Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Highlights Of Ha Noi (B,L)
Day 3: Ninh Binh Countryside (B,L)
Day 4: Ninh Binh – Ha Long Bay (B,L,D)
Day 5: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Flight To Hoi An via Da Nang Airport (B,L)
Day 6: Hoi An Day Excursion (B,L)
Day 7: Hoi An Free Day (B)
Day 8: Hoi An -Travel to Da Nang – Flight to Siem Reap (B)
Day 9: Siem Reap – Outlying Temples Exploring (B,L)
Day 10: Siem Reap – Angkor Highlighted Temples (B,L)
Day 11: Siem Reap Departure (B)

Day 2: Highlights Of Hanoi (B,L)

The capital of Vietnam, a city that celebrated 1,000 years in 2010 has countless fascinating cultural and historic sites and our tour today will visit the highlights.
 

See the grand and solemn Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and Oct-Nov), the ‘Icon of Hanoi’ – The One Pillar Pagoda, the beautiful Temple of Literature, West Lake’s Tran Quoc temple and Quan Thanh Pagoda as well as the bustling Old Quarter and at the end of the day – a Water Puppet performance.   Your evening is free at leisure.

Day 4: Ninh Binh – Ha Long Bay (B,L,D)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay is scattered with more than 2,000 floating islands of karstic rock. Legend has it that these floating islands were created by a family of dragons who were invoked by the Emperor to protect Vietnam against invaders. The dragons flew across the bay, spitting out jewels and jade, which magically turned into scattered islands. Together, these islands linked to create a protective barrier, which can still be admired to this day.

We pick you up at your hotel around 9:00 am and drive through the verdant Red River Delta making our way to the famous UNESCO World Heritage site, Ha Long Bay. You’ll board a luxury junk ship for an overnight cruise.  While you relax onboard you can marvel at the incredible limestone karsts that jut out of the sea and the thousands of jungle covered islands that seem to float on the waves. The turquoise waters of the Gulf of Tonkin swirl around hidden grottoes and ancient caves to create an enchanting, timeless world.

You will be served a fresh seafood lunch while you sit back, relax and  enjoy the incredible view with a drink in your hand. We’ll take you to a traditional fishing village where the locals have created an entire town on the decks of their boats, then you can explore Tien Ong Cave before returning to the cruise for cocktails, canapés, and a spectacular sunset.

End your day with a romantic, candlelit dinner.

Day 6: Hoi An Day Excursion (B,L)

The ancient town of Hoi An, 30 km south of Da Nang, lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River. The face of the Old Town has preserved its incredible legacy of tottering Japanese merchant houses, Chinese temples and ancient tea warehouses – though, of course, residences and rice fields have been gradually replaced by tourism businesses. Lounge bars, boutique hotels, travel agents and many tailor shops are very much part of the scene here.
 

Today, you choose between the following three options for your favourite way to explore and learn about Hoi An:

Option 1: Cooking Class
Your cooking class today will begin with a visit to a colourful local market, buying all the necessary ingredients before heading back to start preparing. Your chef will first demonstrate how to cook some typical Vietnam cuisine, and you will cook it and enjoy what you have created.

In the afternoon, explore the enchanting time-capsule town of Old Hoi An on a Walking Tour with your guide. Hoi An was a major sea port in Asia and these days, is a fusion of style and culture that has been perfectly preserved. Wander the traditional Chinese shops, the luxurious French homes, and the ancient Japanese Bridge. The town is home to silk markets, Vietnamese food stalls, and talented street performers – all of which are sure to charm you.

Option 2: Tra Que Village Discovery
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and then it’s time for a little bit of exercise with a bike ride to Tra Que Village and a visit to a local farm. This is a very special opportunity of  involvement in true Vietnamese rural life. You will learn about the history of the village and then be shown the daily practices of growing vegetables.

