Vietnam it's so many wonders and mysteries that from the very first contact, an irresistible desire to discover it more deeply seizes the traveler, eager to know these distant lands. Charm and nostalgia, splendor of the landscapes; from Hanoi, its endearing capital, to the mysterious bay of Ha Long, from the historic heart of the country with Hue and its imperial city, to the deep South and the floating markets of the Mekong Delta, you will discover discoveries and from heart to heart. Vietnam, is this Asia still authentic which we all dreamed. Far from the stress of "modern" life, let yourself be taken to its spell.
THE ATTRACTIONS
NORTH OF VIETNAM
Hanoi
Ha Long Bay
Ninh Binh
Sapa
CENTER OF VIETNAM
Hue
Hoi An
The Ancient Cham Kingdom
SOUTH OF VIETNAM
Nha Trang
Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon
Can Tho
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NORTH OF VIETNAM
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Hanoi, the city "below the river" (Ha: river - Noi: on this side), does not receive this name until the nineteenth century. Previously, her name was Thang Long, "the city of the Dragon taking off".
The city was built around a multitude of lakes (77 of them are listed). It became the capital of Vietnam in 1010, under the reign of Ly Thai Tô, who left the former capital of Hoa Lu to follow a golden dragon who chose the location of the country’s new capital.
The city today, the capital of North Vietnam in 1954, then of the reunified country since 1975, has more than 7.5 million inhabitants. It preserves a millennial heritage that blends colonial, modern and traditional urban achievements in a charming setting.
The visits :
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Ho Tay, the Great Western Lake and the largest in the city, is the perfect place to see the sunsets.
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Tran Quoc Pagoda “Defense of the Kingdom” with its unique charm on the shores of West Lake
Exploring the Vietnamese capital will take you through the myriad endearing elements of local daily life.
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The Train Street: a very narrow set of streets through which trains pass several times a day, an atypical and very popular place for photographers!
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The Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh
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The Mot Cot Pagoda, a single pillar pagoda founded in 1049, symbolizes a lotus flower emerging from the liquid universe.
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The Temple of Literature, 1st university of Vietnam, intended for the formation of future mandarins, under the patronage of Confucius. It was attended by 150 to 300 students and included 5 successive courses still present today; the first is decorated with steles bearing the names of the laureates at the contest of the Mandarinat from 1487 to 1787; and the last court contains the temple of Confucius. The monument became the emblem of Hanoi, showing its cultural importance to the city.
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Hoan Kiem Lake, around which the city center is organized, with the island of the turtle and the small temple Ngoc Son, dedicated to General Trân Hung Dao who succeeds in repelling the Mongols to the thirteenth century, as well as the geniuses of war, literature and medicine.
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The Red River is crossed by the Chuong Duong Highway Bridge and the Long Bien Railway Bridge, the former Paul Doumer Bridge, which was bombed daily during the Vietnam War.
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The old district of the 36 corporations: at the time the villagers moving into town met with artisans from the same area, which will give the silk district, the district of conical hats, the porcelain district…
In short, you got it, Hanoi is a city full of life and things to discover ! Exploring the Vietnamese capital will take you through the myriad endearing elements of local daily life.
HA LONG BAY
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Every season, Ha Long Bay shows a new charm. On spring mornings, the landscape disappears under the silvery mist that gradually dissipates, revealing a multitude of islets resplendent under the tropical sun. In summer, the bay bursts with a wonderful fairy tale as the gold disc shines with all its lights in the firmament. The sky and the waters display a new brilliance before turning purple at the time when the junks come back from fishing. During the fall nights of the moon, a cruise in the bay will make you discover a dream world that makes this immensity the paradise of lovers of calm and purity. Even in winter, the vegetation retains its freshness and greenery.
Your trip to Ha Long Bay :
Board a traditional junk or cruise ship at Halong Bay to admire the beautiful scenery of Halong Bay and its surroundings. Dinner on deck and night on the waves of the wonder of Vietnam, it will be an ideal trip to relax!
NINH BINH
The visits :
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The ancient capital Hoa Lu: royal capital until the 11th century, Hoa Lu contains historical heritage that will immerse you in the history of Vietnam.
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Tam Coc: literally meaning “the three caves”, the rocks of this underwater karst complex are a favourite attraction for the natural beauty of the place.
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Bích Động: a set of pagodas from the 15th century, to admire during your walk on the river.
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Hang Múa: a breathtaking panorama, sometimes referred to as the Great Wall of China in Vietnam.
SAPA
Nestled in the province of Lao Cai, Sapa has, since the opening of Vietnam, grew as a tourist destination for travellers. You will discover breathtaking landscapes and preserved lifestyles of the minority ethnic groups of Vietnam.
The visits :
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Rice terraces : renowned as the most beautiful in the world, the terraced rice paddies of Sapa offer a magnificent panorama, typical landscape of the North of Vietnam.
