Vietnam is a thrilling country full of contrasts, overwhelmingly spectacular nature, and mysterious monuments of times gone by. The country is home to bustling, vibrant cities and rural districts with deep-rooted traditions and an irrepressible optimism. Vietnam boasts ever changing landscapes and one of the most diverse cuisine cultures in the world. Spend two weeks actively exploring this fascinating country and immerse yourself in the vibrant far eastern flair. Explore the rocky fairy-tale world of the famous Ha Long Bay sailing on a traditional junk. Admire the lush green rice fields and meet the friendly water buffaloes, visit colourful temples and pagodas, and let the emerald-green waters of the South China Sea enchant you. Explore the impressive monuments of the Vietnamese emperors as well as the historical town of Hoi An, a World Heritage Site, in Central Vietnam, and the expansive water labyrinth of the Mekong Delta in South Vietnam.
Spend two weeks actively exploring this fascinating country and immerse yourself in the vibrant far eastern flair. Explore the rocky fairy-tale world of the famous Ha Long Bay sailing on a traditional junk. Admire the lush green rice fields, visit colourful temples and pagodas, and let the emerald-green waters of the South China Sea enchant you. Explore the impressive monuments of the Vietnamese emperors as well as the historical town of Hoi An, a World Heritage Site, in Central Vietnam, and the expansive water labyrinth of the Mekong Delta in South Vietnam.
Arrival at Hanoi Airport. A shuttle bus takes you to your hotel in the heart of the old quarter of Hanoi. Despite its three
million inhabitants, Hanoi’s traditional charm is pervasive. The historic old town district is considered as one of the best
preserved in Southeast Asia. The colourful and bustling streets contribute to the Asian flair. We may take a walk
through the colorful, lively streets before visiting the famous water puppet theatre – a traditional Vietnamese form of
art. Afterwards we have dinner in a local restaurant where we get to know our fellow travellers better. Overnight stay at
the hotel in Hanoi.
After breakfast our shuttle bus takes us in the direction of the rural province of Ninh Binh. That’s where we start our first cycling tour along vibrant green rice fields to Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam. After exploring the fascinating historical site with its well-preserved relics of past dynasties, we continue our cycling tour, which takes us through
Vietnam‘s most spectacular landscapes. Along the way we stop in the quaint village of Trang An Farm where we are able to try some local specialties for lunch. After lunch we continue by bike for a few kilometres to Tam Coc where we visit a local bird sanctuary. Here we enjoy a boat ride in this truly unique setting. Every evening the flock of birds returning to their nests is a spectacular sight. Overnight stay at the hotel in Tam Coc.
After breakfast, we visit a hidden valley nestled in a dramatic rocky landscape and home to a Buddhist temple. Afterwards, we take a four-hour transfer to Ha Long Bay, where we board a junk (a traditional wooden boat) and enjoy our lunch. Soon after we leave the harbour for our first boat passage through the spectacular UNESCO protected island
world of Ha Long Bay with its wonderful, bizarre rock formations. Here we get a first impression of the lush vegetation of the islands and the numerous caves that have formed over the millennia in the bay. In the late afternoon a short outing by kayak is offered. In the evening we enjoy a spectacular sunset. The night is spent on anchor.
After breakfast we cruise, via a smaller boat, to the national park of Cat Ba Island. Once we have arrived, we begin our cycling tour to a small tribal village of the Việt Hải minority. We park the bikes here and enjoy a guided walk through the protected old-growth forest where wild, unspoilt nature rules. The destination is the highest peak of the island which, on a good day, offers breath-taking views over the island and out to Hạ Long Bay. We then cruise east of Bo Hon Island to the so-called ‘Virgin Cave’ (Trinh Nu Cave). A visit to this cave combines the incredible beauty of Halong Bay with the folklore of Vietnamese heritage. Guests will enjoy dinner followed by an overnight on the ship.
