Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi!
Welcome to Hanoi! Upon arrival, your local tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport. Then, the guide will escort you to the hotel and help you check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour
In the morning, your guide and driver will pick up at your hotel, start the tour to beautiful Tran Quoc Pagoda located on the shores of West Lake. This Pagoda is full of amazing Buddhist symbolism that visitors can learn more about.
Then, head to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of Vietnamese great father, President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, where he lived on and off from 1958 to 1969.
The next destination is One Pillar Pagoda, a group of structures consisting of a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square lake. Leave the pagoda for the Temple of Literature, which is the first college of Vietnam.
In the afternoon, you need to choose one of the city’s museums (History Museum or Ethnology Museum) to visit. After that, drive back to admire Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple before taking cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore in Hanoi.
Optional:
Later afternoon, you can watch a Water puppet show for one hour. It is a unique traditional performance of Vietnam.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Full Day Halong Bay Cruise
After breakfast, drive about 3 hours to Halong Bay, one of the Wonders of the Orient. Around noon, your Halong Bay Cruise starts from Tuan Chau Island, the gateway of Halong Bay.
In the afternoon, explore the treasures spread across the Halong Bay, covering some stunning caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, and fantastic rock formations rising up out of the emerald water.
While onboard, you can enjoy the services of Spa and Massage. Another highlight of the cruise is the innovative and varied cuisine offered in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages. You can watch the chef's cooking demonstration and try to learn how to prepare traditional Vietnamese cooking.
Overnight in Halong Bay Cruise.
Day 4: Return to Hanoi | Flight to Danang
Wake up to experience Tai Chi exercises on the sun deck and then continue cruising the beautiful Halong Bay. The breakfast buffet will be served in the dining room. After a visit to a limestone grotto, you will then disembark the cruise in Halong City around noon.
Later, your guide will transfer you to the airport for the flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to Hoi An for hotel check-in.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 5: Full Day My Son Heritage, Hoi An Ancient Town
In the morning, travel to the My Son Holy Land. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views, lies the 4th century My Son Holy Land ruins. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden for living or development. The ruins lie in a beautiful mountainous landscape. Enter the temples to hear all about the history and stories of the Cham people and this holy site.
In the afternoon, continue on to the Ancient Capital of Hoi An, which features the 16th-century port town in its preserved state. The town is a perfect mixture of ancient architecture, houses, and temples as well as modern western restaurants and cafes. The historic sites you will visit are the Japanese Bridge, a renowned Chinese Temple, and former Vietnamese merchants' houses.
Later, take a boat trip along the Huai River to Thanh Ha Pottery Village and see how local people work on their crafts. In the evening, the town became so romantic when the lights come on and you see colorful lanterns everywhere especially the flower lanterns floating on the river.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 6: Flight to Saigon | Visit Cu Chi Tunnels
This morning you will transfer to airport for flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport and escort to your hotel for check in.
In the afternoon, you will be escorted to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Discover these amazing systems developed by the guerrillas fighting in the Vietnam War. You'll have an opportunity to see the various weapons used in the war on display. Then learn about the innovative ways the guerrillas survived and fought back in the war. The impressive underground system they built remains to tell the story of the Vietnam War.
Overnight in Saigon.
Day 7: Mekong Delta Discovery: My Tho | Flight to Siem Reap
This morning, transfer to remote My Tho. This burgeoning capital rests in the Mekong Delta and is surrounded by beautiful countryside known as the "rice basket of Vietnam".
Firstly, head to visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, decorated with mosaics made from broken pottery. Overlooked by a tall white Buddha, it is set amongst lovely gardens overflowing with flowers, shrubs, lotus pools, and tombs, and ornate gates that provide entry.
Continue on a boat ride along the river to view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages.
After lunch, visit An Khanh, a small village that specializes in fruit orchards and coconut sweets. If time permits, you can take a short cycling trip through the island or explore the island on foot (the island is flat and relatively small). Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at airport and escort to hotel for check in.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 8: Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat
Today, begin your exploration of the remains of Khmer Empire that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Angkor served as the seat of the empire.
In the morning, tour the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. First on the agenda is Ta Prohm. Huge silk-cotton trees and strangler figs grow over, around, and through the ancient stone blocks. The temple would make you feel as if you are in an adventure movie set.
Then, visit Banteay Kdei, a kind of smaller version of Ta Prohm. Continue to Victory Gate, Terrace of the Leper King, Royal Palace, Baphuon Temple and Bayon Temple. Bayon sets itself apart with its 200 smiling faces, sure to make you feel welcomed. With winding tunnels, chambers, and climbs, Bayon offers many exciting moments to keep your camera busy.
In the afternoon, head to visit Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. Angkor Wat possesses some of the longest and most intricate stone carvings. Spend the afternoon fully exploring the passages, levels, and chambers that once housed many treasures of the flourishing kingdom.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 9: Tonle Sap Lake, Kompong Phluk | Flight to Luang Prabang
In the morning, take a half day excursion to the biggest Southeast Asia’s largest fresh water lake - Tonle Sap Lake. You’ll take a boat trip to enjoy the beautiful lake views and mangrove forests. Then, tour Kompong Phluk, the largest village on the lake, to discover the fascinating daily lifestyle of the local people who live on the water.
After lunch, transfer to the airport for flight to Luang Prabang. upon arrival your guide will meet you and escort you to check in.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 10: Luang Prabang City Tour
Your full day city tour begins after breakfast, you will visit the Royal Palace Museum (closed on Tuesday), which hosts a range of interesting artifacts; See the city's oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground and representing classical Laotian architecture; Visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham.
In the afternoon, head to visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures before heading out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek. Later, return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai. Finally climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa and a sunset view of the city and the Mekong River.
At night, you will visit the famous Night Market, where you'll find handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe peoples living in the surroundings.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 11: Boat Trip to Pak Ou Caves | Kuang Si Waterfall
Your memorable trip will start from partaking in an alms ritual in the morning, you will accept the blessing by monks who you give the alms. Have breakfast in the hotel and then, visit the Royal Palace Museum to learn some history of Laos. Continue to you will embark on a private boat for a 2 hours boat trip along the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Cave. During the boat trip, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Mekong River and see the daily fishing life of local people in the riverside.
Then, go to visit the Pak Ou Cave which locates by the Mekong River. Here, you will discover a number of gold lacquered Buddha statues in the cave.
After that, you can have an excursion to Kuang Si Waterfalls, where you will enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, have fun in waterfalls and relax.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 12: Farewell from Luang Prabang
Today, the guide will transfer you to the airport. Hope you have a nice trip home and look forward to traveling with you again!
Service end.
