Day 1: Hanoi
Hanoi
Meet on arrival at Hanoi International Airport (All customers arriving at Hanoi International Arrival Terminal, please walk outside and proceed to Pilar 15 (column 15 of arrival hall), where our guide or driver will be waiting with our signboard or Agent signboard) and transfer to the hotel for check-in. (Check in time is 2 pm). There is then free time at leisure. Dinner is to your own arrangement. Overnight is in Hanoi.
The standard airport pick-up time in Vietnam portion is between 07:00 and 19:00. Outside of the regular pick-up times, the surcharge will inform at the booking time.
Day 2: Hanoi
Hanoi (Breakfast, Lunch)
Full day city tour: A day of fascinating exploration starts with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (exterior only) and the former president’s stilt house where Uncle Ho lived from 1958 to 1969. We then head to the iconic One-Pillar Pagoda and the Museum of Ethnology. In the afternoon we visit the Temple of Literature; Ngoc Son Temple; Hoan Kiem Lake; and enjoy a water puppet show performance, a unique Vietnamese art form that takes its origins from rural festivals in Vietnam. We then take a fun stroll around the Old Quarter to explore 36 old streets before heading to a traditional coffee shop to enjoy a glass of refreshing Bia Hoi, locally brewed beer.
Breakfast is included. Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is to your own arrangement. Overnight is in Hanoi.
Day 3: Ha Long
Hanoi - Ha Long Bay (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Our tour of magical Ha Long Bay takes in a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has over 3,000 limestone islets rising from the clear emerald waters, many of them containing picturesque grottoes. Our excursion starts with a drive to the Bay (160km, approximately four hours) for the overnight cruise. The boat leaves the pier at between 12.30-1 pm, with lunch served immediately after departure. Then we are free to discover magical Ha Long Bay which is known as the ‘dragon descending into the sea.’ Optional activities include swimming, kayaking, cooking demonstrations and night squid fishing. Breakfast is included at the hotel.
You will enjoy dinner and overnight on board.
Day 4: Hoi An
Ha Long - Hanoi - Da Nang - Hoi An (Brunch)
We continue the cruise through magical Ha Long Bay with brunch on board until we dock at 12 noon and proceed to Hanoi International Airport by highway (130km, approx. 2.5-hour driving) for the flight to Da Nang (flight not included).
Lunch and dinner are to your own arrangement. Overnight is in Hoi An.
Please note: The regular flight for the seat-in-coach transfer is HAN DAD (departure time approximately 16:00pm or 17:00 pm – Schedule flight subject to availability and may change without prior notice). In the case of a different flight, a surcharge applies for a private transfer from a local restaurant on the way from Ha Long to Hanoi Airport and from Da Nang airport to the hotel in Hoi An.
Day 5: Hoi An
Hoi An (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today we undertake a fascinating walking tour to discover the historic town of Hoi An which used to be a prosperous seaport city during the 16th to 18th centuries. Its sizeable community of foreign merchants resulted in unique architectural styles with Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences. We visit Phuc Kien Hall, the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky old house and a silk workshop.
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is to your own arrangement. Overnight is in Hoi An.
Day 6: Hue
Hoi An - Da Nang - Hue (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Hue, through the spectacular Hai Van Pass (if weather permits) and then visit the Cham Culture Museum in Da Nang. In the afternoon, we visit the Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba Market.
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is to your own arrangement. Overnight is in Hue.
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City
Hue - Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today we enjoy a boat trip on the Perfume River and then then visit Thien Mu Pagoda and Tu Duc Tomb. We then embark on a short cyclo tour to an ancient village near Hue to immerse ourselves in the greenery of the “Garden City”. You will be welcomed to an ancient garden house where the host family will not only share with you their lifestyle and traditions – they will invite you to enjoy an authentic home-prepared meal with ingredients sourced from their garden. Then enjoy a relaxing herbal footbath sourced from plants in their garden. We then transfer to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City (flight not included). After arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, we transfer to the hotel.
