Charms of Vietnam

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL / HANOI

OPTION :
+ Early check-in at hotel in Hanoi
Before 09h00 : 90 USD/per room
After 09h00 : 45 USD/per room

• (Arrival and welcome by your driver at pillar 11 outside Hanoi airport)

-Transfer to the hotel.

• Free lunch.

– Meet at 2:00 p.m. at the reception of the Muong Thanh Grand Hanoi 4* hotel or similar.

Capital of Vietnam, Hanoi has retained the old-fashioned charm of the French colonial era. The modernization of the city undertaken by the French from 1882 continued until 1955 and the face of Hanoi has not changed much since. Some remarkably preserved or restored buildings stand out from a harmonious architectural ensemble. Hanoi is undoubtedly the most charming city in Vietnam with all its authenticity, large shaded avenues, numerous lakes, and well-kept gardens.

– Installation at the MUONG THANH GRAND HANOI 4* hotel or similar.

– Beginning of the discovery of the city:

  Passage in front of the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh to the One Pillar Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot): erected in the middle of a pond, this square wooden pagoda rests on a single pillar representing the stem of a lotus, the flower attribute of the goddess of fertility and mercy.

Temple of Literature (Van Mieu): one of the most beautiful places of worship in the country, emblem of Confucianism. The architectural ensemble evokes the long road to knowledge, which requires calm, patience and perseverance.

  Tour of the small lake where the Temple of the Jade Mountain (Ngoc Son) is located, erected in the 18th century on an islet in the center of Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword). First called Ngoc Son Pagoda, it was later referred to as the temple, where people came to pay homage to Saint Van Uong, considered one of the greatest minds of his century. The temple also became a place of worship dedicated to the national hero Tran Hung Dao, after his fight against the Nguyen.

• Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

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DAY 2 : HANOI / HALONG (170 km –3h30 drive)

• Breakfast at the hotel.

– Depart for Halong Bay.

Halong Bay is part of the Gulf of Tonkin. It covers an area of ​​1553 km2 and is strewn with thousands of limestone rocks with karstic relief. Known in Vietnam for several centuries as one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural attractions. This site was classified as World Heritage by Unesco in 1994. It is one of the places where the action of the film Indochine takes place (with Catherine Deneuve).

– Technical stop in the handicraft center for the disabled in Daï Viet.

– Embarkation on board the boat HALONG SAILS or similar.

• Seafood lunch.

Discover Halong Bay aboard your junk and visit a cave. Possibility of swimming (depending on weather conditions).

• Dinner and overnight on board.

Note: As the nature of the visits is related to the change of tides and weather conditions, the itinerary will be defined by the captain of the boat on the day.

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DAY 3 : HALONG / NINH BINH (135 km – 3h00 drive)

– You will start your morning fresh on the deck, probably admiring a sunrise over the whole Bay (depending on the weather).

• Breakfast on board and new navigation in the famous Halong Bay with changing landscapes.

– You will visit Luon Cave (Tunnel Cave).

– Back on your junk, the cruise will continue to explore the Bay.

– Landing.

• Lunch at Cua Vang restaurant.

– Then drive to Ninh Binh. Scenes of the rural life of Vietnamese peasants will accompany you all the way.

– Arrival at the end of the afternoon, installation at the LEGEND 5* hotel or similar for 02 nights.

• Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

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DAY 4 : NINH BINH / DIEN CHAU (200 km – 4h00 drive)

Ninh Binh is a province located in the Red River Delta. It has forests, the sea and a diverse system of fauna and flora. Ninh Binh is known by many landscapes of interest, very attractive to foreign tourists and Vietnamese.

• Breakfast at the hotel.

– Visit of Halong Bay on land.

This site of exceptional beauty is made up of high rock formations, comparable to those that can be discovered in Halong Bay, standing on a carpet of rice fields. Hoa Lu is distinguished by its historical interest as the capital of Vietnam under the Dinh dynasty (968-980), then the previous Le dynasty (980-1009). The old citadel, largely destroyed, was surrounded by ramparts which protected the temples, the sanctuaries and the state rooms. The royal family lived in the inner citadel.

