Authentic Vietnam: our secret favorites

When Vietnam comes to mind, we often think of Halong Bay, the bustling streets of Hanoi, or the colorful lanterns of Hoi An. These iconic places are undeniably captivating, but they have also become heavily visited. Yet behind these symbols lies another Vietnam — discreet, intimate, and beautifully preserved.

Traveling Off the Beaten Path in Vietnam is like exploring Vietnam differently means venturing into the northern mountains to meet ethnic minorities, walking among untouched terraced rice fields, or discovering traditional villages where life has stood still. It’s an immersion into an authentic country, far from the crowds, where every encounter and every landscape becomes a unique memory.

At Senteurs du Vietnam, we take pride in revealing this hidden side of the country. Thanks to our local roots and a network of trusted partners, we design tailor-made itineraries that focus on encounters, nature, and lesser-known places — for a truly different travel experience. Read More “Authentic Vietnam: our secret favorites”

What to Do in Hue, Vietnam in 3 Days? Complete Guide

Once the imperial capital of Vietnam for more than a century, Hue charms visitors with its cultural heritage and peaceful atmosphere along the Perfume River. Located in central Vietnam, halfway between Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south, Hue lies between the sea and mountains, not far from the famous Hai Van Pass. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hue is filled with historical landmarks, refined cuisine, and enchanting landscapes that make it a must-see stop on any trip to Vietnam.

But when time is short, the question arises: what should you do in Hue in 3 days without missing the essentials? This article provides you with a detailed, practical itinerary—day by day—to explore the Imperial City, admire the Nguyen emperors’ tombs, wander through Dong Ba Market, taste Hue’s signature dishes, and even go on excursions to the Demilitarized Zone or the Tam Giang Lagoon.

Get ready to dive into the soul of Vietnam—imperial history, living traditions, and authentic experiences—thanks to our comprehensive guide designed to help you make the most of your stay.

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Top 15 Luxury Hotels in Vietnam: City, Sea, and Nature

Vietnam enchants travelers with its striking contrasts, rich cultural heritage, and legendary sense of hospitality. Beyond its ancient temples and bustling markets, the country is also home to some of Asia’s most exceptional hotels. Whether you want to embrace colonial elegance in the heart of Hanoi, drift off to the sound of the waves from a private villa in Phu Quoc, or gaze at mist-covered mountains from a lodge in Sapa, Vietnam’s luxury hotels deliver unique experiences that combine refinement with immersion.

In this article, we have selected the 15 finest five-star hotels in Vietnam, divided into three categories:

  • 5 luxury hotels in the city, perfect for an energetic urban escape.
  • 5 seaside resorts, ideal for dream beach holidays.
  • 5 nature retreats, designed for rejuvenation in breathtaking landscapes.

Get ready to discover outstanding properties that are more than just places to stay—they are true invitations to experience Vietnam’s lifestyle and art of living.

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Traveling to Vietnam from the UK: complete guide

Every year, Vietnam attracts more and more English-speaking travelers, including from the UK. With its landscapes drawn by terraced rice fields, its imperial monuments, its paradisiac beaches and its effervescent cities, the country seduces as much culture enthusiasts as nature and adventure lovers. But before flying away, a question always comes up: how to prepare a trip to Vietnam from the UK?

Rice terrace in Sapa and HMong

From the visa application to international flights, through the budget to plan, the best time to leave and the essential itineraries, the organization can seem complex and you ask for a lot of time. That is why, with our experience as a local English-speaking agency established in Vietnam, we have designed this practical guide. You will find all the essential information to transform your desire for escape into a unique and serene experience.

With us, Vietnam is not only visited: it is lived.

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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. Also you can find great insights on Vietnam Done Right.

  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.

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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. Read More “How to prepare your arrival in Vietnam – touristic stay?”

Village de pêcheur dans la baie d'Halong

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.

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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.

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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.

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