Vietnam from North to South

Vietnam from North to South

Vietnam from north to south is home to multiple ethnic minorities, diverse cultures, the Tonkin Mountains, its Halong Bay, its Mekong Delta, its beaches, its central highlands. You will be able to admire the variety of its landscapes, appreciate the hospitality and the smile of the Vietnamese while visiting the essentials of the country. A stroll in the heart of the rice terraces, the visit of historic cities, a relaxing day on a junk will harmoniously complete your trip to Vietnam.

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi

Stop At: Hanoi, Hanoi
Our guide and driver welcome you at the airport and drive you to the city center to begin this trip to Vietnam. Visit the eternal sites of the ancient capital of Tonkin: the legendary restored Sword Lake, the old quarter and its streets with 36 corporations, Saint Joseph Cathedral, an old house restored to its original identity, the old Dong market Xuan (built by the French), and the East gate.

In the afternoon, the visit goes through the Temple of Literature - the first university in Vietnam, the Tran Quoc pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi, and the Quan Thanh temple with the bronze statue of the genius (guardian of the North).

The day ends with a show at the water puppet theater.
Duration: 8 hours

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

Day 2: Hanoi, Nghia Lo

Stop At: Nghia Lo, Nghia Lo, Yen Bai Province
Today head towards the mountains of the north west, the countryside offering a "healthier" atmosphere than in the megalopolis Hanoi! The valleys and hills follow one another with rice fields, tea plantations, forests of lacquer trees.

We cross the Col de Khé (an important strategic place during the Sino-Vietnamese conflict) and then we dive towards Nghia Lo located in a basin. Here, the huge orange orchards and rice fields turn from green to yellow in autumn and make it one of the most famous regions thanks to its beauty.

Small detour on the heights, in Suoi Giang, 20 km from the end of our stage to discover endless expanses of tea plants, the oldest of which are 300 years old! The sunset over the mountains can be there!

A Thai family welcomes us in the evening to Nghia Lo for the lodging and a hearty dinner with local specialties.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night with the locals.

Day 3: Nghia Lo, La Pa Tan, Mu Cang Chai

Stop At: Mu Cang Chai, Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai Province
An early morning walk takes us through a few small villages in the valley, in particular that of the Thaî ethnic group with its customs and daily life. Lunch is taken with our hosts whom we greet before resuming a new route for Mu Cang Chai.

Pass through passes in the mountain, some over 1500 m above sea level, where free flight enthusiasts do not hesitate to face the void (Khau Pha pass). The panorama offered to our eyes is incredible over our successive ascents and descents.

Local market visit suggested.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night with the locals.

Day 4: Mu Cang Chai, Sapa

Stop At: Sapa, Sapa, Lao Cai Province
Breakfast followed by a visit to a small Thai village nearby. Continue towards the full north road. The valleys and villages follow one another with as much activity linked to the daily work of the Hmong and Thai, the majority in the region. Several passes are crossed and we can admire the mountains of the Hoang Lien range.

Arrival in Sapa and lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, walk to Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van and its small hamlets of the black Hmong ethnic group. Isolated location, accessible on foot through rice terraces so special to Tonkin, and in fact less crowded, this walk of around 3 hours offers us a real vision of the daily life of peasants.
Duration: 8 hours

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

Day 5: Sapa, Bac Ha

Stop At: Bac Ha, Bac Ha, Lao Cai Province
After early breakfast, drive to Bac Ha to visit its weekly market. This Sunday market is one of the main attractions of the region: the Hmong fleur, Dao blacks, Phu La, Tay, Nung, Giay mix there in their traditional outfits, exchange around a glass of rice alcohol. A colorful and so "fragrant" market, with those unique scents that characterize Asia well!

Lunch at a local restaurant or homestay. In the afternoon, walk for more than 3 to 4 hours between the villages Hmong, Dao and Tay of Pu Ngai Cho, Lan Gi Thang, or Thai Giang Pho. Night with a Tay family after a hearty meal in a friendly atmosphere.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night with the locals.

Day 6: Bac Ha, Hanoi

Stop At: Bac Ha, Bac Ha, Lao Cai Province
After breakfast, we say goodbye to our hosts and take the road to Hanoi. Going down from Bac Ha, detour to the village of Trung Do where the Tay ethnic group lives for a 1-2 hour walk and discover the daily activities of the locals by the Chay river. Return to Hanoi by highway in the late afternoon. Free evening.
Duration: 8 hours

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

Day 7: Hanoi, Halong Bay

Stop At: Bai Tu Long Bay, Halong Bay 008433 Vietnam
Your trip to Vietnam takes a whole new turn when we head towards the city of Halong to discover the magnificent bay of the same name, jewel of the East Sea. Boarding on the junk around 12:30 p.m. Cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay which is an extension of Halong Bay (less crowded and more authentic). We cross hundreds of karst pitons to reach Cong Do where we take a kayak ride. Then swim and relax on one of its beaches.

