the way, stop at a local market where the inhabitants of the region come to exchange, sell, and buy the products necessary for daily life. Continue towards the Mai Chau valley and check in at the village of Pom Coong around midday, in a typical Thai stilt house, for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the village (Ban Lac) of the Thai minority, then continue to Pu Luong (1h30 drive). The primary forest of this nature reserve is considered an "evergreen tropical forest," rich in flora and fauna. Arrival at Pu Luong Retreat. Free time to explore the surroundings on your own. Dinner and overnight at Pu Luong Retreat.

• day 4

  Pu Luong - Ninh Binh

  Early breakfast, then a 3-hour hike in the Pu Luong reserve, between rice fields and mountains. You will cross small villages, stopping to discover the daily life of the local population in this natural paradise. After lunch, drive to Hoa Lu - Ninh Binh (around 3:30 pm), the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located 92 km south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh is famous for its breathtaking scenery, often nicknamed "Ha Long Bay on Land." On the way to Ninh Binh, you will also have the opportunity to discover the water wheels of the Thai minority. Accommodation at the hotel in Ninh Binh

• day 5

  Ninh Binh - Ha Long

  Breakfast at the hotel. You will take a boat trip and visit impressive natural caves at Tam Coc, composed of spectacular landscapes of karst peaks scattered with valleys and surrounded by steep cliffs. Then, you will visit the Bich Dong pagoda. Continue to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital, to visit some temples of the Dinh and Le dynasties. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, departure from Ninh Binh to Ha Long (3h30).

• day 6

  Halong Bay - Hanoi

  After breakfast, embark on a relaxing 4-hour cruise in Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, passing by amazing rock formations such as Dinh Huong, Cho Da, islands with sandy beaches, and the Fighting Roosters islets. You will discover Ha Long Bay, listed as a World Heritage site for its exceptional natural beauty, known in Vietnamese as "Dragon descending to the sea". During the boat trip, a fresh lunch will be served (please inform us if you do not eat seafood). Return to Ha Noi.

• day 7

  Hanoi - Quang Binh

  After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the morning flight: VN 8591, 08:05-09:30, to Quang Binh province. Upon arrival, meet the local guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Note: Rooms are available from 2:00 PM. Lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, depart for a full-day excursion, exclusively dedicated to the Thien Duong caves (Paradise Grotto) and the discovery of an exceptional site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• day 8

  Quang Binh - Hue

  After breakfast, land transfer to Hue via National Road No. 1. On the way, stop to visit the Vinh Moc tunnels, a true underground city north of the demilitarized zone, then visit the famous Hien Luong Bridge which spans the Ben Hai River, the former border between North and South Vietnam (the 17th parallel). Discovery of the ancient citadel of Quang Tri, located about 12 km from Dong Ha. The citadel was marked by a historic 81-day battle in 1972. Visit the village of Thanh Toan, located 7 km from the center of Hue (all levels), and the 200-year-old bridge.

• day 9

  Hue - Hoi An

  Breakfast at the hotel. You will explore the imperial city of Hue, former capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen dynasty. This large complex includes temples, pavilions, moats, ancient gates, as well as museums and galleries illustrating the art and costumes of different periods in Vietnamese history. You will visit the mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc, the fourth emperor of the Nguyen dynasty, who reigned from 1847 to 1883. The buildings and gardens were shaped according to the precepts of geomancy (Feng Shui). Everything here is a vast park where nature is omnipresent. Lunch at a local restaurant, then departure for Da Nang via the Cloud Pass (Hai Van Pass). Upon arrival, you will visit the Cham archaeological museum, with an extremely rich collection tracing the history of this vanished civilization. The road will continue to the port city of Hoi An, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival.

• day 10

  Hoi An - Tra Que - Hoi An

  Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by bicycle to a small typical village in the Vietnamese countryside: Tra Que, located a few kilometers from Hoi An. Upon arrival, visitors discover the village's ancient market gardening tradition, whose products are now famous throughout the region. The visit begins with an introduction to the various agricultural activities in the company of the farmers. Lunch with the host family. Of course, this friendly moment is followed by a tasting of local specialties, such as Banh xeo (Vietnamese pancakes), bringing together all the flavors of Tra Que. After lunch, free time for a well-deserved rest or to enjoy a few moments of the village's charm, then return to Hoi An by bicycle. Free time to stroll through the old town of Hoi An and the old streets, or enjoy the beach (weather permitting).

• day 11

  Hoi An - Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City

  After breakfast, transfer to Da Nang airport for the morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Welcomed by the local guide upon arrival and discover the lively atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh. Visit the old residential districts starting with the city hall, a beautiful French colonial-style building constructed between 1902 and 1908. Then the Opera House, designed by French architect Eugène Ferret at the end of the 19th century, the contemporary Reunification Palace (exterior), and the Notre-Dame Cathedral built in the 19th century. Finally, you will stroll near the central post office, built in neo-classical architecture at the beginning of the 20th century by the famous Gustave Eiffel. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will visit the War Museum, which mainly contains objects related to the American period of the Vietnam War. You will take a walk in the picturesque Chinese district of "Cho Lon", which houses the Thien Hau pagoda. From there, you will go for a walk in the impressive Binh Tay market and visit the Giac Lam pagoda, the oldest in the city.

• day 12

  Ho Chi Minh - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi

  Departure for Tay Ninh, center of the Cao Dai religion. Founded in 1921, this religion mixes Christian, Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian elements. You may have the opportunity to observe the faithful in their long white tunics at noon. Lunch in a local restaurant. Transfer to Cu Chi, visit of the Cu Chi tunnels, an incredible complex of underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War. This underground city is composed of networks of more than 250 km of tunnels, which allowed the Viet Minh to conduct their resistance war against the French troops, then the Viet Cong during the war against the United States. Return to Ho Chi Minh City at the end of the afternoon.

• day 13

  Ho Chi Minh - Cai Be

  After breakfast, transfer to Cai Be, in the heart of the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival, board for a cruise on the Mekong to the Mekong Lodge. Check-in at the bungalows and lunch at the restaurant. 15:00: Bike ride to Tan Phong island to explore daily life in the Mekong Delta. Through one of the orchards, you will cross 3 ferries and visit local houses during the excursion. At the end of the afternoon, return to the Mekong Lodge, then cooking class and dinner at the Mekong Lodge.

• day 14

  Cai Be - Ho Chi Minh

  After breakfast, visit the floating market by boat and the craft villages. Return to Mekong Lodge for check-out. Return to Cai Be pier by boat. Lunch in a local restaurant. Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda on the way back to Ho Chi Minh City.

• day 15

  Ho Chi Minh Departure

  Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure. Note: departure time at 12:00. Depending on the flight schedule, transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport for the departure flight.