CHARM OF INDOCHINA

 TRAVEL ITINERARY:

DAY 01: HANOI ARIVAL.

Arrive Noi Bai 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 (35 km | Approx. 45 minutes). Our guide will be holding a welcome board with your name.

Check in hotel, you're handed a welcome drink at the check-in desk. Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Ha Noi.

DAY 02: HANOI CITY (B,D).

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).

After your lunch 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. You will free time to explore the Old Quarter.

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.

Dinner will be served at local restaurant.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 03: HANOI - HA LONG BAY (B,L,D).

You may wish walk to Hoan Kiem Lake to witness and/or participate in a Tai Chi exercise. It’s a great chance for you to take pictures of local people and enjoy the sunrise from the western side of Hoan Kiem Lake. Transfer back to the hotel and enjoy your breakfast.

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 Halong, 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 04: HA LONG BAY - BAT TRANG VILLAGE - FLY TO DA NANG - HOI AN  (: 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. 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 a short domestic flight to Da Nang (Approx. 01 hour 10 minutes). On the ways we will visit the Bat Trang Ceramic Village - is popular for being an ancient pottery handicrafts village. Most of the pottery kilns in the village still produce goods in the traditional way, which is similar to the ancient way dating back 700 years.

Upon arrival Da Nang airport. You are welcome and then be transferred to Hoi An ancient town(35 km | Approx. 45 minutes). Check in hotel and enjoy welcome drink. Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 05: HOI AN TOWN - LOCAL VILLAGE (B).

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide and driver will be ready in the lobby of your hotel in preparation for a village journey, walking around Hoi An ancient town to the port where you will embark on the boat. From the boat, you can enjoy the busy daily life of Hoi An people. Continue to Thanh Ha pottery village where you can learn and enjoy the daily life of Thanh Ha people. Observe all the steps of making a pottery product: vase, pot, kettle, cooking pot,...embark on the boat to visit Kim Bong carpentry village, listen to the history of the village, come to visit the ship-building yards, see the handicrafts and sculptures.

Afternoon we enjoy a walking tour, we will see the distinctive low tiled roof houses and the busy central market selling everything from vegetables, live stocks to daily household items. We will stroll along the Tran Phu Street to the Japanese Covered Bridge, constructed in 1593 by Japanese community to provide a link to the Chinese quarters across the stream. We also tour the family chapels, built by prominent merchants as centers for ancestor worship. We visit the private houses, many of which are occupied by the same family for up to eight generations. Enjoy the opportunity to interact with family members while inspecting the century old engraved panels of exquisite figures. We then visit assembly hall, and the Sa Huynh Museum, displaying artifacts from the early period of Hoi An’s history.

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. We continue to visit the Chua Ong Pagoda and the 200 year old Tan Ky ancestral house. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 06: HOI AN - HUE IMPERIAL (B,D).

Breakfast at hotel. We leave Hoian to Hue (145 km & approx. 03 hours 30 minutes). Climbing the dramatic Hai Van Pass, also called “the Pass of Ocean Clouds”.  Enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the route. On the way to Hoian. We will visit famous Cham Museum, home to some 300 magnificent Cham sculptures dating to the 4th century. Next we visit the Marble Mountain, a cluster of five marble and limestone hills rising sharply from the surrounding rice fields.

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 we will enjoy the “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...Overnight in Hue.

DAY 07: HUE ROYL TOMBS - CRUISE ON PERFUMER RIVER - FLY TO SAIGON (B).

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. Afterwards we take a short drive though the rolling hill to see the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc - One of the most beautifully designed complexes among the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty. Embedded in a lush pine forest, this tomb is the final resting place of Emperor Tu Duc (1848-83) who had the longest reign of all emperors of the Nguyen dynasty.

Free your time at leisure until our guide and driver pick you up and transfer to the airport (20 km | Approx. 40 minutes) for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City(approx. 01 hour 10 minutes). You are welcome at Tan Son Nhat airport and then transferred to the hotel (12 km | Approx. 30 minutes) for check in. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

DAY 08: SAIGON - MEKONG DELTA - BEN TRE coconuts homeland (B,L).

