The Great Tour of Vietnam

Departure from Montreal to Hanoi.

Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Free afternoon 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 nearby Ho Chi Minh Complex. Here, you’ll explore his mausoleum 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 in the morning for the magnificent mountain village of Sapa on the border with China. Start in the small Giay village of Ta Van, in the Muong Hoa Valley.

Continue your walk through the peaceful rice paddies of the Black H’mong village of Lao Chai. Marvel at the terraced rice paddies that climb the mountain slopes and form one of the most beautiful panoramas in Vietnam. You’ll arrive at the home of Madame Moo, a local Black H’mong host. Immerse yourself in the culture and traditional life by sharing an aromatic herbal foot bath!

You’ll then join a workshop where you’ll learn the art of Batik painting. These beautiful Black H’mong textiles are world-famous, and Batik is an integral part of this culture. Learn how to make them during a private class with a professional and take home your own creation! You’ll be supporting an eco-friendly tourism project that helps the village women on a daily basis and allows this unique art to be passed down from generation to generation.

Approx: 1.5 hours of walking – easy level

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Overnight in Sapa

Depart this morning along a winding road to the Ban Khoang Valley. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Hoang Lien Mountain Range along the way.

The first stop is Lu Khau Village, home to the Blue H’mong and Red Dao minorities. Explore the village on foot, meet friendly locals, and discover their colorful culture and rural lifestyle.

Continue to the Ta Giang Phinh Valley. Walk the village trail that winds through the impressive valley, home to the Blue H’mong ethnic minority. Visit local homes to see some craft workshops and watch villagers working in the fields, tending their crops with buffalo.

Transfer in the late afternoon to the town of Sapa.

Approx: 4 hours of walking at medium level

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Overnight in Sapa

Start the day with a visit to the rustic village of Suoi Ho. Stroll through its quiet streets and stop at a school to meet the children.

Admire the view of the beautiful countryside as you walk along the Suoi Ho River en route to the second village of Ma Tra. Immerse yourself in its vibrant culture and visit its picturesque Christian church before being transferred to Sapa town. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before heading back to Hanoi.

Approximate: 2 – 3 hours walking

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Overnight in Hanoi

Departure in the morning to Halong Bay to begin your short 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”.

Continue your cruise to Viet Hai Pier, where you’ll take the opportunity to explore the local life of an ancient village. Upon arrival at the pier, you’ll choose to take a bicycle or electric cart ride to Viet Hai Village. The 6 km journey takes you along a beautiful lagoon and a beautiful cave to the hidden village of Viet Hai. Spend your time strolling and chatting with the villagers.

Return to the boat for your midday meal.

In the early afternoon, the boat drops anchor in the center of Lan Ha Bay, where you can enjoy marine activities such as swimming, kayaking, or simply lying on a small, pristine beach. Return to the cruise in the late afternoon.

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

Visit the Dark and Bright Cave by traditional bamboo boats. You’ll see a sloped passage opening the cave to water level and a serene circular lake surrounded by lush trees and steep stone cliffs.

Return to the cruise for your brunch at the Harmony of the Sea restaurant as the ship slowly heads back to the port.

Disembark and continue to the city of Ninh Binh. You will visit the Phat Diem Cathedral, built of stone in 1892. It is a blend of Vietnamese and European architecture, giving rise to an “eclectic architectural style.”

Next, you’ll visit a matte weaving family living on the riverbank. You’ll gain insight into the lives of local people and the preservation of traditional family crafts.

Meals: Brunch – Dinner
Overnight stay in Ninh Binh

Morning visit to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam. Discover the Dinh and Le temples.

Continue to Trang An, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2014. Trang An boasts a spectacular landscape of towering limestone ridges. A rowboat cruises down the river, passing through a series of caves. The boat glides gently along the river as it winds around the mountains, earning it the name “Halong Bay on land.”

