Interieur of the Citadel of Hue
CENTRAL VIETNAM
Central Vietnam is a region of jagged coasts and highlands. We have selected for you four world-famous sites: the magnificent Phong Nha Grottoes, the Imperial city of Hue, the old Portuguese town of Hoi An, and the Cham towers of My Son, all the last three filled with exceptional architectural treasures that we propose you to visit either in two days in Hue only or 2 days in Hue and 2 days in Hoi An/My Son.
PHONG NHA NATIONAL PARK AND GROTTOES (3 days)
This beautiful tour takes you to the famous Phong Nha Grottoes, 50 km northeast of the large se resort of Dong Hoi (590 km south of Hanoi, 170 km north of Hue). What is commonly called "Phong Nha Grottos" is in fact a national park counting 4 main grottoes : Phong Nha Grotto, 30 km from Dong Hoi, the longest in the world with 55 km explored but it is probably over 70 km long ; Tien Son Grotto, on the side of a mountain north of Phong Nha ; Paradise Grotto, 60 km from Dong Hoi and 31 km long, and Son Doong Grotto, discovered in 2009 and containing the largest cavern in the world : 5 km long, 200 m high and 150 m wide. Only the first three can be visited.
The best way to reach Dong Hoi is a night train from Hanoi or a late afternoon train from Hue. There are also flights from both cities.
The best way to reach Dong Hoi is a night train from Hanoi or a late afternoon train from Hue. There are also flights from both cities.
Day 1 : ARRIVAL IN DONG HOI AND TRANSFER TO PHONG NHA NATIONAL PARK (dinner)
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A driver and guide meet you at the railway station or airport and take you to the Chay Lap Homestay located in a large farm near the grottoes. The afternoon is spent relaxing at the homestay or bicycling through the countryside (bike rental at your charge). Diner and night at the farm. For those who arrive from Hue, the arrival at the homestay is end of the afternoon. |
Day 2 : PHONG NHA GROTTO AND TREKKING IN THE NATIONAL PARK (3 meals)
Departure after breakfast for Phong Nha Grotto, located near the small village of Son Trach. We reach it by boat, which then sail inside the grotto on several hundred meters. The visit lasts around 2 hours. Lunch, followed by a small trekking in the National Park. Return to the homestay end of the afternoon, diner and 2nd night at the farm. |
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Day 3 : : PARADISE GROTTO AND DONG HOI (breakf, lunch)
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Departure after breakfast for Paradise Grotto. Discovered in 2005 and open to the public in 2011, it is supposed to be the longest dry grotto in the world. Electric carts (or 500 steps) lead you to the entrance. Its dimensions are breathtaking, with huge stalagmites and crystal stalactites resembling glass columns. Visit and free lunch in the small restaurant next to the Welcome Center. Return to Dong Hoi pour take the train to Hue or to Hanoi (not included in the rates). |
Prix par personne en dollars
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THE HISTORIC TREASURES OF THE IMPERIAL CITY OF HUE (2 days/1 night)
We then board a small boat which sails up the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of the Celestial Lady), in front of which you have lunch in the boat. Visit of the pagoda. Return to your hotel and a delicious dinner.
Day 1: THE IMPERIAL CITY AND THIEN MU PAGODA (lunch, dinner)
 The Mid-day Gate (Imperial City) |
A driver and guide welcome you at the railway station and take you to your hotel, the very elegant Asia Hotel, with its 7th-floor panoramic pool. Breakfast on the pool restaurant. We then take you by cyclo-pousse in front of the spectacular Mid-day Gate, the entrance to the famous Hue Imperial City and its Purple City, the Vietnamese equivalent of Beijing Forbidden City. Immense complex of magnificent buildings: the Humanity and Virtue Gates, the Throne Hall, the Temple of the Cult of the Nguyen Emperors, the Queen-Mother Palace, etc. The guided visit lasts 3 hours. |
We then board a small boat which sails up the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of the Celestial Lady), in front of which you have lunch in the boat. Visit of the pagoda
We then return to the modern city and visit the Fine Arts Royal museum, located in An Long Palace, the residence of the last Emperor, Bao Dai, after his abdication in 1945. Return to your hotel and a delicious diner at the excellent restaurant La Carambole.
We then return to the modern city and visit the Fine Arts Royal museum, located in An Long Palace, the residence of the last Emperor, Bao Dai, after his abdication in 1945. Return to your hotel and a delicious diner at the excellent restaurant La Carambole.
Day 2: THE IMPERIAL MAUSOLEUMS OF THE NGUYEN DYNASTY (3 meals)
| We spend the day visiting the most beautiful pagodas and the Mausoleums of the Great Dynasty of the Nguyen (1802-1945). Those tombs magnificent, with pagodas, temples, small lakes, etc. Some were even used by the emperors as occasional residence. We first visit two sites without tourists : the Tiger Arena, where the emperors organized fights between a tiger and an elephant, and 100 m farther away, the charming temple Voi Ré Temple, dedicated to the only two elephants which lost. We continue on a small road and arrive at Minh Mang Tomb, famous for its magnificent landscaping. We then cross the Perfume River and visit Khai Dinh Temple, with its astonishing interior mosaics. |
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Lunch in the famous Biet Phu Thai Nhi Garden-Restaurant, followed by a small detour to a another rarely visited site, the Van Canh Belvedere, a hill from which we enjoy a magnificent view of the river and surrounding mountains. We then visit the nearby Tu Duc Mausoleum, a luxurious complex designed by the emperor himself. Before returning to the hotel, we stop at the very charming Tu Hieu Pagoda, where over 80 monks still live. Return to your hotel and diner of Hue specialties in the sumptuous Ancient Hue Garden-Restaurant, located in the ancient aristocratic district of Kim Long. 2nd night in your hotel.
Rates per person in dollars
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Do not hesitate to ask us for the rates for hotels over 2 Stars.
