Under the wings of the dragon - 14 days

Road towards the suburbs of Hanoi to discover handicrafts. First stop at Duyen Thai to see the production of votive objects at Mr. Cong's. For important festivals such as the Tet, the anniversary of the death of an ancestor, the full moon, etc., the Vietnamese have a tradition of burning papers and/ or bamboos on which are represented different animals or objects (horses, dragons, phoenix, tables, houses, cars…). Then, meet with Mr. Chieu, responsible for the organization of the craftsmen of Ha Thai, who will show you the different stages of manufacturing lacquered objects. You will have the opportunity to practice applying lacquer (last 3 production phases) and bring your own products. The afternoon, go on an excursion to the Bat Trang ceramic village. Visit the pottery factory where the production is still handmade. Your children will try themselves to the art of turning the clay and bring back their work. 

Car: 80km/2h    Night: hotel

At 9:00 am, our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in the old quarter and take you to the cooking center for your cooking class. First, let’s go for a walk to get to the local market.  It's a great chance to buy local things by yourself and experience a variety of foods from all the groceries such as herbs, spices, vegetables, meats, fish, fresh fruits, etc. Everything will bring you back to the essentials, herbs and spices being a very important part of authentic Vietnamese food. You will have fun communicating and using body language with locals, creating incredible and unforgettable memories. Do not forget to take some pictures with them. Once the shopping is done, we come back to the cooking center. You will prepare and cook by yourself under the tour guide’s supervision, learning how to marinate and to spice things up being the most crucial lesson. You will also enjoy decorating dishes with carrot flowers, lemon grass stems, banana leaves and curved chili. The authentic magical sauce mixed from fish sauce, water, sugar, lime, chili, garlic and herbs is very easy to make. Finally, enjoy what you have made as a delicious lunch.
In the afternoon, discover the Old Quarter, also known as the “36 Streets & Corporations”. It is a veritable labyrinth of lanes where each of them is specialized in a trade or an art. The best way to explore this lively district is on foot. Designed to capture all aspects of the local daily life, the tour will cover the different elements in an original way: crafts, Buddhism, temples, gastronomy, local markets, visit of a traditional house – tube (a Vietnamese singularity), medicine…
Discover the capital through food, as a local, an unforgettable experience and the highlight of your journey. The day ends with a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) before watching the traditional water puppet show.

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 to Hanoi airport. Flight to Hue.

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

Discovery of some handicrafts in the city of Hue. Create, have fun, learn, exchange & throw your own kite. Meet Mr. Mui, very strong for kites, who has participated in many international competitions and will share his art with you. Mr Mui has been awarded by many international competitions & will teach you his art. One of the best opportunities to make an authentic memory & to bring it home. Drive on the Mandarin Road, a scenic journey from Hue to Hoi An, which allows you to see a picturesque Vietnam with stunning beaches and lush tropical forest. On the way, take some pictures at Danang Beach and visit the Marble Mountains and the Cham Museum. In Hoi An, check – in at your hotel.

Car: 140km/3h    Night: hotel

Start with a visit to the Museum of Antiquities, admire the famous Japanese bridge, a symbol of Hoi An, the Chinese quarter with its old wooden Congregation houses and their pagodas, as well as the Phung Hung house, a 19th-century building classified as a national historic monument. Take a break at the market and the port, two lively places shaped by various cultures, which made this former fishing village famous in the 15th century when European and Asian merchant ships docked here: China, the Netherlands, Japan, Portugal... then visit the Rehahn Coqueville Museum – a French photographer to discover the culture of Vietnam's ethnic minorities. In the afternoon, free time to relax or explore Hoi An at your own pace: bike rides in the countryside, going to the beach, a sampan boat ride on the Thu Bon River, or shopping in the silk stores. Second night in Hoi An.

Car: 140km/3h    Night: hotel

After breakfast, meet your car and your guide to transfer to Cam Thanh, a local fishing village, a chance to discover the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their families and their community. Take a boat trip along Cua Dai River and see how local fishermen throw cast nets. Learn how to paddle the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat. Explore the now peaceful coconut – palm flanked waterways of the past war and hear of the extreme conditions endured by soldiers on both sides. Back on – board, enjoy a traditional fisherman’s lunch. After that, transfer to Da Nang airport and flight to Sai Gon.

Car: 1h    Night: 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    Night: 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 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 by Marguerite Duras. The rest of the afternoon is free so you can explore the shops near the port.

Car: 120km/3h    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. Ba Cong, where you will be able to enjoy fresh tropical fruits and visit a vermicelli factory.
Stop at Mr. Hai My in the village of Tam Binh. Visit his large vegetable garden and have lunch with this great farmer with traditional dishes. Arrival in Sai Gon at the end of the afternoon. 
70 – year – old man, 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 is better than to understand the daily life of the South as well as the hospitality of its inhabitants!

Car: 170km/3h        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 you 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

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