DAY 1 : ARRIVE IN HO CHI MINH CITY
Reception on arrival at Ho Chi Minh City Airport by the local guide, then transfer and check-in at the hotel.
Discover Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the economic capital of the country. Walk through the old residential districts starting with the town hall, a beautiful French colonial style building built between 1902 and 1908. Then the Opera, designed by the French architect Eugene Ferret in the late nineteenth century. visit of the Reunification Palace (interior) and the Cathedral Notre-Dame built in the nineteenth century. Finally, stroll near the Central Post Office built in neo-classical architecture at the beginning of the 20th century by the famous Gustave Eiffel.
Lunch at the restaurant.
Dinner at the restaurant
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
DAY 2 : HO CHI MINH CITY – SA DEC – VINH LONG – CAI BE
Breakfast at the hotel
Depart to Sa Dec, in the heart of the delta, and installation aboard L’AMANT. Presentation of the crew and the boat followed by the first lunch on board.
In the early afternoon, visit the old-fashioned town, famous for its flowers and bonsai plants, and where the
famous French Writer Marguerite Duras spent her childhood.
Stroll through the lively market streets of this fascinating town, toward the tomb of L’Amant (the Lover) and
his parents. Visit a Chinese temple and pass-by the school where Margerite’s mother has taught (an
opportunity to interact with the students), as well as the house where she used to live with her children.
Stop to visit the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le, the “house of the Chinese” described in Marguerite Duras’
novel “L’Amant”.
Return back on board; depart to Cai Be and free time at leisure on the sundeck or enjoy a soothing foot
massage (with supplement).
In the early evening, the boat will anchor near Cai Be for overnight.
Dinner on board followed by the screening of a film (The Lover or Indochina) outdoors on the upper deck.
Night on board.
DAY 3 : CAI BE – MY THO – HO CH MINH CITY – HAI PHONG
Breakfast at the hotel
Lunch at the restaurant.
It’s time to leave the comfortable cabins and board a local boat to explore the many canals that make up the region’s famous orchards. Ride on horseback to discover the inland and small villages. Stop on the way to a local house to taste tropical fruits and visit a bee farm before setting off on a rowing boat. Visit artisan villages, including a coconut candy making workshop. Return to Ho Chi Minh City by road and transfer to the airport for the flight to Haiphong. Welcome by the local guide, transfer and installation at the hotel.
Dinner at the restaurant
Night in Hai phong.
DAY 4 : HAI PHONG – HA LONG
Breakfast at the hotel
Short visit to the port city of Hai Phong. Visit the Du Hang Pagoda and the Hang Kenh Communal House before continuing to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Boarding a junk for a memorable cruise in the Bay. In the afternoon, sail through the many islands and rock formations covered with vegetation and, weather permitting, stop for a swim in the jade-colored waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. The day ends with a cooking demonstration and the preparation of tasty spring rolls. At nightfall, squid fishing is open, the opportunity to discover Vietnamese fishing techniques !
Dinner and overnight aboard the junk.
DAY 5 : HALONG – HANOI
Breakfast at the hotel
The junk resumes its race. During the morning, Crisscross the bay and stops to visit a natural cave. Snack on board then return to the coast around 11h00 am and transfer to Hanoi. On the way, stop at the village of Yen Duc for a bucolic walk in a farm before tasting local products. Visit Canh Huong Pagoda then continue by road to the capital.
DAY 6 : HANOI
Breakfast at the hotel
HANOI CITY : is the capital of Northern Vietnam and keeps this role until now. The city is located on the right bank of the Red River and far about 1760 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. Hanoi features a warm humid subtropical climate with plentiful precipitation. In addition, Hanoi is considered one of the main cultural centers of Vietnam, where most Vietnamese dynasties have left their imprint.
Breakfast in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, discover the Temple of Literature, the first university in the history of Vietnam. Rickshaw ride through downtown streets, including the famous Silk Street. Visit Ngoc Son temple, located on Hoan Kiem Lake, and reached by a charming wooden bridge. The day ends with a traditional puppet show on water, composed of sketches presenting the daily life and beliefs of the rural world.
Dinner at the restaurant
Night in Hanoi.
DAY 7 : HA NOI
Breakfast at the hotel
Free day in Hanoi. Depending on flight schedules, transfer to Ho Chi Minh City Airport for the departure flight. End of our services.