DIVING INTO THE CULTURE AND THE LOCAL TRADITIONS OF VIETNAM
ITINERARY IN BRIEF
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN SAI GON
DAY 2: SAIGON - CU CHI - SAI GON
DAY 3: SAIGON - BEN TRE - SAIGON - HUE flight
DAY 4: HUE
DAY 5: HUE - HOI AN
DAY 6: HOI AN
DAY 7: HOI AN - DA NANG - HANOI flight
DAY 8: HANOI
DAY 9: HANOI - LAN HA
DAY 10: LAN HA - HANOI - DEPARTURE
DAY 1 - HANOI
Arrival in Hanoi, welcomed by our tour guide and transfer to the city. An hour of foot massage to get rid of the tiredness of the journey - the first approach with Vietnamese customs and the city. Accommodation in hotel (rooms are normally available from 14h00). Meals not included. Overnight stay in Hanoi.
​
DAY 2 - HANOI
Starting the tour with the discovery of Ha Noi, a thousand-year-old city: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside part) where the old wooden house on stilts and its bucolic garden are located (closed on Monday afternoon), One Pillar Pagoda dating back to 11th century and linked to the legend of the Ly Dynasty, founder of Hanoi the capital. Following is the water puppet show. Continue to visit the Temple of Literature - the first university in Vietnam. Then an authentic experience of tea tasting in a hidden terrace, cared for in every detail by the owner. Without the WiFi connection, the bar offers us a place without daily worries and allows us to enjoy the moment. Even the waitresses are well prepared on the knowledge of tea and with a sweet smile, they will teach us to serve the simple but precious drink. Meals not included. Overnight stay in hotel.
​
DAY 3 - HA LONG BAY
Departure with private car to Ha Long (without guide). Arrival at the port at noon and accommodation on cruise boat. Key delivery, comfortable cabin equipped with hot water, air conditioner and bay view. Meal served on board, prepared by sailors. Cruise through the extraordinary Halong Bay - one of the natural wonders of the world. Special dinner and overnight on board. Peaceful night in the idyllic bay.
DAY 4 - FROM HA LONG BAY TO HOI AN
Wake up at dawn to practice Tai Chi and admire the sunrise. After breakfast, continuation of the cruise to visit the caves. Brunch on board and check out the room. Disembarkation and return by car with the private driver for Hanoi (without guide). Transfer directly to the airport and flight to Da Nang. Welcomed by the guide and transfer by private car to Hoi An. Overnight stay in hotel.
​
DAY 5 - HOI AN
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning dedicated to visit the ancient city of Hoi An: Hoi An market, the old house of Tan Ky, the Chinese Temple of Phuc Kien, the Japanese covered bridge. One hour by boat on Thu Bon river. Free afternoon to reach the beach which is 4 km from the city center (transportation at your own expense). Dinner with a cultural imprint at the home of an artist of Champa origin, who will introduce you to the tradition and culture, especially culinary, of her people. Researcher and scholar passionate about Champa culture, she has written several unique books. Tales, dances and traditional food for an authentic and unforgettable evening. After enjoying the delicious dishes, you will have time for curiosities about the Champa ethnic group. Overnight stay in Hoi An.
​
DAY 6 - HOI AN - HUE
Transfer by car to Hue, crossing the Cloud Hill (Hai Van Pass). Arrival at the ancient capital of the Nguyen dynasty, visit to the Emperor Minh Mang's Tomb, the best known emperor among the 13 of the Nguyen Dynasty. Accommodation in hotel. Afternoon, visit of the Hue Citadel consisting of the Royal Fortress and the Forbidden City. The Citadel was partially destroyed by the Americans in 1968 during the Vietnam War. Today numerous donations contribute to the restoration of this priceless heritage. Following a visit to the Dong Ba market.. Overnight stay in Hue.
​
DAY 7 - SAIGON
Transfer to Hue airport and morning flight to Sai Gon. Arrival after an hour and a half of flight, transfer to the city. In the afternoon, discovery of the city: the exterior of Sai Gon Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post office, the Thien Hau Chinese Temple which has more than 150 years of history and the area of "Cho Lon" - Binh Tay market. one of the oldest markets in the city, it houses the majority of Sino-Vietnamese shopkeepers, formed by the need to exchange goods. Overnight stay in Saigon.stay in Hue.
​
DAY 8 - SAIGON - MEKONG DELTA
Visit of FITO Museum, a very interesting place to learn about Vietnamese traditional medicine, to be able to wear the typical doctors' dress and drink a herbal tea. Departure for the Mekong Delta to the town named Ben Tre. Arrival in the town after about 2 hours, accommodation in Home. Free time to stroll around the village or take a cooking class to prepare Banh Xeo, a traditional Vietnamese dish. Local dinner at Home. Then a foot massage with lemongrass and ginger. Overnight stay in Ben Tre.
​
DAY 9 - DEPARTURE
Cycling to the island of Oc through a morning market where various local products such as vegetables, meat, fruit, ect are sold. Depending on availability, stop to visit a family of artisans who work the coconut and join a workshop to learn how to create baskets with coconut leaves. Continue cycling around the village to see the daily life of the inhabitants and reach the fish farm where you can see two typical Vietnamese species. Return by boat to Home. In the afternoon, drive back to Sai Gon. Free time until direct transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
