Welcome to Vietnam!
Meet & greet: Upon arrival at airport you will be welcomed to Vietnam by your private English-speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel. Early check-in at your hotel is subject to availability on arrival.

Highlights: Arrival and welcome
None
Overnight in Hanoi at your selected hotel

Morning tour of Hanoi & cyclo tour of the Old Quarter: Start the tour of Hanoi with a visit to Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a relic complex associated with the history of Thang Long – Dong Kinh citadel and Hanoi province starting from the pre-Thang Long period (An Nam invaded in 17th century) through Dinh – Tien Le period. thriving under the Ly, Tran, Le dynasties and Hanoi citadel under the Nguyen dynasty.This is a huge architectural work, built by the kings in many historical periods and became the most important monument in the system of Vietnamese monuments. Following we will pass by the Soviet style Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh read out the declaration of the nation’s independence in 1945. Afterwards you will visit the ancient Temple of Literature which was built in the 11th century and was the first university established in Vietnam. End the day by enjoying a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. The best way to explore the picturesque area of the Old Quarter is by “cyclo” (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi).

End the day by enjoying a cyclo ride (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi) to explore Old Quarter. Following, known as the “36 Streets District”, it was once the thriving commercial centre of the city. Each of the 36 short lanes used to specialise in a particular trade represented by one of the guilds. 

Afternoon at leisure: Afternoon you have time at leisure to explore the city independently

Highlights: Hanoi city tour with cyclo ride
 Breakfast
Overnight in Hanoi at your selected hotel

Private transfer to Hai Phong: This morning (at approximate 09.30am to 10.00am) you will be picked up from the hotel by your driver & guide. You will then drive to Hai Phong via Ha Noi- Hai Phong new highway, drive takes approx. 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours. The road is in good condition but no Rest Stops are available currently.

Overnight Lan Ha Bay Cruise:  Lan Ha Bay is a tranquil part of the famous Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. This cruise runs through very less touristy’s areas in Lan Ha Bay so guests will feel very great when seeing the bay, taking photos or relaxing on the sundeck. You will arrive in Hai Phong around midday, where you will board your deluxe junk. Enjoy a welcome drink upon boarding while being acquainted with the facilities on board during the welcome briefing. We enjoy lunch on board in dining room offering panoramic views of the passing scenery. We start our unique journey of exploring one of the new wonders of nature – Lan Ha Bay. Depends on itinerary of each cruise, guests will have chance to visit bright cave or trekking/cycling (electric car available) at Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island or swimming and kayaking in the private emerald water on a quiet beach or sunbathing on the sundeck.  Back on board, relax with Massage and Spa treatment, always available upon request. Delight in the shimmering atmosphere of thousands of stars while eating a fantastic, expertly prepared dinner on the top deck of your boat, all while floating in the center of serene Lan Ha Bay. After dinner, socialize with new friends and crew members, and join some nighttime squid fishing. ***Please note that the cruise itinerary is subject to alteration dependent on sailing conditions.

Highlights: Overnight on bay, swimming
 Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight on your selected boat in Lan Ha bay

Morning’s Cruise: Enjoy an early start with Tai Chi on the sundeck, otherwise sleep in until breakfast is served. This morning, you will experience kayaking to discover the lovely Tra Bau area. Back on board a hearty breakfast is served in the dining room. Pack your luggage and check out of your cabin while cruising towards the port. Disembark the junk late this morning.

Road journey from Hai Phong back to Hanoi: On arrival at the quay you will be met by your guide and transferred back to Hanoi, approximately 2 hours drive. Continue to Hanoi airport in time to catch your onward flight to Hue.

Private transfer: Your guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel.

Highlights: Tai Chi on board and fly to Hue
 Brunch
Overnight in Hue at your selected hotel

Guided tour of Hue city: This morning, stroll around the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City nearby. Modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing by the Nguyen emperors in the early 19th century, the city was badly damaged during the war but the imposing city walls surrounded by a large moat afford good views of Hué. The palace retains a feeling of its past scale and importance, with detailed stonework and pavilions and it is at the moment in the process of being restored to its former magnificence.

Following, you will visit one of the Royal Mausoleums in Hue, the final resting places of the Nguyen Emperors, which are dotted around the hills surrounding the south bank of the Perfume River. End the day with stop by Thien Mu Pagoda, sitting on the riverbank outside the city, this octagonal seven tier stupa has long been regarded as the symbol of Hué and was founded in 1601. It is still a site of Buddhist worship and its huge bell is said to be audible from the city.

Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon is time at leisure to relax at your hotel or explore Hue city and surrounding area independently.

Highlights: Hue city tour
 Breakfast
Overnight in Hue at your selected hotel

Highlights: Moving to Hoi An and walking tour
 Breakfast
Overnight in Hoi An at your selected hotel

Morning cooking class with visit Organic Farm – Tra Que Village: This morning, meet up with your chef at the cooking school in the old town for a brief introduction and a welcome drink. Travel by minivan (10 minutes) to Tra Que Organic Village, and walk through the market gardens where local farmers work their fields using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago – no electrical machinery here. We pick fresh saw-tooth coriander and Vietnamese mint for the cooking lesson later, before trying a special herbal drink at a local home.  To the local village market and with shopping list in hand we purchase a range of local ingredients, including star anise, cardamom, sesame rice paper, water spinach and banana flower.

Arriving at the cooking school, you have a chance to freshen up before beginning our class. Working together with the chef, you will learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food from scratch. Using the freshest ingredients and traditional Vietnamese utensils and cooking 4 famous dishes, including the national dish ‘Pho’. After the class you have a chance to savour the dishes you have prepared. Leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River back to central Hoi An.

Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon is time at leisure to relax or explore the charming tour of Hoi and surrounding area independently, or relax at the nearby beach.

