JEWELS OF INDOCHINA

Day 1: Hanoi - Arrival (-/-)

Day 2: Hanoi full day – The city of peace (B)

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/L/D)

Day 4:  Halong – Hanoi – Hochiminh City (Brunch)

Day 5:  Hochiminh City – Cu Chi (B)

Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (B/L)

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City -  Siem Reap (B/D)

Day 8: Siem Reap – Angkor complex (B/L)

Day 9: Siem Reap exploration (B/L)

Day 10: Siem Reap – Morning Alms Giving -Departure (B)

Day 1: Hanoi - Arrival (-/-)

You are arrival at our thousand years Capital – Hanoi city. Our guide will welcome you at the airport Noi bai airport and then be transferred to your hotel in the center of city.

After freshen up, we would like to show you of Hanoian daily life with one hour Cyclo (trishaw) ride around the old streets, then enjoy watching Water puppets Show at Thang Long Threatre.  Back to your hotel for overnight in Ha Noi. 

Day 2: Hanoi full day – The city of peace (B)

Today we would like to show you the major cultural sites around Hanoi city. The first visit to Ba Dinh Square for visiting Uncle Ho’s (Ho Chi Minh President) Mausoleum, His Residence area, and one Pillar – pagoda nearby, then we go to Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (the Temple of Literature & the first university in Vietnam).

In the afternoon, we will visit the largest and most interesting Museum of Vietnam Ethnology, visit to Hoa Lo Prisonin Hanoi then go back to the Old quarter for shopping. Free time on your own. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/L/D)

You are suggested to wake up early for enjoying the morning sound of Hanoi and walking around Hoan Kiem lake and doing Tai Chi exercise with locals. Back to hotel for freshen up and breakfast.

After breakfast, take 3.5 hours drive to Halong bay, a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. Upon arrival, transfer to a junk for a cruise around Ha Long Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch served on board. The cruise passes by many rocks and islets in many funny shapes. Again your dinner served on board. In the evening, enjoy the night fishing (optional) and later overnight on board.

Day 4:  Halong – Hanoi – Hochiminh City (Brunch)

In the morning, your breakfast or brunch will be served while doing further cruise to explore the beauties of the Bay before returning to the Wharf. Disembark around 10:30-11.00am. On return, before heading to Noi Bai airport we take a short stop at Phu Lang Pottery village or Dong Ho Village (traditional painting village), then heading to Hanoi airport for evening flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 5:  Hochiminh City – Cu Chi (B)

Morning excursion to Cu Chi tunnels, the Iron Triangle, our Viet Cong basement in the American war. The tour guided by a soldier named Chu Nam (Uncle Nam) who is the witness of history (subject to availability of Mr. Nam). Back to the city for after 4 hours excursion.

Afternoon visit will offer a quick view of the busiest city including Reunification Palace then discover China town lively life & Thien Hau pagoda. 

Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (B/L)

In the morning, take 2 hour drive southwest of Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta which is known as the rice bowl of Vietnam. Upon arrival, take a boat cruise along islets and tropical orchards through the canal of Vam Xep to reach a small islet, followed by a relaxing walk along shady and palm fringed trails passing by local villages where you can see their peaceful daily life. Stop en route to sip special tea with honey and sample fruits with a local family and share their stories of life in the Mekong Delta. They will guide you on a walk through their orchard and explain how tropical fruits are grown. Then continue the journey with a paddled sampan through the narrow, tree-lined canals of Mekong River. Enjoy lunch at the islet then visit handicraft villages and a coconut candy factory before returning on shore for driving back to Ho Chi Minh City. 

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City -  Siem Reap (B/D)

Morning free for shopping around.

In the afternoon, transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport flight to Siem Reap. Arrive Siem Reap, our guide and coach will pick up at Siem Reap airport and transfer to hotel for check in. Dinner at local restaurant with Apsaras show & overnight in Siem Reap.  

Day 8: Siem Reap – Angkor complex (B/L)

We start on our bike and cycle (45 minutes for cycling) or drive to world heritage areas on the roads less traveled. Ride among the jungle passing local village and local shop. It’s a very special and acting day as you will explore some of Angkor’s most beautiful temples. You will visit the West Gate of Angkor Thom – undiscovered by mass tourist.

•   The ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century)
•   See the South Gate, Bayon Temple- unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara
•   The Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas
•   The Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King

The tour start with the visiting to the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology, visit Bakheng Temple and enjoy a romantic sun set view form Bakheng hill.

Enjoy 1 hour foot massage before transfer to your hotel. 

Day 9: Siem Reap exploration (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel, visit Kbal Spean, about 49km from Siem Reap Town and it is literally means "The head of the River.” It is one of the rivers in 1000 lingas that made up of unique lingas. Lingas stands into the riverbed of the Siem Reap River. It was believed that the lingas spiritually "fertilized” the waters that fed the Eastern bay and irrigated the rice fields. Lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, visit Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre. Afterwards back to Siem Reap for overnight.

Evening is your free time for walking at busy pub street, dinner in one of many typical local food restaurant, pop up a bar for cool drink or shopping at Angkor Night Market.

Day 10: Siem Reap – Morning Alms Giving -Departure (B)

Early morning we start witness sunrise over Angkor Wat temple and listening singing birds over the ancient land of Angkor area. About 6:45AM we walk to nearby Pagoda and offering food to monks. After monks finished breakfast we start enjoy our breakfast on the ground floor of pagoda, jasmine tea will be served in the peaceful of pagoda. Thentransfer to visit Tonle Sap Great Lake for cruising, visiting fisherman’s life, floating fishing village dot the semi-submerged forest that lines the flood plant rim of the lake, back to visit Chantier Ecole-Artisan d’Angkor, the place are in the Ministry of Education was constructed in 1992 and this place renowned woodworking, stone carving and polychrome training center and workshops. Free tour of the classes and workshops offer a glimpse into the unique skills training program, teaching young artists in the techniques and styles of classic Cambodian artistry before transfer for departure lunch at local restaurant in the town. Then visit old market for shopping until transfer to the airport for homebound flight.

End of trip