Vietnam, From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh

Scents of Vietnam 4^*

Arrival at Hanoi airport. Transfer to your hotel.

Sightseeing suggestions:

• Stroll through the lively old quarter of Hanoi to soak up its unique atmosphere.
• Book a ticket to the theatre to experience water puppetry, a very ancient Vietnamese art.
• Take a cyclo ride to see the city from a different perspective.
• Explore the majestic Temple of Literature, a symbol of Vietnamese knowledge and culture.

Dinner on your own. Overnight stay at a hotel in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Set out on foot with your French-speaking guide to explore the Old Quarter of Hanoi, the true bustling heart of the capital. Stroll through the lively alleys with evocative names, inherited from artisan guilds: jewelers, scarf sellers, cake vendors, and traditional remedy sellers. Explore Hang Be Market, Hang Buom Street, the ancient Bach Ma Temple, cross the gates of the citadel, then meander your way to Dong Xuan Market and Hang Duong Street, famous for its dried sweets.

You will also pass by Cau Dong Temple, Cha Ca Street, and Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street dedicated to traditional medicine before reaching the toy, silk, and famous paper decoration quarters on Hang Ma Street. The walk continues to Saint Joseph Cathedral and Ly Quoc Su Temple, concluding around the serene Hoan Kiem Lake.

During this immersion, taste the must-try dishes of Hanoian cuisine: crispy nems, delicious Banh Cuon, and savory bowl of Bun Thang.

Dinner on your own. Overnight stay at a hotel in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Pick up from your hotel and transfer by minibus to the international port of Halong. Boarding for the cruise.

Sail through the heart of Bai Tu Long Bay, the eastern and less-visited part of Halong Bay. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this more secluded area offers equally spectacular landscapes: karst islets, wild coves, and mysterious caves, all in a more peaceful atmosphere.

Enjoy lunch against this dreamlike backdrop, then set out to explore the surroundings by kayak or take a refreshing swim in the emerald waters.

At the end of the day, admire the sunset over this postcard-worthy landscape before savoring a refined dinner on board. To end the day on a high note, have fun with the board games provided or try your hand at squid fishing under the spotlight, a fun and sociable activity that entertains both young and old.

Overnight stay on board the junk.

Start the day gently with a Tai Chi session at sunrise to awaken your body and fill up with positive energy.

After breakfast, head out to explore the Thien Canh Son Cave nestled in the heart of the karst formations. Upon returning on board, witness a demonstration of Vietnamese cuisine. Between fresh herbs, subtle spices, fragrant rice, and the iconic nuoc mam, delve into the secrets of a cuisine that is both refined and authentic.

Lunch on board.

Transfer to Hanoi airport. Domestic flight from Hanoi to Danang. Transfer to your hotel. Dinner on your own. Night at the hotel in Hoi An.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Embark on a journey to explore Vietnamese cuisine during a friendly cooking class in the heart of the Hoi An delta.

The experience begins with a visit to a local market, where you will discover the fresh ingredients that will compose your menu, before boarding a peaceful island village by boat. Welcomed with a Sinh To, a traditional fruit-based drink, you will meet your hostess and the surrounding rural life. In the family home, you will learn to make rice paper used for the famous nems, as well as prepare several local specialties such as Banh Xeo Hoi An style, marinated pork skewers, green papaya salad, and traditionally cooked fish. The experience concludes with a shared lunch in a warm atmosphere before returning by boat to Hoi An.

Suggestions for late afternoon visits:

• Stroll through Hoi An, a city with timeless charm, where craft shops, Buddhist temples, historic pagodas, traditional houses, and communal houses are intertwined, living witnesses of its rich past.
• Embark on a peaceful boat ride on the Thu Bon River at sunset, letting yourself be mesmerized by the golden reflections on the water and the gentle atmosphere.
• As night falls, wander through the bustling streets bathed in the warm light of colorful lanterns, symbols of prosperity and happiness in the local culture.

Dinner on your own. Overnight stay at the hotel in Hoi An.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Danang Airport. Domestic flight from Danang to Phu Quoc. Transfer to your hotel.

