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Note: The itinerary indicated below is a sample itinerary only. All Packaged Tours can be designed to suit your individual requirements.
16 Days & 15 Nights
Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Saigon is surely one of the most evocative place names in Asia and definitely one of the most extraordinary cities in the world. The most Western in atmosphere of Vietnam's cities, Ho Chi Minh City (to use its official name - although to residents and visitors alike it is universally and affectionately known as Saigon) has a population of 5 million, and a booming free-market economy. It is a city of amazing contrasts: elegant new international hotels, exclusive restaurants and trendy bars side-by-side with roadside noodle stalls, street children, and vociferous cyclo drivers.
Golf courses, bowling alleys and shopping malls vie for space with fruit and vegetable markets, pagodas and karaoke rooms. Bustling, booming, crowded, noisy - all words that barely scratch the surface of the addictive and often mesmerising chaos that is Saigon, and yet there are the elegant colonial French boulevards and buildings, the Cathedral, the riverfront, the quiet moments at a sidewalk cafe watching the world literally go by you at breakneck speed.
On arrival you will be met by your tour guide and transferred by private car to your chosen hotel.
The balance of your day is at leisure, until it is time to go for dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals included: dinner
After a buffet breakfast at your hotel, this morning you will take a journey out of the city centre to the Cu Chi regions, where you will visit the vast underground network of tunnels built first as a defence against the French, and later expanded during the American war. It was from here that the North Vietnamese waged their guerrilla warfare, and you will marvel at their ingenuity and resilience. See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms, and the more adventurous may explore the deeper second, and even third level tunnels. Your guide will advise you of the length and level of difficulty of each tunnel before entering. For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above.
We recommend good walking shoes and sun protection for this tour and advise you may get a little dirty!
Return to Saigon for a late lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a half day tour of this exciting city. In this essential highlight tour, visit the former Presidential Palace, which is now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the War.
Continue to the History Museum, which houses an excellent display tracing the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese, then visit the War Remnant Museum, which primarily contains exhibits relating to the American phase of Vietnam War. Alternatively, you may wish to visit the Fine Art Museum, which is indispensable for those who are keen on Vietnam arts and culture.
Next, you will visit Notre Dame, an impressive neo-Romanesque cathedral in the centre of city, the 'wedding cake' styled Hotel d'ville, and Dong Khoi Street, formerly the centre of haute couture in Saigon when it was known as Rue Catinat. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
After breakfast in your hotel you will head out along the bustling highway into the surrounding countryside, where you will pass lush rice paddies carefully tended, before boarding a motorised sampan for a unique experience on the mighty Mekong Delta waterways. You will see how, to the people of Delta, the water is a lifeline - the focus of all daily activity - as you journey through a maze of tributaries and fruit plantations. Enjoy a sample of delicious fruit in the shade of a fruit farmer's garden before continuing via small canals on to lunch, where the speciality is a remarkable dish of 'elephant's ear fish'. Return to Ho Chi Minh City by the late afternoon, with the rest of the evening at leisure.
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
This morning, you will be collected from you hotel by your guide and transferred to Saigon airport for the one hour flight to Da Nang.
One of the most ancient cities in Vietnam, Da Nang was the centre of the Cham Dynasty from the 2nd century and today boasts the largest and most impressive collection of Cham artefacts anywhere in the world. Da Nang's rich cultural history, its proximity to the extraordinary ruins of My Son, its atmospheric riverfront promenade, and its world-famous Cham Museum all continue to draw visitors. Unwelcome visitors have made their mark here too - Da Nang was the first landing-point for the invading French troops and again decades later for the US Marines. Close by Da Nang is China Beach, immortalised for many by the US television show and still one of the most spectacular beaches in Asia. Also nearby are the Marble Mountains, the 5 craggy limestone peaks that are said to represent the 5 elements of the universe. A climb inside through the hundreds of natural caves and grottoes is a must.
On arrival in Da Nang, start with a visit to the Cham Museum, before continuing with the Ancient Civilisations walking tour of Hoi An, including lunch at one of the many lovely restaurants in Hoi An. Hoi An is an extraordinary jewel of a town. In a country so ravaged by war, Hoi An managed to remain untouched, and as you wander the completely traffic-free streets of this ancient seaport it is not hard to imagine yourself amidst the sailors and merchants of the 18th Century, when Hoi An was one of the busiest trading ports in Asia. Afterwards you are transferred to hotel or you are free to further discover the town on your own.
