Vietnam Boating and Biking Tour

You will be greeted by your guide upon arrival at the airport before traveling to the hotel. After a short rest, visit the Old Quarter to taste the egg coffee. Iconic in Hanoi, the egg coffee recipe was developed by a Vietnamese local who once worked in the most legendary hotel in Hanoi, the Sofitel Legend Metropole. Although his cafe was once the only destination to enjoy the unique drink, due to its popularity the secret egg coffee recipe has been copied and is now served in many coffee shops around Hanoi.

According to many, the original is still the most special place to try the iconic beverage, which has earned a place in local legend.

In the morning, you will begin your full day discovery of the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu in Vietnamese), situated in the place once known as the first university of Vietnam. Built in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, is a very fine example of Vietnamese architecture.

Then, continue to meet a water puppet craftsman at his own house, who has, for 7 generations, been keeping up this skilled tradition of northern Vietnam. Your host will welcome you into his house, explain how he makes water puppets, and display his skills during a private show.

In the afternoon, you will pay a visit to the Ethnology Museum and learn about the different ethnic groups of Vietnam. Created in November 1997 at the Francophonie Summit, it is both a research center and a public museum featuring the 54 ethnic groups found across Vietnam. Finish your day by attending an incense ceremony in the Old Quarter. Vietnamese people believe that when incense is burned, the smoke from it will create a bridge to connect them to family members who have passed away and into the spirit world.

In the morning you will travel to Ninh Binh province. You will visit Van Long Nature Reserve and its surrounding villages by both boat and bicycle, passing slowly through rice fields amidst the spectacular scenery of rocky peaks, meandering canals and lush vegetation. You will explore the quaint villages of the delta, meet their inhabitants, and enjoy a homemade lunch in a local villager's home.

After lunch, visit Dinh Le Temple, then transfer back to your hotel and spend the evening free at leisure.

In the morning, you will travel to Ha Long Bay and arrive around noon. There, you will embark on a cruise from Tuan Chau pier. This world-famous bay is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam, with its giant rock islets covered in luxuriant vegetation overlooking the waters.

Ha Long Bay includes some 1,900 islands and islets of rocky peaks, often uninhabited and unvisited. This scene creates a spectacular marine landscape, which earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994. You will be served lunch and dinner aboard with excellent and freshly caught seafood from the bay.

You can begin the day with an early morning Tai Chi class before enjoying your breakfast. After that, you will explore the Ao Ech area by kayaking. Then, back at the cruise boat, it will be time to enjoy a tea ceremony and a tasteful brunch while cruising back to the pier.

You will disembark at the end of the morning and head back to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Hue. The rest of the evening is free at your leisure.

This morning, start your trip with a visit to the Imperial Citadel. After the visit to the Citadel, to deepen your knowledge of the city and understand its structure, you will meet with an expert historian of Hue at his house. In a scholastic yet relaxed and friendly atmosphere, you can enjoy a cup of tea and listen to his stories about the local history, the origin of the imperial city and the culture of the prohibition that ensued.

In the afternoon, continue your journey to discover Minh Mang mausoleum. The construction of the tomb of Minh Mang began in 1840 during the reign of Minh Mang and was completed by Emperor Thieu Tri, who succeeded him on the throne after his death. You will have a chance to admire its very particular architecture in a charming landscape, with 40 buildings arranged along a 700-meter long axis surrounded by hills, fragrant pines and lakes.

Walk along a small path hidden behind the pine forest to discover Gia Long Tomb. The tomb is a complex of royal burial chambers for the king and his family and, thanks to its location outside the city, is usually less visited. Enjoy the peaceful aura and learn about the history of Gia Long during your visit.

In the morning you will reach Phuoc Tich, a 500 year old village well-known for its system of shrines, temples, old wooden houses and 500 year-old tradition of producing ceramics. While walking along small red brick roads under the shade of trees, you will have a chance to visit Mr Dien's house, an elder local of the village. Here you will see a traditional ceramic kiln and his impressive pottery collections.

