Vietnam Essentials

Breakfast at the hotel.

The day is dedicated to discovering the city of Hanoi, starting with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, including the main building—the Mausoleum (exterior only, closed on Mondays and Fridays), the majestic Presidential Palace, Uncle Ho’s Stilt House, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Built of wood in 1049, the pagoda rests on a single pillar and represents the purity of the lotus flower. Afterward, the tour continues with a visit to West Lake—the city’s largest natural lake—and the Tran Quoc Pagoda, located on the eastern shore of the lake. Next is an unmissable example of traditional Vietnamese architecture: the Temple of Literature, an ancient university built in 1070 in honor of Confucius to pay homage to scholars and men of letters.

Lunch at your leisure in local restaurants.

In the afternoon, you will begin with a “xich lo” (cyclo) ride through the Old Quarter, considered the historic heart of the city—a place with a thousand-year history teeming with vitality and commerce. The Quarter consists of 36 streets, each dedicated to the sale of a specific product and named accordingly: from colorful spices and food to shoes, clothing accessories, and even votive paper money (Hang Ma). Passing through an interesting local market, you will head toward the Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem), linked to a legend of swords, emperors, and golden turtles, and surrounded by ancient trees. You will visit the Ngoc Son Temple, an oasis of peace and tranquility, which offers a beautiful view of the Turtle Tower (Thap Rua).

Accommodation and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meet the cruise company staff between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM at the hotel reception.

Shared transfer (private upon request with a supplement) by cruise bus to the port of Halong (approximately 4 hours with an intermediate break).

Halong Bay, which in Vietnamese means “the bay where the dragon descends into the sea,” is an enchanting bay with thousands of limestone islands, karst caves, stacks, and islets that make it a picturesque and charming place. Magnificent, mysterious, and majestic, Halong Bay has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994 and is considered one of the new seven wonders of the world.

Day 1 of the 2-day, 1-night cruise program.

Meals as per the program and overnight stay on the cruise.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• Lunch and dinner featuring seafood tastings are served on board the junk (included – drinks not included).
• Overnight stay on board in a private deluxe cabin (with AC and shower).
• The cruise program may vary without prior notice based on weather conditions or decisions by local authorities.
• There is only one English-speaking guide on the junk, provided by the cruise company.

Breakfast on the cruise.

Day 2 of the 2-day, 1-night cruise program:

Return on board for check-out. Enjoy brunch on board.

Return to the port. Shared transfer (private upon request with a supplement) via the cruise company’s shared limousine to Hanoi.

Return to Noi Bai Airport by private car via the highway (2-hour drive) for your flight to Hue. Upon landing at Phu Bai Airport, you will be welcomed by a driver at the pickup hall. Transfer and check-in at the hotel in Hue.

Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel in Hue.

NOTE: International flights require arrival at the airport 3 hours prior to departure, and domestic flights 2 hours prior to departure.

Breakfast at the hotel.

The city of Hue rises along the banks of the Perfume River and was founded in 1687 under the name Phu Xuan. It became the capital of southern Vietnam in 1744 and maintained this role from 1802 to 1945 under the reign of the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Hue is an almost mandatory stop for anyone visiting Vietnam. Not only was it the nation’s political and cultural capital for nearly 150 years, but it also houses spectacular imperial tombs, pagodas, and temples, not to mention the culinary aspect: Hue is the refined gastronomic capital of the country.

The day begins with a boat excursion on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda—the symbol of the city, whose name means “Celestial Lady.” Return to the city by car to visit the Imperial City and the Forbidden City, located within the former.

Break for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, the tour continues with a visit to the Tomb of Minh Mang, and if time permits, you can also visit the Tu Hieu Pagoda. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for the charming city of Hoi An, immersed in a variety of spectacular landscapes. First, in the fishing village of Lang Co, you can admire the locals working with traditional tools of the past. You will then cross the Pass of Clouds (Hai Van Pass), the geographical, climatic, and cultural border between North and South Vietnam. A stop here allows you to admire Danang from above and the famous “China Beach,” which stretches for over 30 km. You will descend into Danang to visit the Cham Museum, the richest site for archaeological artifacts of the ancient empire, housing magnificent works of great importance from this ancient civilization.

