• Day 1 | INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
   
• Day 2 | ARRIVE IN HANOI

Arrival at Hanoi airport, greeting by anglophone guide and transfer to hotel (room available from 14:00).
In the afternoon, enjoy a bike ride (1 hour) and walk to discover the city’s colonial roots, with its old tradesmen district and the Hoan Kiem Lake area. Visit Ngoc Son temple on the lakeshore.
Meals at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.

• Day 3 | HANOI TOUR (B)

Visit Hanoi’s must-see monuments, the house on stilts, the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum (outside), the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, which served as Vietnam’s first university.
Your itinerary includes a choice of anglophone or francophone historian, who will provide detailed explanations of Vietnam’s cultural identity and answer all of your questions.
In the afternoon, visit the Ethnographic Museum (closed on Mondays), undoubtedly one of Vietnam’s most interesting. Opened November 1997 during the Francophonie summit, it has become a mandatory visit in Hanoi.
Meals at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.

• Day 4 | HANOI - ARTISAN VILLAGES - Night train to LAO CAI (B, L)

Morning departure by local train from Hanoi to Cam Giang (about 1 hour) in order to enjoy the unique experience of riding on a local train in Vietnam. Next, take to the road to reach Dai Bai Village, known for its copper and precious metals smelting.
Continue on to the village of Xuan Lai, specializing in the manufacture of bamboo products. The villagers, both young and old, appear to have “golden hands” and a spirit of initiative. With their skillful hands, they refine tiny bamboo pieces with rudimentary tools, converting them into beautiful and diverse creations.
Lunch at local restaurant.

The afternoon begins with a visit to the ceramic village of Phu Lang, known for its potters and ceramists who still use traditional techniques to shape and polish their products.
On your return, visit the But Thap pagoda, the most beautiful and largest Buddhist temple in all of Vietnam. It is here that you will find some of the most beautiful pieces of wooden sculpture of the XVII century.
Evening transfer to Hanoi train station to board the night train for Lao Cai.
Dinner at leisure. Overnight on board the train in a 4-berth cabin (4 passengers per cabin).

• Day 5 | LAO CAI - BAC HA - SAPA (B, L)

Arrival at Lao Cai train station around 6:00 AM. Breakfast in a local restaurant, then transfer by beautiful mountain road to Bac Ha (2hrs).
Upon arrival, visit the Bac Ha market, a typical market of bright colours, where Flowery H'mong lead the dance.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Walking on to the village of Tay, your itinerary takes you to the village of Thai Giang Pho, home to the Flowery Hmong you previously encountered at the market. You’ll discover the routines of their daily lives while surrounded by village children. Continuing along your route, lookouts abound as you make your way to a rendezvous with a vehicle that will take you to Sapa, arriving late in the day.
Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.

• Day 6 | SAPA VALLEY - LAO CAI - Night train to HANOI (B, L)

Morning departure for a full-day tour of Sapa Valley. First, you’ll pass through the Black H’Mong village of Cat Cat before reaching Y Linh Ho Village, passing through rice paddies surrounded by picturesque landscapes. You’ll continue along the Hoang Lien range, flanked by immense rice fields throughout the Muong Hoa Valley. Return to Sapa in late afternoon and transfer directly to Lao Cai station.
Lunch during the tour. Dinner at leisure. Overnight on board train in a 4-berth cabin (4 passengers per cabin).

• Day 7 | HANOI - NINH BINH (B, L)

Arrive at Hanoi station at around 5:00 am. Settle into Nam Ngu Hotel to freshen up, eat breakfast and relax.
Around 8:30 am, you’ll take the road to Ninh Binh, which includes a section of the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail, lined by mountains and rice fields. You will then enter one of North Vietnam’s most scenic countrysides. Along the way, you’ll stop in a village of ethnic Muong, as well as in the village of Nho Quan, where you’ll enjoy lunch with the locals.

In the early afternoon, take to the road once again to the village of Gia Hung, where a tranquil bike ride (8kms) awaits you along the dike of the Boi River, exploring the delta villages and their inhabitants along the way. Once you arrive at Van Long, you’ll board small row boats for a 1H30 voyage through rice fields and a spectacular backdrop of rocky peaks, canals and lush vegetation.
Settle into hotel late in the day.
Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.

• Day 8 | NINH BINH - HAI PHONG (B, L)

Morning departure towards Hai Phong, stopping en route to visit the Keo Pagoda. Approximately 50 kms from Hai Phong, you’ll stop at the village of Bo Duong, the village of Nhan Hoa. This rural village in the Red River Delta is characterized by its banyans, its covered wells and its rice fields that stretch as far as the eye can see. A (private) puppet show on water takes place in the courtyard of the village town hall.
Lunch with the locals.