In the morning, we disembark the junk and take a transfer boat to Lan Ha Bay, where we enjoy a guided kayak tour around the lagoon-like shoreline. Our first stop is a beautiful hidden beach. After a picnic and a lengthy relaxing swim break, we continue with a kayak tour past floating houses to Cat Ba, the next destination of our journey. A short transfer takes us to a beautiful resort, where the evening can be enjoyed on the hotel’s very own sandy beach or by the pool.
After a morning visit to the Cat Ba market, we can enjoy a free morning by the beach (late hotel checkout until 2:00pm). We then take a transfer to Hai Phong / Hanoi Airport for a late afternoon flight to Danang. Dinner and overnight will be enjoyed in a hotel in Hội An. Note: in the event the original flight to Danang (from Hai Phong) is cancelled or changed, we will transfer guests to Hanoi to catch a connecting flight.
Today we have the opportunity to experience the everyday life and work of the local farmers. After breakfast, we ride through the quiet countryside of Hội An towards Tra Que Village. The name of the area originates from a sweet-scented vegetable often used by the locals to spice up their meals: a totally new and foreign speciality! We prepare a meal with
our host who familiarises us with the exotic ingredients. The afternoon can be spent as you wish: A stroll through the picturesque old town or a relaxing afternoon swim at the white beach of Cửa Đại or at An Bang Beach. Overnight stay at a hotel in Hội An.
We have the full day to explore (on foot) the sights and sounds of Hội An. Its narrow streets, lantern-lit storefronts and fusion of various styles of traditional Asian architecture give it a charming feel. Two of the city’s main specialties are clothing and food. Also, don’t miss visiting the Japanese Bridge and Quan Cong Temple. In the afternoon you can enjoy all the benefits of your luxurious hotel resort and end the day at the palm tree shaded pool. Overnight at the Hotel in Hội An.
After breakfast we check out of the hotel and make our way to the former imperial city of Huế. Our transfer takes us over the Cloud Pass, the weather line between North and South Vietnam. After a short stopover on Lăng Cô Beach (incl. lunch break), we have the opportunity to cycle all the way along the coastline to Thuan An beach. You can decide for
yourself how many kilometres you wish to travel by bike or by bus. If weather conditions allow, we can stay for a refreshing swim before continuing to Huế. After checking into our lodge, the evening offers us some leisure time to explore the city for ourselves. Overnight stay at a hotel in Huế.
Today is dedicated to the old imperial city Huế, charmingly situated between hills and rice fields on the bend of the Perfume River. It is here that the spiritual heart of Vietnam beats with more than 300 temples and pagodas. After breakfast, we enjoy a relatively easy ride toward Thanh Thuy Village. After exploring the village (with its unique architecture, temples & bridges) we bike back to Huế where guests will eat lunch before taking a tour of the Imperial Citadel. After lunch, we visit the extensive citadel with its “Forbidden Purple City“, which was once exclusively for the use of the emperors of the Nguyen dynasty. The evening can be spent as you wish with plenty of time to explore the lively centre of Huế
After breakfast we catch a morning flight to Hồ Chí Minh City with a subsequent transfer to Mỹ Tho, the entrance of the delta, where we check-in on board the boat. We sail along the Mekong Delta in the direction of Cái Bè. During the short trip we cruise along the Mekong Delta during which we enjoy the flourishing nature and observe the river life of the locals. In the afternoon we head out on our first bike tour along the river mouth, exploring the surrounding river arms and channels with their scattered islands. Along the way be sure to take the opportunity to try exotic fruits and be astonished by various local handcrafts. Afterwards, the junk takes us for a sunset sail towards Cai Be, where we spend the night on anchor
In the morning we cross over to Vĩnh Long Island, where we cycle under palm-shaded paths around the island. We continue by boat to Traon Island where we again have the opportunity to explore the surroundings by bike. Later on, we enjoy the excellent cuisine on board and the wonderful evening atmosphere in the water labyrinth of the Mekong Delta. We spend the night aboard.
