Vietnam from North to South

Vietnam from North to South
Vietnam

Adventure

Nature

The essential of Vietnam in 15 days, from Tonkin to Cochinchina. In the North, an authentic Vietnam with its landscapes and its remote ethnic groups. In the South, the ancient Cochinchina, the region where the Vietnamese sense of hospitality is most evident. And don't forget the mythical Halong Bay... Enter this labyrinth of legends where good genies reign inside glazed pagodas and fabulous gilded wooden dragons are wrapped around the purple columns of the temples. Discover these unreal bays surrounded by orange light, the fragile boats with butterfly wings, the villages of the "Mandarin Road" with their bamboo bridges, the jade cities with their earthenware roofs, the young brides with their liana hair, as beautiful as the Asian mornings... Welcome to Vietnam, the land of legends!

Prices are variable and should be requested from the agency

Length of stay

14 days / 12 nights

Minimum number of participants

Privatized trip from 2 persons

Customisable programme

Highlights

Private trip from 2 persons.
Local French-speaking guides
A classic but authentic tour
Nights and meals with local people

Programme
Rates
Practical information
The human trip plus

Day 1

Flight Paris-Hanoi

Departure from Paris on a scheduled flight. Services and overnight stay on board.

Day 2

Hanoi

Arrival in Hanoi and cyclo-pousse tour in the old city

Welcome at Hanoi airport, transfer and installation at your hotel. Cycle rickshaw tour in the old town and visit Ngoc Son pagoda by the lake.

Free meals. Night at the hotel.

Day 3

Visit Hanoi

On the programme of visits:
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- House on stilts
- Single Pillar Pagoda
- Temple of Literature
In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Ethnography.

Free meals. Night at the hotel.

Day 4

Nho Quan, Gia Hung, Van Long, Ninh Binh

Discovery of the villages on the road to Ninh Binh

In the morning we head for Ninh Binh along a section of the famous Ho Chi Minh trail. On the way, we stop in a Muong village, then in the village of Nho Quan. Lunch at a local's house. In the early afternoon, we drive to the village of Gia Hung, then take a bike ride along the dike of the Boi River to discover the villages of the delta and their inhabitants. Arriving in Van Long, we board small rowing boats for a ride through the rice fields.

Check-in at the hotel in Ninh Binh. Dinner at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

Nhan Muc, Hai Phong

Cruise and discovery of an agricultural village on the road to Hai Phong

In the morning, cruise by boat to discover the caves of Tam Coc and Bich Dong. Then, departure for Nhan Muc, a small farming village where you can attend the water puppet show. Lunch is prepared by the village families. In the afternoon, a short walk before heading back to Hai Phong.

Dinner at leisure. Night at the hotel.

Day 6

Hai Phong, Halong, Cap La

Discovery of Hai Phong and cruise on Halong Bay

Quick discovery of the city of Hai Phong:
- The Municipal Theatre of neo-classical colonial inspiration
- Dinh Hang Kenh Community House
- The Hang Pagoda.
Then drive to Halong. Embarkation on the junk, welcome drink and presentation of the cruise program. Lunch on board. After lunch, relax on deck. Visit the fishermen's village of Cap La by kayak, then return to the junk.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 7

Hanoi

Return to Hanoi then night train to Hue

Breakfast on board the junk. Visit of the Thien Canh Son cave. Disembarkation around 11:30 am. Return to Hanoi. Free time for lunch.

In the evening, transfer to Hanoi station to take the night train to Hue. Overnight on board.

Day 8

Visit to Hue

Arrival in the morning at Hue train station. Welcome and transfer to the hotel for breakfast. Then departure for the visit of the Imperial City. In the afternoon, visit the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. An opportunity to learn about the history of the Nguyen dynasty and the French colonial invasion. Visit of the Tu Hieu pagoda.

Free meals. Night at the hotel.

Day 9

Ho, Thuy Bieu, Lang Cô, Da Nang, Hoi An

Cycling, discoveries and meetings from Hue to Hoi An via Da Nang

In the morning, discover Hue and its surrounding countryside by local means of transport. Visit the Thien Mu pagoda and take a boat cruise to Ho village. Bike ride through the beautiful countryside of Hue to Thuy Bieu village. On the way, stop at a local's house with whom you will share tea and some anecdotes about the region. Vegetarian lunch prepared by the monks of Dong Thuyen Pagoda.
In the afternoon, head to Hoi An. Pass through the famous Cloud Pass which offers a breathtaking view of the coastline. Stop at Lang Cô. Visit the Cham museum in Da Nang. Arrival in Hoi An and check-in at the hotel. Dinner at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10

Tra Que

Walking tour in Hoi An and then discover the life of the farmers in Tra Que

Walking tour through the small streets of the city. On the programme of visits:
- The Japanese bridge
- The Chinese temple
- Tan Ky's house.
Bike ride to visit the vegetable village of Tra Que. Discover the life of the farmers and learn about their techniques. Lunch in the village and tasting of the famous speciality of the village, the "Tam Huu": an assortment of shrimps, pork and aromatic herbs. Free afternoon.

