Two-week family trip to Vietnam

Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise: Cong Do, Cap La & Kayaking Activity

8:00 AM: Departure by shared Dcar Limousine bus (max 10 passengers) to Sun Wharf.

12:00 PM: Embarkation. Transfer by small boat to the hotel boat.

12:45 PM: Welcome drink and brief safety and itinerary briefing on board.

1:30 PM: Lunch served on board as the boat sails toward Bai Tu Long Bay.

3:00 PM: The boat heads to Cong Do and Cap La areas for kayaking among the karst formations. Depending on the tide, there may be a stop at a secluded beach.

5:30 PM: Return on board and relax on the upper deck.

7:00 PM: Dinner served on board. Evening at leisure with the option to try squid fishing.

Overnight aboard the Renea boat.

6:00 AM: Tai Chi exercise on the upper deck or enjoy the sunrise over Bai Tu Long Bay amidst stunning karst landscapes while sipping tea or coffee.

7:00 AM: Breakfast on board the boat.

8:00 AM: Visit Thien Canh Son Cave. From the cave entrance, enjoy a panoramic view of Bai Tu Long Bay with its dolphin-shaped limestone formations.

9:00 AM: Return on board. Join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration and learn how to make fresh spring rolls.

Cruise back to the pier.

10:00 AM: Early lunch on board.

11:30 AM: Departure for Ninh Binh.

Visit a traditional village, the birthplace of water puppetry—a unique Vietnamese folk theater. Enjoy a private show in an intimate setting, followed by an exchange with the artist. Discover the workshop and try handling the puppets to understand their mechanics and ancestral craftsmanship.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Leisurely bike riding through villages and rice fields of the Red River Delta, offering a great opportunity to discover the daily life of local farmers. Visit a traditional lacquer workshop with a chance to try this artisanal craft.

Return to a local family’s home and join a cooking class to prepare spring rolls and fried pork with medicinal leaves. Share a warm moment around Vietnamese cuisine, followed by a lunch featuring your own dishes.

In the afternoon, depart for Van Long and enjoy a rowing boat trip through the Van Long Nature Reserve, renowned for its rich ecosystems. For about two hours, glide through a pristine landscape of limestone cliffs, clear waters, and free-flying birds. With some luck, you might spot the rare and endangered Delacour’s langur monkey.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Morning: Departure to climb Hang Mua. It takes about an hour to ascend the 500 steps to the top of these karst mountains, where you’ll enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Tam Coc—rocky peaks, rice fields, and boats drifting on tranquil waterways.

Continue to Bich Dong Pagoda via a path through villages and rice paddies, including the village of Dam Khe. A stop is planned to observe rural life, photograph water buffaloes, and learn about local funeral customs near a traditional cemetery.

Visit Bich Dong Pagoda, dating back to the 15th century, accessible by a stone bridge crossing a lake. In summer, the fragrance of blooming lotuses adds a poetic touch. This site offers a beautiful insight into Vietnamese Buddhism.

Afternoon: Depart for Trang An, a UNESCO mixed heritage site. Board a traditional sampan for a 2.5-hour loop tour through caves, valleys, and tropical vegetation-covered karst mountains.

You’ll glide along emerald waters in a peaceful, enchanting setting. At the Presentation Temple stop, watch red carp swimming to the surface—a delight for both children and adults. The boat ride continues back to the dock.

Evening: Transfer to Ninh Binh train station for the overnight train to Hue.

You will arrive at 8:50 AM and be welcomed by our guide.

Breakfast.

Morning: Start your day with a visit to the Imperial City of Hue, the seat of the Nguyen dynasty, the last feudal dynasty of Vietnam. This vast complex is divided into three parts: the Citadel (Thanh Noi), the Imperial City (Hoang Thanh), and the Forbidden Purple City (Cam Thanh). You will explore the main monuments: the Flag Tower, the nine sacred cannons, the Meridian Gate, the Thai Hoa Palace, Thai Dich Lake, the nine dynastic urns, the Temple of the Nguyen Kings, and the Forbidden Purple City.

Continue with a visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of the Celestial Lady), built in the 17th century and an iconic symbol of Hue. Admire its 21-meter octagonal tower representing the seven reincarnations of Buddha.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Visit the imperial tomb of Minh Mang, renowned for its majestic architecture set in a peaceful natural environment.

Return to Hue with a stop at the Pass of the Nice View to enjoy a panoramic view of the Perfume River.

Overnight in Hue.

8:00 AM: Meet a local artisan specializing in kites. The visit begins at his workshop, where you will discover a collection of traditional designs: dragon, phoenix, butterfly, unicorn...

Afternoon: Explore the pristine Tam Giang Lagoon, one of the largest brackish water bodies in Southeast Asia. On the way, stop at the mysterious "Ghost Town," famous for its colorful mausoleums.

Arrive at the village of Ngu My Thanh. Board a small motorboat to explore the lagoon. Learn local fishing techniques from a fisherman, then participate in activities such as stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) or pedal boating.

Enjoy grilled shrimp and fish cooked right on the boat in a friendly atmosphere. End the day watching the magical sunset over the lagoon.

Return to Hue. Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Hue.

9:00 AM: Visit the covered Thanh Toan Bridge and the Agriculture Museum. Then depart for Hoi An, taking the famous “Cloud Pass” route, offering panoramic views of Da Nang and the central Vietnamese coast.

Afternoon: Discover the charming old town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stroll through its picturesque streets to explore Chinese houses over two centuries old. Key highlights include:

• The Japanese Covered Bridge, built in the 17th century, with its original architecture perfectly preserved for 400 years.
• Phuc Kien Temple, formerly a meeting hall for Chinese merchants from Fujian.
• An ancient house, such as Tan Ky, Phung Hung, or Quan Thang.
• The Ceramics Museum or the Sa Huynh Culture Museum.
• The local market.

Then, you will also take part in making a traditional lantern crafted from natural fabric without paint, which you can keep as a souvenir.

Finally, visit art galleries and tailor shops where you can have custom-made clothing created.

Morning: Bicycle ride through the countryside of Hoi An to visit Cam Thanh village, an area covered by Nipa palm mangroves. Bamboo round sampan boat excursion. Stop en route to visit Tra Que vegetable village. Participate in a cooking class. Lunch with the dishes you prepared.

Lunch

2:00 PM: Departure for the Sacred Valley of Mỹ Sơn, an archaeological site located 40 km southwest of Hoi An, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999. Once the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom from the 4th to the 13th century, Mỹ Sơn reflects a unique culture deeply rooted in Hinduism.

You will discover over 70 remarkably preserved red brick and stone tower sanctuaries. The visit is on foot, providing an immersive experience at the heart of these exceptional ruins, enhanced by a traditional Cham dance performance.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Free time until transfer to Danang for the flight to Can Tho.

Upon arrival, enjoy a bicycle ride through the village and take in the lush green landscapes of the Mekong Delta.

Overnight in Can Tho.

6:00 AM: Embark for a visit to the Cai Rang floating market, the largest in the Mekong Delta. Stop at the Le Binh land market located opposite to compare these two unique types of markets.

Stroll through a nearby village and visit a traditional noodle-making workshop. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

On the way to Vinh Long, visit a fascinating site: the kingdom of centuries-old brick and pottery workshops. Participate in a pottery workshop to create your own piece.

Take a boat trip along the river where impressive egg-shaped brick kilns rise in ochre tones, resembling giant beehives contrasting with the blue sky. A short walk will take you near the brick and ceramic kilns where you will learn about their manufacturing techniques.

Lunch with a local family.

Visit a Khmer pagoda before departing for Ben Tre.

Overnight in Ben Tre.

Embark for a visit to Thom market, famous for its coconut trade and artisanal workshops producing coconut fiber and activated charcoal. You will visit a manufacturing site explaining the coconut processing, then enjoy the lush, enchanting landscapes of the Mekong Delta.

The boat sails along the Co Chien River to Con Ho Island, an authentic haven covered with coconut gardens and orchards.

Visit local families involved in tourism on the island. Dip your feet in medicinal herbs at Hai Trai, then explore Vu Minh’s grapefruit garden, with a tasting possible depending on the season.

Lunch at Mrs. Ba Phi’s home before continuing the journey to Ho Chi Minh City.

Morning: Orientation tour of Ho Chi Minh City including:

• The Reunification Palace, former official residence of the presidents of South Vietnam and symbolic site of the 1975 reunification. Explore its five floors and underground bunker.
• A walk through the colonial district of old Saigon: the Central Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, a landmark built in 1891, and the imposing People’s Committee Headquarters, the former colonial town hall.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Explore the Chinatown district of Chợ Lớn:

• Binh Tay Market, the city’s largest market, where you can find everything from fresh produce to clothes and souvenirs, and sample local specialties and street food.
• Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the Lady of Heaven.
• Herbal Medicine Street, to learn about traditional local medicinal practices.

Dinner at leisure.

Optional: Enjoy the cultural A O Show, a performance combining traditional arts, dance, and bamboo acrobatics celebrating Vietnamese rural life.

Morning: Free time until transfer to the airport for your departure flight.