Panorama of Vietnam 09 days

Hanoi arrival - first discoveries and strolls (D)

Arrival at Hanoi airport. Welcome and greeting from our guide.

Hanoi, the millennial capital of Viet Nam, has preserved the charm of the French colonial era. It is undoubtedly the most charming city in Vietnam in all its authenticity, with its wide shaded avenues, numerous lakes, and well-maintained gardens. The name Hanoi means "the city beyond the river".

Transfer and check-in at the hotel. Day of discovery of the city of Hanoi.

Depending on your arrival time, you will take strolls and visit the city of Hanoi for your first discoveries:

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex which dominates Ba Dinh Square, and his stilt house to better understand the life of a great man whose life was very modest.

The famous One Pillar Pagoda for its original construction linked to an interesting legend since the 11th century.

Visit the Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius and his disciples. By visiting the first University, we understand more about Vietnam's feudal education.

We visit the Jade Temple in the middle of the Lake of the Restored Sword, the giant turtle in this temple tells us the legend of the lake from the 15th century.

Welcome dinner at a local restaurant with specialties. Overnight in Hanoi.

Note that you can book flights yourself and arrive earlier according to your dates. Everyone gathers for the trip on site.

Hanoi – Ninh Binh (Terrestrial Halong Bay) (B,L,D)

After breakfast, departure for Ninh Binh.

Ninh Binh in the Red River Delta. Located southeast of Hanoi, Ninh Binh province is the southernmost point of Southeast Asia's karst rock plateau... It is also the terrestrial point in Vietnam where these rocks are the most impressive, which gives it the name "Terrestrial Halong Bay".

Arrival, a visit to the temples dedicated to the Kings of the Dinh and Le dynasties and then the road passing through magnificent peaks to go to Tho Ha village.

Lunch of local specialties, in a stilt restaurant, in the middle of the rice fields.

In the afternoon, we take a sampan ride to visit the caves carved by erosion, Thung Nham, not yet touched by mass tourists. A visit to Thien Ha (Galaxy) cave in the mountain.

Continuation of the stroll towards the Tam Coc Bich Dong area where we take a beautiful bike ride to discover authentic and magnificent villages.

Visit Bich Dong Pagoda (Jade cave and its 3 temples from the 17th century), we have a panoramic view of this magical region.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Ninh Binh – Halong Bay (B,L,D)

After breakfast at the hotel, departure for Halong Bay.

Stops along the way to take photos of the Red River Delta farmers transplanting (or harvesting) rice.

The legendary Halong Bay, whose name means "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. Over an area of approximately 1500 square kilometers, more than two thousand islands, islets, and multi-shaped karst reefs riddled with caves delight tourists.

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

Arrival in Halong around noon, embarkation on the boat for the discovery of Halong Bay for 24 hours in the bay - a very famous site in Vietnam and recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1994.

After lunch with seafood, temporarily leave the boat to visit the Surprise Cave.

Dinner with shellfish and overnight on board the Junk in Ha Long.

Halong – Hanoi – Hue (B,L,D) Overnight train in soft sleeper, in a 4-bed cabin

After breakfast, embark on a small sampan to visit a fishing village and continue to admire the beautiful landscapes of Halong Bay.

After lunch, disembark and head towards Hanoi and transfer to Hanoi station for the overnight train.

Arrival in Hanoi, you will watch the water puppet show, typical of rice cultivation. Dinner and overnight on board the train.

4-bed sleeper cabin | tourist comfort, well equipped with mattress, blanket.

Hue arrival – Visits/Strolls (B,L,D)

Arrival in Hue around 08:30, welcome by the local team and transfer to the hotel for breakfast, before visiting the city of Hue with its essential sites: the imperial city with its 03 enclosures: Citadel, Imperial City, and Forbidden Purple City.

A sampan ride in the shape of a dragon on the Perfume River to visit the Celestial Lady, the tomb of King Tu Duc and the Conical Hat village and incense stick village and the Dong Ba central covered market of Hue.

Hue is undoubtedly the capital of Central Vietnam (formerly Annam, during the French colonial era) between 1802-1945. A short distance from the South China Sea, the city is built on the banks of the Perfume River (Song Huong), so often praised and painted by artists who have stayed there. Hue has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993. An imperial city erected by the Nguyen dynasty, it is today the cultural and intellectual center of the country with its palaces, pagodas and tombs, each more sumptuous and majestic than the last.

