Welcome by the guide upon your arrival at the airport, and transfer by private car to the hotel

After the long flight and the challenges of jet lag, you'll first want to rest, ensuring you can enjoy your first day in optimal conditions

Welcome reception

During these friendly moments, over a refreshment and a welcome gift, you'll meet your travel consultant who personally worked on your itinerary

Enjoy a one-hour cyclo ride to discover:

• The colonial quarter with its charming architecture and tree-lined avenues
• Hoan Kiem Lake, its legend, and the lovely Ngoc Son Temple in the middle of the lake
• The maze of bustling streets filled with small shops in the heart of the famous and fascinating "Old Quarter of 36 Guilds" and its renowned Silk Street (Hang Gai)

To soak up the atmosphere of Hanoi, take a walking tour to explore:

• The Old Quarter of 36 Trades
• Colonial architecture: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel, the exterior of the Hanoi Opera House, and the exterior of the State Bank of Vietnam
• Overnight in hotel

We’ve selected the highlights of an in-depth tour of Hanoi

Everything is suggested, nothing is imposed! You choose

Based on your interests and timing, you can work with your guide to decide which visits to do and in what order! You can even fit it all in if you're an early riser!

• The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
• The One Pillar Pagoda
• The Quan Thanh Temple and the Tran Quoc Pagoda
• The Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius and Scholars
• The Ethnology Museum, a marvel born from French-Vietnamese cooperation
• The Train Street: an astonishing sight where houses are built side by side, crossed by a railway, and residents live on the tracks. Kitchens, bars, restaurants – no matter... They know the train schedule, clear the way when it's time, and set everything back up after it passes!

In the evening: a Water Puppet Show, accompanied by a choir and traditional Vietnamese instruments

Performed by talented and skilled artists, this delightful show reveals Vietnam’s rich culture, from the legend of the dragon to multiple scenes depicting rural life

Overnight in hotel

Hanoi - Duong Lam Village - Mai Chau: 150 km - 4h

Early departure for Mai Chau via Duong Lam. The village of Mong Phu, or Duong Lam, has an authentic charm with its red laterite and rammed earth houses. The village gate, communal well, and temple courtyard reflect a peaceful and genuine way of life. The change of scenery is complete

A short bike ride through the narrow alleys allows for encounters and conversations with the villagers

Mai Chau is an authentic village, the cradle of the Thai minority, with stilt houses set amidst beautiful rice paddies surrounded by mountains

You’ll have many opportunities to meet villagers engaged in their daily activities. Thai women weave and dye their own fabrics. They will offer you traditional costumes they make themselves, along with the intricate embroidery that adorns them

Overnight in hotel

Mai Chau - Pu Luong: 65 km - 1h30

In the morning, enjoy a bike ride around Mai Chau to soak in the surroundings

Then, head towards the Pu Luong Nature Reserve

These vibrant encounters in this postcard-like landscape will make this hike unforgettable

• 360° rice fields and forests. Lowland forests, mountain forests, and numerous bamboo groves
• Many animal species inhabit the area, including the critically endangered langur. There are still about 30 of these animals living here
• Pu Luong is also known as a "granary" of medicinal plants, with 1,100 vascular plant species, four of which are listed in the Red Book of the World

The region is home to the Thai ethnic group, who live in stilt houses with thatched or palm roofs. For the most part, the daily life of the Thai people remains untouched by modernity

Overnight in hotel

A day of hiking in the heart of the Pu Luong Nature Reserve to admire beautiful landscapes and discover the daily life of the villagers. You will cross terraced rice fields, tropical forests, and Thai villages

• Walk through the rice fields and wade across small rivers
• Continue uphill on a narrow path of limestone rocks
• Enjoy free time to rest or explore the village, including a stroll through the caves in the valley

Return to your hotel

Overnight in hotel

Pu Luong - Ninh Binh: 140 km - 3h

Walk through the rice fields and wade across small rivers to visit the villages and discover the beautiful landscapes along the way

In the afternoon, drive to Ninh Binh through the Vietnamese countryside. You’ll see a parade of images of rice fields where women in conical hats are busy at work and fishermen with their nets. The scenery is calm and serene, featuring patchwork fields, small forgotten pagodas bathed in sunlight, and untidy cemeteries

Overnight in homestay

Ninh Binh - Hanoi: 100 km - 2h

The Tam Coc site, often referred to as the "Halong Bay on land," is set in an exceptional environment. The stunning landscape features lush green rice fields, dotted with towering limestone karsts covered in vegetation. Many scenes from the film Indochine were filmed here

