Vietnam panoramic

Hanoi Arrival - Walks (D)

Arrival at Noi Bai International Airport.

Welcome by our English-speaking guide and driver. Transfer to your hotel in the city center.

Time to rest for a while.

Hanoi, the thousand-year-old capital of Vietnam, has preserved the charm of the French colonial era. It is undoubtedly one of the most charming cities in Vietnam, with its authentic atmosphere, wide shaded avenues, numerous lakes and well-kept gardens. 

You begin your discovery of Hanoi with a walk through the lively Old Quarter of the 36 guild streets: Hang Bac, Ma May… and Dong Xuan Market, known for its colonial architecture. The walk continues to Paul Doumer Bridge (Long Bien Bridge), a work attributed here to Gustave Eiffel and dating from the French colonial period.

One-hour cyclo ride through the Old Quarter.

Visit Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain), located in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Welcome dinner at a local restaurant in the city.

Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Hanoi – Sightseeing (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Begin the day with a visit to the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu). Known as the “First University of Vietnam,” Van Mieu was built in 1070 under King Ly Thanh Tong. It was Vietnam’s first university, originally intended for princes and mandarins. Inside, there were once 116 stone steles engraved with the names of successful doctoral candidates. Today, 82 steles remain. Van Mieu is a beautiful example of traditional Vietnamese architecture.

Then visit the beautiful Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi and one of the oldest in Vietnam, located beside West Lake. The pagoda is known as an important spiritual site in the capital as well as a significant cultural and architectural monument.

Lunch at a local restaurant featuring Hanoi specialties.

In the afternoon, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which displays remarkable collections in attractive spaces dedicated to bringing the cultures of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups to life. With 15,000 objects and 42,000 films and photographs, the Museum of Ethnology is a valuable showcase of Vietnam’s cultural diversity. Today, it is not only a museum for domestic and international visitors, but also a venue for folk festivals, handicraft fairs and exchanges between Vietnam’s ethnic communities.

Enjoy a water puppet show, a traditional art form of the Red River Delta.

Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Hanoi – Halong – Cruise and Overnight on Board the Junk (B/L/D)

After breakfast, depart for Halong Bay via the Red River Delta, with photo stops along the way.

Arrival in Halong around noon. Board the junk boat for an unforgettable 24-hour cruise through Halong Bay, a famous natural site recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1994.

Legendary Halong Bay, whose name means “Descending Dragon,” is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This magical place, often described as the “eighth wonder of the world,” is like a giant geological museum.

The three areas of Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay—the latter forming part of Cat Ba—make up what is sometimes referred to as the wider maritime Halong Bay area. Bai Tu Long and Lan Ha Bays are less touristy than Halong Bay itself.

After a welcome drink offered by the crew, settle into your cabin.

Lunch on board is served with seafood as the junk sails deeper into the bay.

During the cruise, you will see islands and islets of various shapes and sizes rising from the emerald waters. Stop to visit natural caves on one of the islands. Swimming at the beach may also be possible.

Seafood dinner and overnight on board the junk in the bay.

(The exact cruise programme may vary depending on the season and tide levels.)

Halong – Hanoi – Flight to Hue (B/L/D)

Early in the morning, enjoy Tai Chi practice on the upper deck for those who wish to participate. Then have a light breakfast with bread and croissants while admiring the beautiful natural scenery. The junk continues cruising towards other parts of the bay.

At around 09:30, check out of your cabin, then enjoy some relaxation time on the upper deck while admiring the islands and islets before an early brunch at around 11:00.

Disembark around noon and return by road to Hanoi.

Transfer directly to Hanoi Airport for the domestic flight to Hue.

Depending on the Hanoi – Hue flight schedule, it may be possible to stop en route before reaching the airport to visit But Thap Pagoda, also known as the “Brush Tower Pagoda,” described here as one of Vietnam’s most beautiful and largest Buddhist temples.

Upon arrival at Hue Airport, welcome by the guide and driver. Transfer to your hotel and check into your room.

Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

Hue – Sightseeing and Walks (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

A full day of discovery and sightseeing focusing on the city’s historical and cultural sites.

Hue was the major capital of Central Vietnam, formerly known as Annam during the French colonial period, from 1802 to 1945. Located not far from the South China Sea, the city lies along the banks of the Perfume River (Song Huong). Hue has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Built as an imperial city under the Nguyen Dynasty, it is today an important cultural and intellectual center of the country.

Discover the Hue Citadel with its three main enclosures: the Civic City (Kinh Thanh), the Imperial City (Hoang Thanh) and the Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh). Built under the order of Emperor Gia Long, this vast monument combines principles of Chinese geomancy with French architectural influences. 

Lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional specialties.

After lunch, leave the city center to visit the Imperial Tomb of Tu Duc. Located among pine forests, Tu Duc’s tomb, also known as Khiem Lang, is one of the most famous and beautiful royal tombs in Hue. Its setting is poetic and blends harmoniously with nature.

