DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL
All guests are warmly welcomed upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport by our local driver then transfer to check in the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Meals: N/A
Overnight: Hanoi
DAY 2: HANOI - HALONG BAY OVERNIGHT ON JUNK
In the morning, transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay by shuttle bus. The transfer is approximately 3.5 hours. You may stop on the way to admire the local scenery.
Arrive in Ha Long City at 11:30 AM and check in aboard the booked junk when your journey across Ha Long Bay starts. Ha Long Bay meaning Descending Dragon Bay in Vietnamese as legend has it that it was where a holly dragon landed down from sky. The bay, famous as one of the world’s wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2.
After lunch, take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay dotted with golden sails, go swimming on a quiet beach or sunbath on the sundeck. Later in the afternoon, you will visit an interesting fishing village with an opportunity to interact with local people who have been living in the bay for almost three generations. An optional kayaking trip is available weather permitting. Back onboard enjoy a lavish dinner and enjoy the bay view at sunset. Spend a night on board.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Halong on cruise
DAY 3: HALONG BAY - HANOI
In the morning, refresh your body and mind with a Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck at the break of dawn. Have tea and coffee onboard and continue exploring Ha Long Bay sailing across its 2000 islets and visiting some of its major highlights. Normally, check out at 09:30, have a buffet brunch while cruising back to shore. Disembark at 11:00 AM to transfer to Hanoi capital.
Arrival Hanoi, check in the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Note:
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The above itinerary is for your reference only as each cruise will have its own different itinerary and will be slightly different
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The cruise itinerary is subject to change due to weather, tide levels and operating conditions without prior notice
Meals: Breakfast, lunch or brunch
Overnight: Hanoi
DAY 4: HANOI - FULL DAY CITY
The city tour begins with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex which features the life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder. At the complex, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the nation’s founder’s body is preserved (closed on Monday, Friday and through October - November), the colonial Presidential Palace, originally the French Governor Office and a fine example of French architecture in Hanoi, and the rural style Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked.
Stop by one of Hanoi’s icons, the One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th Century in dedication to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or Buddha of Compassion and reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond.
Continue to the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, sages and outstanding Vietnamese scholars.
Afternoon, continue the tour to one of the following museums of choice namely the Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Vietnamese History, the Museum of Revolution, the Museum of Military History or the Museum of Ethnology.
Next, head for Hoan Kiem Lake, the center point of Hanoi whose name “The Return Sword Lake” originated from a legend of a sacred sword and home to a rare endangered giant turtle species and visit Ngoc Son Temple on the lake.
Finish the tour at the Thang Long Opera Theatre with a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight: Hanoi
DAY 5: HANOI – COOKING CLASS – HUE – DINNER IN ROYAL STYLE (B/L/D)
(DOMESTIC FLIGHT TICKET HAN-HUI IS INCLUDED)
This morning you will enjoy the cooking class. The course begins with a brief introduction to Vietnamese cuisine, highlighting the ingredients of traditional Vietnamese dishes. Afterwards, walk to the Chau Long Market and enjoy a market tour with the Hanoi Cooking Centre chefs who will highlight some of the daily produce sold, such fruits, vegetables, meat, silk worms, etc. Surely, this market visit will provide you with endless photo opportunities. Return to the Hanoi Cooking Centre and get started. The chefs will explain how to prepare the various dishes on the menu. Printed recipes as well as samples of some local fruits, green bean cake, quail eggs, etc. can be taken home after the class. Enjoy the meal you prepared and visit the Hanoi Cooking Centre shop where you may find useful cooking utensils, recipe books, spices, etc.
Note: Up to 9 guests, you will attend in a joining (shared) - cooking class. From 10 guests up, you will participate in a private class, maximum of 32 attendees for one class
Afternoon you will be transferred to Noi Bai Airport for a domestic flight to Hue. Upon arrival Phu Bai Airport in Hue - the former Imperial City of the last dynasty of Vietnam.
Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight: Hue
DAY 6: HUE – DANANG - HOIAN
Morning you will meet with our guide and start the day to explore the Imperial City of Hue. The Hue Citadel is situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River and built by Emperor Gia Long it was designed for the exclusive use of the Emperor and his household. The Citadel is a square 2 km wall encompassing 3 walled enclosures; the Citadel, Kinh Thanh Hue, the Yellow Imperial city, Hoang Thanh and in the centre the Forbidden Purple city Tu Cam Thanh where the Emperor lived. The Hue royal complex has been officially recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The visit Museum of Royal Antiquities
Tour continues to enjoy a scenic boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. Lunch at local restaurant.
Afternoon, we start the spectacular drive over Hai Van Pass to Danang with a whole view of Pacific Ocean and famous Lang Co fishing village. Continuing to the charming historic city of Hoi An which lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Hoian was one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century and was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.
En route, you will visit the Cham Museum - The world's foremost collection of the sculpture of the ancient King-dom of Champa, and the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements of the universe. Continuing to the charming historic city of Hoi An which lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Hoian was one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century and was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. Overnight at hotel in Hoian
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight: Hoian
DAY 7: HOI AN FISH AND RICE TOUR
After breakfast, the local tour guide will meet you at your hotel, check your bike and as a group will begin to cycle for about 1.5 hour through beautiful villages with nipa palm along the road.
Arrive Cam Thanh village which located in the low section of Thu Bon River, take the basket boat along the water coconut river where fisherman will teach you how to catch crab and to make unique tools with a water coconut leaf.
Next take a boat trip to Tra Que village, on the way you will pass the estuary where Thu Bon River meets the sea. Then, meet and talk with local fishermen who will then show you how to use fishing-nets in a certain spot. A special lunch will be held at the local restaurant looking to the vegetable garden. After lunch, take a strolling to vegetable garden, learn about famous local herbal.
Next, meet a local farmer who show you farming skill before you try with these local stuff. After that, vehicle picks up and transfer to Hoian ancient town.
Enjoy the walking tour to discover Hoian ancient town. Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight: Hoian
DAY 8: HOI AN – DANANG – HOCHIMINH
(DOMESTIC FLIGHT TICKET DAD-SGN IS INCLUDED)
Morning you will discover Hoi An - known to early Western merchants, Hoi An was one of the major trading centres of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Hoi An has a mixed Chinese-Vietnamese atmosphere with low, tile-roof houses and narrow streets. Having been through many ups and downs in the past, the original structures, however, are still virtually intact. That was the reason to persuade the UNESCO to recognize Hoi An as a World Heritage in 1999. Besides, the surroundings of Hoi An, especially the countryside, are one of the most outstanding highlights that visitors should experience during their stay in Hoi An.
One of the best ways to discover Hoi An and its surroundings is by walking. During our 4-hour leisurely walk you will visit some of the historic merchant and community houses, places of worship and famous Japanese Covered Bridge, the daily life of the local people: green paddy fields, vegetable gardens, markets, temples, historic houses, fishermen and stunning countryside scenes will simply mesmerize you. This tour offers great photo opportunities and you may find yourself chatting with the locals and inhaling unforgettable memories. Lunch at local restaurant.
Afternoon proceed to Danang city - the fourth largest city in Vietnam, the gateway to the central provinces and a sea port with nice beaches and resort and transfer to Danang Airport for your flight to Saigon.
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport by our local guide then transfer to check in the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hochiminh
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight: Saigon
DAY 9: HO CHI MINH – TAY NINH CAO DAI TEMPLE – CU CHI TUNNELS
After breakfast at hotel, guide will meet in the lobby of your hotel and enjoy the journey to Tay Ninh, the scenery changes as you leave the city behind to views of rice paddies, villagers drying noodles by the side of the road and other scenes typical to southern Vietnam. Visit the Cao Dai great temple at Tay Ninh with its flamboyant architecture, where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious mosaic. You will have the opportunity to watch the worshippers in their white long tunics during noon mass.
