Randonnee Vietnam

Day 01: Hanoi Arrival
Welcome to Vietnam! In Hanoi, after immigration and customs formalities, you’ll be met by your personal Guide and driver, then transfer into the city. Afternoon, your guide will take you on a tour of the city’s Old Quarter aboard bicycle rickshaws called cyclos (1hrs). You will be pedaled amongst the quaint French buildings along shoe Street, Silk Street and Banner Street (to name just a few).
Overnight in Hanoi

Day 02: Hanoi Sightseeing (B)
Full-day tour of Vietnam’s capital by private vehicle, including Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum and traditional stilt house (closed on Monday), and the revered One-Pillar pagoda. Pay visits to typical Vietnamese places of worship, Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc pagoda, along the shore of West Lake. Just before noon, tour Vietnam’s first university, the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, we visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Monday), featuring a wonderful collection of art and objects from throughout the country and different tribes. In the evening, enjoy a performance of the traditional Water Puppet show.
Overnight in Hanoi


Day 03: Hanoi - Ha Long (B, L, D)
In the morning, you’ll be driven about 3hrs to famous and magnificent Ha Long Bay for a 24hrs cruise. Here you’ll board a charming Junk where you’ll have lunch as you set sail for Titop Island. Spend the afternoon cruising through the 3,000 limestone pinnacles piercing the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most incredible natural wonders and was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You’ll anchor at Titop this evening before an on-deck candlelight dinner featuring gourmet cuisine.
Overnight on board
Note:

•      The cabins on board are simple, comfortable, clean, air-conditioned, and outfitted with their own and hot shower.

•      This is a join-in cruise

Day 04: Ha Long - Ninh Binh (B,L)
You will begin this morning with a sunrise breakfast before your exploration of Luon Cave (Tunnel cave) by sampan. Then continue to visit another part of Bay (Bai Tu Long Bay). Lunch on board. You will disembark the Junk and the car will transfer you to Ninh Binh province. Stop en route for visiting Pho Minh pagoda, arrive in Ninh Binh late afternoon and drop off at hotel.
Overnight in Ninh Binh

Day 05: Ninh Binh - Kenh Ga – Hanoi – Hue (B)
Morning, cycling to Hoa Lu, one of the ancient capitals of Vietnam. Enjoy the gorgeous limestone karsts and rolling green fields, which gave the area the nickname “Ha Long Bay of the rice paddies” as you explore 10th Century Dinh and Le Dynasty relics. Then, drive to Kenh Ga area, a secluded floating village in Ninh Binh with a dramatic landscape of limestone cliffs and caves. Travel serenely by boat witnessing scenes of fishermen, children going to school, and everyday life along the riverfront. Afternoon, transfer directly to Hanoi airport for flight VN1545 (20:35-21:45) to Hue, the last Imperial capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival in Hue, you will be met by your guide and transferred to hotel
Overnight in Hue

Day 06: Hue sightseeing (B)
In the morning, take a boat trip on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda, one of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. Then, visit the majestic Imperial Citadel of Hue, built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the Citadel was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. Afternoon, visit the tombs of the former Emperors Minh Mang, in particular that of Emperor Tu Duc and finish the day with a visit to Dong Ba market.
Overnight in Hue

Day 07: Hue - Da Nang – My Son – Hoi An (B)
Morning, drive to Hoi An via scenic Hai Van Pass, where we enjoy the spectacular panorama of the central coastline from the summit. Stop at Lang Co to stretch your legs and enjoy the white sands of this peaceful beach. Continue to visit the Cham Ruins at My Son Holy Land. My Son is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the second to the thirteenth century. Their religion was primarily derived from Indian Hinduism. My Son is considered to be one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. The complex is comprised of seventy Hindu-like towers and temples dating from the second century. This site is a Must-See for those people who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations and is now one of five UNESCO World Heritage sites in Vietnam. Transfer to the ancient town of Hoi An late afternoon and check-in to hotel
Overnight in Hoi An

Day 08: Hoi An Sightseeing (B)
Hoi An is a quaint riverside town, popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, tailors shops, and numerous cafes. Some of the buildings in the narrow streets have remained unchanged for more than a century. Enjoy a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200-year old Tam Ky ancestral house, and the Japanese Bridge. In the afternoon, take a cruise up the Thu Bon River to visit Thanh Ha pottery village.
Overnight in Hoi An

Day 09: Hoi An - Da Nang - Sai Gon (B)
Morning, you’ll be transferred to Da Nang airport for your flight VN1371 (08:50-10:10) to Sai Gon. Upon arrival in Sai Gon, you’ll be driven into town to hotel. Then, you will immediately begin your exploration of Sai Gon, the economic powerhouse of Vietnam including the Reunification Hall and the former US Embassy. Historically, both buildings symbolize the deep scars of this once war-torn country. You also have the chance to see the War Remnant Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral and general post office that was reportedly designed Gustaf Eiffel. Walk amongst the frenzied merchants and buyers of Cho Lon market and visit Thien Hau Pagoda.
Overnight in Sai Gon

Day 10: Sai Gon - Ben Tre - Home Stay (B,L,D)
Drive through the scenic Mekong delta to My Tho. Upon arrival, Take bicycle (8km) ride through coconut garden Phu An Hoa, have sightseeing local people’s daily activities along villages paths to Thu Nguyet garden stop for relax and enjoy seasonal fruits. Continue cycling through coconut garden Tam Phuoc, have sightseeing local people’s daily activities along villages to Ben Tre. Take boat trip around Ben Tre River and through narrow water palm creek to Mr. Hai Ho for lunch in Phu Nhuan village. In the afternoon, cycling to see how people  weaving mat, visit  country side in Mekong delta or help local people how work on the farm. Back to home stay late afternoon, how to learn cooking class. Enjoy the diner with local family. Have tea with family and listening traditional music.
Overnight at local house in Ben Tre

Day 11: Ben Tre - Cai Be floating market - Sai Gon (B,L)
Have breakfast prepared by host family. Take bicycle for visiting local market and rice paper workshop and Mr. Chin Lac‘s ancient house, Mr. Sau Khanh house – local ancient porcelains collected, take rowing-boat along water palm creek and  boating a long Cai Coi creek. Then, drive to Cai Be area and take a boat to the floating market to practice the age-old art of bartering. Visitor will be supplied with sweets, sugar, milk, etc… which they can then barter for different kinds of local fruits. Along the way, visit an authentic old house and a family-run business producing rice paper. Afternoon, transfer back to Saigon.
Overnight in Saigon

Day 12: Sai Gon - Cu Chi - Tay Ninh - Sai Gon (B)
After breakfast, drive to the extraordinary Cu Chi tunnels, just outside Ho Chi Minh city. During the war for independence, Viet Cong guerrillas built the labyrinth of narrow tunnels virtually underneath U.S. bases, using them to hide during bombing raids and to stage surprise attacks. Then depart to Tay Ninh, the head quarter of Cao Dai region. On arrival, we attend the fantastic mid-day temple service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.
Overnight in Sai Gon

Day 13: Sai Gon Departure (B)
Free at leisure for shopping or for walking around Sai Gon until transfer to Sai Gon airport for international flight.
End of Services,

Hotel during this trip (Click on the hotels for more details)