In the afternoon, walk or bike through the village before continuing along the road to the large port city of Haiphong. Settle into hotel.
Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.

• Day 9 | HAI PHONG - HALONG - CRUISE (B, L, D)

The morning starts with a visit to Hai Phong. This city offers fewer attractions than a city like Hanoi, but stopping for a few hours will allow you to discover its essentials, most notably the Municipal Theatre of neoclassical colonial inspiration, the Dinh Hang Kenh communal house and the Du Hang Pagoda (also called Phuc Lam Pagoda).
Take the road on towards Halong, where you will arrive in the late morning for immediate embarkation aboard a wooden junk. Settle into your air-conditioned cabin, equipped with a private bathroom.
Lunch is served at the beginning of the cruise.

3,000 karst islands born of the tail of the legendary dragon of the bay shelter houseboat fishing villages that you will encounter. Halong Bay was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
During your afternoon cruise, you’ll explore a vast network of karst mountains, caves, lagoons with ghostly shapes that can be seen from far away. Lose yourself in the discovery of new forms of increasingly tormented rocks by the second. Additionally, a play of light, clouds and mist creates unexpected atmospheres along the way.
Communal seafood dinner in the ship’s dining room. Overnight on board.

• Day 10 | HALONG - HANOI - Flight to HUE (B)

Awake at dawn to light reflecting off of the bay, offering an early morning tranquillity that is second to none. This is a special time for meditation and for taking a morning dip in the bay.
The junk starts slowly towards the pier. The return cruise allows you to discover other parts of the bay, while awakening you to the full extent of its significance.
Reach the pier in the late morning.

Return to Hanoi and direct transfer to the airport for a flight to Hue.
Reception and transfer to the hotel. Meals at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

• Day 11 | Visit to HUE (B)

In the morning, visit the Imperial City, built beginning in 1804 under order of the First Emperor, Gia Long. The site was chosen for its geomantic parameters. The citadel was inspired by Vauban fortifications. It is comprised of three parts, including the Capital City (Kinh Thanh), the Imperial City (Hoang Thanh) and the Forbidden City (Cam Thanh). It was largely destroyed in 1968 during the Vietnam War. Today many endowments are being applied to the restoration and revival of this priceless heritage site.

Afternoon spent visiting the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, one of the most beautiful sites in Hue. It exudes tranquility and is a model of traditional Vietnamese art.
This is also an opportunity to learn about the history of the Nguyen Dynasty and the French colonial invasion. Continue your tour of the Tu Hieu Pagoda, near the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. It also houses a community of monks who remains very active. In the garden, you’ll encounter the graves of royal mandarins. A visit to this pagoda reveals the ongoing importance of monastic life in Hue, which remains the most important Buddhist centre in Vietnam.
Meals at leaisure. Overnight at hotel.

• Day 12 | HUE - DANANG - HOI AN (B, L)

Morning bike ride on a path that winds along the Perfume River to the village of Kim Long. You’ll arrive at a typical Hue garden-house (Tha Om). The home’s owner will tell you about the house, which was built according to the rules of geomancy. Then, accompanied by his wife, they will teach you how to make traditional Hue dishes. The cooking session lasts about 1:30. Lunch will provide an opportunity to taste the dishes prepared by you. The meal will be complemented by other dishes prepared by an on-site culinary team.

In the afternoon, head south along the famous road of cloud collars (Van Hai). This part is the most picturesque of all mandarin roads. It then runs along the Truong Son mountain range, marking the border with Laos. At its peak, it offers spectacular views overlooking Danang Bay to the south, as well as the Northern coast of Hue.
Several stops along the road, including a stop at Lang Co beach, a town occupying a narrow peninsula wedged between the sea and the lagoon.
Arrive in Hoi An at the end of the afternoon and transfer to hotel.
Dinner at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

• Day 13 | HOI AN and its surroundings (B)

Morning devoted to exploring the Hoi An countryside.
Take a local boat across the Thu Bon River, connecting with Kim Bong Village. Your itinerary includes a meeting with the village’s famous carpenter, who will discuss his trade.
Start your bike ride to the nearby town of Duy Vinh, undoubtedly the most beautiful in the Hoi An area, and known for the making of mats. Immerse yourself in the surrounding greenery of the region: rice paddies, corn fields, areca, bamboo, etc.
Upon arrival at the village, your itinerary includes a visit with a local family in order to discover their mat manufacturing techniques.
Next, you’ll tour another part of the village where people earn their living from fishing.
Take the boat back to Hoi An.