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Da Nang or Hoi An
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
The morning will be spent at your leisure until it is time to transfer to the airport for your short flight to Hanoi. Here you will be met by your local guide and transferred to the city, with a stop for lunch at local restaurant, followed by an afternoon of sightseeing, with visits to some of the highlights of Hanoi City.
Enjoy an orientation of the tree-lined streets of Hanoi, resplendent with French colonial architecture, including the recently restored Opera House. Pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Lake of the Restored Sword, en-route to one of the city's fascinating museums (Army, History or Fine Arts, depending on your preference).
Continue to the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and then dedicated to Confucius, later became becoming Vietnam's first university.
Then take to the streets on foot for a walking tour of the Ancient Quarter.
This densely populated corner of the city was once a centre of commerce, where goods were sold under the street name of a particular guild. Still a thriving community of sellers today, you will see names such as Sugar Street, Tin Street and Paper Street. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores in this souvenir hunter's paradise. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Hanoi
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
This morning visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state. See the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked, then visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, an extraordinary tribute in abstract form to the life of the 'father of the country', and the evolution of Vietnamese independence. French architecture is a feature of Hanoi, and the nearby former Governor's Residence is a fine example.
See also the One Pillar Pagoda and hear the legend of its construction, born from the love of an emperor in the 11th Century.
After lunch at a local restaurant the afternoon is at leisure.
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Hanoi
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
This morning is at leisure, until it is time to transfer to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. Once immigration formalities have been completed, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your accommodation. After checking in, head out to see some of the sights that have made this town the World Heritage Jewel that it is! Visit Vat Visoun, the site of the impressive That Makmo stupa. Continue on to the nearby Vat Aham, one of the city's major tutelary shrines, then climb Phousi hill for an outstanding view over the city. Sunset can be enjoyed with a cold drink at one of the cafes located along the Mekong River.
This evening head out for a delicious dinner at Tamnak Lao restaurant for a great introduction to Luang Prabang style Laotian cuisine. After dinner, take a tour around Luang Prabang's fabulous night market with your local guide, where there is an overwhelming selection of local handicrafts on offer.
Accommodation: at selected hotel in Luang Prabang
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
After breakfast take a visit to the National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace, where you will view the lovely collection of personal artefacts of the royal family, including many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries. You will then be driven up to the Tad Kuang Sii waterfalls, a journey of approximately one hour, passing through very scenic Laotian countryside.
The waterfalls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. Enjoy a local style lunch at the waterfalls, before returning to Luang Prabang town. En route it is possible to visit one of the many small ethnic minority villages along the way.
Accommodation: at selected hotel in Luang Prabang
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
After breakfast at the hotel you have some free time to relax, before transferring to the airport for your short flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival at Vientiane Airport you will be met by a local guide and transferred to your hotel for the next two nights. After check-in you are free to relax, or you may choose to enjoy a cool drink on the nearby banks of the Mekong as the sun sets.
Accommodation: at selected hotel in Vientiane
Meals included: breakfast
After breakfast at your hotel your local guide will take you on a full-day city tour, which visits the highlights of the capital. Visit Wat Sisaket, the oldest original temple in Vientiane, which features remarkable frescoes and over 6,000 Buddha images. Nearby is Haw Phra Kaew, once the royal temple of the Laotian monarchy, which contains some of the finest Buddhist sculptures and artefacts in the country. One of the most photographed images of Vientiane is Patuxai, the victory gate also known as Anousavari. Constructed in 1958, its architecture is inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Another famous landmark is the Phra That Luang stupa, which was built by King Sethtathirat in 1566 and is considered the national symbol. The original stupa was said to contain relics of Lord Buddha. Take a visit to the Talaat Sao, Vientiane's morning market, which is open all day and is a wonderful venue for shopping and meeting the charming and fun-loving Laotians.
After lunch at a local restaurant we journey out of town to visit one of Laos' slightly stranger attractions - Xieng Khuan Buddha Park. Built on the banks of the Mekong River is the site of a large collection of many kinds of Buddhist and Hindu Sculptures. En route we stop to visit the impressive Friendship Bridge and the National Cultural Park, also on the Mekong River bank.
If time permits, you can then pay a visit to Carol Cassidy at her gallery and weaving workshop.
The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
Accommodation: at selected hotel in Vientiane
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Phnom Penh
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
In the morning, take the Cyclo Tour to visit The Royal Palace, built in 1866 by King Norodom. The Palace is made up from a number of structures within a pagoda-style compound one of which is The Silver Pagoda, which takes its name from its 5,000+ silver tiles. The building itself holds a number of national treasures, perhaps most notably a life-sized gold Maitreya Buddha decorated with 9584 diamonds, weighing in at 90 kg. Continue to the National Museum, a Khmer temple inspired building that houses the world's largest collection of Khmer art sculptures, ceramics and bronzes.
