Vietnam, a full discovery - 21 days tour - Parfum d'Automne
 

Vietnam, a full discovery – 21 days tour

per person

We offer you to explore Vietnam from North to South.

This journey is designed for those who want to take their time and gain a complete overview of the landscapes and the people living in Vietnam.

In the North, you will cruise in Lan Ha Bay on one of our junks before exploring the land-based Halong Bay (Ninh Binh) and the Northern mountains. Our guide will introduce you to Mu Cang Chai, an area still relatively untouched by tourism and offering some of the most beautiful landscapes in Northern Vietnam. You will then continue to Sapa and Bac Ha, home to the largest market of ethnic minorities in Northern Vietnam.

Next, you will head to Central Vietnam, where you will visit the cities of Hue and Hoi An. Our guides will explain the rich culture of the Champa civilization in the vicinity of Hoi An.

Finally, the Mekong Delta will unfold before you and captivate you with its local life influenced by the longest river in Southeast Asia

21 days and 20 nights
  • Departure
    Hanoi
  • Departure Time
    8h
  • Return Time
    17h
  • Dress Code
    Comfortable and rainproof clothing, hiking shoes, first aid kit.
  • Included
    Vietnam, a full discovery – 21 days tour
1
Arrival in Hanoi and Old Quarter discovery
Arrival at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi (please specify flight number and arrival time). You will be greeted by our driver and guide, and then transferred to the hotel. You can drop off your luggage at the hotel (rooms available from 1:00 PM). Lunch will be provided at a city restaurant. The afternoon will be dedicated to exploring the Old Quarter of Hanoi and Hoan Kiem Lake. You will learn about the history of Hanoi's Old Quarter, its guilds, and our guide will take you through the narrow alleyways, full of surprises. Perfect for experiencing the atmosphere of Hanoi from day one! Among other visits, you will explore the surroundings of Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ngoc Son Temple located on a peninsula in the lake, and the Dong Xuan Market. You will end the afternoon with a traditional water puppet show. Accompanied by our guide, you will learn about Vietnamese legends! Dinner on your own and overnight at the Parfum d'Automne Guesthouse or a 3-star charming hotel.
  • Included in the day: Airport transfer to the hotel, lunch, entrance tickets for visits, transportation by car with driver, services of an English-speaking tour guide, accommodation.
2
Hanoi - historical discovery
You will have breakfast at your hotel. Our guide and driver will pick you up to explore the rest of Hanoi. The morning will be dedicated to Vietnamese history with visits to the Temple of Literature (a symbol of Confucianism) and the Tran Quoc Pagoda (the oldest Buddhist Pagoda in Hanoi). After lunch at a city restaurant, you will visit the Museum of Ethnology, which houses a vast amount of information about the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. In the early evening, we recommend attending My Village (optional), an impressive show combining dance and circus performances! Children will love it! Dinner on your own and overnight at the Parfum d'Automne Guesthouse or a 3-star charming hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, entrance tickets for visits, transportation by car with driver, services of a English-speaking tour guide, accommodation.
3
Hanoi - Duong Lam - Nghia Lo (200 km)
It's the day of your departure to Northern Vietnam! After breakfast, the driver and your guide will pick you up at your hotel / Parfum d'Automne Guesthouse. You hit the road and make your first stop at the village of Duong Lam (Mong Phu), a typical village representing the culture of the Red River Delta inhabitants, the cradle of the Vietnamese civilization (Kinh). It's famous for having several houses belonging to the same family for over 300 years. You will visit some of these houses and have lunch in one of them. You'll also visit the communal house and Mia Pagoda. In the afternoon, you continue your journey northward and enter a landscape of increasingly higher hills covered with tea plantations. You'll cross the Khé Pass and arrive in the Thai village of Muong Lo in the late afternoon. It's situated in a vast plain surrounded by high mountains, making it the largest in the North after Dien Bien Phu. Dinner and overnight with a local host in Muong Lo.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private car with driver, English-speaking tour guide, entrance ticket, accommodation, a small bottle of water per person.
4
Nghia Lo - Mu Cang Chai (90 km)
