Alternative Vietnam - 15 days

At 8:00 am, you will leave your hotel for an eight-hour drive to Ba Be Lake located 260 km from the capital. Stop en-route to visit Thai Nguyen and a local market, followed by a visit of a Tay ethnic village. Arrive in Bac Kan around noon and have lunch at a local restaurant. Continue on the road to Ba Be and reach the lake in the afternoon. In the late afternoon, visit the surrounding villages, home to a number of ethnic groups as the Tay, Nung and San Chi. You may help your host to prepare your dinner. Overnight at the homestay in Pac Ngoi village.

Car: 240km/5h        Night: homestay

Transfer via a mountain road to Meo Vac, near the Chinese border. On the way, meet the black Tay and Lolo at Bao Lac, then the Hmong and the Dzao. The Tay ethnic group dominates the valleys while the Hmong are more present on the heights. The latter cultivate flax, corn, sorghum or even barley in small plots of land embedded between the rocks on the mountainside. They speak their own dialect and refuse any modern way of life. Late arrival at Meo Vac.

Car: 280km/7h        Night: hotel

Breakfast then departure for Dong Van. Go along the border carved by an astonishing little fertile karst landscape that can also be found in the neighboring region of Guanxi. On the Ma Pi Leng pass, in good weather, from here, the view can extend to the horizon. A short stop to admire the Nho Que river ... The 1000 m cross-view will make it look like a silk ribbon. Here, between heaven and earth, the sounds of the khenes echo through the vastness of the wilderness. Start your walk in Pai Lung to discover in depth the Ha Sung and Do Sung villages populated by the Hmong ethnic group. Very wild and original landscapes. Whether in October, when the rice terraces start to turn yellow, or at the end of January, when the peach trees are in bloom, the region takes on the appearance of a Cézanne painting. End of hike at Dong Van. Installation at the local guest house.

Trekking: 4h        Night: guest house

You will leave for a 5h hike through the ethnic minority villages (Ma Pang, Ma Tia, Ha De, Sang Ma Sao and Ma U). Its inhabitants lead a modest and authentic life. Landscapes of rice terraces, tall green mountains ... and panoramic views. Picnic lunch in nature. In the afternoon, you will take a path through the corn crops that leads to the town of Dong Van. Free time.

Trekking: 5h        Night: guest house

After breakfast, let’s head to the weekly Dong Van Market to meet the local people and peruse the fascinating display of handmade goods and speciality products. Then climb above town to Pu Lo, a French fortress built in 1890 and kept in great condition. After exploring the fortress and the incredible views it offers, hit the road to experience one of the most spectacular roads of Vietnam. Transfer by car to Ha Giang. 

Car: 150km/4h        Night: homestay

After breakfast prepared by your hosts, departure for a long journey between Ha Giang and Hanoi. The route will cross mountainous provinces populated by ethnic minorities before reaching the Red River Delta. Arrival in Hanoi in the afternoon. Night at the hotel.

Car: 300km/6h        Night: hotel

A two day, one night cruise on Perla Dawn Sails to discover Lan Ha Bay is the best choice for those who are looking for a wonderful destination where still maintains its primitive natural beauty, less touristic. You will take part in many other exciting activities such as: swimming, cave exploring, dining on a floating farm, all while sailing through undiscovered waters and islands in the beautiful poetic southern part of Halong Bay.
It takes about 2.5 hours from Hanoi's Old Quarter to Got Ferry Pier in Hai Phong City where the Perla Dawn Cruise awaits you. Round-trip transportation is on request with an additional surcharge.

12:00-12:30: Embark the Perla Dawn Sails at Cat Hai's Got Ferry Port. Enjoy a welcome drink and cruise briefing.
13:15-14:00: A splendid lunch is served while cruising into the primitive Lan Ha Bay.
15:30-17:00: On a bamboo boat, visit Bright Cave, a serene round lake surrounded by lush trees and high stone cliffs. Then enjoy swimming in the private emerald water.
17:00-18:30: Return to the Perla Dawn Sails for afternoon tea on the top deck – a perfect time to take some of your best snapshots of the day when the sun begins to set. Relax with Massage and Spa treatment, always available upon request.
19:00: Delight in the shimmering atmosphere of thousands of stars while eating a fantastic, expertly prepared dinner on floating farm, all while floating in the center of serene Lan Ha Bay. To be impressed by an absorbing fruit and vegetable carving demonstration and a traditional music performance at dinner time.
21:00-22:00: Enjoy daily Happy Hour promotion - Buy 1 Get 1 Free on all beverages. Socialize with new friends and crew members and join some nighttime squid fishing. Overnight onboard.

