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Faces & Colors of Vietnamese Land
Highlights of tour:
Discover Vietnam in beauty and live freely in our private lodge in the heart of the Natural Reserve of Pu Luong; go through Halong Bay land before enjoy a cruise of 3 days and 2 nights on the legendary sea Bay; discover the sights in the center of the country of the Dragon and then browse the Cai Be floating market; Terminate by exploring the wild dunes of Mui Ne and its cultural activities; marvel cope with this diversity that Vietnam has to offer.
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (D)
Welcome to Vietnam, arrival at Hanoi airport, after immigration and customs formalities, you’ll meet your personal guide and driver then transfer into the city. Upon arrival, check-in to hotel. Stay overnight in your hotel situated in the heart of old quarter.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B,L,D)
After breakfast, we start to visit the capital: Tran Quoc Pagoda, Temple of Literature and Ethnography museum. Have lunch at local restaurant; walk to discover a complex of the Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple (Jade mountain Temple), But Tower (Pen – shaped tower), Dai Nghien (Ink Stand), the Red – painted wooden The Huc Bridge…. A cyclo (rickshaw) trip around with 36 streets of Hanoi ancient town gives you a chance to explore the different local way of life. Free at own leisure before dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Hanoi – ancient village Duong Lam – Mai Chau (B,L,D)
This morning, we drive to the west of Hanoi (about 60km) to the destination of Duong Lam, a typical rural village of the North, where were born 2 kings in Chinese invasion period (8th and 9th century). On arrival, we will be welcomed by hosts and lunch with them. In the afternoon, we bike to visit Phung Hung king temple; Ngo Quyen king temple, Mia Pagoda and some old houses dating back up to 400 years. These houses were built by 2 main materials: Laterite and mud. We leave Viet land to drive to Mai Chau, charming land of Thai minority. Dinner with traditional dance show and taste “ruou can”, local specialty rice alcohol. Stay overnight on the stilt house of a white Thai family.
Day 4: Mai Chau – Ban Hieu (B,L,D)
This morning, walking and visiting some minority villages: Ban Lac and Ban Van, we discover the daily life of the villagers. After lunch, we will drive toward Ban Hieu village, located in the heart of Pu Luong nature reserve. Stay overnight in our lodge. (Request our personnal brochure)
Day 5: Ban Hieu (B,L,D)
Many activities are possible all around « Les Bains de Hieu » as swimming in Waterfalls, walking, biking, trekking, and fishing… Two horses are also available for your own pleasure to explore the surrounding of this enchanting place. Stay overnight in our lodge. (Request our personnal brochure)
Day 6: Ban Hieu – Ninh Binh (B,L,D)
After breakfast, we leave our Lodges from Ban Hieu village to go to Ninh Binh. Stop at Van Long for lunch then cruise about 3hrs along Hoang Long River, admire beautiful limestone formation, rice paddies. We visit also the floating village Kenh Ga and a hot mineral springs (natural streams). Stay overnight in Ninh Binh.
Day 7: Ninh Binh-Ha Long (B,L,D)
After breakfast, you’ll be driven to famous and magnificent Ha Long Bay. Here you’ll board a charming Junk, having lunch while cruising in the magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay. Sail to Cap La where you can do sunbathe, relax, kayaking or swim. Have dinner and stay overnight on board.
Note: The cabins on board are comfortable, clean, air-conditioned, and outfitted with their own and hot shower. This is a join-in cruise (possibility to book a private junk).
Day 8: Ha Long (B,L,D)
Enjoy the bay’s morning landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast in the open air. Cruise to Cong Dam while appreciating the rock formations of Halong Bay. Kayak through hidden lagoons and Cong Dam geological park. Sunbathe, relax or swim at Tra Gioi Beach. Lunch is followed by relaxation on this deserted beach. Visit Cong Dam Fishing Village by a rustic rowing boat, meat the local people and pass through the lagoons. Cruise back to Cong Do for swimming or kayaking. Have dinner and stay overnight on board.
Day 9: Ha Long – Hanoi – Hue (B,L,D)
Enjoy the fresh air and gentle breezes of the bay in the morning while having breakfast on board. Visit Thien Canh Son Cave followed by swimming. Cruise towards the harbor while an a la carte lunch is served. Return to the harbor. Disembark and come back to Hanoi. Transfer to the airport, flight to Hue. On arrival, welcome by our local guide, transfer to the hotel. Stay overnight in Hue.
