Authentic Vietnam – 19 days

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 Kinhs 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.
Car: 20km      Night: hotel         

Depart at 8h00 am from Hanoi to Mai Chau, a picturesque valley, predominantly inhabited by the White Thai ethnic group. Arrive in Mai Chau around noon and transfer to your hotel, then lunch will be followed by a short break. In the afternoon, we will make a nice bike ride to discover an authentic and uncharted country, unspoiled by mass tourism. You’re gonna be charmed by the traditional houses on stilts, the Thai’s friendly smiles and greetings, vegetable gardens, green rice and bamboo forests along the way, crossing many villages of different ethnic groups: Chieng Sai, Cha, Cha Long, Na Tang, Tong Dau ... Return to the lodge to admire its natural surroundings. After dinner, enjoy the traditional music show.
Car: 150km/3 h        Bike: 2h         Night: homestay

After a homemade breakfast, departure for the pretty Mai Chau valley. A short transfer by car will take you to the MocChau plateau, a region well known for its tea plantations, its temperate climate and its dairy cow farms (A tasting should be possible. If the water level is too low or if the river is too wild, we won’t be able to use the ferry, therefore we will have to use another road). The landscape is very wild. Along the way you will meet some Mong, Thai and Muong villages. We will cross one of the largest reservoirs of the country on a local ferry. Picturesque landscapes with terraced rice fields, rafts made out of bamboo used for breeding aquatic products, traditional wood houses... Take a small stroll in the valley of Phu Yen. In the afternoon, we’ll go to the Thai capital. Flooded rice fields, vegetable gardens, peaceful villages near the mountains will make for the perfect photo shoot. Arrival in Muong Lo at the end of the day. Night in Muong Lo.
Car: 220km/5-6h         Hiking: 1-2h          Night: homestay

Depart from Nghia Lo to Mu Cang Chai, the road winds its way through Hoang Lien Son mountain chain, which has the highest peak of Indochina, Mount Fansipan. Stop at Tu Le for an easy hike. You walk through rice terraces to reach Thai and H’mong villages where people still dress in traditional costumes and H’mong women sit by their loom. Tu Le is a small hill tribe town surrounded by picturesque landscape and full of warmhearted people living in tiny wooden houses nestled at the foot of the mountains. Leaving Tu Le, you cross Khau Pha Pass (1550m). Dominating the entire area of La Pan Tan for a hundred years, the Mong still keep their morals and customs very well. Being always in traditional clothing, speaking their own language, refusing the invasion of modern life, they cultivate maize in plots of land embedded with rocks, they grow vegetables and especially rice in terraced rice fields. A new road will take you to the heart of the village where you can discover Mong culture and meet with villagers, a great opportunity for photo shoots.
Car: 100km/ 2h          Hiking: 3h      Night: homestay

After a 2 hour drive, the road begins to climb up the Tram Ton Pass, the highest pass in Vietnam at 2047 meters of altitude. Stop for photos opportunities and enjoy the fresh air. From here, you can see Mount Fansipan, “the Roof of Indochina” with its 3143m peak reaching the clouds. Arrive in Sapa at noon. Start your walk in the Muong Hoa River on your way to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai. Past the colorful rice terraces, you will reach the village of Ta Van Giay. As you continue your trek along the Muong Hoa River, you will cross a small suspension bridge, roughly 2km from the settlement. Here you can discover a fascinating collection of rock carvings. These engravings depict some beautiful images of man, stilt houses and decorative patterns. 
Car: 150 km/4h             Hiking: 2h         Night: hotel     

After having breakfast at your homestay, continue your walking through lush paddy fields and bamboo forests. You can admire a beautiful waterfall. Visit Giang Ta Chai village, inhabited by Red Dao and Black H’mong. Transfer to Lai Chau. In the afternoon, walk through the villages of Ban Giang and Ban Hon inhabited by the Lu (or Tai Lu) ethnic group. The Lu women wear black clothes decorated with coins and metal jewelry and have black lacquered teeth. Little girls have their teeth painted as young as 10 years old. This is a very important beauty criterion for this ethnic group.
Then take the road to Bac Ha, a small, peaceful, and charming town located at an altitude of 950 meters. For over 200 years, the Flower Hmong, Tay, Nung, Dzao, Phula, and others have lived here in perfect harmony. They cultivate various crops such as corn, rice, cassava, and several types of fruit trees on the steep mountain slopes. Check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a short hike in the Bac Ha area to discover the villages of Thai Giang Pho and Na Lo.
Car: 100km / 3h                   Night: hotel

Visit Bac Ha market. This is the biggest local ethnic market of the region and it takes place every Sunday. Tribal people from surrounding villages flock here to exchange their products. Most of them are still using horses to carry their loads, which means an early departure to get to the market in time. If you visit Sapa during a spring weekend, you will frequently meet locals in their colorful costumes heading to the markets as this is the best time for youngsters to find a partner to marry. Spring in Sapa, especially around Tet Holiday (late January to early February), is therefore a very joyful time despite the cool temperatures. This is the season of courting, dating and weddings. Nature also contributes to the vibrant atmosphere with red and white flowers blooming everywhere. It all makes for a rather unique setting. Around 10 a.m., you will leave Bac Ha to return to Hanoi.
Car: 300km/5h                   Night: hotel

After breakfast, depart for Halong Bay, passing through the typical peaceful countryside of Red River Delta with endless rice fields and winding rivers. We will arrive at Halong’s tourist wharf around noon and embark on an elegant wooden junk. Lunch will be served while the boat gently cruises past numerous islands and limestone structures rising from the emerald water. A fresh seafood dinner will be prepared by an experienced chef and served on deck. A peaceful night indeed in your private cabin.
Please note the program may vary a little depending on the cruise you choose & weather conditions on that day.
Car: 150km/3h             Night: on boat

