This is the perfect option for those who want to see Vietnam's highlights and the contrasts of Hanoi & Saigon as well as the incredible temples of Angkor, Cambodia.
Welcome to Hanoi
When you arrive at Noi Bai International airport in Hanoi, you'll be smilingly met and transferred to your downtown hotel. The remainder of the day will be all yours to stroll around the Old Quarter of Hanoi.
Meals: None Overnight in Hanoi
Hanoi City Discovery Tour, Cyclo Tour and Water Puppet Show
After a late breakfast, you'll jump head-first into Hanoi's sights and sounds on a tour that covers all the essentials. You'll visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes the Mausoleum, Uncle Ho's former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum and The Temple of Literature, which, dating back to 1070, is Vietnam’s oldest university.
After lunch, explore the enthralling Museum of Ethnology, which contains an extensive display of life-size structures dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities. Next, enjoy an hour-long cyclo ride winding through the narrow, chaotic streets of the Old Quarter - a must for any visitor to Hanoi! The day finishes with a traditional performance of the famous Vietnamese water puppets.
Note: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed all day on Monday and Fridays, as well as from 1st October to 30th November (approx.) for annual conservation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight in Hanoi
Hanoi - Halong Bay
At 08.00, you will be picked up at your hotel and start the scenic 3.5 hour drive to Halong Bay, one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas and the world's largest marine limestone 'karst' landscape. Enjoy the landscape of the Red River Delta countryside and have a short break en-route. Meet the crew upon boarding the traditional wooden junk, then relax and enjoy lunch while the boat heads towards the secluded islands. Visit a fishing village by a rustic rowing-boat, meet the local people and pass through the floating school and pearl farms. Return to the junk refreshed and and relax on sundeck with a drink to watch the sunset. Enjoy a freshly prepared seafood dinner under the stars.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight on a wooden junk in Halong Bay
Note: The itinerary could change depending on the cruise.
Halong Bay - Hanoi - Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
Enjoy an early morning swim/Taichi (if weather permits) followed by breakfast. You will visit a famous ancient limestone cave in the middle of the bay where you’ll discover magnificent stalagmites and stalactites as you walk along the lit paths on a guided tour. Enjoy a tasty brunch while cruising back to the main harbor where your private car will be waiting for you and drive straight to Noi Bai airport in Hanoi for a late afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, pick up and transfer to your hotel in the downtown. Meals: Breakfast / Brunch Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels Exploration
Today you'll embark on a guided city tour, starting with the War Remnants Museum - a real eye-opening part of Vietnam's proud history; followed by the Reunification Palace; the former South Vietnam Presidential Palace; the Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office, as you get your camera working overtime peeking into the past of Vietnam's biggest, most energetically progressive city.
After a light lunch at a local restaurant, visit the amazing network of underground tunnels that was used by the Viet Cong throughout the War. This huge construction was a war-time home for many villagers. With three different levels and despite its proximity to Saigon, it was never discovered by the US. Visit the fighting tunnel system with your local guide, before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon. Meals: Breakfast. Lunch Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Explore the Mekong Delta (My Tho)
This morning you'll head south to My Tho with stop en-route to visit Vinh Trang pagoda. Transfer to My Tho pier for the boat trip on Tien River covering the areas of My Tho fish market and the four islands of Long, Lan, Qui, and Phung. A stopover at the Con Phung (Phoenix Island) to visit Dao Dua relics and see the manufacture of handicraft made from coconut trees. Continue to Thoi Son Island, pay a short visit to a coconut candy factory and savor the taste of this special, visit a local house to enjoy the taste of honey tea and fresh fruits while listening to traditional music “Tai Tu” – the lovely and romantic melody of one of the tribes in Mekong Delta. Relax on a sampan through one of small canals of Mekong River. Lunch will be served at Thoi Son restaurant. Return to My Tho Pier where your private vehicle will take you back to Ho Chi Minh City for overnight accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City - Flight to Siem Reap
Your time will be your own until being picked up to head to Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport for flight to Siem Reap.
As arriving in Siem Reap, you will visit the 19th century temple of Wat Bo, one of the most important pagodas in Siem Reap. Dating from the 19th century, the interior of the main temple includes some of the finest religious murals in Cambodia, depicting the life of the Buddha. We continue to the Chantiers Ecole workshop of Artisans d'Angkor, a handicrafts cooperative helping to revive the artisan skills of the Angkor era. We learn about different techniques, including laquerware, stone carving and silk painting and visit the impressive showroom.
Visit the Cambodian Culture Village. This is one of the best performances of Khmer culture in Cambodian. In Cambodian, both Khmer, ethnic and Chinese cultural shows are presented in different beautifully-decorated villages and there are also various dance shows. Join the Night Pub Street + Shopping at night Market.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight in Siem Reap
Siem Reap - Angkor Thom - Ta Prohm - Angkor Wat
In the morning, you visit the immense walled city of Angkor Thom that was the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. Following the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the new king decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire. Then we begin our visit at the Terrace of the Leper King. This intricately carved platform was the royal crematorium and the statue that was originally thought to be the leper king is now believed to be Yama, the god of death. We continue along the Terrace of Elephants. At the southern end lies the Baphuon, once of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the reign of Uditayavarman in the 11th century. Our climax is the enigmatic and enchanting temple of the Bayon.
Lunch at local restaurant.
This afternoon, we journey out to the jungle temple Ta Prohm where Tomb Raider was filmed. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. Then, we continue to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this is most famous temple at Angkor. And view sun set at Bakheng Mountain.
Siem Reap - Boat Trip on Tonle Sap Lake ½ Day - Free Afternoon
In the morning, you will visit at Floating Village (Tonle Sap). The Tonle Sap Lake, fed by the mighty Menkong and the Tonle Sap River, is a vast expanse of water that forms the most significant topographical feature in Cambodia.
After lunch at local restaurant, free time to spend as you wish.
Depart Siem Reap
Leisure time until your guide and driver meet at hotel lobby ad drive you to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast