Highlighted Experiences
• Explore the unknown nature reserve of Ngoc Son Ngo Luong and spend a night in an entirely private Muong villa with your own direct access to the cascading natural pools.
• Take a scenic flight over the legendary seacape of Halong bay and continue directly to Hanoi.
• Meet the new wave of cultural leaders in Hue, dive into spirituality and bamboo art.
• Venture in style on the less travelled waterways of Central and South Vietnam.
Your private travel concierge and driver welcome you at the airport and drive you to the Lapis Hotel, located at the heart of the former residential colonial district. Spend the rest of your day at your own leisure, relaxing at the spa or by the swimming pool of the hotel.
Your travel concierge meets you in the hotel’s lobby at 9am. We plan a nice day out filled with interesting visits to some classic and other lesser known parts of the city. The pace will be yours and the program adapted. In the morning, we may immerse in the lively old quarter and visit the temple of literature, a real gem of architecture and immense piece of heritage. In the afternoon we walk up to the Ho Chi Minh complex, pass in front of the impressive mausoleum and take a nice stroll in the lush gardens of the Presidential Palace that includes the one-pillar pagoda and the house on stilts of Ho Chi Minh. We then propose to hop on a private electric cart and journey on a small road winding around the largest lake of Hanoi. Soak up some totally different atmospheres and see the city with a new eye. We loop the loop and head to one of the most charming terrace of the city for a sunset cocktail over the historical part of the city and two of its main lakes. We drive back to the hotel, evening at leisure.
We depart after breakfast and head for our little adventure to some remote mountains of North Vietnam. We travel along the historical Ho Chi Minh Road to the lesser known Tam Diep mountain range. We drive up a pass and reach, at its top, the entrance of a nature reserve. The fantasy starts here as we travel down to the bottom of the valley on a bumpy but scenic earthen track. We reach our private lodge – a traditional house on stilts turned into a rustic luxury loft - set by cascading stream and natural pools. We are warmly welcome by a family of Muong ethnic people; they will take care of us during our stay in this little piece of paradise and guarantee for us a genuine cultural immersion. In the afternoon, we can go for a walk on small trails to a giant waterfall of the reserve (about 1 hour walking in total) or just enjoy some easy time in the stream. Dine on traditional Muong gastronomy. If you want, feel free to join hands in the dinner preparation with our host. This can include a short walk to go pick herbs and plants in the forest.
We exit the reserve in the morning and start our journey to the East towards Ninh Binh region, the so-called inland Halong bay. We arrive in a hidden corner of the region called Mount Tuong and have lunch there. In the afternoon we start a nice scenic rowed sampan cruise to reach Tam Coc, the most renowned valley of the region for its towering limestone rocks and beautiful rice fields. We visit the Bich Dong pagoda that offers a climb up on its three levels to admire a breathtaking view of the area once at the top. We end the day at a beautiful lodge, where you can end the day sipping a cocktail by the swimming pool with a view over the surrounding rice paddies. Evening at leisure.
Early breakfast for an early departure to Halong. We drive across the Red River delta and reach the coast little before noon. We embark on a beautifully crafted wooden junk of a few cabins only for a 1-night cruise in the legendary seascape of Halong bay. Once on board, we are served a delicious seafood-based buffet lunch, while the limestone rocks are setting up the décor. In the afternoon, we reach a less traveled area and will devote ourselves to relaxation, sunbathing, and the visit of a cave. The program is not fixed and depends on the time of the year and weather. We end the day on the sundeck while the sun sets. It is time for an aperitif or to attend a cooking demonstration before dinner.
While cruising back to the pier, a brunch is served as we are getting closer to disembarkation. Early Tai Chi session is proposed, coffee and tea are served early as well if you would like to wake up early to see the beautiful lights of sunrise. We have the chance to visit a floatting village before starting our way back to the coast. Upon disembarkation, we get on board of a seaplane to enjoy a scenic flight over Halong and then to Hanoi (about 1-hour flight in total).
At Hanoi’s airport, we take a regular flight to Hue. You are greeted in Hue and driven to the Pilgrimage Village, a little green oasis just a few kilometers away from Hue ancient citadel. Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Hue was a craddle of culture, the Nguyen Emperors made it their capital and traces of this period of grandeur are still very visible all around the city. Today we will not simply travel through the glorious past of the city, we will go meet the descendants of these generations and unveil how they sustain and renew their cultural heritage.
This morning will be dedicated to the exploration of spirituality. We are welcomed by the owner of the Zen House, a master of qigong and meditation. First going around this haven of tranquility to understand better its feng shui architecture and the meaning of Cat Tuong Quan; we will then receive an initiation to the basic movements of qigong and a meditative experience. We are hosted for lunch and dine on vegetarian treats.
After lunch we visit the imperial citadel, a landmark not to be missed in Vietnam. We exit the citadel and visit nearby the workshop and gallery of Truc Chi. A contemporary artist who created his own art based on bamboo paper carving. Meet the artist and try your hand to make you very own and unique piece of art to take back home.
We return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Evening at leisure.
Day 8: Hue – Lang Co – Hoi An (B/L/-)
In the morning, we first go visit the tomb of the Emperor Tu Duc. One of the largest and most impressive imperial tomb in Hue, the complex served as a residence to the emperor when he was still alive.