Over 5000 objects are on display including Angkorian era statues, lingas and other artefacts, most notably the legendary statue of the 'Leper King.' Finish the morning with a local shopping experience at Toul Tom Pong Market where you can find silk, silver and countless souvenirs.
Lunch is taken back at your hotel, and will be followed by a visit to the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and Cheung Ek. During the Pol Pot regime Toul Sleng, formerly a high school, was converted to a detention centre known as S21. After interrogation and often torture, prisoners were transferred to the 'Killing Fields' where they were often tortured again and brutally killed. Today Cheung Ek is a Memorial site for Cambodians and visitors from all over the world to pay their respects for those lost. A memorial stupa has been erected and displays over 5,000 human skulls, bones and clothes of the victims. During the Khmer Rouge years, thousands of Cambodians were tortured and imprisoned in detention centres around the country the visit is a profoundly moving experience.
Dinner will be at Malis Restaurant
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Phnom Penh
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, where you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel to freshen up and enjoy your lunch. This afternoon, experience the Remok tour to visit the monumental magnificence of Angkor Thom - last capital of the Khmers, with its Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the stunning Bayon temple.
This 12th century masterpiece lies at the very centre of Angkor Thom and is an archaeological wonder of symmetry and grandeur. The exterior gallery walls have extensive bas-reliefs but the highlight is the ''faces'', more than 200 of them, silent but with the famous half-smile playing on their lips. Continue to sunset at Pre Rup temple, about 2 kilometres northeast of Srah Srang and 500 meters south of the East Baray. This temple was built in 961 during the reign of King Rajendravarman, dedicated to Shiva Brahmanism. The boldness of the architectural design is superb and gives the temple fine balance, scale and proportion.
Dinner will be at your hotel
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Siem Reap
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
This morning, you will visit Angkor Wat, arguably the largest religious building in the world, with a volume of stone equalling that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt. It is unlike all the other Khmer temples in that it faces west, and is inspired by 12th Century Hinduism. Its symmetrical towers are stylised on the modern Cambodian flag. Conceived by Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat took an estimated 30 years to build. It is generally believed to have been a funeral temple for the king, and has been occupied continuously by Buddhist monks. Intricate bas-reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides. Each tells a story but the most celebrated of these is the Churning of the Sea of Milk, which is located on the east wing, the guide will explain this mystical tale.
Lunch is taken at your hotel, after which you will take the Remok tour to visit Ta Prohm. Built in the 12th century this temple has been left largely in its natural state since its ''re-discovery'' by French explorers. Surrounded by jungle, its labyrinth of stone hallways is overgrown with the roots and limbs of massive banyan trees. Continue to Preah Khan, ''The Sacred Sword'', an extensive monastic complex covering over 56 hectares built by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a monastery and teaching complex. This is the site of the World Monuments Fund 'prime' Asian project, a painstaking renovation that aims to maintain its mysterious allures and superb original structure.
Dinner will be at local restaurant
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Siem Reap
Meals included: breakfast lunch dinner
Depart early morning to visit Banteay Srey 'the Woman's Citadel' - a tiny, enchanting temple, which is one of the jewels in this remarkable city. Built of red sandstone in the tenth century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the carved male and female figures in the niches are exquisitely executed in both style and proportion. This is the most Indian of all the temples in Angkor. Continue to Banteay Samre, built under Suryavarman II and Yasovarman II in the early 12th century, it is a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat style. Named after the Samré, an ancient people of Indochina, the temple uses the same materials as Banteay Srey. Lunch is taken at your hotel, and is followed by a drive to Tonle Sap Lake.
Every year, during the monsoon season, the flow of water from the Mekong River changes direction forcing water back into the Tonle Sap Lake, bringing nutrients that fertilise the rice fields and support the breeding of the 200+ fish species. You will board a comfortable boat to visit one of the floating villages of Tonle Sap, where they can see how Khmers and Vietnamese live and work side by side.
If time allows, the tour will visit a development project teaching young adults stone carving, wood carving, and lacquer application. Artisans d' Angkor is a heart warming reminder that progress in Cambodia can go hand in hand with traditional crafts. Dinner will be at a local restaurant Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Siem Reap Meals included: breakfast lunch dinner
After breakfast you will have some free leisure time until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals included: breakfast
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Vietnam Tours and Beyond
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