BEST OF INDOCHINA

 Details Itinerary:

DAY 01: SAIGON ARRIVAL.

Arrive Tan Son Nhat international airport. After completing immigration formalities and clearing customs you will be met by our guide outside the baggage claim area who will escort you to a private waiting vehicle for your transfer to your hotel (12 km | Approx. 30 minutes). Our guide will be holding a welcome board with your name. Check in hotel. Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 02: SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA – BEN TRE “Coconuts homeland” (B,L).

Breakfast at hotel. Journey south to the Mekong delta, known as the ‘rice bowl of Vietnam’, and spend a full day exploring one of Vietnam’s most fertile regions and the main cultivation area of rice and tropical fruits.

We transfer to My Tho City (70 km & approx. 02 hours). It‘s famous for its extensive orchards and immense rice fields. On the way passing rice fields to discover rural activities of the local people, gardening, fish pond, rice planting. On arrival, take a leisurely boat trip around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands (04 sacred animals of Buddhism). Enjoy a rowing boat ride in the shadows of the water-coconut palms along the tiny canals. Enjoying fresh coconut juice on the boat. We will visit the picturesque orchards and sample the freshly picked fruit at the invitation of friendly local farmers. Spend some time in the villages to learn about the daily lives of the inhabitants, enjoying some kinds of tropical fruits while listening Southern traditional music.

Lunch will be served at local restaurant.

We continue to “Coconuts homeland”, Ben Tre - Where you can learn how to make coconut candy. You can try some candies, visit the honey bee farm and try the honey, banana wine, ginger jams, soy beans… made by the villagers. Enjoy a horse-cart around the village to have a look at the orchards and visit local people’s house. Enjoy a relaxing cup of honey tea before returning to My Tho via a natural canal, cruising under the shadows of water coconut palms. You will have a chance to enjoy the famous dish “Fried Mekong Elephant Ear Fish”.

Transfer back to Saigon city. We then enjoy a walking tour to visit the famous Ben Thanh Market, this will give you a good insight into the Vietnamese markets as well as an opportunity to interact with locals. Visit the Bitexco tower where you can enjoy drink and enjoy the view from the 50th floor. Free your time to explore Saigon nightlife. Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 03: SAIGON – CU CHI TUNNELS – FLY TO HUE (B,L).

Breakfast at hotel. We transfer to Cu Chi district, 50 km to the northwest of Saigon city (approx. 01 hour 30 minutes). The incredible underground network in Cu Chi stretched over 200 kilometers and became legendary during the American war. The extensive tunnels have been specially constructed with living areas, storage facilities, weapon factories, filed hospitals, command center, plus accommodation. Upon arrival to the Cu Chi Tunnels, watch a short introductory video showing how they were constructed, then spend the next hour exploring the maze of tunnels, you will even have a chance to crawl through the tunnels. Also on display are various mantraps, the remains of an American tank and numerous bomb craters made by 500 pound bombs dropped by B52 bombers. For those interested there's even the opportunity to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. Transfer back to Saigon city.

Lunch will be served at local restaurant.

The following program is a sightseeing of major sights in Ho Chi Minh City. First stop is the Notre Dame Catholic Cathedral - Outside (Closes its door to tourists for renovation App 02 years). And short visit to French built post office nearby and then we will visit the War Remnants Museum, which primarily contains exhibits relating to the American phase of the Vietnam War. We continue to visit the Reunification Palace.

Our guide will be ready in the lobby of your hotel in preparation for your transfer to the airport (12 km | Approx. 30 minutes) to enjoy a domestic flight to Hue (Approx. 01 hour 10 minutes). You are welcome at Phu Bai airport then be transferred to your hotel (20 km | Approx. 40 minutes). Overnight in Hue.

DAY 04: HUE IMPERIAL CITY (B,D).

Breakfast at hotel. This morning an excursion boat trip along the romantic Perfume River carries us through a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes, where Hue’s best known religious sites are located. We will visit Thien Mu Pagoda - one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious work ship in Hue. We continue to visit the Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. This impressive landmark reflects the beautiful architecture, intricate decor and mysterious statues.

