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 - Ninh Binh - Hanoi - Night Train - Lao Cai: 200 km - 4h

Round-trip travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh in 4 hours

Departure in the morning through the Vietnamese countryside. The site of Tam Coc, often referred to as "the terrestrial Halong Bay," is set in an exceptional environment, featuring stunning landscapes of rocky peaks covered in vegetation rising from peaceful, lush rice fields. This is where many scenes from the film "Indochine" were filmed

In this area of rare beauty, you will board a small rowboat rowed by a woman. A delightful two-hour ride on the Ngo Dong River will enchant you in this serene and peaceful atmosphere, leading you to the Tam Coc caves, known as "the three caves"

This region is renowned for its culinary specialties, including Ninh Binh's com cháy (crispy rice) and goat meat

Your guide will be happy to share our recommendations for tasting these two specialties

A short bike ride will take you to Bich Dong Pagoda. If time allows and you're feeling adventurous, you can climb the steps carved into the rock to reach the pagoda and enjoy an exceptional view of the entire site

Next, you will take a short trip to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, under the Dinh and Le dynasties. You will visit the dynastic temples of Dinh and Le

Then, return to Hanoi

Around 8:30-9:00 PM, transfer by private car to Hanoi train station to take the sleeper train to Lao Cai

Overnight on train

Lao Cai - Sapa - Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai - Ta Van

Early morning arrival at Lao Cai station

Enjoy breakfast at a brasserie with your private guide and driver

To help you get started on the right foot, we’ve arranged a room where you can freshen up with a shower and change before heading out.

Next, a private car transfer takes you to Sapa (around 1 hour) for a day of hiking around Sapa, meeting ethnic minorities in the heart of the rice fields

• Y Linh Ho village, in the Muong Hoa valley, is the starting point for the hikes
• Hike 6 kilometers through the terraced rice fields to the village of Lao Chai
• This small village is inhabited by the Black Hmong ethnic minority. Along the way, meet women from the village dressed in ethnic costumes. You will be touched by their kindness in walking a part of the way with you
• After lunch, take a short 2-kilometer walk to the village of Ta Van, inhabited by the Giay ethnic group
• The people of Ta Van specialize in stone and wood carving. The women work with hemp, weave on looms, and prepare indigo blue dyes after harvesting the plant
• Overnight in hotel

Sapa - Bac Ha: 100 km - 2h30

• Hike on a mountainohus road with terraced rice fields on either side. Sapa is a former high-altitude station founded by the French in the early 20th century. Sapa is home to over 30 ethnic minorities and boasts. Vietnam’s highest peak, Mount Fansipan, which stands at 3143 meters above sea level
• Visit the Ma Tra village of the Black Hmong ethnic minority and the Ta Phin village where the Red Dao people live
• To end the day, we offer you our Zen Moments with the Red Dao people. In an authentic establishment in the north and part of our trusted network, you will relax with the benefits of a medicinal herb bath

Transfer by private car to Bac Ha, where the Flower Hmong reside

• Visit the village of Bac Ha, meet the locals, explore their homes, and their way of life
• Dinner and overnight in homestay

Bac Ha - Lao Cai - Hanoi: 310 km - 4h

Other markets on different days (please contact us for more information)

• Visit the grand Bac Ha market that takes place on Sundays. It is the most colorful market in northern Vietnam. Although very touristy, it is also very authentic. The minority ethnic groups such as the Flower Hmong, Tay, and Phu La gather here for commercial and social exchanges. The market is full of excitement and vibrant colors
• The Hmong women wear outfits made up of large, elaborately embroidered skirts and black tops with shoulders and collars adorned with flashy embroidery. They are also adorned with beautiful silver jewelry
• Visit another village - Ban Pho village. Meet with the colorful Hmong and Tay ethnic groups

In the afternoon, your guide will take you to the express bus station in Lao Cai, which will bring you back to Hanoi in 5h

Dinner will be available at the stations, where different stands offer hot dishes and various food products

Upon arrival in Hanoi around 9 pm, our driver will be there to take you to your hotel

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: 155 km - 2h30

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

Overnight in hotel

Hanoi - Fly - Hue: 1h30

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

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 - Ben Tre - Can Tho: 260 km - 4h30

Depart for the lush landscapes of the Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is an extremely fertile region, crisscrossed by water and land, canals and arroyos, dotted with green checkered rice fields whose rice is reputed to be the most fragrant in the country

This generous land is home to abundant fruit gardens, fish farms, and shrimp farms, and all of this contributes to the fact that the Mekong Delta is known as the “rice bowl of Vietnam”

Around 10 a.m, arrive in Ben Tre, one of the Mekong River's tributaries. Embark on a motorized boat ride along a natural canal where you'll witness the bustling activities.

• Visit a traditional brick-making workshop in Ham Luong. The unique feature of these kilns is that they are heated with rice husks
• Discover the production of rice paper and enjoy rice cake tasting
• Visit a coconut candy workshop where you'll learn how to open and peel a coconut by hand
• Detailed explanation of the candy-making process, from preparing the coconut caramel to packaging
• Visit a beekeeper. Enjoy a taste of orchard fruits and Vietnamese honey tea while listening to local Vietnamese music
• Take a leisurely stroll through a serene natural environment, surrounded by lush greenery and coconut trees
• By small canoe, meet a farmer who specializes in making natural mats woven from his own raw materials

During lunch, you will discover the region’s specialty by savoring “elephant ear fish” that is eaten with rice pancakes and a typical sauce

Continue to Can Tho, the largest city in the Mekong Delta

Overnight in hotel

Can Tho - Cai Rang - Ho Chi Minh: 155 km - 3h

Arrival at Ho Chi Minh City late in the afternoon

Early morning cruise through the canals to discover the vibrant life centered around the water and commerce and explore Cai Rang floating market, the largest in the delta. Impressive floating markets where boats laden with fruits and vegetables gather daily

Visit a colonial house and orchard where you can savor exotic fruits and see plantations of durian, mangosteen, and orange trees. Then visit the century-old Binh Thuy house. This excursion allows you to appreciate the peaceful setting in which some Delta residents live

Explore the bustling Can Tho market before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City late afternoon

Overnight in hotel

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