For the more adventurous, climb to the Bich Dong Pagoda, dating from 1428 and comprising three structures: Ha (bottom), Trung (middle), Thuong (top).
Transfer to Hanoi in the late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Overnight in Hanoi

Transfer to Hanoi Airport to catch your flight to Hue. Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to your centrally located hotel.

In the afternoon, guided tour of Hue starting with the tomb of Tu Duc which is one of the most important emperor tombs in Vietnam.

Continue by boat to visit the Thien Mu (Heavenly Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River. Built in 1601, the 21-meter-high tower is the centerpiece of the pagoda and represents seven reincarnations of Buddha.

You will also have the chance to visit the handicraft workshop where local women stitch conical palm hats and make incense sticks using sandalwood, cinnamon and sawdust mixed with tree resin.

Meals: Breakfast – Dinner
Overnight in Hue

Departure to the village of Phuoc Tich, 40 km from Hue and untouched by modernity. It still preserves 27 “Nha Ruong” (traditional Hue houses) and its gardens, including 12 houses with unique architectural values. You will later meet Madame Kieu at her home for a lesson in preparing “banh gai,” the famous cakes of central Vietnam.

Continue to Tam Giang Lagoon, which literally translates into English as three rivers, and which originates from the mouth of three rivers: the Perfume River, the Bo River, and the Ong Lau River. A short stop at Quan Cong village will take you on a tour. Admire the “ghost village,” the nickname given to Quan Cong due to the grandiose tombs built by the villagers for their ancestors. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Royal dinner with traditional Hue dishes wearing royal costumes.

Meals: Breakfast – Dinner
Overnight stay in Hue

Departure south towards Hoi An. The scenic route also passes through the Ocean Cloud Pass (Hai Van Pass), the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co where you will stop for photos before reaching Hoi An. Arrive in Hoi An in the mid-afternoon.

Guided city tour afterward: Start your Hoi An tour by visiting the trading port that once welcomed Chinese, Danish, French, Japanese, Portuguese, and Arab merchants between the 16th and 18th centuries. Today, Hoi An is known for its architecture, handmade silk, tailor-made professionals, and delicious seafood noodles. Sail on this relaxed atmosphere and pedestrian streets that make this city a great place to stroll and discover new things.

You will first visit the 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.

Next, you’ll head to Phuc Kien Assembly Hall to see Jinshang Temple, which was 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.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Overnight in Hoi An

After breakfast, set off on a bike ride along scenic country roads and through rural villages. Upon arriving at the village, learn about the daily work of local farmers as they plant seeds and water plants in an organic herb garden. The highlight of the day will be a water buffalo ride.

After your farming experience, board the boat for a trip to the Cua Dai River mouth. Learn traditional fishing techniques by casting round nets. You’ll have even more fun learning to paddle the strange and unique bamboo basket boat, which is round and will spin around.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Overnight in Hoi An

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 Can Tho

Depart early in the morning for a cruise to the Cai Rang floating market. Large boats anchor and create pathways that smaller boats weave through. The main items sold are fruits and vegetables, and each boat has a long pole straight from its bow from which samples of the goods for sale are hung. The waterway becomes a maze of hundreds of boats filled with mangoes, bananas, papayas, pineapples, and even pho.

Continue to Chau Doc, a peaceful and colorful town near the Cambodian border.

This afternoon, return to nature by exploring the Tra Su Nature Reserve, a sanctuary for over 100 bird species and bat colonies. Take a small rowboat along the river to explore this mangrove forest. Along the way, you’ll visit a small Khmer village where you’ll learn about the lifestyle of this ethnic minority and have the chance to chat with the monks.

Meals: Breakfast – Dinner
Overnight stay at Chau Doc

Early in the morning, take a stroll on a xe loi (an ideal way to better explore the delta) along peaceful trails, passing through villages where life has remained unchanged over the years. Take this opportunity to chat with the locals and take photos of the beautiful landscapes of Southern Vietnam.

Return transfer to Ho Chi Minh City.

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

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Montreal.

Meals: Breakfast