Vietnam panoramic

Hanoi arrival - Walks (D)

Arrival at Noi Bai International Airport.

Welcome by our French-speaking guide and driver. Transfer to your downtown hotel. Time to rest a little.

Hanoi, the millennial capital of Vietnam, 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."

You begin your discovery of Hanoi by taking a stroll through the old quarter of Hanoi's 36 bustling guilds: Hang Bac, Ma May... and the typical market with colonial architecture of Dong Xuan. The walk takes you to the Paul Doumer Bridge (Long Bien), a work offered by Gustave Eiffel in 1890 from the French era.

One-hour cyclo-pousse ride through the old city.

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

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

Hanoi - Visits (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

You start the day by visiting the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu). The "First University of Vietnam" Van Mieu was built in 1070 by Ly Thanh Tong. It is the first university in Vietnam for princes and mandarins. Inside, there were 116 steles on which the names of the laureates of the 116 competitions for obtaining a doctorate were engraved. Today, only 82 steles remain. Van Mieu is a beautiful example of Vietnamese architecture.

Next, you visit the beautiful Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi and Vietnam, on the shore of West Lake. The pagoda is renowned as a spiritual high place of the capital, but also as a cultural and architectural relic.

Lunch at a local restaurant with Hanoi specialties.

In the afternoon, visit the Ethnology Museum (closed on Mondays) which offers its superb collections in pleasant and friendly spaces to revive the culture of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. With 15,000 objects and 42,000 films and photos, the Ethnology Museum is a treasure trove of Vietnam's rich culture. Today, this place is not only a museum for domestic and foreign visitors, but also used for popular festivities, craft fairs, and exchanges between Vietnam's ethnic groups.

Water puppet show, a traditional art 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)

Morning, after breakfast, departure for Halong Bay via the Red River Delta with photo stops along the way.

Arrival in Halong around noon, boarding the junk for an unforgettable 24-hour cruise in Halong Bay, the 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. 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." Bai Tu Long and Lan Ha Bays are less touristy than Ha Long Bay.

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

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

Along the cruise, you see islands and islets of various shapes and sizes emerging from the emerald water. You stop to visit the natural caves on one of these islands. Possibility to swim at the beach.

Dinner with seafood and overnight on board the junk in the bay.

(The specific cruise program depends on the period and tide levels)

Day 04: HALONG – HANOI – FLIGHT TO HUE (B/L/D)

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

Around 09:30, check out of the cabins and then relaxation time on the upper deck of the junk to contemplate the islands and islets before having an early brunch around 11:00.

Disembarkation around noon at the pier and return to Hanoi.

Direct transfer to Hanoi airport to take the domestic flight to Hue.

Depending on the time of the Hanoi – Hue flight, it is possible to stop en route before arriving at the airport to visit But Thap Pagoda "the Pagoda of the Brush Tower" - the most beautiful and largest Buddhist temple in Vietnam. It is here that the most beautiful 17th-century wooden sculptures are found.

Welcome by the guide and driver upon your arrival at Hue airport. Transfer to your hotel. Check-in to your room.

Dinner at a restaurant with typical local dishes. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

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

Early morning, Tai Chi practice for those who wish on the upper deck. Then, you have a light breakfast with bread and croissants while admiring beautiful natural landscapes. The junk continues its cruise itinerary to other corners of the bay.

Around 09:30, cabin check-out and then relaxation time on the junk's upper deck to contemplate the islands and islets before having an early Brunch around 11:00.

Disembarkation around noon at the pier and return to Hanoi.

Direct transfer to Hanoi airport to take the domestic flight to Hue.

Depending on the time of the Hanoi – Hue flight, it is possible to stop en route before arriving at the airport to visit But Thap Pagoda "the Pagoda of the Brush Tower" - the most beautiful and largest Buddhist temple in Vietnam. It is here that the most beautiful 17th-century wooden sculptures are found.

Welcome by the guide and driver upon your arrival at Hue airport. Transfer to your hotel. Check-in to your room.

Dinner at a restaurant with typical local dishes. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

Hue - Visits and walks (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

A full day for discoveries and visits on site with historical and cultural sites.

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.

Discovery of the Hue Citadel with its three enclosures: the Civic City (Kinh Thanh), the Imperial City (Hoang Thanh), and the Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh). Built in the 17th century by order of Emperor Gia Long. This enormous and magnificent monument was designed by combining concepts of Chinese geomancy and French architecture. The resulting final ensemble consists of precious palaces, magnificent temples blended between walls, bastions, and moats, coexisting in total harmony.

