Snorkeling and Diving training in Vietnam 16 days

Snorkeling and Diving training in Vietnam 16 days

Get the chance to acquaint yourself with all the fundamental Vietnamese sites on land, whilst discovering the quintessential sites under the sea too! Vietnam has some of the most amazing diving spots in the world. Along its 3260km coastline you will find a diverse range of fauna and flora. Vietnam offers impressive biodiversity, with nearly half of the world's coral species found in its waters. Marine life includes sharks, morays, rays as well as all the usual suspects. Further more, Routes Vietnam can organise trips to several virgin scuba spots that have yet to be turned into popular resorts, such as the pristine waters around Phu Quoc and the Con Dao Islands. The training that we offer is combined with trips to Vietnam's most amazing sites on land. This combination is perfect for those who want to delve into the culture of Vietnam, yet yearn for an aquatic adventure at the same time!

Detailled Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN HANOI    
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At your arrival at Noi Bai airport, our driver will be there to pick you up and drive you to your hotel, located in the center of Hanoi. This first day will be off for you, the time for you to rest after you long trip.  You will be able also to enjoy the rest of day by visiting by yourself the city. We will be here to give you the information you will need. On the evening, you will receive a welcome diner at one of our restaurant.
Overnight in a 3*** hotel in Hanoi

DAY 2: GETTING TO KNOW HANOI
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After your breakfast at our hotel, our guide will come and pick you up to start the visit of Hanoi.  We start the route in Hanoi with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex: Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, House of Ho Chi Minh Pile-dwelling and the One Pillar Pagoda. We will get to admire this cultural route with what was the first university in Vietnam, the temple of Literature. After all this, you will need to rest a little. You will lunch at a local restaurant and during the afternoon we will have a trip to the Ethnology Museum, have a walk around the nice Hoan Kiem Lake and visit the Ngoc Son Temple on this lake.
(Please be advised that the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed every Monday and Friday. The museum of Ethnology is closed on the same days. If you are visiting Hanoi on this day, you will visit the village of Bat Trang, famous for his ceramic handicraft).
Overnight in a 3*** hôtel in Hanoi

DAY 3: HANOI-HALONG BAY
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2 days and 1 night
The bus to Halong Harbor leaves at 8 am. The ride will be about 4 hours with 30 minutes break on the road.
The bus leaves our office at 7.30 am and then will go to pick you up at your hotel at 8. This schedule is not flexible because the bus is also going to collect other customer in different hotels.
You will arrive on board around 12.30 and during the time the cruise is sailing down the bay, the lunch will be serve. After that, you will check-in in your room. Then, the boat will stop at an island where you will visit one of the Halong Cave, the cave of Sung Sot. You will the time to practice kayak there before going to see another cave, the cave of Bo Nau. You will also stop on the Ti Top Island where you will have free time to swim and to climb the 400 steps leading to a panoramic view. Afterward, you will go back on the boat where a free 15 minutes-foot massage will wait for you. If you like fishing, you will have this opportunity after the diner. If you want it, a karaoke can also be arranged on board.
Overnight in the traditional junk boat

DAY 4: HALONG BAY-HANOI-HUE
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Early risers can practice Tai Chi, or just watch the sunrise. Breakfast in the middle of Halong Bay, and continue marveling at this wonder of the world from a small boat and you will go through different areas of the Bay. Time to kayak, swim or just relax ... back to junk boat for lunch, and to say farewell to the Bay. Upon your arrival at the port, the bus will take you back to Hanoi which would be roughly at 16:30 pm. Regarding the option you will be chose, you will find be transferred to an hotel or to our office. Back in Hanoi, you will have the afternoon free to rest and enjoy the city. And later you’ll be transferring to the train station, where you will board the night train to the city of the center, Hue.
Night train in a 4-bed compartment

