Stay : Exploration of the great crown of Hanoi and escapade to Along Bay
Discovery is one thing, but in Vietnam you also have to take the time to immerse yourself! If you are among those who like to linger, deepen, meet, here is a tour tailored for you to concoct an unforgettable visit of North Vietnam. You'll see all the essentials and you'll have time to get off the beaten track.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
13 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : Exploration of the great crown of Hanoi and escapade to Along Bay - 13 days
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi and first steps in the capital
Steps: Hanoi
Discover the History Museum, stroll around Hoan Kiêm Lake, the legendary heart of the city and visit the Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain Temple) on the islet north of the lake. The walk continues to St. Joseph's Cathedral, next to the pagoda of the Lady of Stone (chua Ba Da).
LAC HOÀN KIÊM / CATHÉDRALE SAINT-JOSEPH / MUSÉE NATIONAL D'HISTOIRE DU VIÊT NAM / TEMPLE NGOC SON (DE LA MONTAGNE DE JADE)
Day 2: A walk in the old quarter
Steps: Hanoi
Exploring this maze of 36 streets leads to the venerable Long Biên bridge (formerly Paul Doumer) that crosses the Red River. In the afternoon, visit the new Hanoi Museum inaugurated on 6 October 2010 as part of the capital's millennium celebration. In the evening, a night stroll around Hoan Kiêm Lake and a stroll along the busy street leading to the Opera House.
PONT LONG BIÊN (ANCIEN PONT PAUL-DOUMER)
Day 3: A short getaway to the fragrance pagoda
Steps: Pagode Des Parfums
About sixty kilometres southwest of Hanoi, visit the sanctuary complex of the Perfume Pagoda. Back to Hanoi.
Day 4: Hanoi's must-see attractions
Steps: Hanoi
In the morning, visit the mausoleum, the museum and the house on stilts of Ho Chi Minh, then the pagoda at the Single Pillar. The district is rich in magnificent colonial buildings (the former palace of the Governor General of Indochina and the former Albert-Sarraut High School). In the afternoon, the walk continues with an exploration of the western lake district, dotted with pagodas and temples.
Day 5: Escapade in Muong country
It leads to the Mallard farm, Luong Son village, in Hoa Binh province, 45 km from Hanoi. Bicycle tours, traditional massages and gastronomy are on the programme for this day in the heart of nature. Night at the farm.
Day 6: Meeting the Thai minorities
Steps: Hoa Binh, Mai Châu, Luong Son
From Luong Son, early morning departure to Mai Chau, a very beautiful valley located 80 km from the city of Hoa Binh (160 km from Hanoi). In Hoa Binh, visit the small museum dedicated to the culture of the Muong ethnic group. The road continues, crossing the Cun Pass from where there is a magnificent view of the Mai Chau Valley, dotted with houses on stilts inhabited by the Thai minority. Arrival in the village. Discover the lives of minorities during a long walk in the rice fields. Overnight in the village.
Day 7: From Mai Chau to Hoa Lu
Steps: Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu, Tam Côc
Early departure to Ninh Binh, 140 km from Mai Chau. The route leads to Hoa Lu, the former capital of Dai Viêt in the 10th century, nicknamed the bay of Along terrestre. Rocky peaks with ghostly shapes emerge from the rice fields. The escapade to Hoa Lu allows you to get to know a region rich in historical remains, the cradle of the Vietnamese people. It is also an opportunity to approach rural life and explore splendid landscapes on foot, climbing the steps leading to a pagoda nestled in the rock or even by boat, carried by a river winding through the countryside. Overnight at the hotel in Tam Coc, in the heart of the terrestrial bay of Along.
Day 8: Towards Along Bay
Early departure to arrive in Along around 11:30 am. Embarkation on the junk for a 3-day and 2-night cruise that allows you to sail to Bai Tu Long Bay, less frequented and more wild than Along Bay. The day is punctuated by stops dedicated to swimming or kayaking explorations. Night on the junk.
Day 9: Continuation of the cruise
Visit of floating villages. Exploring the caves and swimming in the coves. Outings in kayaking. Night on the junk.
Day 10: Last day in Along
Last swims and visits to the fishing villages before returning to the port. End of the cruise and return to Hanoi in the late afternoon (about 4 hours drive). Performance at the puppet theatre on the water.
Day 11: Back to Hanoi
Steps: Hanoi
In the morning, visit the superb Ethnography Museum. It gives an insight into the extraordinary diversity of the peoples who live together in the country. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature and the Fine Arts Museum.
Day 12: Picturesque getaway in Son Tay
Two hours from downtown, in Son Tay district, visit the traditional village of Duong Lam. The opportunity to discover a rural village typical of the Red Light Delta, with its original architecture preserved... Return to the city centre in the late afternoon.
Day 13: Discovery of Vietnamese handicrafts
Morning break for a visit to the ceramists' village of Bat Trang. We go there by boat, along the Red River. On the way, stops to visit temples and pagodas. In the late afternoon, shopping and strolling in the central district, around Hoan Kiêm Lake.
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