Vietnam and its enchanting essentials

Arrival in Hanoi - City Tour (D) 

Arrival at Noi Bai International Airport. Welcome by our French-speaking guide and driver. Transfer to your hotel in the city center for some rest.

Hanoi, the millennial capital of Vietnam, has preserved the charm of the French colonial era. It is renowned for its large shaded avenues, numerous lakes, and well-maintained gardens. The name Hanoi means "the city beyond the river."

Begin your discovery of Hanoi with a stroll through the lively Old Quarter of 36 corporations, such as Hang Bac and Ma May, as well as the typical market with colonial architecture of Dong Xuan. Then, take a one-hour cyclo ride through the old town.

Visit the Jade Mountain Temple (Ngoc Son). This temple is located in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake (the Lake of the Returned Sword).

Welcome dinner at a local restaurant in town. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Hanoi - Sightseeing (B/L) 

Breakfast at the hotel.

Start the day with a visit to the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu). The "First University of Vietnam," Van Mieu, was built in 1070 by Ly Thanh Tong. Intended for princes and mandarins, it housed 116 steles engraved with the names of laureates from 116 doctoral competitions. Today, only 82 steles remain. Van Mieu is a beautiful example of Vietnamese architecture.

Next, visit the lovely Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi and Vietnam, located on the banks of West Lake. The pagoda is renowned as a spiritual center of the capital, as well as for its cultural and architectural importance.

Lunch at a local restaurant featuring Hanoi specialties.

In the afternoon, visit the Ethnography Museum (closed on Mondays), which offers superb collections in welcoming spaces to bring to life the culture of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. With 15,000 objects and 42,000 films and photos, the museum is a treasure trove of Vietnamese cultural richness. This place is not only a museum for domestic and foreign visitors, but it is also used for popular festivities, craft fairs, and exchanges between Vietnamese ethnic groups.

Then, attend a water puppet show, a traditional art form from the Red River Delta.

Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Hanoi - Mai Chau Valley (B/L/D) 

Breakfast at the hotel.

Depart for Mai Chau, a beautiful valley home to the White Thai ethnic group, via Hoa Binh city and the Thung Khe pass at 1200m altitude. Stops for photo opportunities in villages and passes are planned along the way.

Arrive in Mai Chau around noon.

Lunch at a local home with typical Thai dishes.

In the afternoon, take a bike ride or walk through ethnic Thai villages: Lac, Poom Coong, Nhot, and Van. This beautiful bike route (which can be flexible depending on your physical condition) allows you to admire vast rice fields, stilt houses nestled under trees, and meet the White Thai people. With the help of our guide, you will better understand the peaceful life of the villagers as well as their customs and traditions.

Friendly dinner with local dishes.

In the evening, you will attend Thai singing and dancing performances, with the opportunity to taste "ruou can" (rice wine), an alcohol sipped through a bamboo straw. This alcohol is made from glutinous rice supplemented with plants such as ginger, chili, and guava leaves.

Overnight in a homestay (stilt house) or at a hotel.

Mai Chau - Pu Luong Nature Reserve (B/L/D) 

Breakfast at the homestay / hotel.

Departure for the Pu Luong Nature Reserve located in the Quan Hoa and Ba Thuoc districts of Thanh Hoa province. Panoramic views of mountains and valleys accompany you throughout the journey.

Upon arrival at Ban Cong (about 10 km before reaching Pu Luong Retreat), stop for a one-hour walk from Ban Cong College to visit the Thai village of Tom. You will pass by water wheels in the river, sugar cane fields, cross two suspension bridges, and end the walk at the village market.

Resume the vehicle and arrive at the Pu Luong Nature Reserve.

With well-preserved landscapes and abundant and diverse flora and fauna, the nature reserve is a fascinating destination for nature lovers. Covering an area of 17,662 ha, it represents the largest karst forest area in North Vietnam, with three main types of forests: lowland jungle, mountain forests, and bamboo and shrub massifs. Upon arrival, visitors can traverse villages clinging to mountain slopes, admire terraced rice fields and lush forests, visit caves, and observe numerous water wheels – hydraulic machines that use the energy produced by the current to raise water for irrigating rice fields.

Check-in to your room at the eco-hotel / homestay (stilt house).

In the afternoon, take an easy hike along the most beautiful walking route in the Pu Luong Nature Reserve (8 km walk).

From your hotel, start walking towards Nong Cong village. From this village, cross terraced rice fields to reach Uoi village, which is home to the most beautiful terraced rice fields in the reserve. Visit Uoi village before continuing the walk to Lan Ngoai village. Here you will meet women who still weave manually using traditional methods and interact with friendly and welcoming local people.

Return to Pu Luong Retreat by car. Free time to rest and admire the beautiful natural landscapes.

Lunch and dinner at the hotel restaurant. Overnight in Pu Luong (eco-hotel or homestay).

Pu Luong - Ninh Binh - Hoa Lu - Inland Halong Bay (B/L) 

Breakfast at the homestay / hotel.