Royal Dinner: we dress in the costumes of emperors, queens, princes, and princesses, and enjoy imperial dishes accompanied by traditional music (for groups of 10 people or more). Overnight in Hue.

Hue – Hai Van Pass – Hoi An/Visits (B,L,D)

After breakfast, depart for Hoi An, passing through the very famous Hai Van Pass for its panoramic view of the South China Sea and the city of Da Nang - Vietnam's 4th largest city. Stop to visit the fishing village of Lang Co to observe fishing activities.

Photos from the summit of Hai Van Pass. Arrive in Danang, lunch at a local restaurant.

Arrive in Hoi An, visit the ancient city of Hoi An with some particular monuments of Hoi An:

An ancient and traditional house, the Japanese Covered Bridge Pagoda, a house of the Chinese Fujian Congregation.

Hoi An: As Vietnam's most important ancient port city, formerly known as Faifo, Hoi An was very lively from the 17th and 18th centuries as Chinese and Japanese had their quarters there. It was also here that the first traders from Portugal, Holland, England, and France docked. This charming city captivates travelers with its peaceful life, its architecture, and the authentic life of its people. Currently, Hoi An is also a seaside resort known for its beautiful beaches, An Bang and Cua Dai.

Dinner in town and overnight in Hoi An.

Hoi An – Walks – Danang flight to Saigon (B,L,D) Domestic flight around 4:00 PM

Morning, you will enjoy beautiful walks and discoveries in the suburbs of Hoi An:

A beautiful bike ride to the suburbs of Hoi An for wonderful discoveries of the countryside.

A basket boat ride in the arroyos surrounded by nipa palms to observe fishing activities.

Walk to Kim Bong village to discover local life.

Relaxation with a 15-minute foot massage at a local's home.

Cooking class at a local's home and Lunch at a local's home.

Return to Hoi An city and then direct transfer to the airport for the flight to Saigon.

Arrive in Saigon, welcome by the local team and then transfer to the hotel for rest.

Dinner and overnight in Saigon.

Saigon – My Tho - Mekong – Saigon (B/L)

En route to My Tho, a vast network of thousands of canals characterizes life in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's largest rice bowl.

The Mekong splits into 9 major rivers in the very south of Vietnam, forming a delta over 100 kilometers wide. The land, wet and flooded every year, produces lush and varied vegetation... The delta is vast and can be explored by visiting several sites... by cruising on the rivers, canals, visiting the islands, discovering local life and especially... by passing through the floating markets.

We are amidst the greenery of the Delta's fields and orchards, immense rice paddies dotted with lotus ponds.

Embark for a cruise on the Mekong towards Thoi Son islet or Unicorn Island: a large tropical garden of 11km².

Taste tropical fruits and fresh honey from the beehives in the orchards.

Lunch on the island with specialties including the famous elephant ear fish.

In the afternoon, a sampan ride on the small arroyos, where lush vegetation grows on both banks.

Return journey to Saigon. Arrive in Saigon, transfer to the hotel for rest and free time. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Saigon.

Saigon / Visits - Departure (B,L)

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Sai Gon) is often contrasted with "Hanoi, the traditional," as this economic capital embodies Vietnamese modernity and the hope of catching up on the country's economic lag following various wars. Located in the heart of Cochinchina in the Mekong Delta, it is also the largest city with a population of over 14 million inhabitants.

Depending on your return flight time, you will visit and discover Saigon city with its two main districts:

Chinatown (Cho Lon) with Thien Hau Pagoda, Binh Tay central market and then visit Ngoc Hoang Pagoda (Jade Emperor Pagoda).

Lunch in the colonial quarter and discover this beautiful Western quarter with the central post office built in a purely familiar French style by GUSTAVE Eiffel, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Grand Theatre and the city hall with original French architecture, a beautiful stroll along Ex-catinat street and finish with a visit to the lacquer factory or a visit to Ben Thanh Market to compare with Binh Tay market.

Transfer to the airport for the return flight.

Remarks

• Please note that program visits may be changed due to local weather conditions or other unexpected reasons
• Prices may be modified in case of program changes.
• The final program with the price and number of people will be set 31 days before the start of the trip
• Travelers must have a passport valid for 6 months after the return date.
• This trip lasts less than 15 days on site, and visa exemption is applied for nationalities such as: French, German, Spanish, Italian, English, Danish, Swedish, Dutch, Belarusian ... Beyond this maximum duration, a 30-day tourist visa is required to stay in Vietnam.