In-depth exploration of Vietnam

Departure directly to the Muong Lo basin, where the town of Nghia Lo is located.

National Route 32 will take you to the provinces of Ha Tay, Phu Tho, and Yen Bai. After lunch at a local restaurant in Thu Cuc , a region known for its tea cultivation, you will meet Mr. Tung's family to discover several varieties of Vietnamese tea . You will pick and dry the young tea leaves yourself using traditional methods.

Then we travel to Muong Lo – the second rice-growing region in Northwest Vietnam, and the capital of the Thai ethnic group . Here, for 700 years, the Thai have cultivated irrigated rice and built their traditional houses from ironwood (iroko) and bamboo. A short , easy 2-hour hike allows us to discover the culture and daily life of the Thai people. Overnight stay with a local family.

After breakfast, you will leave Mr. Binh's family and travel to Tu Le , a small town on Route 32. Tu Le is known for its sticky rice, beautiful Thai women, and authentic villages. We will stop at the entrance to the village for a walk through a magnificent valley. You will pass through the villages of Pha Tren, Pha Duoi, Lim Thai, Lim Mong, and Trong Sua to discover the daily life of the local people. The Black Hmong and Thai people in traditional dress will welcome you with open arms. Enjoy a picnic lunch in nature or at a local home. On the way back to Tu Le, we will stop at Khau Pha Pass to admire some of the most beautiful terraced rice paddies in Southeast Asia. Overnight in a local guesthouse.

After breakfast, you will continue along the mountain range to reach Mu Cang Chai, the capital of Vietnam's terraced rice paddies. After crossing the Khau Pha Pass (Heavenly Horn) at 1550m, you will enter the La Pan Tan region where you will meet the villages of the H'Mong ethnic group. Having lived on this land for over a century, the H'Mong are deeply attached to their culture. Dressed in their traditional clothing and speaking their own dialect, they have acquired skills that allow them to live in complete self-sufficiency. Everything is entirely produced by this ancient people, such as corn, rice, and the flax used to sew their clothes. The trek will begin in the village of Mi Hang Tau, at an altitude of 1300m. A magnificent trail along the mountainside will lead you to the heart of La Pan Tan village, where you will discover H'Mong culture by meeting the villagers. After a picnic lunch in nature or in a charming local bistro, a lovely track will take you to Cau Ba Nha for a short transfer by car to the small town of Mu Cang Chai.

Overnight stay with a local family in a traditional stilt house in the village of Kim Noi.

After breakfast at your homestay, depart for Sapa . You will continue along the Hoang Lien Son mountain range with its highest peaks, villages nestled in nature, and ethnic minorities. The road will pass through small towns such as Than Uyen and Tan Uyen, where tea cultivation is very important. After a two-hour drive, the road will climb to the O Quy Ho Pass , the highest in Vietnam (2047m). Stop at the pass to enjoy the cool air and admire Mount Fanxipan (3143m), also known as the "Roof of Indochina." Arrive in Sapa around noon. You will enjoy a wonderful walk through the villages of Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, and Ta Van to discover the daily life of the H'Mong, Dzao, and Dzay people. Overnight at a homestay in Ta Van.

After breakfast at our local's home, our walk continues towards the village of Giang Ta Chai , inhabited by the Red Yao ethnic group, where 30% of the population is Catholic. There's even a small church in the middle of the village. We'll visit Yao houses, where we'll hear the legendary history of this Man/Yao ethnic group, originally from China, who settled in Northern Vietnam 300 years ago, as well as learn about their traditional customs.

After lunch, we set off by road for Bac Ha , via Lao Cai, where we catch a glimpse of the "Bridge of Beauty" (Cau Kieu), which marks the border between Vietnam and China at the confluence of the Red River and the Nam Khe River. The Bac Ha region is inhabited by the Tay, Flower H'mong, Nung, and Phu La peoples. The Tay and Nung, whose languages ​​are related to Thai, are the dominant ethnic group in the northern part of Vietnam, while the Phu La speak a Tibeto-Burman language.

Arriving in Bac Ha, we then set off on foot towards the village of Na Lo, inhabited by the Flower H'mong ethnic group .

