Essential Authenticity of Tonkin and Annam

Hanoi arrival / visits and walks, rest (D)

Arrival at Hanoi airport,
welcome and reception by our guide, then direct transfer to the city center for your first visits to the capital of Vietnam.

Rooms are only available around noon.

Walks in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, depending on your arrival time. This will be your first immersion into the daily life of the inhabitants! You will bring back exotic photos...

Transfer and check-in at the hotel. Free time before welcome dinner and overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi / visits, walks and city discovery (B,L)

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:30 with the team for a day of visits and walks in Hanoi

We will begin the visits:

the Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius and his disciples. This complex was the first Vietnamese University.

the Tran Quoc Pagoda (Buddhism) which means the Pagoda of the Defense of the Country, located on a beautiful peninsula in Ho Tay Lake (West Lake), undoubtedly the most beautiful lake among the lakes in Hanoi city

the Quan Thanh Temple (Taoism), dedicated to the genius of Tran Vu – an important protector of the ancient citadel of Hanoi

These three central monuments help you better understand the three dominant religions in Vietnam

Lunch during visits

In the afternoon, photos in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum which dominates Ba Dinh Square, for the changing of the guard – the essence of political life.

And then a visit to Ho Chi Minh's stilt house, to better understand the life of a great man whose life was very modest.

And then the visit to the One Pillar Pagoda, famous for its original construction born from a legend dating back to the 11th century.

Towards the end of the day, you take a beautiful walk towards Long Bien Bridge (or called Paul Doumer bridge during the French era) and a look into the "Train Street" area.

Free dinner and overnight in Hanoi

Hanoi / suburban villages - night train to Lao Cai (B,L)

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:30 for a day of walks and visits in the suburbs of Hanoi with two superb pagodas on the program: The Master's Pagoda (Chua Thay) about thirty km northwest of Hanoi.

Lunch with locals before taking a bike ride or walk in the ancient village of Duong Lam. The exceptional charm of this authentic village will allow you to discover the typical features of a traditional village, which no modernism or mechanization has come to disfigure.

Then, visit the beautiful Mia Pagoda. Pass under a gate and follow the alley to the right of which is a surprising Buddhist tower. The small pagoda houses almost 300 statuettes, some made of jackfruit wood, others of terracotta.
A stop to visit the incense stick village well known in Quang Phu Cau

Return to Hanoi and free dinner before transfer to the station for the night train to Lao Cai.
Overnight in a sleeper train / in a 4-bed cabin.

Lao Cai arrival - Bac Ha / ethnic market and visits - Sapa / walks (B,L)

Arrival in Lao Cai,
Welcome and breakfast at the local restaurant, departure to the weekly market (every Tuesday morning). Visit this market.

Sampan ride along the Chay River if the weather permits.

Lunch at the local restaurant.

We set off for Sapa with stops along the way. A short trip to the village of Ma Tra, a small hamlet that is on the growing list of magnificent destinations in the region that absolutely must be discovered. Two hours later, we arrive in Sapa and its spectacular landscapes.

Free dinner and overnight in Sapa.

Sapa / walks and visits - Lao Cai and night train to Hanoi (B,L)

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:00 departure to the unmissable destination for those who wish to discover the unique beauty of the mountain life of the ethnic minorities of Vietnam, Sapa is the starting point for a walk in one of the most beautiful villages of Lao Cai Province: Ta Van. You will discover a picturesque hamlet perched on a mountainside, where the Giays live in original stilt houses.

Lunch at the village's local restaurant, then descend into Sapa valley to meet other ethnic groups and see the houses and terraced rice fields.

On the way back, collect your luggage at the hotel, then transfer to Lao Cai station for the night train to Hanoi.

Free dinner and overnight in a sleeper train / 4-bed cabin.

Hanoi early arrival - Tam Coc / walks and visits (B,L)

Early arrival,
Welcome by the team for direct transfer to Ninh Binh for breakfast at the hotel.
en route to National Road No. 1 (Mandarin Road), destination south of Hanoi, crossing the beautiful landscapes of the Red River Delta: rice fields, vegetable fields compose a romantic picture along the 100 km that lead us to Ninh Binh.

Located southeast of Hanoi, Ninh Binh Province is the southernmost point of the karst rock plateau of Southeast Asia… It is also the terrestrial point in Vietnam where these rocks are the most impressive, which gives it the name of "Terrestrial Ha Long Bay - little sister of maritime Ha Long Bay".

Then the day is spent with walks and visits on site:
Visit of the Thai Vi Temple and the Bich Dong Pagoda.
Bicycle ride through authentic and preserved villages.

