Vietnam, between traditions and nature
In summary
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Sports
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Duration10 days
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LevelAll levels
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DestinationVietnam / Hanoi
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions521.59 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
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Languages
French
In a few words
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Vietnam, from the vibrant capital Hanoi to the enchanting landscapes of Bai Tu Long Bay, from the spectacular rice paddies of Ninh Binh to the historical and cultural treasures of Hue and Hoi An, all the way to the dynamic Ho Chi Minh City.
Between junk cruises, bike rides through rice paddies, visits to temples and pagodas, immersion in local markets and imperial heritage, this trip combines culture, nature, and authentic experiences. Each stage is carefully organized with private transportation, French-speaking guides, and comfortable accommodations, allowing you to discover Vietnam at your own pace while enjoying optimal comfort.
A condensed experience of discoveries, emotions and encounters for a complete and memorable Vietnamese experience.
The highlights
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Exclusive cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay
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Bike ride through the heart of the rice paddies
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Stay in Hoi An
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
Management
Program
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Hanoi
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Upon your arrival at Hanoi airport, your private driver will take you directly to the city center, where the vibrant energy of the Vietnamese capital will immerse you in its unique atmosphere.
Settle into the charming La Siesta Classic Hotel in the heart of the Old Quarter before embarking on an approximately one-hour cyclo-rickshaw ride through the bustling alleyways, discovering lakes, pagodas, and local markets. A perfect first immersion to feel the cultural and historical pulse of Hanoi upon your arrival.
Day 1 -
Hanoi: Vietnamese culture and traditions
- Transportation Car - 01h - 40km
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Accompanied by your private driver, set off to discover the cultural treasures of Hanoi.
Begin at Phu Tay Ho Temple, a local pilgrimage site offering breathtaking views of West Lake, then immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of Buoi Market, a typical Vietnamese flower and plant market. Continue with the Temple of Literature, a former university and jewel of royal architecture, before ending the day with a water puppet show, a living tradition that will allow you to experience the very soul of the Red River Delta.
Overnight stay at the Hotel La Siesta Classic, in the heart of the old quarter, for total immersion
Day 2 -
Ha Long: a cruise through a picture-postcard landscape
- Transportation Car - 02h - 177km
- Accommodation Motor cruise ship
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Depart from Hanoi by private car to reach Bai Tu Long Bay, a jewel less frequented than the famous Ha Long Bay but just as spectacular.
Embark on the Swan junk for an unforgettable cruise: welcome cocktail, lunch on board, and relaxation on the turquoise waters. In the afternoon, explore the bay by kayak or enjoy a peaceful swim surrounded by majestic karst formations and authentic fishing villages. End the day with dinner on board, lulled by the shimmering waters.
Spend the night on the Swan junk, in the heart of this UNESCO-listed site, for a total immersion in the natural beauty and biodiversity of the bay.
Day 3 -
Bai Tu Long → Ninh Binh: between the emerald sea and an inland bay
- Transportation Car - 03h30 - 207km
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Wake up gently to the sunrise over the bay with a Tai Chi lesson on the deck of your Swan junk, a moment suspended in time amidst the magic of the limestone karsts. After a Vietnamese breakfast, set off to explore the spectacular Thien Canh Son cave, hidden in the protected area of Cong Do. This pristine natural gem reveals a mesmerizing display of stalactites and light.
Back on board, participate in a Vietnamese cooking workshop and discover the secrets of local flavors before enjoying your lunch while admiring the last magnificent panoramas of the bay.
Around midday, it's time to say goodbye to the sea: you disembark at Hon Gai pier and take a private car to Ninh Binh, nicknamed the "Ha Long Bay on land." You drive through bucolic landscapes of rice paddies, mountains, and typical small villages before arriving at your hotel, Nam Hoa, a simple yet welcoming establishment ideally located in Tam Coc.
Day 4 -
Ninh Binh: between caves, rice paddies and local traditions
- Transportation TGV - 13h - 573km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
This day trip to Tam Coc, a jewel of the inland Ha Long Bay, is a true immersion into the heart of rural Vietnam. After breakfast, board a small rowboat for a peaceful ride on the Ngo Dong River. You will glide between impressive limestone karsts and pass through three natural caves carved into the rock, a breathtakingly beautiful setting.
Continue your cycling adventure through vibrant rice paddies, where the tender green of the fields blends with the golden reflections of the water. You'll pass through typical hamlets, encounter locals going about their daily lives, and discover the simplicity of an authentic way of life.
The walk then takes you to the Bich Dong Pagoda, nestled on the mountainside. This spiritual place, composed of three superimposed sanctuaries, offers a magnificent panorama of the valley and the surrounding karst peaks, a moment of peace and pure beauty.
At the end of the day, your driver will take you to Ninh Binh train station, where you will board the overnight train to Hue. A truly Vietnamese experience that will allow you to travel across the country like a local, at the pace of the rails.
Day 5 -
Hue: Imperial Splendor and Serenity
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Upon arrival at the station, your private driver will take you for a local breakfast, before beginning your tour of the Imperial City, a jewel of UNESCO World Heritage.
