The Best of Vietnam & Angkor Tour – 16 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (D)
Transfer via: International Flight on your own arrangement
Accommodations: La Dolce Vita Hotel
After the flight we will be transferred to accommodation in our hotel. Tonight we will have a meal in one of the fine restaurants in Hanoi.
Today Dinner included

Water puppet performance in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi City tour (B, L)
Accommodations: La Dolce Vita Hotel
Site visited: Ho Chi Minh Complex, Ba Dinh Square, Temple of Literature, Ethnology Museum, Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Water Puppet Show
In the morning we will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, His House on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the outside of the Presidential Palace and the Temple of Literature which was Vietnam’s first University. In the afternoon we will go to the intriguing Ethnology Museum followed by an hour on a cyclo (a pedal rickshaw) being taken round the old quarter of Hanoi. Then we can enjoy the ancient and unique water-puppet show.

Notes: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opening time: Open from Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 8am to 11pm. Closed on Mondays and Fridays. The mausoleum is closed for two months of the year, usually October and November, when Ho Chi Minh’s body is maintenance by Russian expert.

Cyclo trip around Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D)
Accommodations: Halong Sail Cruise
Site visited: Halong Bay, Caves
In the morning we depart Hanoi for Halong Bay. When we are there we cruise in this secluded bay, marveling at 3000 limestone peaks that emerge from the emerald water. We have opportunity to visit spectacular limestone cave, swim from our boat, and especially we can do kayaking to explore the hidden charm part of the bay. Overnight on boat.

Kayaking in Halong Bay

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L)
Site visited: Hallow Caves, Islands
Accommodations: La Dolce Vita Hotel
In the morning we do some more kayaking to explore Luon cave and from here we are kayaking toward Turtle islet, Human Head islet, and the Saddle islet. After having lunch on boat we will leave Ha Long for Hanoi.

Halong Bay seafood

Day 5: Hanoi – Fly to Danang transfer to Hue via Hai Van tunnel (B)
Transfer via: Vietnam Airlines
This morning we transfer to Noi Bai airport to catch a one-hour flight to Danang airport, upon arrival we will be welcome and transfer to Hue via Hai Van tunnel. Along the way we will stop at Lang Co beach . Arriving Hue we can look forward to exploring the superb sights of the city. In the afternoon we explore the Citadel, the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City.

Day 6: Hue (B, L)
Accommodations: Green Hotel Hue
Site visited: Perfume River, Thien Mu Pagoda, Tu Duc Tomb, Dong Ba market
This morning we make our way down to the Perfume River to embark on a riverboat journey. We visit the Thien Mu pagoda (the Pagoda of the Heavenly Lady). After that we continue to the elaborate Tu Duc tombs of the Nguyen emperors. On our return we visit Dong Ba market.

Thien Mu Pagoda

Day 7: Hue – Hoi An (B)
Accommodations: Van Loi Hotel
Site visited: Lang Co beach, Hai Van Pass, Cham Museum, Marble Moutain, China Beach, Hoi An town
We travel through the high pass of Hai Van with its spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean en route to Hoi An. On the way we also visit Cham museum, China Beach and the marble village. In the afternoon we will enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town with its narrow, winding streets, visiting the Fukien Assembly Hall, the 200 year old Tan Ky house, the Japanese covered bridge, the Hoi An Museum and the handicraft workshops. After that we are free to go shopping, go to the nearby beach, or even have some clothes made which can be picked up the very next day.

Cham Museum in Danang

Day 8: Hoi An – Free day (B)
Accommodations: Van Loi Hotel
Today we are free at our leisure.

Hoi An Old Town

Day 9: Hoi An – My Son (B)
Accommodations: Van Loi Hotel
Site visited: My Son world Heritage site
Today we visit My Son, a relic of the Cham civilization which dates back from the 4th to the 12th century. We will return at noon giving us more time to explore quaint Hoi An. We also can take part in a cooking class showing us how to prepare the best Vietnamese and Hoi An specialties.

My Son Holly Land

Day 10: Hoi An – Danang – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and Cu Chi Tunnel (B)
Transfer via: Vietnam Airlines
Accommodations: Sapphire Hotel Ho Chi Minh City
Site visited: Cu Chi Tunnel
We will transfer to Danang to take a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City early this morning, and after breakfast we will head for the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels. In the early afternoon we will return to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), a fascinating mix of old and new for us to explore at our leisure.

Cu Chi Tunnels

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta (B, L, D)
Accommodations: Basic local home stay
Site visited: Mekong Delta: local house, orchard gardens, canal, cottage industries workshops
We head for the mighty Mekong delta today. At Vinh Long town we will board a local boat so we can zigzag through the intricate waterways of the Mekong. We will lunch at a local house, stop to visit cottage industries and spend the night at the simple lodging of a local family in the Mekong delta.

Intricate waterways of the Mekong

Day 12: Mekong – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
Accommodations: Sapphire Hotel
Site visited: Cai Be floating market
Our day will begin with a boat trip along the endless waterway of the mighty Mekong River to Cai Be floating market, one of the most beautiful floating markets in the region. After that we have chance to see how the local people making: pop corn, and rice paper. In the afternoon we go back to Ho Chi Minh, and the rest of the day at leisure.

Cai Be floating market

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
Accommodations: Sapphire Hotel
Site visited: Notre Dame cathedral, General Post Office, Formal Presidential Palace, Museum of War Remnants, Ben Thanh market.
Today we tour around the city to visit the highlights of Saigon including: Notre Dame cathedral, General Post Office, Formal Presidential Palace, Museum of War Remnants, and Ben Thanh market.

Ho Chi Minh City

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Riep (B)
Transfer via: Vietnam Airline
Accommodations: Steung Siem Reap Hotel
Site visited: Rolous Temples group, hilltop temple Phnom Bakheng
Today we bid farewell to Vietnam and after a short flight we arrive Siem Riep. In the afternoon we begin to explore Angkor with the Rolous group of temple before climbing to the hilltop temple of Phnom Bakheng for a spectacular sunset.
Today Breakfast included

Steung Siem Reap Hotel

Day 15: Angkor Temple complex (B)
Accommodations: Steung Siem Reap Hotel
Site visited: Pre Rup, East Mebon, Banteay Srey, Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom
After breakfast we drive out to the Pre Rup and East Mebon visit Banteay Srey (the Woman temple). In the afternoon we explore the majestic Angkor Wat – The Wonder of the World – a truly memorable experience.

Angkor Thom

Day 16: Siem Riep Departure (B)
Transfer via: International Flight on your own arrangement
Site visited: Pre Rup, East Mebon, Banteay Srey
This morning we visit the ruins of Ta Prohm (the Jungle Temple) before heading to Banteay Kdei. In the afternoon, we will be transferred to airport for our departure flight home.