Adventure trip Vietnam: Hanoi, Halong, Hoi An & Mekong

Today you will visit the main attractions of the capital – the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (from the outside), as well as his private residence, a wooden bungalow modeled after the stilt houses of the Thai, which Ho Chi Minh moved into in 1958. The simple building is situated idyllically by a small artificial lake in the midst of a beautiful garden adorned with mighty mango and orange trees. In the same area is the One-Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai in 1049. This structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Another highlight is the visit to the Temple of Literature, which was established in 1070 as a temple for the worship of Confucius, and shortly after became known as Vietnam's first university. Afterwards, you will continue to the West Lake and visit one of the oldest Buddhist pagodas in Hanoi, Tran Quoc, and the nearby Taoist temple of Quan Thanh, which dates back to the Ly Dynasty. Start your street food tour with one of the finest portions of 'pho' in the city, Vietnam's national dish. Choose from a large selection of 'pho Bo' (beef noodle soup) and 'Pho ga' (chicken noodle soup). Next, head to Hang Be Market, where a variety of products are sold. In the morning, this market is full of shoppers buying what they need for the day. Here you can find everything from tropical fruits to a vast selection of fresh herbs, fresh meats, flowers, and even live fish and frogs. Vietnamese cuisine is considered one of the best in the world, but few realize the variations of this cuisine. At the market, you will try some of the available dishes. Then walk through the alleys where vendors have set up their stalls along the streets. Take a short break and enjoy excellent street food, including 'Banh xeo', 'bun cha' (fresh noodles with grilled pork and herbs) or 'hoa qua dam' (fresh fruits). Stroll through the old town and enjoy a cup of Vietnamese coffee or tea before heading back to your hotel.

After waking up, enjoy a freshly brewed coffee before being brought back to Halong. On the return trip, you will see unusually shaped rock formations resembling fighting roosters and dragons, even mirroring General de Gaulle's nose! Enjoy an excellent fresh seafood brunch aboard before disembarking from the junk. Return drive to Hanoi. On the way, visit the But Thap Pagoda. The name 'But Thap' (Pen Stupa) was given to it by King Tu Duc in 1876 in Kinh Bac when he saw the beautiful stone stupa resembling a pen, which was previously known as Ninh Phuc Tu (Pagoda of Peace and Happiness). Continue to Hanoi airport for your flight to Danang.

The morning is free for you. Around noon, travel north along one of the most scenic routes in Vietnam. The so-called 'Cloud Pass' offers beautiful views of the dreamlike beaches. It is a must-do for every traveler to cross this beautiful pass that stands 496 m high and stretches 20 km. On the right, you can look down to the sea, and on the left, the bizarre mountain range rises up to 1,000 m high, which forms the weather divide in central Vietnam.

After breakfast, you will fly from Hue to Saigon, where you will be welcomed at the airport by your German-speaking tour guide for South Vietnam. Afterwards, you will begin your tour in this exciting city with a walk through the historical center, passing Dong Khoi Street, the main shopping street in the heart of colonial Saigon, and European classical landmarks like the city hall (the former Hotel de Ville) and the old opera house (both can only be viewed from the outside). A brief visit to the Neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral and the main post office follows. Then dive into modern history with a tour of the Reunification Palace, the former Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president from the 1960s. Finally, visit Ben Thanh Market, a public market offering a variety of products. In the afternoon, visit Cholon, which means 'Big Market', simultaneously home to the Chinese colony since the 4th century. Cholon is Saigon's 'Chinatown', a bustling and colorful district. You will visit the Thien Hau Temple, Binh Tay Market, and a lacquerware factory, where you can watch workers make their traditional crafts over their shoulders.

After breakfast, visit the floating market of Cai Be. You are also welcome to explore the surroundings of the small Mekong island by bicycle or on foot. You can also pick mangoes, rambutans, or longans in one of the lodge's gardens. Around noon, you will be taken by boat to the port in Cai Be, from where you will continue your journey back towards Saigon, where you will arrive in the early afternoon. The rest of the day is at your leisure.