Endless Beauty of Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand – 17 Days

Welcome up on arrival by local tour guide and driver then we transfer to hotel. Relax for the rest of the day.

Today, our tour will start at 8:30 am by a cup of coffee at Lam/ Giang Coffee House. Coffee is one of the  famous drink in Hanoi every morning. Then, we enjoy 1-hour cyclo tour of the French inspired “old  quarter”. We will be free for shopping in the old quarter ranges from markets through to designer boutique  stores to amazing contemporary art galleries. After cyclo tour, we will go to Dong Xuan Market, one of the  biggest market in Hanoi where you can find everything with lower price than outside. We will spend time  to walk around Old Quarter Hanoi and see the activities of people in here. Don’t forget to try some salt/sugar  dry fruit in Vietnam based on some famous brand of this like: Hong Lam, Van Loi, Gia Loi, Tien Thinh, etc. Around 10:30 – 11 am, we transfer to St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi before moving to eat Pho Ly Quoc Su as a lunch.

After spend time in old quarter, we will go to visit Vietnam National Museum of History – one of the oldest  hotel in Vietnam. Coming here, you will learn about the history of Vietnam before we transfer to the Temple of Literature, which originally built as a temple to Confucius. Then, we sit down to enjoy a performance of  the city’s famous Water Puppets and return back to the hotel in Hanoi.

At around 7:45 am, we pick you up at the hotel in Hanoi to start our journey. When we arrive at Tuan Chau Marina – Ha Long, we enjoy a welcome drink and express check-in before boarding. After transferring by  speedboat to La Regina Legend Cruises. You will be welcomed aboard the cruise, and refreshed with our  welcome drink while the Cruise Manager briefing cruise orientation, activities & onboard safety. The cruise explores Chan Voi (Elephant Feet) and Tra Bau Area… while we are enjoying a meal that features the  distinctive Vietnamese cuisine taste.

In the afternoon, you will arrive at Light and Dark Cave – one of the best attractions on Lan Ha Bay which  is best known for its pristine and tranquil beauty. You can explore the area by local boat or kayaking. After  that, cruise further to Van Boi Area – the most ideal paradise for swimming. It’s a hidden beauty that impresses visitors with the natural scenery of mountains, rocks, and greenery surrounding nature to bring  a beautiful space, and fresh air.

After that, we return to the cruise and enjoy the Bay sunset while enjoying the “Happy Hour” special. You  may also join our chef in the kitchen to learn how to make traditional spring rolls. After a traditional Vietnamese cuisine, we will spend time to enjoy some night activities on boat like: squid fishing, spa, karaoke, or relaxing.

In the early morning, we greet the new day on the sundeck with a tachi session and enjoy the fresh air on  the bay while you unwind with a cup of tea or coffee. Following, we have a quick breakfast on board and  get your day going with plenty of energy before going to discover Trung Trang Cave – one iconic and  historic cave on Cat Ba Island. Over millions of years of geological tectonics, this cave possesses thousands  of natural stalactites shaped to create a unique, imagination for visitors. It is known locally as “gold  treasure” with many unique things.

After that, we get back to the main boat for relaxing and check out at the reception, please put all your luggage outside of your cabin, crew members will help to bring the luggage on land. Then lunch is served in the restaurant while the boat heads back to the harbor.  At around 11 am, we disembark from the cruise as our crew says farewell, back to Tuan Chau Marina by our  speed boat. Then we get in the car to go back to Hanoi for the transfer to airport for the flight to Danang. On your arrival in Danang, our car and English Speaking tour guide will wait at Danang International airport to transfer you to Hoi An Ancient Town for accommodation.

This morning, we start the cooking class tour by a welcome drink at Hai Café. Then, we visit Hoi An’s colourful main market, and experience its amazing sights, sounds and aromas. We will have an opportunity  to interact with the local sellers, to see and taste the wonderful variety of foods on display. After that, we arrive at Cooking School and have a chance to freshen up before beginning our class. Working  together with our Chef we learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food from scratch. On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s best-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – each dish is first  demonstrated by our chef, before we prepare the same dish ourselves. The class will include a brief  introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the lesson, we sit down and eat exactly what we have cooked. We will finish at approximately 12.30 pm – transfer back to central Hoi An arriving approximately 1.00 pm.