DAY 5: GETTING TO KNOW HUE
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The picturesque and hilly Hue has a special place in the history of Vietnam. Selected capital of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), Hue takes us back to the old, the origin Vietnam. It’s the place that has been keeping hundred years of architectural works, including palaces and royal tombs of the Nguyen dynasty.
We will pick you up at your hotel around 9:30 am. We will begin with a visit to the tombs of Minh Mang and Khai Dinh.  Khai Dinh Tomb is 10km from Hue City and is among the most interesting tomb of the Nguyen Kings. The construction of Khai Dinh Tomb was started on 4th September, 1920 and works were done only after 11 years. Khai Dinh was the last king of the Nguyen Dynasty to build a tomb for himself. Minh Mang was the ruling king of Vietnam from 1820 to 1841. In 1826, the King ordered the search for a good site to build his tomb and found the place only in 1840. The construction of the tomb had been underway for a few months when Minh Mang died and the successor, King Thieu Tri continued the work based on the design chosen by his father. The construction of Minh Mang's tomb was done only in 1843, 2 years after the king died. After visiting those tombs, we will pass through a small village where they are specialized in the development of classic items like conical hats and incense made. We will finish the tombs visit by seeing the most interesting one, the tomb of Tu Duc. Tu Duc Tomb was built from 1864 to 1867. The king selected the site and designed the whole complex himself. The tomb was finished when Tu Duc was still in reign and the king would often have retreats from Hue Royal Citadel to live and work from his going-to-be tomb.
After our visit to the tomb of Tu Duc, a buffet lunch will be ready at your disposal. And after you have rested, the bus will take you to the Citadel. You will visit the Citadel of Hue, a World Cultural Heritage. It was built on the banks of the Perfume River, Western style combining so great with the citadel oriental architecture. It consists of three campuses: the defensive citadel, the Imperial Citadel and the Purple Forbidden City. You will visit Thien Mu pagoda, and to complete the tour of Hue awaits a boat ride on the Perfume River. At 5:30pm we begin to transfer you back to your hotel.
Overnight in a 3*** Hotel

DAY 6: HUE-HOI AN
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Around 9 am, a car will pick you up at your hotel to continue the trip touring the country and be on our way to the South Vietnam, heading down to Hoi an.
On the way we stop at the Hai Van Pass, Lang Co Beach and the Marble Mountains.
In the afternoon, we will have free time to stroll through the charming Hoi An.
The architecture of Hoi An has no equal, with its low houses and wooden painted facades. Visit the Japanese Bridge, which according to local legend is indestructible. You can also enter the Pottery Museum; pass by the amazing Tan Ky house (which was the first monument of historic interest) and the cantons temple. Hoi An is also the city of made-to-measures garment.  You will have no time to get bored.  
Overnight in a 3*** hotel

DAY 7: HOI AN-CU LAO CHAM- DIVING
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2 days and 1 night
This morning after the breakfast, a bus will come to drive you to Hoi An Harbor to embark to the Cham Island. Those islands are an archipelago famous in Hoi An for their submarines life and treasure. The main island, 9km long, forms a very protected and preserved bay were coral grows. During the morning, you will dive with professional instructors in the blue waters of Cu Lao Cham. Drop anchor on the island for lunch on the beach. In the afternoon, you can choose between snorkeling or take a stroll on the island to the village of fishermen.
Overnight on the island by camping on the beach or homestay in a Vietnamese house

DAY 8: CU LAO CHAM-HOI AN- SNORKELING
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This morning you will have a second session of diving or snorkeling. You will return for the lunch on the beach. Then, the boat will take you back to the port of Hoi An and a bus will take you to your hotel.
Overnight in a 3*** hotel

DAY 9: HOI AN-NHA TRANG
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Today you leave Hoi An to Nha Trang (by plane) in the morning. On arrival, our correspondent you will pick you up to lead you to your hotel. You have the rest of the day to install, test and explore the surrounding beach.
Overnight in a 3***hotel

DAY 10: NHA TRANG-WHALE ISLAND-DIVING
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Today you go diving in one of the most famous places in Vietnam, the island of the whale. The bus will pick you up at your hotel and depart for the day. After one hour's drive, you will arrive at the port to embark. You will dive all day and lunch on the boat with the instructors. Historical site and birthplace of diving in Vietnam, the region of Nha Trang is characterized by two main diving areas focusing alone dozens of spots spread around many islands and almost all accessible from Level 1 (CMAS) or Open Water Diver (PADI, SSI): the Nha Trang Bay is part of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World, which contains 29 bays, in 22 countries, gathered to protect their environment. Van Phong Bay (Whale Island - Whale Island) has been classified by the World Tourism Organization. After the tour, the bus will drive you back to your hotel.
Overnight in a 3*** hotel

