Getaway to Vietnam: 10 days

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Hanoi – Arrival

  Arrival in Hanoi. Welcome by the guide and transfer to a beautiful hotel located in the lively old quarter of Hanoi. Free time and/or first discovery of the city. Welcome dinner in a typical restaurant.

• day 2

  Hanoi, the millennial city

  The day begins with the discovery of the residential district where the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the founding father of the Vietnamese nation, is located. Visit of his palace, his stilt house, and the One Pillar Pagoda. The discovery of the city continues with the Museum of Ethnography, a unique place that brings together costumes, tools, musical instruments, and displays in its gardens some typical houses of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. The visit continues with the Temple of Literature, which was the first university in Vietnam, then the discovery of the oldest pagoda in Hanoi: Tran Quoc, and finally the Ngoc Son Temple on the edge of the central Hoan Kiem Lake. The day ends with a walk through the alleys of Hanoi's old quarter. Guaranteed immersion in the life of the capital. Dinner at your leisure. In the evening, water puppet show. Note: the museum is closed on Mondays.

• day 3

  Hanoi – Halong: From the Red River delta to Halong Bay

  Departure in a private bus in the morning to Halong Bay via Bac Ninh and Hai Duong. The journey, in the heart of the Red River delta, takes you through endless rice field landscapes. Boarding in the afternoon on a traditional junk for a cruise in Halong Bay. Discover a fantastic landscape and visit one of the many caves hidden in the bay. Fresh seafood meals served on the junk. Overnight stay in comfortable and private cabins.

• day 4

  Halong - Hanoi - Flight to Hue

  Breakfast on board the junk. It is possible to watch the sunrise from the deck of the boat. The cruise continues in the bay, amidst a very beautiful landscape dotted with wild and mineral islands. At the end of the morning, return to the pier and journey back to Hanoi. On the way, visit the But Thap pagoda. In the evening, transfer to the airport. Flight to Hue. Welcome and transfer to a comfortable hotel in the city center.

• day 5

  Hue – The poetic city

  In the morning, board a boat for a cruise on the Perfume River. Several stops are scheduled: Thanh Thien village, the old Bao Vinh wharf, then a walk in Sinh village (specialized in making paper prints). The journey continues with a visit to one of Hue's most famous monuments: the Thien Mu Pagoda. Lunch on board the boat. Discover the daily life of the inhabitants living along both banks of the river. In the afternoon, visit the Tu Duc mausoleum, then head to the incense stick village. Visit the Tu Hieu Pagoda, founded by the eunuch mandarins of the royal court of Hue. The day ends with a visit to Dong Ba market, the largest in the city of Hue. Transfer to the hotel and free time to enjoy, for example, the hotel pool.

• day 6

  Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An, the Hai Van Pass and the discovery of the Chams

  The day begins with a visit to the Imperial City, an impressive and unique vestige of what an imperial city in Vietnam used to be. Then, head towards Hoi An by taking the Mandarin Road, passing through the Hai Van Pass. A stop is possible at the pass to enjoy the breathtaking and grand view over Danang and its surroundings. Other stops are planned along the way. Visit the Cham Museum in Danang, which has the largest collection in the world of objects related to Cham culture. Next, a 30-minute walk on My Khe beach. This allows you to enjoy an impressive view of the statues of the goddess of mercy and to observe the activities of the village fishermen. Road towards Hoi An. Visit the Thang Loi silk factory, with the possibility of having custom souvenirs made. Transfer to the hotel then rest.

• day 7

  Hoi An and its UNESCO-listed city center

  Departure at 8am for a visit to the city center of Hoi An, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The visit includes: the Museum of Antiquities, the Japanese Bridge, the Chinese quarter, the Phung Hung house, the market, and the old port. The latter was particularly lively in the 15th century, as boats and junks from all over the world docked there to trade. Bicycle ride (possibility to do it by cyclo or mototaxi) towards the vegetable village of Tra Que (distance of 5 km – duration: 30 minutes by bike from Hoi An). Tra Que is renowned for its aromatic herbs, especially mint and basil. Discover the life of the farmers with an introduction to their cultivation techniques. Lunch with a local family and return to Hoi An in the afternoon. Free afternoon. This can be an excellent time to explore the old alleys of Hoi An and to find typical souvenirs. Overnight at the hotel. Note: Hoi An is a very beautiful and pleasant city. It deserves to spend one or two days there to discover for yourself the richness and charms of the city.

• day 8

  Hoi An - Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City

  In the morning, transfer to Danang airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Welcome by the guide and transfer to the city. City discovery tour: visit the cathedral, the central post office, the Ngoc Hoang temple, and the Ben Thanh market. Then, departure for the Cho Lon district to discover its old quarters, its market, the Thien Hau temple, and the Giac Lam pagoda. It is one of the oldest pagodas in the city; its architecture, layout, and decorations have remained almost intact since its construction in 1744. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 9

  Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Tre - Ho Chi Minh City

  Departure from the hotel to reach the Hung Vuong pier: boat excursion on the Ben Tre river to discover the daily life of the inhabitants. Stop at Mr. Tu Lo's to discover the traditional methods of brick making. Then, visit to the coconut product factory. The excursion continues by boat on the canals to the village of Nhon Thanh. It will be possible to take a walk to get closer to the life of the inhabitants and have the opportunity to taste some fresh fruits. This will be followed by a bike ride on small paths through the villages, with the possibility to observe coconut groves, rice fields, and vegetable gardens. Lunch with a local family. Return to the pier and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 10

  Ho Chi Minh City - departure

  Check-out from the room before 12pm. Free time until transfer to the airport by one of our drivers, depending on your flight time. Possibility to make last souvenir purchases in the old town. Return flight. *** End of our services ***