Discovering UNESCO sites in Vietnam

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Hanoi

  Upon your arrival, you will be welcomed by the guide and driver from Orient Skyline Travel, who will accompany you to your hotel in a private car. You will spend your first night in Hanoi.

• day 2

  Guided tour of Hanoi

  Start the day with a visit to the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam. Built in 1076, it was established in a temple to educate the royalty of Vietnam as well as mandarins and members of the elite. The university's gardens and architecture, so well preserved, offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam's past. Next, we will take you to visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Hanoi. Dating back to the 7th century, this historic site reflects the fusion between Chinese and Champa influences. Continue with a visit to the One Pillar Pagoda. This structure is one of the smallest but most iconic temples in Vietnam. Nearby is the mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, as well as his modest stilt house. The visit continues to Hanoi's West Lake and the 6th-century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. From there, you will be taken to the Quan Thanh Taoist temple. End the day with a visit to Hanoi's Old Quarter. You can take a cyclo ride through the old narrow streets and discover the lifestyle of the local inhabitants. You will also have the opportunity to attend a water puppet show, a unique North Vietnamese art form depicting scenes of rural life and episodes from national history.

• day 3

  Hanoi - Ninh Binh

  

  Departure around 8 am for the first capital of Vietnam, Hoa Lu. You will visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh dynasty (968-80) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le dynasty (980-1009). After visiting Hoa Lu, you will walk for 30 minutes to one of the surrounding limestone formations, where you will have an impressive view from the top of the hill. At the end of the morning, we will leave for the city of Tam Coc for a Vietnamese lunch. Then, we will stroll along the path to take some photos of the villages and landscapes. After lunch, you will visit the Trang An complex, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2014, and embark on a relaxing boat ride on a peaceful river passing through a series of caves (15 minutes to cross a cave in the dark). Trang An is a spectacular landscape of limestone karst ridges interspersed with valleys, some of which are submerged, and surrounded by steep and almost vertical cliffs. As the boat gently glides through the water, you will see huge limestone karsts rising from the green rice fields, giving rise to its other name, "Inland Halong Bay." For adventurers, climb to the Bich Dong pagoda on Ngu Nhac mountain, dating from 1428 and comprising three structures: Ha, Trung, and Thuong. You will have the afternoon free to do as you wish and will spend the night in Ninh Binh.

• day 4

  Ninh Binh – Thanh Hoa – Ninh Binh

  After breakfast, you will leave to visit the Ho Citadel, located in the neighboring province of Thanh Hoa and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. The remains of the Ho Citadel consist of the inner citadel, the outer Thanh wall, and the Nam Giao altar, designed for a centralized imperial city to reflect a concept of royal power. The use of large stone walls, combined with traditional Feng Shui principles, is the main feature that distinguishes the Ho Citadel, which has remained almost intact. After the visit and before returning to the hotel in Ninh Binh, you can enjoy a Vietnamese lunch and observe the scenery along the way. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Take a walk or bike ride through the rice fields surrounding the hotel or, if time permits, take an optional trip to Cuc Phuong National Park (with an extra fee), the first national park in Vietnam, established in 1962.

• day 5

  Ninh Binh – Halong Bay

  

  After a good early breakfast, you will leave Ninh Binh for a 4-hour car journey to Halong Bay, certainly the most famous and popular UNESCO World Heritage site in Vietnam! The name "Ha Long" means that the Dragon descends into the sea and owes its origins to a Vietnamese myth. The dominant limestone karsts represent the back of the Dragon, surrounded by jade green water, making it an unforgettable site. There are more than 1600 limestone islands and islets of different shapes that jut out from the sea. Upon your arrival, take your place aboard the Aphrodite Cruise boat, where you will be pampered in style and comfort while cruising along the limestone cliffs and emerald green waters of the bay. Next, you will stop to explore the inside of a cave and discover the strangely shaped stalagmite and stalactite formations. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a cooking demonstration before enjoying a luxurious dinner. Enjoy the rest of your evening as you wish: we offer a movie in the lounge, a relaxation session on the deck with a cocktail, or even the chance to participate in night squid fishing. You will spend the night on Halong Bay.

• day 6

  Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Danang – Hoi An

  Wake up with the sun and practice the ancient art of Tai Chi on the terrace, while admiring the majestic surrounding panoramas of the bay in the coolness of the breeze. Enjoy your last hours crossing the bay by savoring a sumptuous buffet brunch before returning to the main port. You will then be transferred to Hanoi airport to take the flight to Danang. You will spend the night in Hoi An. Note: this tour may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.

• day 7

  Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An

  

  You will enjoy a trip to the My Son temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can venture along the trails, visit the many ruins, and soak up the atmosphere of this historic site. You will have lunch in a local restaurant before returning to Hoi An. Despite its 200-year existence, the ravages of weather and war, the center of Hoi An remains unchanged. You can take a walking tour and explore this ancient city with its wooden-fronted merchant houses, the Japanese covered pagoda bridge, the open-air market, as well as a range of shops and galleries. After the visit, take the opportunity to stroll through the city, shop, or simply relax along the enchanting river, illuminated by thousands of lanterns at night.

