Incontournables du Vietnam et du Cambodge en petit groupe

Hanoi : the capital of unified 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 manicured gardens.  

Late afternoon, between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m .: Welcome by your guide at the hotel. Walking tour of the old quarter of Hanoi, where the houses still keep their facades since 1954. Goldsmith street, lantern street, medicinal herbs street … in a truly exotic atmosphere … Photo stop in front of the St. Joseph Cathedral , neo-Gothic style built in 1886, and its charming neighborhood. 

Dinner with tasting of fish Cha Ca, a very famous specialty of Hanoi.

Overnight at CHALCEDONY 4* hotel chalcedonyhotel.com or similar.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Exploration of Hanoi’s old quarter by cyclo-rickshaw which will allow you to discover the main centers of interest of the Vietnamese capital: 

The district of the “36 corporations” with its small shopping streets: Silk Street, Cotton Street, etc.

The embassy district with many colonial houses, the Opera House , the surroundings of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Visit the Temple of Literature , one of the educational, historical and cultural symbols of the country. 

Route to the magnificent site of Hoa Lu , also called the “Halong on land”. The karst relief is reminiscent of the famous “Dragon Bay” with numerous limestone hills covered with lush vegetation and a succession of natural cirques linked together by tunnels dug by erosion. 

Lunch with tasting of goat skewers, a local specialty. 

Board small traditional sampans for a peaceful ride in Thung Nang, with its still wild and deserted landscapes, in the middle of rice fields, natural caves and limestone peaks. 

Bike ride through typical villages, on the way to the village meeting the local inhabitants, superb landscape on the road. Visit of the Thai Vi temple , well located in an exceptional natural setting.

Dinner and overnight at HOANG SON PEACE hotel 4* hoangsonpeacehotel.com.vn or similar.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning departure to Halong through the Red River Delta with scenes of authentic life. Stop then walk in a village of the delta for a water puppet show, presented by the artists of the village (only for groups of 10 travelers. Less than 10, it will be a walk to meet the locals) .

Vietnamese water puppetry is a cultural experience not to be missed during your stay in Hanoi. The show is performed entirely in Vietnamese but the story told by the puppets with music in the background is understandable to everyone.

Continue by road to Halong.

Embark on a junk cruise in this magical place, through the famous karst sugar loaves and the 3000 islands and islets emerging from the emerald green water of the Gulf of Tonkin. 

The site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. Seafood lunch on the waters of the “8th Wonder of the World”. Stopover in natural caves. 

Dinner and overnight stay at NEW STAR 3* hotel newstarhalonghotel.com or similar.

Comfort Option (OP2)  : Take full advantage of a magnificent day on Halong Bay by spending the night on a 4 ★ Superior Junk (Victory Cruise baithojunks.com or similar)

Cruise on the bay, BAI TU LONG leaves with much less tourists, through the thousands of sugar loaves emerging from the emerald waters, some of the most sumptuous landscapes in Asia. Lunch on board. 

With the boat guide, pass through a small floating village to discover an extraordinary way of life, fish farms, fishing boats, etc. The villages are now less and less inhabited but the traditions still survive among these people who call themselves “people of the sea”. 

Dinner with seafood specialties. Night on a junk.

D5 (next day): at sunrise, the fabulous moment of beautiful photos followed by a Tai Chi session (depending on the weather). Breakfast on board while continuing to sail in the magnificent setting of the bay. Visit of a natural cave in a rock of the bay.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Discovery of the fishing port and the Hon Gai market , known for its seafood. Visit the beautiful Halong museum which presents the entire history, geography, biodiversity of the bay as well as the life of the fishermen of this region.

Walking tour along the coast for a last look at Halong Bay. Lunch.

Return to Hanoi. Orientation tour in the beautiful districts on the shores of the West Lake where the Tran Quoc temple is located.

Walking tour around the historic Ba Dinh Square area where Ho Chi Minh read the Proclamation of Independence in 1945. Photo stop in front of the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Then discovery of the One Pillar Pagoda , one of the symbols of Hanoi, famous for its original construction entirely in teak emerging from a body of water.

