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Parfum d’Automne invites you on a journey to discover Vietnam from North to South, combined with the unmissable highlights of Cambodia.
This itinerary is designed for travelers visiting Vietnam for the first time, who wish to explore the country’s essential destinations while traveling from North to South.
In the North, you will cruise through Lan Ha Bay aboard one of our traditional junks, before discovering the so-called “terrestrial Halong Bay” of Ninh Binh and the majestic mountains further north. Our guide will take you to Mu Cang Chai, a still little-visited region that offers some of the most stunning landscapes in Northern Vietnam.
Your journey continues to Central Vietnam, where you will explore the imperial city of Hue and the charming old town of Hoi An. Our guides will also introduce you to the rich cultural heritage of the Cham civilization around Hoi An. Finally, the Mekong Delta will unfold before you, captivating you with its vibrant local life, shaped by Southeast Asia’s longest river.
The adventure then takes you to Cambodia, where you will discover Phnom Penh and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor. Six unforgettable days will reveal both the country’s glorious ancient past and its more painful recent history, offering a profound insight into this deeply moving land.
Welcome upon arrival by our guide and driver. You will be transferred to your hotel, with rooms available from the morning. Lunch with your guide will follow.
In the afternoon, enjoy a discovery of the Old Quarter and its 36 streets, including a cyclo ride through its bustling alleys. End the day with a traditional water puppet show, a unique art form rooted in Vietnamese culture.
Dinner at leisure and overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, set out to visit the Ethnology Museum, where you will learn about the traditions and customs of Vietnam’s many ethnic groups. Outside the museum, you will find full-scale reconstructions of typical houses, making the discovery both interactive and fun.
Next, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi. Just outside, children will have the opportunity to discover the art of crafting Tò he, traditional Vietnamese figurines made from glutinous rice powder.
Enjoy a lunch of local specialties by Truc Bach Lake.
In the afternoon, explore the iconic Long Bien Bridge, one of Hanoi’s landmarks, before relaxing with a fresh juice on a rooftop offering sweeping views of the bridge and the Red River.
Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner at leisure and overnight in Hanoi.
Today marks the start of your journey to the North! After breakfast, your driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel. Your first stop will be Duong Lam (Mong Phu) village, a typical example of the culture of the Red River Delta, considered the cradle of Vietnamese (Kinh) civilization. The village is famous for its centuries-old houses, some of which have belonged to the same family for over 300 years. You will visit a few of these traditional homes and enjoy lunch in one of them. The visit continues with the communal house and the Mia Pagoda.
In the afternoon, the road leads you further north into a landscape of increasingly higher hills covered with tea plantations. Crossing Khe Pass, you’ll reach Muong Lo, a Thai ethnic town located in the middle of a vast rice plain surrounded by high mountains — the largest in the North after Dien Bien Phu.
Dinner and overnight stay with a local family in Muong Lo.
After breakfast, continue your journey toward Mu Cang Chai, with a stop in the Hmong village of Nga Ba Kim. The road climbs higher and higher, surrounded by towering peaks of over 2,000 meters, offering breathtaking views over endless terraced rice fields. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, enjoy a 2-hour hike through the famous village of La Pan Tan, renowned for its spectacular terraced fields — considered among the most beautiful in northern Vietnam. The walk continues to the village of Cau Ba Nha, before resuming the drive toward Mu Cang Chai. Along the way, admire more stunning scenery, with the possibility of short walks depending on your energy and the time available (notably around the village of Phing Ho).
Arrival in Mu Cang Chai by late afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay with a local family or at Mu Cang Chai Ecolodge.
After breakfast at the ecolodge / homestay, set out for a 2-hour hike in the Che Cu Nha area, a region famous for its photogenic terraced rice fields. Take the time to enjoy the scenery and capture some memorable shots.
You will leave the district no later than 1:00 PM and return to Hanoi in the early evening. Overnight at your hotel.
After breakfast at the Guesthouse or hotel, set off with your guide for Dong Dinh village, located near the Kenh Ga Nature Reserve. Enjoy an off-the-beaten-path bike ride through the surrounding villages (from 5 to 15 km, depending on your preference), followed by a boat trip or a walk to discover the stilted village of Dong Dinh and meet its inhabitants.
Lunch at Mrs. Mien’s home.
In the afternoon, take a traditional sampan ride through either Van Long or Trang An (depending on your choice).
Dinner at leisure and overnight at a hotel in Tam Coc.