We set off early by road (25km) towards Can Cau , a village located very close to the Chinese border to visit this large multi-ethnic Saturday market which brings together the main ethnic groups of the region, and more particularly the Flower H'mong, with the particularly colorful clothing of the women.

Then, return by vehicle to Thai Giang Pho for a short hike (approximately 3 hours) to the village of Thai Giang Pho, Nam Tho and Na Lo amidst plum and peach orchards, to meet the H'mong Fleur ethnic group.

Overnight stay with a local family in Bac Ha.

Early in the morning, we encountered many Flower H'mong women with their pigs, chickens, and baskets on the road, heading to the large Sunday market in Bac Ha , the most important in the region. Free time to visit the Bac Ha market for two hours.

Then, a 6-hour drive to Hanoi. Late arrival in Hanoi. Overnight stay in a hotel.

Departure towards Hoa Lu , located 100 km southeast of Hanoi. Hoa Lu is one of the ancient capitals of Vietnam, dating back to the 10th century. This site is also known as the "Halong Bay on land" and was made famous by scenes from the film "Indochine" which were filmed there. Visit the two temples of Hoa Lu, dating from the 17th century and dedicated to the ancient kings Dinh and Le. These temples are surrounded by beautiful green gardens, ponds with lotus blossoms, and frangipani trees releasing a delicate fragrance.

Then you'll set off on a bicycle ride to the Bich Dong pagodas, built into the hillside. After lunch, a bamboo boat will be waiting for you for an unforgettable two-hour trip through a magnificent and enchanting natural landscape. You'll pass through the three Tam Coc caves that pierce the mountains—a truly sublime and relaxing spectacle. Overnight stay at a hotel in Tam Coc.

Breakfast and transfer to Phat Diem (30km from Ninh Binh). What could be more pleasant and delightful than exploring independently in a region dotted with villages, local markets, churches, and endless rice paddies? On the horizon rise mountains with magnificent shapes…

Upon arrival, we visited Phat Diem Cathedral, built in 1891. Its syncretic architecture is unique in its blend of Catholic art and the construction of traditional Vietnamese communal houses (Dinh). We then traveled to Hai Hau district, known for its bonsai cultivation. We crossed the rivers on a local ferry, which was one of the more interesting experiences. We also met with Mr. Phi's family .

In the afternoon, you'll set off by bicycle to discover fruit orchards, bonsai trees, Catholic churches, the local market, and above all, daily life in the Vietnamese countryside. Before night falls on the rice paddies, you'll return to the family home and participate in preparing dinner with the grandmother. Dinner and overnight stay with a local family.

After breakfast at a local's home, we depart for Lan Ha Bay , the smaller sister of Halong Bay. Upon arrival at Ben Beo pier, we board a traditional junk. Our journey begins amidst countless karst formations. The boat soon reaches a floating village where the main activity is seafood farming. We then continue sailing to the small beach of Van Boi. Lunch is served on board, followed by free time for swimming. The water is warm and a beautiful emerald color; you can walk to the beach and sunbathe. The sundeck is also available for relaxing or taking a nap. In the afternoon, the junk takes us further into the bay, towards Hang Ca or Dau Be Cave, for a kayaking excursion. By sea , another way to discover the area. In the late afternoon, the junk returns to the middle of the bay so we can admire the sunset. We drop anchor for the night. Dinner and overnight on board.

An early start to enjoy the sunrise over the bay. During breakfast, the junk resumes its journey through Lan Ha Bay, getting as close as possible to the most beautiful peaks and rocks. We dock at Viet Hai , a small, secluded fishing village in the bay. We explore the village by bicycle , where there are almost no roads. Back on our junk, we enjoy a refreshing shower before brunch. The junk sails peacefully back to Ben Beo port, where our vehicle for Hanoi awaits.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Hanoi.

Hanoi, the capital of present-day Vietnam, whose name means "this side of the river" in Vietnamese, was founded in 1010 on the right bank of the Red River. It was then called Thang Long, meaning "rising dragon," as the country emerged from 1000 years of Chinese rule, from 111 BC until 939 AD.

