Exploring the ancient pagoda 7 days

DAY 1: HANOI CITY TOUR (LUNCH)

Welcome to Vietnam!

After breakfast at the hotel, around 9am (to avoid the rush hour) our guide will greet us at the hotel and go with us via car to the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the 1st president of independent Vietnam in 1945. The Mausoleum is a complex of the tomb in which Ho Chi Minh is resting, the house on stilts, where he used to spend his 11 last years, and his fish pond within a poetic large garden. Adjacent to the complex is an ancient Buddhist pagoda, built 1st time since 1049 AD, reflecting the shape of a lotus flower. 

To start tasting the flavor of the city, let’s enjoy a delicious Lunch of Bun Cha. 

In the afternoon, we will visit Van Mieu (i.e. “the Temple of Literature”), Vietnam’s first high school, dating back to the 11th century. From here, we will go to the Ethnology Museum with great collections of the authentic cultures of Vietnam. Later, we can go on to Ngoc Son Temple with a beautiful red bridge, located in the heart of the Old Quarter, or go with our guide to a local cafe to sip some coffee or juice just very popular for Hanoi. 

In the evening, we will watch the water puppet show. It’s a traditional folk theater art form born from the wet rice civilization. From an art with folk elements, water puppetry has become a traditional art, and a typical creation of the Vietnamese people. 

Our car will pick us up and return to the hotel for your own leisure time. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2: HANOI – THAY PAGODA – TAY PHUONG PAGODA – DUONG LAM OLD VILLAGE – HANOI (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, we will continue on begins with a scenic drive through the countryside, where rice paddies stretch like emerald carpets and quaint villages peek rom amidst lush greenery. Our first stop is the serene Thay Pagoda. Nestled on a tranquil lake, this ancient pagoda boasts centuries-old wooden architecture and exudes an aura of timeless peace. We’ll wander through its pagodas, admire the intricately carved statues, and perhaps even light a joss stick in prayer. Take a moment to breathe in the fresh air and let the tranquility wash over you; it’s a perfect escape from the city’s bustle.

Drive to Tay Phuong Pagoda, which was first build in 8th century and renovated in 18th century. After conquering 239 literite steps, we will reach a beautifull and ancient pagoda on top of the hill. Enjoy the unique architecture in Tay phuong pagoda and learn about Vietnam Buddhism ‘s history

Lunch at a local restaurant, embracing the rustic countryside charm. In the afternoon, we will transfer to Duong Lam Village, a purely agricultural area of North Vietnam, visit Mong Phu communal house, and some ancient houses, and enjoy local products: Rice wine, and rice cake. Next, we will visit the Mia Pagoda, a complex of temples and shrines built in the XVII century by the local people in the area.

Back to Hanoi and overnight Hanoi.

DAY 3: HA NOI – HALONG BAY (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

After breakfast at the hotel, a bus of our cruise with a cruise guide will pick us up at the meeting point  up to Halong Bay, a great UNESCO World Heritage in Northern Vietnam. The transfer to the cruise takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Welcome onboard and take a 2days-1night trip on a deluxe cruise with excellent and exciting activities [swimsuits recommended]. Being a bay with nearly 2,000 islands and islets, some with craters, Halong has been recognized twice by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage to emphasize its value and the need to be protected. This journey will awaken all our senses with the beauty of nature, the savory taste, the comfy facility, and the perfect service right at one of the natural wonders of the world. Overnight on-board.

Noted: The specific program of activities will be very diverse and depend on the itinerary of each cruise

DAY 4: HALONG BAY – HA NOI – HUE (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

Wake up in one of the most beautiful bays in the world, enjoy breakfast, and visit stunning caves in the morning. At noon, after the trip, we’ll be back to Hanoi to transfer to airport fly to Hue.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 5: HUE – TU HIEU PAGODA – IMPERIAL CITY OF HUE – TU DUC MAUSOLEUM – HUE

Hue is the historical ancient capital, and was the last capital of Vietnam’s feudal dynasties. After breakfast, we will visit Tu Hieu Pagoda, an ancient Buddhist temple, surrounded by forest with tombs, a manmade lake & a serene atmosphere. The pagoda is imbued with the typical architecture of the ancient capital of Hue. This is where Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh became a monk, meditated, and passed away.

Then, we will visit the Imperial City, the former royal palace of the Nguyen Dynasty, where you can learn about the history and culture of Hue. Next is The Royal Temple of Tu Duc – an unique architecture harmonizing with charming natural scenery. The panorama of Tu Duc’s mausoleum looks like a large park.

Next is The Royal Temple of Tu Duc – an unique architecture harmonizing with charming natural scenery. The panorama of Tu Duc’s mausoleum looks like a large park.

Overnight in Hue

DAY 6: HUE – DA NANG CITY TOUR (BREAKFAST – LUNCH)

After breakfast, today we’ll head to Da Nang City. Along the way, we can  make stops to take pictures and relax at Lang Co Beach in Thua Thien Hue. From Lang Co Beach, we can see the beautiful landscape of Vietnam, with the Bach Ma mountains and Son Tra Peninsula in the distance. We’ll have lunch at Lang Co.

Continue to Da Nang City, you’ll check in hotel located in the city centre or near the beach.Then we will visit the Cham Museum. Da Nang has a huge number of interesting museums and the Cham Museum will tell you everything that you want to know about the Cham people in Vietnam. This museum also has the claim to fame of being the only Cham museum in the world and it first opened its doors in 1915 at the time of the French colonial period..Our guide will take you around, see and listen to instructions explaining the famous architectural highlights of Da Nang Tourist City: Administration Building, Dragon Bridge, walking to breathe the fresh air, visit and take pictures.

Dinner at your arrangement. Overnight in Da Nang.

DAY 7: DA NANG FREE DAY – DEPARTURE

Having breakfast at the hotel, the rest of the day is at your arrangement. 

We will say goodbye. Hope to see you for a longer trip in Vietnam