Ethnicities and Landscapes of Vietnam and Cambodia

Arrival in the morning, welcome and transfer to your hotel. Located on the right bank of the Red River, Hanoi is 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 then. 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. Afternoon dedicated to visiting Hanoi: walk through the old neighborhoods then discover the Jade Mountain temple, built in the middle of the Restored Sword lake and served by a magnificent wooden bridge straight out of a print Japanese. Continuation with a visit to the Temple of Literature (shrine dedicated to Confucius) and the One Pillar Pagoda (in the shape of a lotus flower emerging from a pond), built in honor of Quan Am, goddess of fertility, after the birth of her son . Welcome dinner. Night in Hanoi.

Breakfast at your hotel. Departure by road towards Thanh Hoa, bound for Pu Luong. Pu Luong Nature Reserve is located in Quan Hoa and Ba Thuoc districts. It is characterized by its variety of biosystems which combine limestone reliefs, mountains and forests. Covering an area of ​​more than 17,000 hectares, Pu Luong constitutes the largest lowland karst forest in the north, sheltering several plant and animal species, many of which are rare or even endemic. The reserve is largely populated by Thai minorities. Arrival at Pu Luong. Dinner. Installation, rest then walk around the village to discover the life of the local inhabitants. Abundantly supplied by waterfalls which cross the village, several households have baths in front of the house for fish farming. Walk around the rice terraces. Take this opportunity to explore the village and interact with the locals living in the hills above the resort. Observe the daily life of the villagers as well as their agricultural activities, learn about the manufacturing of colorful textiles. Free dinner. Night in Pu Luong.

Breakfast. Transfer to the suspension bridge over the Cham River, where you will begin your ride in search of stunning water wheels, one of the representative symbols of Pu Luong. Get up close to each wheel and see how water moves from a river to a handmade bamboo aqueduct via very simple installations of all sizes. Visit to the house of a local fisherman, moment of rest to prepare for bamboo rafting with his team. As you sail along the river and admire the picturesque and calm landscapes, you will have the opportunity to learn to paddle and steer your homemade rafts. Disembarkation at Tan Lap bridge, transfer back to your lodge to check out your rooms. Dinner. Descent into the valley to the villages of Uoi and Lan nestled at the foot of the mountain. Boarding your vehicle and continuing on to Mai Chau. Arrival, installation . Walk in the village to discover the daily activities of the Thai ethnic group. The Thai people are very hospitable and known to be particularly open and friendly. They welcome you with their most beautiful smile and invite you into their home. This is the opportunity to discover the interior of a Thai house. Thai women are especially skilled at weaving; watch them work with precision and dexterity on their old looms to make fabrics, clothes, bags or carpets.   Option: Thai dance and song show, around the campfire, accompanied by tasting of traditional Thai wine, using a bamboo straw. Take the opportunity to exchange with the villagers and join in their dances. Free dinner. Night in Mai Chau.

Breakfast. Easy hike of around 2 hours by bike to reach the surrounding villages populated by white Thais. It is so calm and tranquil here that most travelers entering the valley can feel a different world and a relaxing vacation getaway. The Lac and Van villages, located in the commune of Chieng Mai, 1 km from the center of Mai Chau district, are the homes of five clans of the White Thai ethnic group. Residents live by making mountain rice. The stilt houses are quite large with palm leaf roofs and polished bamboo floors. The kitchen is located in the center of the house; the material used by the Thai minority to weave brocade and make clothes takes place near a window. The windows are large and decorated with patterns. Each house also has a pond for raising fish. Visitors can stay in one of the 25 stilt houses, participating in community tourism. Meet the villagers and discover their way of life. Above all, you cycle through wonderful, breathtaking landscapes, with twisted mountains. Dinner of Thai specialties. Road to Moc Chau. Arrival, installation. Free dinner. Night in Moc Chau.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure towards Son La. Stop at Son La for dinner. Visit the Son La Penitentiary then continue towards Dien Bien Phu via the Pha Din Pass, one of the four most spectacular passes in the North-West. Arrival. Installation at the hotel. Free dinner. Night in Dien Bien Phu.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit to famous historical sites: the headquarters of Commander De Castries, the moving French memorial, the museum with its animated map of operations and Eliane Hill which was the last to fall, stroll through the city. Dinner. In the afternoon, continue to Muong Lay, the ancient Lai Chau, a very beautiful town next to the “black river”. Free dinner. Night in Muong Lay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Sapa to discover one of Vietnam's picturesque destinations. Located at an altitude of 1650 m, Sapa enjoys a pleasant climate. This place was discovered by the French in 1922 who set up their second homes there to escape the torrid heat of the Red River Delta during the summer months. Today, Sapa remains a very popular place due to the magnificent mountain landscapes that this region offers but also due to the extraordinary atmosphere provided by the colorful encounters with ethnic minorities. Stop at the spectacular “Silver Waterfalls” almost 100m high, the most beautiful waterfall in the region before arriving at the hotel in Sapa. Dinner. Visit the Ma Tra village, through beautiful landscapes where you can discover H'Mong minority ethnic groups. Return to Sapa, visit the old district with its stone church. Installation at your hotel. Free dinner. Night in Sapa.

Breakfast at the hotel. Hiking in the Muong Hoa valley to visit the villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van, home to the Black Hmong and Giay (duration: 2 hours) Return to Sapa. Dinner. Road back to Hanoi. Arrival and installation. Free dinner. Night in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Halong Bay. Along the way, stop at the craft workshops for the disabled in Daï Viet. Arrival in Halong late morning and boarding the Oriental Sails boat or similar . Seafood dinner. Halong Bay: elevated by UNESCO to the rank of world heritage of supreme beauty, it offers an unforgettable spectacle. 3,000 karst rocks with steep reliefs dotted an emerald sea over 1,500 km². Some caves, nestled in the granite islets: The cave of the bits of wood, bristling with stalactites and stalagmites. The cave of surprise with its phallus-shaped rock. Dinner and overnight aboard your junk or similar. Note: The nature of the visits being linked to the change of tides and weather conditions, the itinerary will be defined by the boat captain on the same day.

You will start your morning fresh on the deck, undoubtedly admiring the sunrise over the entire Bay (depending on the weather). Breakfast on board, then you will visit Luon Cave (tunnel cave). Return to your junk, the cruise will continue to discover the Bay. Dinner before disembarkation. Road to Ninh Binh. Scenes from the rural life of Vietnamese farmers will accompany you throughout the journey. Free dinner. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to Halong Bay on land. This site of exceptional beauty is made up of high rock formations, comparable to those that can be discovered in Halong Bay, standing on a carpet of rice fields. Hoa Lu is distinguished by its historical interest as the capital of Vietnam under the Dinh dynasty (968-980), then the earlier Le dynasty (980-1009). The old citadel, largely destroyed, was surrounded by ramparts which protected the temples, sanctuaries and ceremonial rooms. The royal family lived in the inner citadel. The magnificent site of Hoa Lu is also called the “land Ha Long”. Indeed, the relief is reminiscent of the famous "Dragon Bay" with numerous limestone hills covered with lush vegetation. A succession of natural cirques linked together by tunnels dug by erosion. 1h30 boat trip among the rice fields surrounding the sugarloaf hills where the film ''Indochina'' was used as a setting. Then, visit the temples and caves of Bich Dong. Departure towards Phat Diem, a village known for its cathedral with Sino-Vietnamese architecture which was built between 1875 and 1899. Dinner with a local. Visit the beautiful Sino-Vietnamese cathedral of Phat Diem. 80 m long and 24 m wide by 18 m high, facing a lake, the cathedral is supported on 48 ironwood columns, each 2.4 m in perimeter. In the side naves stand strange statues of wood and strong stone. The altar is made from a single block of granite. 14 high stone reliefs retrace the life of Christ. The bell tower rises at the rear of the cathedral. At its base, two enormous stone slabs placed one above the other served as platforms for the mandarins who came to observe the Catholic rites. At the top, an enormous bell was hoisted by means of a gigantic earthen ramp. In 1889, a white stone palace dedicated to the Holy Virgin was added. Transfer to Vinh by road. Free dinner. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Road to the South. Admire the landscapes and observe rural life en route. Dinner at local restaurant. Visit the Vinh Moc tunnels. Vinh Moc was the first locality to suffer the American war of aerial destruction. In June 1965, the village having been completely razed, the Vietcong forces came to establish a vast underground base there, with the support of the local population. Eighteen months of work were necessary to deploy this network of tangled tubes. There were a total of twelve entrances, some opening onto the beach, and three levels of tunnels dug between 15 and 26 m deep under the top of the cliff. Through the Vinh Moc tunnels, North Vietnam transported several thousand tons of material to Con Co Island and to the South. This remarkable underground network testifies to the determination of the North Vietnamese to triumph, at the cost of incredible sacrifices, while each family had a cell of no more than 4 square meters. 