Vue de l'hôtel de ville de Hô Chi Minh
CategoriesCulture By gaulthier

What to Do in Ho Chi Minh City? An Inspiring Guide

What to Do in Ho Chi Minh City: Our Essential Experiences

Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City can feel slightly overwhelming at first. Hundreds of scooters weave between cars, the aroma of Vietnamese coffee drifts from small neighbourhood cafés, and contemporary skyscrapers rise above buildings that tell the story of another era. Formerly known as Saigon, the city does not try to charm visitors with tranquillity. Its appeal lies in its energy.

So, what should you do in Ho Chi Minh City if you have two or three days? Naturally, there are several major landmarks that should not be missed. But to truly understand Southern Vietnam’s largest metropolis, you also need to explore its markets, taste its food, observe everyday life in its neighbourhoods and experience the city after sunset.

Here is our selection of experiences designed to help you live Saigon rather than simply visit it.

Read More “What to Do in Ho Chi Minh City? An Inspiring Guide”

CategoriesNature By gaulthier

Most beautiful beaches of Vietnam: sublime selection

The most beautiful beaches of Vietnam: our selection

In Vietnam, the sea is never very far from the journey. After the rice fields of the north, the lively alleys of Hanoi, the imperial tombs of Hué or the lanterns of Hội An, the coastline offers a welcome breathing space. A fishing boat emerges at dawn, the first restaurants set up their tables facing the ocean and, a few hours later, the sun slowly descends on a beach lined with tropical vegetation.

But what are the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam? The answer is less obvious than it seems. The country has an immense coastline, with very different atmospheres and especially seasons between the Center and the South. An ideal beach in February will not necessarily be our first choice in October.

We must also look beyond the sand. Some travelers dream of a peaceful island to complete their tour, others wish to alternate heritage and swimming, while a family will favor ease of access and comfort.

From Côn Đảo to the shores of Phú Quốc, passing through Hội An and Quy Nhơn, we have selected the beaches of Vietnam that particularly deserve your attention. Not to create an artificial ranking, but to help you find the one that really fits your trip.

Read More “Most beautiful beaches of Vietnam: sublime selection”

CategoriesNature By gaulthier

Ban Gioc Waterfalls: natural wonder of Vietnam

In the heart of the mountains of northern Vietnam, far from the hustle and bustle of major cities and traditional tourist routes, lies one of the most spectacular landscapes of the country: the Ban Gioc Falls. Located in the preserved province of Cao Bang in Vietnam, these impressive waterfalls offer an absolutely grandiose setting, between karst cliffs, green rice fields and turquoise waters.

For many travelers, discovering Ban Gioc in Vietnam is more than just a nature excursion. The route itself passes through a rural Vietnam that is still authentic, punctuated by ethnic villages, scenic routes and strikingly beautiful landscapes. This gradual immersion reinforces the emotion felt upon arrival in front of the famous Ban Gioc waterfall, considered one of the most beautiful in Southeast Asia.

At the border between Vietnam and China, the falls deploy several levels of powerful waterfalls in a wild and peaceful atmosphere. Depending on the season, the light mist, the rumble of water and the shades of green of the mountains create an almost unreal atmosphere.

In this article, we take you to discover the falls of Ban Gioc, to understand why this natural site fascinates so many travelers. You will also discover that seeing in Ban Gioc, how to organize your visit, what is the best time to leave and why this region fully deserves its place in an authentic and immersive journey. Read More “Ban Gioc Waterfalls: natural wonder of Vietnam”

CategoriesCulture By gaulthier

Perfume Pagoda: A Fascinating History

Perfume Pagoda near Hanoi: The Fascinating History of a Legendary Sanctuary

As you leave Hanoi behind, the constant energy of the Vietnamese capital gradually gives way to a quieter landscape. Then comes one of the most memorable moments of the journey: approaching the Perfume Pagoda, known in Vietnamese as Chùa Hương, by boat. Seated in a small rowing boat, you glide gently along the Yến River, surrounded by the limestone mountains of Hương Sơn.