The magnificent site of Hoa Lu is also called the “terrestrial Ha Long”. Indeed, the relief recalls that of the famous “Dragon Bay” with many limestone hills covered with lush vegetation. Succession of natural cirques interconnected by tunnels dug by erosion.

– 1h30 boat trip among the rice fields that surround the sugar loaf hills where the film ”Indochina” was used.

– Then, visit the temples and caves of Bich Dong.

– Departure towards Phat Diem, a village known for its cathedral with Sino-Vietnamese architecture and which was built between 1875 and 1899.

• Lunch at the inhabitant.

– Visit of the very beautiful Sino-Vietnamese cathedral of Phat Diem.

80 m long and 24 wide by 18 m high, facing a lake, the cathedral is supported by 48 ironwood columns, each 2.4 m in perimeter. In the side naves stand strange statues of wood and strong stone. The altar is made from a single block of granite. 14 high stone reliefs trace the life of Christ. The bell tower rises at the back of the cathedral. At its base, two huge superimposed stone slabs served as platforms for mandarins who came to observe Catholic rites. At the top, a huge bell was hoisted by means of a gigantic earthen ramp. In 1889, a white stone palace dedicated to the Blessed Virgin was added there.

– Transfer to Vinh by road.

• Dinner and Night at the MUONG THANH DIEN LAM 5* hotel or similar.

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DAY 5 : DIEN CHAU / HUE (400 km – 8h00 drive)

• Breakfast at the hotel.

– Road to the South. Take in the scenery and observe rural life en route.

• Lunch at local restaurant.

– Visit of Vinh Moc tunnels.

Vinh Moc was the first locality to suffer the American aerial destruction war. In June 1965, the village having been completely razed, the Viêt-Cong forces came to establish a vast underground base there, with the support of the local population. Eighteen months of work were necessary to deploy this network of entangled guts. There were a total of twelve entrances, some overlooking the beach, and three levels of tunnels dug between 15 and 26 m deep under the top of the cliff. Through the Vinh Moc tunnels, North Vietnam transported several thousand tons of material to Con Co Island and to the South. This remarkable underground network testifies to the determination of the North Vietnamese to triumph, at the cost of incredible sacrifices, while each family had a cell not exceeding 4 square meters. 17 children were born in these tunnels.

– Passage in front of the 17th parallel bridge, natural border between the south and the north from 1954 to 1975 according to the Geneva agreements.

– Then, crossing the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), delimiting South and North Vietnam.

– Arrival in Hue.

• Dinner and night at the CENTURY RIVERSIDE HUE HOTEL 4* or similar.

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DAY 6 : HUE

• Breakfast at the hotel.

Hue is the former imperial capital from 1802 to 1945 declared a historical heritage by UNESCO since 1993, Hue has a powerful power of evocation and dream. The gastronomy of Hue is also considered as cultural heritage. It is not only about dishes and tastes, but also the culinary art of Hue.

– Departure for a sampan ride on the Perfume River to the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady (Thien Mu), located on the left bank of the Perfume River, it is a Buddhist sanctuary erected in 1601. Its stupa of octagonal shape has 7 floors with a total height of over 21 meters.

– Visit of the charming Temple of the Eunuchs. Stop at the incense and conical hat workshops. Visit the tomb and gardens of Emperor Tu Duc.

• Lunch at local restaurant.

– Demonstration of Tai Chi and Calligraphy (minimum 10 people) in a martial arts center:

Tai Chi is a bodily discipline of Chinese origin comprising a set of continuous and circular movements performed slowly and precisely in a pre-established order. It also emphasizes the control of breathing. The practice aims, among other things, to improve flexibility, strengthen the muscular system and maintain good physical, mental and spiritual health.

Directly inspired by Chinese calligraphy, calligraphy was introduced to Vietnam during the long periods of occupation of the country by Chinese emperors.