Recipes (our food contains no MSG): 

*Vegetarians are provided with replacement ingredients. 

1. Making fresh Rice paper
2. Fresh Rice Paper Rolls of Shrimp
3. Crispy Hoi An Pancakes with Shrimp, Herbs & a Peanut Sauce
4. Seafood Salad with Tra Que Herbs
5. Mi Quang Chicken Noodles
6. Food Decoration – Tomato Rose & Vietnamese Cucumber Hand Fan

* Lunch includes the above meals as well as:

1. BBQ Lemongrass Beef (not included in the demonstration)

Today, you will be free until the we depart the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, welcome upon arrival by a local tour guide and driver  then we transfer to the hotel for check-in. After check-in, we will be free to wander around the hustle and bustle city on your own.

Group size: 4 – 12 people  

At 7.30 am, we will pick you up at the hotel in HCMC. The first place of the morning trip is Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification palace, which was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. We continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars. Lunch will be served in the local restaurant.

Depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours of bus driving. Upon  arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have a short introduction followed by an introductory video  about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of wartime. Then, you can spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the specially constructed living areas with kitchens, and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like  storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served. We have a break time for relaxation or time for those who want to try a real shooting gun. At 7 pm, we return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Notes: 

• The Notre Dame Cathedral has been restored, so the guests just visit outside. 
• Drop-off time is subject to traffic, weather… so the finished time could be later than expected. 

Group size: 25 pax  

Around 7 – 7.30 am, we pick you up at your hotel or 112 Tran Hung Dao street, Ward Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, and depart for Cai Be by car/ van via Trung Luong Expressway. Upon arrival in Cai Be, we have a boat ride to the remaining site of a renowned wholesale floating market  on the Tien River many years ago. This site entitles you to know something about the local trading habit  that has changed due to the age of modern society when more terrestrial transportation and high-technique of agriculture have dominated everywhere. There, you can realize how diverse the area is and how rich  orchard gardens are, which makes it the basket of fruit in the lower part of the Mekong River.

Next, we ramble in small villages where you will uncover the beauty of an ancient house and learn about  the indigenous culture. Then we make a short visit to a small family business where the locals make coconut fudges and crispy rice popcorn. We can savor delicious fresh fruit and feel the slow rhythms of Southern Vietnamese folk music – a kind of music entwined with the life and culture of the Mekong Delta people. Then we paddle through small canals – an exciting experience since we can look around, unwind, and soak up the  wonderful atmosphere of the Upper Mekong Delta. Additionally, after arrival on Tan Phong Island, immerse yourself in nature’s tranquility.

At lunch time, you not only enjoy luscious food but also get closer to the locals as it is a chance to learn how to prepare Vietnamese specialties. The meal is cooked on your own and served in the heart of the local  garden. After that, we cycle on the village path through orchards. Meet the local islanders to learn more  about the local daily life in the Mekong Delta and visit Ba Kiệt’s ancient house. Around 6 – 6.30 pm, we take a boat ride back to Cai Be and meet your bus for the trip back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Time will be free until our car arrives at the hotel to take us to the airport in good time to board our flight  to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at Siem Reap airport, our guide and driver will welcome you and we will transfer to visit to the  unique interior brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, Srah Srang (“The Royal Baths” was once used or ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain lake) and Preah Khan temple, Built by the King Jayavarman VII. Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of  towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel will 9 am, we then spend time visiting the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12  century): the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon  Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the  Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

In the afternoon, we visit Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively  untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery, and the most famous of all the temples  on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to  the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the  12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and  architecture. Enjoy a wonderful sunset from the top of Phnom Ba Kheng Hill. After the tour, we returned  back to the hotel and spent the rest of the day relaxing.

We will drive up Kulen Mountains for the visit to a Grand Buddha Statue, the River of Thousand Lingas and the Great Waterfall. On the way back, we will visit to Banteay Srey, known as Citadel of Women or a Pink Temple, and Banteay Samre Temples.

