Flavours of Vietnam

As soon as you arrive at the airport, you will be greeted by a French-speaking guide. After a traditional massage, let yourself be carried through the alleys of Hanoi for a visit. Tour of the West Lake and a Hanoi-style aperitif in a local Bia Hoi.

Culinary stroll in the Old Quarter. This city immersion in Hanoian life will delight lovers of traditional dishes as well as travellers eager for authenticity. Visit the Ethnography Museum, a gold mine if you are interested in beliefs, architecture, traditional way of life and crafts. View typical Vietnamese houses and visit the Temple of Literature.

Visit of the Perfume Pagoda, a high place of Buddhist pilgrimage in Vietnam and visit of the Perfume Cave. Stroll on a rowing sampan before entering the temples, including the fabulous Huong Tich Grotto. Lunch in the form of a traditional picnic.

Discovery of Project Zo and traditional prints applied on Do paper. Visit of Do paper plantations and initiation to the manufacturing techniques. Dinner with a Muong family before heading to Pu Luong Reserve. Wonderful landscapes and rural life.

Hiking inside the Pu Luong Reserve. Magnificent landscapes that will please the eyes! Admire the rice fields rolling in green waves. Picnic style dinner.

Surprising landscapes with cliffs, limestone peaks and karst caves. This region is known as “Halong Bay Land”. Visit the largest pagoda in Vietnam: Bai Dinh Pagoda. Notice the delicacy of the details.

Bike ride through the rice fields and visit the Jade Cave Pagoda, synonymous with a magical and unreal place. Then, discovery of the Hang Pagoda with its 450 steps. Boat trip to Trang An, a real open-air geological museum.

Visit the Phat Diem Cathedral, an architectural jewel. Tonight, you will sleep at Mr. Van’s house who will show you the family chapel dedicated to the worship of the elders as well as its impressive bonsai garden. Not far from there, learn the techniques of distillation of rice alcohol and discover the educational system of the country. Take part in the preparation of the meal!

Visit the Fort Canon telling the story of the Vietnam War and the underground tunnels used during the Second World War. This is where we take a two-day cruise in Lan Ha Bay. Sailing to the floating village of Ben Beo characterized by its houses of different colors and kayak excursion to cross the Dark Cave. Seafood dinner.

Familiarize yourself with fish rearing techniques during a stop at a floating fish farm. Transfer to the station to catch the train to Hue.

Visit of the Phong Nha reserve, a true testimony of the history of the Earth. Then, transfer to the Thien Duong cave, nicknamed the Paradise cave.

Day hike in the heart of the national park. Lush vegetation where the competition for survival is strong. Picnic dinner in this unspoiled natural setting.

Cross the 17th parallel, the demilitarized Vietnamese zone, the scene of fierce fighting during the Vietnam War. Stop at Vinh Moc tunnels, Hien Luong Bridge and Truong cemetery.

Cruise along the Perfume River. We start our navigation towards Thien Mu Pagoda and continue to the village of Thuy Bieu with its beautiful grapefruit gardens. Bike or walk around the village. Visit of a workshop where incense sticks are made. Cooking class at Madame Loan’s house to learn how to make Banh Nâm and taste it. Visit the Tu Duc mausoleum, which looks like a royal residence.

Discover the Imperial Citadel of Hue, synonymous with the power of the Nguyen Lords. Initiation to the art of kite flying with a craftsman using traditional methods. Then discover the famous road of the “pass of the clouds” (Hai Van). Stops are planned to admire its beauties. In Da Nang, visit the Cham museum with more than 300 works of art dating from the 7th century to the 15th century.

An ideal day to stroll through the streets, a real living museum. Stop at the house of the congregation of Phuc Kien, a part of whose temple is dedicated to Thien Hau the fisherman’s goddess. We will see the Japanese pons dating from 1593. In the evening, possibility to enjoy the Full Moon Festival, where traditions and legends are intertwined.

Discover this lively city on a Vespa ride. Sit behind an experienced driver who will show you the authentic districts. A real permanent show!

Discovery of the Mekong Delta aboard a traditional boat to discover the daily activities of its inhabitants. Contact with the circuses of Cai Son and Nhon Thanh. Traditional dinner and overnight stay in a host family.

Lunch with the host family. Departure to the island of Quoi Thien. On foot or by bike, discover the orchards and small canals while greeting the residents as they pass by. You will participate in the preparation of the traditional dinner.

Very early in the morning go by boat to the floating market of Cai Rang, the biggest, most colourful and busiest market. It is the opportunity to taste the exotic fruits of the region. Then, discover the floating village of Chau Phu and the village of Phu Hiep (or Con Tien – Chau Giang) where women weave traditional costumes by hand. Weather permitting, a climb to Mount Sam will be on the program to pay tribute to the queen of the country.

Transfer to Sadec, the town that welcomed the novelist Marguerite Duras between 1928 and 1932. Visit the house of the rich family of Huynh Thuy Le. Admire the facade which is decorated with motifs representing the four seasons. Discover the horticultural village of Tan Quy Dong, of unequalled beauty with its exotic flowers. Transfer to the airport for the return flight.