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Dinner is to your own arrangement. Overnight is in Ho Chi Minh City.
Please note: The regular flight for the seat-in-coach transfer is HUI SGN (approximately 17:00pm departure – Schedule flight subject to availability and may change without prior notice). In case of a different flight, a surcharge applies for a round-trip private transfer from the hotel to Hue Airport and from Ho Chi Minh City International Airport to the hotel.
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel - Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today we drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an amazing complex of underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the American War, followed by the return to Ho Chi Minh City.
After lunch at local restaurant, we tour the War Remnants Museum, the Central Post Office and walk outside of the Reunification Palace, with free shopping time at the central Ben Thanh Market, or Le Cong Kieu Street, which has stores selling antiques and then Yersin Market.
Breakfast is included at the hotel and dinner is to your own arrangement. Overnight is in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 9: Siem Reap
Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap (Breakfast, Dinner)
After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to Ho Chi Minh City International Airport for flight to Siem Reap (flight not included), the second-largest city of Cambodia.
The standard airport pick-up time in Vietnam portion is between 07:00 and 19:00. Outside of the regular pick-up times, the surcharge will inform at the booking time. We kindly recommend the morning flight must be at around 11:00 a.m.
Trade in the rapidly-developing capital for the historic streets of Siem Reap. Upon arrival, we check-in at the hotel in time for lunch before enjoying a leisurely afternoon visiting some of Temple Town’s top attractions. We head to Theam’s Gallery, which doubles up as an art gallery and then continue to a market to catch a glimpse into local life and learn about local produce.
Lunch is at your leisure and dinner is at local restaurant. Overnight is in Siem Reap.
Day 10: Siem Reap
Siem Reap (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Take a step back in time and delve into the jewel of Cambodia’s crown, the temples of Angkor Wat Archaeological Park. We start the day at the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the Khmer Empire’s last capital built in the late-12th century. Inside the city’s ancient walls, we visit Bayon to stand in the shadows of its hundreds of giant smiling carved faces; 11th century Baphoun; the small Hindu temple of Baksei Chamkrong; and Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.
After lunch at local restaurant, we visit root-riddled Ta Prohm, made famous after featuring in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie. We then head to incredible Angkor Wat, which dates back to the 12th century.
Appropriate dress is required at Bakan Tower at Angkor Wat since it is a sacred site, shoulders and knees should be covered - short skirts or short trousers are not permitted. Only 100 people are allowed to climb Bakan Tower at any time, and children under twelve years old are not permitted to do so. It is closed on Buddhist Sabbath days, Buddhist religious days, and four days a month in accordance with the Lunar Calendar.
Dinner with Khmer Traditional Performance at local restaurant. Overnight is in Siem Reap.
Day 11: Phnom Penh
Siem Reap - Phnom Penh (Breakfast, Dinner)
Bid a fond farewell to Siem Reap as we fly back to the vibrant capital to soak up more of its top attractions during an afternoon city tour. After breakfast at the hotel, we have some free time before heading to Siem Reap airport for our morning flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel in time for lunch at hotel. We then set off on our tour, starting at the National Museum. Here we will browse the vast collection of Khmer sculpture and artefacts dating back to the 4th century. Our next stop is the Silver Pagoda and adjacent Royal Palace. Home to Cambodia’s official royal residence, the grounds are awash with regal structures, intimate temples, collections of gifts from foreign leaders and murals. Our final stop is the revered hilltop temple of Wat Phnom, which dates back to 1372. (Visitors to the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom are required to keep knees and shoulders covered.)
Dinner is at your leisure. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 12:
Phnom Penh (Breakfast)
Today we have the day free to explore Phnom Penh at our own pace. You can choose to kick back and relax at the hotel, or explore some more of the city centre’s top attractions ahead of the transfer to Phnom Penh Airport.
