Essences of Vietnam

Arrival at the airport at least 2 hours in advance. Boarding formalities for flight to Hanoi. Night on board.

Arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel (check-in permitted after 2pm). Free day. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Visit to the city of Hanoi. Today Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, a unique Asian city with tree-lined avenues, French colonial architecture and oriental temples. The visit begins at Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed Vietnam's independence in 1945. In this complex we can see Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (exterior only) and Ho Chi Minh's house, a house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969 as president. Continue with a visit to the Single Pillar Pagoda, a temple built in 1049 by Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who reigned from 1028 to 1054, on a single pillar to represent a lotus flower. Although it was destroyed by French troops in 1954, it was later rebuilt and remains one of the symbols of Vietnam. Next, a visit to the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, and Quan Thanh, a Taoist pagoda from the 11th century, both located on Lake Tay. Finally, visit the Temple of Literature, the country's first university founded in 1076, dedicated to Confucius and which served for centuries as a teaching center and spiritual place. To this day, it is considered the symbol of Hanoi. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Ngoc Son Temple, located on an islet in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Afterwards, a walking tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter, also known as the quarter of 36 streets, formerly classified by the 36 guilds that were established here. During the tour we can see the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and local life, with narrow streets full of stores, workshops and street food stalls. In late afternoon, visit a café considered to be a hidden gem of Hanoi, where you can learn more about Vietnamese coffee and how to prepare a fabulous coffee with eggs (ca phe trung). Return to the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure by road through the farmlands of the Red River Delta and landscapes of rice fields and Asian buffalo to discover the mythical Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and declared one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Arrive in Halong and board the "Junco", a traditional wooden boat. During the two-day cruise, the boat will sail through the emerald waters of the bay between the many limestone islets. Lunch on board. Activities in the afternoon. Dinner and accommodation on board.

Note: the cruise itinerary is subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions.

On the way back to the port of Halong, enjoy a magnificent brunch. Arrival and return by road to Hanoi airport. Board your flight to Da Nang. Arrive and transfer to your hotel in Hoi An. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. Visit to the city of Hoi An, an important trading port during the 17th and 18th centuries due to its strategic location. Formerly known as Faifo, Hoi An was considered one of the best trading cities in Asia. Walking tour of the old town to see the houses of the old merchants which are still in immaculate condition after more than 200 years of incessant climate change and wars. Afterwards, we visit the Japanese covered bridge, the symbol of the city. This bridge, over 400 years old, was built by Japanese merchants to reach Chinatown on the other side of the river. Finally, a visit to the colorful local market to discover the most authentic side of Hoi An. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon free to explore Hoi An and enjoy the beach. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Transfer by road to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Pass over the Hai Van Pass, a mountain pass approximately 21 km long on National Route 1, and the photogenic Lang Co beach. Arrive in Hue and visit the Imperial City, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945, and the Dong Ba market. Motorcycle tour of the old city of Hue. The landscape is characterized by lotus flowers (in summer) and the many cafés where students gather to study and discuss. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. Boat trip on the Perfume River, the river that runs through the city of Hue and has a very important significance for the Vietnamese. Disembark and visit the Thien Mu Temple, located on the banks of the river. This temple was built in 1601 and houses a 7-storey pagoda which has become the symbol of the city. Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit to the mausoleums of two emperors of the Nguyen dynasty, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Tu Duc's tomb covers a very large area surrounded by ponds and, despite the construction of this mausoleum, Emperor Tu Duc's body was buried elsewhere along with a treasure that is still kept secret. Khai Dinh's tomb, a unique complex of its kind, with a style that mixes Vietnamese tradition with a European touch, is situated on a hill with a breathtaking view. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport and board the flight to Ho Chi Minh. Arrival and visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. This incredible network of tunnels was built by Vietnamese resistance soldiers (Viet Cong) during the wars against the French and Americans. For many years, the Vietnamese fought and lived in the tunnels and played a very important role in the resistance against the invaders. In the tunnel complex you can see a museum with the weapons used during the war and recreations of the booby traps. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, transfer to Ho Chi Minh City and a walking tour of the city center, passing by the City Hall (exterior only), the post office with its French colonial architecture, and the Reunification Palace (exterior only), site of the culmination of the fall of Saigon in 1975. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Transfer to Ben Tre, located in the Mekong Delta region, also known as Vietnam's "rice bowl". Boat trip on the Hàm Luong River and visit to some local factories. Stop at a local house to taste local fruit and walk around the village to get to know local life. Lunch. Return to Ho Chi Minh. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Free time. At a time to be arranged locally, transfer to the airport. Boarding formalities and departure on a flight to Portugal. Overnight on board.