Day
1 Hanoi
Meeting & greeting at the airport upon your arrival and transfer
to hotel for check-in and tour briefing. If time permits we will
take an orientation tour around central Hanoi.
Day
2 Hanoi (B)
Today
we'll be on a full day tour to discover the most outstanding
attractions of Hanoi. First we pay a visit to the complex of memorials
to Ho Chi Minh to know his amazing life. Continue to the Single
Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature to gain understanding
of the two driving forces in Vietnam culture.
Afternoon
we visit the Museum of Ethnology which exhibits a large collection
of artifacts about the cultures of the 54 ethnic groups in the country.
Next we enjoy a rickshaw ride through the lively Old Quarter,
a series of 36 ancient streets where peddlers still trade the way
they have done for centuries. The rickshaw tour ends up at an old
house on Ma May Street, an example of dwellings in the 19 century.
Later
we walk through the busy traffic to the water puppet theatre
and enjoy a performance of the famed traditional art form created
by village farmers around the Red River Delta region.
Day
3 Hanoi - Halong Bay
(B, L, D)
We
Leave Hanoi by road to our next destination of Halong Bay and get
a chance to enjoy the rural scenery as our vehicle weaves through
the picturesque countryside. Along the way we can stop for close-up
views and photographs of water buffalos ploughing, and chat with
the rural women wearing their traditional conical hats as they work
in the paddie fields.
On
arrival at Halong we board a nostalgic traditional junk boat
and enjoy a full day and night cruising among the inspirational
islets of Halong Bay. Kayaking and swimming are optional and you
can also try your luck at fishing in the bay, or just relax after
your dinner. Overnight in Halong Bay on a luxury Junk watching
the sun set.
Day
4 Halong - Danang - Hoian
(B, L)
Wake
up to fresh coffee then further cruising and more sightseeing. En
route the junk weaves through impressive rock formations that invite
comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons and even further!
Disembark
and transfer to airport for a flight to Danang in Middle Vietnam.
Meet up with our local guide upon arrival and drive 35 km along
the scenic coast to the quaint town of Hoian for the night.
Day
5 Hoian (B)
This
morning we'll be on foot exploring the ancient quarter of
Hoian, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of
its historic role in international trade, unusually well-preserved
ancient streets and homes. Sites include the Japanese Bridge,
a Sino-Vietnamese merchant house, a Chinese Temple, the Central
Market, and the Culture Museum.
There'll be time for independent
exploration and shopping opportunities, which many of our guests prefer as Hoian is a very good place to find interesting gifts.
This is also the place that you can have a suit or dress tailor-made (usually
ready in 24 hours).
Optional tour of herb village: take a bike ride or car depending on your preference through the rural scenery of Hoian to a small vegetable planting village located on the banks of Tra Que lagoon (5km - 15mins cycling from Hoian). Tra Que village has been known for its special aromatic herbs such as mint and basil. Join local people in their daily work of planting and watering vegetables. Learn to cook some local specialties, for example "Tam Huu" - a set of shrimps, pork and aromatic herbs, and then enjoy lunch. Tour finishes around 14:00 PM. We can re-arrange your morning walking tour to suit.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day
6 Hoian (B)
Free
day to relax in Hoian and enjoy the hotels ammenities, the local
beaches or shopping.
Day
7 Hoian - Danang - Hue (B,
D)
We
leave Hoian and travel overland to Hue, the former capital of Vietnam,
This visiting the Cham sculpture museum, the Non Nuoc Beach and
Marble Mountains in Danang, climbing over the breathtaking Pass
of Ocean Clouds and passing by the scenic beach of Lang Co.
In
Hue we'll be exploring the former Imperial Citadel, a complex
of palaces and temples built in the early 19th century and a recognized
UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. We also take a leisure boat
trip on the scenic Perfume River and visit Thien Mu
pagoda.
Round
off the evening with Hue cuisine and folk music.
Day
8 Hue - Saigon
(B)
This
morning we visit the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang and also a
fascinating royal garden house before taking the flight to
Saigon.
Upon
arrival in Saigon, meet your guide and explore some of Saigon's
famous landmarks including the Former Presidential Palace, War
Remnant Museum, War Remnant Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the
Central Post Office, the Opera House, the City Hall, and Ben Thanh
Market.
Day
9 Saigon - Tay Ninh/Caodai Temple - Cu Chi tunnels - Saigon
(B, L)
Our tour today includes a visit to the opulent Holy See Temple
of Caodai Sect in Tay Ninh. Caodai is a fascinating Vietnamese
religion combining aspects of Christian, Buddhism, Muslim, Taoism
and Confucius into a single religion. There's a chance to observe
the impressive noon service of adherents.
Early
afternoon we travel to Cu Chi to explore the legendary network
of underground combat tunnels where our guide will explain
how the Vietcong survived and fought during the Vietnam War. Now
the tunnels are a major site of interest for tourists and historians,
and those interested in Vietnam's military history. Overnight in
Saigon.
Day
10 Saigon - My Tho - Can Tho in Mekong Delta (B, L)
We leave
the hustle and bustle of Saigon behind and journey to Mekong Delta,
a world that lives and works on the waters.
Arriving
in My Tho, a prosperous town just 80 km from Saigon, we take a boat
to an insular village to visit family workshops producing handicrafts
and candy from coconut. Tasting seasonal tropical fruits in an exuberant
orchard, we ride a horse cart to a typical Delta house and
enjoy folk music by amateurs.
