Stories and legends of Vietnam

Stories and legends of Vietnam

Traces of history, tales and myths appear in every corner of Vietnam, enter everyday life and create an exceptional culture. Let us introduce you to these stories on a unique trip to Vietnam. You will enjoy the country's must-see places in the North, Center and South. You will be accompanied by local guides who master your language very well. Their expertise and many years of experience will allow you to learn more about the history, culture and landscapes of Vietnam.

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi

Stop At: Hanoi, Hanoi
Our trip to Vietnam begins with visits to the eternal sites of Hanoi such as the legendary Lake of the Returned Sword (Hoan Kiem), the Temple of the Jade Mountain (Ngoc Son), the Old Quarter, St. Joseph's Cathedral, a old house restored identically, the old market Dong Xuan (built by the French), the East Gate, the Temple of Literature (the first university of Vietnam).
We then go to West Lake, a place rich in history to visit Hanoi's oldest pagoda, Tran Quoc and Quan Thanh Temple with its four-ton bronze statue.
Duration: 20 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 2: Hanoi, Ha Giang

Stop At: Ha Giang, Ha Giang, Ha Giang Province
Departure towards Ha Giang and the northern mountains. Along the way, we admire the landscapes dominated by breathtaking peaks, verdant rice fields, palm hills and villages. Visit a village of black Tay through the city of Tuyen Quang. Arrival in Ha Giang at the end of the afternoon
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight homestay or hotel.

Day 3: Ha Giang, Dong Van

Stop At: Quan Ba Heaven Gate, Tam Son Town, Quan Ba 310000 Vietnam
Road to the karst plateau of Dong Van, listed in the list of World Geological Park. Stop at the "gate of heaven" of Quan Ba. The French built a giant (now extinct) wooden door 150 cm thick at this location in 1939.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Phó Bảng, Đồng Văn District, Ha Giang, Vietnam
Pho Bang Village Tour - An oasis sits deep in the bottom of the rocky plateau valley. Their old houses are characterized by walls "drilled" in earth, covered with tiles, some built in a colonial style.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Dong Van, Dong Van, Ha Giang Province
After arriving in Dong Van, visit the King Hmong Palace. This architectural marvel reproduces the Chinese style of the Qing Dynasty. At the beginning of the 20th century, its owner, Vuong Chi Sinh was honored by minority residents as the king to manage the four districts Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Meo Vac and Dong Van.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 4: Dong Van, Meo Vac, Bao Lake

Stop At: Dong Van Market, Đồng Văn, Đồng Văn District, Ha Giang, Vietnam
On Sundays, the weekly Dong Van Market is worth a visit! Very lively, colorful at will, where the black Hmong, Han, Giay, Dao, Tay ethnic groups come together from all over the region to sell or barter their products, this market alone is a must-see attraction.

Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Ma Pi Leng Pass, Meo Vac, Ha Giang 310000 Vietnam
Resumption of the road to the summits. The pass of Ma Pi Leng, reached through exceptional karstic mountain scenery, offers us a dizzying view over the valley.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Bảo Lạc, Bảo Lạc District, Cao Bang, Vietnam
We cross then Meo Vac before reaching further to Bao Lac. On the road, there are more villages in Tay, Nung, Dao and Dzay territories. Discover their usual rhythm by making a hook at Tat Nga village, of the Dzay ethnic group.

Then we take the road back to Bao Lac. According to the time allotted, a short walk in this mountainous city to discover the daily life of the locals.

Free evening.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 5:  Bao Lac, Cao Bang

Stop At: Bảo Lạc, Bảo Lạc District, Cao Bang, Vietnam
We make a catch this morning in the village of Coc Xa, this little village of black Lolo made famous by a French TV show with no less famous rugby player Frederic Michalak. We admire the daily life of this small community, still on the margins of society, which has kept all its traditions.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Cao Bang, Cao Bang, Cao Bang Province
The stage takes us to Cao Bang by a "wild" road, a rugged terrain of gigantic mountains. A wide valley finally opens on this average city of the province.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 6: Cao Bang, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang

Stop At: Ban Gioc Falls, Trung Khanh, Cao Bang 22000 Vietnam
After breakfast, head for the Ban Gioc Falls. The road crosses a plain where flows a river with waters of supernatural color. The Tay and Nung villages are characterized by extraordinary activity and serenity.

Quickly, the waterfalls of Ban Gioc, the highest of Vietnam, are offered to us in a dazzling decoration. Photos, swimming, boat ride on the river (which marks the natural border with China), everything is together to enjoy a magical moment in an enchanting site.

On the way back, the caves of Nguom Ngao have the particularity of crossing the mountain from one side to the other, and their numerous and diverse (by their forms) concretions limestones make it one of the most beautiful of the country.