Depart for Ninh Binh in the Red River Delta. Located southeast of Hanoi, Ninh Binh province is the southernmost point of the Southeast Asian karst rock plateau. It is also the inland point in Vietnam where these rocks are the most impressive, earning it the name "Inland Halong Bay."

Upon arrival in the ancient capital of Vietnam, Hoa Lu, visit the two temples dedicated to the kings of the feudal dynasties of Dinh and Le.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, transfer to the Tam Coc pier for a rowing boat ride on the Ngo Dong River. The cruise lasts about 2 hours, and you will visit the three fabulous caves (hence the name Tam Coc, meaning "three caves"), in an aquatic landscape punctuated by immense limestone karsts. The jagged rocks, eroded and hollowed out at the base, adopt bizarre shapes.

Option: Instead of the boat excursion to Tam Coc, you can take a 2-hour sampan ride on the preserved site of Thung Nham. At the end of the ride, you will visit the Thien Ha cave (Paradise cave), which is magnificent by rowing sampan under the mysterious lights of electric torches.

After the boat ride, take a bike ride to authentic villages to visit Bich Dong Pagoda and Thai Vi Temple. A must for encounters and photos, with natural beauties and limestone peaks.

Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Tam Coc.

Ninh Binh - Halong - Cruise and overnight on the junk (B/L/D) Breakfast

Depart for Halong Bay via the Red River Delta with photo stops along the way.

Arrive in Halong around noon, board the junk for an unforgettable 24-hour cruise in Halong Bay, a well-known natural site recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1994. The legendary Halong Bay, whose name means "the descending dragon," is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This magical place, considered the "eighth wonder of the world," is a giant geological museum. On an area of about 1500 square kilometers, more than two thousand multiform karst islands, islets, and reefs riddled with caves delight tourists.

The three areas of Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long, and Lan Ha (the latter being part of Cat Ba) constitute what is called the "Maritime Halong Bay." Bai Tu Long and Lan Ha bays are less touristy than Halong.

After the welcome drink offered by the junk's crew, settle into your cabin.

Lunch on board with seafood while the junk penetrates deeper into the bay.

During the cruise, you will see the most famous islands such as Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, and Bai Tu Long Bay. Stops for visiting caves or beaches. You will also have the opportunity to go kayaking.

Dinner on board. Overnight on the junk in your private cabin (non-private junk).

Note: The cruise program adapts according to the season and tide levels.

Halong - Hanoi (B/L)

Early in the morning, tai chi practice for those who wish on the upper deck. Then, enjoy a light breakfast of bread and croissants while admiring the magnificent natural landscapes. The junk continues its cruise itinerary to other corners of the bay.

Around 9:30 AM, check out of the cabins, then relax on the junk's upper deck to contemplate the islands and islets before having an early brunch around 11:00 AM.

Disembark around noon at the pier and return by road to Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi, check into your room.

Free time to rest, stroll, or shop.

Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Hanoi - Flight to Da Nang - Hoi An - City Tour (B/L) 

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Transfer to Hanoi airport for a domestic flight to Da Nang. 

Welcome by the guide and driver upon arrival at Da Nang airport. Transfer to your hotel in Hoi An. Arrival in Hoi An, check-in to your room. 

Lunch at a restaurant featuring local specialties. 

Afternoon: Visit a silkworm breeding house, then take a walking tour to discover the old town of Hoi An (an ancient traditional house, the Japanese covered bridge-pagoda, the Chinese congregation house of Phu Kien, the artisan quarters). 

Hoi An, formerly an important port city of Vietnam once called Faifo, was very lively in the 17th and 18th centuries thanks to its Chinese and Japanese quarters. It was also the landing place for the first Portuguese, Dutch, English, and French traders. This charming city captivates travelers with its calm atmosphere, architecture, and the authentic life of its inhabitants. Currently, Hoi An is also a popular seaside resort known for its beautiful An Bang and Cua Dai beaches.

Dinner on your own. 

Evening: Free stroll among the ancient houses with suspended lanterns, creating a magical multicolored image of Hoi An. You can participate in folk games and release floating lanterns on the Thu Bon River.

Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An.

Hoi An - Immersion in the Hoi An countryside by bicycle (B/L) ~ 15 km total by bike

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today, you'll take an original bike ride around Hoi An, off the beaten path and rarely frequented by tourists.

Departure from your hotel towards the vegetable village of Tra Que. More than 200 owners and 500 farmers live on-site and cultivate about 20 types of vegetables and herbs including mint, lettuce, basil, coriander, and broccoli, on more than 50 hectares of land. The market gardeners don't use pesticides or GMOs but natural fertilizers, particularly a kind of algae harvested every morning by the gardeners themselves by boat.

During the ride, you'll cross vast rice fields in nature, taking winding and peaceful paths, far from tourist trails. Along the way, you'll observe the activities of inhabitants in Hoi An villages.