08:00. The driver and our guide will pick you up at the lobby of your 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.

09.30: We stop at Cao Dai Temple in the town of Ben Luc for taking picture.

09:45 We take a leisurely boat trip around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands (04 sacred animals of Buddhism). We can see the fishing market and visit the floating fish farm.

Enjoy a rowing boat ride in the shadows of the water-coconut palms along the tiny canals to discover “Coconuts homeland”, Ben Tre. 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. 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.

Lunch will be served at local restaurant.

14:30. Boat back to My Tho via a natural canal, cruising under the shadows of water coconut palms. 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. You may wish to visit the Bitexco tower where you can enjoy drink and enjoy the view from the 50th floor. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

DAY 09: SAI GON  - CU CHI TUNNELS (B,L).

You may wish to enjoy “Good Morning Saigon” tour. Our guide and driver will pick you up early to catch the first rays of the sun and a chance to see Saigon waking up. We will stop at Tao Dan Park where locals practice their morning exercises - Tai Chi, aerobics and badminton. Stroll around the park to a small pagoda where you are likely to see locals performing daily prayers. Continue to a local wet market where shoppers haggle over the fresh produce on offer. Wander through the stalls where vendors are selling everything from live seafood to dried meats, fresh seasonal vegetables and home ware goods. Transfer back to your hotel to enjoy the breakfast.

We then 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 canter, 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.

Lunch will be served at local restaurant.

The following program is a sightseeing of major sights in Ho Chi Minh City. First stop is Notre Dame Catholic Cathedral 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. Discover the history and fascinating street life of Saigon on a walking tour along Dong Khoi Street, known as Rue Catinat in French-colonial times.

Free your time to explore Saigon nightlife. Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 10: SAIGON - FLY TO SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMOLES (B,D).

Breakfast at hotel. Free your time at leisure unstill our guide and drive pick you up and transfer to airport (12 km | Approx. 30 minutes) where we catch a morning flight to Siem Reap (Approx. 01 hour 20 minutes). Upon arrival you are welcome and transfer to the hotel (10 km | Approx. 20 minutes).

In the afternoon we will 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. As the end of the day approaches, we climb to the hilltop temple of Phnom Bakheng for a truly memorable sunset.

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

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 11: SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES (B).

Breakfast at hotel. We will 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.

From Angkor Thom we proceed to Ta Prohm Temple, 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.

We then transfer (20 km | Approx. 50 minutes) to visit the Tonle Sap Lake. Located in the heart of Cambodia, this huge lake swells up to seven times of its original size during the monsoon season every year. Its ecosystem is one of the richest and the most diversified in the region. We will explore Kampong Kleang, one of the most unspoiled floating communities on the lake by boat. We will cruise on the wooden sampan across the vast lake to the floating villages, passing submerged forests and fish farms. If the timing is right it might even be possible to visit a floating school to interact with teachers and students. Observe the authentic village life while we stroll by the simple huts. Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 12: SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES - FLY TO LUANG PRABANG (B).

Breakfast at hotel. This morning we will visit Banteay Kdei temple then drive through the countryside to reach the magnificent Banteay Srei Temple also known as the Citadel of women. This Hindu temple, dating back to the 10^th century, has three central towers each decorated with superbly intricate carvings and reliefs of male and female divinities.

Free your time at leisure unstill you are transferred to the airport (10 km | Approx. 20 minutes) for a flight to Luang Phrabang (Approx. 02 hours). You are welcome at the airport and transferred to your hotel (10 km | Approx. 20 minutes) for check in. Overnight in Luang Phrabang.

DAY 13: LUANG PRABANG - ALMS GIVING CEREMONY - LOCAL VILLAGES (B,D).

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 start to visit 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.

Afternoon. We crossing Mekong River to visit Xiengmene, where we visit Wat Long Khun, and the limestone cave Tham Sakkarin, and a tour around Ban Xiengmene village and also the picturesque village of Ban Chan, a pottery village.

Enjoy the dinner with Lao traditional show.

DAY 14: LUANG PRABANG - PAK OU CAVES - DEPARTURE (Meals: B).

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.

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. Free your time at leisure unstill our guide and driver pick you up and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.