Jour 1: Hanoi
Hanoi (Dinner)
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Half-day excursion to experience the classic places of the cultural capital of Vietnam. Passing in front of the imposing mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh we enter the Governor General of Indochina's residence, where the President's house is located. Not far away is the famous One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049, opposite the Dien Huu Pagoda. We visit Van Mieu, the Confucian Temple of Literature, which is the oldest Asian university dating back to 1070. In the heart of the city lies the Lake of the Returned Sword, with the tiny island of the Jade Mountain Temple at its center. The day ends with an hour of fun at the Water Puppet Show: a show unique in the world, where the actors are puppets that revive ancient folk legends and scenes of everyday life on a stage made of water. Dinner in a typical restaurant. Return to the hotel.
Jour 2: Ha Long Bay
Hanoi - Halong Cruise (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay. After a brief stop in an exhibition center displaying the best of local silk, ceramic and stone sculptures we proceed to the port, ready to embark on one of the most beautiful cruises in Asia. The visit to the spectacular Halong Bay takes place on a beautifully restored traditional Chinese junk, which will take you through a myriad of islands, islets and pinnacles emerging from the sea in weird shapes. Covered with pristine jungle and often punctured by caves and cracks, the karst formation of Halong has been in for centuries in legends of pirates and demons. Lunch on board. Dinner on board.
Jour 3: Ho Chi Minh
Halong Bay - Hanoi - Saigon (Breakfast, Brunch)
The cruise continues throughout the morning, allowing plenty of time to relax while sailing surrounded by spectacular natural scenery. Brunch on board. Return to the port and disembark. Transfer to Hanoi airport. Flight to Saigon. Transfer to the hotel.
Jour 4: Ho Chi Minh
Saigon (Breakfast, Lunch)
Departure to reach the famous Cu Chi tunnels, the Vietcong's underground network of warehouses, dormitories, armories, kitchens, infirmaries and command posts resistant to US bombardments and symbol of Vietnamese resistance. In the nearby bushes, some structures are made accessible to the public and evocative mannequins mount the guard at strategic points. On the way back to Saigon we stop to taste the famous rice flour focaccia and explore a rubber tree plantation dating back to the years of French colonization at the beginning of the last century. Lunch in a typical restaurant. In the afternoon we visit the heart of Saigon, starting from the War Remnants Museum, a sad reminder of all wars in which Vietnam has been involved. After a brief stop at the central square to admire the Post Office building, designed by Gustave Eiffel, and the neo-Gothic cathedral of Notre Dame, we visit Ngoc Hoang, the Jade Emperor's pagoda, dedicated to the Taoist cult. The interiors are surprisingly rich and fascinating. Return to the hotel.
Jour 5:
Saigon - Cai Be - Saigon (Breakfast, Lunch)
Full-day visit to the Mekong Delta. We arrive at Cai Be River port to board a smaller local boat more suitable to navigate the narrow canals. Passing through crowded shores, full of life and commerce, we reach the local fresh market, where a myriad of people on boats convey fruits, vegetables and handicrafts from various areas of the delta. We visit a family-run business specializing in the traditional production of rice cakes, palm sugar candies and a variety of local desserts. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Transfer to the airport.