Your day to discover Halong Bay!
For this experience, we’ve selected the Dragon Legend cruise, a high-standard boat featuring family cabins. It sails through the less-touristy part of Halong Bay, known as Bai Tu Long, where only a limited number of boats are allowed to anchor — ensuring a more exclusive and peaceful experience.
Here’s the program for the day:
08:20 – 08:45: Pick-up at your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
11:30: Arrival at the cruise office, with a short break in the waiting lounge before your transfer to the cruise boat.
11:50 – 12:15: Transfer by tender to the cruise ship, where the crew will warmly welcome you and assist with the check-in process.
12:30 – 13:00: Welcome drink on board, followed by a presentation of the itinerary and safety instructions. Time to settle into your cabin.
13:15: Lunch at the boat’s restaurant, featuring fresh seafood dishes from Quang Ninh. As you enjoy your meal, the boat begins its journey through Bai Tu Long Bay, sailing past limestone islands and breathtaking scenery.
14:30: Guided visit of Thien Canh Son Cave, where you’ll marvel at thousands-of-years-old stalactites and unique rock formations.
15:00: Relax on Hon Co Beach and enjoy a kayaking excursion to explore the limestone islets of the bay before returning to the cruise.
16:15: Back on board, cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay as the sun sets.
17:15: Take part in a Vietnamese cooking class.
19:00: Dinner in a peaceful and serene atmosphere on the bay.
20:00: Free time to relax, or join a squid fishing activity with the crew.
Overnight on Bai Tu Long Bay.
Second day of your cruise – program details:
07:00 – 07:15: Wake up to the stunning scenery of the bay with a cup of tea or coffee. Breakfast is served on board.
07:45: Transfer by bamboo boat (sampan) to visit Vung Vieng fishing village, where you’ll discover the traditional life of the local fishermen.
08:45: Return to the cruise ship for some leisure time and relaxation.
09:45 – 10:00: Check out of your cabin and enjoy free time to relax or take memorable photos while the boat cruises through the limestone islets.
10:15: Lunch is served on board as the boat continues its navigation across the bay.
11:30: Disembark at Halong International Port.
Continue your journey towards Yen Duc village in Dong Trieu province, a typical Vietnamese agricultural village rich in culture and traditions, for a short visit.
Afterwards, your driver will transfer you back to Hanoi, where you will be dropped off at the train station for your overnight train to Hue.
Arrival in Hue – After settling into your hotel, you will begin your visits:
Imperial City – the former residence and workplace of 13 Nguyen emperors over a period of 143 years.
Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang – famous not only for its traditional architecture but also for the emperor’s extraordinary legacy: father of 142 children with 43 concubines.
After breakfast, your afternoon will be more playful, with a visit to one or two traditional craft villages, chosen together with your guide: conical hat making, incense stick production, or kite-making where you can even craft your own.
Dinner at leisure and overnight at the hotel.
Departure for Hoi An!
On the way, enjoy a stop at the Hai Van Pass (“Cloud Pass”) for its breathtaking panoramic views over Danang Bay. Continue with a visit to the Cham Museum in Danang to learn more about the rich history of this ancient civilization.
Lunch in Danang.
Arrival at your hotel in Hoi An in the early afternoon. After a short rest, explore the Old Town with your guide.
Dinner at leisure and overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast and then free time in Hoi An.
After breakfast, transfer to Danang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the vibrant southern capital (formerly Saigon).
Upon arrival, enjoy a walking tour through the heart of “Colonial Saigon”:
Ben Thanh Market, the city’s iconic landmark.
Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, both designed by Gustave Eiffel.
The People’s Committee Hall (formerly the City Hall), one of the most beautiful colonial buildings in Saigon.
Lunch with local specialties, then return to your hotel for some rest.
Dinner at leisure and overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel, then departure with your guide and driver for Tay Ninh, the cradle of Caodaism — a religion founded in 1919 in Vietnam and now followed by 2.5 million devotees.
You will visit the impressive Cao Dai Cathedral of Tay Ninh, an extraordinary temple built entirely by hand by farmers and religious dignitaries, and attend the midday prayer ceremony, a colorful and spiritual experience.
After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the Cu Chi Tunnels, located about 70 km from Saigon. This 250 km underground network, dug entirely by hand, played a crucial role during the Vietnam War.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
Dinner at leisure and overnight at the hotel.
Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda in My Tho, then embark on a cruise along the Bến Tre River.