Leaving the village, you will then take a drive to Tam Giang Lagoon. You will discover the local life of the people living around the lagoon, and then refresh yourself before having lunch at a local house with a beautiful view of the fisherman boats and the lagoon. You will return to the house and take a bike ride to the village, crossing beautiful rice fields and stopping on the way to discover how rice is made by hand.

If you are up to it, cycle to the nearby beach area to discover the amazing tombs built by Vietnamese in respect to their ancestors before heading back to Hue.

In the morning, leave Hue and travel to Danang. Your journey will take you via the spectacular "Hai Van Pass", which offers a superb panoramic view of the bay below. You will make several stops along the way, including one at the paradise beach of Lang Co. Once you arrive in Danang, you will stop at the must-visit Cham Museum to see the last of the Cham sculptures, representing a civilization as prestigious as the Khmer civilization, but which has almost disappeared to this day. Their art is a hybrid reflection of Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. You will then take the road to Hoi An, arriving in the afternoon.

In the afternoon, discover the old town of Hoi An, a World Heritage Site classified by UNESCO. The originality of the place is a mixture of Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese and French architectural elements. Along the small streets you will see Chinese houses dated more than two centuries old, the famous Japanese pagoda bridge, a Chinese temple and the house of Tan Ky.

Start your morning with a bicycle ride, crossing Cam Kim Bridge to reach the other side of Thu Bon River, and continue riding to a small village. After visiting an ancestral house to learn more about the genealogy of a traditional Vietnamese family, you will find yourself in the middle of lush greenery: rice, corn, sedge fields, areca nut trees and bamboo, all set in a peaceful atmosphere. Upon arrival, you will have the chance to meet a local family and watch the techniques they use to weave sedge mats.

You will continue your exploration by cycling on quiet village roads and shady paths. Take a break and enjoy fresh fruit and tea at a local house, before cruising back to Hoi An. Following, you will enjoy a walk along the bustling streets, weaving in and out of tiny alleys as you go, and experience a street food tour. Try the Hoi An specialty of white rose dumpling, next, Hoi An's famous green bean cake with a cup of tea in a local house, and then a cao lau shop. Continue to reach a hidden banh mi shop (Vietnamese sandwich) before enjoying wontons on the way to Ba Le Ancient Well.

This morning, travel to the airport in Danang for your flight to Can Tho.

In the afternoon, visit Binh Thuy Ancient House, the most beautiful old house in Tay Do, which is already over 100 years old. The house is known for its unique architecture and the invaluable collection of artifacts inside -which will surely surprise you! After the visit, you will take a walk in Ninh Kieu pier before going back to your hotel.

Early in the morning you will board the Mystic Sampan for breakfast as you travel along the canals and tributaries of the Mekong. Admire the scenery and the fascinating daily life on the banks of the river while the sampan sails towards Cai Rang floating market.

After discovering this local market and before returning to Can Tho, the sampan will take you to the banks of the river to observe more of the way of life in the Mekong delta. In the late morning you will board the Mystic Sampan for a lunch cruise on the Mekong. After sailing the canals, you will visit a Khmer sanctuary with guarded surrounding walls, a golden pagoda, and the statue of a tall lying Buddha.

After, you will reboard the boat to enjoy a Vietnamese lunch. The boat will dock in Vinh Long where you will meet your guide and driver and travel by road to Ho Chi Minh City. Check in your hotel and spend the rest of the day free at leisure.

Your discovery of the capital of the south would not be complete without a visit to the city's main historical sites: the central post office, whose metal structure was designed by Gustave Eiffel, constructed from red bricks and resembling Notre Dame in Paris.

In the late afternoon you will discover Ho Chi Minh City from a different perspective by boarding the "water bus.” This public transportation system will take you on a leisurely journey from the city center, cruising along the Saigon River. Your route will take you past some of the most famous buildings in Saigon, including the Landmark 81 skyscraper.

Upon arrival at Thanh Da Station, leave the water bus and begin your walk on the peninsula, comprising old apartments and a peaceful local life. Along your walk you will discover the Thanh Da Market and finish at a riverside cafe to enjoy a drink with a view.

After checking out, you will meet your guide and driver and travel to Ho Chi Minh City Airport for your departure flight.