Lunch on site with local specialties.

We continue with a lovely sampan ride on sites away from the crowds: Trang An, Tam Coc, to finally opt for Thung Nham and its caves under the limestone mountain.
At the end of the ride, we visit the magnificent Thien Ha cave (Paradise cave) by sampan under the mysterious lights of electric torches.
Dinner at leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Tam Coc - Ha Long Bay / cruise, visits and relaxation with an overnight stay on a Junk (B,L,D)

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:00 and we depart for Ha Long via the Red River Delta.

Arrival in Halong, embarkation on the Shared Junk / Private Cabin for a 24-hour cruise in the bay to admire the landscapes and islands of Bai Tu Long.

Lunch consisting of seafood. Visit and activities according to the program indicated on the boat. Dinner and overnight on board the junk.

Note:
These two days in Ha Long Bay, the cruise will be towards Ha Long Bay, or Bai Tu Long, or Lan Ha depending on the junks available at the time of your decision and choice.

Ha Long Bay / cruise – Hanoi and night train to Quang Binh (B,L)

In the morning, why not a Tai Chi session for those who wish.
Breakfast on board
We continue our cruise towards the other bays of Bai Tu Long, then brunch before disembarking around noon.
Pick up by the driver for the return journey to Hanoi.

Dinner at leisure and overnight on a sleeper train / 4-bed cabin.

Quang Binh early arrival / walks, visits and discovery (B,L,D)

Early arrival in Dong Hoi,
Welcome by the French-speaking guide and driver and on the way to the villages of Phong Nha – Ke Bang.
Quang Binh province is home to the famous Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2003. Covering 85,754 ha of exceptional geological and ecological value, the site will immerse you in a magnificent landscape of karst plateaus and tropical forests as you explore its spectacular caves and underground rivers and discover its abundance of endemic species. You will particularly visit the Phong Nha – Ke Bang cave.

On the way to Chay Lap village for a bicycle ride to discover this magnificent place. Dinner and overnight at Farm Chay Lap with a swimming pool.

Quang Binh / discovery and visits – Hue (B,L)

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:00 and this morning, you will have to choose between two options:

- Either visit the Paradise Cave (A magnificent cave inscribed on the Heritage List).

- Or enjoy the activities of Song Chay and Hang Toi villages: Zip-line, mud baths in the middle of the cave, adventurous water games (you need to decide the day before for organization and preparation).

Lunch with local specialties.

On the way to Hue via the 17th parallel bridge. Direct transfer to Thanh Tan village on the outskirts of Hue.

You will sleep in a magnificent corner of the nature reserve where you can enjoy hot springs and mineral water known for their therapeutic virtues. Rest in hot springs and then a 45-minute spa service.
Dinner at leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Hue / visits, excursions and discovery of the ancient feudal capital (B,L)

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:00 and we will begin the city tour with a boat trip to the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady, located on the Perfume River.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the Imperial City with its 3 main enclosing walls and a walk through Dong Ba market.

In the afternoon, departure for Dam Chon lagoon to see the fishermen and take photos.

Return to Hue for rest. Dinner at leisure and overnight in Hue

Hue / visits and walks - Hai Van Pass - Hoi An (B/L/D)

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:00 and the morning begins with a visit to a monument of the Luc Bo from the feudal era. The system of Three Departments and 6 Ministries (Luc Bo) was at the heart of the governmental structure of imperial China, between the Sui and Yuan dynasties. From the 14th century, Vietnam adapted its foundations to reach maturity in the 15th century under the Le dynasty.

You will then discover the artisan villages of Hue.

Departure to the outskirts of Hue for a bicycle ride in Thuy Bieu village followed by a lunch break with locals.

In the afternoon, head to Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass with photo stops along the road and at the top of the pass: the view is simply breathtaking.

Arrival in Hoi An, direct transfer to the hotel.
Dinner at leisure and overnight in Hoi An.

Hoi An / visits to the ancient city & suburban strolls (B,L)

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:00 for a lovely morning ride in a basket sampan on the Hoai River followed by another one by bicycle, this time, which will allow you to enjoy the charming suburbs of Hoi An.

Relaxation break with a 15-min foot massage, which should get you in shape to participate in the cooking class. Lunch at a local's home.

During the afternoon,
return to the city to visit historical sites and traditional houses according to your wishes
or you can choose to relax on the beach. 

Dinner at leisure and overnight in Hoi An.

Hoi An / free time - departure (B)

After breakfast,
Free day and check out time around noon.
Meet with the sole driver for transfer to Danang airport for the departure flight