Chemins de traverse au Vietnam

Hanoi arrival / rest and walks (D)

Arrival in Hanoi,
Welcome by our local Guide and Driver team for transfer to the city center for your first discoveries or rest.

Walks in Hanoi's Old Quarter with the lively streets of the 36 corporations quarter. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant with Hanoi specialties. Overnight in Hanoi

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

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:00 with the guide for a day of visits to the city's essential monuments and photos in Hanoi city

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 a 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 glimpse into the "Train Street" corner.

Free dinner and overnight in Hanoi

Hanoi / visits - Duong Lam village in the suburbs and overnight train to Lao Cai (B,L,D)

After breakfast,
Meet at 07:30 for departure to visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.

En route to Duong Lam village, an old laterite village and bike ride in the surrounding villages.

Visit Mia Pagoda. Lunch with locals in an old house in Duong Lam.
Return to Hanoi for a small evening meal and transfer to the station for the night train.

Train SP3, departure at 22:00 / Private cabin with 4 beds / Soft sleeper in 1st class.

Lao Cai arrival – Sapa / walks and discovery of ethnic villages and beautiful terraced rice fields (B,L,D)

Early arrival in Lao Cai (around 6 am),
Welcome by the local team and then breakfast at the local restaurant in front of the station and then on the way up to Sapa: it's a beautiful walk in the valley with beautiful villages and terraced rice fields.
Lunch with locals and then walk to other villages.

Return to Sapa town by car. Rest and free time.
Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Sapa.

Sapa - Coc Ly Market - Lao Cai for night train to Hanoi (B,L,D)

In the morning, after breakfast,
Meet at 07:00 for departure to visit the weekly Coc Ly market (the small ethnic fair), which takes place every Tuesday morning, 110km from Sapa.

Visit the market and walk along the Chay river if the water level allowed by the dam permits.

Return to Lao Cai town with visits along the road: the border gate and the tea hills.

Transfer to the station for dinner at a local restaurant at the station. Train / Sleeper cabin with 4 beds.

Hanoi arrival - Mai Chau valley / walks and visits (B,L,D)

Arrival in Hanoi,
Welcome by the driver and then on the way to Mai Chau with stops for breakfast and visits and photos along the road.

Visit the Muong ethnic village in Giang Mo.

Arrival in Mai Chau, walk in the preserved villages (Ban Lac2 and then Ban Nhot and Ban Van). Meals and overnight with White Thai ethnic locals.

Mai Chau - Ninh Binh / visits and discoveries (B,L,D)

After breakfast,
In the morning, we drive to Ninh Binh (220km or 4h30 drive) through beautiful landscapes. We take the opportunity to visit the temples dedicated to the kings of two Dinh and Le dynasties. Lunch at a local restaurant

In the afternoon, a sampan boat trip on the Thung Nham site, Thien Ha cave (not too frequented by tourists), gliding under the longest cave of the limestone mountain.

At the end of the sampan ride, a bike ride around Bich Dong village with a visit to Bich Dong Pagoda and Thai Vi Temple.

Dinner and overnight in Ninh Binh.

Ninh Binh - Ha Long Bay / cruise and discovery (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the hotel,
Meet at 08:00 for the road to Ha Long Bay via the Red River Delta.

Arrival at Ha Long Bay around 12:30 and embarkation on the shared Junk / Private cabin for a 24-hour cruise in Lan Ha Bay and the two other bays (you follow the boat's program for activities)

Meals (lunch and dinner) on board. Visits to caves during the cruise. 

Ha Long Bay / cruise - Hanoi and overnight train to Hue (B,L)

Breakfast on board and continuation of the cruise and walks, brunch around 11 am and disembarkation around 11:30 am.

Return journey to Hanoi with sightseeing stops along the way and arrival in Hanoi. Free time in the old quarter before going to a restaurant for dinner.

Transfer to the train station for the overnight train to Hue / Sleeper train / 4-bed cabin.

Overnight on board the train.

Hue arrival / sightseeing day (B,L)

Picnic breakfast on board.
Arrival in Hue around 9:00 am, welcome by the French-speaking guide and driver then direct transfer for visits and discoveries: Visit of the Imperial City, Dong Ba market.

Lunch at a local restaurant with Hue specialties.

In the afternoon, a one-hour cruise on the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, discover the characteristic tomb of Minh Mang and then stroll through the village where incense sticks and conical hats are made. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Hue.

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

Breakfast
Meet at 8:30 am with the guide and driver to take the road towards Hoi An via the famous Hai Van Pass and the city of Da Nang.

Photo stop at the top of the Pass for photos of the East Sea and the Danang coastline.

Arrival in Hoi An, lunch at a local restaurant with Hoi An specialties.

In the afternoon, visit and discovery of Hoi An city: visit of a silk farm then the historic city center: Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Hall, Folkloric Museum, Tan Ky Traditional Ancient House and the fish market.
Dinner at leisure and overnight in Hoi An.

Hoi An / suburban walks and free beach (B,L)

After breakfast,
Meet with the guide at 8:30 am for a half-day of local activities: cycling in the Hoi An countryside, basket boat cruise, fishing activities, relaxation with medicinal herb foot massage, cooking class and lunch with locals...
Return to Hoi An city for free time and/or beach.
Dinner at leisure and overnight in Hoi An.

Hoi An - Da Nang and flight to Saigon (B,L)

After breakfast,
Meet with the driver (without guide) at 8:00 am for transfer to Da Nang airport for the flight to Saigon.

Arrival in Saigon, welcome by the local guide and driver team then transfer to the city for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon,
Visits to two city districts: the Chinese quarter and the Thien Hau Pagoda (Chua Thien Hau) and the Binh Tay wholesale market, Vietnamese quarter, an opportunity to take selfies in front of the Independence Palace.
Following this, visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, stroll along Ex Catinat street, the Opera House and City Hall.
Dinner at leisure and in Saigon.

Saigon - Mekong / excursion and visits - Can Tho (B,L)

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:00 am for the road to Cai Be (170 km or 2h30 journey), stop to visit the Cao Dai temple.

Arrival in Cai Be, embark on a private sampan for an excursion into the Mekong canals with visits to local manufactures: rice crackers, caramel candies, rice wine, puffed rice, etc. Lunch with locals.

Continue the walk towards Vinh Long and then disembark in Vinh Long city and drive to Can Tho. Direct transfer to the hotel.

Dinner at leisure and overnight in Can Tho.

Can Tho / Cai Rang floating market and visits - Saigon (B,L)

In the morning, departure around 7:00 am to see and visit the authentic Cai Rang market by private sampan.
Breakfast at the hotel.

Continue the walk to Mr. Ba Cong's ecological garden to visit the exotic fruit trees and taste the fruits on site...

Visit the local market of An Binh and then return to Saigon with a lunch stop along the way.

Arrival in Saigon,
Direct transfer to the hotel for rest and free time.

Dinner at leisure and overnight in Saigon.

Saigon - Phan Thiet - Mui Ne free beach (B)

After breakfast,
Meet with the driver (without guide) who will take you to Phan Thiet if you wish to extend to Mui Ne beach.

Or take you to the airport for your return flight.