17 children were born in these tunnels. Passage in front of the 17th parallel bridge, natural border between south and north from 1954 to 1975 according to the Geneva agreements. Then, crossing the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), demarcating South and North Vietnam. Arrival in Hue. Free dinner. Night at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Hue is the former imperial capital from 1802 to 1945 declared a historic heritage site by UNESCO since 1993. Hue has a powerful power of evocation and dreams. The gastronomy of Hue is also considered cultural heritage. It is not only about dishes and tastes, but also about the culinary art of Hue. Departure for a sampan ride on the Perfume River to the Pagoda of the Heavenly Lady (Thien Mu), located on the left bank of the Perfume River, it is a Buddhist sanctuary built in 1601. Its shaped stupa octagonal has 7 floors with a total height of more than 21 meters. Visit the charming Temple of the Eunuchs. Stop at the incense and conical hat workshops. Visit to the tomb and gardens of Emperor Tu Duc. Dinner at local restaurant. Demonstration of Tai Chi and Calligraphy (minimum 10 people) in a martial arts center. Tai Chi is a physical discipline of Chinese origin comprising a set of continuous and circular movements performed slowly and precisely in a pre-established order. It also emphasizes breathing control. The practice aims, among other things, to improve flexibility, strengthen the muscular system and maintain good physical, mental and spiritual health. Directly inspired by Chinese calligraphy, calligraphy was introduced to Vietnam during the long periods of occupation of the country by Chinese emperors. You will attend a water puppet show. Option (minimum 4 pax): Release candles on the Parfums river: 10 USD/pax Option: Royal dinner (minimum 16 pax). Free dinner. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Continuation of visits to the citadel of Hue with the Imperial City, the Supreme Peace Palace, the Dynastic Temple, pavilion of splendor and the Nine dynastic bronze urns. You will then take a pedicab ride through bustling city streets to Dong Ba Market where you will have free time to stroll or shop. Dinner. Departure towards Hoi An. Stop at the stonecutters' village: this profession has been passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years. Arrival in Hoï An. Free dinner. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Hoi An is one of the most famous tourist sites in Vietnam. It is the only city in Vietnam that has remained intact to become an invaluable cultural and historical heritage. It is characterized by its cute pedestrian city center, its refined culinary specialties and. And in the evening, you will experience the atmosphere of yesteryear created by the soft and warm glow of the lanterns of the shops and the beauty of its buildings, but above all the exclusive experience of being in the unique city preserved for centuries that did not suffer the disasters of war. Morning: Ecotourism excursion: TRA QUE village & cooking class Departure by bike/or/bus transfer through the gentle Vietnamese countryside for the vegetable village of Tra Que (Located 5 km). Renowned for its aromatic herbs, mint and basil, this village will allow you to discover the life of growers and learn about their technique. The locals will guide you in the work of digging and picking vegetables. You will then enjoy a foot massage session (20 minutes) with aromatic herbs from the village. You will then enjoy a foot massage session (20 minutes) with aromatic herbs from the village. Dinner. Return to Hoi An. Afternoon: Discovery on foot of Hoi An with the main centers of interest: The Fujian sanctuary, the Japanese bridge and the Phung Hung Ancient House. Free dinner. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Danang airport and flight to Saigon. Departure for a visit to the Mekong Delta. A vast network of thousands of canals characterizes life in the Mekong Delta which extends over 40,000 km2. The yellow color of the water is due to the earth which fertilizes the fields and rich fruit gardens of the Delta throughout the year. The immense rivers and rice fields are dotted with lotus ponds. The main means of transport is by boat. Stop on the road to visit the temple of the Caodaist religion. Arrival at Ben Tre: boarding a local motor boat then sailing to Phoenix Island. During your walk, you will taste the local coconut juice. Continue navigation and visit a family candy factory where you will taste fruits and honey tea. Walk to the resident who weaves the mats. Then, discover the activities of the village. Departure by carriage to the Xu Dua restaurant for a dinner with a regional specialty, elephant ear fish. Rowing boat in the arroyos, then disembarkation and return trip to Saigon. Visit to a lacquerware factory. Night at the hotel. Dinner aboard the Bonsai boat. The Bonsai Cruise is a magnificent three-level dragon boat, designed and built with unique local materials and craftsmanship. The cruise's dinners are buffets with special dishes combining both traditional Vietnamese and world-class Western styles. Besides tasty cuisine, you will have the chance to enjoy the cultural spectacle in art and music by talented artists.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the bus station in Saigon. Road to Phnom Penh by regular bus (without guide). Obtaining the Cambodian visa at the border (Fees for obtaining the Cambodian visa payable on site – 37 USD to date). Arrival in Phnom Penh and welcome by your local French-speaking guide. Dinner in town. City tour with a visit to the Royal Palace and the silver-roofed pagoda. Transfer and installation at the hotel, free dinner.