Upon returning to the boat, demonstration of Vietnamese cuisine before dinner. Finally, we drop anchor to spend the night in a quiet place.
Duration: 8 hours

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

Day 8: Halong, Ninh Binh

Stop At: Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh Province
Tam Coc, nicknamed the Halong Bay on land where hundreds of karst pitons rise from 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 fields. Then by bike, we reach the Bich Dong pagoda offering a magnificent view of the region.

After lunch, return to Hanoi for the flight to Hue.
Duration: 8 hours

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

Day 9: Ninh Binh, Hue

Stop At: Hue, Hue, Thua Thien - Hue Province
Tam Coc, nicknamed the Halong Bay on land where hundreds of karst pitons rise from 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 fields. Then by bike, we reach the Bich Dong pagoda offering a magnificent view of the region.

After lunch, return to Hanoi for the flight to Hue. Free evening.
Duration: 8 hours

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

Day 10: gee up

Stop At: Hue, Hue, Thua Thien - Hue Province
This day of visit will offer us the most beautiful sites of Hue, the old imperial city from 1802 to 1945. Short cruise on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu pagoda (Heavenly Lady), one of the oldest Buddhist pagodas in Vietnam. Visit palaces, tombs of emperors and a workshop for making incense sticks. Free evening.
Duration: 8 hours

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

Day 11: Hue, Danang, Hoi An

Stop At: Da Nang, Da Nang
Depart for Hoi An passing the Cloud Pass, from where we can see Lang Co Beach on one side and Da Nang Bay on the other. The Cham Art Museum offers us archaeological remains from the ancient Hindu kingdom of Champa (192-1832). At the Marble Mountain, observe the art of stonecutters. Visit the Tam Thai pagoda and the Huyen Khong cave after climbing 150 steps.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Hoi An, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province
Arrival in Hoi An, the ancient port city with Chinese and Japanese influences, offers us its Japanese bridge dating from 1593, its sanctuary of Fujian (goddess protecting sailors), and its old district. Walk to the market and along the main quay. Free evening.
Duration: 8 hours

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

Day 12: Hoi An, My Son, Saigon

Stop At: My Son Sanctuary, Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District Vietnam
Visit of My Son, ancient religious capital of the kingdom of Champa with its "temple-towers" dedicated to Cham sovereigns and their Hinduism deities.

Return to Hoi An for lunch, free time for a stroll through the old town, shopping for souvenirs, or relaxing on the beach of An Bang.
Duration: 8 hours

Stop At: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Departure to Da Nang for Saigon. Upon arrival, according to time, visit the Ben Thanh market. Free evening.
Duration: 8 hours

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

Day 13: Saigon, Ben Tre, Can Tho

Stop At: Ben Tre, Ben Tre, Ben Tre Province, Mekong Delta
After arriving in Ben Tre, this day is an opportunity to approach the Mekong Delta and enjoy a sampan ride on the Ben Tre river. Visit a coconut candy workshop and carpet factories. In the village of Nhon Thanh, stroll through the coconut palm gardens, rice fields and orchards. Tasting honey tea and exotic fruits in a shaded garden. Continue to Can Tho.
Duration: 8 hours

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

Day 14: Can Tho, Sai Gon

Stop At: Cai Rang Floating Market, 46 Hai Ba Trung Near Cai Rang Bridge, Can Tho 900000 Vietnam
On a small boat, discover the floating market of Cai Rang (one of the largest in the delta) selling seasonal agricultural products and various everyday products.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Sa Đéc, Đồng Tháp Province, Vietnam
Back at the dock, our next stop will be Sadec, the charming little town immortalized by Marguerite Duras' novel. Visit the house of the Lover and the Kien An Cung pagoda belonging to the same family.

Continue to Xeo Quyt for a small boat trip on the small canals of this marshy area. Along the water hyacinths and through a forest flooded with cajeputs, we gain access to the relics of war.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Arrival in Saigon, dinner and rest at the hotel.
Duration: 4 hours

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

Day 15: Saigon

Stop At: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ancient Saigon, today Ho Chi Minh, a city with a rich and tormented past, nicknamed the Paris of the Far East, was the capital of French Indochina. Saigon was destined to become the Singapore of the French. After Dien Bien Phu and the Geneva Agreements, it became the capital of the Republic of Vietnam before the American conflict. Saigon will keep some beautiful colonial buildings, an urbanization with wide streets and influences from different cultures.

Panoramic tour of the city: the central post office (1886 - 1891, framework created by Gustave Eiffel), the Reunification Palace - the former residence of the presidents of the Republic of Vietnam (1962, architect Ngo Viet Thu, winner of the Prix de Rome in 1955), the Town Hall (1898 - 1909, architect Femand Gardès), Notre Dame cathedral (1877 - 1880, architect Jules Bourard), the pagoda of the celestial lady Thien Hau (built in the 18th century by traders Chinese). You will be charmed by the styles of the Romanesque-Gothic with Indochinese or traditional Asian motifs.

The rest of the free time for the last shopping and dinner until transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Duration: 8 hours

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