In the afternoon. We will explore the Hue Citadel Complex including Royal Citadel and Forbidden Citadel - UNESCO World Heritage sites, set up by Nguyen Dynasty from 1805 to 1945. We will visit the striking Flag Tower, the imposing Ngo Mon Gate, Dien Tho Residence (Dien Tho Palace), Thai Hoa Palace, the magnificently decorated reception hall, the Halls of the Mandarins, and the original Nine Dynastic Urns…

The sightseeing continues with a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market - fantastic to wander boulevards, verdant parks and ochre buildings that retain an old-world around. It sells all manner of items and is a lively place to spend a couple charm, Dong Ba is also famous for the best conical hats in Vietnam.

This evening you may wish to enjoy “Royal dinner”. Enjoy a delicious food while listening to melodious music and having a feeling of being the King and Queen. All wear traditional royal clothes. All the served food is royal including dishes reminding dragon, phoenix, or peacock...

DAY 05: HUE – DA NANG – BA NA HILLS – HOI AN (B,L).

Breakfast at hotel. At 7:30 we leave Hue to Ba Na Hills, Da Nang (120 km & approx. 03 hours 30 minutes). Enjoy a three-hour journey that hugs the ocean coastline, winds through Emerald-green rice fields and climbs over the dramatic Hai Van mountain pass.Check in at the Suoi Mo Cable car Station. You will admire the heights from the most modern cable car system in Southeast Asia. Enjoy the funicular railway, visit Linh Ung Pagoda, France wine cellar, D’amour flower garden.

Enjoy lunch at Le Jardin restaurant. We then visit the famous Golden Bridge, admire the stunning panoramic views of Bana Hills & Da Nang. Return to Cable car & departure for Hoi An ancient town (60 km & approx. 02 hours 15 minutes). Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 06: HOI AN TOWN (B).

Breakfast at hotel. Walking around the historic town.  Soaking up the atmosphere. Exploring the many Chinese assembly halls and fascinating ancestral homes, some of which have been occupied by the same family for fifteen generations. One of the most spectacular Assembly Halls is the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, built in 1690. The pagoda inside contains intricate statues and artwork, in part dedicated to Thien Hau Than Mau, the Goddess of the Sea and protector of fishermen.

Walking tour of the ancient town center takes us to the sites of former merchants’ homes, the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge - The symbol of Hoian. The Japanese Covered bridge was the first bridge in Hoian and was constructed in 1593. It was built by the Japanese community of Hoian to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream. We continue to visit the Chua Ong Pagoda and the 200 year old Tan Ky ancestral house.

It’s free time to either relax back at the hotel pool or get some clothes made. Hoi An is known for its beautiful cloths and colourful silks, and there are loads of tailors ready to whip up some made-to-order threads in record breaking time. One tip is to bring some clothes you like from home with you - the tailors can make almost exact copies of the patterns. You can enjoy browsing and shopping in one of the most coorful local marketplaces in all of Southeast Asia.

We will enjoy Amazing Sunset Cocktail cruise on Thu Bon River. Admire a glorious sunset while enjoying cocktails with family and friends. A perfect way to start the evening. The sun is low in the sky and the wind is gentle. Excellent calm water cruising. A complimentary cocktail is served upon boarding, having some snack and setting the scene for the unforgettable evening ahead (02 hour river cruise | Complimentary cocktail. Free your time at leisure to explore Hoi An nightlife. Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 07: HOI AN COOKING CLASS – FLY TO SIEM RAP (B,L).

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Hoian’s colorful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. Cruise on Thu Bon River to Tra Que Village - a charming little village on the edge of Hoi An, the village is famous for its sweet scented & green vegetables that spice up on the daily meals of Hoi An people: Cao Lau and Quang noodles. Come here, you will have a chance to discover the art of cultivating and water plants, tasting and doing a cooking class with local dishes. You will visit Tra Que organic herb growing village, stroll around the vegetable gardens and join the farmers in preparing the land and fertilizing it with seaweed from the local lake. You will learn how to cultivate the vegetable by raking, sowing, watering greens and picking greens and other fun gardening activities. Then, we have a chance to freshen up before beginning our cooking class. Working together with our Family Chef we learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food from scratch. After the lesson, we will enjoy the dishes that you have created.