After breakfast, you will hit the road towards Mu Cang Chai, passing through the Hmong village of Nga Ba Kim. By car, you will ascend amidst peaks rising over 2000 meters in height, overlooking terraced rice fields. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will go for a hike and visit the village of La Pan Tan (well-known for having the most beautiful terraced rice fields in the north) before reaching the village of Cau Ba Nha (2 hours of walking). You will then continue by car to Mu Cang Chai. You will discover beautiful landscapes along the way, with the option to take a walk depending on the weather and your desire (especially around the village of Phing Ho). You will arrive in Mu Cang Chai in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight with a local host or at Mu Cang Chai Ecolodge.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private car with driver, English-speaking tour guide, entrance ticket, accommodation, a small bottle of water per person.
5
Mu Cang Chai - Sapa - Ta Phin (160 km)
After breakfast, depart for Sapa. Visit villages along the way. You will have plenty of opportunities to stop for photos. Lunch will be provided on the way. Upon arrival in Sapa, you will take a 3-4 hour walk through the villages of Ma Tra and Lu Khau before finally reaching the village of Ta Phin (Red Dao). Dinner will be served, and there is an option to take a soothing herbal bath after dinner (at your own expense). Overnight with a local host.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private car with driver, English-speaking tour guide, accommodation, a small bottle of water per person.
6
Ta Phin - Bac Ha (110 km)
After breakfast, transfer by car to the starting point of the hike. The trail is more challenging than the previous day, but with beautiful off-the-beaten-path landscapes that will rejuvenate you. Lunch will be a picnic along the way. Then, head to Bac Ha. You will arrive there in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel in Bac Ha.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private car with driver, English-speaking tour guide, entrance ticket, accommodation, a small bottle of water per person.
7
Bac Ha (ethnic market) - Hanoi (320 km)
After breakfast, visit the ethnic minority market. On Saturday, you can visit the Can Cau market. On Sunday, it will be the Bac Ha market. Return to Hanoi by car (350km - 5 hours drive), arriving in Hanoi in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight in Hanoi.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private car with driver, English-speaking tour guide, accommodation, a small bottle of water per person.
8
Hanoi - Ninh Binh (95 km)
Departure around 8:00 AM for the village of Dong Dinh, near the Kenh Ga nature reserve. Bike ride through the villages, from 5km to 15km (off the beaten path) depending on your preference, followed by a boat ride to discover the lakeside village of Dong Dinh and its inhabitants. Lunch at Mrs. Mien's. In the afternoon, take a traditional boat ride to the village of Van Long or to the Trang An site (depending on your choice). Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel in Tam Coc.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private car with driver, English-speaking tour guide, accommodation at the hotel, a small bottle of water per person.
9
Ninh Binh - Lan Ha bay (150 km)
The driver will pick you up from your hotel around 7:00 AM, heading to Cat Ba Island. First, you will take a ferry to reach the island. After the ferry, to get to the town of Cat Ba (located about 30 km away), where our junk boat is located, we offer you a one-hour motorcycle ride with a driver, off the beaten path. It is possible to take a car if you do not wish to experience the motorcycle ride. Around 12:30 PM, you will board one of our traditional boat, the Four Seasons (4 cabins) junk.  The junk boat first crosses the fishing village of Hang Vem in Lan Ha Bay. Sailing is possible depending on the wind. Enjoy this trip to relax, swim, and soak up the sun on deserted beaches (weather permitting, of course). You have the option to go kayaking and explore a fishing village. Lunch and dinner are served on board and consist of seafood (fish, shrimp, squid, shellfish) purchased on the same day from local fishermen. You will spend the night on board in a bay in the middle of Lan Ha Bay.
  • Included in the day: Private car transfer from Ninh Binh, English-speaking tour guide, cruise on Four Seasons boat, lunch and dinner, kayaking, overnight stay on the boat.
10
Lan Ha bay (B, L, D)
This second day is dedicated to a cruise in both bays (Halong and Lan Ha). You can swim and explore landscapes that are more fantastic than the others. Meals are served on the boat. You will spend the night on board, in a bay in the middle of Lan Ha Bay.
  • Included in the day: English-speaking tour guide, cruise on Four Seasons boat, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, overnight stay on the boat.
