Day 1: Saigon - Arrival (L)
Upon arrival, Viet Bamboo Travel's guide will welcome you at the airport with your name sign, then transfer to hotel for check in. After welcome lunch, our city tour starts, visit sites of Reunification Hall, City hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, War crimes Museum, China town, Ben Thanh Market. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 2: Saigon - Cao Dai Temple - Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L)
AM: Getting started at 08:00 from your hotel, transferring to Tay Ninh, near the Cambodian border, is home to the unique Cao Dai sect, whose patron saints include Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo and Winston Churchill to name a few. The religion is an odd mix of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. PM: After lunch, we transfer to Cu Chi tunnels for visiting the Cu Chi outdoor museum to learn about the infamous tunnel systems of the Viet Cong. On the way back to Saigon, local rice paper workshops, and views of Vietnam countryside and paddy fields are pleasant sights. We'll drop you off at your hotel around 17:30. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 3: Saigon - Mekong Delta - Saigon (B, L)
AM: 08:00 transfer to Cai Be is referred to locally as the 'rice bowl of Vietnam'. On arrival disembark on your private boat for a trip to Cai Be floating market. See the larger boats in the market, each selling mostly one product, this is truly a different experience and one you will remember. Continuing downriver towards Vinh Long, the journey takes one hour and a long the way will stop to visit some of the picturesque islands that lie in the centre of the Mekong River. Stop at Binh Hoa Phuoc Island and see the delta's second most famous produce after rice, tropical fruits. Stroll through the orchids on the islands, which grow such fruits as Longan, Sapodilla, and Durian whilst also sampling these exotic fruits. Enjoy lunch on Binh Hoa Phuoc Island and sample the local delicacy Elephant Ear Fish. PM: Cruise the back waters using the local means of transport, hand paddle boats and on 'Monkey Bridges', small rickety structures that look fairly easy to walk on but are harder than you think. Take a look also at the local brick kilns and brick production which is popular in this area where more and more houses are now made of brick. Late afternoon departure from Vinh Long for the drive back to Ho Chi Minh City where you will arrive around 17:00. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 4: Saigon - Hanoi (B, L) - by flight
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi, which has been the country's historical centre for almost a thousand years and has a wealth of sights to see. Check in hotel for relaxing. After lunch, we will visit the Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda, the intriguing Ho Chi Minh museum and the infamous Hanoi Hilton, the prison where US pilots were held during the war. In the evening see a performance of the famous Hanoi water puppets. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 5: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L, D)
08:00 - 08:30 Our bus and guide will pick you up at your hotel. On the way to Halong city, enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life.
12:15 Embark on cruise for welcome drink followed by a cruise briefing and safety instructions. Enjoy a delicious seafood lunch while our cruiser heads to the bay passing the beautiful limestone seascape.
15:15 Visiting Sung Sot cave, one of the most amazing caves in Halong Bay. The two chambers that form this amazing grotto are decorated with thousands of spectacular stalactite and stalagmite forms.
16:25 Enjoy kayaking (weather permitted) with guideline around the fishing village then return to the vessel for free time at your leisure. Fresh fruit platter will be served on the sundeck.
17:45 cruise through the Bay to its overnight anchorage near Luon Cave.
18:00 Cooking demonstration and discover the mystic recipes of the Vietnamese cuisine.
19:00 Seafood set-dinner on board.
21:00 Enjoy evening activities - Movie Night, Board Games, Fishing or karaoke program. Overnight on board.
Day 6: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B, L)
A new day has come with beautiful sunrise view from your cabin
07:30 Have breakfast while complimentary tea & coffee are served.
08:00 Trip by tender to Ti Top island for swimming or climb up to the top to see the outstanding scenery of the bay.
09:00 Return to cruise. The vessel cruises leisurely back to harbor
09:30 Check out and settle the bill.
11:00 Set menu lunch is served on board.
12:00 Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.
16:00 Arrive in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 7: Hanoi - Luang Prabang (B, L) - by flight
After breakfast in the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang in Laos. This beautiful and engaging city is surrounded by mountainous forests and is situated on the confluence of the Mekong and Khan Rivers. After lunch and the take a short walking tour of the city and see the dazzling architecture of its many Buddhist temples. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 8: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves (B, L)
First visit the Royal Palace museum, which is full of local art and furniture and the former residence of the now deposed royal family. Then take a short boat trip along the Mekong to see the mysterious cave of a thousand Buddha statues at Pak Ou. In the afternoon, after enjoying a picnic lunch and in the evening take part in an interactive traditional Lao style cooking class. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 9: Luang Prabang - Siem Reap (B, L) - by flight
Morning, enjoy some free time for shopping more sightseeing before your flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. In Siem reap, you will visit the Artisans D'Angkor silk farm and learn about the traditional Khmer craft of making and weaving silk. The hotels at Siem Reap are top quality but in the evening you may want to go down town and sample the food at one of the local restaurants. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 10: Siem Reap - Angkor - Tonle Sap Lake (B, L)
Today is probably the highlight of the whole trip when you spend lots of time at the amazing Angkor temple complex. Begin with a pre dawn visit and see the sun rise over Angkor Wat. Board a fixed cable balloon for a bird's eye view of the temple complex then visit the Bayon with its eerie stone faces and the jungle temple of Ta Prohm. In the afternoon enjoy a relaxing cruise on Tonle Sap Lake. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 11: Outer lying temples (B, L)
Today visit two of the most interesting temples outside Angkor Thom city. Travel two hours through scenic countryside to the 11th century Boeng Mealea Temple and then drive for another hour to the well preserved Banteay Srei Temple which has only been accessible since the late 1990s when the Khmer Rouge left the area. After lunch, Return to Siem Reap, We will visit the Cambodian Landmine Museum on the way. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 12: Siem Reap - Departure (B)
Today your tour ends in Siem Reap. You may have some time for last minute shopping before being transferred to the airport for your onward flight or journey home taking with you a wealth of memories from this truly deluxe tour of the highlights of Indochina.