A day exploring Vietnam's capital, a city imbued with timeless grace. We begin with the Little Lake, also known as the "Lake of the Sword Returned by the Giant Turtle." Then we visit the Temple of Literature , the Tran Quoc Pagoda , and the Quan Thanh Temple.

Afternoon visit to the Museum of Ethnography , built in partnership with the Museum of Man in Paris, which allows us to relive the discoveries and encounters of past days.

In the evening, transfer to the train station for departure on the night train to Hue . Overnight stay in a comfortable, air-conditioned sleeper car (4 berths per compartment).

Upon arrival at Hue train station, you will be met by your driver and guide and transferred to a local restaurant for breakfast. Afterwards, you will depart for a boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of the Celestial Lady). There, you will discover the lives of the fishermen who live on the river. Return to the boat and continue your excursion to Thuy Bieu village, where you will participate in a cooking class. Lunch will consist of the dishes you have prepared yourself.

A two-hour bike ride through the village will allow you to discover the daily life of the locals. Afterwards, a foot bath with medicinal herbs and a short massage will be offered to relieve travel fatigue by stimulating specific points on the soles of your feet. Then, departure for a visit to the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and the villages where hats and incense are made. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, depart with our French-speaking guide to explore the ancient capital. Visit the Imperial City , the only surviving example of an imperial city in Vietnam. Enjoy a gastronomic tour by cyclo-rickshaw to sample Hue's specialties.

Remaining free time. Overnight stay at the hotel.

In the morning, we head south and reach the Lang Co peninsula, then we cross the Cloud Pass (496 m) which leads us to Danang.

Visit to the Cham Civilization Museum in Da Nang. This people occupied all of central and southern Vietnam from the ^3rd to the ^15th centuries, before being pushed back and absorbed by the Vietnamese. They were one of the main enemies of the Khmer Empire of Angkor and were Hindu.

Next, visit the Cham site of My Son, a collection of ruined temples and shrines built in a basin about 60 km from Da Nang. My Son, which was the religious capital of the Cham kingdom from the 5th ^to the 13th ^centuries , offers a new glimpse into the glorious history of this little-known Malayo-Polynesian civilization. The My Son site suffered from war and American bombing, and the surrounding vegetation is struggling to recover from defoliants.

We continued our journey to Hoi An, a once bustling port formerly known as Faifo, where Chinese and Japanese merchants had their quarters and Portuguese and Dutch traders came to do business. This port was very active before the Thu Bon River silted up and Da Nang took over. Hoi An is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Hoi An.

Some free time in Hoi An before the transfer to Danang airport for the flight to Saigon .

Welcome by the local guide and transfer to the hotel. Saigon is undoubtedly the economic capital of Vietnam, but its history is much shorter than that of Hanoi due to the late settlement of the Vietnamese in this region.

Visit this great metropolis with striking contrasts, including the Cholon market and its Chinese temples with incense spirals, as well as the Central Post Office built by Gustave Eiffel and the cathedral.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Saigon.

You will leave Saigon, the Pearl of the Far East, to discover another side of Vietnam – the Mekong Delta. After a two-hour drive on a highway, you will finally arrive in the city of Ben Tre , the coconut capital of the delta. A short transfer by local boat will take you along small canals to observe daily life in the delta: fishing, transporting goods by boat, and more. You will visit a coconut candy factory, and, more spectacularly, a brickyard where Mekong clay is transformed and fired in its imposing kilns. A short ride in a tuk-tuk (a motorized tricycle that can carry up to six passengers) will allow you to explore the verdant countryside and observe the peaceful lives of the villagers. A delicious lunch awaits you at a small local restaurant on the banks of one of the Mekong's tributaries, featuring typical and excellent dishes.

The afternoon will be devoted to an excursion in a small rowboat , which will take you through a maze of canals surrounded by two rows of water palms. Overnight at the hotel.

Early in the morning, you'll take a boat to explore the Cai Rang floating market , the largest and most vibrant in the Mekong Delta. Then, enjoy a scenic bike ride through the Vam Xang region, renowned for its many varieties of fruit trees. Meet with villagers to gain a deeper understanding of their daily lives. Continue to Saigon. Overnight at the hotel.

Complete free time in Saigon before the transfer to the airport for your return flights to Paris. The hotel room is available until noon.