11
Lan Ha bay - Cat Ba island - Hanoi (150 km)
Breakfast on board the junk boat before starting the morning program: a 2-hour bike ride to reach the village of Viet Hai. After the ride, brunch will be served on the boat. You will return to Cat Ba Island around 12:30 PM to pick up your car. You will return to your hotel in Hanoi in the late afternoon.
  • Included in the day: Cruise, activities, breakfast, brunch, car transfer to Hanoi, overnight stay at the hotel in Hanoi.
12
Hanoi - Hue (flight)
Transfer by car from your hotel to Hanoi airport. Arrival at Hue airport, greeted by the driver and your guide, and then transfer to your hotel. Vegetarian lunch at Lien Hoa Pagoda. In the afternoon, take a sampan ride to Thien Mu Pagoda and visit the Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc. Depending on the available time, you can also visit Dong Ba Market. Dinner is at your leisure, and you will spend the night at the hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, flight from Hanoi to Hue, lunch, private car with driver, English-speaking tour guide, hotel accommodation, a small bottle of water per person.
13
Hue - Tam Giang (70 km)
After breakfast at your hotel, you will begin your visit to the Imperial City of Hue. After the visit, you will embark on a 2-day off-the-beaten-path tour. You will first stop at Phuoc Tich, 40km north of Hue. This ancient village is surrounded by the beautiful O Lau River. Explore the typical old houses and visit a pottery workshop. Have lunch with a local family. Then, head to Tam Giang Lagoon, located 25km from Phuoc Tich. Take a walk to visit the fishing village, discover the villagers' fishing activities, daily life, rice and vegetable cultivation. Dinner and overnight stay in a guesthouse in Tam Giang.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private car with driver, English-speaking tour guide, homestay accommodation, a small bottle of water per person, entrance tickets.
14
Tam Giang - An Bang - Lang Co - Danang - Hoi An (150 km)
From one lagoon to another: early in the morning, visit Tam Giang Lagoon and its local floating market (around 4-5 am, optional). Then, depart for Hoi An along the scenic Thuan An seaside road to avoid National Highway No. 1. Visit An Bang, the unique "City of the Dead," which comprises tombs of overseas Vietnamese families' ancestors. Have lunch with a local family. Continue the journey to Lang Co Lagoon and Hai Van Pass before arriving in Danang. Depending on available time and your preference, you can visit the Cham Museum or Linh Ung Pagoda, the largest pagoda in Danang, offering panoramic views of the city. Arrive in Hoi An in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight stay in Hoi An.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, private car with driver, English-speaking tour guide, hotel accommodation, a small bottle of water per person, entrance tickets.
15
Hoi An - My Son - Hoi An (80 km)
After breakfast, depart for My Son, also known as the "Valley of the Kings," located at the site of the ancient Cham kingdom that thrived until the 10th century. Explore the archaeological site. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you have two options: Free time to relax at the beach; Bicycle ride to visit the village of Cam Thanh, interact with the locals, and explore daily life. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, entrance tickets, English-speaking tour guide, private car with driver.
16
Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City (flight)
After breakfast, free time to enjoy the beaches of Hoi An (on your own). Transfer to Danang Airport in the early afternoon. Upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh City airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, private car transfer to Danang Airport, Danang - Ho Chi Minh City flight, overnight stay at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
17
Visit of Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, visit the Traditional Medicine Museum, the Municipal Theater, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the Reunification Palace, Thien Hau Pagoda, and Ngoc Hoang Pagoda. Explore the lacquerware production process and take a stroll in the Cho Lon Chinatown. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, entrance tickets, English-speaking tour guide, private car with driver.
18
Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Tre - Mo Cay (150 km)
