Day 1: Arrival - Hanoi
Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, Viet Bamboo Travel's guide and driver will pick you up and transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B, L)
You are met at 08:30 am in the hotel lobby. There is a morning and afternoon schedule, as well as an organised lunch. Morning:
Ho Chi Minh Complex including the Mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh Museum
The Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070
A local Vietnamese lunch
Afternoon:
Museum of Ethnology, widely acknowledged as the best in the country, containing an extensive display of life-size structures dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority peoples
Hanoi Hilton
Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake - the Ngoc Son Temple is set on a tiny island on Hoan Kiem Lake, its history dating back to the 13th century
A one-hour cyclo tour through the narrow, chaotic streets of the Old Quarter - a must for any visitor to Hanoi!
A traditional performance of the famous Vietnamese water puppetsBack to hotel.
Please note: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed all day on Monday and Fridays, as well as from 1st October to 30th November (approx.) for annual conservation. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi - Mai Chau (B, L, D)
Departing at 8:30 am from Hanoi for three and half hour journey through Hoa Binh Town, then gradually climb the begining of the Truong Son Mountain Range to Man Duc Town, a town with spectacular karst scenery. Upon arrival in Lac Village, Mai Chau, we will be greeted by friendly White Thai family. You will have a chance to communicate with Thai monority poeple and enjoy a simple lunch with them - The Thai has their own language, dress, customs, usages and singular blend of belief, worship and myth. After lunch, we will do a two and half hour trek to three White Thai villages of La Poon, La Thia and Poom Coong. In the afternoon, we get back to Lac Village for refreshment. Overnight at Thai home.
Day 4: Mai Chau - Hanoi (B, L)
After breakfast, we start a 2 hour trekking to Van Village, one of the most beautiful villages in Mai Chau area. There you can see spectacular scenery of mountain, forest, waterfall and rice paddies combined. If time allowed, we will visit a local market before heading back to Hanoi. We will have a late lunch on the way. Arrive in Hanoi at around 4pm. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 5: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L, D)
08:00 - 08:30 Pick up at hotel for three and a half hours road trip with short refreshment on half way to Halong Bay.
12:00 Arrive at Bai Chay Wharf
12:15 Transfer by tender to the Marguerite Junk boat - enjoy Welcome Drink. Receive Junk Facilities and Cruise Instruction as well as Cruise Briefing before check in to cabins and begin cruise Off the Beaten Track.
13:00 Lunch - deluxe Vietnamese Set Menu.
15:00 Arrive at the Surprise Cave area. Transfer by tender to the Surprise Cave.
Walk up the 100 steps to the entrance of the cave and tour on foot for approximately 45 minutes.
16:00 Return to the boat. Enjoy kayaking program to the nearby Cave, lagoon and surrounding waters as well as exploring the daily life of the local people in floating village
17:00 Enjoy swimming or relaxing on board.
18:30 Take part in our cooking class with crispy spring rolls
19:30 Dinner - deluxe Vietnamese Set Menu Dinner.
20:30 Evening activities include: film entertainment in the dining room, board games and playing cards are available, squid fishing from the boat with our crew.
23:00 End of program for Day One.
Overnight on junk.
Day 6: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue (B, L) - by flight
07:00 Coffee, tea and light breakfast pastries served in the dining room.
08:00 Enjoy riding on the rowing boat to the tunnel cave
09:00 Check-out of cabins. Enjoy relaxing, sunbathing on sundeck while our boat cruise back on different route.
10:45 Enjoy lunch Set Menu served in the dining room while enjoy the bay scenery as we approach the pier (passing Fight Cocks, Incense Burner, Stone Dog).
12:00 Transfer by tender to the pier, relax inside the pier building while waiting for return transportation.
12:20 Transfer back to Hanoi. You will arrive in Hanoi approximately at 16:30.
18:00Transfer to the airport for the flight (VN1547 – 20:25 – 21:35) to Hue. Overnight in Hue.
Day 7: Hue city tour (B, L)
Hue served as Vietnam's capital under the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945 and the city’s regal past can still be seen inside the walls of the Citadel and the Imperial City. Both were heavily damaged during the Tet Offensive of 1968 when the Hue served as Vietnam's capital under the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945 and the city’s regal past can still be seen inside the walls of the Citadel and the Imperial City. Touring the ancient Imperial Citadel and visit Thien Mu, a beautiful pagoda located right on the bank of Perfume River. Then we will drive through countryside and visit Tu Duc and Khai Dinh Royal tombs. Back to Hotel and the rest of time at your own leisure. Overnight in Hue.