At this beautiful site, you'll board a small rowboat piloted by a local woman. A charming two-hour ride along the Ngo Dong River will immerse you in a serene and peaceful atmosphere before reaching the Tam Coc caves, known as the "three caves"

This region is also famous for its culinary specialties, including com cháy (crispy rice) and goat meat

Your guide will gladly share insider tips on the best places to sample these two local delicacies

A short bike ride takes you to Bich Dong Pagoda. If time allows and you're feeling adventurous, climb the stone-carved steps to reach the pagoda and enjoy an exceptional view of the entire area

Next, visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, during the Dinh and Le dynasties. Explore the Dinh and Le dynastic temples

Return to Hanoi

Overnight in hotel

Hanoi - Halong Bay: 155 km - 2h30

Halong Bay, with its 1,969 islands bathed in the turquoise waters of the East Sea, was recognized as a "natural beauty" and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994

Halong means "descent of the dragon": according to legend, a dragon descended into the bay to tame the sea currents. With its powerful tail movements, it carved deep into the mountains. Then, it plunged into the sea. The water level rose, leaving only the highest peaks visible

Cruise through this mythical bay with its spectacular seascape!

• Departure from the hotel, private car transfer without guide to Halong Bay
• Welcome reception with a welcome drink late in the morning
• Check-in to private cabins
• Crew introduction by the captain
• Cruise begins while enjoying lunch

Lunch served in the dining room or on the outdoor deck, with an excellent menu of carefully crafted dishes, beautifully presented, and served by a qualified staff

You’ll admire this breathtaking scenery that surprises you at every moment. These islands with their surprising shapes that resemble animals, the jade-colored water, and the enchanting landscape that never gets old

You’ll be gently lulled by the breeze as you discover the infinite charm of the bay, gliding through this majestic site with its signature rounded peaks emerging between the blue sky and turquoise sea

• Sun loungers are available for you to admire the passing scenery
• Explore the Cong Do area
• Visit the Thien Canh Son Cave
• Cruise towards Hon Co Island
• Enjoy kayaking and a refreshing swim in the jade-colored waters of the Gulf of Tonkin (if possible)
• Dinner: Savor fresh seafood with an exquisite menu of carefully crafted dishes, beautifully presented, and served by qualified staff

Overnight on board

Halong Bay - Hanoi - Fly - Hue: 4h

Under the gentle morning sun, in an enchanting setting and a surprising calm, you'll enjoy your breakfast

• Discover the floating fishing village of Vung Vieng
• Morning cruise back to the port

Lunch on board the junk in the form of brunch will conclude this magnificent cruise

The entire crew will come to greet and thank you upon arriving at the port at 11 am

Return to Hanoi by private car

As soon as you disembark the junk, your driver will be waiting for you at the port. Drive to Hanoi

Transfer by private car with a driver (no guide) to Hanoi airport for your flight to Hue

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and transfer to the hotel

Overnight in hotel

Visit the Imperial Citadel of the Nguyen Dynasty with its citadel, pagodas, and imperial tombs

The citadel, nestled within a heart-shaped moat, and an entire architectural ensemble composed of bridges, small temples, terraces, pavilions, small parks, and bodies of water

Relaxing cruise on a typical boat on the famous Perfume River to reach the Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of the Heavenly Lady) dating back to 1601, one of Hue's oldest religious monuments Possibility to attend prayers with the bonzes

Situated at a height, it offers an exceptional panoramic view of the city

Visit the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang who reigned from 1820 to 1840

At lunchtime, your guide is at your disposal to take you to one of our best addresses to taste Hue's specialties

Hue's artisanal specialties

Hue is the capital of magnificent Ao Dai!