Depart for Ben Tre around 08:00. Journey up the Ben Tre River to witness the daily life of the river-dwelling locals, including fishing. Stop at Mr. Tu Lo's place to see the manual brick-making process. Continue the tour along the river's branches, arriving at Nhon Thanh village. Explore the village on foot, visit weaving houses, taste Vietnamese tea, and sample seasonal fruits. Choose between biking or taking a tuk-tuk to explore the village, passing through coconut groves, rice fields, or gardens. Visit Mr. Sau Khanh's house, an antique collector, admire his collection, and learn the coconut climbing technique. Lunch at Hai Ho. Take a boat ride under the shade of water coconut trees and follow the Cai Coi River branch back to the Hung Vuong port. Transfer across the Ham Luong Bridge. Arrive at Mrs. Mai's place. Check-in with the locals, relax, and then go biking, kayaking, or fishing. Participate in cooking and have dinner with the family. Spend the night enjoying the tranquility of the Southern village. Overnight stay with the locals or at a hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, entrance tickets, English-speaking tour guide, private car with driver, dinner (if you choose to stay with the locals), overnight stay at a hotel or with the locals.
19
Mo Cay - Can Tho (100 km)
After breakfast, ride bicycles to the local market. Head down to the Cai Cam River pier to reach the Ham Luong River. The boat will follow the beautiful Mo Cay River to the Hoa Loc port. Bike ride under the coconut trees. Take a boat to the Mo Cay market. Visit the coconut candy-making workshop (the most renowned coconut candy workshop in Ben Tre). Continue by boat on the Mo Cay River to the Thom market. You will see hundreds of workshops producing coconut-based products and the boats of coconut traders. At the Thom market, your vehicle will pick you up to follow National Route 57, along which you will see bonsai gardens and well-known fruit gardens in Cai Mon. Lunch at Mr. Khanh's place, bike ride in the village, observe the daily life of the villagers. Depart for Can Tho, arriving in Can Tho in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay with the locals or at a hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, entrance tickets, English-speaking tour guide, private car with driver, dinner (if you choose to stay with the locals), overnight stay at a hotel or with the locals.
20
Can Tho - Cai Rang floating market - Ho Chi Minh City (180 km)
After an early breakfast (6:30 am), you will visit the Cai Rang market, one of the liveliest markets in the Delta. Then, you will pass by the Binh Thuy house, which served as a backdrop for the movie "The Lover" by Jean Jacques Annaud. Lunch at Mr. Muoi Cuong's place. Then, the return route to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrival in the early evening. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, lunch, entrance tickets, English-speaking tour guide, private car with driver, dinner (if you choose to stay with the locals), overnight stay at the hotel.
21
Ho Chi Minh City -airport transfer
Free time for your personal discoveries before the transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport for your departure flight.
  • Included in the day: Breakfast, transfer to the airport.
  • Here are the prices per person in dollars.
  • This is a private tour including private car transfers and the services of a English-speaking tour guide for each day of the tour.
  • The junk boat tour is done on the Quatre Saisons boat in a shared group (other people may be on the boat with you).
  • Everything is customizable; feel free to contact us to tailor this tour to your needs.
  2 pers. 3 pers. 4 pers. 5 pers. 6 pers. 7 pers. 8 pers.
Hôtels 3* 2690 2190 1990 1750 1650 1550 1490
Single option additional cost: 275usd/pers
Hôtels 4* 3190 2690 2450 2190 2150 2090 1990
Single option additional cost: 750 usd/pers
The price does not include the air tickets for the flights from Hanoi to Hue and from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City. The price will be an additional 60 to 120 USD per person per flight. The price will be confirmed at the time of ticket purchase.
Here are the accommodations we offer for this 21-day journey from North to South Vietnam. Of course, everything is customizable, and if you prefer other accommodations, we are happy to include them in the itinerary (subject to availability).
Ville Offre Hôtels 3 Etoiles Offre Hôtels 4 Etoiles
Hanoi Maison d’Hôtes Parfum d’Automne Hôtel Maison d’Orient ou équivalent
Nghia Lo Nuit chez l’habitant Nuit chez l’habitant
Mu Cang Chai Nuit chez l’habitant Ecolodge Mu Cang Chai
Sapa Nuit chez l’habitant Nuit chez l’habitant (chambre privée)
Ninh Binh Hotel Nam Hoa Bungalow Chez Loan
Halong Jonque Parfum d’Automne (Majonq ou Quatre Saisons)
Hue Rosaleen Pilgrimage village
Hoi An Green Heaven Resort Palm Garden
Delta du Mekong Nuit chez l’habitant Mékong Ecolodge
Ben Tre Nuit chez l’habitant Hotel Viet Uc
Kim Tho Nuit chez l’habitant Hôtel Kim Tho
Ho Chi Minh Ville Le Duy Hôtel ou équivalent Paragon Saigon ou équivalent