Car: 130km/3h        Night: on boat

06:00-06:30: Begin your new day with a Tai Chi session or a photo hunt.
07:00-07:45: Enjoy breakfast in the fresh air and peaceful beauty of the bay.
07:45-09:00: Experience kayaking to discover the lovely Tra Bau area. Visit a fishing farm and socialize with the resident fishermen to know more about life here and how the people work every day.
09:00-09:45: Pack your luggage and check out of your cabin while cruising towards the port.
10:00-11:30: Join a cooking demonstration before enjoying an extraordinary buffet lunch.
11:45-12:00: Disembark the Perla Dawn Sails & farewell the crews. Meet your driver and transfer to Hanoi

Car: 130km/3h        Night: hotel

You will be picked up at the hotel at 8:00 am, starting the day trip with a visit of the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays) and his former stilt-house residence. We will continue with the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigorous exams in the feudal ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring one luck. Its peaceful green compound and its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative being the History Museum), which offers informative and well-documented displays on the country’s 54 ethnic groups cultures, including elaborate and colorful hill tribe costumes. The display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinh to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. Then back to the Old Quarter for a one hour and a half walking tour to give you a deeper insight of local daily life. Head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple dates back to the 13th century, and the lake itself is the picturesque heart of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike. Evening transfer to the station for the train to Hue, departure around 8 p.m. Overnight on board in fairly comfortable sleeper wagon.

Walking: 2h        Night: on the train

In the morning, we will take a boat trip on the poetic Perfume River. Stop to visit Thien Mu Pagoda (Celestial Lady Pagoda) built in 1601, the symbol of Hue city. Cruise toward Thuy Bieu eco-village, an old laid-back village on the bank of the Perfume River, well known for its green tea fruit orchards. In the village, join our cooking class to prepare Hue’s signature dishes under our chef’s instructions, then enjoy your creations in the open-air riverside restaurant surrounded by lush trees. The afternoon is reserved for walking through the peaceful village, visiting several communal houses, ancient temples and the garden-house, a typical and unique feature of Hue. Soaking your feet in medicinal herb water followed by an excellent massage will refresh them after a day of sightseeing.
The afternoon will be spent visiting Hue Imperial City, the last royal city of Vietnam with various beautiful architectures including the Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden Purple City or Tu Cam Thanh. We will then visit the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, which was built between 1864 and 1867 by 3000 soldiers and workers. It includes 50 monuments surrounded by a 1500m long wall and covers an area of 12 hectares. Take time to soak in its tranquil and relaxing setting.

Car: 1h        Night: hotel

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon or "Pearl of the Far East", you will be welcomed by our guide and brought to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the largest city of Vietnam and its wide elegant boulevards and historic French colonial buildings at your own pace. Then visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the General Post Office. From the cathedral, take a short stroll along Dong Khoi Street to the Opera House. Finally, stop at The Reunification Palace, formerly known as Presidential Palace, which was the residence of the president of South Vietnam until the end of April 1975. Overnight at the hotel.

Walking: 1h        Nigth: hotel

Departure from the hotel at 8:00 am to Ben Tre province in the Mekong Delta. Arrive at Hung Vuong Pier, 90km from Saigon, where you’ll cruise along the Ben Tre River and visit an artisanal brick factory and its imposing ovens. Stop for teatime, a sweet break in a coconut candy manufacture, and discover how coconut flesh is used and processed. A short bike ride or a tuk-tuk drive (a motorcycle allowing to transport 6 passengers) will allow you to explore the countryside and to visit a family braiding mats. Lunch in a local restaurant offering typical dishes. Then, board a rowing boat to join the canal through a maze of arroyos and return to the landing stage. Overnight in homestay.

Car: 110km/3h        Nigth: homestay

After feasting on a homemade breakfast, you will first cross an arm of the Mekong in a sampan boat. Then take a bike ride that will allow you to discover the local daily life. The path winds gently through pretty traditional houses. Stop several times along the canal to observe coconuts workers. Leave the sampan crew near the town of Cho Thom and take the road back to Saigon.

Car: 120km/2,5h        Night: hotel

Depending on the schedule of your return flight, take advantage of your free time to shop in the bustling streets of Saigon: Le Loi, Ton Duc Thang, Nguyen Hue, Pasteur, or rest at the hotel (room available until 'at 12). Transfer to the airport. End of our services.

Car: 10km