Dinner at the restaurant or packed lunch. Transfer to the station, board the night train to Hue (without guide accompaniment). Night on board, 4 berths/air-conditioned cabin.

Arrival in Hue . Picnic breakfast on board the train.

HUE  : capital of the Nguyen, the lords of the South in the 16th century, Hue became the capital of the whole of Vietnam after its reunification by Gia Long in 1802. Having become the imperial residence and the seat of the court, Hue acquired great prestige and refinement which was reflected in particular in music and cuisine. Under French colonization, Hue became the capital of Annam, one of the subdivisions of French Indochina. The monarchy was maintained but came under guardianship. The French encouraged the architectural development of the city, while keeping its status as an imperial city until 1945, the date of the abdication of Emperor Bao Dai. The capital of the Central region, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, offers visitors many very well-preserved historical sites.

Visit of the Imperial City: was built between 1805 and 1832. Surrounded by a long and thick wall of 600 meters, ten gates, including four main ones, allow its access: that of Peace to the North, that of Humanity to the East, that of Virtue to the West, that of the South to the South by which one enters the imperial residence. This one opens onto a vast courtyard in the center of which stands the Golden Bridge , which spans the “pond of Golden Waters”, a basin filled with goldfish and water hyacinths. This courtyard gives access to the palace of the Supreme Harmony , built in 1805. 

Lunch with culinary tasting of Bun Bo Hué, “Hué noodles with beef”, a dish originating from the ancient imperial city. 

Boat trip on the Perfume River to the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady whose octagonal tower is recognizable from far away. 

Visit a royal tomb of the Nguyen dynasties with the Khai Dinh tomb or the Minh Mang tomb. Stop in a village specialized in the manufacture of incense sticks, a craft specialty of the region.

Royal costume dinner accompanied by traditional music and songs (only for groups of 10 travelers or more) . Overnight at THANH LICH ROYAL BOUTIQUE 4* hotel thanhlichhotel.com.vn/tl1 or similar.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Departure by road to Hoi An, via the famous Col des Nuages ​​which offers a magnificent panorama of the Lang Co peninsula on the Hue side, then on the Eastern Sea on the Danang side.

HOI AN  : Hoi An is one of the major attractions in the Danang region with over 800 buildings of historical interest. This former trading port , which flourished from the 15th to the 19th century, is far from having stolen its UNESCO listing in 1999. The very well-preserved old quarters of Hoi An reflect the fusion of cultures – between local traditions and foreign influences – that has taken place over the centuries thanks to the trade carried out in this traditional port of Southeast Asia. 

Bike ride (or vehicle ride for those who do not wish to do so) to visit the agricultural village of Tra Que, renowned for its aromatic herbs often served in local meals. Cooking class with the preparation of Banh Xeo , a hot crispy pancake stuffed with bean sprouts, pork slices and shrimp. 

Lunch on site. Foot massage with medicinal herbs. 

Walking tour in the ancient town of Hoi An, a small town classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . 

When visiting Hoi An, you will notice the perfect state of preservation of a large number of houses, including the famous Tan Ky house at No. 101 Nguyen Street. 

Visit the old quarters of the city  : the Fujian Sanctuary , the Chuc Thanh Pagoda , the Phuoc Kien communal house , the old wooden houses and the Japanese bridge . 

Dinner with tasting of Banh Vac, “white rose”, white rice dough stuffed with shrimp. This dish is prepared only in Hoi An. Night at the HOI AN GARDEN PALACE 4* hotel hoiangardenpalace.com or similar.

Petit déjeuner à l’hôtel.

Tour d’orientation de Danang à la péninsule Son Tra avec une vue exceptionnelle sur les montagnes, la mer et les ponts célèbres de la ville. Visite du village des sculpteurs de pierre pour apprécier l’habileté des artisans.

Transfert à l’aéroport pour le vol pour Ho Chi Minh. Accueil par un guide local, transfert en ville. 

Découverte des quartiers coloniaux et des principaux sites historiques de la ville : 

La poste centrale qui constitue un témoignage important de l’architecture française au Vietnam. Fondée entre 1886 et 1891, elle rappelle les constructions parisiennes. Ainsi sa verrière, construite par l’atelier de Gustave Eiffel, ressemble à celle de la gare parisienne d’Orsay. 

