Charm of Vietnam: a 15-day tour from North to South

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Hanoi and visit.

  You land at Hanoi airport, and depending on the time, we offer you a first discovery of this capital of 6 million inhabitants. As you approach Old Hanoi, our car drives slowly so you can enjoy the spectacle: the lively daily life of these alleys, the temples, the lakes, the colonial buildings, and the long, narrow houses. Here you are at your hotel, enjoy the refreshment offered to you and settle in quietly. Once you are fresh and ready, your guide will suggest a walk in the surroundings: Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple. A short cyclo ride in the colonial district and its historical monuments, a visit to the central market, then a walk back to the hotel.

• day 2

  Visit of Hanoi

  

  After a good night's sleep and a full breakfast, we dedicate this day to iconic places in Hanoi. It's an opportunity to discover pillars of Vietnamese culture and history! We visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Quan Thanh Taoist temple, Ho Chi Minh's stilt house, and the amazing One Pillar Pagoda. Next, the famous Temple of Literature, the first Vietnamese university dating back to the 11th century! A place filled with poetry. At the end of the day, discover the cultural world of Vietnam's 54 ethnic minorities thanks to the ethnographic museum. In the museum park: a sample of the country's remarkable traditional dwellings. To beautifully end this day, attend the My Village show! Dancers, actors, and acrobats with long bamboo poles stage the life of villagers, accompanied by an orchestra of traditional instruments. It's superb!

• day 3

  Hanoi - Mai Hich - Kho Muong

  On the way to the Mai Hich rice fields. Along the way, we take breaks to admire the varied landscapes: sugar cane plantations, cassava, karst peaks, and verdant hills. You can spot small villages below, it is truly beautiful. Arrival at the end of the morning, perfect for a traditional lunch with a local family. The terrace overlooks the rice fields. This will make you want to go for a bike ride in this superb valley to discover the lifestyle of the Thai ethnic group. Then, transfer to Kho Muong, a village in the Pu Luong nature reserve. Free discovery of this green haven, then overnight with a local family, in a comfortable traditional stilt house, where you will be well taken care of.

• day 4

  Kho Muong - Pu Luong

  

  A superb natural site that invites you to take a walk! Our routes are adapted to your abilities, generally short routes of an hour or two allowing you to go from one Thai village to another. This encourages contact and exchanges, and the landscapes are breathtaking. The inhabitants wear superb outfits and are delighted to be able to tell you about their traditions! You can discover more of Pu Luong thanks to a bamboo raft ride, then we will show you the ingenious irrigation system using bamboo wheels. Return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon.

• day 5

  Pu Luong - Bai Dinh - Ninh Binh

  First, we enjoy the morning in Pu Luong, then leave to visit the giant Bai Dinh pagoda, the largest in Southeast Asia as it covers 500 ha! In the afternoon, we enjoy Tam Coc and a lovely bike ride in a unique setting, at the foot of karst peaks, along a village path. Accommodation with locals in very comfortable bungalows in Tam Coc.

• day 6

  Ninh Binh and the terrestrial Halong Bay

  

  The area of the terrestrial Halong Bay is a sublime site that we discover in the morning aboard a small boat: the caves, the karst peaks, the riverbanks, everything is conducive to daydreaming. We then go to a small mountain that served as a setting for the film Indochine. At its summit: the Bich Dong pagoda. After a good Vietnamese meal at the restaurant, we head to Kim Son to discover the Phat Diem cathedral, the largest Catholic architectural complex in the country. We will make a stop at the imperial temples of Hoa Lu, the medieval capital. Finally, return to Tam Coc.

• day 7

  Ninh Binh - Cat Ba - Lan Ha Bay

  We leave early for Hai Phong to reach Cat Ba Island. The Lan Ha Bay area, south of Ha Long Bay, is just as beautiful and less frequented by tourists. Boarding around noon on a junk, discovery of a floating fishing village in the bay... Let’s enjoy the beauty of the site, this sea dotted with hundreds of islets that is part of the world heritage of humanity. We drop anchor near a beach to take the time to have lunch on board the junk. In the afternoon, we sail towards Cam Island. Those who wish can go kayaking or take a boat ride. Return to the junk and head to a pretty, quiet beach to swim and relax. The sunset over the bay is a magical moment, which we admire from the junk. And if you feel like it, squid fishing with the local fishermen! Dinner and overnight on board the boat.

• day 8

  Cat Ba - Hanoi - flight to Hue

  

  We leave the junk after breakfast and set foot on Cat Ba Island, near the village of Viet Hai. These are the last hours in Lan Ha Bay, so make the most of it! A bike ride or an electric cart tour is really pleasant on this path lined with tropical vegetation. Back on the junk, the trip continues from islet to islet. We have a good meal on board and disembark at Ben Beo port around noon. On the way to Hanoi airport: a domestic flight will take us to Hue, in central Vietnam. We will spend our first night at the hotel there.

• day 9

  Visit of Hue - Imperial City

  A major historic city of Vietnam, since the last 13 emperors of the Nguyen dynasty chose it as their capital. That is why there are many monuments, including the famous imperial citadel. Although it was bombed during the war against the Americans, it remains very well preserved and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Dong Ba market allows us to enter the atmosphere of the city: many local products, specialties to taste, a good time ahead! We are then ready to visit the Imperial City, then the Pagoda of the Heavenly Lady and the tombs of two kings of the Nguyen dynasty, Minh Mang and Khai Dinh. If time permits, before returning to the hotel, visit a workshop for making incense and conical hats!

• day 10

  Hue - Hoi An

  

  Our next stop is the charming city of Hoi An. On the way, we make a morning stop at the beach and the fishing village of Lang Co. Our journey continues to Tra Que, which is a few kilometers from Hoi An. This village is very famous for its organic vegetables, and we will have lunch there. Then, we drive to Hoi An, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. This city was the main port of the Kingdom of Champa and has had a truly incredible history over the centuries: a port open to global trade! Hence its very unique and well-preserved architecture. We will visit its remarkable monuments: the Japanese bridge, a Chinese temple, and an old house listed as a national heritage site. We will stroll through the city up to the market along the river. Finally, overnight at the hotel.

• day 11

  Hoi An Cam Thanh My Son

  After visiting the city of Hoi An, let's escape by bike for a morning. The surrounding countryside is very pleasant, offering the chance to discover the rural activities of the Vietnamese, especially in the rice fields, with the buffaloes. Along the way, we will discover some temples, then get an introduction to net fishing! The fishermen will gladly welcome us to explain their trade on the Thu Bon River. You will then discover a very original type of boat, round like baskets. Using a sculling oar, we will move through the mangrove to fish for crabs. Proud of our catch of the day, we will head to a fisherman's house to prepare and enjoy our products around a friendly table. There, you will be told about the construction methods of the houses, the making of furniture, and other everyday objects. In the afternoon, before returning to Hoi An, we will visit the My Son sanctuary, built by the civilization of the Champa kingdom, active until the 14th century. This architectural complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, marked by the influence of Hindu worship.

• day 12

  Hoi An - free day - flight to Saigon

  

  A free morning to allow you to explore Hoi An at your own pace and as you wish. And why not enjoy the beach? Your driver will meet you at the hotel, then take you to the city of Danang for a domestic flight to Saigon. Upon your arrival, a driver will be waiting for you and will take you to your hotel. Enjoy your evening, as the last days will be full of discoveries in this southern part of Vietnam, another exotic side of this country!

• day 13

  Saigon, Ben Tre, Can Tho: Discovery of the Mekong Delta

  The day is devoted to discovering the Ben Tre area, in particular the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the Mekong Delta region. The canals of Ben Tre are perfectly suited for a boat trip on a sampan. What is produced here? Honey, coconut candies. Mats are made, all kinds of fruits and vegetables are grown... So many opportunities for us to visit, taste, and interact with the locals. Then, we set off again: heading to the provincial capital of Can Tho and its port. You will have enough free time to explore the surroundings.

• day 14

  Can Tho, Cai Rang, Sa Dec - Saigon

  

  After this night in Can Tho, our program for the day takes us to the famous Cai Rang floating market. A true discovery of everything that is produced and sold in this area. Once again, you will have the opportunity to buy and taste these products before visiting a workshop where the famous rice vermicelli are made. We will then sail to a beautiful fruit garden and enjoy the local market of An Binh. If possible, we will extend our journey with a visit to the house of Huynh Thuy Le, famous for its beauty and for being used as a set in the film The Lover! Finally, we get back on the road and arrive in Saigon at the end of the afternoon.

• day 15

  Saigon - Visit of Saigon - Departure

  Let's discover Ho Chi Minh City! Also called Saigon, it was the capital of French Indochina and is today the economic capital of Vietnam. It is a modern and bustling city, whose soul we will seek by visiting remarkable historical monuments: the central post office and its Eiffel metal framework, the Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the city hall, and the Lady Thien Hau Celestial Pagoda. Our walk will take us to the Chinese quarter and its market. Once you have found your bearings, you can freely enjoy the end of this last beautiful day in Vietnam! We will arrange your transfer to the airport for your return flight, your mind full of wonderful memories...