BEST OF VIETNAM,MEKONG & CAMBODIA 14 DAYS

Day 1 – Arrival Hanoi- Overnight  in Ha Noi

Our driver will meet you at Hanoi airport and transfer you to your hotel in the famous Old Quarter area of Hanoi.

After check in, you can explore the exciting Old Quarter or simply relax until morning.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2– Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Overnight  on Cruise (B/L/D)

0800 to 0830h – You will be picked from your hotel and start your scenic 3.5 hr drive through the Red River Delta and passing by many small villages on the way to Ha Long Bay.

You will stop for a short comfort break at the Humanity center situated approximately half way on to the bay. There you can purchase souvenirs from a vast selection items, enjoy a drink or simply stretch your legs.

1230h – On arrival to Ha Long Bay, your guide will complete all the required paperwork for you and show you to the shuttle boat for your short trip to the cruise boat.

1300h – After checking in and short cruise briefing, you will be served a delicious lunch in the dining room while you enjoy the passing scenery of the bay.

1530h –You will have the opportunity to Kayak around the Bo Nau Cave area which has a 5 – 7m wide arch shaped entry. The cave covers an area of approximately 200 sq metres and standing at the entry gives visitors a unique view of the bay as if from the mouth of a monstrous beast.

1630h – Time to return to your cruise boat and take a short trip to SoiSimIsland where you can go swimming in the calm waters, lay on the beach or climb to the top of the hills on the island to enjoy a panoramic view of Ha Long Bay.

1730h – Return to the main boat where you can refresh or watch the sunset before dinner.

1900h – A delicious dinner will be served in the dining room and after you have finished your meal, you can relaxing and share stories with other guests while you enjoy a drink from the bar. For the adventurous, you can try your hand at squid fishing from the rear of the boat.

Overnight on cruise boat.

Day 3 – Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Overnight  in Ha Noi (B/L)

0630h – If you put your name down the night before, you can join the early morning Tai Chi class on the sun deck or simply take advantage of the amazing photo opportunities presented by watching the sun rise.

0730h – Enjoy a nice breakfast in the dining room while you watch the scenery of the bay slide past the windows as you cruise toward towards Bo Hon Island

0830h – You will visit the truly amazing SungSotCave which is also known as SurpriseCave. The cave is reached by climbing approximately 100 stone steps and the journey up allows some excellent views of the bay below.

0930h – Return to your cruise boat and time to freshen up before checking out of your cabin.

While slowly cruising back toward the port, you will pass by Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet and many more of the wonderful formations found only on Ha Long Bay. You will also be given a short Vietnamese cooking demonstration before being served lunch on board.

1200 – 1230h – Arrive to the harbour and begin your journey back to Hanoi.

1700h – Arrive to your hotel in Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 4 – Hanoi City Tour – Flight to Hue – Overnight  in Hue (B/L)

0800h – Guide will meet you at your hotel & you will depart to visit: Ho Chi Minh Complex: Completed in 1975 the complex contains Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt house residence, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh museum. Next stop is a visit to the Temple of Literature: Originally built as a temple to Confucius.

1200h – A delicious set menu lunch will be provided for you in a local restaurant.

1300h – Your tour recommences with a visit to the Museum of Ethnology which is widely acknowledged as the best in Vietnam and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples. Then it is on to the NgocSonTemple and HoanKiemLake: The Ngoc Son temple is set on a tiny island on the HoanKiemLake and was erected in 18th century. The temple is reached by crossing the HucBridge which literally means “Place Touched by Morning Sunbeams”. HoanKiemLake is a focal point of the city and the source of many legends including the legend of the returned sword which dates back to the 15th century and refers to a magical sword used to free Vietnam from Chinese rule.

1630h – Return to your hotel

1700h – The driver will arrive to your hotel and transfer you to the airport where you can check in for your  flight to Hue.

Arrive to Hue where you will be met and driven to your hotel in Hue

Overnight in Hue

Day 5 – Hue City Tour – Travel to Hoi An –  Overnight  in (B/L)

Once the ancient capital of Vietnam, Hue is the home of several wonderfully interesting world heritage listed sites and the area has a lot to offer visitors. Although many historical sites were damaged in the recent war with America it is still a fascinating place.