Day 10:Hue (B,L,D)
In the morning, you will take a boat trip on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda. Then visit the elaborate tombs of Emperor Tu Duc & Khai Dinh. Have lunch on boat. Afternoon, we visit the majestic Imperial Citadel of Hu then finish the day by a visit of Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue.
Day 11: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An (B,L,D)
Drive up to Hoi An via scenic Hai Van Pass, where we enjoy the spectacular panorama of the central coastline from the summit. Stop at Lang Co to stretch your legs and enjoy the white sands of this peaceful beach. Arrival at the ancient town of Hoi An. Afternoon, explore the old port town’s narrow cobblestone streets and visit historic sites including a traditional Chinese trading house, Phuc Kien Pagoda and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 12: Hoi An – Tra Que – My Son (B,L,D)
Morning, bicycle to Tra Que village, a charming little village on the edge of Hoi An, famous of its herbs and vegetables. This trip brings you an experience the farming life of the Vietnamese in a non-commercialized way. On arrival, you will join with farmers in preparing land and assist them to do some rural activities such as: raking, sowing, and watering greens, picking greens and many more gardening activities. Cooking class with hosts and taste your lunch prepared by yourself. Then we drive to My Son sanctuary and visit this set of ruins from the ancient Cham Empire, build between 4th and 14th centuries AD. My Son is recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Site in 1999. Return to Hoi An by boat cruise on Thu Bon River. Stay overnight in Hoi An.
Day 13: Hoi An – Cham Island (B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel then take the speedboat to Cham Island, UNESCO biosphere reserve. After a trip of 30 min, we arrive on this island. You use the time to do snorkeling or diving on some beautiful corals. The island is rich in aquatic resources, with 165 hectares of coral and 500 hectares of seaweeds. A delicious seafood lunch will be served on the island. After lunch, we walk to visit a traditional fishing village of Bai Lang. Return to Hoi an end of afternoon. Stay overnight in Hoi An.
Day 14: Hoi An- Da Nang-Saigon (B,L,D)
Morning, you’ll be transferred to Da Nang airport for your flight to Sai Gon, then directly driven at your hotel. After lunch, you will begin your exploration of Sai Gon, the economic powerhouse of Vietnam. You will visit the Reunification Hall and the former US Embassy. Historically, both buildings symbolize the deep scars of this war-torn country. You also have the chance to see the War Remnant Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral and general post office which was reportedly designed Gustave Eiffel. Walk amongst the frenzied merchants and buyers of Cho Lon market and visit Thien Hau Pagoda. Have dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Sai Gon.
Day 15: Saigon-Cai Be- Can Tho (B,L,D)
Morning we drive up to Cai Be. On arrival, take a boat trip around the famous Cai Be Floating Market and visit local cottages making rice paper, pop-corn. We cruise across the Mekong River and through the small canals to see the real daily life of the local people. Stop at a bonsai and fruit garden for lunch. Continue the boat trip to Vinh Long. Disembark and drive to Can Tho, biggest city of Mekong region. Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 16: Can Tho – Saigon (B,L,D)
Breakfast at the hotel; visit the Cai Rang floating market. From the early morning, the waterway becomes a maze of hundreds of boats packed with fruits, vegetables, plants, foods, etc… Sellers hang a sample of what they have from the top of a long pole so that buyers can see from a distance what they are selling. Before back to Sai Gon, drive to Sa Dec, little charming town of Marguerite Duraz, famous French novel writer. Visit of colonial old houses and the covered market then the primary school of Marguerite Duraz. Overnight in Sai Gon.
Day 17: Saigon – Mui Ne (B)
Morning, we drive from Saigon to Mui Ne (5 hours), upon arrival, check in to hotel. Free at own leisure for relaxing and swimming. Stay overnight at hotel in Mui Ne. (Request our personnal brochure)
Day 18 + 19: Mui Ne (B)
Free at own leisure at Mui Ne (suggested activities: motorbike or jeep for visiting sand dunes, fishing village, fish market, fish sauce factory or Cham towers…). Stay overnight in Mui Ne. (Request our personnal brochure)
Day 20: Mui Ne – Saigon Departure (B)
Free time until a suitable hour, you will meet the driver then he will accompany you to Saigon.