Long before the first sanctuary comes into view, the rhythm of the journey seems to change. Behind this beautiful scenery lies a history spanning several centuries. The Perfume Pagoda is neither a single pagoda nor simply a popular day trip from Hanoi.

It is an extensive religious complex deeply connected to Vietnamese Buddhism, pilgrimage traditions and the spiritual heritage of the country. Understanding its history allows you to experience its temples, stairways and, above all, the mysterious Hương Tích Cave from an entirely different perspective. Join us as we explore one of Northern Vietnam’s most remarkable spiritual sites, where history, faith and spectacular landscapes come together.

Read More “Perfume Pagoda: A Fascinating History”

CategoriesTrip preparation By gaulthier

Money in Vietnam: Essential Guide to Paying and Cash

Money in Vietnam: How to Pay, Exchange Currency and Withdraw Cash

You have just landed in Hanoi. A few minutes later, you order your first coffee and the bill comes to several tens of thousands of dong. That evening, restaurant dishes are priced at 150,000 or 200,000 VND. Then you stop at an ATM and are offered the option of withdrawing several million.
Your first encounter with money in Vietnam can be slightly confusing. There are zeros everywhere, and the familiar sense of value you have at home temporarily disappears.

Fortunately, it doesn’t take long to get used to the Vietnamese dong. Managing your money while travelling in Vietnam is actually quite straightforward once you understand when to use cash, when to pay by card, where to exchange foreign currency and how to withdraw money without accumulating unnecessary fees.

Your payment habits will also change throughout your journey.
A credit card may be perfectly convenient for paying for a beautiful hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, while cash becomes essential when enjoying a bowl of noodles at a family-run restaurant, buying fruit at a local market or stopping in a remote mountain village.

At Senteurs du Vietnam, we therefore recommend viewing cards and cash as complementary rather than choosing one over the other.
In this guide, we share our practical advice on how to pay in Vietnam, exchange money and withdraw cash, so that financial matters quickly become a minor detail and you can focus on enjoying your journey.

Read More “Money in Vietnam: Essential Guide to Paying and Cash”

CategoriesTrip preparation By gaulthier

Weather in Vietnam in summer: where to go and what climate?

Preparing a trip to Vietnam in summer often raises many questions. Between the heat, humidity and the famous rainy season, many travelers hesitate to go to Vietnam between June and August.

Yet, the Vietnamese climate is much more nuanced than one might imagine. The country stretches more than 1,600 kilometers from north to south, causing significant weather differences between regions. While one area experiences some tropical showers, another can enjoy a great sun and ideal conditions to travel.

Yes, summer corresponds to a hot and humid period in much of the country. But this does not mean that it is impossible to travel. Quite the contrary: some parts of Vietnam are particularly pleasant during this season, especially the center of the country and some mountainous areas in the north.

In this article, we explain to you clearly:

  • the weather in Vietnam in summer
  • the differences between north, center, and south
  • the regions to prioritize
  • the temperatures to be expected
  • the practical advice for traveling comfortably

You will also discover why Vietnam in summer can offer absolutely magnificent landscapes, between green rice fields, tropical atmosphere and particularly spectacular nature. Read More “Weather in Vietnam in summer: where to go and what climate?”

CategoriesGastronomy By gaulthier

Vietnamese coffee: Top 5 to taste absolutely

Impossible to travel in Vietnam without discovering the fascinating world of Vietnamese coffee. Present on every street corner, served in small popular cafes as well as in elegant and modern establishments, coffee is an integral part of everyday Vietnamese life.

In Vietnam, drinking coffee is not just a habit: it’s a real art of living. In the morning, the sidewalks fill up with Vietnamese people sitting on small stools, watching the street while slowly enjoying their drink. In large cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, cafés become places of meeting, discussion and sometimes even work.

The country is now the world’s second largest coffee producer, mainly thanks to its powerful and aromatic robusta. This richness has given rise to an incredible diversity of coffees, combining colonial heritage, local creativity and tropical flavors.