Afterward transfer to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels (50km from Tay Ninh) to enjoy the lunch at local restaurant
After lunch you will explore Cu Chi Tunnels - an complex of an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. There are more than 200 km of tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. You have the chance to crawl through this amazing system of tunnels. For a more “thrilling” experience, you can even test your shooting skills on original AK47s and other guns from past war times (subject to a surcharge). Journey back to Ho Chi Minh. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight: Saigon
DAY 10: HOCHIMINH - MEKONG DELTA (CAI BE - VINH LONG)
Today, meet with your hotel to transfer about 136 km to Vinh Long, a riverside town in the vast Mekong Delta, the world’s largest delta. Embark a boat cruise to lively Cai Be floating market where sellers and buyers bargain and exchange goods from their boats. Proceed through a fascinating maze of shady canals to Hoa Binh Phuoc Island. Beautiful landscape of zigzag canals, lush vegetation, peaceful villages and activities of rural life will make you a delightful sight. There on the island, visit some local farmers’ homes, interact with warm-hearted hosts and learn about their trades of bonsai gardening, tile and ceramic production and rice paper and coconut candy making. After tour, we transfer back to Ho Chi Minh. Overnight at hotel in Hochiminh.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight: Saigon
DAY 11: HOCHIMINH DISCOVERY
Discover District 5, also known as Cholon, Saigon’s former Chinatown. Our next stop is the museum of Vietnamese traditional medicine (FITO), the only museum of its kind in Vietnam. The FITO has more than 3,000 items including traditional tools and medicine books as well as miniatures of typical northern and southern medicine houses on display. The museum building and its interior reflect the skilfulness of local artisans. Continue to visit Binh Tay Market, the central market of Cholon, trading daily goods coming from all directions of Southern Vietnam, Thien Hau Pagoda and a stop at a local medicine vendor to learn more about the traditional way of healing. Lucnh at local restaurant.
In the afternoon, return to Saigon and tour continues to visit the former Presidential Palace, renowned for its symbolic role in the fall of Saigon in 1975 and continue to visit the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral inaugurated in 1880 became the spiritual and cultural crucible of the French presence in the Orient as was the Post office designed by Gustav Eiffel and resembling a grand railway station, the people’s Committee Hall, Old Saigon Post Office. End the day at the famous Ben Thanh Market, where you can purchase souvenirs for your beloved ones and shopping before transfer back to your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight: Saigon
DAY 12: HOCHIMINH – PHNOM PENH
(InTERNATIONAL FLIGHT TICKET SGN - PNH IS INCLUDED)
Free at your own leicusre until transfer to Tan San Nhat International Aiport for your onward flight to Phnom Penh.
Upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, you are warmly welcomed by our local guide then transfer to hotel for check in
After a relaxing break, you will set out to discover the most remarkable sights of Phnom Penh in a Cyclo, an original Phnom Penh means of transportation and a very fun way to explore this lively city. First, head to the Royal Palace. This palace dates back to 1866 and was the last palace built during the French colonial period. The same complex houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. Its original name is Wat Prakeo, meaning Temple of the Emerald Buddha. In this temple you will view a collection of Buddha in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze.
Continue to the National Museum, which was built in traditional Khmer style. It houses the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological, and religious artifacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Over 5,000 pieces are on display, constituting the repository of the Kingdom's cultural wealth. In addition, the roof space is home to a large bat colony!
Your sightseeing concludes with a visit to Wat Phnom Temple, the founding place of the city on a small hilltop and a great place to people watch as the locals come to pray for good luck. Impressive welcome dinner will be served at local restaurant. Overnight in Phnom Penh
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Overnight: Phnom Penh
DAY 13: PHNOM PENH – SIEM REAP
(DOMESTIC FLIGHT TICKET PNH-REP IS INCLUDED)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. On arrival in Siem Reap, your local English speaking guide will greet you and accompany you to the hotel for check in.
This afternoon, start your visits to Angkor by visiting the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8 m high wall, with each side of the city being 4 km long, drawing a perfect square. You will enter the city through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant. On each side of the entrance path a row of 54 gods or demons is holding the sacred Naga snake.
From here, continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. The particularity of this monument is the 54 towers with four faces representing the 54 provinces of the then Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight: Siemreap
DAY 14: SIEM REAP
After breakfast this morning, explore the temples of the Small Circuit by ‘remork’ (similar to the Thai ‘tuk tuk’). Start your tour with a visit to Ta Prohm Temple, built in the mid-12th to early 13th centuries. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples. Your visit will also include Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions”. Return to the hotel for a relaxing break during the midday heat.
After a rest at your hotel, depart on a very special sightseeing tour of the famous Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing the Mount Meru, home of the gods. The divine residence of Vishnu, the King himself was to reside here after his death. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Moreover, Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor. Today, Angkor Wat is figured on Cambodia's national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight: Siemreap
DAY 15: SIEM REAP – DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast at hotel, free at your own leisure until transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your international flight home. We hope you had an exciting holiday with us. Making it an affair to remember!
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: N/A