The free visit of the central market is worth the detour.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 7: Cao Bang, Ba Be Lake

Stop At: Pac Bo Cave, Ha Quang District, Located about 350km from north of Hanoi, Truong Ha Vietnam
Today, Ba Be destination to continue this trip to Vietnam. A hook is needed for the site of Pac Bo where took refuge a few months Ho Chi Minh to prepare the revolution. He lived here, as a hermit in a way, in a cave that can be visited. During this pleasant walk, we can easily imagine the "father of the Revolution", at the edge of the stream, sitting on a rock, developing multiple strategies that will determine the future of his country. History tells us that he named the mountain, Karl Marx, and the river, Lenin ...
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Ba Be, Ba Be, Bac Kan Province
Then, recovery of the road through many villages Tay, Dao, Nung, Hmong. We finally arrive at the Ba Be National Park and take a rest in the village of Pac Ngoi, on the banks of the lake, in a stilt house of a Tay family.

Rest of free time to discover quietly the village and the landscapes around the lake.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night at the inhabitant.

Day 8: Ba Be

Stop At: Ba Be, Ba Be, Bac Kan Province
After breakfast, bike ride to the village of Peng where we visit the cave of Hua Ma (500 meters long and 50 meters wide) in which there are many geological formations being evidence of erosion phenomena and gigantic transformations millions of years ago.

After returning to the village of Pac Ngoi, boat ride on the largest natural lake in northern Vietnam. Ba Be Lake gives us an almost "mystical" view of the place! Magic plays its role at the sight of this grandiose jungle, these cliffs or other giant sugar loaves. 200 million years ago, this lake was created following a geological upheaval causing a sudden collapse of limestone blocks. According to legend, a fairy disguised as a beggar punished selfish people by allowing a flood to overwhelm the entire village.

Visit the Puong cave which houses an impressive and sometimes scary colony of bats. On the banks of the Nang River, we visit Ban Cam, the small hamlet of the Tay ethnic group. Short walk to the waterfall Dau Dang, then boat for a crossing of the lake to the temple An Ma, perched on a tiny island, and where there are many celebrations throughout the year.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night at the inhabitant.

Day 9: Ba Be, Hanoi

Stop At: Thai Nguyen Province, Thai Nguyen Province
According to the time allotted to us, the day of the week, a visit of the local market could be envisaged.

The road back to Hanoi is offered to us. 250 km dotted with impressive landscapes, tea fields that can boast Thai Nguyen, the many brickworks along the way.

Several stops are planned en route to visit villages and to take beautiful pictures.
Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Hanoi, Hanoi
Free time to discover the nightlife in Hanoi.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 10: Hanoi, Halong

Stop At: Bai Tu Long Bay, Halong Bay 008433 Vietnam
Departure for the city of Ha Long and its beautiful bay, jewels of the East Sea. Arrive in Ha Long around noon, we embark on a beautiful junk for a cruise following an original itinerary, which makes a new turning point to your trip to Vietnam.

We sail in Bai Tu Long Bay, extension of Ha Long Bay but less crowded and wilder. Lunch is served while the junk sails through the hundreds of karst formations of the bay.

Legend has it that once Vietnam was invaded by foreign enemies. Dragon-mother and her children came down from the sky to help the Vietnamese fight the invaders. After the victory, the Dragon and his children stayed in the bay transforming into rocks and islets. From where the names of the sites and landscapes: Ha Long (the place where the Dragon descends), Bai Tu Long (the small dragons prostrate themselves in front of their mother).

Swimming in the bay. The boat is heading to the Thien Canh Son cave we are visiting. Continuation of the cruise to the island of Hon Co for a relaxing time on the white sand beach, for swimming, and kayaking.

Back on board.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night on the boat.

Day 11: Day 11: Halong, Ninh Binh

Stop At: Bai Tu Long Bay, Halong Bay 008433 Vietnam
Breakfast in the middle of a sumptuous landscape to start the day. The junk goes to the floating village of Vung Vien that we visit in small rowing boat. Then, a lunch is proposed during the return cruise.

After the meal taken on board, it's time to check his package and land at Hon Gai.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh Province
Destination Ninh Binh, ancient imperial city of the 10th century.

Free evening.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 12: Ninh Binh, Hue

Stop At: Tam Coc, Ninh Binh 430000 Vietnam
Tam Coc, nicknamed the Halong Bay (in the manner of Halong Bay): hundreds of karst peaks come out of the ground and create a landscape as unusual as it is exceptional. Boat trip on the Ngo Dong River, through caves, karst peaks and flooded rice paddies.

Then by bike, through the villages and rice fields, we reach the Bich Dong pagoda with a magnificent view of the region.

In the afternoon, visit the temples of kings Dinh and Le by discovering stories of these two dynasties: power struggle and plot of assassination in the royal family, a woman being the queen of two kings, ...
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Hue, Hue, Thua Thien - Hue Province
Return to Hanoi. On the way, transfer to the airport for the flight to Hue.

Arrival in Hue. Our driver greets us at the airport and drives us to the hotel. Meal and free evening.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 13: gee up

Stop At: Hue, Hue, Thua Thien - Hue Province
Day dedicated to Hue, the imperial capital from 1802 to 1945. We take the Perfume River to the pagoda of the Celestial Lady (Thien Mu). Built in 1601 by a local lord, Nguyen Hoang, this Buddhist pagoda is wonderfully located, overlooking the river facing the mountains on the horizon.