– You will attend a water puppet show.

OPTION minimum 4 people: Drop candles on the Perfume River: 10 USD/pers

• Royal dinner (minimum 16 people)

– Night at the hotel.

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DAY 7 : HUE / HOI AN (135 km – 3h00 drive)

• Breakfast at the hotel.

Continuation of visits to the citadel of Hue with the Imperial City, the Palace of Supreme Peace, the Dynastic Temple, pavilion of splendor and the Nine dynastic bronze urns.

You will then take a pedicab ride through busy city streets to Dong Ba Market where you will have free time to stroll or shop.

• Lunch.

Departure to Hoi An. Stop at the village of stonemasons: this trade has been passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years.

Arrival in Hoi An.

OPTION: A 45-minute body massage session: 25 USD/person.

• Night at the RIVERSIDE RESORT & SPA 5* hotel or similar for 02 nights.

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DAY 8 : HOI AN

• Breakfast at the hotel.

Hoi An is one of the most famous tourist sites in Vietnam. It is the only city in Vietnam that has remained intact to become an invaluable cultural and historical heritage. It is characterized by its cute pedestrian downtown, its refined culinary specialties and. And in the evening, you will experience the atmosphere of yesteryear created by the soft and warm glow of the lanterns of the shops and the beauty of its constructions, but above all the exclusive experience of being in the only city that has been preserved for centuries that did not suffer the disasters of war.

– Morning: Excursion with Ecotourism:

Departure by bike through the gentle Vietnamese countryside for the vegetable village of Tra Que (located 5kms away).

Renowned for its aromatic herbs, mint and basil, this village will allow you to discover the life of the farmers and learn about their technique. The inhabitants will guide you in the work of digging and picking vegetables.

You will then enjoy a foot massage session (20 mins) with the aromatic herbs of the village.

• Lunch.

– Discovery on foot of Hoi An with the main points of interest:

The Fujian sanctuary: dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau, protective goddess of fishermen and sailors, this sanctuary houses statues of the goddess and her 2 assistants.

Phuc Thanh Pagoda: the oldest pagoda in Hoi An (1454) founded by a Chinese monk, it contains a statue of Buddha A Di Da and very beautiful ritual objects.

The Japanese bridge: located in the south of the city, this covered bridge built in 1593 connects 2 districts of the city. In the middle of this bridge stands a pagoda topped with yellow and green tiles.

An Old House: the best preserved, two centuries old, it offers a striking example of the integration of Sino-Japanese influences into the local style.

• Dinner

– Night at the hotel.

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DAY 9 : HOI AN / DANANG / SAIGON / BEN TRE / SAIGON (180 km – 3h00 drive)

• Breakfast at the hotel.

– Transfer to Danang airport and fly to Saigon.

Renamed HO CHI MINH City in 1976 after the departure of the Americans, the former capital of South Vietnam has kept the name Saigon for the majority of its 8 million inhabitants. Saigon is the largest city in the country and asserted itself very early as the economic capital, it includes 12 urban districts and 6 rural districts spread over more than 2,000 km2. Not an hour of the day or night goes by without the streets resounding with the incessant honking of horns and the roar of thousands of mopeds criss-crossing the city. The French presence is still very marked by long shaded avenues dotted with colonial houses, monuments and gardens.

Visit of the colonial district of the city: Dong Khoi street (formerly Catinat street at the time of the French colony of Indochina).

La Poste Centrale, the cream pie exterior hides an interesting metal framework designed by Gustave Eiffel. Don’t miss the magnificent maps that adorn the walls to the left and right of the entrance. Opposite the post office stands a “Landmark” of the city.

Notre Dame Cathedral, the brick facade is of rare sobriety. Curiously, the faithful park their mopeds within the very walls of the church, the gates of which close after the start of the service.

The Saigon National Opera, a perfect example of French colonial architecture in Vietnam built in 1897 by French architect Eugène Ferret. The 800-seat building was used as the Lower House of South Vietnam; after 1956; it was not until 1975 that it regained its theatrical role and was restored in 1995.