We then hit the road to the South and begin our journey to Hoi An ancient town. First stop for lunch in Lang Co bay, where many pass by but very few stop. We do even better and embark on a local boat for a short escape on the lagoon to discover the ancestral fishing techniques. Lunch will be served on a basic house on stilts set on the Lagoon. fresh seafood from the morning.
We then continue to the South, highlight of the day, we drive up the Hai Van pass and its breathtaking vistas over the sea. We pass Danang and arrive late afternoon in Cam Thanh mangrove nested between the beach and the ancient port town. We hop on a boat and enjoy a nice sunset cruise moving slowly on the Thu Bon River. We unveil the beauty of Hoi An ancient architecture from the waterways at the time lanterns are lightning up and riverside are getting busy.
A full day at leisure to indulge some easy time by the sea and to make your own exploration of the ancient port town of Hoi An. Several optional excursions can be arranged upon request such as vintage Jeep tour to the Hai Van pass and the Son Tra peninsula, lantern making class or bamboo workshop that are both great activities for kids, sunset dinner on bamboo raft in the nipa palm mangrove of Cam Thanh, and so much more.
Easy morning. We drive you to the Danang’s airport to catch a flight to Saigon around mid-day. You are greeted upon your arrival and driven to the hotel in the city center. Take the time to refresh at the hotel then follow the guide on an orientation walk around the city center and the major colonial landmarks that shape a part of Ho Chi Minh City’s character. In the late afternoon we end our walk on Pasteur street, where is established the most renown craft beer taproom of the country. We will sample some nice brews before heading back to the hotel.
We depart from your hotel at 8am. We drive out of the metropolis to reach after about 2 and a half hour a less travelled region of the delta, about 30 kilometers away from the mouth of the mighty river. We hop on our private boat and start our exploration. We will meet people, learn more about their daily lives and navigate the Mekong. After visiting a local factory and an ancient communal house, we reach a small island for lunch at a local guesthouse.
In the afternoon, we visit a honey-bee farm before hoping on bikes and cycling narrow pathways across the island. We stop at another local farm to unveil the secret of Sâm jelly and sample it. We continue across orchards and transfer onto a small sampan to explore a thick mangrove. We return to the mainland, where our vehicle awaits for a drive back to Ho Chi Minh city. We arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon.
Enjoy your day at leisure until our driver picks you up to drive you to Saigon’s airport where you will catch your outbound flight.
Inclusion
- Accommodation in twin/double room with daily breakfast at the below indicated room types (see hotel category list below) (check in and check out around noontime)
- 2Days/1Night cruise on boat in Ha Long Bay (shared cabin on shared boat).
- All transfers and transportation with air-con vehicles (types of vehicles depending on the number of pax):
For Vietnam
o1-2pax: minivan of 7 seats
o3-6pax: van of 16 seats
o7-10pax: bus of 25 seats
o11-15pax: bus of 31 seats
- Local ENGLISH speaking guides
- Boat trip as program
- All entrance fees as program
- Meals (B/L/D) (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) as indicated in the program
- 02 bottles of mineral water per person per day on bus on days of transfer and sightseeing only
- Government tax and service charge
Exclusion
- Airfares (international and domestic)
- Meals (other than mentioned in the program)
- Drinks
- Early check in or late check out
- Visas to Vietnam
- Tips
- Additional transfer required due to any emergency situation
- Mineral water beyond that supplied
- Insurances
- Optional excursions and activities
- Items of a personal nature (Phone calls, laundry, beverages…)
- Peak season surcharges if any
- All not mentioned above
Note
Remarks: Surcharge for compulsory dinners at hotels on Dec 24th 2019/20 (Christmas), Dec 31st 2019/20 (New Year) and surcharge for travelling during Vietnamese Lunar New Year (04 - 09 Feb 2019/20) will be advised at time of booking if any.
Surcharge for domestic or regional airfare will be applicable at the time of booking
Surcharge for peak season at the hotels will be applicable at the time of booking depending on seasonality.
4* Hotel List:
City Hotel Room Type
Ha Noi The Lapis Superior
Hoa Binh Suoi Mu Lodge (Hs) Suoi Mu house
Ninh Binh Tam Coc Garden Deluxe room - Garden view
Ha Long Bhaya Cruise Deluxe
Hue Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa Deluxe
Hoi An Le Belhamy Resort & Spa Hoi An Garden room
Ho Chi Minh City Liberty Central Sai Gon Hotel Deluxe
1. The above tour prices are based on our current transportation rates. Increasing petrol rates might affect our transportation and boat fees, in which case we reserve the right to revise our current rates. If any increase should arise we will of course keep you well informed.
2. Availability: Please note that if a certain hotel is not available at the time of booking, then we will gladly make alternative suggestions in the same category. We will advise you accordingly with the surcharge if any. As a result, we would highly appreciate it if you could advise us to block rooms soonest possible to guarantee the rooms and rates in period of high and peak season
3. All the above points of interest are open for visit based on current updates. In case of closure for construction or any other reason, we will replace with a similar point of interest.
4. Above itinerary is based on the current flight schedule. In case of flight changes, the itinerary will be changed accordingly.
5. No early check in or late checkout is included except those indicated in the program. Generally, the check in time is 14.00pm and check out time is 12.00pm.
6. Visa into Vietnam is required except for countries who have signed the visa exemption contracts. Please contact us for visa information details.
Remarks: Passport must be valid 6 months ahead since the time of departing the visited country