Just south of the city, you will drive along one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Vietnam and the granite mountains where pagodas and temples are nestled in a surreal landscape: the Marble Mountains, five marble hills from which you can enjoy a suggestive view of the surrounding panorama.

Arrival in Hoi An around noon.

Lunch at your leisure in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will discover the ancient town of Hoi An, starting with the famous Japanese Bridge, built in the 17th century to connect the Japanese quarter with the Chinese ones. You will then visit the Phuc Kien (Fujian) Assembly Hall, also built in the 17th century: a meeting place for residents, merchants, and visitors from the Chinese province of Fujian, which today also serves as a temple dedicated to the Sea Goddess. The visit continues with the Phung Hung Ancient House.

After the visit, return to the hotel. Check-in and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

“The most beautiful country in the world” might seem like an ambitious statement for Tra Que village… at least until you arrive in this splendid countryside on the outskirts of Hoi An. Once there, you will understand why someone might have thought of this name.”

— Rehahn, French photographer

In the morning, enjoy a pleasant bicycle ride (5 km) toward the rural village of Tra Que, immersed in a peaceful and authentic landscape. Here, at a local family home, you will have the opportunity to freshen up before beginning a unique gastronomic experience: a traditional Vietnamese cooking lesson with our “family chef.” You will learn to prepare four typical dishes, which you will then enjoy together during a convivial lunch.

After lunch, enjoy some relaxation with a cup of green tea and a medicinal herb foot massage, using herbs gathered directly from the family garden.

Free time in Hoi An before transferring to Da Nang airport for your flight to Saigon.

Arrival in Saigon. Welcome without a guide and transfer to the hotel.

Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Note: For international flights, it is necessary to arrive at the airport 3 hours before departure; for domestic flights, at least 2 hours before.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today you will visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Located a short distance from Saigon, Cu Chi was the district most heavily devastated, deforested, leveled, bombed, and poisoned with various chemical agents, including Agent Orange, during the Vietnam War. In the 1940s, underground tunnels began to be dug to escape mandatory conscription, French attacks, and to maintain contact between villages. In the 1960s, the Viet Cong extended them to more than 250 km, at which point they became legendary during the “American War.” Structured in several layers up to 5–6 meters deep, the complex included dormitories, kitchens, schools, hospitals, and weapons factories. Lower down was the guerrilla level, with tunnels often fitted with traps in case opponents managed to penetrate them. During the excursion, you will visit a section of the tunnels to experience the sensations of underground life. Cu Chi is an excellent example of the spirit and determination of the Vietnamese people.

Return to Saigon. Break for lunch at your leisure (not included).

In the afternoon, we visit Saigon, the ancient Royal city of Prey Nokor during the Khmer Kingdom, later the capital of the French Colony, or Cochinchina, and subsequently of the Independent Republic of South Vietnam until 1976 when it was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after the revolutionary leader of the same name. Among the most symbolic icons, we visit the Post Office, built in the late 19th century with Renaissance and Gothic influences. We continue to Notre Dame Cathedral (exterior only, currently under renovation), the Catholic church built during the French colonial era, and the Chinese Quarter with the Thien Hau Pagoda.

At the end of the tour, return to the hotel in Saigon.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

A morning journey toward Ben Tre, a beautiful region of the Mekong Delta famous for its coconut candy production. Arrive at the Phong Nam Bridge to take a boat trip on the Ben Tre River and discover local daily life. Stop at a kiln to observe brick-making in the traditional style. Along the canal, visit one of the many coconut processing workshops, where you can taste fresh coconut and see how every single part of this fruit is transformed into various products. Continue your boat trip along a canal to the village of Nhon Thanh. This will be an opportunity to taste fresh fruit. Take a bicycle ride (or Tuk-tuk) along a small path through the villages and enjoy views of the coconut groves, rice paddies, and vegetable gardens.

Lunch at your leisure in a local restaurant.

A short walk will help you discover local life in depth. This is followed by a boat ride on a small canal shaded by wild palms.

Return to Saigon. Free time at your disposal for rest.

Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time in the city.

Meeting and transfer to the airport for your return flight, concluding your 10-day Vietnam journey. We wish you a pleasant journey home!

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