Top 5 of the activities and unusual places in Vietnam

Vietnam is a country full of hidden treasures and wonders to discover.

We try on our side to make you discover many of them during the trips we organize and here are the activities that mark us the most

  1. Flight over Halong Bay

Every person who goes to Vietnam has heard about the famous Halong Bay with its countless limestones that stand proudly above the turquoise waters. It is obvious that a cruise on a small boat is an extraordinary experience, but to really discover the beauty of this region, nothing beats a seaplane flight. This 25-minute flight will truly be an highlight of your journey that will remain anchored in your memories and allow you to fully discover the extent of this natural wonder classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So do not wait any longer and whether before or after your cruise, take the opportunity you have to be in the region to realize this unique experience.

  1. Mount Fansipan

Mount Fansipan is the highest peak in all of Vietnam. It rises to 3,143 meters.

To discover it, you have two options. You can climb to the top by cable car in 15 minutes; you will then discover the entire region up to the borders of Laos and China.

For the more adventuours, go for an ascent of this summit during a hike of 2 days and 1 night, but be careful this one is reserved for the experienced walkers, being used to the mountain and having sufficient physical condition to cross from 800 to 1600 meters of elevation gain in a day. Much of the climb takes place through different bamboo forests, making the paths often slippery and muddy. Good walking shoes are therefore essential. In addition, the night at the base camp of 2,800 meters is spent in a tent when the weather is fine, and when it rains, in a makeshift hut where comfort is not required then, whatever the season, bring warm clothes.

  1. Adventure in the caves of Phong Nha – Ke Bang

The Phong Nha region recognized by the Vietnamese government and UNESCO as a natural heritage hosts the largest caves in the world. Some are easily accessible to the general public such as Paradise and Phong Nha Caves. Nevertheless, to really discover the treasures of this region, nothing beats going on a multi-day adventure in the caves accessible after hikes in the jungle.

Thus, for the more athletic, you can for example live a memorable experience by venturing into the cave of Hang Pigmy, which you will discover during abseiling.

If you have young children, choose instead some more accessible adventures like the Elephant Cave which also offers a memorable experience amidst incredible scenery.

  1. Culinary discovery of Hue, gastronomic capital

Hue, ancient historical capital of the land of the dragon is also recognized as the gastronomic capital. To fully taste all the flavors and specialties that the city has to offer, you will need several days or a good stomach.

Be careful to really enjoy the local gastronomy, you will have to venture into the small street restaurants outside tourist trails and so it is better to be in the company of someone who knows the city well to discover the best addresses. Arnauld will be happy to introduce you to the many delights of the city for an authentic experience of the gastronomy of Hue, with the famous Bun Bo, Nem Lui, Banh Khoai and other local dishes… Feel free to spend an evening with him…

  1. Immersion with the locals in the Mekong

To discover the culture of a country nothing beats spending time with its inhabitants in complete immersion and Vietnam is no exception to the rule.

This is what Phuong & César, this Franco-Vietnamese couple living in the heart of the Mekong, offers to live an authentic experience within their family and fully discover the rural life of the region. So get off the tourist trails to discover the richness of the Mekong Delta and its local crafts in a totally unique way during a stay of 3 days or more.

We have defined this top 5 activities after traveling many times North to South Vietnam, and each region offers unique discoveries that you easily integrate during a stay from North to South like this one.

How to prepare your arrival in Vietnam – touristic stay?

To travel to Vietnam, the 3 entry requirements are quite simple to meet:

  • Hold a passport with a validity date of more than 6 months with respect to the date of entry into the Vietnamese territory.
  • Have the appropriate visa according to your nationality.
  • Be able to present a proof of departure from the territory at the end of your stay.

In the event that one of the three conditions previously mentioned is not met, then it is highly likely that entry into the Vietnamese territory will be refused.

 

Who needs a visa?

Viet Nam has facilitated the entry conditions for many countries, including nationals of the following European countries:

France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway.

The persons holding one of these passports may enter with a 45-day visa waiver.

For tourists of other nationalities it is mandatory to apply for a 90-day visa (see below).

 

When and how to apply for the visa?

Visa application can be made at any time, but the processing time of 3 working days can be easily extended in case of holidays in Vietnam. In addition, in case of error in the application, you will need to modify your initial application or make a new one (and pay a second time for the new application).

Therefore, we strongly recommend travelers to request their plane tickets to avoid additional stress a few days before your departure.

To do this, here is the official website and you will need a scanned copy of your passport as well as a recent identification photo. Be careful this photo should be different from the one in your passport. In case of error, you will often receive an email citing an error in the first and last names, but actually this can also be due to a problem with the photo.

Attention: the entry point mentioned in the application is extremely important as it must be respected and this is verified, for the exit there is more flexibility, but we advise you to put the one you have planned and respect it to the maximum.

If you need help, we will be happy to assist our clients with tge visa application, or we can recommend a specialized agent for these requests.

 

Proof of departure from the territory

As in a trip to Europe for non-European people, Vietnamese law requires that tourists can justify their departure from the territory at the end of the 45-day exemption or the 90-day visa.

This requirement is not necessarily verified at the point of entry into Vietnamese territory, but at the check-in point of your flight to Vietnam.

Please note that airlines increasingly apply these checks and have the right to refuse you check-in or boarding if you are unable to provide such proof.

Therefore, when you travel for a long period of time, it is essential to buy an exit ticket, either by bus or by plane, although it will not necessarily be used.

 

Point of entry to Vietnam

There are several entry points to Vietnam, by land and by air. For flights to Vietnam you can search more details on KAYAK.

Most popular airlines fly to Ho Chi Minh Airport – Tan Son Nhat Airport

Hanoi airport – Noi Bai Int Airport

Danang airport – Da Nang International Airport

By land, note Lao Bao near Hué, in central Vietnam – Lao Bao Landport

By bus from Cambodia to go to Ho Chi Minh – Moc Bai Landport Ba Vet and by boat from Phnom Penh to go to Chau Doc – Song Tien Landport.

 

For an easy trip, we are here to assist you in all stages and even to accompany you step by step for the visa application.

Wishing you a great trip to Vietnam with Senteurs du Vietnam.

 

Discovery of Halong Bay

Halong Bay is the first symbol of Vietnam.

This place, considered a natural wonder, has nearly 1600 islands and limestone islets covered with dense vegetation and populated by birds that form a unique landscape in the world. For a long time this area was full of pirates hiding among the limestones and in secret bays. Now the pirates have been replaced by the cruise ships from which you will discover the beauty of these formations. Read More “Discovery of Halong Bay”

On the kings’ tracks

In the heart of Hue, the Nguyen Dynasty has been ruling the city and the surroundings for years during the 19th Century. Therefore, during their successive reign, the different emperors have been developing the city and they have been building many monuments in its surroundings.

For instance, the first emperor of the Dynasty, Gia Long, lead the project of the An Cuu Canal (known as Phu Cam canal), linking the Perfume River to Cau Hai Lagoon in order to ease the journey to the south and to enhance the lands south of the city. This is one of the many constructions the different emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty have made during their reign and all of them have marked the city in their own ways according to their own architectural taste.

Read More “On the kings’ tracks”

Phong Nha Ke Bang – Paradise Cave and Dark Cave

In Central Vietnam, in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, the nature has been working hard to design a unique treasure. Under the actions of the elements, water mainly; nature has eroded these places, giving birth to some complex cave networks.

For a few years, this area has been recognized by Vietnamese government and by the UNESCO as an exceptional natural patrimony which reveals itself to the world very slowly thanks to the work of speleologists and adventurers who struggle to discover these underground treasures. Therefore, each year, this part of Vietnam appears step by step to the world.

Now, the whole park offers to rediscover a large range of forgotten sensations in an impressive environment.

Read More “Phong Nha Ke Bang – Paradise Cave and Dark Cave”

Lifetime of an incense stick

Every traveler, even you, has noticed this small fragrant stick, if not by directly seeing it, your nose will have picked up its light smell when walking in some houses, temples, pagodas and other monuments. As it seems it’s such a small item, but its lifetime is still very complex and it holds a very important position in Vietnamese society.

First of all, let’s remember what incense is; a thin stick of bamboo covered with a resin of Sandalwood which is finally used during many ceremonies and rituals of the daily life of Vietnamese people. Therefore, here is its life and the story of its production in Hue.

Read More “Lifetime of an incense stick”

Hue’s gastronomy

Hue is not only the historical capital of Vietnam. It’s also a gastronomic center of the country and you will be able to discover many local specialties.

For this, simply get out of the touristic restaurants of the city-center and venture in the streets of the city, seat on the small red plastic stool or blue chairs of the street food restaurant and discover the local gastronomy.

Read More “Hue’s gastronomy”

A Stroll in Hue

Hue, former capital of Vietnam and center for the Nguyễn Dynasty, first developed North of the Perfume River, around Kim Long and Thien Mu Pagoda. Then, it moved around the Royal Palace and the fortified city around the waterways and the canals.

During the Indochina Era, French settled on the southern bank of the river and many monuments, often ignored by the tourists, provide evidences of their former presence. Today, most of those monuments are nationalized and occupied by various city departments.

Read More “A Stroll in Hue”

Our Story

Discovering a country, its charms or how to share the treasures of Vietnam.

For a very long time, I had only a single idea in mind – going to settle in Asia. Thus, when I was barely 25 years old, just after graduating, I took off toward new horizons with a simple backpack. Who could have imagined where this would lead?

After 9 months volunteering in Cambodia, Vietnam has stolen my heart. From Ha Tien, where, on the first night, a family invited me to share their dinner. From Ha Tien to Chau Doc, with this splendid pagoda overlooking the Cambodian border. From Chau Doc to Can Tho, I wandered along the Mekong, its meanders, its canals, its floating markets, its orchards… With many colorful experiences and discoveries and full of smiles with incomparable welcome until I reached Ho Chi Minh.

Read More “Our Story”