Day 1: Hanoi - Arrival
Upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, our guide and driver will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. After check in, you are free to stroll around the city and catch a first glimpse of this peaceful city. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B, L)
At 8am, our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and begin the full day city tour with Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and “House on stilt” at the same area with the Presidential Palace and the famous One Pillar Pagoda. We also make a visit to the Temple of Literature - the first university of Vietnam, which is now dedicated to Confucian worship and “Hanoi Hilton” a nick name given by US pilots during the war. Enjoy lunch with authentic delicious Vietnamese cuisines, then we continue our day to the impressive Ethnology Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. After that, the trip will be followed by one hour cyclo tour through the busy Old Quarter where you can see peddlers are selling wares as if they have done that for centuries! In front of the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will see a fantastic performance at the end of the day. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Tam Coc (B, L)
08:00: Our guide will pick you up at hotel and leave Hanoi Capital for Ninh Binh, enjoy the beautiful sceneries of the rural areas on the way. About 10:00 arrive Hoa Lu, visit the the two temples of King Dinh and King Le in the 10th century, finding out the heroic histories of this two Kings in Chinese Wars. After that, we go to Tam Coc (10 km far from Hoa Lu). Have lunch at local restaurant. After lunch you will get on bamboo boat – rowed by the local people – in Hoang Long river to visit Tam Coc (three caves) on the way, you also have chance to see the paddy field if you visit Tam Coc in April or September. 15:30: Back to the Harbour for the transfer to Hanoi. 17:45: Arrive in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 4: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L, D)
07:30 - 07:45 Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi. Drive to Halong Bay. Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta.
10:30 Stopover on the way for short break.
12:30 Arrive at Hon Gai wharf - Meet the captain, crews and join us for a welcome drink, cruise briefing, safety instructions and check-in cabins.
13:00 Lunch with fresh seafood is served while cruising towards Vong Vieng floating village, passing through extraordinary shaped-islands.
15:30 Drop anchor at Vong Vieng: visit local houses, fish farm, schools and have a chat with the friendly fish men. (You also swim here if you like) The other option is to travel by kayak (passenger row kayaks for themselves). The kayaking option is $10.00 per person unless pre-booked.
17:00 Back on board, enjoy the sunset and continue cruising to Luom Bo for anchoring.
19:00 Dinner is served.
21:00 Enjoy the comfort in your cabin or night fishing… and overnight on junk.
Day 5: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue (B, L) - by train
06:30 Enjoy the bay’s morning landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.
07:30 Lightly breakfast is served.
08:30 Explore the mystery of Sung Sot cave, one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay.
09:30 Back on board, continue cruising, enjoy the stunning views of the Bay and relax.
10:30 Lunch is served on board while cruising back through Halong Bay to the pier.
11:30 Check-out.
12:00 Arrive Hon Gai wharf. Farewell.
12:30 Return from Halong to Hanoi.
14:30 Stop-over in Dong Trieu town to visit a ceramics workshop.
16:30 Arrive in Hanoi.
19:00 You will the night train to Hue. Overnight on train.
Day 6: Hue City (L, D)
Reaching Hue at around 8am, you will be transferred to your hotel for some refreshment. Hue with splendid tombs of the Nguyen emperors, notable pagodas and the remains of the Citadel becomes one of Vietnam’s attractions to tourists from all over the world, who like to explore the traditional cultural values of Vietnam. We start our day with guided touring around the Imperial Citadel, visiting the Noon Gate and Forbidden City; then followed with the Antiquity Museum for some view. After delicious lunch at a local restaurant, we can drive out Hue outskirt to visit Khai Dinh Royal Tomb and Minh Mang Mausoleum. In the evening, we enjoy a nice dinner, followed by a cruise on Perfume River while Hue traditional folk music is performing.
Day 7: Hue - Hoi An (B, L)
After breakfast, we will be on 4 hour journey to Hoi An. The winding road begins as we make our way up the Hai Van pass. The breath -taking view from the top of the pass is one of Vietnam’s most impressive panoramic scenes. We also make stop for relaxation at charming Lang Co Beach. Our next stop is Da Nang City, famous for the Cham Museum and the East Sea, a place called R and R (Rest and Rehabilitation) where thousands of American GIs came for a break during the war in Vietnam. Also, we have a short sightseeing at the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements of the universe. Arriving in Hoi An in the early afternoon, we enjoy lunch, check in hotel and then start a walking tour through the Ancient Town. Here we can see the vestige of the mix combination of Chinese and Japanese architecture as well as traditional cultural values. In December, 1999 Hoi An is declared a Unesco World Heritage site. We will discover by ourselves interesting proper character. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An (B)
Today is free at your leisure. You can relax on Cua Dai Beach, enjoy hotel’s facilities or join shopping tour at the ancient town. Skillful tailors are willing to make any piece of clothing in any design and in any fabric to fit you. Why don’t we test their talent and test your bargaining skill?. An option (not included in the package) for you is to participate a cooking class with authentic Vietnamese dishes. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9: Hoi An - Saigon (B, L) - by flight
An early morning transfer to Danang Airport for a short flight to Saigon. Saigon is a fast growing city, which is changing day by day and recognized by high buildings and big roads. The ongoing changes in economy have given the city a really cosmopolitan and dynamic character. Today, we will visit the highlights of Saigon including the Central Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace and the War Museum. After that, a visit to Haven Emperor Temple will be followed and you can join the religious atmosphere of the local people. Rest of the time, you can have a look at bustling Ben Thanh Market for an appreciation of local life. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 10: Cu Chi Tunnels & Cao Dai Temple (B, L)
In the morning our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and then depart for Tay Ninh to visit the famous Cao Dai Temple. There you witness a colorful service. After the service you have lunch at a local restaurant. Then you go to Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi Tunnels are an impressive network of tunnels with a length of over 250 km. This strategic place was used by 15,000 Viet Cong fighters during the war. In the afternoon you return to Saigon.
Day 11: Saigon - Mekong Delta (B, L)
At 8 hours, you will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to My Tho. Around 9h30, arriving in My Tho, you will enjoy different type of boat trip (motorized boat trip, rowing boat trip) to islands where you can visit local houses, see how they make delicious coconut caramels and enjoy lunch. You will also stop over the Unicorn Island for a traditional music performance, “cai luong” by local people. Enjoy some tropical fruit here. Especially, you will have a chance to be on horse-drawn carriage or local transport “Xe loi” (nowadays, it is often seen on movies). In the afternoon, you will take a drive to Can Tho City, across Vinh Long, My Thuan Suspension Bridge and cross the Hau River by ferry. Upon arrival, you check in the hotel and relax after a long journey. Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 12: Can Tho - Saigon (B, L)
Today, you will get up very early for breakfast so that we will be on time to catch amazing scene of Cai Rang Floating Market. The guide will pick you up at 6:30 hours, check out and transfer you to the boat quay. Now you start a cruise to the floating markets. At 7:30 hours, arrive at Cai Rang floating market, you will take slow running for nice pictures. We will stop for a while and you can buy some fruit or contact with local people. Leaving the market, you will take another boat trip along the river bank and cannels to see how people there live, visit another orchard for relaxation. After that, you will boat to big river and have lunch at a floating restaurant docking at Can Tho River. In the afternoon, after lunch, you will have a transfer back to Saigon. On the way, we can pay a visit at the famed Vinh Trang Pagoda and Dong Tam snake farm.
Day 13: Saigon - Siem Reap (B) - by flight
Today, we will take a morning flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, will be met and greeting by our guide then transferred to your hotel. Spend the full afternoon exploring the main Angkor Wat Temple and enjoy sunset at the temple top of Pre Rup.
Day 14: Siem Reap - Angkor Wat (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.
Day 15: 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.
Day 16: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh (B) - by bus
Today, at 7am, we continue a six -hour journey on a good road by public bus toward Phnom Penh. This afternoon, tour Phnom Penh, capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda as well as Tuol Sleng museum, a former school turned concentration camp during Khmer Rouge era. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 17: Phnom Penh - Vientiane (B) - by flight
You will have the day free to wander around the markets until we take the afternoon flight to Vientiane. Check in and overnight on Vientiane.
Day 18: Vientiane - Phonesavanh (B, L)
Today we set off to Phonesavanh, home to the mysterious Plain of Jars. The jars, over 250 in total are thought to be 2,000 years old although there is little proof to date them very accurately. Archaeologists have also struggled to find out the specific purpose of the jars, some of which weigh up to 1 ton.
Day 19: Phonesavanh - Luang Prabang (B)
Rising in the morning, we set off on our drive along a zigzag route through the rugged and verdant landscape to Luang Prabang. These back roads are great ways to explore the real Laos. By mid afternoon, we reach Luang Prabang and then explore this enthralling town including the 16th century Vat Xieng Thong, the Golden City monastery, considered to be the finest in Laos with its low-sweeping roofs as well as a rare bronze reclining Buddha.
Day 20: Luang Prabang (B, L)
The exploration of this delightful town continued with the Royal Palace Museum. This interesting mansion displays a lovely collection of treasure and artifacts reflecting the richness of Laos culture dating from the days of earlier kings right through the last sovereign. In the afternoon we board a boat for a leisure trip on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the holy caves of Pak Ou, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On return, we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving. Along the way we will have a picnic lunch before returning to Luang Prabang.
Day 21: Luang Prabang - Departure (B)
This morning following breakfast there will be a transfer from the hotel to the airport for the morning flight back to Vientiane and your connecting flight out of Laos.