Essential and Beach Vietnam in 13 days and 12 nights

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  DAY 01 : ARRIVEE HANOI

  

  Welcome at Hanoi airport by your local French-speaking guide, who will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a sign bearing your name, then transfer and check-in at the hotel. (Rooms available from 2:00 pm) OPTION: Early Check-In, subject to availability. Hanoi is a true museum of colonial architecture on the banks of the Red River. Capital of unified Vietnam, Hanoi has managed to retain the faded charm of the French colonial era. The modernization of the city, undertaken by the French from 1882, continued until 1955 and the face of Hanoi today has not changed much. You will then set off for an orientation tour of the city, including the must-sees: Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside), the Presidential Palace, the Ambassadors' Quarter, the Opera House, Long Bien Bridge (formerly Paul Doumer Bridge), the Flag Tower, and the remains of the old Citadel… Typical lunch of Hanoi specialties in a local restaurant, tasting the savory dish Cha Ca made with grilled fish, served with fresh noodles, dill, and aromatic herbs, a symbol of Vietnamese cuisine. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius and scholars, which was the first university in Vietnam. Then, a cyclo ride through the lively alleys of the old guilds' quarter, around the Lake of the Restored Sword, and visit Ngoc Son Pagoda. At the end of your visits, enjoy free time for shopping at Dong Xuan market. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 2

  DAY 02: HANOI

  

  Early wake-up, around 06:00, for a unique discovery of local life at dawn. Walk (about 2 km) with your guide from your hotel to Hoan Kiem Lake. Typical breakfast in a street restaurant to taste the famous Pho, a rice noodle soup with beef or chicken broth. End your walk with another must-try tasting: Café Trung (hot coffee mixed with an egg). Transfer to the Long Bien district, located on the other side of the Red River. You will go for a unique meeting with Mr. PHAN Thanh Liem, craftsman and maker of lacquered puppets used for the famous water puppet shows. You will then be invited to attend a private show of about 30 minutes performed by Mr. Liem and his team, followed by an introductory course on puppet manipulation and making your own puppet. Typical lunch of Hanoi specialties at the training restaurant of our partner NGO KOTO (see description further below). In the afternoon, visit the Women's Museum. About 28,000 objects, representing different eras, make up a rich and unique collection in this museum away from the crowds. Return to your hotel at the end of the afternoon for a well-deserved rest after the early wake-up. Free dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 3

  DAY 03: HANOI - NINH BINH

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Ninh Binh (120 km, about 2h30 by road), also known as the "Inland Halong Bay." The road is lined with mountains and rice fields. You then enter one of the most bucolic landscapes in northern Vietnam. The province of Ninh Binh is nicknamed "the inland Halong Bay" because of its landscapes similar to those of Halong Bay. It is home to several sites, including Trang An, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrival at the village of Hoa Lu for a visit to the archaeological site of the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu. It was built in 968, following the proclamation of the country's independence by King Dinh Bo Linh, who ended Chinese domination over Vietnam for 1,000 years. It was the capital until 1010, before King Ly Thai To decided to move to Thang Long, a place now known as Hanoi. Visit of the Dinh & Le temples: one is dedicated to Dinh Bo Linh, who proclaimed himself king after his victory against the invaders and made Hoa Lu the first capital; the other temple is dedicated to his successor Lê Hoan and his wife Duong Van Nga, widow of Dinh Bo Linh. Transfer to Tam Coc in Ninh Binh province. Lunch in a restaurant with a tasting of local specialties based on grilled goat meat. Visit of the Bich Dong pagoda (Jade Pagoda), a sanctuary built in the very heart of the rock. It houses three small and ancient pagodas built at the beginning of the 18th century on three different levels. From above, you will enjoy a magnificent view of the fields and the surrounding countryside. Boat ride among the karst rocks and rice fields (depending on the season) to visit the Thung Nham nature reserve; superb poetic landscapes. The ride on these shimmering waters lasts about 2h30. The wild and natural landscape exudes tranquility, the limestone cliffs are lulled by the waters like islets, birds swirl from trees to cliffs. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in to your room. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. Option: at sunset, enjoy a moment of relaxation with a drink and a light aperitif. Then, a typical dinner in the surrounding countryside of Ninh Binh at a villager's home.

