The Joy of Vietnam

A possible, beautiful itinerary for you

1. Upon arrival at Hanoi, you are met with a bustling city that seems to never stop. It is definitively modern, full of colour, ever-changing, chaotic: wonderful. But you soon begin to discover that through the city run deeper veins. You visit Sung Phuc monastery and partake of the morning sessions. Now quieter in the mind, you can enjoy beautiful pagodas in the middle of pine forests, and the solemn dignity of the Temple of Literature. This is a side to Vietnam you never imagined. It is clear to you that its history became tangled in something else. Your role as a traveller is to untangle the remaining threads.

2. The Old Quarter of Hanoi is a labyrinth of small alleys and shops. Fortunately you have a local for your guide. The street vendors carry their goods in baskets held by bamboo sticks. It is a wonderful live kaleidoscope. The tastes are fresh and wonderful.

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The northern border is a near impenetrable jungle where many ethnic groups have managed to keep their traditions. You are welcomed to their houses and share their food, you enjoy herbal massages and learn about their way of life. Ha Long Bay is a stunning natural work of art. As you kayak near the karsts and travel from village to village, the faces of Vietnam become each day clearer and friendlier. You set out to see the night fishermen, it is a mesmerising dance over the water.

The city of Hue once was the imperial capital. It has many landmarks but you explore it by water. You sail along the Perfume River and stop for the riverside monuments that grace its banks. Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam. It is a city that is bursting with life. You get to explore it with an art expert by your side and learn of the city’s sophistication.

Your journey into Vietnamese culture blends with your exploration of nature. You travel deep into the Mekong Delta, where you go from hamlet to hamlet, you spend time with families in this region and get a sense for the unapologetic fertility of Vietnam. You crown you adventure with a retreat to Phu Quoc Island, a paradise with white-sand beaches and fresh fish in the market everyday, a myriad of trails to hike in the jungle and above all, the aspect that completes you wonderful picture of Vietnam.