• day 8

  Cooking class in Hoi An – Hue

  

  Familiarize yourself with the country's culture through the art of Vietnamese cuisine during a cooking class. This 4-hour experience includes a market tour, an overview of common ingredients, and a hands-on cooking class where each participant will prepare their own meals. At 8:30 am, we will take you to visit the central market of Hoi An for an hour to select the freshest ingredients. Next, we will return to the Morning Glory restaurant for the cooking class, which will take place in a beautiful air-conditioned room with individual cooking stations. Each dish is prepared step by step in an interactive process. The staff will always be available to assist you. The class covers not only cooking techniques, but also herbal remedies and tips for using vegetable graters and Vietnamese knives. All your efforts will be rewarded with lunch. We will leave Hoi An for a 3-hour drive via Hai Van, finally arriving in Hue, the ancient citadel of the last Nguyen dynasty. You will spend the night in this same city. Notes for the cooking class: - Dishes vary depending on the seasonal availability of fresh ingredients. - The class is non-private (so on a join-in basis), with a minimum of 6 people required to operate. Private classes are available on request, with an additional fee payable.

• day 9

  Visit of Hue

  

  This morning, we are setting off for an extraordinary visit, with many UNESCO World Heritage sites on the program. The first visit will be the imperial citadel, where the Nguyen dynasty reigned between 1802 and 1945. The ancient citadel reflects the splendor of this site with the ceremony of the dynasty's sovereigns, as well as the scars of many years of turmoil (the royal citadel was severely damaged during the final stages of the war). From there, you will take a cyclo to stroll through Dai Noi to Tinh Tam Lake, where the emperors used to come to relax. Continue your visit with the Thien Mu Pagoda (Heavenly Lady), overlooking the Perfume River. Built in 1601, the 21-meter-high tower is the centerpiece of the pagoda and represents seven reincarnations of the Buddha. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant offering authentic Hue-style cuisine. In the afternoon, you will visit the tomb of the former emperor Minh Mang, located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds. If time permits, you can embark on a cruise on the Perfume River at sunset.

• day 10

  Hue – Dong Hoi

  This morning, we will go to Dong Hoi. You will be able to stop to see some historical sites and monuments in order to better understand the history of the Vietnam War. We will then continue to Highway 1, crossing the Hien Luong bridge and the Ben Hai river, which separated North and South Vietnam. This region was the scene of some of the most intense fighting during the war. You will then visit the Vinh Moc tunnels. The village of Vinh Moc was tragically located in one of the most heavily bombed regions of Vietnam. In order to escape these bombings, the villagers built about 2.8 km of underground tunnels, which they used as a refuge to survive the attacks. You will spend the night in Dong Hoi.

• day 11

  Phong Nha-Ke Bang Cave

  After breakfast, you will explore the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. The national park houses and protects more than 104 km of caves and underground rivers, making it one of the most remarkable limestone karst ecosystems in the world. The karst landscape, both complex and ancient, has existed for more than 400 million years. Upon your arrival in Phong Nha, visit Paradise Cave, one of the largest and most impressive accessible caves in the region. After climbing the stairs, you can enter the cave and admire an impressive view. Then descend into the cave on a wooden walkway. After the visit, have lunch in a local restaurant. You will return to your hotel in Dong Hoi in the afternoon.

• day 12

  Dong Hoi – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City – City tour

  This morning, you will be taken to the airport to catch the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. In the afternoon, join a city tour to discover the history of this dynamic southern metropolis. The first visit of the program will be to the Reunification Palace, formerly known as the Presidential Palace, followed by some colonial visits in the city: the old post office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Catinat Street), the Continental Hotel, the Grand Opera, and the City Hall. Continue to the Jade Emperor Pagoda, located on the outskirts of District 1. Dating from 1909 and built by Cantonese Buddhists, this tranquil oasis was designed using Feng Shui principles, featuring ornate statues and effigies. In the afternoon, you will return to the hotel with the rest of the afternoon free. You will spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.

• day 13

  Ho Chi Minh City – Street Food

  

  After a light breakfast, embark on an exciting excursion where you can taste the city's street food. During this half-day excursion, hop on the back of a motorbike to discover the hidden parts of Ho Chi Minh City, enjoying a delicious meal accompanied by a Vietnamese chef. Stroll around the vibrant and colorful wet market, and enjoy local life while savoring some of the local treats. The chef will explain how each selection is prepared as well as the culinary knowledge of Vietnamese cuisine. In addition to tasting delicious dishes, you can also, if you wish, explore the city on the back of a motorbike. Around 12:15 pm, the motorbike driver will take you back to your hotel. You will set off again at 6:30 pm from the hotel to the pier in District 04 of Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, take the opportunity to enjoy a welcome drink and a greeting from the captain. An introduction will follow on European and Asian cuisine, and you will dine in Ho Chi Minh City, a unique culinary experience to enjoy. Relax on the deck and enjoy the panoramic view during the 90-minute cruise along the Saigon River. You can taste organic and fresh food that will be presented and prepared on a buffet, accompanied by a band of musicians on board to entertain you. Upon return to the pier, our driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel. You will spend your last night in Ho Chi Minh City. Note: the street food tour and dinner cruise are non-private (shared basis). Private tours are available on request with an additional fee.

• day 14

  Ho Chi Minh City – City tour – Departure

  After a stay rich in knowledge and discoveries of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Vietnam, you will be taken to the airport to return to your home country.