Cultural hiking in Vietnam, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
In summary
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Sports
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Duration9 days
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LevelBeginner
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DestinationVietnam / Hanoi
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AgeFrom 12 - 70 years
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CO₂-Emissions309.59 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
An immersive journey to the heart of Vietnam , combining cultural discoveries and breathtaking landscapes. The trip begins in Hanoi , where you'll explore the capital's must-see sites. Next, head to the legendary Ha Long Bay , famous for its limestone karsts rising from the sea, before strolling through the narrow streets of Hoi An , a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Asian and European architectural influences blend seamlessly. The journey continues with a crossing of the spectacular Hai Van Pass , offering stunning panoramic views, to Hue , the former imperial city. There, a cruise on the Perfume River , a cyclo ride , and a meal with a local family provide opportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture in a responsible way. The trip concludes with a poignant visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels , witnesses to the country's contemporary history.
Departures are guaranteed from two travelers , every Tuesday , accompanied by a French or English speaking guide , for an experience that is both enriching and seamless.
The highlights
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A complete tour including all the classic sights of Vietnam
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Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 2 passengers
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Best value for money
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 2h
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Canoeing / Kayaking
- Average duration/day: 0h30
- Majority river class : Class 1 - calm river
Road bike
- Average duration/day: 1h
- Predominant type of terrain : Road
Management
French
Program
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Hanoi - Arrival
- Transportation Car - 14h - 30km
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
You will be met at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport by our guide, then transferred to the hotel. Check-in from 2 PM.
Free day, meals (lunch and dinner) are at your own expense.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Hanoi.
Day 1 -
Hanoi - City Tour
- Transportation Car - 08h30 - 30km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning: visit the exterior of Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and his residence, where he lived from 1958 to 1969, then on to the famous One Pillar Pagoda and the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays).
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, followed by the Ngoc Son temple and Hoan Kiem Lake.
Finally, take a stroll through Hanoi's Old Quarter, including the Street of 36 Guilds, before stopping at a local cafe for a local refreshment or a glass of "Bia Hoi," the freshly brewed local beer.
Return to the hotel. Dinner at your own expense.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Hanoi
Day 2 -
Hanoi - Ha Long
- Transportation Car - 08h30 - 148km
- Activity Canoeing / Kayaking
- Duration of the activity 0h30
- Majority river class Class 1 - calm river
- Accommodation Motor cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Breakfast at the hotel.
Depart for Halong Bay (approximately 130km, 2.5 hours transfer by road) for an overnight cruise. Discover this bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exceptional natural beauty. Known in Vietnamese as the "Dragon Descending to the Sea," the bay comprises over 3,000 limestone islets rising from emerald waters. Many of these islets harbor stunning caves. Board the junk around midday, where lunch will be served. This fantastic Halong Bay cruise will take you to visit some of the islands and caves.
Some activities available: swimming, kayaking (optional), cooking demonstration, squid fishing.
Dinner and overnight stay on board the junk.
Day 3 -
Ha Long - Hanoi - Da Nang - Hoi An
- Transportation Car - 11h - 199km
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Breakfast on board the junk.
We continue the cruise through the magical Ha Long Bay until we dock at noon and then travel to Hanoi International Airport via the new highway (130km-2.5h transfer) for the flight to Da Nang.
Lunch and dinner are available. (Dinner at your own expense)
Overnight stay in a hotel in Hoi An
Day 4 -
Hoi An
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Breakfast at the hotel.
This was once a prosperous port city during the 16th to 18th centuries. Its large community of foreign merchants gave rise to a unique architectural style with Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences.
Visit the Phuc Kien assembly hall, the Japanese covered bridge, the ancient house of Tan Ky, and a silk workshop.
Lunch at a local restaurant,
Free afternoon. Dinner at your own expense.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Hoi An
Day 5 -
Hoi An - Hue
- Transportation Car - 08h30 - 146km
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Breakfast at the hotel.
Then transfer to Hue via the Hai Van Pass, also known as the "Pass of Clouds" (weather permitting). En route, visit the Marble Mountains.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel and the Dong Ba market. Dinner at your own expense.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Hue
Day 6 -
Hue - Ho Chi Minh
- Transportation Car - 08h30 - 47km
- Activity Road bike
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Predominant type of terrain Road
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Breakfast at the hotel.
Boat trip on the Perfume River with a visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest architectural structures dedicated to religion in Hue. Then, the tomb of Tu Duc.
We then embark on a short bike ride to an ancient village near Hue to immerse ourselves in the lush greenery of this "garden city." You will be welcomed into a traditional garden house where your host family will not only share their way of life and traditions with you, but will also invite you to enjoy an authentic home-cooked meal made with ingredients from their garden. Afterward, you can enjoy a relaxing foot bath using herbs from their garden. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, welcome by our guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Dinner at your own expense and overnight stay at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 7 -
Ho Chi Minh
- Transportation Car - 08h30 - 7km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Breakfast at the hotel.
This morning, we'll visit the War Remnants Museum and the Central Post Office, followed by photo stops at the Reunification Palace (former Presidential Palace, exterior). Enjoy free time at Ben Thanh Market for souvenir shopping, or join our guide for a stroll through the antique shops or Yersin Market, famous for its replicas of wartime artifacts.
Free afternoon.
Lunch and dinner at your own expense and overnight stay at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
No visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral as it is under renovation.
Day 8 -
Ho Chi Minh City - Departure
- Transportation Car - 08h30 - 6km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free time until transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for departure flight.
Day 9
Note
- Day 3: Group travel, English-speaking guide from the crew on board (no French-speaking guide on board).
- Cruise activity schedules may vary slightly. The itinerary and program are subject to change depending on weather conditions.
- Day 4: Scheduled flight for group transfer is Hanoi (approximately 4:30 PM or 5:00 PM) - subject to schedule changes and availability. If clients take a different flight, there will be an additional charge for transfers from the local restaurant on the Halong road to Hanoi Airport and from Da Nang Airport to the hotel in Hoi An (see separate price).
- Day 7: Scheduled flight for group transfer is Hue Airport (approx. 5:00 PM) - subject to schedule changes and availability. If clients take a different flight, there will be an additional charge for transfers from the hotel in Hue to Hanoi Airport and from the airport to the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City (see separate price).
Accommodation
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Tours and transfers with services of a licensed local French-speaking guide;
- Accommodation in a semi-twin/double room;
- Meals as mentioned in the program (standard set menu);
- Transportation for tours and transfers in air-conditioned vehicles, unless otherwise stated;
- All entrance fees for the visits mentioned in the program;
- All applicable taxes and service charges;
- Domestic flights Hanoi-Hue & Danang-Saigon (economy class);
- Water bottle refilled during the tour.
The price does not include
- Personal expenses such as other meals, drinks, tips, purchases, porter fees and optional visits, unless otherwise stated;
- Visa arrangement;
- Accommodation at the departure destination;
- All domestic/international flight tickets, airport taxes, visa fees, specific camera/video fees, additional transportation fees to and from general pick-up/drop-off areas (such as airports, out-of-town resorts, ports, and accommodation in surrounding towns);
- All personal accommodation costs. This includes meals and drinks (including mandatory festive meals), mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, telephone charges or other communication charges not mentioned in the program;
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