Dinner at leisure. Night at the hotel.

Day 11

Hoi An, Danang, Saigon

Transfer to Danang and flight to Saigon

Transfer to the airport to take a flight from Danang to Saigon. Reception at the airport. Transfer to the city. Visit of the historical sites of the city: the old Saigon Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral and Dong Khoi Street. Visit of the Chinese quarter of Cho Lon: Binh Tay market and Thien Hau pagoda.

Free meals. Night at the hotel.

Day 12

Cai Be, Cai Thia, Can Tho

Cycling and boat trip from Cai Be to Can Tho

In the morning, we set off towards Cai Be. On arrival at Cai Thia, we cycle along paths lined with orchards and tropical plants. Along the way, stop at a family's home to taste the fruits of the season. Lunch with the locals. In the afternoon, paddle the Cay Da canal and return to the pier by local boat. Drive to Can Tho. Arrival towards the end of the day.

Dinner at leisure. Night at the hotel.

Day 13

Cái Rang, Saigon

Cruise aboard the Mystic Mekong then return to Saigon

Transfer to Ninh Kieu quay where the Mystic Mekong boards at 7.00 am to take you to the floating market of Cái Rang. Breakfast on board. Discover the labyrinth of canals and arroyos surrounding Cân Tho. Disembarkation. Lunch at leisure.
Return to Saigon. Dinner at leisure. Night at the hotel.

Day 14

Departure from Saigon - Return to France

Free time until transfer to Saigon airport for your return flight to France.

Lunch on your own. Arrival in France the following morning.

Price per person from €2,405 incl. VAT

- Based on 2 participants

This price includes :

Transport including VAT from Paris*.
Domestic flight TTC Danang - Saigon.
Return airport transfers.
Private air-conditioned transport with driver.
Accommodation based on a double room.
Breakfasts and meals as mentioned.
The walks and activities on the programme.
Solidarity activities to be defined with the local team.
Entrance fees to tourist sites.
Local French-speaking guides.
Local train Hanoi - Hue (4 people/cabin).
A 2-day/1-night cruise on board a non-privatised wooden junk in Halong Bay.

At your expense :

Optional multi-risk cancellation, assistance and repatriation luggage insurance.
Visa fees and invitation letter (USD 35).
Drinks and meals not clearly mentioned.
Personal expenses and activities not explicitly mentioned in the programme.
Any other excursions or expenses not mentioned in the price.
Tips to guides and drivers.
Single room supplement: €340.

* Price from Paris. Please contact us for any other departure city.

For a group request (from 10 people) or to customize your trip, please contact us.

Comfort

2 and 3-star hotels in our selection
Cabin with 4 soft berths on the night train
One night on a non-privatised junk in Halong

Climate and equipment

The country's climate is subject to two monsoons a year.
The south of Vietnam enjoys almost constant heat, accompanied by high humidity. The dry, sunny period extends from December to April.
In northern Vietnam, winter lasts from November to late April/early May. The advantage is that it's never too hot in Hanoi and the surrounding region (the Red River delta): 15 to 20°C during the day, and it can even be a little cool (sometimes below 10°C at night). The downside is that the weather is often grey, misty and even rainy. It can drizzle for days on end, making the Bay of Along rather gloomy. However, from February to March, in the late evening, Hanoi and the lowland regions, as well as the coastline, can enjoy some fine sunshine. Spring-like weather sets in from mid-March to early May. May sees the onset of the hot summer, which lasts until October. Although it can rain, this is the driest time of the year and the one with the highest temperatures. The average temperature is between 30 and 40°C, a muggy heat that can be hard to bear. At the end of the season, from September to November, the North can experience some fairly violent typhoons from the former China Sea.
Avoid the months of July and August, when there is heavy rainfall, sometimes violent.

Health

No compulsory vaccination. Must be up to date with vaccinations.
Recommended vaccination: Hepatitis A.
Water: drink only bottled mineral water.
More information on the Pasteur website.

Formalities

PASSPORT & VISAS

PASSPORT: The expiry date of the French passport must be at least 6 months before the end date of the stay in Vietnam.
VISA: A visa is necessary to stay in Vietnam. It can be requested from the Vietnamese Embassy in Paris or on the spot on presentation of the invitation we will have sent you.

Our partner for your visa procedures: VISA FIRST
A special number dedicated to Human Trip clients: 01.82.88.07.82
For each visa given to our partner, 1€ is donated to our association
More information on the France Diplomatie website.

Our opinion

A complete tour from the north to the south of Vietnam to discover rural life and the traditions of the local people, with whom you will share meals and moments of conviviality. On foot, by bike or in a kayak, you'll discover an authentic Vietnam rich in legends and ancestral know-how, without missing out on the major cities and must-see sites such as Hanoi, Saigon or the mythical Halong Bay!...