You will also learn how the vegetables are used in traditional Vietnamese medicine. You will join in the activities of the farmers – collecting seaweed fertilizer, sowing, raking, watering and picking. Your cultural immersion continues as you join the family to prepare and eat the lunch you have helped grow. You will also taste other local specialities such a Tam huu (spring roll) and Bahn xeo (pancake). Of course, you must also join in the after lunch nap before returning to the field to learn how to harvest and wrap the produce. Mid afternoon, we wave goodbye to your new friends and go back to Hoi An for a visit to HoiAn Old Quarter. Return to your hotel and relax.

Option 3: Cycle Or Motor Bike To The Countryside
Your guide will collect you at the hotel by motor bike, riding to Tra Que Village and then ride back to the river to board a local ferry to Kim Bong Village. This village is not only famous for wood carving, but also for weaving sleeping mats, so we will stop in on a family to see how they weave the mats which were in every day use until the arrival of the popular mattresses of today. Visit another family who make the famous local noodle – Mi Quang.  Both opportunities to learn about local life.

You also get to make and eat the perfect banh dap (rice cracker). Riding into a small village, we gear up for an adrenalin pumping 300 metre bamboo bridge river crossing to the opposite side of the island making our way to Duy Hai Market and Harbour.

Here, a local ferry crossing takes guests to the water coconut palm fringed Cam Thanh Village where you have lunch at Cam Thanh homestay before returning to your hotel by motor bike. (If you would prefer cycling to a scooter tour, we have the flexibility to modify the route, matching with your ability.)

Day 8: Hoi An - Travel to Da Nang – Flight to Siem Reap (B)

Siem Reap has always been destined for great things. You come here to see the temples, of course, but there is plenty to do in and around the city when you’re templed out. Siem Reap has reinvented itself as the epicentre of chic Cambodia, with everything from party pads, world-class wining and dining across a range of cuisines, sumptuous spas, great shopping, local tours to suit both foodies and adventurers, and a creative cultural scene that includes Cambodia’s leading contemporary circus.

You’ll have the morning for a leisurely breakfast or to collect those tailored items before we take you to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap/ Cambodia. On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred directly to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 10: Siem Reap – Angkor Highlighted Temples (B,L)

Have an early breakfast at your hotel before departing the hotel at 07:30 for a visit to the picturesque Ta Prohm which had nearly disappeared into the jungle and to this day, remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever.  We continue to visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat – one of the world’s most impressive ruins. The temple still owns fine Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art.
 

We explore the mysterious Royal Angkor Thom city And Bayon. Its 54-tower temple is an awesome sight. At first glance it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another and another until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time. Visit the surroundings of the complex including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, Lipper King Terrace and Royal Palace Enclosure area and visit the ruin in Angkor Area of Preah Khan Temple, built in 12th century by King Jayavarman VII in the same style as Ta Prom Temple.

Included
 

• Hotel accommodation in shared twin or shared double room with daily breakfast.
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
• Tours and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicles.
• English speaking local guide
• All entrance fees as indicated in itinerary.
• Boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary
• 03 Domestic flights: Ha Noi – Da Nang; Da Nang Siem Reap
• Cruise in Ha Long Bay
• Cold water and towel during tours

Things to bring:
Wear comfortable shoes and clothes suitable for activities such as  walking, cycling and for long drives. Prepare for hot weather. Bring a hat/cap, sun screen, sun glasses, a swimsuit and insect repellent. The weather is normally hot from May to October particularly in Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Halong Bay and in Cambodia is hot the whole year round.

You should bring cash with you, preferably in Vietnamese Dong because the banking system doesn’t always function well. US Dollars and Euro are accepted in many places too. You should bring your medications with you although there are pharmacies in both Vietnam and Cambodia, if you do get sick.

Don't want the fun to end?

Why not combine this tour with a Laos tours, Myanmar tours or spend a few days in the tropical paradise that is the Viet Nam coast? We take care of everything from flights to transfers and accommodation so that you can relax and enjoy your holiday. Explore our other destinations or speak with your personal Travel Consultant for some expert advice on suitable combinations.