Beautiful Vietnam

Departure from Montreal to Hanoi.

Arrival in Hanoi. Welcome and transfer to your hotel. Free time to relax or explore the surrounding area.

Meals: Dinner
Overnight stay in Hanoi

Depart in the morning to visit the Temple of Literature. Established in a temple to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins, and members of the elite, the university operated for an incredible 700 years before becoming the peaceful landmark it is today. Its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer fascinating glimpses into the country’s distant past.

Continue to the Ho Chi Minh Complex. Here, you’ll explore his mausoleum (from the outside) and also the former house where he lived from 1958 to 1969. His stilt house illustrates his famous modesty. Finish the morning with a visit to the small but iconic One Pillar Pagoda.

In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Ethnology, arguably the most comprehensive museum in the country. In the late afternoon, take a pedicab ride through the streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as the “36 Streets.” Take a tour through the charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleyways is home to literally thousands of small businesses and merchants.

End the day with a water puppet show, a traditional art of Northern Vietnam since the 6th century.

Meals: Breakfast – Dinner
Overnight stay in Hanoi

Depart for a 2-hour drive through rural northern Vietnam to Ninh Binh, one of the most beautiful parts of Vietnam with its spectacular scenery and historic temples. It is also known as “Halong Bay on land” for its magnificent limestone karsts that dominate the landscape.

Upon arrival, begin a 5-15km cycle route (level: very easy) around Tho Ha Village, passing through peaceful villages and enjoying the rustic countryside. Continue to Dong Tam to participate in interesting agricultural activities such as crab catching, fishing, transplanting, watering vegetables, and more. Enjoy a 2-hour rowboat ride through the small canals. Between March and early June, you can admire the rice paddies.
Continue on foot along the winding rocky path for 200 meters and climb 20 steps to reach Galaxy Cave to admire the spectacular stalactites.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Overnight in Ninh Binh

Departure in the morning to Halong Bay to begin your magnificent cruise stay aboard the Capella. Several activities are offered during this magnificent cruise: the Oasis Pool and Jacuzzi; Ocean Floating Pool; Inflatable Water Slide; Mini Golf Course; Cigar & Poker Room; Night Squid Fishing; Games at the Spirit of the Sea Lounge; etc.

Meals: Breakfast – lunch – dinner
Overnight stay on board the ship

Welcome the new day with a Tai Chi session on the “Ocean Sky Sundeck”.

Transfer to visit Bright Cave by traditional rowboat. Admire this inclined passage opening the cave to water level and the beautiful serene lake surrounded by lush trees and steep stone cliffs. Return to the cruise for your brunch while the boat slowly returns to the port.

Disembark and transfer to Hanoi airport to board your flight to Danang. Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.

Meals: Brunch – Dinner
Overnight stay in Hoi An

Start your tour of Hoi An by visiting the commercial port that once welcomed Chinese, Danish, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders between the 16th and 18th centuries.

Today, Hoi An is known for its architecture, handmade silk, and delicious seafood noodles. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and pedestrian streets that make this town a pleasant place to stroll. Your first stop will be Chau Ong Pagoda, which dates back to 1653 and was built in honor of the Chinese general Quan Cong, admired for his loyalty and sense of justice.

Continue to Phuc Kien Assembly Hall to see Jinshang Temple, dedicated to the goddess of the sea and protector of sailors. You’ll stroll around the 200-year-old Tan Ky House and the 17th-century Japanese Bridge, the most photographed in Vietnam. This magnificent bridge is built in a mirror, with a temple at the back, which elevates it to the top of Hoi An’s monuments.

Meals: Breakfast – Dinner
Overnight in Hoi An

Departure in the morning to head west along the banks of the Thu Bon River, we first stop at a fish market before heading towards green rice paddies and local villages. We stop en route to meet a local family producing rice crackers. Cross a bridge over the Thu Bon River and then we arrive at quieter villages. In beautiful farmland, we take a break for a local specialty dish while surrounded by seasonal vegetables in the picturesque fields of corn, eggplant, sweet potatoes, cucumbers and herbs.

As the sun begins to set, we set off through rice paddies, passing duck farms, visiting a family weaving mats, and then a charming family home where beer is produced. A short ride across the Cam Kim Bridge to the center of Hoi An.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Overnight in Hoi An

All guests will sit in the back of Vespas (passenger seat). English-speaking guides are certified by the Vespa team.

Transfer to Danang Airport to board your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to your hotel to drop off your luggage.

Begin your visit to Ho Chi Minh City with its two famous monuments: Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, built between 1877 and 1883 by the renowned Gustave Eiffel. The Cathedral remains in operation today, holding daily religious services. Next, stroll along Dong Street to reach the Opera House, which boasts a rich history: during the war, it served as a shelter and the seat of parliament. Restored in 1995, the Opera House has returned to its roots as a theater.

Continue to the Reunification Palace, one of the symbols of the South Vietnamese government. It was here on April 30, 1975, that the war ended when a North Vietnamese army tank crashed into the ramparts.

Head to Cholon, Chinatown, and Thien Hau Pagoda, dedicated to the goddess of the sea.

Meals: Breakfast – Dinner
Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City

Departure in the morning to Ben Tre, a drive that takes about two hours and offers panoramic views of southern Vietnam. Located in the Mekong Delta, Ben Tre is famous for its fruit orchards and traditional artisans working with coconut leaves.

Arrive in Ben Tre and visit a Caodaist temple before boarding a boat for a first glimpse of life in the Mekong Delta. Visit a coconut product workshop.

Continue along a small waterway to stop and enjoy fruit, honey tea, and music. Visit a carpet maker.

Then hop aboard a tuk tuk (vintage Lambro) or cycle along the village trails through the coconut jungle and plains.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Montreal.

Meals: Breakfast