Experience journey through Vietnam

After arriving in Hanoi, you will be welcomed by your German-speaking tour guide. Transfer to your hotel. Take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of Hanoi. The beautifully tree-lined, old colonial buildings and parts of the old town surrounding the "Lake of the Returned Sword," where according to legend a turtle lives that had given the king Le Loi a magical sword, is a popular gathering place for Hanoians of all ages. In the middle of the lake is a small turtle tower. On the northeastern shore of the lake, reachable by a bridge, is the Ngoc Son Temple on the small Jade Island, built in honor of Confucian and Taoist philosophers as well as the national hero Tran Hung Dao. The rest of the day and the evening are free for you to enjoy. In the evening, you will visit a traditional Vietnamese water puppet theater, which will introduce you to Vietnamese beliefs, customs, and practices through classical performances in the form of traditional music and themed stories.

After breakfast, you leave Hanoi by land towards Halong Bay. Enjoy the sight of the agricultural areas of the Red River Delta and experience rice fields, water buffalos at work, and daily Vietnamese village life. Upon arrival in Halong, you board the Huong Hai junk. While cruising through the stunning waters, enjoy your lunch. Try, among other things, fresh seafood straight from the sea. You visit the exciting interior of the recently discovered Surprise Cave and on the next island the yawning mouth of Bo Nau Cave. You will then have the opportunity to swim in the emerald green waters of Halong Bay at a spot of your choosing. While enjoying your dinner, experience the sunset over the bay. Overnight on the junk.

Today you will explore the beautiful old town of Hoi An and will first visit a 200-year-old Chinese townhouse. The house is special due to its combination of Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese architectural styles. Other program points include the Japanese Bridge and a typical Chinese assembly hall, where everyday and spiritual life converge. Traditional experiences await you during a visit to a craft workshop and modern Vietnamese art at a painter's studio. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy. Option: Cooking class in Tra Que. In the morning, you will visit the local market together with your chef and get in the mood for the following cooking class. Shop with him, learn about different spices, as well as varieties of fruits and vegetables. After shopping, you will continue by bicycle (about 2 km) to the nearby village of Tra Que. The village is known for its ecological farming. Fields are still cultivated by hand here. Relax a bit with a cool drink. Together with your chef, you will make all the cooking preparations. Learn to prepare spring rolls and other specialties. Finally, we will dine together in a convivial atmosphere.

Today, you will take a boat trip to the seven levels of the Thien Mu Pagoda, along the river. The Thien Mu Pagoda has its roots in a local legend: an old woman once went up the hill and said that a lord would come and build a Buddhist pagoda for the prosperity of the land. Enough reason for Mr. Nguyen Hoang to construct this pagoda of the "Celestial Lady" (Thien Mu). The trip continues with a visit to the imperial citadel of the Nguyen dynasty, which ruled Vietnam between 1802-1945. The Hue Citadel is located on the northern bank of the Perfume River, covering an area of 500 ha and a city wall system of three circles, namely: from outside to inside: Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Main Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel), and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel). In the afternoon, you will see the Tu Duc Tomb. Built decades ago, it was used as a retreat palace before it was transformed into the emperor's final resting place. Finally, you will take a discovery ride with the traditional Vietnamese bicycle taxi, the Cyclo, to the bustling Dong Ba Market and explore fresh products from the surrounding area together with your guide. In Hue, the royal chefs have developed a variety of elaborate Vietnamese dishes. Dinner in a garden house. Among the locals, this place is known as "nha vuon," named after one of Hue's most famous architects. This house, built in traditional style, with its large and attractive formal garden, has connections to the old royal court.

After breakfast, you drive by car to Cai Be in the Mekong Delta. As you leave the economic center of Ho Chi Minh City, the landscape changes to lush rice fields. This area is also known as Vietnam's rice bowl. At the port, you board a boat and travel by water to the Mekong Lodge, where your lunch will be served. The lodge is beautifully situated in nature and overlooks a section of the river. In the afternoon, explore the surroundings on foot or by bicycle. Here, you will find small home industry enterprises where, for example, coconut candies are made. Back at the Mekong Lodge, there will be a cooking demonstration in the evening, where you will learn more about the region's specialties. Of course, you will also enjoy the prepared meals as part of the dinner.

The day is at your disposal until your airport transfer for your departure. Option: Excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. After breakfast, you will take an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. About 35 km from Saigon, a 48-meter-long tunnel was created during the First Indochina War, from which guerrilla fighters operated against the French troops. In the Second Indochina War, it was expanded into a tunnel system of approximately 250 kilometers that lay 5 to 6 meters underground.