Le théâtre municipal fut construit en 1895 et inauguré en 1900. L’édifice avait un plafond mobile et pouvait recevoir jusqu’à 800 personnes. Le gouvernement y avait installé l’Assemblée Nationale. Depuis 1975, il a retrouvé sa fonction originelle.  

L’Hôtel de Ville : très controversé à l’époque de sa construction (1901-1908), cet énorme édifice ressemble assez à un gâteau d’anniversaire jaune et blanc. 

La cathédrale Notre Dame fut construite en briques rouges sur la place de Paris par un architecte français entre 1877 et 1880 sur les ruines d’une pagode. On y célèbre encore des messes en vietnamien (trois offices quotidiens et six chaque dimanche) pour les fidèles encore relativement nombreux. Son parvis accueille une statue de la Vierge Marie. 

Arrêt photo devant le Palais de la Réunification. 

Dîner croisière sur la rivière de Saigon, avec spectacle de musique folklorique (seulement pour groupe à partir de 10 voyageurs. Moins de 10, diner local en ville). 

Nuit à l’hôtel LE DUY 3* leduyhotel.vn ou similaire.

Petit-déjeuner à l’hôtel.

Petit tour au quartier chinois pour son ambiance exotique, devant le grand marché Binh Tay et les ruelles des herboristes, visite du temple de Thien Hau, connu pour ses statuettes en céramique émaillée.

Visite d’une fabrication de la laque, un artisanat local.

Départ pour la visite du Delta du Mékong. Un vaste réseau de milliers de canaux caractérise la vie dans le delta du Mékong qui s’étend sur 40 000 Km2. Arrêt pour la visite d’un temple caodaïste, religion fondée dans les années 1920 par un fonctionnaire vietnamien qui, au cours d’une séance de spiritisme entra en communication avec un “esprit supérieur ” nommé Cao Dài (Dieu) qui lui ordonna de créer une nouvelle religion. Le caodaïsme fut reconnu par les autorités coloniales comme religion officielle en 1926. 

Continuation vers Cai Be.

Embarquement pour une promenade en bateau sur l’un des bras du Mékong, de Cai Be à Vinh Long où vous pourrez admirer les étalages de fruits et de fleurs ainsi que les vergers.

Visite de l’îlot Binh Hoa Phuoc et découverte de ses vergers où une dégustation de fruits tropicaux vous sera proposée.

Déjeuner chez l’habitant.

Visite d’une fabrique artisanale de bonbons avec dégustation.

Continuation par la route pour Can Tho.

Dîner et nuit à l’hôtel VAN PHAT RIVERSIDE 4* vanphatriverside.com ou similaire.

Départ en bateau sur le canal de Cai Nong afin de découvrir les activités fluviales et le marché flottant de Cai Rang, le plus animé de cette région. Dégustation des fruits du Mékong sur un bateau.

Déjeuner. Puis transfert à Chau Doc. Dîner et nuit à un hôtel d’étape simple à Chau Doc : CHAU PHO 3* chauphohotel.com ou similaire.

Remontée du Mékong en bateau, le trajet plus de 4 heures vous offre un changement de paysage de deux pays. Avec l’aide de l’équipage, vous faites les formalités de passage à la frontière. Déjeuner simple à bord sous forme de « boite portée ».

Au port de Phnom Penh, accueil par le guide local pour la découverte de la capital du Cambodge. Visite de la Pagode d’Argent située dans l’enceinte du Palais Royal, où sont gardés les trésors de la couronne. Puis visite de la pagode du Vat Phnom : site agréable très ombragé, au sommet d’une petite colline, un des plus vieux sites de la ville. Fin après-midi, assisté une séance de gymnastique collective au stade Olympique avec les cambodgiens à partir de 17h00. Dîner et nuit à l’hôtel POULO WAI 4* poulowaihotel.com ou similaire.

Départ en minibus sans guide à Siem Reap sur la route proviciale aux beaux paysage par Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham. Sans guide francophone, le chauffeur va vous faire des arrêts pour les photos et déjeuner en route. Déjeuner libre à votre charge dans un arrêt restaurant en route, occasion à découvrir la gastronomie à votre façon.

