This itinerary is for you if you are a lover of travel with slow pace but at the same time a bit adventurous, if you crave nature but want to learn about the traditions of the Vietnamese people, if you seek your spirituality and want to do so through contact with the local people. This trip will introduce you to as yet undiscovered itineraries, unique places unaffected by mass tourism, natural landscapes and villages rich in traditions and culture.
A program that will allow you to travel from north to south with a low environmental impact and with activities that respect nature and are aimed at learning about a Vietnam that is committed to supporting its neediest citizens. Highlights of this trip include an overnight stay on the junk boat at Lan Ha Bay and continuation with exploration of Cat Ba Island, transfer from the north to the center by overnight train, and a visit to La Chu village where you will discover the art of steeping herbs. Also in the central part of Vietnam is a visit to the “Hope Center Hue,” a vocational and sustainable training center that creates jobs for people with disabilities or children and youth with poor living conditions to ensure a more secure and self-sufficient future for them. For nearly 20 years, the center has organized more than 45 sewing and handicraft courses for more than 1,500 students. Finally, on the Mekong Delta.
From Hanoi to the Mekong Delta amid history and traditions
Departure by scheduled flight from Rome Fiumicino.
Arrival in Ha Noi, welcome by our guide and transfer to the city. Accommodation in hotel. Rickshaw tour of dynamic downtown Ha noi, allowing you to explore the ancient 36-street district. The tour offers an opportunity to fully experience the lively and unique atmosphere of the area, discovering the tastes, colors and noises of the downtown area. Followed by a puppet show on the water.
Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Ha Noi.
Day dedicated to exploring the thousand-year-old city of Ha Noi: the Tran Quoc Pagoda is a splendid pagoda located on the city’s largest lake, the West Lake,President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum in which stands the ancient wooden house on stilts and its bucolic garden, the Single Pillar Pagoda, dating from the 11th century, linked to the legend of the Ly Dynasty, founders of the capital Ha Noi.
Continue to visit the Temple of Literature-the first university in Vietnam and the Ethnographic Museum where reconstructions of the daily life, customs and traditions of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam’s territory can be seen.
Lunch at local restaurant. Free dinner. Overnight stay in hotel.
Departure by private car to Ha Long. Arrive at the port at noon and settle aboard the junk. Handing over the keys, comfortable cabin equipped with hot water, air conditioning and bay view. Lunch served on board, cruise through the extraordinary Lan Ha Bay belongs to the famous Ha Long Bay.
Afternoon admire the magnificent sunset over the bay. Special dinner and overnight stay on board. Calm night in the idyllic bay.
Wake up early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Breakfast on board and then continue to visit the caves. Return to junket, vacate room and brunch on board.
Disembark and transfer by car to Ha Noi.
Then an hour massage at a social enterprise that offers the therapeutic massages and herbal healing bath, employs blind people and train them to work as real skilled therapists.
Dinner at local restaurant before reaching the station. In the evening board the overnight train to Hue on an air-conditioned carriage with bunks.
Arrive in Hue around 09:00, transfer to homestay for breakfast.
Visit the Citadel, consisting of the Royal Fortress and the Forbidden City, and the “Hope Center Hue,” a vocational and sustainable training center that creates jobs for people with disabilities or children and youth with poor living conditions, to ensure a safer and self-sufficient future for them. Following to visit Thien Mu Pagoda.
Lunch at local restaurant. Dinner at homestay. Overnight stay in Hue.
Depart by car to typical La Chu village, located about 9km north of downtown Hue, is famous for the culture of steeping various herbs. Walk or bike ride around the village, stop at a local house for votive offering on paper, which is called “vang ma”. Continue on to visit the vegetable garden, learn about daily life and talk with the villagers. Before lunch at a local house, visit a family that makes “Banh Loc” rice cakes with shrimps.
Then visit the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang-the best-known emperor among the 13 of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Transfer by car to Hoi An by crossing the Cloud Pass(weather dependent).
Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight stay at a hotel in Hoi An.
After breakfast, morning dedicated to visiting the ancient city of Hoi An: the market, Tan Ky’s ancient house, the Chinese Phuc Kien Temple, the Japanese covered bridge, and free time for shopping. Lunch at local restaurant.
Afternoon free for activities at the beach, which is about 4km from the city center (transportation at your own expense). Overnight stay at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Vacate room at noon. Free time until transfer to Da Nang airport for flight to Sai Gon. Arrival after an hour and twenty flight, transfer to the city. Accommodation in hotel. Lunch and dinner at local restaurant. Overnight stay in Sai Gon.
Discovery of the city: the Central Post Office, the War Museum where the history of the Second Indochina War, better known as the “Vietnam War,” is retraced, and the Ben Thanh Market.
Depart for the Mekong Delta with destination: Ben Tre. Arrival at the town after about 2 hours, accommodation in homestay. Bicycle ride around to discover the inhabitants’ daily life, opportunity to take a small cooking class in the preparation of Banh Xeo, a traditional Vietnamese dish. Dinner and overnight at homestay in Ben Tre.
Board a boat and cruise on the currents of the great arm of the Mekong surrounded by lush vegetation. Visit the coconut candy factory. Continuation of the visit to a family’s home where you can watch the handicraft production processes of fiber mat being carried out. On the Mekong Delta, we recommend taking a Xe Loi, typical means of transportation of the locals, for a tour of the surrounding area.
After local lunch, transfer directly to Sai Gone airport return flight to Italy. Departure by scheduled flight to Italy.
End of our services.