08.00h – Your English speaking guide will meet you at the Hotel and take you on an interesting tour of the city and perfume river. You will visit the impressive complex of the Imperial Citadel. Built in the 19th Century and surrounded by high stone walls and moat, the Citadel was once the exclusive home of the Nguyen Imperial Family. It is similar to Chinas’ Forbidden City and is not to be missed. You will also take a cruise on the famous Perfume River and visit Minh Mang and Tu Duc tombs.

15.00– Pick up by private car and depart from Hue & transfer to Hoi An. Travel via Hai Van pass

1800h – Arriving Hoi An and check into your hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An

Day 6- My Son – Hoi An Ancient Town – Overnight  in Hoi An  (B/L)

0800h: Start from your hotel and travel 50km from Hoi An to My Son holy land in a private air conditioned vehicle with your English speaking guide. My Son was a major religious site for the people of the ancient Champa Kingdom which flourished between the 4th and 13th centuries The Champa people ruled Central Vietnam until it was finally annexed by the Vietnamese in the 19th Century.

The Champa King lived in the political capital of Tra Kieu (whose commercial capital was the port of Hoi An) and so the My Son complex became the most important temples of the Champa Kingdom. Bricks were used to build the temples without the aid of mortar and sculptures of gods, priests, animals, and scenes of mythical battles adorned the walls. The temples were places of worship to the Hindu God Vishnu.

My Son was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

After exploring the ruins and history of My Son and viewing a short traditional Champa Peoples music concert, you will start your journey back to Hoi An .

Lunch in town .

After lunch Your English speaking guide will take you on a two hour walking tour of Hoi An Old Town. Famous for its quant mixture of Chinese, Japanese and European architecture, the old town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. You will visit, the Japanese bridge built in the 16th century and famous for being the only covered bridge known to incorporate a Buddhist pagoda, the 200 year old Tan Ky house, museum of trade ceramics and several other historical sites.

Over night in Hoi An

Other option in Hoi An you can choose – Cooking Class – Famer tour – Bicycle or fishing tour

Day 7 – HCMC – Flight to Ho Chi Minh  – Cu Chi tunnel  – Overnight  in Ho Chi Minh (B)

In the morning the driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Hồ Chí Minh .

1300h – You will be picked from your hotel and travel out of Ho Chi Minh City to visit the famous Vietcong tunnels at Cu Chi. The incredible system of tunnels, covering nearly 250km, was shelter to over 16,000 communist guerillas during the American war. You will gain an insight into the tenacity of the soldiers and have the opportunity to go inside the tunnels.

1730h – Return to your hotel and overnight at the Hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 8 – HCMC – Mekong –  Can Tho – Overnight  in Can Tho (B/L/D)

0800h -0830: Check out and your guide will meet you at your hotel and together you will leave Ho Chi Minh city and start your scenic journey along the National Highway toward My Tho.

On arrival at My Tho, you will visit Vinh Trang Pagoda. Built in 1849, the Vinh Trang Pagoda is located in a large garden in My Tho City. The pagoda is a wonderful blend of Asian and European styles of architecture which together create the beautiful but simple features of the pagoda.

Next you will take a leisurely boat ride on the river and view stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages situated on the river bank. Continue on to Tortoise islet where lunch will be served in an orchard garden.

After your delicious set menu lunch, you will take a boat ride to An Khanh and enjoy relaxing on a hand-rowed sampan on the shaded waters while you travel along the natural canals. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea while listening to “Southern Vietnamese folk music” performed by locals.

Visit a small family business and taste their delicious coconut candy which is a specialty of the region & observe the local life style as you roam through fruit plantations and the surrounding area.

Continue on to Can Tho and check into the hotel and enjoy some free time to visit the bustling Can Tho market.