Proceed
by local sampan through the small canals and side arms of
the river to further experience river life. For lunch we'll sample
regional specialties such as Elephant Ear Fish, Rice Ball, etc…
After
a pleasant break we travel to Can Tho where we take a spin around
Ninh Kieu Quay - bustling and exciting with river life on Hau River.
Day
11 Can Tho - Chau Doc in Mekong Delta (B, L)
Early
morning, we take a boat to the extraordinary market of Cai Rang.
Famous as one of the largest markets on the complex of waterways
that comprise the Mekong Delta, hundreds of boats packed with local
produces gather and make for an exciting maze. Boats come to us
from all sides, offering fruits, vegetables, plants, foods, etc…
Sellers advertise their wares by hanging samples high atop bamboo
poles so that their customers can find from afar. It is a great
view of how commerce actually happens in the Mekong. The boat tour
is capped off with an orchard visit and we drive to Chau Doc on
the border with Cambodia.
In
Chau Doc, visit a village that garnishes living from fish farming.
Continue to a Cham village marked by stilt houses to learn about
this Vietnamese Islam ethnic group. Home and mosque visits are included.
Day
12 Chau Doc - Phnom Penh, Cambodia (B)
This
morning we take a high speed boat upstream along the Mekong
River. Not just an access to Cambodia, the 4 hour cruise also affords
really an excellent opportunity to juxtapose two parts of the Mekong
Delta.
In
the afternoon we tour the capital city of Cambodia, taking in the
opulent Royal Palace with the dazzling Silver Pagoda, the
impressive National Museum, the hilltop temple of Wat Phnom, the
Independence Monument. Mosey along Sisowath Quay at sunset and take
the opportunity to see stalls selling fried cockroaches, spiders,
crickets or grasshoppers or other culinary delights.
Day
13 Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (B, D)
After
breakfast we'll immerse in the exotic sights and sounds of the Central
Market located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building, a labyrinth
of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts,
jewelry and more.
Visit
the notorious Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and the infamous Cheoung
Ek Killing Fields - proofs of the crimes against mankind
by Khmer Rouge.
Fly
to Siem Reap and enjoy dinner with entertainment from Apsara
dancers. Later, visit the lively Pub Street as well the lucky
Night Market.
Day
14 Siem Reap (B)
Today
we start exploring the wonders left by a highly complex civilization
that controlled the greater part of Southeast Asia for four centuries.
Enter the Great City of Angkor Thom through the South Gate
and visit the temples of Baphoun and Phimeanakas, the Terraces of
Elephant and Leper King, and the mysterious smiling Bayon.
Take
a break then continue with the fascinating temples of Ta Prohm,
Banteay Kdei, Takeo, Thommanon, Chau Say Thevoda, and the Royal
Bath of Sras Srang. Hike up Phnom Bakheng to behold the magnificent
sunset into the land of temples.
Day
15 Siem Reap (B)
This
morning we'll be touring the epic Angkor Wat complex. Built
in the 12th century as the capital of King Suryavarman II's kingdom,
this is the largest and best-preserved of the Angkor temples. It
is the apogee of classical Khmer architecture and has become a symbol
of Cambodia, appearing on the national flag, and stands on par with
such other monumental achievements as Machu Picchu and the Great
Pyramid.
In
the afternoon we drive out of town to the rural village of Pour
Krom and walk through this lovely village to see local life. We
enjoy an ox cart ride before transfer to Chong Knies village
to enjoy a boat trip on the Great Lake of Tonle Sap to see
the fascinating floating village communities and get a taste of
life ruled by monsoonal rains and water-based agriculture.
Day
16 Departure (B)
Free
until transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Small
Group tour starting every Saturday
Dates & Price (per person)
Ref |
Weekly
Departures- 4 Star hotels
|
Departure
Dates |
Twin
share (£) |
MVC |
Nov 2016
- April 2017 |
Weekly
|
£2350 |
MVC |
May 2017
- Sept 2017 |
Weekly |
£2350 |
MVC |
Oct 2017
- April 2018 |
Weekly
|
£2399 |
Prices
are based upon a small group tour excluding international flights
from UK. As an agent for airline consolidators, we can obtain your
international flights at a competitive rate to suit your preferred
departure date. Contact
us to discuss your requirements.
Hotel
upgrade to 5-Star is available and private tailor-made tours can
also be arranged.
Price
Includes (The
prices shown are 'per person')
- All
flights within Vietnam and Cambodia.
- All
airport/hotel transfers where specified (private transfer).
- Selections
of superior/deluxe (4 star)
- Sightseeing
tours including entrance fee by professional English-speaking
tour guide.
- Meals
as specified in the itinerary.
-
Air conditioned transportation and bottle water on coach.
- Guaranteed
Departure
Price
Does Not Include
- International
Flights: We are happy to provide flights with full ATOL Protection.
- Visa
letter of ariival fee (please contact us for
details).
- Visa
stamping fees at Airports
- Travel
Insurance.
- Tip
for driver and Guide.
Meals:
As stated in itinerary, B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D= Dinner
FAQ
and further Tour information
Please
see our FAQ
page for further essential tour information.
The itinerary
is designed according to the most updated information of the flight
available, although occasionally the sequence in which cities are
visited and duration of time spent in each city can change due to
local conditions which are out of our control. The above itinerary
highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day.
Further places of interest may be visited during your stay, which
will provide unique ethnic and cultural handcraft shopping opportunities.
We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary, although
we will act in your best interests to handle any amendments. Please
refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.
|