Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Pick up from Noi Bai Airport and transfer to hotel. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water-puppet show near the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake. Have dinner at a local restaurant set in a typical old Hanoi long house.
OVERNIGHT IN HANOI [Dinner]
Day 2: Hanoi - Sightseeing
A full day to explore the architecture and history of Hanoi.
In the morning, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s former residence, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, visit the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, the Lake of Restored Sword, and Ngoc Son Temple.
Recommendation to Art collectors: Take a cyclo ride / or walking tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter to end the day.
OVERNIGHT IN HANOI. [Breakfast / Lunch]
Day 3: Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc - Haiphong
Hoa Lu , situated 100 km south of Hanoi, was the capital city of Vietnam under the Dinh Dynasty between 968 and 1009 AD.
Apart from the historical interest, the river trip in Tam coc is wonderful for photo hunters, especially when local people come to harvest the water rice planted along the river, or when they transplant some seedling for the next crops. The tourists often compare the place with Guilin - China, or more closely, to the limestone islets of Halong Bay in the Tonkin Gulf for their similar geological structures and shapes. Thus Tam Coc is also called Halong-Bay-On-Land.
We leave Hanoi at 08.00 and head south for a 2-hour drive along Highway One. We spend one hour visiting the Dinh and Le sanctuaries and then move on to Tam Coc for a 3-hour boat trip along the Boi river. Along the way we will visit caves and ancient temples. After lunch we can make a visit Bich Dong Pagodas before making our way through the Red River delta to Haiphong for overnight stay. Stop en route at Pho Minh Pagoda and at a small village known as the birthplace of water puppetry in the Red River Delta.
OVERNIGHT IN HAIPHONG. [Breakfast / Lunch]
Day 4: Haiphong – Halong
In the morning, take an orientation tour of Haiphong trading port city with strong influence of French architecture. At noon, board a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay. Drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island.
OVERNIGHT ON TRADITIONAL WOODEN JUNK. [Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner]
Day 5: Halong - Hanoi
Spend a half-day cruising through new waters, stopping to visit colourful grottoes and to swim at deserted beaches. Return to Hanoi in the afternoon stopping en route at Dong Trieu ceramics factory.
OVERNIGHT IN HANOI. [Breakfast / Lunch]
Day 6: Hanoi - Hue
Take a morning flight to Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival in Hue, transfer to hotel. In the afternoon visit the Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba market.
OVERNIGHT IN HUE. [Breakfast]
Day 7: Hue - Danang - Hoi An
Morning boat cruise through the centre of Hue on the romantic Perfume river. Visit the seven-storey Thien Mu Pagoda along the riverbank, then drive to visit the elaborate tombs of Emperor Khai Dinh and Tu Duc. Stop en route at family businesses to learn how Vietnam’s famous conical hats and colourful incenses are made. Proceed to Danang by car on a trip that is a highlight of central Vietnam. The three-hour drive hugs the ocean coastline, winds through emerald-green paddy fields and climbs over the dramatic Hai Van Mountain pass. Visit stonecutters at the Marble Mountains, famed for being a “Viet Cong” guerillas hideout during the Vietnam War. Upon arrival in the ancient port town of Hoi An, transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is free for rest or exploring Hoi An.
OVERNIGHT IN HOI AN. [Breakfast]
Day 8: Hoi An - Danang – Ho Chi Minh City
In the morning, take a half-day walking tour of this quaint town, visiting ancient merchants’ houses, a Hokkien temple, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and the colourful riverside market.
Early afternoon, depart Hoi An for Danang to catch the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is free for relaxation.
Recommendation to Art collectors: Take a walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City’s two most famous streets - Dong Khoi St (formerly Rue Catinat) and Le Cong Kieu St
OVERNIGHT IN HO CHI MINH CITY. [Breakfast / Lunch]
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels - Sightseeing
After breakfast, drive to the extraordinary Cu Chi tunnels, just outside Ho Chi Minh City. During the war for independence, “Viet Cong” guerillas built the labyrinth of narrow tunnels virtually underneath U.S. bases, using them to hide during bombing raids and to stage surprise attacks. Depending on the season, visitors can see harvesting or planting of rice fields en route. View occupations such as cashew nut farming and production of rice paper, a key ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon for a half-day city tour. Visit the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Chinatown, Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Temple. A relaxing, end-of-day foot massage is optional.
OVERNIGHT IN HO CHI MINH CITY. [Breakfast / Lunch]
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh – Mytho - Bentre – Can Tho
We drive to My Tho, where we get on our private boat, which shall start off by driving us to Turtle island, a beautiful island with many orchards. Here we can enjoy a variety of tropical fruits while listening to traditional South Vietnamese folk songs performed by local artists.
Then, we are going on a short horse cart ride to a Bee Farm, where we can play with the pythons, try some honey tea, and taste local confectionery.
Finally, we will have a short rowing boat ride to our main boat, which in turn will take us to Phoenix island where will have our lunch.
After lunch, we go back to the harbour. Drive to Can tho.
OVERNIGHT IN CAN THO. [Breakfast / Lunch]
Day 11: Cantho - Cai Rang floating market – Chaudoc
In the morning, we board a motor boat along the Mighty Mekong River to Cai Rang floating market, the largest of its kind, where a colorful display of boats carrying juicy fruits and vegetables gather for daily exchanging.
Then we continue the cruise & walk on a quiet country road to take in the magnificent scenery and get close to the locals as they go about their daily routine.
In the afternoon, proceed to Chaudoc. On arrival, climb uphill to the peak of the mountain will offer stunning panorama of the nearby Vietnamese and Cambodian regions.
OVERNIGHT IN CHAUDOC. [Breakfast / Lunch]
Day 12: Chaudoc - Phnompenh
In the morning, take speedboat upstream Mekong River to Phnompenh. Enjoy beautiful landscapes and river lives en route.
Afternoon city tour including the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda containing the Emerald Buddha statue, the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom.
OVERNIGHT IN PHNOM PENH. [Breakfast]
Day 13: Phnompenh - Siemreap
In the morning, depart Phnompenh for Siemreap.
Arrive at Siemreap early afternoon. Check –in hotel. Rest of the day is free at leisure to explore the town. Enjoy dinner at restaurant with Apsara Performance.
OVERNIGHT IN SIEM REAP. [Breakfast / Dinner]
Day 14: Angkor Complex (Angkor Thom & Angkor Wat)
Explore Angkor Thom which includes the Bayon, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, the Royal Palace, the Elephant Terraces and the Leper King Terrace. In the afternoon visit magnificent Angkor Wat and end the day with a spectacular sunset at the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng. Overnight in Siem Reap (Breakfast / Lunch).
Day 15: Siemreap - Departure
Morning is free till transfer to airport for departure flight. End of services. [Breakfast]