Day 8: Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An (B, L)
This morning we drive to Hoi An, we will cross Hai Van Pass where you will have magnificent view of the East Sea. Stop at Lang Co to have break. Visit the fascinating Cham Museum, famous My Khe Beach and the Marble Mountains en route to charming Hoi An. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. At leisure for the rest of time. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9: Hoi An Cooking Class (B, L)
We start the day (8am) with a welcome drink at Hai Café – our meeting point.Travel by minivan (10 minutes) to Tra Que Organic Village, and walk through the market gardens where local farmers work their fields using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago - no electrical machinery here. We pick fresh saw-tooth coriander and Vietnamese mint for our cooking lesson later, before trying a special herbal drink at a local home.
To the local village market and with shopping list in hand we purchase a range of local ingredients, including star anise, cardamom, sesame rice paper, water spinach and banana flower. Arriving at Red Bridge Cooking School we have a chance to freshen up before beginning our class. Working together with our Red Bridge Chef we learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food from scratch. Using the freshest ingredients and traditional Vietnamese utensils (still in use today) we cook 4 famous dishes, including the national dish ‘Pho’. After the class we sit down and a chance to savour the dishes we have prepared.Leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River back to central Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 10: Hoi An (B)
Free at leisure at the hotel and then discover Hoi An city by yourself.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 11: Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh city (B) - by flight
Free time until time transfer to the airport for the ongoing flight to Ho Chi Minh city (VN 1315 – 14:55 – 16:05). Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh city - Cu Chi Tunnels - Cao Dai Temple (B, L)
08:00 am. Our guide will pick you up at the hotel. This morning you take a drive to Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh to observe the midday service. Following lunch we will drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels and then return to HCMC at approximately 18:00 pm. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh city - Can Tho (B, L)
Leave Ho Chi Minh city, enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered by green rice fields. On arrived at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh - a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shade of the water coconut trees along natural canals. Have a short cycling tour then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by the locals. Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through fruit plantations and villages. Proceed to Can Tho. Overnight in the hotel (family home-stay with dinner can be arranged on request). Free time to visit bustling Can Tho market. Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 14: Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh city (B, L)
Take a leisurely boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river (Bassac River), then proceed to Cai Rang & Phong Dien floating markets, which are the liveliest in the whole religion.Have you ever tasted Vietnamese vermicelli soup? Well, now go and see how it is made. Then wander around the village and meet the friendly local people and experience how to cross a "Monkey bridge" which is built by only one stem of bamboo. Visit the orchard garden. Stop for lunch. On the way back to HCM city by car the last stop is to see how incense sticks are made (optional visit to Mangrove forest which was a former Viet Cong base used by the guerillas during the War can be arranged on request). Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 15: Ho Chi Minh city tour - Siem Reap (B, L)
At 08:30 am, you will be a picked up from your hotel.
In the morning we visit:
The Reunification Palace: This is one of the most important buildings in the city.
WarRemnantsMuseum: Formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes
Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office: Built between 1877 and 1883 this is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture.
After lunch at local restaurant we continue to visit:
Cholon, including the Thien Hau Pagoda: Cholon actually means Big Market – a claim that is well
Ben Thanh Market: This bustling and well-organized market is very popular with tourists, primarily due to its central location. It has a wide selection of goods ranging from fake Nike shoes to beautiful silk Ao Dais.
Our guide will take you to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap (VN 815 – 19:10 – 20:10). Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 16: Siem Reap - Angkor Temples (B, L)
Early this morning, enjoy a sunrise tour of Angkor Wat with great photographing opportunities. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Continue to explore Angkor Thom, the site of the ancient capital of the Khmer period. Visit the South Gate, Bayon, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of Leper King. Continue to Ta Prohm, which many deemed the most charming of all the temples. This afternoon, take a boat trip on the Tonle Sap Lake to observe the local’s life on water. Stop by at the Artisan D’Angkor and Old market for some shopping. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 17: Siem Reap - Banteay Sei (B, L)
In the morning, drive through the lovely countryside to visit Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre, which many consider Bantaey Srei to be the prettiest temple was built with pink sand stone. In the afternoon, visit Preah Khan, Neak Pean and Ta Som temples. Also, have some time for a re-visit of Angkor Wat and wander around on your own. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 18: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples – Phnom Penh (B, L) – by flight
Spend the full morning exploring the main Angkor Wat Temple then transfer to airport for flight to Phnom Penh (VN 921 – 14:15 – 15:00). Upon arrival at Phnom Penh, welcomed by our guide to check in the hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 19: Phnom Penh City Tour (B, L)
08:30 am With our professional guide and privated car, we start to visit Phnom Penh. Situated at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle SapRivers, the Cambodia's capital city look like a big village- town where French colonial influences can still be seen in old buildings restored. We will first go to see Wat Phnom Temple. Then we will visit National Museum of Khmer Art, Silver Pagoda, on the same ground of the RoyalPalace and renowned Wat Phnom. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon visit Toul Sleng Museum and the renowned Central Market. Free at leisure. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 20: Phnom Penh - Departure (B)
Free and easy until our guide pick you up and drop you off the airport for the departure flight. End of services!