From the famous Vietnamese iced coffee to the surprising Vietnam egg coffee, each specialty tells a different side of the country. Some drinks are seductive by their intensity, others by their sweetness or originality, but all offer a deeply Vietnamese experience.

In this article, we take you to discover the specialties in terms of Vietnamese coffee not to be missed. Here is our selection of must-try coffees to understand why coffee holds such a special place in Vietnamese culture.

Read More “Vietnamese coffee: Top 5 to taste absolutely”

CategoriesCulture By gaulthier

The cult of ancestors in Vietnam: sacred tradition

During a trip to Vietnam, many visitors quickly notice an element present almost everywhere: an altar decorated with photos, incense, flowers and offerings. Whether you enter a family home, a business or even a hotel, this discreet but essential presence bears witness to a tradition deeply rooted in Vietnamese society: the cult of ancestors in Vietnam.

More than a simple religious practice, this tradition occupies a central place in the Vietnamese culture. It reflects the Vietnamese vision of the family, intergenerational respect and the invisible link between the living and the deceased. In Vietnam, ancestors symbolically continue to accompany their descendants, protect the family and participate in the balance of the home.

Pour les voyageurs, comprendre cette coutume permet de porter un regard totalement différent sur le pays. Derrière chaque autel, chaque bâton d’encens ou chaque cérémonie familiale se cache une relation profonde à la mémoire, à la transmission et à l’harmonie familiale.

In this article, we invite you to discover how ancestor worship works in Vietnam, why this practice remains essential today and what it reveals about the Vietnamese soul. You will also understand the meaning of altars, offerings and rituals that still punctuate the daily life of millions of Vietnamese families.

Read More “The cult of ancestors in Vietnam: sacred tradition”

CategoriesTrip preparation By gaulthier

Trip to Vietnam and Siem Reap: ideal itinerary between Vietnamese immersion and temples

Trip to Vietnam and Siem Reap:

There are trips that seduce with the beauty of their landscapes. Others leave a lasting impression through the intensity of emotions, human encounters and the rare sensation of crossing several universes in a single itinerary. The trip Vietnam and Siem Reap undoubtedly belongs to this category of deeply unforgettable discoveries.

Combining the vibrant energy of Vietnam with the majesty of the temples of Angkor allows to live a particularly balanced experience between cultural immersion, refinement of travel and permanent wonder. Few tours in Southeast Asia offer such a richness of contrasts in the same adventure.

Vietnam immediately captivates with its spectacular diversity. To the north, the bustling alleys of Hanoi reveal a fascinating local life where scooters, street markets and traditional cafes compose an intensely lively atmosphere. Further on, misty mountains and terraced rice fields create landscapes that are almost unreal. In the center of the country, Hoi An lights up the evenings with its colorful lanterns while the coastal villages invite to slow down. Then come the peaceful waters of the Mekong Delta, where floating scenes of life offer an authentic immersion in rural Vietnam.

Read More “Trip to Vietnam and Siem Reap: ideal itinerary between Vietnamese immersion and temples”

CategoriesTrip preparation By gaulthier

Family trip to Vietnam: tips and activities

Planning a trip to Vietnam with your family can seem impressive at first glance: distance, climate, transport, pace of travel… Many parents wonder if Vietnam is really suitable for a stay with children.

Yet, Vietnam is one of the most enriching and accessible destinations for families wishing to live a exotic, cultural and human experience. Between spectacular rice fields, tropical beaches, boat rides, local encounters and tasty cuisine, the country offers an incredible diversity of activities suitable for both young children and teenagers.

One of the great assets of Vietnam with children also lies in the warm welcome of the Vietnamese. Families are generally very well received, and children often attract curiosity, smiles and kindness. This atmosphere makes the trip particularly pleasant and reassuring for parents.

Well organized, a family trip to Vietnam allows you to find an excellent balance between:

  • cultural discovery
  • moments of relaxation
  • nature
  • fun activities
  • travel comfort

In this article, we share our best tips for a successful stay: adapted itineraries, essential activities, practical recommendations and mistakes to avoid to fully enjoy a smooth and memorable family tour.

Read More “Family trip to Vietnam: tips and activities”