Lunch at a local restaurant with local specialties

After the meal, you leave the city center to visit the imperial tomb of Tu Duc. Located in the middle of a pine forest, Tu Duc's tomb, also called Khiem Lang (this word means modest), is undoubtedly the most famous and beautiful among the royal tombs in Hue. His eternal resting place possesses a poetic beauty and perfect harmony with nature. The arrangement of its 50 architectural constructions no longer follows traditional patterns, especially symmetry – a pattern widely used in constructions of Vietnamese dynasties.

On the way back to the city center, several stops are planned to visit the village manufacturing incense sticks and conical hats and the peaceful Tu Hieu Pagoda.

Located on a pine hill, 5 km southwest of the center of Hue, Tu Hieu Pagoda, originally small, was built by Master Nhat Dinh in 1843 to practice Buddhism and care for his mother and named An Duong Am (Pagoda of Convalescence). Later, Emperor Tu Duc issued a royal decree to this pagoda, giving it the title "Tu Hieu Pagoda". It is one of the most beautiful landscapes among the pagodas of Hue.

Upon your return to the city center, you take a boat trip along the Perfume River and visit the sacred Pagoda dedicated to the Celestial Lady (Chua Thien Mu) aboard the river.

Transfer to your hotel.

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

If your group is 10 people or more, you will have a royal dinner: you will be dressed in the costumes of emperors, queens, princes, and princesses; you will enjoy imperial dishes accompanied by traditional music.

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

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for Hoi An passing through the famous Hai Van Pass from where you have a panoramic view of the South China Sea and the city of Da Nang, the 4th largest city in Vietnam.

Stop in Da Nang to visit the famous Dragon Bridge. The bridge reflects Vietnamese beliefs and culture. In this part of the world, dragons bring rain, essential for agriculture, but they are also symbols of prosperity, national power, the universe, existence, and growth. At night, the bridge is even more beautiful as it is illuminated by 2,500 LEDs that change color every minute. The Yellow dragon on the bridge can breathe fire as well as water.

Continue the journey to Hoi An.

Upon arrival in Hoi An, visit a silkworm breeding house and then discover the old town of Hoi An (an ancient traditional house, the Japanese Covered Bridge Pagoda, the Chinese Phu Kien Assembly Hall, the artisan craft quarters).

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, architecture, and the authentic life of its people. Currently, Hoi An is also a seaside resort known for its beautiful An Bang and Cua Dai beaches.

Lunch and dinner at restaurants with local specialties

In the evening: free stroll amidst the ancient houses with hanging lanterns. A magical multi-colored image of the city of Hoi An. You can play folk games and set floating lanterns on the Thu Bon River... Overnight in Hoi An.

Hoi An - Da Nang - Saigon (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

A half-day free for your relaxation by the pool/beach and your own discovery of Hoi An... Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: transfer to Da Nang airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Meet and greet by the guide and driver upon your arrival at Saigon airport. Transfer to your hotel in the city center. Check-in, free time.

Dinner at a city restaurant and overnight in Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is often contrasted with "Hanoi, the traditional," as this economic capital embodies Vietnamese modernity and the hope of catching up with the country's economic backwardness 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.

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

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

You will visit local factories in Ben Tre - the coconut region: puffed rice candies, rice cakes, caramel candies.

Lunch at a local's home

A stroll in the arroyo surrounded by nipa palms and then disembark for the road to Can Tho city, located in the middle of the Mekong Delta.

Dinner at a city restaurant and overnight in Can Tho

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

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

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning, depart by private sampan to see the most typical floating market of the Mekong - Cai Rang market. Located 5km from the center of Can Tho city, Cai Rang is a wholesale market with a myriad of boats and sampans loaded with watermelons, mangoes, bananas, papayas, pineapples, onions, etc. The main items sold there are agricultural products and regional specialties. Many producers and farmers come here to sell their harvest to wholesalers. While the first boats arrive very early in the morning, Cai Rang market is in full swing a little later, around 7 or 8 am.

Then, continue the excursion to an ecological garden with exotic fruit trees from the South. Taste fruits on site and then disembark at the local market of An Binh.

Resume the road to return to Saigon.

Arrival in Saigon. Visit the Chinese Quarter. Discover its old quarters, its Binh Tay wholesale market (Cho Lon), and the Thien Hau Pagoda, which is considered the most beautiful pagoda in the city. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Saigon.

Saigon - Visits - Departure (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today, you will enjoy time to continue your visits in Saigon before your departure flight.

Visit and discover the colonial quarter with charming colonial buildings: Notre Dame Cathedral (which was built between 1877 and 1883 and the stones used for its construction were imported directly from France), the City Hall, the Municipal Theatre (visits from outside), the Central Post Office. These are the best examples of French colonial architecture in Saigon.

Lunch at a local restaurant

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