Overnight in Iris Hotel Can Tho

Day 9- Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Chau Doc – Overnight  in Chau Doc(B/L)

0530h-0600h – Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the wharf where you will board a motor boat for a leisurely trip through the tributaries of the lower Mekong to visit Cai Rang floating market.

Cai Rang is one of the 3 biggest floating markets in the delta region and you will see hundreds of boats packed with local mangoes, bananas, papaya and pineapple as well as many other items for sale.

Then take a ride in the motorboat along small leafy creeks to a village where you can walk around and meet with the friendly locals. For the brave visitors, you can learn how to cross a Monkey bridge which is built by using bamboo and ropes.

1200h – Visit an orchard garden where you will stop for lunch.

If time permitting on the way to Chau Doc, you may also visit Sam Mountain which is the highest mountain in the Mekong.

1730h – Overnight Victoria Hotel in Chau Doc.

Day 10- Chau Doc – Speed boat to Phnom Penh – Overnight  in Phom Penh(B)

Cambodia visa: 25 USD / person (to be obtained at the border)

0700h – Driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the wharf where you will board your air conditioned speedboat to Phnom Penh.

The boat will stop at the border for people to arrange visas before entering Cambodia.

1300h – Arrive Phnom Penh where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check in.

In the afternoon you can explore the area around your hotel or take a Tuk Tuk to the river area and visit the night markets.

Overnight at Villa Sovanna Hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 11: Killing Fields – Tuol Sleng Museum – Russian Markets – Overnight  in Phom Penh(B/L)

0800h – Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you will drive approx 15 km south to the killing fields of Choeung Ek. In the short period between 1975 & 1978 approximately 17.000 men, women and children were detained and tortured at the notorious S-21 prison and transported to the extermination camp of Choeung Ek. Prisoners were often bludgeoned to death to avoid the cost of bullets and fragments of human bone are scattered around the area. Over 8000 skulls arranged by sex and age, are visible behind the clear glass panels of the Memorial which was built in 1988.

After lunch in a local restaurant, you will return to Phnom Penh and visit the Notorious Tuol Sleng Museum. In 1975, Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot’s security forces and became the infamous S-21 prison. S-21 became the largest detention centre and torture facility in the country where more than 17.000 people were held prior to being executed. Some detainees who died during torture were buried in mass graves in the prison grounds. Covering the walls of the museum from floor to ceiling are photographs of men, women and children and unfortunately, virtually all the people pictured were killed by the security forces.

Next is a vist to the Russian Market which is one of the premier shopping destinations in the Cambodian capital. Known as Psar Tuol Tom Pong, it earned its nickname in the 1980s, when Russians were the only tourists in Cambodia. You will find a wide range of goods on sale and is a great place to shop for your souvenirs

1700h – Return to your hotel.

Overnight  in Phnom Penh.

Day 12- Phnom Penh –  Travel to Siem Reap – Overnight  in Siem Reap (B/L)

0900h – Your driver will meet you at the hotel and you will depart on your road journey to Siem Reap in a private air conditioned vehicle. (No guide today)

Along the way you will pass through many small villages and gain an insight into the daily lives of people in the rural areas.

Approximately 150Km south of Siem Reap, your driver will take you to visit the historical area of Sambor Prei Kuk. Although none are as spectacular as Angkor Wat, the area is home to approximately 100 temples with many of them being built in the 7^th century. Local guides are normally on hand for those who would like to know more about the history of the area.

Lunch will be provided in a clean local restaurant

1500h – Arrive Siem Reap and check in to your hotel where you will overnight.

Overnight in Siem Reap .

Day 13- Siem Reap – Angkor Wat Temple – Overnight in Siem Reap (B/L)

0800h – After breakfast your English speaking guide will meet you at your hotel and you will leave to visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor, Angkor Wat.

The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians, to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks and the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world. The surrounding moat is to represent the ocean beyond.

Lunch at local restaurant and in the afternoon visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara).

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 14-  Siem Reap -Departure (B)

Time for some last minute shopping or simply relax until your driver arrives to transfer you to the airport for your departure.

End of Tour.

Free time untill the driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer to to the airport .