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Vietnamese Coastlines

Vietnamese Coastlines

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Description

This PONANT brand-new itinerary invites you to discover Vietnam. Embark in Haiphong aboard Le Lapérouse for an 11-day cruise between sumptuous landscapes and timeless cities.

From Haiphong, you will discover the Bay of Ha Long, a real jewel of Vietnam, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sailing among the limestone pillars, grottos and arches of this site with its surreal atmosphere will undoubtedly be the defining moment of your cruise.

You’ll then head back to Hon La, from where you’ll be able to access the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its karstic landscapes and lush tropical forest shelter spectacular underground caves and rivers as well as impressive biodiversity, including several rare species.

Le Lapérouse will then navigate to Da Nang, a lively city renowned for its five “Marble Mountains” and its long beaches. It is the gateway to the charming old city of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will also have the opportunity to discover the former imperial capital of Vietnam, Hué, and its mausoleums. These architectural treasures, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are surrounded by lush nature and are home to the tombs of the ancient emperors.

Your ship will then drop anchor at Quy Nhon, from where you’ll discover Ghenh Da Dia, an astonishing grouping of basalt rocks formed 200 million years ago by the meeting of molten lava and frozen water, giving the impression of perfectly juxtaposed columns.

You will be welcomed by the crystal-clear shores of wild Doc Let, between dunes of immaculate sand, coconut trees and filao forests on the edge of the beach. Then you will set sail for Nha Trang, a lively seaside resort with beautiful beaches bordering the turquoise waters of a bay dotted with tropical isles.

Your voyage will end in Ho Chi Minh City. Founded in the 17th century, this city formerly known as Saigon sits right near the Mekong Delta, a mythical river on which small, colourful boats throng on market days.

Trip Name
Vietnamese Coastlines
Days
11
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Length: 127 metres Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 cabins and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through its two restaurants, Le Lapérouse will invite you on a journey to elegance and epicureanism. In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a variety of salads and desserts. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. PUBLIC AREAS Like Le Boréal and its sisterships, Le Lapérouse has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides: Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 HAIPHONG
On the banks of the Red River Delta, Haiphong is one of Vietnam's three major ports. Contemporary and outward-looking, the city also has a rich past. One stunning example of its old colonial town is the Du Hang pagoda, the gateway to Hanoi, the county's capital and a symbol of its anti-colonial struggle. Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam's independence here in 1945, where his body rests in the middle of the Ba Dinh square in his mausoleum. A few hundred metres away is the wrought-iron fence that surrounds the Presidential Palace and the delicate One Pillar Pagoda. Further south, kick back in the peace and quiet of the Confucian Temple of Literature.
Day 2 - Day 2 SAILING IN HA LONG BAY
Located 170 kilometres east of Hanoi, in the gulf of Tonkin, Halong bay is a marvel of marvels. A must for all who wish to soak up the spirit of Vietnam, at once peaceful and mysterious. You’ll sail into the heart of this legendary natural beauty, not surprisingly listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Over approximately 1,500 square kilometres, the famous bay offers an infinite quasi supernatural and ghostly spectacle of limestone pillars rising from the sea in all shapes and sizes, sculpted by nature for centuries. This exceptional scenic beauty of this site includes myriad creeks, caves and other interior lakes to feast your eyes on.
Day 3 - Day 3 HON LA
From Hon La, your port of call, you will sail to one of the most exceptional limestone karst ecosystems in the world, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. Nearly 300 caves and over 100 km (62 miles) of galleries and underground rivers are scattered across this park with an extraordinary biodiversity which is also home to a large variety of protected species. The park’s reputation is on a par with the awe its treasures inspire. You will very likely have the privilege of visiting one of these caves. In this magical setting, surrounded by lush vegetation, you will witness a masterpiece that only nature could have created. Enjoy a pure moment of grace.
Day 4 - Days 4 - 5 DA NANG
Mid-way between Ho Chi Minh City to the south and Hanoi to the north, Da Nang enjoys an ideal location in Vietnam. The old colonial town has skilfully navigated the transition to economic growth, becoming a wealthy tourist destination. With its five Marble Mountains, its 72-metre high Buddha and white sand beach, Da Nang will create some magical memories, made sublime by a secular culinary tradition that has nothing left to prove. It is also the gateway to the country’s treasures, including the cities of Hoi-An and Hue, which are both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Day 5 - Day 6 QUY NHON
When your ship calls at Quy Nhon you will be able to discover the Ganh Da Dia, an area of impressive basalt rock formations created by a volcanic eruption that occurred 200 million years ago. When the blocks of lava came into contact with the freezing water, neat vertical fissures appeared, forming an amalgam of columns whose surface, once cooled, became square, round or hexagonal. Some are vertical, others oblique, and in places they are of different sizes. Some of the structures almost look like piled up dishes. You will be able to discover this surprising rock formation which, although made entirely by nature, seems to have been perfectly designed by man.
Day 6 - Day 7 DOC LET
You will stop in Doc Let, a small, tranquil haven away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. You will be lulled by the soothing atmosphere of this beautiful 10-km long (6 miles) beach, an idyllic setting reminiscent of the Maldives. The soft colours of this light-soaked shoreline, the ebb and flow of the turquoise water caressing the white sand, and the coconut trees offering refreshing shade compose a stunning and wild setting protected by sand dunes and a forest of filao trees lining the immaculate expanse. You will have the opportunity to enjoy a pleasant break in this exquisite place. Relax, swim in the crystal-clear waters, or go snorkelling to discover the marine life.
Day 7 - Day 8 NHA TRANG
Nha Trang, the capital of the Khanh Hoa province in Vietnam, is a coastal city with 300,000 inhabitants. Famous for its long, 7-km white sand beach along which runs Tran Phu Street, the city’s main thoroughfare, Nha Trang is a member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club, an international association that includes 41 bays. The bay is the reason the city is sometimes called the “Riviera of the South China Sea”. You will have the opportunity to discover the city during a rather original experience: a tour in a rickshaw.
Day 8 - Day 9 AT SEA
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Day 9 - Days 10 - 12 HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
Located near the Mekong delta, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam. It is both the historic heart and economic hub. Formerly Saigon, the city is an imposing avant-guard metropolis. You can admire its famous central post office and its emblematic Reunification Palace. From 95 years of French presence, the city has kept some remarkable monuments, like the Cathédrale Notre-Dame with its neo-Gothic façade built in 19th century red brick. You’ll succumb to the magic of this hectic city, where everything is about contrast, like the very brightly-coloured district of Cholon, Saigon’s “Chinatown”.
Day 10 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

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Inclusions

    • A cruise to discover various UNESCO Word heritages sites in Vietnam.
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, My Son sanctuary, Hoi An ancient town, the ancient imperial citadel of Huê.
    • Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City: sail on the Mekong River and discover the rich historical and cultural heritage of the town.
    • Possibility of visiting an underground cave in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
    • The paradisiacal beaches of Nha Trang and Doc Let.
    • Possibility of visiting My Son (from Da Nang), the former religious centre of Champa, a Hindu kingdom located in the centre of Vietnam.
    • Possibility of discovering Ghenh Da Dia (from Quy Nhon), an impressive grouping of basalt columns.
    • A spectacular sail around Ha Long Bay, amidst scenery of stunning beauty.
    • Before your cruise: possibility to discover Hanoi.

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