• day 4

  DAY 04: NINH BINH - LAN HA BAY

  

  Breakfast at the hotel Departure for Lan Ha Bay. Lan Ha is one of the most beautiful bays in Vietnam. It is located south of its sister, Halong Bay, and east of Cat Ba Island, the largest island in the region. It is a calm, arc-shaped bay. It is home to 400 islands and islets emerging from the sea, and has several beautiful coves. The scenery is breathtaking. Some people think that Lan Ha Bay is even more magnificent than Halong Bay. Unlike the latter, all the islands and islets of Lan Ha Bay are covered with a very rich layer of vegetation. While there are very few beaches in Halong, Lan Ha Bay has 139, almost deserted. Boarding around noon on your junk and settling into your cabin. Welcome drink followed by lunch on board. Visit of a natural cave. Superb panorama of the bay at sunset. Possible activities on board the junk: - You can try your hand at squid fishing. You will feel like a real fisherman. The junk's crew will give you some tips and you can then taste the cooked squid after fishing. - Relaxation on the deck: relax on the deck while admiring the beauty of Halong Bay or watching the sunrise and sunset over the bay. The sunrise and sunset over the bay will remain unforgettable moments. - Possibility of kayaking (1 kayak for 2 people) depending on the weather. The bay's water is quite warm even in winter, so kayaking is a pleasant experience all year round. Try to keep your balance and move around, a beautiful adventure in the middle of a magical landscape. Dinner and overnight on board your junk.

• day 5

  DAY 05: LAN HA BAY - HANOI - HUE

  

  Breakfast on board. Possibility of an introduction to Tai Chi on board at sunrise, a Chinese martial art that helps increase strength and muscle tone, and reduce stress. Continuation of the cruise and brunch on board, equivalent to your lunch. NOTE: The itinerary and visits on the bay may be modified according to the program of each confirmed junk, depending on the tide and the weather of the day. Arrival in Hanoi in the late afternoon. Free time for shopping in old Hanoi. In the early evening, transfer to Hanoi airport to take the flight to Hue (flight VN ...). Welcome at Hue airport by your local French-speaking guide, who will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a sign with your name, then transfer and check-in at the hotel. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 6

  DAY 06 : HUE

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Day dedicated to the discovery of Hue. Hue, former imperial capital from 1802 to 1945 under the Nguyen dynasty, is today the cultural and intellectual center of the country. It was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. On the program: discovery of the local Dong Ba market, then visit of the Imperial Citadel, built between 1805 and 1832 on the model of Chinese imperial palaces, before heading to the Pagoda of the Heavenly Lady (Thien Mu), typical of the Hue region. Around noon, join a restaurant located inside a zen garden, a symbol of old Hue, for your vegetarian lunch. Zen gardens are called "miniature landscapes" because their plants and flowers symbolize aspects of nature. These architectural plants (the bonsais) can be characterized in different ways due to the artistic comings and goings of the owner. Hue is renowned for its beautiful century-old zen gardens. In the afternoon, visit the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, the most remote and majestic in the Hue countryside. It is one of the finest examples of harmony between architecture and nature. Inspired by Chinese Ming-era sanctuaries, these tombs were built among mountains, rivers, and pine forests. Finally, you will go for a visit to a traditional conical hat and incense stick workshop. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 7

  DAY 07: HUE - HOI AN

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, you will depart to reach Hoi An, passing through Danang. You will also go through the Hai Van Pass. This pass forms the natural border between Thua Thien province, Hue, and the city of Danang. It is also the highest pass in Vietnam, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the East Sea. Before your arrival in Hoi An, you will make a stop at the Cham Sculpture Museum. This museum houses the largest collection of Cham and Khmer sculptures in the world. Continue on the road and arrive in Hoi An at the end of the morning. Check-in at the hotel. (Room available from 2:00 pm) Hoi An, a charming city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was spared by the war. Located on the banks of the Thu Bon River, 5 km from the coast and 30 km southeast of Danang, Hoi An flourished in the 15th century under the name Faifo, before becoming one of the largest commercial ports in Southeast Asia under the Nguyen lords. Lunch of local specialties: taste Cao Lau, a typical dish made with fresh noodles accompanied by marinated pork and aromatic herbs from the region. Next, you will go for a guided walking tour in the old quarters of Tran Phu and Nguyen Thai Hoc. You will have the opportunity to visit: the Fujian Sanctuary, the Phuc Thanh Pagoda, the Phuoc Kien communal house, the old wooden houses, and finally the famous Japanese-style covered bridge. At the end of your walk, you will enjoy free time at your leisure in the lively districts on both banks of the Thu Bon River, where the entertainment begins when the sun sets. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 8

  DAY 08: HOI AN

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Boat trip on the Thu Bon river to reach the Kim Bong carpenters' village. Then, continue to visit the Thanh Ha pottery village in the surroundings of Hoi An. Lunch with local specialties: taste Cao Lau, a typical dish made with fresh noodles, accompanied by marinated pork and aromatic herbs from the region. Take part in an introduction to the artisanal making of lanterns, one of the symbols of Hoi An. Return to your hotel at the end of the afternoon. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 9

  DAY 09: HOI AN - DANANG - SAIGON

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Direct transfer to Danang airport to take your flight to Saigon (flight VN …). Welcome at the airport by your local French-speaking guide, who will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a sign bearing your name, then transfer and check-in at the hotel. Ho Chi Minh City was nicknamed, when it was still called Saigon, the "Pearl of the Orient" and the "Paris of Asia." Founded under the Second Empire, Saigon was the capital of Cochinchina (today Nam Bô), the only territory established as a French colony (the other two, Tonkin and Annam, being protectorates). Stroll through the city center to see on foot the main emblematic monuments of Saigon: the Reunification Palace (outside), the Post Office, the Cathedral (outside), the Opera House (outside), Dong Khoi Street (formerly Catinat Street), and the Nguyen Hue pedestrian street. Lunch in a typical local restaurant, Pho Vietnam. Uniquely taste Pho, one of the symbols of Vietnamese cuisine (beef broth accompanied by noodles, meats, and aromatic herbs), served in a boiling stone bowl with fresh rice noodles prepared on site. Check-in and installation at the hotel. Afternoon: discovery of the Chinatown district, with visits to the Binh Tay wholesale market and the Thien Hau temple. Then free time at Ben Thanh market. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 10

  DAY 10: SAIGON - BEN TRE - SAIGON

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to the south for the province of Ben Tre, in the Mekong Delta. The Mekong is the great south of the country, exoticism, but also a vast field of rice paddies, a checkerboard of orchards crossed by arroyos. Arrival in the province of Ben Tre: the land of coconut trees, located between 2 large branches of the Mekong: Trans-Bassac (Tien Giang) and Cis-Bassac (Hau Giang). Boat ride on the Ben Tre river, visit to a brick factory. Crossing the arroyos then discovery of a workshop working with coconut, such as: coconut shelling, coconut milk extraction. Visit to a traditional coconut candy workshop. Tasting of seasonal fruits and tea. Then, bike ride OR motorized cart ride to reach your restaurant. Lunch of local specialties with a tasting of "elephant ear" fish. Navigation in a small rowed sampan in the narrower canals of the delta to reach your boat and return to the pier. Disembarkation and return to Saigon. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 11

  DAY 11: SAIGON - HO STREETCAR

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Long Hai province (130 km, about 2h30 by road). Arrival at Ho Tram Melia Beach Resort 5* (or equivalent). Welcome cocktail and check-in. Start of your seaside stay, with your feet in the water. Free program to relax and enjoy the place, the pool, the beach. Lunch and dinner at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 12

  DAY 12: HO STREETCAR

  

  Breakfast at the hotel Free program for you to relax and enjoy the place, the pool, the beach. OPTION: Full day discovering the countryside and cooking class in Xuyen Moc village in Ba Ria. Lunch and dinner at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 13

  DAY 13: HO STREETCAR - DEPARTURE SAIGON

  

  Breakfast at the hotel Free time to relax and enjoy the place, the pool, the beach. Transfer to Saigon (about 02h30). Direct transfer to the airport for your return flight (flight and schedule to be specified). Arrival and assistance with formalities. Options for an evening flight if timing allows: - 01h30 of relaxation and massage in a spa center in Saigon - Farewell dinner of local specialties in a restaurant in Saigon