Explore the Flag Tower, the Noon Gate, the Palace of Supreme Harmony and the mysterious Forbidden Purple City, symbol of the Nguyen dynasty.
In the afternoon, embark on a traditional sampan for a cruise on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, a historic Buddhist sanctuary. Conclude your visit with a tour of the Tu Duc Tomb, a masterpiece blending architecture and nature.
Accommodation at the Jade Scene Hotel, offering comfort, swimming pool and peaceful setting.
Day 6 -
Hue: Immersion in the heart of the Vietnamese countryside
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Accompanied by your private driver and a French-speaking guide, explore the village of La Chu, renowned for its vegetable gardens and ancient temples. Cycle through rice paddies, past lotus ponds, vegetable fields, and banana groves, admiring the typical landscapes and the mountains in the background. Meet the villagers, observe their daily lives, and discover traditional crafts, such as paper votive offerings.
You'll also visit the local market, where spices, vegetables, and fresh fruits mingle, and participate in the preparation of Banh Loc, a traditional Vietnamese cake, before enjoying a family lunch amidst the rice paddies. The day ends with a relaxing soak in a warm herbal bath, perfect for savoring the beauty and serenity of the Vietnamese countryside.
An authentic experience, blending culture, gastronomy and local encounters in an idyllic and peaceful setting.
Day 7 -
From Hue to Hoi An, between sea and mountains
- Transportation Car - 02h40 - 128km
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
An unforgettable day awaits you between sea and mountains! Leave Hue and travel to Hoi An via the legendary Hai Van Pass (Pass of Clouds), considered one of the most beautiful roads in Asia. At every turn, breathtaking views unfold: steep cliffs, golden beaches, and mountains shrouded in mist.
Upon arrival, discover the Phuc Thanh Pagoda, a true spiritual gem founded in the 17th century and dedicated to Thien Hau, the goddess who protects sailors. This peaceful place, imbued with serenity, perfectly illustrates the historical and poetic soul of central Vietnam.
End your day in style at the Golden Holiday Hoi An hotel, a place that blends Vietnamese elegance with modern comfort, nestled just steps from the old town. A haven of tranquility, perfect for soaking up Hoi An's unique atmosphere.
Day 8 -
From the calm of Hoi An to the hustle and bustle of Saigon
- Transportation Plane - 02h - 870km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
A day of transition and fascinating discoveries between Hoi An and Saigon! After your domestic flight, immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City, a city where colonial heritage meets modern energy.
Discover iconic landmarks: the Reunification Palace, a testament to the country's history; the poignant War Remnants Museum; and the Central Post Office, a masterpiece by Gustave Eiffel. Then, immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere of the Giac Lam Pagoda before strolling through Cho Lon, the vibrant Chinatown, a true hub of life, scents, and colors.
End this captivating day at the Ngoc Hoang Temple, dedicated to the Jade Emperor, a spiritual and architectural jewel of Saigon.
Day 9 -
Final immersion in Ho Chi Minh City
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Last day in Vietnam, filled with emotions and memories! Enjoy a few more moments in the unique atmosphere of Saigon, between modernity and living traditions.
Depending on your flight schedule, take one last stroll through the city's lively streets, soak up its colours, scents and smiles, or enjoy a Vietnamese coffee before your transfer to the airport.
A gentle end to the trip, marked by the warmth of the Vietnamese people and the richness of their heritage.
Day 10
Accommodation
Access
You will be met by your private driver upon arrival at Hanoi airport. Transfers to Ho Chi Minh City airport at the end of your stay are also included.
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
Transportation :
- Private airport/hotel transfers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
- Private driver available for local tours in Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An.
- Land transfers between cities
- Night train Ninh Binh → Hue.
- Domestic flight Da Nang → Saigon with Vietnam Airlines.
Experiences and visits:
- A cyclo-rickshaw ride in Hanoi.
- Visit to the Phu Tay Ho and Literature temples, Buoi market.
- Water puppet show in Hanoi.
- Junk cruise on Bai Tu Long Bay, with meals on board (lunch and dinner included, drinks not included).
- Boat trip in Tam Coc, bike ride through the rice paddies and visit to the Bich Dong pagoda.
- Visit to the Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda, Tu Duc Tombs, Perfume River cruise in Hue.
- Visit to the village of La Chu with a French-speaking guide.
- Phuc Thanh Pagoda in Hoi An.
- In Ho Chi Minh City: Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Post Office, Giac Lam Pagoda, Cho Lon Chinatown and Ngoc Hoang Temple.
Accommodation and breakfasts
The price does not include
Drinks during meals (including on board the junk).
Personal expenses (souvenirs, tips, hotel extras).
Meals not listed as included in the program.
Travel, medical or cancellation insurance.
Visa or administrative formalities for Vietnam.
Optional activities not mentioned in the program.
International Flights
Additional services:
- French- or English-speaking local guides
- Cooking and Tai Chi classes on board the junk.
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.