Our guide and driver pick you up and transfer to Da Nang airport (35 km | Approx. 45 minutes) to take a short flight to Siem Reap (approx. 02 hours). On the way to the airport, you’ll have a brief look at the remarkable Hindu statuary in the Cham Museum - One of the largest collection of Cham sculpture and artwork in the world. The museum is officially known as the Museum of Champa Sculpture. We will explore a nearby stone-cutting craft village. You are welcomed at the Siem Reap airport the transfer to the hotel for check in (10 km | Approx. 20 minutes). Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 08: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR WONDER (B,D).

Breakfast at hotel. We visit the largest and most impressive temple - Angkor Wat - one of the most beautiful and fascinating places on the planet. Angkor Wat was built between 1112 and 1152 by King Suryavarman II. Angkor Wat with its five towers, perfect symmetry and exquisite bas-reliefs is one of the most inspired religious monuments ever built. The five towers that dominate the scene are said to represent the five peaks of Mount Meru, the mythical home of the omnipotent Hindu deity Shiva. Beautiful bas beliefs and carvings adorn the inner sanctuaries depicting various Hindu mythological epics, including the longest continuous bas relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls.

We then visit the fortified Royal city of Angkor Thom, constructed by King Jayavarman II at the end of the 12th century, not long after the completion of Angkor Wat. It is surrounded by a massive perimeter wall and a moat with five monumental gates and covers an area of more than ten square kilometers, indeed Angkor Thom means ‘Great city’. The most important monuments are located in the center of the city, namely the Bayon, Baphoun and the Terrace of Elephants. The Bayon in particular is a fascinating piece of architecture and one of the most photographed. It is a bizarre structure, with a total of 54 towers elaborately decorated with over 200 enigmatic smiling faces.

We proceed to Ta Prohm Temple “Kingdom of Trees”, whose principal attraction is that it has not been rescued from the thick jungle, as the rest of the Angkor Complex. It looks much the same as it would have done when the French explorers came here 140 years ago, shrouded in undergrowth and the huge roots of old Banyan trees. We continue to visit Artisans d’Angkor (If time permitted).

Enjoy your dinner with Apsara dance show (Khmer show).

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 09: SIEM REAP – TONLE SAP LAKE – FLY TO LUANG PRABANG (B).

Breakfast at hotel. Early morning, we drive out to the Tonle Sap Lake, where we will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake. Tonlé Sap is Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake with its size varying greatly depending on the season. We continue our trip to floating villages to see the “floating lives”. The stilted village is the best place to witness the authentic life of the local fisherman and their families who live amongst the petrified mangrove forest. We will meet Cambodian children at a floating school on Tonle Sap Lake & enjoy the beautiful scenery dominated by the tranquility of the lake.

Free your time at leisure unstill you are transferred to the airport (10 km | Approx. 20 minutes) for a flight to Luang Prabang (approx. 01 hours 20 minutes). You are welcome at the airport and transferred to your hotel (10 km | Approx. 25 minutes) for check in. Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 10: LUANG PRABANG – LOCAL VILLAGES (B,D).

After breakfast, with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum (Closed on Tuesdays), which hosts a range of interesting artifacts and then visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures before we head out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek. We then return to the city for a visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. We then visit the Ock Pop Tok.

We climb to the top of Mount Phousi for an exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. You can explore the night market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the local and hill tribe people surrounding the city. Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Enjoy the dinner with Lao traditional show

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 11: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVES – FLY TO HA NOI (B).

