The Essence of Tonkin & Annam

Hanoi Arrival (D)

Arrival at Hanoi Airport.
Welcome by our guide, followed by a direct transfer to the city center for your first discoveries of Vietnam’s capital.

Hotel rooms are only available from around noon.

Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. This will be your first immersion into the daily life of local residents, with plenty of opportunities to capture memorable photos.

Transfer and check-in at the hotel. Free time before the welcome dinner. Overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi / City Tour (B,L)

After breakfast,
Meet the team at 08:30 for a full day of sightseeing and walks around Hanoi.

We begin with:

• Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius and his disciples. This complex was home to Vietnam’s first university.
• Tran Quoc Pagoda (Buddhism), whose name means “Pagoda for the Protection of the Nation”, located on a beautiful peninsula on West Lake (Ho Tay Lake), one of Hanoi’s most scenic lakes.
• Quan Thanh Temple (Taoism), dedicated to the deity Tran Vu, an important protector of the ancient Hanoi Citadel.

Lunch during the sightseeing tour.

In the afternoon, photo stop in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, overlooking Ba Dinh Square, where you may witness the changing of the guard, at the heart of Vietnam’s political life.

Then visit Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, offering an insight into the simple and modest lifestyle of this important historical figure.

Continue to the One Pillar Pagoda, famous for its unique architecture inspired by an 11th-century legend.

Towards the end of the day, enjoy a pleasant walk to Long Bien Bridge, formerly known as the Paul Doumer Bridge during the French colonial period, followed by a glimpse of Hanoi’s famous Train Street.

Dinner at leisure and overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi - Overnight Train to Lao Cai (B,L)

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:30 for a full day of sightseeing and walks in the countryside surrounding Hanoi.

The program includes two beautiful pagodas, beginning with the Thay Pagoda (Master’s Pagoda), located around 30 km northwest of Hanoi.

Lunch with a local family before enjoying a bicycle ride or walk through Duong Lam Ancient Village. The remarkable atmosphere of this authentic village offers a glimpse into the traditional characteristics of a Vietnamese rural village, largely preserved from modern development and mechanization.

Then visit the Mia Pagoda. Pass through the entrance gate and follow the path beside a striking Buddhist tower. This small pagoda houses nearly 300 statues, some made from jackfruit wood and others from terracotta.

Stop to visit the famous Quang Phu Cau incense-stick village.

Return to Hanoi and dinner at leisure before transferring to the railway station for the overnight train to Lao Cai.

Overnight on the sleeper train / 4-berth cabin.

Lao Cai Arrival - Bac Ha / Ethnic Market - Sapa (B,L)

Arrival in Lao Cai.

Welcome and breakfast at a local restaurant, followed by departure for the weekly market, held every Tuesday morning.

Visit the market.

Enjoy a sampan trip along the Chay River, weather permitting.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Continue towards Sapa with sightseeing stops along the way.

Take a short excursion to Ma Tra Village, a small hamlet increasingly recognized as one of the region’s beautiful destinations worth discovering.

Around two hours later, arrive in Sapa and admire its spectacular mountain scenery.

Dinner at leisure and overnight in Sapa.

Sapa - Lao Cai - Overnight Train to Hanoi (B,L)

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:00 and depart to discover one of the must-see destinations for travelers wishing to experience the unique beauty of mountain life among Vietnam’s ethnic minorities.

From Sapa, set off for a walk through one of the most beautiful villages in Lao Cai Province: Ta Van.

Discover a picturesque hamlet set on the mountainside, where the Giay ethnic people live in traditional stilt houses.

Lunch at a local restaurant in the village, then continue down into Sapa to meet other ethnic communities and discover their houses and terraced rice fields.

On the way back, collect your luggage at the hotel, then transfer to Lao Cai Railway Station for the overnight train to Hanoi.

Dinner at leisure and overnight on the sleeper train / 4-berth cabin.

Hanoi - Tam Coc (B,L)

Early arrival in Hanoi.

Welcome by the team and direct transfer to Ninh Binh for breakfast at the hotel.

Travel south of Hanoi along National Road No. 1, historically known as the Mandarin Road, crossing the beautiful landscapes of the Red River Delta.

Rice fields and vegetable farms create picturesque scenery throughout the approximately 100 km journey to Ninh Binh.

Located southeast of Hanoi, Ninh Binh Province marks the southernmost part of Southeast Asia’s karst limestone plateau. It is also one of the places in Vietnam where these limestone formations are at their most impressive.

The rest of the day is dedicated to local sightseeing and activities:

Visit Thai Vi Temple and Bich Dong Pagoda.

Enjoy a bicycle ride through authentic and preserved villages.

Lunch featuring local specialties.

Continue with a beautiful rowing sampan trip through quieter sites such as Trang An and Tam Coc, with the final choice depending on local conditions, particularly Thung Nham and its caves beneath the limestone mountains.

At the end of the boat trip, visit Thien Ha Cave (Paradise Cave), exploring its impressive interior by rowing sampan under the mysterious glow of electric lights.

Dinner at leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Tam Coc - Ha Long Bay (B,L,D)

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:00 and depart for Halong Bay through the Red River Delta.

Arrival in Halong and boarding a shared traditional junk / private cabin for a 24-hour cruise through the bay, taking in the spectacular scenery and islands of Bai Tu Long Bay.

Lunch on board featuring seafood.

Visits and activities according to the cruise program.

Dinner and overnight on board the junk.

Note:
During these two days in Halong Bay, the cruise may operate in Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay depending on the junk available at the time of booking and your final choice.

Ha Long Bay – Hanoi - Overnight Train to Quang Binh (B,L)

In the morning, you may join a Tai Chi session, if you wish.

Breakfast on board.

Continue cruising through the surrounding areas of Bai Tu Long Bay, followed by brunch before disembarking around noon.

Meet the driver and return to Hanoi.

Dinner at leisure and overnight on the sleeper train / 4-berth cabin.

Quang Binh (B,L,D)

Early arrival in Dong Hoi.

Welcome by the English-speaking guide and driver, then depart towards the villages of Phong Nha – Ke Bang.

Quang Binh Province is home to the famous Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.

Covering 85,754 hectares and renowned for its exceptional geological and ecological value, the park offers spectacular scenery of karst plateaus and tropical forests, along with remarkable caves and underground rivers and a rich variety of endemic species.

In particular, visit Phong Nha Cave.

Continue to Chay Lap Village for a bicycle ride to discover this beautiful area.

Dinner and overnight at Chay Lap Farmstay, with swimming pool.

Quang Binh – Hue (B,L)

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:00. This morning, you can choose between two options:

• Visit Paradise Cave, a magnificent cave in the heritage area.
• Or enjoy activities around Song Chay and Hang Toi (Dark Cave): zip-lining, mud bathing inside the cave and water-based adventure activities (This option must be decided the previous day for organization and preparation).

Lunch featuring local specialties.

Continue towards Hue via the 17th Parallel Bridge.

Direct transfer to Thanh Tan Village, in the countryside outside Hue.

Stay in a beautiful natural setting where you can enjoy hot springs and mineral water renowned for their therapeutic properties.

Relax in the hot springs, followed by a 45-minute spa treatment.

Dinner at leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Hue (B,L)

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:00 and begin the city tour with a boat trip to the Thien Mu Pagoda, located on the banks of the Perfume River.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel, with its three main defensive enclosures, followed by a walk through Dong Ba Market.

Later in the afternoon, depart for Dam Chuon Lagoon to observe local fishermen and take photos.

Return to Hue for some rest.

Dinner at leisure and overnight in Hue.

Hue - Hai Van Pass - Hoi An (B/L/D)

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:00. The morning begins with a visit to a monument related to the Luc Bo, the Six Ministries administrative system of the feudal period.

The system of Three Departments and Six Ministries was at the heart of the governmental structure of imperial China between the Sui and Yuan dynasties. From the 14th century onwards, Vietnam adapted its foundations, with the system reaching maturity during the Le Dynasty in the 15th century.

Then discover Hue’s traditional craft villages.

Continue to the countryside outside Hue for a bicycle ride through Thuy Bieu Village, followed by lunch with a local family.

In the afternoon, depart for Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass, with photo stops along the way and at the summit, offering spectacular panoramic views.

Arrival in Hoi An and direct transfer to the hotel.

Dinner at leisure and overnight in Hoi An.

Hoi An (B,L)

After breakfast,
Meet at 08:00 for a pleasant morning basket-boat ride on the Hoai River, followed by a bicycle ride through the charming Hoi An countryside.

Enjoy a relaxing 15-minute foot massage, helping you unwind before taking part in a cooking class.

Lunch with a local family.

During the afternoon, return to town to visit historical sites and traditional houses according to your preferences.

Alternatively, you may choose to relax on the beach.

Dinner at leisure and overnight in Hoi An.

Hoi An / Free Time - Departure (B)

After breakfast,
Free day and hotel check-out around noon.

Meet the driver for the private transfer to Da Nang Airport for your departure flight.