During breakfast, we cruise to Cần Thơ where we visit the region’s largest farmer´s market. Make sure to have a camera at the ready, as the colourful fruit stands beg to be captured. After lunch on board the junk, we check out and take a transfer back to Hồ Chí Minh City. Overnight stay at a hotel in Hồ Chí Minh City
Hồ Chí Minh City, formerly Saigon, is a boomtown and the modern centre of Vietnam. On a guided city tour we learn about this growing megacity, and visit the town hall, the cathedral Notre Dame, the main post office, influenced by Renaissance architecture, and other important sights which characterize the city’s history. In the afternoon, you are free to do as you please. Take the opportunity to buy some souvenirs and dive into the bustling crowds in the Bến Thành Market. A comfortable evening meal together allows us to reflect on the events of the vacation and to farewell fellow guests and tour guides. Overnight stay at the hotel in Hồ Chí Minh City.
Departure after breakfast or extended stay in Hồ Chí Minh City or Siem Reap
Map
Tour Dates
October 26- November 9
November 23-December 12
Tour Prices– all prices are per person in Euros – subject to confirmation on booking
Base price double occupancy 3.549,00 €
Prices for Additional Services
Single room charge- (single rooms are only guaranteed for overnight stays in the
hotels, not on the boat) 1774,5 euro
Insurance against theft and damage of the rental bike (not insured: grossly negligent damages) 10 euro per trip
E-bike rental 200 euro (3 days in North Vietnam / 3 days in South Vietnam)
Rental Bike insurance (e-bike) 10 euro
Exclusive airport transfers (if not on arrival or departure days) Prices on request
Additional nights in Hanoi and Hồ Chí Minh City on request
Extension programs in Hanoi and Siem Reap [&] Angkor Wat ask us for details
Tour Cycle Distance
183 km
Vietnam Junks
Our boats in Vietnam are traditional wooden junks that make their way through the
rocky fairytale world of Hạ Long Bay and the water labyrinth of the Mekong Delta.
It is easy to feel at home on the junks. Both the elegant interior of the salon and the
thoughtfully prepared laid tables at every meal contribute to this. Tasteful wicker
chairs and furniture made of fine wood create a tasteful ambience during meals.
The guest cabins, whose colonial-style furnishings exude a Far Eastern flair, are
equipped with individually adjustable air conditioning. The cabins’ large windows are
a welcomed feature for our guests. Sun loungers are available on the spacious sun
deck. There you can relax in comfort while the ships cruise through the fascinating
water worlds of Vietnam.
Year of construction 2008-2014
Cabin size 8 – 12 m²
Cabin features
A/Cm mini bar, hairdryer, safe, slippers, bathroom with a mirror, shower,
washbasin and WC
Beds double or single beds
Service
cabin service
Extras
quiet generator, recliners on the sundeck, large tables with chairs on deck in the
shade, bar on the top deck, spa and massage service, on board restaurant,
complementary bottles of water in the rooms each day
Travel Preparations
Please note that you have to book your outward flight to Hanoi and the return flight
from Ho Chi Minh City. If at all possible, the outward flight should arrive before noon
on the arrival day. Your trip officially begins with a welcome drink at 5
pm in the hotel lobby.
A trip to Vietnam and a holiday spent there requires a certain amount of preparation
in regard to formalities.
In order to avoid time pressure while going through the formalities, you should have
booked your trip to Vietnam at least two months before commencement of the tour.
How to get to Vietnam – Flights
Please note that you must book the outward flight to Hanoi and the return flight from Hồ Chí Minh City. The earlier a flight is booked the better the chances are of finding a reasonably priced ticket.
Entry Requirements for Vietnam
As entry and customs regulations can change at short notice, we recommend that
you also check the information provided here with the representative of
your destination country.
Visa Requirements
Citizens of Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland and
all citizens from USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand require valid visa or e-visa,
which can be obtained from the Vietnamese embassy or also online.
The processing time is usually around 13 days and only begins once all
the necessary documents have been received. Children traveling with you need their
own passport and visa.
Onward journey to Siem Reap (Cambodia)
Should you book the additional days in Siem Reap you can organise the flight from
Hồ Chí Minh City to Siem Reap and fly home directly from Siem
Reap.
This is a partner tour
TICO Ontario Registration No. 50022848
