Journey of Heritage: Exploring North to South in 14 Days for Seniors

A day dedicated to exploring Hanoi's most remarkable cultural sites and historical monuments:

• The Temple of Literature, a symbol of feudal education and one of Hanoi's iconic landmarks.

Built 1000 years ago, this Confucian temple served as an institution where royal offspring and sons of mandarins received their education. It also hosted competitions for the country's most talented students, with the winners attaining the status of scholars and senior officials in Vietnamese feudal dynasties.

• Visit Ba Dinh Square, the location of the former palace of the Indochina governor, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and his residence.
• Explore the Ethnography Museum, home to a vast collection of 25,000 ancient and contemporary artifacts that provide insights into the history of local populations.
• In the evening, enjoy a water puppet show – a distinctive feature of the Vietnamese culture.

Colorful wooden puppets are skillfully manipulated by the artists using rods and bamboo shafts underwater. It is a unique and captivating art form unique to the Northern Vietnamese tradition.

Night in Hanoi.

Departure for Ninh Binh – the land of limestone karsts, sugarloaf mountains, and rice fields flooded by rivers and lakes throughout the year.

Arrival in Ninh Xuan, visit to Mua Mountain. Climb a 486-step white stone staircase to the summit of this bell-shaped mountain, which offers a panoramic view of the Tam Coc region.

A limestone mountain located near the rivers and sugarloaf mountains of Tam Coc. In the past, it was renowned for its dance performances for the kings of the Tran Dynasty (13th-14th century).

Afterward, transfer to Tam Coc for a bike ride and leisurely exploration of this fabulous region.

Explore a vast landscape featuring sugarloaf-shaped rock formations, rice paddies, and rivers. Enjoy boat rides on the Ngo Dong River, winding through the sugarloaf peaks, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the lush surrounding nature.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip along the Ngo Dong River to explore the beauty of Tam Coc. This meandering river takes you through lush rice fields, past picturesque sugar loaf hills, and beneath the three enchanting caves nestled at the base of towering limestone peaks.

End your day with an overnight stay in Ninh Binh.

Departure for Halong – the most beautiful bay in Vietnam, one of the most magical landscapes in Asia. Boarding upon arrival aboard a traditional junk. Welcome by the crew then departure for a magnificent cruise on the bay. Visit Bai Tu Long (northern part of Halong Bay):

• Admire the picturesque islands and islets with various shapes (sail, dog, rooster, incense, etc.).
• Explore the splendid caves of Halong Bay, including Thien Canh Son, housing stalagmites and stalactites dating back thousands of years.
• Continue the cruise to Cap La, where you can enjoy a kayak ride and swim in the sublime waters of the bay (weather permitting).
• In the late afternoon, relax on the upper deck of the junk.

Lunch and dinner on board the junk.

Enjoy a free evening for personal rest and relaxation, which can include card games or night fishing.

Spend the night on board.

Get up at dawn to enjoy a moment of unique splendor: the first rays of sun emerging from the thousands of sugar loaves in the bay.

Explore a floating village, observe local fishermen, and learn about cage fish farming.

Continue your cruise to discover the captivating obscure corners of Halong Bay.

Enjoy lunch onboard before disembarking and returning to Hanoi. Along the way, visit But Thap Pagoda, one of Vietnam's oldest.

In the afternoon, board the night train bound for Phong Nha.

Note: Private cruises on traditional junk boats are available upon request.

Arrival in the morning at Dong Hoi train station, transfer by road to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. Upon arrival, take a boat ride along its underground river, one of the longest in the world!

Explore the magnificent caves. And then, let's take a brief walk through the limestone mountain of Ke Bang.

In the afternoon, continue the journey to Hue - the former imperial capital in the central region of the country.

Take your leisure time at a hotel.

Today will be dedicated to discovering Hue, the Vietnam's last imperial capital (1802 -1945):

• The Imperial City, residence and workplace of the 13 Nguyen kings for 143 years;
• Picturesque mausoleums of the Nguyen kings (Gia Long Mausoleum or Minh Mang Mausoleum).
• Thien Mu Pagoda, the most beautiful and visited pagoda in Hue, or the very tranquil Tu Hieu Pagoda where the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty eunuchs are located.
• Phu Mong Village with its garden houses - a constituent element of Hue's cultural identity.
• The making of traditional conical hats of the country.