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The markets: meeting places for young people, buyers, sellers and travellers, the markets are also a magnificent spectacle for the eyes. The different ethnic groups wear their traditional clothes, hand-embroidered and shimmering colors.
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Ethnic villages: in order to discover these villages where the traditional way of life is preserved, you can spend a night at an inhabitant’s home.
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Trek in the mountains: for a more adventurous journey, you can also choose complete immersion by hiking in the midst of unique landscapes.
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CENTER OF VIETNAM
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HUE
Hue has inherited a long history that dates back to the time when it was the center of the Chinese imperial administration under the Han dynasty, in the 2nd century BC. It became a small independent principality, then temporarily capital of the kingdom of Champa, and was not attached to the kingdom of Dai Viet until 1036. It underwent the avatars of dynastic struggles between Lê, Trinh, Nguyen and Mac before being chosen as capital by the future emperor Gia Long in 1801. On the banks of the Perfume River, Song Huong, the city is surrounded by five hills symbolizing the five elements (wood, fire, air, metal, water). The hill to the south, plays a special role of protection against the harmful magical influences attributed to this direction.
The visits :
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The imperial city: built by the daily effort of 80,000 workers, enclose fortifications with the Vauban, perfectly oriented according to the cardinal points according to the Chinese model, and opening by ten doors, it is formed by three concentric elements: the citadel, the imperial city (Kinh Thanh) and the purple city (Tu Cam Thanh), the respective domains of the Mandarin hierarchy, the imperial family and the emperor. The imperial city, which became a museum after the war, has collected valuable documentation on the history of Vietnam and is a well-preserved monument.
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The imperial tombs of the Nguyen: each of these imperial tombs reconstructs the layout of a palace, the home of the deceased having to be in the same image as during his lifetime. Built along the Perfume River, you can admire tombs whose style varies according to the time, from the sober and stripped Vietnamese style (tomb of Gia Long) to the free variations on the theme of the Ming Chinese tombs (tomb of Minh Mang), then towards an aesthetic full of refinement (tomb of Tu Duc), before attempting a difficult baroque synthesis between tradition and modernism (tomb of Khai Dinh).
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The Pagoda of the Celestial Lady: symbol of the city of Hue, the car in which the monk Thich Quang Duc arrived in Saigon to immolate himself in protest, is displayed.
HOI AN
The former Fai Fo is located 30 km south of Da Nang, and became a large port thanks to its location at the entrance of the province Quang Nam, a rather prosperous territory of the South. At the time, most of Lord Nguyen’s trade with foreign countries took place in Hoi An. Moreover, all the ships coming from China, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines and Indonesia, as well as from European countries, During their trips to the Far East for business, they all stopped at Hoi An. The animation caused by its commercial relations transformed the small town into a center of cultural exchanges, a commercial port. Thanks to th ese commercial relations, the port of Hoi An enjoyed prosperity during the 17th and 18th centuries.
The visits :
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The old quarter of Hoi An: walls of a warm yellow, small narrow streets, the old quarter of the city knew how to keep its charm of yesteryear.
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The Japanese bridge: this pagoda bridge 18 m long by 3m wide remains solid through the centuries. Connecting the Chinese side and the Japanese side, this bridge is a rare example of a mix of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese styles.
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Silk factories: following the traditional method, Hoi An is renowned throughout the country for its quality silk! You can make custom clothing and discover local know-how.
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Lantern Festival: once a month, residents and visitors drop lotus-flower lanterns on the river. Apart from this festival, every evening, shops and restaurants light lanterns, the manufacture of which is also a specialty of the city. Romantic atmosphere guaranteed!
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The ecological village of Tra Que: located very close to Hoi An, Tra Que is a small village where all the fruits and vegetables are grown in a traditional way and therefore ecologically! You can try your hand at gardening and taste the specialties of Central Vietnam.
THE ANCIENT CHAMPA KINGDOM
The Champa is the name formerly given locally to a tree with a generally white and very fragrant flower, the Michelia Champaca. The Champa Kingdom stretched several hundred km from the center to the south of present-day Vietnam (from Da Nang- Quy Nhon- Nha Trang- to Phan Rang). It possessed mineral wealth, particularly gold. Its inhabitants practiced agriculture and shipping. They were also excellent merchants. They exploited valuable products: sandalwood, cinnamon, peppers, elephant tusks, rhino horns and precious wood they sold to Indians, Arabs, Chinese, Japanese. The sandalwood of the Cham was known in several countries of the region and sought after by the kings and lords of Central and Eastern Asia.
In the 6th century, the capital Cham was located in Simhapura, on the site of the present-day Tra Kieu. In the 8th, 9th century the capital was moved further south, to Po Nagar (Nha Trang). Cham architecture is a religious architecture. Although they are not grandiose monuments like Angkor in Cambodia, Bagan in Burma, or Borobudur in Indonesia, the Cham temples and towers are of great beauty, full of grace and poetry despite their modest dimensions. They have a monumental and solemn appearance thanks to a decoration composed of rich sandstone sculptures and ornamental motifs finely engraved in bricks.
