12 days Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Danang, Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap
Day 1 - Arrive Hanoi
Arrive this afternoon in Hanoi, Vietnam’s
capital for nearly 1000 years. Historical
emphasis on the arts and learning stipulates
that buildings in Hanoi remain small, simple
and in harmony with nature. You are met at
the airport and escorted to the hotel. Rest
of the afternoon is at leisure. Evening attend
the famous Water Puppet Show followed by
welcome dinner at the renowned Le Tonkin
Restaurant. (D)
Day 2 - Hanoi / Ha Long Bay / Hanoi
Depart Hanoi this morning on your day trip
to Halong. Our journey will be broken with
refreshment stop at a craft centre run to raise
money for handicapped people. Upon arriving
in Ha Long City, we are transferred to our
private boat for an amazing cruise of Halong
Bay, a UNESCO designated World Heritage
site. With a 5-hour boat cruise, you will have
chance to visit the cave and view the beautiful
islets. The trip would not be complete without
a fresh seafood lunch on board as we cruise.
Late afternoon returning to Hanoi. (BL)
Day 3 - Hanoi Sightseeing
Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the
preserved body of “Uncle Ho” may be viewed,
his nearby house, the lotus-shaped One Pillar
Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, the Temple of
Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple,
and a couple of museums. Lunch at Sen restaurant.
Evening enjoy a one-hour cyclo ride
around the Old Quarter. (BL)
Note: The mausoleum is closed from October -
December, during which time it can only be viewed
from outside
Day 4 - Hanoi / Hue
Fly to Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital
on the Perfume River. Your sightseeing tour
today includes the imposing Imperial Citadel,
the Museum of Royal Relics and the Dong Ba
market. Enjoy a cyclo ride this evening to the
Y Thao Garden where you partake in a typical
family dinner. Overnight at the hotel. (BD)
Day 5 - Hue / Hoi An
Continue your sightseeing of mystical Hue
today; including a boat trip on the Perfume
River to Thien Mu Pagoda, followed by a drive
to visit some of the 13 lavish imperial tombs of
the Nguyen kings (including To Ducs tomb, and
Khai Dinh’s tomb). Lunch at Tropical garden
restaurant followed by drive to the absolutelycharming and relaxed town of Hoi An. Believed
to have been settled no less than 2200 years
ago, Hoi An was a thriving seaport and a base
for seafaring nations seeking new sources of
wealth throughout Southeast Asia. Even ancient
Arab trading documents mention Hoi An as a
stop along their trade routes. Check in at the
hotel. (BL)
Day 6 - Hoi An
Enjoy a walking tour of this historic town
(some of the highlights include the Temples
of Phuoc Kien and Quang Dong and the 16th
century Japanese Covered Bridge). Continue
on the narrow streets of Hoi An, which are
lined with buildings representing a mix of
architectural styles (some of which are not
seen anywhere else today). Enjoy lunch at
a local restaurant before returning to your
hotel. Afternoon at leisure. (BL)
Day 7 - Hoi An / Danang / Ho Chi Minh City
Drive this morning to Danang. Your first stop
is at a stone-carving village at the foot of the
Marble Mountains followed by visit the Cham
Museum, featuring artifacts from the Kingdom
of Champa (a civilization that ruled the area
from the 2nd to 14th centuries). Later fly to
vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon.
Although it’s the largest and busiest city in
Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City retains the beauty
of its graceful colonial French-style structures.
Enjoy dinner at Blue Ginger restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel. (BD)
Day 8 - Cu Chi Tunnels Excursion
Venture into the “Iron Triangle,” riddled with
an extensive system of tunnels inhabited during
the recent war, along with fascinating traps
and surprises. After lunch at the well known
Indochine restaurant in Saigon, your afternoon
is free. (BL)
Cambodia
Day 9 - Ho Chi Minh City / Siem Reap
Your morning tour of Ho Chi Minh includes
the former Presidential Palace, the Cathedral,
Central Post Office, and China Town with
Thien Hau Temple and Binh Tay Market. Later
fly to Siem Reap in Northern Cambodia, your
base for visiting the fabulous ancient sites of
Angkor, one of the wonders of world. The
grandeur of this bygone civilization is truly
astounding. Overnight at the hotel. (BD)
Day 10 - Angkor Wat Excursion
Your exploration of this mysterious region
begins with the intricately carved Khmer ruins
at Angkor Wat and surrounding sites (one of
the world’s most impressive ruins). The Khmer
civilization constructed the temples between
the 9th and 13th centuries. Strolling through
the massive hallways, you will find many small
shrines still in use by the local people at this
ancient site. Picturesque Ta Prohm remains
overgrown, presenting oddly haunting and
exotic scenes. Visit various ruin sites of these
ancient stone masterpieces—mute testimony
to the once mighty Khmer civilization. View
Angkor Wat at sunset from Phnom Bakheng.
Enjoy dinner at the local restaurant. (BD)
Day 11 - Angkor Thom Excursion
See Angkor Thom or “Great City,” in some
ways even more spectacular than colossal
Angkor Wat, as it had nearly disappeared into
the jungle. Your day includes a boat ride on
Tonle Sap. Enjoy dinner at the local restaurant.
(BD)
Day 12 - Siem Reap / Home
Depart for home today taking along memories
of a most enchanting trip. (B)