On the way back to the city center, make several stops to visit a village specializing in incense-stick and conical-hat making and the peaceful Tu Hieu Pagoda.

Located on a pine-covered hill about 5 km southwest of central Hue, Tu Hieu Pagoda was originally a small temple built by Master Nhat Dinh in 1843 so that he could practice Buddhism and care for his mother.

Upon returning to the city center, enjoy a boat trip along the Perfume River and visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the sacred Pagoda of the Celestial Lady, located beside the river.

Transfer to your hotel.

Dinner at a restaurant in the city and overnight at the hotel in Hue.

If your group has 10 people or more, you may enjoy a Royal Dinner: you will dress in costumes representing emperors, queens, princes and princesses and enjoy imperial-style dishes accompanied by traditional music.

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

Breakfast at the hotel.

Depart for Hoi An via the famous Hai Van Pass, where you can enjoy panoramic views over the sea and Da Nang, described here as Vietnam’s fourth-largest city.

Stop in Da Nang to visit the famous Dragon Bridge. The bridge reflects Vietnamese beliefs and culture. In this part of the world, dragons are associated with rain, which is essential for agriculture, and are also symbols of prosperity, national power, the universe, existence and growth. At night, the bridge becomes even more impressive with 2,500 LED lights changing color. The yellow dragon can also breathe fire and water.

Continue by road to Hoi An.

Upon arrival in Hoi An, visit a silkworm-rearing house, followed by a discovery tour of Hoi An Ancient Town, including an old traditional house, the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phu Kien Chinese Assembly Hall and local craft quarters.

Hoi An was particularly lively during the 17th and 18th centuries, when Chinese and Japanese communities established their own quarters here. It was also one of the places where early merchants from Portugal, the Netherlands, England and France arrived. Today, this charming town attracts travelers with its peaceful lifestyle, distinctive architecture and authentic local atmosphere.

Lunch and dinner at restaurants.

In the evening, enjoy free time walking among ancient houses decorated with hanging lanterns, creating a magical and colorful image of Hoi An. You can also take part in folk games and release floating lanterns together on the Thu Bon River.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Hoi An – Da Nang – Saigon (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

A free half-day to relax by the pool or beach and explore Hoi An on your own.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, transfer to Da Nang Airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival at Saigon Airport, welcome by the guide and driver. Transfer to your hotel in the city center. Check into your room and enjoy some free time.

Dinner at a restaurant in the city and overnight in Saigon.

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is often contrasted with “traditional Hanoi,” as this economic capital symbolizes modern Vietnam and the country’s ambition for economic development following the wars.

Saigon – My Tho – Ben Tre – Can Tho (B/L/D)

After breakfast, depart for My Tho for a beautiful boat excursion through the Mekong Delta, visiting islands named after animals: Turtle, Phoenix, Unicorn and Dragon.

Visit local workshops in Ben Tre, the coconut-growing region, producing puffed-rice sweets, rice cakes and caramel candies.

Lunch with a local family.

Enjoy a boat ride through a narrow waterway surrounded by nipa palms, then disembark and continue by road to Can Tho, located in the heart of the Mekong Delta.

Dinner at a restaurant in the city and overnight in Can Tho.

The Mekong River divides into nine major branches in southern Vietnam, forming a delta more than 100 kilometers wide. The land is humid and flooded every year, producing lush and diverse vegetation. The delta is vast and can be discovered through many different sites: travelling along rivers and canals, visiting islands, experiencing local life and, above all, exploring floating markets.

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

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, depart by private sampan to visit Cai Rang Floating Market, one of the Mekong Delta’s most typical floating markets.

Located around 5 km from the center of Can Tho, Cai Rang is a wholesale market with countless boats and small vessels loaded with watermelons, mangoes, bananas, papayas, pineapples, onions and other produce.

The main goods sold here are agricultural products and regional specialties. Many farmers and producers come to sell their harvest to wholesalers. While the first boats arrive very early in the morning, Cai Rang Market becomes especially lively around 7:00 or 8:00 AM.

Continue the excursion to an ecological garden featuring exotic tropical fruit trees from southern Vietnam.

Enjoy a fruit tasting on site, then disembark near An Binh local market.

Return by road to Saigon.

Upon arrival in Saigon, visit Chinatown. Discover its old quarters, Binh Tay Wholesale Market in Cho Lon, and Thien Hau Pagoda, described here as one of the most beautiful pagodas in the city.

Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Saigon.

Saigon – Sightseeing – Departure (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy some time to continue exploring Saigon before your departure flight.

Visit and discover the colonial quarter, with its charming colonial buildings: Notre Dame Cathedral, City Hall and the Municipal Theatre / Opera House; and the Central Post Office.

These are among the finest examples of French colonial architecture in Saigon.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Free time for some last-minute shopping at Ben Thanh Market until your transfer to the airport for your return flight.