Amazing holidays in Vietnam

Hanoi arrival (-)

Arrival at Noi Bai Airport, warmly welcomed by your guide and driver then transfer to the center Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Check in at hotel, rest of the day is free time for your first discoveries of city. 

Hanoi has retained the old world charm of the French colonial area. The city face has not changed much in decades.

This is probably the most charming city of Vietnam with its authenticity, large shady avenues, numerous lakes, and manicured gardens.

Meals included: None

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

The room is available from 14:00

Arrival flight: To be advised

Hanoi sightseeing - Night train to Lao Cai (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel. 

At 08:30AM meet with your guide and driver. We begin the tour of the capital by the complex Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which dominates the Ba Dinh Square and his house on stilts to understand a great man whose life was very modest. The One Pillar Pagoda is famous for its original construction connected to an interesting legend from the 11th century. 

Then visit the Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius and his disciples. As you visit the University, we understand more feudal education in Vietnam.

In the afternoon, we visit the Museum of Ethnology, the largest museum and also the most complete of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. A cyclo ride an hour in the Old Quarter with its narrow shopping streets allow us to discover the main interests of the Vietnamese capital.

End of the day, we visit Ngoc Son Temple in Hoan Kiem Lake, the giant tortoise in this temple tells the legend of the lake from the 15th century. Attend the Water Puppet Show in the evening - the typical art due to Vietnam. After that, the team will drop you off at Hanoi Train Station for your night train to Lao Cai.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on the local train (sharing train - soft sleeper 4 berth cabin with air-conditioned)

Lao Cai - Sapa (B,L,D)

Arrival in the early morning at Lao Cai Station. Welcomed by your guide and driver then transfer by private car to Sapa. Along the way we get the chance admire the rice terraces hidden behind the clouds. Located 1,650m above sea level, with the temperate climate, Sapa was an old resort built by the French in the region of Fanxipan Mount (3143m) which is considered the roof of Indochina. 

This city attracts visitors by the mosaic of minorities H'mong, Red Yao, Tay, Dzay Safo... For hundreds of years, they live together and conduct their ancestral life despite modernity.

Rest at the hotel and lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon, we go trekking to the Black H'mong villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van Dzays where we will have opportunity to discover the culture of ethnic groups.

End of the day, we go back to Sapa center.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

Sapa - Lao Cai - night train to Hanoi (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel.

Morning, you will visit the daily Sapa central market where the ethnic groups come to exchange their agricultural products or sell their traditional costumes made meticulously by women's hand. It is also a place well-liked by young couples. Then we are going to climb the mountain Ham Rong (Dragon Jaw) where we can not miss the opportunity to take great photos of the area. An interesting walk takes us to the theatre where we will have the chance to attend the dance performance of five ethnic groups of Sapa. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, return to Lao Cai, we make a detour to Ta Phin village where we will discover the old traditions Red Yao. Before going to the station, stop at the Sino - Vietnamese border where we see the confluence of the Red River (red) belonging to Vietnam and Nam Thi River (green) to China.

Boarding the night train from Lao Cai around 20h30 back to Hanoi. Overnight on train, soft sleeper 4 berth air-conditioned cabin.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on the local train (soft sleeper with air - conditioner)

Hanoi - Ninh Binh (B,L)

Around 05h00 the train arrives at Hanoi train station. After shower and breakfast at hotel, depart for Ninh Binh. Arriving at the Nature Reserve of Van Long after two hours drive (110km), board a bamboo rowboat for 1 hour rowing along this beautiful wetland. Enjoying spectacular scenery surrounded by rice paddies and towering limestone mountain peaks.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll make a short transfer down a peaceful countryside road to Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital eleven centuries ago. Here, spend one hour visiting the Dinh and Le temples of the Ancient Capital Hoa Lu. The temples are dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, the founders of this ancient capital in 10th century.

Alternatively, you might opt for a biking trip around the countryside of Van Long natural reserve instead of Dinh & Le King temple.

Evening is free time at your leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh

Distance: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - 1h30 minutes

Ninh Binh - Halong Bay (B,L,D)

In the morning, you will travel to Halong Bay (3,5 hours). Upon arrival, transferred by tender to cruise – enjoy a welcome drink and cruise briefing, check into cabin and begin your 24 hours cruise.

HaLong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular travel destination, located in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on cruise

Distance: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - 3,5 hours

Halong Bay - Hanoi - Flying to Hue (B,L)

Early in the morning and depending on the season, you will wake up to enjoy the sunrise over the aquamarine waters of the bay. Practice Tai Chi on the sundeck for those who want while the cruise heads back to pier. Disembark around 11AM then you will take the road to Hanoi airport for your flight to Hue.

Arrival in Hue, welcomed by a local guide then transfer to hotel in city centre. In the evening, free time at your leisure.

The capital of the Nguyen dynasty of 1802-1945, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993, Hue offers its visitors a perfect picture of harmony of many historical sites still well preserved in the milieu of the charm of nature.

Meals included: Breakfast, brunch

Distance: 170 kilometers – 2h 30min to 2h45min

Suggested flight: HAN - HUI in the afternoon

Hue sightseeing (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel.

At 08:30AM meet with your guide and driver. You will begin the city tour by boat to Thien Mu Pagoda, located along the Perfume River. The cruise takes you to the Minh Mang tomb, this majestic tomb reflects the Eastern philosophy of harmony between man and nature.

Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we go visiting the Imperial Citadel, a Vauban style architecture, built between 1805 and 1832 to the style of the Chinese imperial palace. At the end of the day, a walk to Dong Ba market where you will find the best conical hats in Vietnam.