In the morning, we will transfer to Siem Reap airport for flight to next destination. After the tour, we transfer to the airport for the flight to Bangkok. Arrive in exotic Bangkok, Thailand’s  capital city; transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to rest, relax and acclimate to the new  time zone.
MEETING POINT: 
Bangkok/ Suvarnabhumi Airport:  
WITH GUIDE: International and Domestic Arrivals – Meeting Point @ Gate No 4 
Donmuang Airport: 
WITH & WITHOUT GUIDE: International and Domestic Arrivals – Meeting Point @ Gate No 5 
(Notes: Hotel check in time is at 2:00 PM. And in case that you would like to secure an early-check in, an additional charge will be applied) 

07h30 
Morning, we drive to the southwest of Bangkok, visitting the Maeklong railway market, taking  photo, and enjoying the local snack in the market before driving to Damnoen Saduak – a rural floating  market. Stop for a motor boat trip along the waterway to the picturesque floating market of Damnoen  Saduak. Lunch at local restaurant.

Afterwards we continue the road to the city of Kanchanaburi. Upon arrival, visit the World War II  memorial including the Jeath War Museum, Cemetery. We will take 30 minutes train to experience and enjoy the beautiful view from train along the river. This  is one of Southeast Asia’s historic railways, the remaining part of the “Death Railway“, departing from the  provincial capital to the Railway Station from Tonburi (or Namtok). Then transfer to city to visit Kwai River Bridge: known to the world through several films and books, it is still used today. Main attraction, the river  is dotted with restaurants, souvenir shops and jewelry stores. A steam locomotive from the era of the  Second World War and an astonishing hybrid car/ wagon vehicle from the same period are part of a small  Railway Museum on the edge of the bridge. Transfer to the hotel for check-in.

*Note: This morning, you will check-out the hotel in Bangkok to start our tour to Kanchanaburi

Breakfast at the hotel. Free at leisure and join the hotel activities on your own account until the check-out  time. The late check-out is not included.

12h00: You will depart for Ayutthaya. After more than 3 hours, we will arrive in Bang Pa-In where we visit  will be the Summer Palace, built during the Ayutthaya era. The palace showcases an eclectic collection of buildings that blend European, Khmer, Thai and Chinese architectural styles. It’s the favorite summer palace of the King. After that we will be transferred to Ayutthaya, the ancient city of Thailand.

Then, direct transfer to the station for the night train to Chiang Mai (Train No #09 with Thai Railway,  depart 19h44, sleeping bed in cabin 2nd class). Night on board, without guide on board.

Note: Check out depart The Floathouse River Kwai every 30 minutes after breakfast, take the scheduled join boat of The Float House River Kwai back to pier from 08.00 am until 12:00 noon.

Arrival at the station and transfer without guide to the hotel or local restaurant for breakfast. Then transfer to the meeting point. 08h30 This tour shows the beautiful natural surroundings of Chiang Mai by bike, a visit to an elephant  sanctuary and ends with bamboo rafting, a day full of adventure.

We transfer you by car to a small traditional Thai village about 20 minutes from Chiang Mai. You will cycle  through traditional villages with wooden houses on stilts, stop at a village school, ride through the rice fields  along lazy back roads and the forest areas connecting the small villages. Then a pickup truck will await you  at a local market and in about 30 minutes you will arrive in the town of Mae Wang, famous for its many elephant sanctuaries along the river. You will visit one of them and assist in feeding and bathing the  elephants, take a cooling dip in the river while cleaning and playing with the elephants in the water.

Lunch will be served in Mae Win, not too far from the elephant sanctuary. And then onward to rafting. The rafts are made from bamboo, by connecting long bamboo sticks to each other. The water can splash through  the gaps between the sticks and you might get you wet (again). You will descend the river at a relaxing pace, enjoying the natural surroundings of lush greenery and beautiful mountain views.

Today is a free day.

Time will be free until our car arrives at the hotel to take us to the airport in good time to board our flight to Bangkok. Trip Ends! Thanks for choosing Multi-country tour from Vietnam local tour operator!