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SOUTH OF VIETNAM
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NHA TRANG
Nha Trang is THE coastal city of Vietnam, it is known for its growing development and its beaches and islands. Apart from being a coastal paradise, Nha Trang proved itself to be a place of important archaeological discoveries, as the city was at the time part of the Champa Kingdom.
The visits :
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The Monkey island: located in Na Phu, 18 km south of Nha Trang, it is considered as a pearl in the middle of the sea and a nature reserve where more than a thousand monkeys live. Apart from the beach activities, you will have the opportunity to discover real circus shows made by very intelligent monkeys with couples races «monkey - dog», unique in the world. A show not to be missed!
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The Hoa Lan Island: with a cool climate and beautiful landscapes. It is also a special place reserved for orchid fans with more than a hundred different varieties.
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The An Binh Beach: white sand and translucent water, incredibly clear and pure, ideal for free time in your tour to rest!
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Po Nagar Chams Towers: located north of the city, on a hill overlooking the Cai River. The largest, 25 m high, is dedicated to the cult of the Goddess Cham Po Yan Inu Nagar, venerated by Buddhists under the name of Thien Y Ana, the Holy Mother of the Champa kingdom or Shiva in female version. Her statue sits in the main temple.
HO CHI MINH CITY / SAIGON
The city of Saigon is located more than 80 kilometers from the sea, on the last farmland of the Mekong Delta, and currently has more than 8 million inhabitants. Khmer city of Prey Nokor, it developed mainly through the growth of trade between the flu vial routes from Cambodia and the sea routes mainly directed towards China.
At the beginning of the 18th century, the city was attached to the Nguyen Empire and then experienced a spectacular development, taking the name of Saigon, whose etymology remained uncertain. Saigon was then taken in 1859 by a French naval expedition. Desiring to make the city an example of Western Urba nism, and to compete with Batavia or Singapore, the French reorganized the urban scheme, filling canals, tracing streets according to a geometric plan, cleaning up swampy areas, and by making large tree plantations. Steam trams run through the city’s main streets. This district remains today the heart of the city, around the cathedral, the theatre and the post office.
The city is experiencing rapid growth, marked by the colonial architecture as part of a harmonious development scheme. After 1954 new residential areas and large buildings appeared, such as the current Reunification Palace or the Embassy of the United States, historic site of the fall of Saigon, from where thousands of Vietnamese were evacuated by helicopter to the ships of the 7"float.
The visits :
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The market and the Cholon district: the Chinatown of Cholon, whose name means "big market", is located west of the city center. Built around the great avenue Trân Hung Dao, parallel to the canal Rach Bên Nghe, and the market of Binh Tây, it is highly individualized on the architectural level, characterized by the proliferation of anarchic constructions. It is home to more than 500,000 Vietnamese of Chinese origin, the Hoa, who group by dialect and are traditionally divided into five corporations corresponding to their business sector.
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Ex rue Catinat: historical witness, we can find traces of what is now Dong Khoi Street, back in the time of the Nguyen.
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Temple of the Jade Emperor: built in 1909, the iconic pagoda is dedicated to the worship of the King of the Gods, the Jade Emperor.
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Hindu temple of Mariamman: the temple is located in the middle of the city, it is recoknown for its original and mythical architecture. It is considered a famous heritage among the 3 present Hindu monuments in Sai Gon. It is the place where people worship Mariamman, a genius woman of the Indians.
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The Mosque: located at number 66 of Dong Street Du. The mosque is one of the earliest Islamic centers that was built in Saigon in 1935. The mosque attracts many believers and tourists. Its architecture is simple, spacious and airy with arches, columns and long corridors that symbolize typical Indian art. Outside the religious function, the mosque is still the place where public activities are organized and where children are taught the ideologies of the Qur'an. You will have the opportunity to come and watch the believers who come to pray every Friday.
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The Cathedral of Notre Dame of Saigon: built in Romanesque Revival style, the Cathedral is a gathering place for the Catholic faithful of Saigon.
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The Palace of Reunification: reconstructed after a bombardment against President Diem, the former presidential palace was converted into a museum, beginning with the Fall of Saigon in 1975.
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Central Post Office : an emblematic building of the city, the architecture is typically Western, but since its construction in 1891, it has perfectly taken its place in the decor.
CAN THO
34 km southwest from Vinh Long, on the banks of the Song Hau (Hau River), Can Tho is located in the heart of the Mekong Delta. It is the main city of the province of the same name, and it is the political, economic and academic center of the region. Can Tho is a good place to go by boat to discover the arms of the Mekong, villages and floating markets.
The visits :
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Cai Rang floating market: one of the biggest floating markets, an explosion of colors and lives not to be missed!
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The old house of Bonh Thuy: a gem of Vietnamese bourgeois architecture, the house was used as a setting for the shooting of some scenes by L'Amant, by Jean-Jacques Annaud, adapted from the novel by Marguerite Duras.