Awakening to the tranquil beauty of the bay, you have time for an early morning dip while the sun rises, followed by breakfast on board. We will sail through the bay all morning to explore more secluded areas. The junk will stay close at all times serving as a backup vessel for those who require it. Around midday we will return to the main harbor and drive back to Hanoi. Flight to Hue.
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a driver and transfer to your hotel.
Car: 150km/3h        Night: hotel       

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. Explore Minh Mang Mausoleum, one of Hue's finest royal tombs, an architectural complex comprised of 40 buildings (palaces, temples, pavilions, etc.). Disembark for lunch at a local restaurant. 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: 20km           Night: hotel

Departure from the hotel by car toward La Chu village. Located 9 km north of Hue’s city center, this village is known for its vegetable farming and beautiful landscapes. From February to July, you may feel as if you’ve stepped into a paradise of lotus and water lily ponds — a truly breathtaking natural setting!
Stop at the entrance of the village for a bike ride through the charming countryside. The first stop is a family workshop where traditional paper votive offerings are made - a deeply rooted belief in Vietnamese culture. Visit a local market filled with meat, spices, fresh vegetables, and fruits, all under the curious yet welcoming gaze of local women who are not used to seeing many tourists. Then, explore the vegetable fields and meet the villagers to chat with them.
Of course, you can’t leave this peaceful setting without visiting a family specialized in making “Banh Loc” — small cakes made from rice flour and shrimp. Lunch at a local restaurant with Hue specialties. In the afternoon, transfer by car to Hoi An. Check in at the hotel.
Car: 140 km / 3h            Night: hotel

After breakfast, cycle to Phu Thinh beach, passing through lush paddy fields. On the way, stop at the Precious Art Gallery Museum to discover Vietnam ethnic minorities. Upon arrival, go for a swim and have an enjoyable massage facing the sea. Seafood lunch will be served on the beach. After that, ride the bike back to your hotel.
The afternoon, explore Hoi An’s ancient town visiting the Japanese Pagoda Bridge, Chinese streets, old Phung Hung houses, Hoi An’s market and ancient port. On the 1st and 15th of every lunar month, Hoi An’s ancient town is lit up by hundreds of colorful lanterns, ever more sparkling. Following the tour, you will stop over at Reaching Out tea house, a tranquil oasis in the center of bustling Hoi An. 
Bike: 2h                Night: hotel      

Depending on the schedule of your domestic flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, enjoy your free time in Hoi An to explore the streets lined with colorful houses or simply relax at the hotel. Transfer to Da Nang airport for your domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh city.
Car: 40km               Night: hotel

Departure from the hotel at 8:00 am to Ben Tre province in the Mekong Delta. Arrive at Hung Vuong Pier, 90km far from SaiGon, where you’ll cruise along the Ben Tre River and visit an artisanal brick factory and its imposing ovens. Stop for tea time, 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. Stop at Mr. SauKhanh's house, a very hospitable antiquarian villager to see his collection. He will teach you the special technique of coconut palm climbing. Overnight in homestay.
Car: 110 km/3h              Night: homestay

After feasting on a homemade breakfast, you will first cross an arm of the Mekong in a sampan boat. Then take on 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 Can Tho.
The day will continue with a visit to Binh Thuy's old house, scenery where the movie “L'amant” was shot in 1992, an adaptation of the famous novel of Marguerite Duras. Rest of the afternoon is free so you can explore the shops near the port.
Car: 100km/2h              Night: hotel    

In the early morning, go on an excursion to the floating market of Cai Rang, the largest one in the region, where boats full of fruits and vegetables gather every day. Then take a walk in one of the orchards of Mr. Tu Dung, where you will be able to enjoy fresh tropical fruits and visit a vermicelli factory.
Stop at Mister Hai My in the village of Tam Binh. Visit his large vegetable garden and have lunch with this great farmer with traditional dishes from the South. Arrival in Sai Gon at the end of the afternoon.

70-year-old Hai My is the oldest child in the family. This excellent cultivator has spent his life planting many varieties of fruit trees and bonsai in his garden: sapodos, rambutans, longaniers, mango trees ... Stop at home to meet his daughters and his wife, and savor the delicious local cuisine. Nothing better to understand the daily life of the South as well as the hospitality of its inhabitants!

Car: 170km/ 3 h            Night: hotel

After breakfast, head to an authentic place where the elders exhibit collectible birds. Enjoy the atmosphere of the green park of Tao Dan around a good coffee. 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. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will visit the War Remnants Museum, formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes. This is a poignant display of the futility of war. Please be aware that some rooms may be inappropriate for children regarding some war victims pictures. Then, head for a secret weapons cache used during the last Indochina war. Nestled in a period house, it allows to experience the life of the resistance fighters when entering these same cellars and to see how all kinds of weapons were hidden. Next on the sightseeing list is the pagoda of the Emperor of Jade, icon of the inhabitants of Saigon venerated for a hundred years. The prayers of the faithful passing through were thought to increase fertility and even influence it. Another site that cannot be missed is Binh Tay Market or ‘Cho Lon’, which can be roughly translated to ‘big market’. Although the whole district lives up to its name, a visit to this market really says it all. Selling everything from fake Ray Bans to dried squid, you are bound to enjoy a walk through the maze of stalls in this bustling market. 
Car: 20km                Night: hotel

Free time then transfer to the airport for your return flight.
Car: 10km