Highlights: Hoi An cooking class and organic farm
Breakfast and Lunch
Overnight in Hoi An at your selected hotel

Day at leisure: Today is at leisure on beach or explores the charming tour of Hoi and surrounding area independently. Further tours and excursions can be arranged locally, including cycle in some beautiful countryside, see your tailor for a second fitting or a day trip out to see the famous ruins at My Son. 

Highlights: Day at leisure
Breakfast
Overnight in Hoi An at your selected hotel

Private transfer: This morning you will be met by your driver and transferred to the airport for your flight to Saigon.

Private transfer: On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the city.

Afternoon guided tour of Saigon city: This afternoon visit Saigon’s historic landmark including the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France. Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. A short drive away is the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American War. Continue to the War Remnants Museum for a vivid perspective of the American War through the eyes of the Vietnamese. Experience Saigon’s famed street coffee culture while your guide provides a brief language lesson as well as insights into daily life of a Saigonese before returning to your hotel.

Highlights: Move to Saigon and guided city tour
Breakfast
Overnight in Saigon at your selected hotel

Full day tour to the Mekong Delta/Ben Tre: The Mekong Delta is Vietnam’s ‘rice bowl’ – a fertile region of flat farmland interlaced with thousands of waterways and tributaries of the Mekong, known locally as Cuu Long, the river of Nine Dragons. This morning you will be met at your hotel and head one and half hours southwest of Saigon and along the way notice lush rice paddies and fruit farms emerging alongside the highway.

Upon arrival Ben Tre, you board the charming wooden boat sailing across the Mekong Rivers while enjoying coconut juice. Your first stop at a brick making shop, where the locals still use centuries-old traditional methods to make the bricks by hand. Following, you will visit a local coconut manufacturer to see procedure of coconut processing, such as peeling coconut, coconut crushing, coconut pruning, coconut candy, making activated carbon. Also, you will visit local handicraft – mat weaving, where we will meet and talk with local people, known for their friendliness, warmth and generosity.

Afterward, you have option to get on a rickshaw motorcycle riding on narrow village roads to enjoy the lush surroundings of rice paddies and fruit farms alongside or start a bicycle trip around Nhon Thanh village around 4km (or can do longer), traveling through some tranquil villages where vegetables gardens to be able to touch on real life and find out about tropical culture from Peasants. Then you will enjoy simple lunch at local restaurant offering Mekong Delta specialties. After Lunch, a hand-rowing sampan will take you through narrow canals under a green canopy of water palms to catch a glimpse of the daily activities of the local people.

After the visit, re-embark your boat to ride back to the pier in Ben Tre for disembarkation and drive back to Saigon for the rest day at leisure.

Highlights: Day trip to Mekong Delta
 Breakfast and Lunch
Overnight in Saigon at your selected hotel

Private transfer: This morning is at leisure in Saigon to explore independently and hunt for souvenirs. At approximated time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap.

Welcome to Siem Reap/Cambodia!

Meet & greet: Upon arrival at the Siem Reap international airport you will be welcomed to Cambodia by your private guide, and then embark the comfortable vehicle for transfer to your hotel for check-in and spend the remainder of day at leisure.

Highlights: Arrival and welcome to Cambodia
Breakfast
Overnight in Siem Riep at your selected hotel

***Please check with your guide to see what time you would like to enjoy sunrise at Angkor Wat and your guide will be flexible to you and accommodate as per your request

Full day tour of Angkor: Probably the best time to visit Angkor Wat is early in the morning when the light is good and it is relatively quiet. Angkor Wat is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. Continue your exploration with a visit to the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. There are magnificent roots of trees, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, emphasizing the ‘lost city’ legend.

Afternoon, have a fun with tuk tuk ride to visit to Angkor Thom (Big Angkor), it is a walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of the Angkorian Empire. After Jayavarman VII recaptured the badly damaged Angkorian capital from the Cham invaders in 1181, he began a massive building campaign across the empire, constructing Angkor Thom as his new capital city. The giant stone faces of Bayon have become one of the most recognisable images connected to classic Khmer art and architecture. Further, visit to the surroundings of the complex including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, Leper King Terrace and Royal Place area. Have optional your choice to stop at the Pre Rup-temple to catch the most popular sunset. Or optional your choice at a selected temple – will be advised our guide.

Highlights: Full day tour of Angkor
Breakfast
Overnight in Siem Riep at your selected hotel

Morning guided tour of Tonle Sap Lake: Depart your hotel this morning and drive 45 minutes to the largest settlements on the Tonle Sap Lake, also known as the Great Lake. It is referred to by many specialists as a natural wonder of the world as it can expand nearly five times during the wet season. Living on water is an art the Khmer people have mastered over the course of time. Learn how communities live and work on the lake and see floating schools, markets, and police and gas stations. Observe the local customs and talk with your hosts about the differences they face living on the water. (It is advisable to wear sturdy, walking shoes with a decent grip). This is a great chance to witness one of Cambodias and the world’s most amazing natural wonders. Return to Siem Reap for remainder of the day at leisure.

Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon is at leisure at your hotel or explores more of Angkor independently. Depending on your preference, further tours can be arranged to the remote outer temples in the Cambodian countryside, or you can explore the Siem Reap area in more depth by bike, quad-bike, or on foot. Siem Reap town itself has a good selection of shopping and dining areas for you to explore.

Highlights: Tour of Tonle Sap Lake
Breakfast
Overnight in Siem Riep at your selected hotel

Morning at leisure: Morning is at leisure in Siem Reap to explore independently and hunt for souvenirs until check out of your room and then be transferred to the airport for your departure flight back home.

Highlights: Ends of your trip in Siem Reap
Breakfast

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