 On the same square, the Continental hotel founded in 1880 which is the oldest establishment in Saigon. It was an institution, with many personalities who frequented it such as André Malraux, Graham Greene, Lucien Bodart and Jean Lartéguy… and where certain scenes from the film “Indochine” were shot!

The town hall, built by the French from 1902 to 1908. It is a very fine example of French colonial architecture. Today it is illuminated by the lighting services of the city of Lyon, a specialist in this field.

– Departure for the visit of the Mekong Delta.

A vast network of thousands of canals characterizes life in the Mekong Delta, which extends over 40,000 km2. The yellow color of the water is due to the soil that fertilizes the fields and rich fruit gardens of the Delta throughout the year. Huge rivers and rice paddies are dotted with lotus ponds. The main means of transport is the boat.

– Stop on the road to visit the temple of the Caodaist religion.

– Arrival in My Tho: boarding a local motor boat then sailing to the island of Phoenix. During your walk, you will taste the coconut juice of the region.

• Lunch specialty of the region at the local restaurant on the island (fish with elephant ears).

– Re-embarkation then continuation to the island of Ben Tre: where you will visit a family candy factory based on coconut milk. Departure by horse-drawn carriage and walk to the bee farm, where you will taste honey tea and seasonal fruits.

– Boarding a rowing boat in the arroyos.

– Return to Saigon.

– Visit of a lacquerware factory.

• Free dinner

– Overnight at SAIGON MUONG THANH LUXURY 5* hotel or similar.

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DAY 10 : SAIGON / MUI NE (BUS) (220 Km – 5h00 drive)

• Petit déjeuner à l’hôtel.

– Transfert vers les plages de Mui Ne pour 04 nuits en demi-pension.

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JOUR 11 to 13 : MUI NE

• Breakfast at the hotel.

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DAY 14 : MUI NE / SAIGON / DEPARTURE

• Breakfast at the hotel.

– Transfer to the airport to take the departure flight.

NOTE: If you go in winter, please remember to bring warm clothes, temperatures can be very low.

THE PRICE INCLUDES :   Transport by air-conditioned vehicle.   The service of the same French-speaking guide throughout the circuit.   13 nights in the indicated hotels or similar for the long circuit. 1 night on board a shared junk in Halong.   Meals as in the program.   Excursions, visits, special services and shows mentioned.   2 airport transfers on arrival and departure.

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE :   International and national flights.   Lunches on the day of arrival and departure.   Services not mentioned in the program.   Drinks, excursions, visits and optional activities at an additional cost.   Tips.   Expenses of a personal nature.   Travel insurance: assistance/repatriation/cancellation.   The Covid PCR test.

Destination Information: Vietnam

Health

➡  No compulsory vaccination to date.

Language

➡  The official language is Vietnamese, however Chinese, Thai and Khmer are also spoken. For historical reasons French is sometimes spoken, although English dominates in tourist areas.

Currency

➡  The national currency is the dong (VND)

Jet lag

➡  6 a.m. in winter and 5 a.m. in summer (example: 12 p.m. in France = 5 p.m. in Vietnam in summer and 6 p.m. in winter.

Means of payment

➡  Prefer the credit card which will allow you to withdraw money wherever you are and to pay in certain shops and restaurants.
➡  Prices include the government tax applicable to all services paid for in foreign currency (hotels, transport, tickets, guides, etc.).

Voltage

➡  Voltage : 220 volts/50 Hz

Clothing to bring

➡  Light clothing whatever the season in the south but for the visit of temples and pagodas, provide short sleeves (the shoulders must be covered) and skirts or shorts covering the knees, this for women and men. From November to March it is cooler in the North, bring warm clothes in the evening and in the morning.

Climate

  The dry season extends from November to April and the wet season from May to October. In August and September, the rains are almost daily and in the other months, there is an alternation of rain and sun.
For more info, see the menu Vietnam.