Arrival in Tra Que, walk through this village and interact with local people working in the gardens. You'll discover the village's history, vegetable cultivation methods, use of medicinal plants, and participate in gardening activities such as fertilizing the soil with river algae alongside the market gardeners.

Continue the ride through rice fields, to the local Ba Le market, the kindergarten, to the fishing village of Van Lang and the Bay Mau water coconut forest. This place, surrounded by mangroves, canals, and houses covered with water coconut leaves, was a refuge during the Vietnam War and is now famous for its seafood products.

Arrival at the village, warm welcome at a local home, green tea tasting, and village walk. The fishermen will show you their traditional fishing techniques and take you to discover their coconut forests in a Thung chai (basket boat).

Return to the local house to prepare lunch with the family: crispy pancakes, Hoi An spring rolls, Tam Huu, fish grilled in banana leaves. You'll have lunch with the dishes you've prepared.

After lunch, relax with a foot massage using medicinal herbs, a traditional therapeutic practice, and relax in the shade of water coconuts.

Then, return to the hotel by bicycle. If you're tired, a vehicle is available.

Free time for the beach and rest. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An.

Hoi An - Da Nang - Hai Van Pass - Hue - Sightseeing (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for Hue passing through the famous Hai Van Pass, offering a panoramic view of Da Nang city and Lang Co bay.

Stop in Da Nang to visit the Dragon Bridge, a symbol of Vietnamese beliefs and culture. At night, the bridge is illuminated by 2,500 color-changing LEDs. The yellow dragon can breathe fire and water.

Continue to Hue. Arrival in Hue, check-in to your room.

Hue, capital of Central Vietnam between 1802 and 1945, is built on the banks of the Perfume River (Song Huong) and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993. An imperial city built by the Nguyen dynasty, it is now a cultural and intellectual center with its majestic palaces, pagodas, and tombs.

Lunch at a restaurant with local specialties.

In the afternoon, discover the Citadel of Hue with its three enclosures: the Civic City (Kinh Thanh), the Imperial City (Hoang Thanh), and the Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh).

In the late afternoon, take a boat ride on the Perfume River and visit the sacred Pagoda dedicated to the Celestial Lady (Chua Thien Mu).

Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

Hue - Sightseeing and Walks (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Continue visits to Hue's historical and cultural sites.

In the morning, visit Minh Mang's tomb, reflecting the oriental philosophy of harmony between man and nature.

Then, visit the imperial tomb of Tu Duc, located in the middle of a pine forest. Also called Khiem Lang (the modest), this tomb is famous for its poetic beauty and perfect harmony with nature.

Lunch at a restaurant with local specialties.

On the way back to the city center, visit a village that produces incense sticks and conical hats, and the peaceful Tu Hieu pagoda, located on a pine hill.

Dinner on your own in town. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

Hue - Flight to Saigon - City Tour (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Da Nang airport for a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Welcome by the guide and driver upon arrival at Saigon airport. Transfer to your hotel in the city center to drop off luggage.

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is often compared to "traditional Hanoi," as this economic capital embodies Vietnamese modernity and the hope of catching up economically.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Visit the Chinese quarter, discover the old quarters, the Binh Tay wholesale market (Cho Lon), and the Thien Hau pagoda, considered the most beautiful pagoda in the city.

Then, visit the colonial quarter with its charming buildings: Notre-Dame Cathedral, City Hall, Municipal Theater (exterior visits), and the Central Post Office, best examples of French colonial architecture in Saigon.

Dinner on your own in town. Overnight in Saigon.

Saigon - Cai Be - Vinh Long - Can Tho (B/L)

Breakfast. Departure for Cai Be, gateway to the Mekong Delta.

Upon arrival, board a private boat for an excursion through the arroyos and the floating market of Cai Be. Visit local factories producing puffed rice candies and caramel candies.

Lunch at a local home with typical local dishes.

Continue the cruise to Vinh Long with fruit tasting on board. Disembark at Vinh Long and drive to Can Tho, the largest city in the Mekong Delta.

The Mekong, split into 9 major rivers in southern Vietnam, forms a lush and varied delta. The delta is discovered by visiting several sites, strolling on rivers and canals, discovering local life and floating markets.

Dinner on your own in town. Overnight in Can Tho.

Can Tho - Cai Rang Floating Market - Saigon (B/L)

Breakfast.

Departure by private sampan to visit the Cai Rang floating market, located 5 km from the center of Can Tho. This wholesale market is animated by a myriad of boats loaded with local fruits and vegetables. The main items sold are agricultural products and regional specialties. Many producers and farmers come to sell their harvest to wholesalers. The market is at its busiest around 7 or 8 in the morning.

Continue the excursion to an ecological garden with exotic southern fruit trees. Fruit tasting on site, then disembark at the local An Binh market.

Return to Saigon by road. Arrival in Saigon.

Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Saigon.

Saigon - Departure (B)

Breakfast.

Free time to rest, do last-minute shopping, and prepare luggage before transfer to Saigon International Airport for your return flight.