Return to the city to visit the imperial citadel, where lived the last emperors of the dynasties of Vietnam.

Located in the surrounding countryside, in places breathing peacefully, the tombs of two kings Thu Duc and Khai Dinh fuel our curiosity of the afternoon.

On the way back, we discover all the secrets of making incense sticks.

Free evening.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 14: Hue, Hoi An

Stop At: Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, No 2, 2 Thang 9 Street, Da Nang Vietnam
Our trip to Vietnam leads us today to Hoi An. After the lagoons along the Mandarin Road, we climb the Col des Nuages. Lang Co on one side, on the other side Da Nang Bay, so many immense expanses of the sea lined with white sand beaches.

The visit of the Cham museum in Da Nang makes us discover the importance of the ancient Hindu kingdom of Champa (192 - 1832) established in this region
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: The Marble Mountains, Hoa Hai, Ngu Hanh Son, Da Nang 550000 Vietnam
A few kilometers, while skirting the sea, the Marble mountains reveal us skilful stonecutters. Tam Thai Pagoda and Huyen Khong Cave invite us to climb the side of the mountain. Local legend wants a water dragon to drop a dragon egg. The egg grew until it hatched and broke into five pieces that later became small mountains.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Hoi An, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province
Hoi An, old small port, welcomes us. Many merchants, mostly Chinese and Japanese settled there in the 16th century, giving the various buildings this typical and original architecture. We discover successively the small Japanese bridge, the shrine of Fugian - goddess of the sea, the old house Phung Hung.

Stroll through the market and the docks, lively places at the end of the day and the evening.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 15: Hoi An, My Son, Saigon

Stop At: My Son Sanctuary, Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District Vietnam
45 km from Hoi An, My Son Shrine is an ancient religious capital of the Hindu kingdom of Champa, which dominated the area for centuries. The remains of temples, towers and other deities have suffered terribly from the wear of time, but also from the effects of war. Many restoration projects are underway.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Back to Hoi An, free ride in the old city for shopping.

Transfer to the airport for flight Da Nang - Sai Gon. Free evening.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 16: Saigon, Tay Ninh, Cu Chi, Saigon

Stop At: Cao Dai Temple, Long Thanh Bac Commune Hoa Thanh District, Tay Ninh 730000 Vietnam
On the way to the great Caodaist temple of Tay Ninh. This atypical religion is officially born in 1926 from its creator Ngo Van Chieu. It is distinguished by a mixture of Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Catholicism. She enjoyed some interest during the 1950s playing a political role and having its own army. The Caodai religion currently has more than 6 million members. We can attend the midday Mass, the ideal time to observe rituals and worshipers during their worship practice wearing costumes of different colors according to their hierarchy.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Cu Chi Tunnels, Phu Hiep TL15 Phu Hiep, Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Vietnam
In the afternoon and on the way back is the site of Cu Chi famous for its tunnels that sheltered the resistance forces Viet Minh during the French colonial period, and Viet Cong soldiers during the war against the Americans.

Return to Saigon. Free evening.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 17: Saigon, Cai Be, Tra On

Stop At: Cai Be, Cai Be, Tien Giang Province, Mekong Delta
Departure this morning from Saigon to reach the city of Cai Be located one of the arms of the vast delta of the Mekong. Embark on the wooden sampan for a discovery of this region, first agricultural region of Vietnam. We go through the canals and along the orchards, the villages, the rice fields to discover the daily life of this mid-aquatic landscape.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Trà Ôn District, Vinh Long, Vietnam
The cruise takes us to Tra On, where we spend the night on board. Landing in Cho Lach for a bike ride through the village and the countryside. Fruit tasting and visit of artisans on the way.

Back on the boat from where we admire the sunset while continuing our cruise.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night on board.

Day 18: Can Tho, Saigon

Stop At: Cai Rang Floating Market, 46 Hai Ba Trung Near Cai Rang Bridge, Can Tho 900000 Vietnam
In the morning the boat sails gently up the Bassac River to the town of Can Tho. We then take a seat on smaller boats to discover the floating market of Cai Rang, one of the largest in the delta. Here are sold mainly seasonal agricultural products but also various current products. Each boat announcing what it sells thanks to a pole at the end of which is the sold product.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Return to the pier and return to the road towards Saigon.

Arrival in Saigon, transfer to the hotel to rest. Free evening.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 19:  Saigon

Stop At: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Our visit takes us to District 1 where we discover the Notre Dame Cathedral, the central post office, next door, whose frame is the work of Gustave Eiffel, the Governor's Palace (former palace of the Presidents of the Republic of Vietnam) The main attraction is of course the famous Ben Thanh market, where you can find everything!

Free time for shopping. After your free dinner, we drive you to the airport for your departure flight. End of your trip to Vietnam.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.