Along the way, discover local workshops specializing in coconut processing and mat weaving, traditional crafts of the Mekong Delta.
Late in the morning, enjoy a ride by motorized cart or bicycle through lush rice fields and vegetable gardens.
Lunch at Hai Hồ’s house.
In the afternoon, continue with a peaceful sampan ride along the shaded canals before returning to the pier and heading towards Can Tho (100 km – approx. 2h30 drive).
On arrival, take a bicycle ride through the village to soak up the atmosphere of the Mekong countryside.
Dinner and overnight in a local homestay.
In the morning, take a boat trip to visit the famous Cai Rang floating market.
Then, explore Le Binh covered market, known for its wide variety of fresh fish and vegetables.
Continue your journey to Xeo Quyt, a historic site and natural reserve that served as a battlefield during the Vietnam War. Enjoy a walk and a sampan ride through the dense forest while learning about the living conditions of Vietnamese soldiers at the time.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City by late afternoon.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Upon arrival, meet your guide and driver and transfer to your hotel.
You will then visit the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum, home to a rich collection of statues from Angkor.
Lunch is free in downtown Phnom Penh (your guide will help you choose a good local restaurant).
In the afternoon, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) before strolling through the lively Russian Market.
Later, enjoy a cyclo ride through the old colonial quarter, located between the Tonlé Sap River and Wat Phnom hill, where you can admire the sunset over the city.
Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the station to take the bus to Siem Reap.
The journey takes around 6 hours, with a stop en route for lunch (at your own expense).
You will arrive in Siem Reap by late afternoon, where our guide will meet you at the bus station and transfer you to your hotel.
Dinner at leisure and overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel, then the day is dedicated to discovering the most impressive sites of Angkor.
You will first visit Angkor Thom, built mainly by King Jayavarman VII at the end of the 12th century. The name Angkor Thom means “The Great City,” and it stands as a testimony to the grandeur of the Khmer Empire.
After lunch (at your own expense), continue with the exploration of Angkor Wat, the monumental complex built by Suryavarman II in the early 12th century. This vast site was the spiritual heart of the Khmer civilization at that time. With your guide, you will unravel the many symbolic details embedded in its remarkable architecture.
In the early evening, you will be taken to enjoy a dinner show featuring the traditional Apsara dance, a true emblem of Khmer culture.
Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Breakfast at the hotel, then departure for the local market in Rolous.
There, you will meet Madame Ry, who will accompany you through the stalls to select fresh ingredients (vegetables, freshwater fish, meats, and spices) for preparing a typical Cambodian meal.
You will then head to the village of Kampong Pluk, located on the shores of the Tonle Sap, Cambodia’s “Great Lake.” Here, you will observe the unique lifestyle of the floating villages, traditional fishing techniques, and even private crocodile farms. Each year, the water level of the lake rises and falls by 4 to 8 meters, flooding the lands and forests of the region (from August to January). Depending on the season, it is possible to glide through these flooded forests by wooden canoe.
Afterward, return to Madame Ry’s traditional house in Prey Monty village, where you will continue the cooking lesson alongside your hosts, before sharing a homemade lunch together.
In the afternoon, enjoy a bike ride around the village, taking in the peaceful beauty of the Cambodian countryside.
Return to Siem Reap at the end of the day. Dinner at leisure and overnight stay at your hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel, then free time until transfer to the airport by our driver for your flight.
All our tours are private. You will travel with your own vehicle, driver, and guide, ensuring maximum comfort and flexibility throughout your journey.
Private tours for solo travelers are significantly more expensive, and most guides are unwilling to lead one-person tours. Therefore, this itinerary is available starting from 2 travelers.
If you’re traveling alone, we can offer day trips or short excursions instead.
No, our tours begin upon your arrival in Vietnam.
However, we’re happy to assist you in booking your international flights if needed.
You’ll find the ideal travel period in the “Practical Info” section, based on the climate in the regions visited.
That said, this tour is available year-round, with a few adjustments depending on the season.
This itinerary is perfect for travelers seeking cultural discovery and immersion in nature.
It can be adapted for couples, families, or groups of friends of all ages.
Absolutely! All our tours are fully customizable.
You can modify the duration, change accommodations, add activities, or adjust the pace according to your preferences.
Simply send us a request using the contact form on this page.
One of our travel advisors will get back to you quickly to finalize your itinerary and provide a personalized quote.
Let’s talk and tailor it to your wishes.
+84 9 66 59 98 05
info@parfumdautomne.fr
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