Worth getting up early in the holy city: early in the morning the monks move into your striking orange robes through the streets and are supplied by the citizens of rice and other food donations. We transfer to the serene Wat Sibounheaung; a nearly century old temple. Our guide will prepare offerings such as fruits, candles and incense sticks to offer to the monks before enjoying a morning blessing ceremony that is believed to bring health, happiness and longevity. Here you can learn more about a Buddhist monk’s life by interacting with a young monk. You will learn about the influence of Buddhism in daily local life. Transfer back to your hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast we then enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture and we then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong river, which also gives us a panorama view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the small village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is distilled.

We then return to the city. We transfer to airport (10 km | Approx. 25 minutes) for a flight to Hanoi (approx. 01 hours 30 minutes). Upon arrival, you are welcome at the airport then be transferred to your hotel (35 km | Approx. 45 minutes) for check in. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 12: HA NOI CITY (B).

Breakfast at hotel. Full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Closed on Mondays and Fridays mornings and whole September and October for annual repairs). VisitOne Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Our next stop will be the Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university. Constructed in 1070. The temple is dedicated to one of the world’s most famous scholars, Confucius. Inside the temple grounds huge stone stele rest on the backs of even larger stone turtles (in Vietnamese culture the turtle represents longevity).

We continue to visit Vietnam Museum of Ethnology - The museum has successfully recreated the daily life together with the religious rituals and the symbolic festivals of each ethnic group in Vietnam. Visitors have the opportunity to admire costumes, embroidery as well as outside stilt houses and habitats from the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam.

We will have a short walking to visit the oldest bridge of Hanoi “Long Bien Bridge” to take photos and see the local life of Hanoi people before enjoying a cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as “36 streets.” This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities all around you. We will travel around the famous Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword.) - The heart of Hanoi Capital.

Start your evening with a traditional water puppet performance (Approx. 50 minutes).The stage is actually a large container of water where the characters (carved wooden puppets} “act” out the story. Most of the stories are whimsical and fun, and the puppeteers stand in waist deep water behind a screen controlling the puppets with rods that mostly are under the water.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Ha Noi.

DAY 13: HA NOI – HA LONG BAY (B,L,D).

Breakfast at hotel. We depart for Ha Long city to visit Ha Long Bay - A World Natural Heritage site and a World of New7Wonders (170 km & approx. 02 hours 30 minutes). Ha Long Bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes with 1969 islets. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves, other support floating villages of fishermen. You have chance of observing scenic country side of Vietnam dominated by enormous lush rice field.

Upon arrival in Ha Long. Check-in between 11:30 - 12:00 at the boat port. Enjoy a refreshing “Welcome cocktail” upon check-in on the sun deck. Enjoy your lunch as the vessel sails to Halong Bay passing the Fighting cocks Islet, the Elephant leg Islet, the Castle Islet, the Soi Sim Island. Arrive at Surprise Grotto - one of the most famous grotto in the entire Ha Long, we will visit the cave by Tender.

After taking a lot of photos and admire the beauty of the cave we will visit the fishing village by local rowing boat with the opportunity to interact with fishermen who have been living in the bay for almost three generations then we return to the vessel for free time at your leisure. You can swim in the clear emerald waters, soak up the sun over a cool beer on the top deck sun lounge or try your hand at some kayaking (your account) amongst the huge limestone outcrops that surround us.

We retire to the junk and relax on the top deck and enjoy a refreshing drink from the bar. Enjoy and learn the Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the sundeck, you can attend the chef's cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking. Your delicious seafood dinner will be served at the restaurant. Stay overnight on cruise for a more in-depth experience.

(The itinerary above may be changed depending on the cruise we choose and weather permitting).

DAY 14: HA LONG BAY – HA NOI - DEPARTURE (B,L).

Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi Exercise with an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. Sitting on the upper desk we can enjoy the breath - taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the crystal-clear water of the bay. We can hear the birds singing, cicadas chirping ashore and the gentle lapping of the waves against our boat, the perfect soundtrack to accompany the fresh air and gentle breeze.

International brunch buffet served in the restaurant. 12:00 A.m. Check-out on board and disembarkation at boat port. Our tour guide and driver will pick you up then transfer to airport (170 km | Approx. 02 hours 30 minutes) to take your departure flight.