From Upper Tonkin to the Mekong Delta - 15 days

8:00 AM: Transfer by vehicle to the Muong Hoa Valley, enjoying beautiful views surrounding the village of Y Linh Ho, home to the Black H'Mong.

Follow a trail that crosses the stream cutting through the valley surrounded by terraced rice fields. As you descend, you'll encounter friendly Hmong women and children living in houses nestled in the valley.

Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Muong Hoa River, from Y Linh Ho Valley to Lao Chai (Black Hmong) village and on to the Day village of Ta Van.

Stop at a traditional batik workshop to discover the techniques of Black H'Mong batik art painting. You'll also meet a village artisan working with beeswax for decorating traditional indigo clothing of the Hmong. These authentic encounters provide an excellent opportunity to learn about the daily life and culture of the Black H'Mong Ethnic Group. Then, visit a Dzay family that makes incense cones.

Afternoon: Transfer to Bac Ha via the Muong Bo Valley, enjoying beautiful terraced rice field landscapes along the way. Visit a beautiful village of the Red Dzao.

You'll arrive in Bac Ha by the end of the day.

You will arrive at Hanoi train station early in the morning. Shower and breakfast, then transfer to Ninh Binh. Take a leisurely bike ride through the villages and rice fields. A great opportunity to discover the daily life scenes of the farmers in the Red River Delta. You will meet smiling and hospitable farmers.

Lunch at a local home - a chance to taste some Vietnamese cuisine specialties and share a moment with the locals. You can even participate in a cooking workshop with the host family: Nem or fried pork with medicinal herbs.

Afternoon: On the way to Van Long.

Visit to Thung La Temple dating back to the 11th century, accessible by stairs (slight elevation) (Visitors are advised to dress modestly).

Rowboat ride in the Van Long Nature Reserve, an exceptional natural site classified for its flooded ecosystems. The boat ride will last about 2 hours in total (round trip). You will immerse yourself in a landscape that remains wild, where limestone cliffs float on the transparent water like islands, and where birds take flight from trees perched on the cliff tops to create a magical spectacle.

This place is a fabulous spot for birdwatching, with white storks and, if you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Delacour's langur, an unfortunately endangered primate (a monkey from the Cercopithecidae family).

Night in Ninh Binh.

8:00 AM: Transfer to Sun Pier

Boarding at noon. Transfer by small boat to reach the hotel boat.

12:45 PM: Welcome drink and brief presentation on board about safety instructions and itinerary.

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

3:00 PM: The boat sails towards the Cong Do and Cap La region, kayaking activity through the karst rocks. Possibility to stop at a wild beach depending on the tide.

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

7:00 PM: Dinner on board. Free evening for squid fishing. Overnight on Renea Cruise.

6:00 AM: Tai Chi exercise on the upper deck or enjoy the sunrise in Bai Tu Long Bay amidst beautiful karst landscapes while sipping a cup of tea or coffee.

7:00 AM: Breakfast

8:00 AM: Visit Thien Canh Son Cave. From the cave entrance, you'll have a panoramic view of Bai Tu Long Bay with rocks shaped like dolphins.

9:00 AM: Return to the boat. A demonstration of Vietnamese cuisine will help you learn how to make spring rolls. Cruise back to the pier.

11:00 AM: Early lunch on board.

Disembarkation at noon. Transfer directly to Noi Bai Airport for the flight to Hue.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Hue.

8:00 AM: Visit to the city of Hue, the former capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Start your day with a visit to the Imperial City - the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last feudal dynasty of Vietnam. It consists of 3 parts: The Citadel, the Imperial City, and the Forbidden Purple City. You will visit various main monuments: The Flag Tower, 9 cannons, the Noon Gate, the Palace of Supreme Harmony, the Thai Dich Lake, nine urns of the Nguyen Dynasty, the Forbidden Purple City, and the Temple of Worship of the Nguyen Kings.

The program continues with the Thien Mu Pagoda - one of Hue's iconic landmarks. Visit its 21-meter-high octagonal tower, built in 1601, which represents the 7 reincarnations of Buddha.

Then, enjoy a boat ride on the Perfume River to the Thuy Bieu village - a typical village in the countryside of Hue known for its delicious pomelo orchards called "Thanh Tra." Lunch at a family restaurant.

Take a leisurely walk to explore the orchards, typical garden houses. You will have the opportunity to enjoy serene nature and the typical rustic setting of Hue. Visit two lesser-known sites: the Tiger Arena, where emperors organized fights between tigers and elephants, and, 100 meters away, the charming little Voi Re Temple, dedicated to the only two elephants defeated in these fights.

Visit the tomb of King Tu Duc, one of the most beautiful sites in Hue. It is a model of traditional Vietnamese art. It is also an opportunity to learn about the history of the Nguyen Dynasty and the French colonial invasion. Photo stop at the handicraft workshop of incense and conical hats in Thuy Xuan. En route to Hue with a stop at Bellevue Hill for a panoramic view of the Perfume River.

Departure for Hoi An passing through Lang Co Beach and the highest point of the "Hai Van Pass," where the view is picturesque. Visit the Cham Museum in Da Nang, which houses the largest collection of Cham sculptures in the world.

Afternoon: Exploring Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage ancient port town that beautifully preserves its 15th to 18th-century charm. Take a leisurely stroll through its narrow streets, admiring the blend of Chinese, Japanese, and French architecture. Visit iconic landmarks such as:

• 17th-century Japanese Covered Bridge
• Phuc Kien Temple, a former meeting hall for Chinese traders.
• Ancient wooden house of wealthy merchants (choose between Tan Ky, Phung Hung)
• A museum (either the Museum of Ceramics or the Cultural Museum of Sa Huynh).

Optional activity: Participate in a lantern-making workshop, where you can design and keep your own lantern as a unique souvenir.

Continue to peacefully stroll through Hoi An's streets, browse art galleries and tailor shops. Don't miss a visit to the "Precious Heritage" gallery-museum by French photographer Réhahn.

In the morning: Visit the vegetable village of Tra Que, renowned for its aromatic herbs, specifically mint and basil. This morning will introduce you to the life of farmers and their techniques. You'll learn about hoeing and vegetable harvesting. Continue to Cam Thanh village, known for its Nipa palm mangrove. Here, you'll board a traditional round bamboo basket boat, peacefully cruising through picturesque small canals amidst mangroves, lagoons, and water coconut trees. Experience the serenity of the landscape, learn local crab fishing techniques, and enjoy making fun tools from coconut leaves.

Lunch at a local's house.

Afternoon: Depart for My Son Sanctuary, Vietnam's foremost Cham archaeological site and a UNESCO World Heritage site, located 40 km from Hoi An. This was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom from the 4th to the 13th century. Explore the impressive red-brick and stone tower-sanctuaries, perfectly illustrating Hinduism's spiritual influence. You may also catch a performance of traditional Champa dances before returning to Hoi An.

Enjoy free time at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your flight to Can Tho. Upon arrival in Can Tho, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. Free time at leisure.

Take a stroll along the former Catinat Street (Dong Khoi Street), visit the Central Post Office built in 1886 by Eiffel, the Notre-Dame Cathedral with its neo-Romanesque style in red bricks, the City Hall, and the Municipal Theatre (Opera House).

Afternoon: We will visit the Reunification Palace, the Chinatown area, the Thien Hau Temple (of the Celestial Lady).

Transfer to the airport for the departure flight. We sincerely hope that you've enjoyed your trip with GP Travel! Have a safe flight and we wish to see you again soon.