DAY 11: NHA TRANG-SNORKELING – FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH
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Today you go snorkeling in the bay of Nha Trang. A bus will pick you up early in the morning and at 9 am, you will embark to Mun Island. You can swim off the island and it is an ideal place to admire the coral and colorful fish. Between 11am and 12pm you head to the island of Word or lunch on board. As of 13h, the boat will take you to Tam Resort, a large hotel off Nha Trang where you can enjoy the pool and private beach. To 16h-17h, the boat will take you to Nha Trang and the bus will take you to your hotel. You will get your business in the hotel and our driver will take you to the airport where you will take a flight to Ho Chi Minh. In Ho Chi Minh, a correspondent you waiting to take you to your hotel. You will be free on the evening.
Overnight in a 3*** hotel  

DAY 12: GETTING TO KNOW HO CHI MINH CITY
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Today you will go to visit the ancient capital from 8.30am. You will start with a visit of China Town with a stop at Thien Hau, a 150 years old Chinese temple and explore the Binh Tay market. Then you will visit the museum of war remains. After lunch, you will go to the Reunification Palace, and admire the Cathedral of Notre Dame of Saigon, the former post office and the famous XQ embroidery shop. At the end of the tour, you will pass by Ben Thant market where you can buy souvenirs if you want before you returned to the hotel.
Overnight in a 3*** hotel  

DAY 13: HO CHI MINH- PHU QUOC
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Today you leave Ho Chi Minh at midday to reach the island by plane from South Vietnam, the island of Phu Quoc. Sleeping beauty nestled in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc deploys its pristine for all those who dream to indolence beaches. Its opulent tropical forests and fishing villages will delight those who wish to ask at the end of a trip while still under the spell of Vietnam. Colorful markets, fishing villages, pepper gardens and gushing springs of the forest discover to suit your getaway with fantastic marine life buried in the blue-green waters of its beaches. Our correspondent will meet you at Phu Quoc airport and take you to your hotel. You have the rest of the day free to put you at ease on the island.
Overnight in a 3*** hotel

DAY 14: DIVING OF THE COAST OF PHU QUOC
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This morning, you go diving off the island for a half day (7H-13H). After the breakfast, the bus will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the port where you will board a boat. Instructors will make you dive into one of the most beautiful bays in Vietnam, in the north of the island. You eat on board and early afternoon accost you on the island. You have the rest of the day free to enjoy the beaches and other activities to do on this island.
Overnight in a 3*** hotel

DAY 15: SNORKELING OF THE COAST OF PHU QUOC
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Today you will go snorkeling in the south of the island of Phu Quoc, in another part of the island. After breakfast, the bus will pick you up to the port. You will start the day with your instructor to see the wonders of the underwater fauna. You will have lunch on board. You'll be back at your hotel around 17h-18h. You will spend one last night on the island.
Overnight in a 3*** hotel

DAY 16: PHU QUOC-HO CHI MINH-HEAD BACK HOME
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Today is your last day in Vietnam. Depending on your time back in France, our driver will take you to the airport where you will take a flight to Ho Chi Minh and then a flight to France.
We hope you enjoy the trip. Thank you and see you again.

The price includes:

  • An English speaking guide and diving/snorkeling instructor
  • All transfers from and to airport/excursions
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance and sea trips fees
  • Accommodation in 3 stars hotels and one night on a junk on the Bay
  • Night train
  • Invitation letter for the Vietnamese visa
  • Meals as described in the itinerary
  • A cellphone with 50 000 VND credits to contact us 24/7

The price excludes:

  • International Flight (we will help you to find the best
  • Vietnamese visa upon arrival (45 USD/pers)
  • Travel Insurrance (but we can recommend you)

Contact us for a quote

This trip is available throughout the year. If you wish to book this trip please contact us. If you want us to send you more information on this tour or tailor this tour to your requirements (dates, tastes ...) you only have to ask.

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