Note : Pour les groupes moins de 10 personnes, ce transfert sera fait avec une navette public très confortable. Les locaux l’appellent « Minibus à Businesse Classe ». Un service à bord de type «abordable luxueux», spécialement conçu pour les voyageurs désirant le confort, la sécurité, un accès Internet en route et un personnel anglophone serviable. À l’arrivée à la station de bus à Siem Reap vers 14h45, rencontre avec notre chauffeur de remorque tuk tuk pour aller à l’hôtel.

À 16h00 à l’hôtel, accueil par le guide. Départ à pied pour découvrir la ville de Siem Reap au soir : le grand park royal, le temple Preah Angchek, le long de la rivière, le marché puis passant par les rues très animés de la vie nocturne de Siem Reap « Pub Street ». Temps libre pour la piscine de l’hôtel. Dîner et nuit à l’hôtel SOMADEVI ANGKOR RESORT 4* somadeviangkor.com ou similaire.

Option (OP5) : Vol de Phnom Penh à Siem Reap au lieu de la route

Journée incomtournable mais en remorque Tuk Tuk typique du Cambodge. Visite de la porte sud d’Angkor Thom. Poursuite par le fameux temple du Bayon aux multiples visages, puis le Baphuon, la Terrasse des Eléphants et la Terrasse du Roi Lépreux. Fin matinée avec la visite du temple de Ta Prohm, temple englouti par la végétation qui met les visiteurs dans la peau des premiers explorateurs.

Déjeuner au restaurant local.

Après-midi, visite du temple de l’incontournable temple d’Angkor Wat, chef-d’œuvre de l’art khmer devenu le symbole du Cambodge.

Dîner au restaurant local avec le spectacle de danse traditionnelle Khmer. Nuit à l’hôtel.

Route to the north of Angkor 30km for a beautiful discovery outside of mass tourism: Kbal Spean. Along the way, stop at the village of Preak Dak where you will visit the house where rice noodles are made (Num Bann Chok) and stroll in a traditional village of artisanal production of palm sugar (depending on the season).

Arrival at Kbal Spean and continue for about 45 minutes on foot and up through a marked path in the forest to reach the site: the river of a thousand lingas, dating from the early 11th century, the reliefs that line the stream beds are said to purify the water before it fills the reservoirs of Angkor (baray). The peaceful environment of the place, its inspired atmosphere allow you a beautiful walk. Note: from March to June, it is too dry and hot, this visit is replaced by the temple invaded by the jungle: Beng Mealea, also calm and beautiful.

Transfer to the local restaurant at the foot of the mountain for a tasting of fresh coconut juice while waiting for your served lunch.

Visit to Banteay Srei, the “citadel of women” which so pleased André MALRAUX.

Dinner at a restaurant in town. Stop at one of the favorite places for young Cambodians in the evening, known as “Route 60”. Melting pot between market, street stalls, traditional catering and timeless amusement park.

Night at the hotel.

Visit the local market and then discover the great Tonlé Sap lake, one of the wonders of Asia. Boat trip to a floating village animated by fishing and livestock activities, which offer a colorful spectacle.

Disembarkation then visit a village.

Meet a Cambodian family in their house on stilts and have lunch at their home. It is also an opportunity to taste one of the most popular dishes in Cambodia “Num Bann Chhok” (rice, green curry, fish, lemon grass, turmeric root and kaffir lime.

A little rest in the hammocks then visit the SAMATOA lotus farm and its small workshop where an exceptional fabric is made from lotus fiber. Stop to visit a pagoda where you will learn about the life of the monks and these magnificent places with peaceful atmospheres. Late afternoon, visit the Artisans d’Angkor and the “Senteurs d’Angkor” factory (making candles, soaps and other creams, processing spices such as pepper, chili, curry etc.).

Dinner at the Marum Restaurant of the Friends NGO where you will enjoy creative local cuisine, delicious cocktails and fruit shakes, prepared only from the freshest ingredients. All dishes are designed to be shared!

Night at the hotel.

Transfer without guide to the airport and flight to your destination. Free meals or on board.