In the afternoon, visit the village of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through the streets of the city to explore old Chinese houses, built more than two centuries ago. Other main sites to visit include the Japanese Bridge, Chinese Temple and the House of Tan Ky.
Meals at leaisure. Overnight at hotel.

• Day 14 | HOI AN - DA NANG - Flight to HO-CHI-MINH-CITY (B)

Free morning for your own personal discovery of Hoi An.
Afternoon transfer to Da Nang airport for flight to Hô-Chi-Minh-City. Greeting at the airport and transfer to hotel.
Meals at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

• Day 15 | HO-CHI-MINH-CITY (B)

In the morning, visit the city’s historic sites: the former Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Dong Khoi Street and the Cholon district, particularly the Binh Tay market and Thien Hau Pagoda.

In the afternoon, visit the Fito Museum, Vietnam’s first private museum, which houses numerous documents and literature relating to traditional medicine.
Next, visit the Kim Lien Pagoda, where you will have an opportunity to meet with a Buddhist calligrapher and try your hand at the craft. Upon departure, each visitor will receive a personalized calligraphy.
Meals at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

• Day 16 | HO-CHI-MINH-CITY - CAI BE - Cruise on the Bassac - TRA ON (B, L, D)

Local francophone guide on board.
Depart at 8:30 am from the hotel. Transfer, without guide, by road to Cai Be (140 kms - 3 hours). At noon, you’ll embark on a cruise on the Bassac (an arm of the Mekong) to Cai Be. Following a welcome beverage and presentation of the boat and the crew, you’ll settle into your cabin where you can refresh yourself. As the boat enters the Cho Lach canal, lunch will be served on board. Admire the banks of the canal close up, watch the river traffic…art and life on the river. The bar will be open on the upper deck, where you can sunbathe. Upon arrival on Co Chien, you’ll visit a pottery village on the banks to get a full appreciation of traditional baking techniques. You’ll walk through an abundance of fruit gardens before re-embarking for the Mang Thit River. After a refreshment, enjoy the sun in the latter half of the afternoon on the upper deck, near the bar, awaiting the sunset over the river. Dinner is served on board. The Bassac drops anchor at Tra On for the evening and night.

• Day 17 | TRA ON - CAI RANG Floating Market - CAN THO - Flight to PHU QUOC (B)

Upon waking up, you should be within view of the Tra On Floating Market, where breakfast is served from 6:30 am, before setting off to Can Tho. Upon arrival, you’ll visit the Cai Rang Floating Market and explore the surrounding canals by sampan.

Final landing toward late morning and transfer, without guide, to Can Tho airport for flight to Phu Quoc. Greeting and transfer to hotel without guide.
Free time to enjoy the beach.
Meals at leaisure. Overnight at hotel.

• Days 18 and 19 | PHU QUOC (B)

Free day relaxing on the beach.
Meals at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

• Day 20 | PHU QUOC - HO-CHI-MINH-CITY - DEPART (B)

Free time until transfer, without guide, to Phu Quoc airport for flight to Saigon. Room provided at Star City Hotel to change before taking your flight back home.

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** Fares applying to the on-site itinerary are not subject to applicable GST (TPS) & QST (TVQ). The displayed budget does not include 0.1% FICAV contribution (The Compensation fund for customers of travel agents)

• The land portion budget for this trip includes:

- Accommodations in established categories, or similar, based on availability;
- Meals indicated in the itinerary;
- Local boat ride scheduled in the itinerary;
- Local boat and bike rides included in the itinerary;
- 2 day / 1 night cruise aboard a beautiful privatized / non- privatized junk in Halong Bay;
- 2 day / 1 night cruise aboard the non- privatized vessel Bassac in the Mekong Delta;
- All transfers in private air-conditioned vehicle;
- Superior class train ticket Hanoi / Lao Cai / Hanoi. Air-conditioned cabin with 4 soft sleepers (4 passengers / cabin);
- Entrance fees to attractions;
- Domestic flights;
- Local tour guide services;

• The land portion budget for this trip does not include:

- Travel insurance;
- Vietnam visa fee;
- Tips and personal expenses;
- Drinks and meals noted as “at leisure”;
- Costs of activities or suggested visits not indicated in the itinerary;
- Anything not indicated in the ‘The budget for this trip includes’ section above.

Next departure dates for this travel