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the Toul Sleng Museum, Central Market. Dinner. Departure to Siem-Reap by public Mekong Express bus, without guide (included). Arrival in Siem-Reap, welcome by our French-speaking guide. Free dinner, then transfer to the hotel for 3 nights.

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the site of Angkor Thom, including the Bayon, the mountain temple adapted to Buddhism and dating from the end of the 12th century / beginning of the 13th century was its main monument. We will then discover the Baphuon, an imposing construction site of the French School of the Far East, was in the middle of the 11th century. Then, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of the Elephants on which the king and his court attended the processions and the terrace of the Leper King, so called because of a statue which represents a Judge of the Underworld with a demonic appearance. Dinner in a local restaurant. Afternoon, visit Angkor Wat, an imposing “montage temple”, built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II. This sanctuary, marking the apogee of the Khmer kingdom, constitutes by its plan of concentric enclosures, by the perfection of its proportions and the richness of its sculpted decoration, the most beautiful achievement of classical Khmer art. If the traveler were to see only one monument at Angkor, it would be this one! At the end of the afternoon: admiration of the temples at sunset and spectacular view towards AngkorWat from Bakend mountain. Dinner show of traditional Khmer dance in a local restaurant. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the temple of BANTEAY SREY, the “citadel of women”. The apsaras are more beautiful there than elsewhere. One of the particularities of this Shivaite temple is its reduced proportion, but it is above all the detail of the ornamentation of the walls reminiscent of chiseled stone which deserves attention, as well as the decoration of the lintels and pediments above doors. The Taphrom temple which is invaded by lush vegetation. This is where you will see the massive trees growing on the walls of the temple. It is also the best place in Angkor to appreciate the grandeur of nature and the ancient lost civilization. Dinner in a local restaurant. Visit to the Angkor School of Artisans located in the heart of the city. Supported by the Ministry of Education, this center was founded in 1992 and seeks to revive ancestral Khmer art. The school receives 250 students per year and gives them training in artisanal and traditional techniques. In the shop, the silk clothes and polychrome wooden statues are expensive but beautiful. Visit to the Phar Chas Market. Free dinner and night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Tonlé Sap Lake is considered a fishermen's paradise where their whole life takes place around the water. Very rich in fish, it has been home to lakeside villages for a long time. It is the largest lake in Cambodia and its “nurturing mother”. Morning: We take a boat trip to join the daily life of fishermen at the superb floating village of Kampong Pluk. Dinner in a local restaurant. Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Saigon, then return flight.