HANOI – HALONG – HOIAN – HO CHI MINH CITY – SIEM REAP
Travel Period : Oct 2019 – Sept 2020
Day 1: Arrival Hanoi (No meals)
Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you will be warmly welcome by your driver & transferred to your hotel in city center
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2: Full Day City Hanoi (Breakfast, Lunch)
AM: Take sightseeing tour featuring both cultural and historical highlights, starting with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (close on Monday, Fridays & whole month of October & November) – an important historical attraction of Hanoi, known for honoring the national hero: President Ho Chi Minh. Inside the complex, also located his House on Stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda. And before lunch, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda – one of the oldest pagoda in Vietnam. Lunch at local restaurant
In the afternoon, proceed to the Ethnology Museum which offers an insight into the 54 different ethnic groups of Vietnam in an effort to preserve cultural heritage and promote socio-cultural diversity within the country. The Temple of Literature – being constructed in 1070 under Ly Thanh Tong’s dynasty, first to honor Confucius and nowadays to celebrate the doctorates and high rank scholars of Vietnam. In 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong continued the work and built Quoc Tu Giam as the first university of Vietnam. The tour then will be wrapped up with the visit to Ngoc Son Temple uniquely set on a tiny island on Hoan Kiem Lake, its history dating back to the 13th century.
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast, depart for the 3½ hour drive to Halong Bay. Journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta, observe everyday life of Vietnamese villagers as they work the rice fields, take pigs to market on motorbikes and plough the fields with their water buffaloes.
You will be cruising from the awesome limestone cliffs of Ha Long Bay toward the center of the World Natural Heritage site, discovering the exotic formations of a limestone cave, and exploring the daily life of local people living on the bay
Overnight onboard
Day 4: Halong – Hanoi (Breakfast, Lunch)
Start your day early with Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck and visiting further islands in the Bay before heading back to the shore, disembark and transfer back to Hanoi. Free time further explore the city afterwards
(Please be advised that the cruise itinerary will depend on cruise of your choice and weather conditions)
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 5: Hanoi – Danang Arrival – Hoian (Breakfast)
Pick up and transfer from hotel to airport for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel in Hoian Ancient Town. Enjoy free time at own leisure
Overnight in Hoian
Day 6: Hoian – My Son Sanctuary Visit (Breakfast)
In the morning, leave Hoian for My Son Sanctuary and cross Cua Dai Bridge en route with its spectacular views of Hoi An river system, mountains and Cham islands
My Son Sanctuary dates from the 4th to the 13th centuries and comprises of a series of impressive tower-temples located in a dramatic site that was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence. The monuments of this Unesco World Heritage site are the most important constructions of the My Son civilization because they present a vivid picture of spiritual and political life in an important phase of the history of South-East Asia. The tower temples have a variety of architectural designs symbolizing the greatness and purity of Mount Meru, the mythical sacred mountain home of Hindu gods at the center of the universe, now symbolically reproduced on Earth in the mountainous homeland of the Cham people.
After the visit, drive back to Hoian & enjoy free time at own leisure
Overnight in Hoian
Day 7: Tra Que Vegetable Village (Breakfast, Lunch)
Introduction: Tra Que is a charming little village on the edge of Hoi An, the village is named after the sweet scented vegetables that spice up the everyday meals of the Pho Hoi people. Experience a day of living and working with the local people in this village
08:00: local guide will see you at your hotel with your bicycle, you will cycle to a local farm in Tra Que village. A short stroll will take you around the vegetable garden and then you can join the farmers in preparing the land and fertilizing it with seaweed from the local lake. Following steps are raking the ground, sowing, watering, picking vegetables and many other gardening activities. After all these activities, you will take a short rest and enjoy foot bath before getting to preparing lunch with a local family. Your lunch will consist of many local delicacies including ‘tam huu’ spring roll, Banh xeo or local pancake of people in Vietnam middle region. Around 14.00: bid farewell to your host family before riding back to Hoi An, on the way back we will stop at Japanese tomb. End the tour.
Overnight in Hoian
Day 8: Hoian – Danang – Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast)
Free time at own leisure until transfer back to Danang Airport for your flight to HCMC. Upon arrival in HCMC, pick up and transfer to your hotel in city center.
Overnight in HCMC
Day 9: Cai Be – Vinh Long – Night Walking Street Food Tour (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
6:30AM Depart for Cai Be and upon arrival, set off by motorboat to visit the Cai Be floating market and watch the locals trading fruits and many other commodities onboard their vessels. Visit a small family business to see how coconut candy and crispy rice pop-corn are made. Then wander into the small villages and visit the orchard and fruit plantation, accompanied by traditional southern Vietnamese folk music. Keep cruising to Vinh Long through a series of small canals to experience the charms of the Upper Mekong Delta. Arrive in Tan Phong Island, the green pearl where you can immerse yourself in nature. Enjoy your cooking experience and learn how to prepare special Vietnamese dishes. Food cooked by yourself and fresh river food served in the heart of the garden. Relax in the hammocks to get back your energy. Cycle around the village path with fruit orchards and bonsai garden. Meet the local islanders to learn more about the local daily life in the Mekong Delta. Take a boat ride back to Cai Be and meet your bus for the trip back to HCMC, you will reach the city center at 5:30 PM
At dinner time, enjoy Walking Street Food Tour. After a short walk, enjoy your first meal of the evening – “Banh xeo”, a large rice pancake filled with vegetables, shrimps and pork. Hidden in a small alley, this local street restaurant has become very famous and serves some of the best “banh xeo” of Saigon. The second stop is a street food place located near Tan Dinh Market. There, enjoy a delicious local soup, inspired by Chinese recipes. This is followed by a tasty “com suon non nuong muoi ot”, a local dish from HCM with rice and pork ribs. Returns to hotel at the end of the tour at nearly 9PM
Overnight in HCMC
Day 10: Half Day Cu Chi Visit (Breakfast, Lunch)
Depart for Cu Chi Tunnels, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, 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 purpose during the war.
Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served.
Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun (gun-shooting fee at own expenses). Have light lunch at local restaurant then return to HCMC & end trip at 2:30 PM.
Overnight in HCMC
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap (Breakfast)
Transfer to bus station for bus trip to Siem Reap, the journey will take roughly 13 hrs
Upon arrival, pick up & transfer to hotel for check-in & relax
Overnight in Siem Reap
Day 12: Siem Reap – Full Day Temple Visit (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, visit South Gate of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom (Big Angkor) is a 3km Square walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of Angkorian Empire. After Jayavarman VII recaptured the campaign from the Cham invaders in 1181, he began a massive building campaign across the empire, constructing Angkor Thom as his new capital city. He began with existing structures such as Baphuon and Phimeanakas, Elephants Terraces & Leper King Terraces and builds a grand Royal Enclosed City around them, adding the outer wall/moat and some of Angkor’s greatest temples including his state-temple, Bayon famous with its 54 towers decorated with 216 enormous mysterious smiling faces, set at the center of the city. It also There are five entrances (gates) to the city, one for each cardinal point and the victory gate leading to the Royal Palace area. Each gate is crowned with 4 giant faces. The South Gate is often the first stop on a tour of temples. Lunch at local restaurant
Then proceed to explore the temples of the Small Circuit. The most famous among these is Ta Prohm temple, built in the mid 12th to early 13th centuries. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples.
Then visit the visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking Angkor Wat. It is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level. Angkor Wat is the centerpiece of any visit to the temples of Angkor. The temple itself is 1 km square and consists of three levels surmounted by a central tower. The walls of the temple are covered inside and out with bas-reliefs and carvings. Nearly 2000 distinctively rendered apsara (angel) cravings adorn the walls through the temple and represent some of the finest examples of apsara carving in Angkorian ear art. Then enjoy your shopping at Old Market.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Day 13: Siem Reap – Free & Easy (Breakfast)
Free time at own leisure for the day
Overnight in Siem Reap
Day 14: Siem Reap – Departure (Breakfast)
Free time at own leisure until transfer to the airport for flight back home (Standard hotel check-out by 12PM at the latest)
*End of service*
|
ACCOMMODATION (as sited or similar depending on availability) |
PRICE IN USD PER PERSON (Twin/ Double share) |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT |
|
3* option HAN – FIRST EDEN (SUP) HALONG – ROSA CRUISE/ ORIENTAL SAILS CRUISE (DLX) HOIAN – VINH HUNG 2 (STD) HCMC – LA FELIX (SUP) REP – CHEATHATA ANGKOR (SUP) |
1,409 |
375 |
|
4* option HAN – GOLDEN CYCLO (STD) HALONG – PHOENIX CRUISER (DLX) HOIAN – VINH HUNG RIVERSIDE RESORT (SUP GARDEN) HCMC – A&EM SIGNATURE (DLX) REP – CHEATHATA SUITES (Studio Suite) |
1,749 |
644 |
|
5* option HAN – MOVENPICK (SUP) HALONG – ALISA CRUISE (Junior Suite) HOIAN – PALM GARDEN RESORT (SUP GARDEN) HCMC – NEW WORLD (SUP) REP – ROYAL ANGKOR RESORT (SUP) |
2,419 |
1,230 |
Inclusions:
- Vietnam visa approval letter to collect visa on arrival at airport (New Zealand passport holders, single entry – 01 month)
- 13-night Accommodation by Twin/ Double share with daily breakfast (Standard check-in at 2PM & check-out at 12PM)
- One-way flight tickets for Hanoi – Danang and Danang – HCMC via Vietnam Airlines (Economic Class), allowance of 20 kg checked baggage & 7 kg hand luggage
- Bus ticket from HCMC – Siem Reap
- Ground transportation by A/C vehicle as tour program
- Regional English speaking guide for touring. For transfer: only driver, no tour guide
- Entrance fees as sites listed and boat trip in Halong Bay & Mekong Delta
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- 01 bottle of water/pax/day
- Join in group tours, minimum of 2 pax per group is required
Exclusions:
- International flight & visa upon arrival (25 USD/pax for Vietnam & 35 USD/pax for Cambodia)
- Travel insurance & personal expenses
- Other meals not mentioned and beverage during meals
- Tipping for tour guide & driver
- Surcharge for peak season and holiday period: Christmas & New Year and Chinese Lunar New Year
Conditions:
- The price is based on Twin/ Double share, single supplement shall be applied if client travels alone or requests
- Booking is required and schedule is subject to availability, please book early to reserve your preferred travel date
- Value of deal is based on current rates, which are subject to change
- Cancellation will incur fees, enquire direct for more details