Evening comes with Royal diner where you are in the costumes of emperors, queens, princes, and princesses, imperial taste the dishes accompanied by traditional music.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Hue - Hoi An (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel.

Morning you'll visit the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc amidst frangipani and pine trees, this is not a simple tomb, it evokes the idea of eternal life rather than death and visit traditional village manufacturing incense and conical hats.

Lunch at a local restaurant in the city of Hue and then road to Danang via the famous Hai Van Pass (Cloud Pass). You will have a beautiful view of dozens of kilometers of beaches of the peninsula of Lang Co.

In Danang, we will pass by the Dragon Bridge, the new city’s emblem and make a visit to Cham Museum (built in 1916), the famous collection of the civilization of the Champa kingdom and the Marble Mountain, next to the most beautiful beach of Vietnam.

Continue to Hoi An, or Faifo, one of the busiest commercial ports from the 17th to the 18th centuries throughout Asia: Chinese, Portuguese, Japanese, Indonesian, French and Dutch all traded there. Classified as World Heritage by UNESCO in 1999, this charming city fascinates not only by the authenticity of the architecture, the romantic scenery of the river and the beach but especially by the light of glimmering lanterns after sunset. 

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Distance: Hoi An – Hue 150km – 3 hours

Hoi An - visits and sightseeings (B,L)

Breakfast at hotel.

At 08:30AM your guide will pick you up at hotel, then you will go on a bicycle ride  towards Van Lang fishing village and Bay Mau water coconut forest. On the way you will make stops at the Ba Le local market, rice fields, cemetery, school. Upon arrival at the village, you will receive a warm welcome at a local home and enjoy a cup of green tea.

The fishermen will then take you on a "Thung Chai" (basket boat) cruise to discover their traditional fishing techniques and their coconut groves.

Return to local home to prepare lunch with the host family, then enjoy the dishes you have helped preparing. After lunch, relax with a traditional herbal foot massage in the shade of the water coconut palms.

Back in town explore the ancient city of Hoi An, visiting a traditional Vietnamese old house, a Chinese congreration, Japanese covered bridge in the old neighborhood.

Night in Hoian.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Hoi An- My Son - Hoi An (B,L)

Breakfast at hotel.

Morning we go to My Son, 40 kilometers from Hoi An which was classified World Heritage Site by UNESCO at the same time as Hoi An.  The complex of temples and shrines served not only as the religious capital but also as the final resting places of the emperors of the Cham kingdom from the 5th to the 13th centuries.. They tell us the most glorious of this kingdom ruined through architectures and sculptures but how to make bricks there is still a mystery.

Back to Hoi An for lunch. Afternoon free time to explore at your leisure the beautiful city.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Distance: Hoi An - My Son - 40km

Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel. 

Free time at leisure until check out. The driver will come pick you up for a transfer to Da Nang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh city.

Upon arrival welcomed by your guide and driver then transfer to the city. Ho Chi Minh City (former Saigon), the economic center of Vietnam, located in the heart of the Mekong Delta is also the largest city with the population of more than 8 million.

With the guide you'll make the city tour: Notre Dame Cathedral, red brick building in neo-Romanesque style, which was consecrated in 1880. Post Office built by Gustave Eiffel, the Opera House and City Hall with beautiful architecture. Visit Thien Hau Pagoda if time permits.

Night in Ho Chi Minh city. 

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Suggested flight: DAD - SGN at noon

Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel.

In the morning, you will travel to Mekong Delta (Cai Be) - one of the regions that possess the most magnificent paddy fields in Vietnam. First of all, you will visit unique local workshop where you are going to see how local people make things such as Vietnamese rice paper and earn a living from those, then take a sampan ride and paddle along the small canals that pass through the mangrove forests. Let’s try to travel like a local by a sampan as this is the main means of transportation of the local people in Mekong Delta.

Have a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Take a short break and fill your tummy with Vietnamese food! Walk or cycle around the village and make some spontaneous discoveries such as a visit to a local school. You’ll find many interesting things in the Delta to explore and remember.

Afterward, continue the road to Can Tho for overnight stay.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho

Distance: Ho Chi Minh City - Cai Be - 3 hours

Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)

Ho Chi Minh City - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi Tunnels - Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)

Breakfast at hotel

Meet your guide and driver at 08:30AM. We drive to Tay Ninh where there is the great Cao Dai Temple of Cao Dai religion, an amazing and unique religion in Vietnam with more than two million followers, mostly in the South. We have the opportunity to attend the noon Mass and find all the great men of the world: Cakyamauni, Confucius, Jesus Christ, Laos Tseu even Janne d' Arc, Victor Hugo, Lenin, etc... The eye symbolizes divine philosophy "all religions are moving toward the same path".

After lunch, we continue the visit to Cu Chi Tunnels which is known by the name "Iron Triangle" and the "Free Fire zone". These tunnels are controlled by the Viet Cong, allowed them to communicate with each other when they were encircled by the American and their South Vietnamese ally. They also provided shelter to the population during air strikes. The Vietcong soldiers lived there in harsh conditions, they are also living proofs of the patriotism of Vietnamese people.

Return to Ho Chi Minh city and free night at your leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Distance: 75 kilometers - 1hr 55 min

Note: Cu Chi Tunnels is not recommended for people with claustrophobia

Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)

Breakfast at hotel.

Free time at leisure before going to the airport for your departure flight.

Meals included: Breakfast

The room is disposal until noontime only

Departure flight: To be advised