In the evening, enjoy a royal dinner in traditional attire, accompanied by music.
Overnight at a hotel.

Travel to Hoi An along the wild coast of the East Sea and the Hai Van Pass. Get a distant view of the beautiful turquoise water bays in Lang Co and Da Nang, the long beaches still less touristy: Thuan An and Lang Co; vast lagoons where various types of fish farms of the local population are found.

Several visits and stops are planned along the way:

Picturesque roadside cemeteries: called "ghost villages", these cemeteries contain sets of tombs, and castles of different cautiously carved Asian architectures.

Today, we will explore the two picturesque UNESCO cultural heritages in central Vietnam: The Old Town of Hoi An and the ancient sanctuary of My Son.

In the morning, stroll through the old town of Hoi An, known as "the most charming city in Vietnam", visit the must-see places:

• The Fujian Assembly Hall dedicated to the patron goddess of fishermen and sailors; Phuc Thanh Pagoda, the oldest in Hoi An (1454); The Japanese Covered Bridge built in 1593, connecting the Chinese and Japanese quarters;
• Ancient alleys, museums, and ancient wooden houses dating back hundreds of years.
• Enroll in silk and lantern shops and workshops.
• You will also have opportunities to buy deftly tailored clothes in silk.

In the afternoon, excursion to My Son, the ancient religious capital of the Cham kingdoms located about 30 kilometers from Hoi An. Upon arrival, visit remote towers and temples in the bottom of a small valley surrounded by mounds.
Return to Hoi An, relax with a leisurely boat ride on the Thu Bon River.
Then overnight at a hotel.

Completely free day for your relaxation.

Why not take bike rides through the surrounding countryside where several traditional villages (vegetables, pottery, carpentry, etc.) are located or enjoy the nearby beaches?

Flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the southern capital (formerly Saigon). Visit upon arrival:

• Ben Thanh Market – the symbol of the city.
• Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office (constructed according to Gustave Eiffel's plans).
• The headquarters of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City: the former Marie Centrale, the most beautiful colonial building in the city.
• War Remnants Museum: Saigon's past during the American-Vietnam War (1954-1975).
• Traditional Vietnamese Medicine Museum, discovery of traditional Vietnamese medicine, with over 3000 years of history.
• Cho Lon (Chinatown) with the Thien Hau Temple.

Overnight at a hotel.

Commence on your journey to the Mekong Delta, a half-land, half-water world at the southern end of the country. Arrive in Ben Tre, a small town located in the middle of the northern arm of the Mekong:

• Boat ride on the rivers and boat trip through various streams to soak yourself in the daily life of the delta.
• Walk, bike, or Xe loi (motorbike) on the green islands, through coconut groves, rice fields. (Stop at coconut farms, observe coconut peeling, making of coconut milk sweets, handicrafts, etc.)
• In the afternoon, transfer to Vinh Long, arrival on An Binh Island (Island of Peace) located in the middle of the Mekong, stay in a guesthouse located in a quiet corner of the gardens.
• In the evening, participate in cooking dinner and then dine on the dishes you prepared.

Night at a local's house.

Wake up early, bid farewell to the hosts and then continue the road to Can Tho, capital of the delta, located on the right bank of the southern arm of the Mekong. Upon arrival, board a boat for a trip along the Mekong. Visit the Cai Rang floating market in the style of an animated show that brings together many boats loaded with fruits, vegetables...

Disembark for a visit to the An Binh land market located opposite Cai Rang, the opportunity to make an interesting comparison between the floating and land markets.

Transfer to Phong Dien, visit an orchard, and then cycle through small villages along the So Dua River.

In the afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City, free time to rest. Night in hotel.

Completely free day to rest and do your last-minute shopping. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for departure flight.

End of our 2-week Vietnam tour services for seniors!

Completely free day to rest and do your last-minute shopping. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for departure flight.

End of our 2-week Vietnam tour services for seniors!