While strolling through Dong Ba market, mingled with the local crowd, fabrics in abundance, made-to-measure in record time of this wonderful dress

The making of incense sticks will no longer hold any secrets for you after this stop in a small village very close to Hue, specializing in this activity

A sweet and fine scent floats in the air, incense being obtained from naturally perfumed plant substances. Bamboo sticks dyed red unfold in the sun, in front of the many small shops

Visit the village specializing in the making of conical hats, including the "poem hat"

Overnight in hotel

Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An: 120 km - 3h30

Route to Hoi An via the Mandarin Road and the Cloud Pass

A bird's eye view of a turquoise sea bordered by a golden sand beach reveals all the beauty of Lang Co Peninsula, with small fishing boats in the distance

A detour to Da Nang for a visit to the Museum of Cham Sculpture. The Cham people are an ethnic group from India

Created at the initiative of the French School of the Far East in 1919. The museum houses collections of sculptures inspired by Hindu art that represent the evolution of Cham art over the centuries between the 7th and 15th centuries

Discover the Marble Mountains, also known as the "Five Elements Mountains," each named after an element that constitutes our planet. Admire the sculptors at work in the midst of the beautiful marble quarry

Ascend 156 steps or take the elevator to the top of Mount Thuy Son for a panoramic view of the marble mountains and the countryside. This marble mountain is home to Buddhist deities that you will visit

A delightful stroll through the ancient port town of Hoi An. Wander through the narrow streets and admire the rich architectural heritage of charming low houses with colorful facades and wooden balconies, Chinese congregations, temples, pagodas, museums, and the Japanese Covered Bridge

Discover the old port of Hoi An on a short walk under the last rays of the setting sun before being captivated by the ambiance of hundreds of small lanterns that illuminate the night

Overnight in hotel

Laughter, new encounters, surprises, wonder, and delicious food - a wonderful day that will never cease to amaze you!

Your driver will pick you up from your hotel for your "Bamboo Saga" day

First, you'll discover your charming round bamboo basket boat and take a leisurely paddle!

It’s called THUYEN THUNG! It is made of woven bamboo, crafted in just one day!

Accompanied by a rower who knows how to handle the Thuyen Thung, you'll glide for 30 minutes on the river

Surrounded by lush vegetation, to the gentle rhythm of the dancing Thuyen Thung, you'll experience a delightful moment

The bamboo saga continues... with the Lanterns, an emblem of Hoi An

As night falls, Hoi An is adorned with a soft, tender red light, the color of joy and fidelity!

How can you remain unmoved by the charm of these thousands of lanterns?

Lanterns, lamps, in fabric, in silk, in bamboo, in a palette of colors with multiple nuances, swaying at the slightest breeze, Hoi An's lanterns have the power to make you rediscover your inner child and transport you into the imagination!

Young and old, come and create your own foldable lantern to take home with you!

Our workshop, whose address we keep secret, is a resounding success!

And with bamboo engraving...

Bamboo is ubiquitous in Vietnam, and our creative artists with their limitless imagination have long acquired the indispensable dexterity to work with this natural material

To give life to a piece of bamboo, you must know how to engrave a beautiful ideogram that carries a powerful meaning. Part calligrapher and part sculptor, our artist-creator is an expert in using the wood chisel with unmatched dexterity

Even on bamboo roots with strange shapes, our artist exercises his talent by sculpting them into magnificent works of art!

We will take you behind the scenes of our preferred workshop to discover with wonder an art that has recently been brought back into the spotlight

Overnight in hotel

Hoi An - Da Nang - Fly - Ho Chi Minh: 1h30

Private transfer to Da Nang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your Ho Chi Minh City guide to start the city tour

• Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
• Visit the Central Post Office in memory of Gustave Eiffel
• Visit the Reunification Palace, former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975, when Northern soldiers made a brutal intrusion with their tanks, symbolizing the end of the war against the United States
• Visit the War Museum
• Visit the Thien Hau Pagoda located in the heart of the Chinese district
• Visit Ben Thanh, the largest covered market in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, colorful and very lively
• Overnight in hotel

Ho Chi Minh - Cao Dai Temple - Cu Chi Tunnels: 100 km - 3h

Depart to Tay Ninh, the center of the Cao Dai religion, a unique blend of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Vietnamese spiritism, Christianity, and the worship of "geniuses"

Visit the Main Temple, where the diversity of styles is striking, followed by a walk through the sacred spaces

You'll attend the midday religious ceremony (1-hour duration), a colorful spectacle in one of the most original architectural settings

In the afternoon, head to one of the most gripping sites from the Vietnam War: the Cu Chi Tunnels, a true underground city with over 250 km of tunnels where the Viet Cong fought their resistance against American troops. Exploring this impressive complex offers a unique experience, showing the extreme hardships Vietnamese soldiers faced during the war. Note that some tunnel entrances have been widened for visitors, as most of us would not fit otherwise!

Overnight in hotel

Free time for personal activities until your private transfer to the airport (with driver, no guide) for your international departure flight