Suggestions for visits:

• Relax on the paradisiacal beaches with fine white sand, lined with coconut trees. Our beach selection includes Sao, Khem, Ong Lang, Mong Tay, and May Rut.
• Dive with a snorkel or scuba gear into the stunning underwater world with colorful fish.
• Stop by pearl farms to discover a unique production and treat yourself to a small souvenir.

Lunch and dinner at your leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Phu Quoc.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Sightseeing suggestions:

• Visit a traditional nuoc mam factory, one of the most popular condiments in Vietnam. Discover an artisanal method that dates back over 200 years, responsible for the unique flavor of this sauce.
• Admire the sunset from Bai Truong Beach or the Dinh Cau Rock, which houses a lighthouse and a Buddhist shrine with a rooftop terrace.

Lunch and dinner at your leisure. Night at the hotel in Phu Quoc.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Sightseeing suggestions:

• Visit a traditional nuoc mam factory, one of the most popular condiments in Vietnam. Discover an artisanal method that dates back over 200 years, responsible for the unique flavor of this sauce.
• Admire the sunset from Bai Truong Beach or the Dinh Cau Rock, which houses a lighthouse and a Buddhist shrine with a rooftop terrace.

Lunch and dinner at your leisure. Night at the hotel in Phu Quoc.

Breakfast at the hotel. Relaxation and exploration.

Lunch and dinner are on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Phu Quoc.

Breakfast at the hotel followed by transfer to Phu Quoc Airport. Domestic flight from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh. Transfer to your hotel.

Sightseeing suggestions:

• Stroll along the pedestrian street Nguyen Hue, bustling with street performances and lined with trendy cafes.
• Immerse yourself in the liveliness of Cho Lon, the city's Chinese district, once famous for its opium dens.
• Take a cultural break by visiting one of the city's many museums, such as the Ao Dai Museum or the Traditional Medicine Museum.
• Experience the tranquility of temples by visiting Giac Lam, the oldest pagoda in Ho Chi Minh, or be dazzled by the vibrant colors of Phuoc An Hoi Quan.

Lunch and dinner at your leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Accompanied by your French-speaking guide, embark on a half-day exploration of the city, once known as the "Pearl of the Orient". You will admire the impressive colonial-era landmarks such as the City Hall, the Opera House, the 19th-century Notre Dame Cathedral, the beautiful Central Post Office, and the Reunification Palace set against the backdrop of modern skyscrapers.

The tour concludes at the Ben Thanh Market, dating back to 1870, with its main clock tower becoming a symbol of the city. You will stop at various market stalls to sample Vietnamese specialties and engage in shopping.

Dinner at your leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Breakfast at the hotel, then, depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN).

FORMALITIES

For those booking the ‘hotel only’ package (without international flights), please provide us with your flight details as soon as possible via the contact form located in ‘Help and Contact’ at the bottom of the page, so that we can arrange your transfers.

ACCOMMODATION

• Your itinerary may be subject to change depending on local conditions (the order of stops may be modified). Also, for technical reasons, hotels or cruise ships may be replaced by accommodation of the same category.
• Check-in is usually in the early afternoon (2 p.m.).
• Check-out is usually in the morning (11 a.m.).
• The accommodation included in this trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
• Type of bedding in hotels: One double bed or two single beds are included, depending on availability. Any specific requests regarding the type of bedding are subject to availability and may incur an additional charge.
• Type of cabin during the Halong Bay cruise: Cabins are equipped with one double bed or two single beds, a private shower room and air conditioning.

MEALS

• Meals as indicated in the programme, excluding drinks.
  If, due to schedules imposed by airlines, the first and last days are shortened by a late arrival or early departure, no refunds will be given for meals.
• Depending on the schedules of optional excursions, meals that cannot be taken at the hotel are at the guests' expense.

TRANSFERS

• Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will be waiting for passengers with a sign bearing their names.
• Domestic flights are operated by Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, JetStar or similar. One piece of hand luggage plus one piece of checked luggage weighing 20kg per person is included.

INCLUDED VISITS

• The order and schedule of visits may be modified depending on availability, depending on the day of arrival.
• Excursions may be modified or cancelled depending on the situation on site (health reasons, lack of participants, weather, etc.).
• Depending on the schedule of optional excursions, meals that cannot be taken at the hotel are at the guests' expense.

GUIDING

For the guided tours and excursions mentioned in the programme, you will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide.