The highlight of Vietnam & Angkor Tour 16 days

Brief Description:
This combination trip provides you the best part of Vietnam and Cambodia, from the spectacular Ha Long bay to the majestic temple of Angkor. From the historical and charming center parts of Vietnam to the exciting Mekong delta. This is a memorable journey.

Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1 Arrival in Hanoi (D)
Transfer via: International Flight on your own arrangement
After the flight we will be transferred to accommodation in our hotel. Tonight we will have a meal in one of the fine restaurants in Hanoi. Today Dinner included
Accommodation: Hanoi Calypso Hotel

Day 2 Hanoi City tour (B, L)
Accommodation: Hanoi Calypso Hotel
Site visited: Ho Chi Minh Complex, Ba Dinh Square, Temple of Literature, Ethnology Museum,
Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Water Puppet Show
In the morning we will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, His House on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the outside of the Presidential Palace and the Temple of Literature which was Vietnam””s first University.
In the afternoon we will go to the intriguing Ethnology Museum followed by an hour on a cyclo (a pedal rickshaw) being taken round the old quarter of Hanoi. Then we can enjoy the ancient and unique water-puppet show.
Notes: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opening time: Open from Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 8 Am to 11pm. Closed on Mondays and Fridays. The mausoleum is closed for two months of the year, usually October and November, when Ho Chi Minh’s body is maintenance.

Day 3 Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Glory Cruise
Site visited: Halong Bay, Caves
Picking up from your hotel in Hanoi around 8:00 A.M. Drive to Halong City through the paddy fields in the Red River Delta. We will stop along the way  for refreshments. After 4 hour driving, we arrive at Tuan Chau Wharf – Break and photo opportunities. At 12:30 you are transferred by tender to the boat – enjoy Welcome Drink, receive cruise briefing and safety instructions. After that your lunch will be served while cruising through the bay. The following activities, we will visit exciting Ba Hang fishing village, the village is free from busy roads and streets, electric lights, houses and high rise buildings. Instead, there are only herds of little boats and rafts. You will have the chance to discover the traditional culture and customs of the fishermen. Enjoy kayaking, swimming, relaxing on the cruise (if the weather permits). After that we return to the boat and join cooking class by Glory Cruise’s Chef. Optional of kayaking at Bat Cave (surcharge for Kayak). Dinner and overnight on the boat.

Day 4: Ha Long  Bay – Hanoi (B,L)
You shoudl get up early to enjoy Tai Chi instruction on the sundeck (duration about 30 minutes). And then you are transferred by tender to the Sung Sot Cave. Walk up about 100 steps to the cave entrance and tour the cave for approximately 45 minutes. Walk down about 100 steps and return to the boat. (Proper shoes are highly recommended). Back to the cruise by tender, then check-out and enjoy a fantastic cuise on the bay. You will have buffet brunch (breakfast/lunch) while cruising back through Halong Bay to the pier. We will settle bills after breakfast. Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery as we approach the pier. At 11:30 we will be transferred by tender to the pier. Time to say goodbye  to the crew to go back Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi around 4:30 P.M.
Accommodation: Hanoi Calypso Hotel

Day 5 Hanoi – Fly to Hue (B)
Transfer via: Vietnam Airlines
Accommodation: Friendly Hotel
Site visited: Hue Citadel, Imperial City, Forbidden Purple City
This morning we catch a one-hour flight to Hue. Arriving Hue we can look forward to exploring the superb sights of the city. In the afternoon we explore the Citadel, the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City

Day 6 Hue (B)
Accommodation: Hue Friendly Hotel
Site visited: Perfume River, Thien Mu Pagoda, Tu Duc Tomb, Dong ba market
This morning we make our way down to the Perfume River to embark on a riverboat journey. We visit the Thien Mu pagoda (The Pagoda of the Heavenly Lady). After that we continue to the elaborate Tu Duc tombs of the Nguyen emperors. On our return we visit Dong Ba market.

Day 7 Hue – Hoi An (B)
Accommodation: Hoi An Essence Hotel
Site visited: Lang Co beach, Hai Van Pass, Cham Museum, Marble Mountain, My Khe beach, Hoi An town
We travel through the high pass of Hai Van with its spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean en route to Hoi An. On the way we also visit Cham museum, My Khe beach and the marble village.
In the afternoon we will enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town with its narrow, winding streets, visiting the Fukien Assembly Hall, the 200 year old Tan Ky house, the Japanese covered bridge, the Hoi An Museum and the handicraft workshops. After that we are free to go shopping, go to the nearby beach, or even have some clothes made which can be picked up the very next day.

Day 8 Hoi An – Free day (B)
Accommodations: Hoi An Essence Hotel
Today we are free at our leisure.

Day 9 Hoi An – My Son (B)
Accommodation: Hoi An Essence Hotel
Site visited: My Son world Heritage site
Today we visit My Son, a relic of the Cham civilization which dates back from the 4th to the 12th century. We will return at noon giving us more time to explore quaint Hoi An. We also can take part in a cooking class showing us how to prepare the best Vietnamese and Hoi An specialties.

Day 10 Hoi An – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and Cu Chi Tunnel (B)
Transfer via: Vietnam Airlines
Accommodation: Seventy Hotel
Site visited: Cu Chi Tunnel
We will take a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City early this morning, and after breakfast we will head for the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels. In the early afternoon we will return to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), a fascinating mix of old and new for us to explore at our leisure.

Day 11 Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta (B, L, D)
Accommodations: Basic local home stay
Site visited: Mekong Delta: local house, orchard gardens, canal, cottage industries workshops
We head for the mighty Mekong delta today. At Vinh Long town we will board a local boat so we can zigzag through the intricate waterways of the Mekong. We will lunch at a local house, stop to visit cottage industries and spend the night at the simple lodging of a local family in the Mekong delta.

Day 12 Mekong – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
Accommodations: Seventy Hotel
Site visited: Cai Be floating market
Our day will begin with a boat trip along the endless waterway of the mighty Mekong River to Cai Be floating market, one of the most beautiful floating markets in the region. After that we have chance to see how the local people making: pop corn, and rice paper. In the afternoon we go back to Ho Chi Minh City, and the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 13 Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
Accommodations: Seventy Hotel
Site visited: Notre Dame cathedral, General Post Office, Formal Presidential Palace, Museum of War Remnants, Ben Thanh market.
Today we tour around the city to visit the highlights of Saigon including: Notre Dame cathedral, General Post Office, Formal Presidential Palace, Museum of War Remnants, and Ben Thanh market.

Day 14 Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Riep (B)
Transfer via: Vietnam Airlines
Accommodations: Tara Angkor Hotel
Site visited: Rolous Temples group, hilltop temple Phnom Bakheng
Today we bid farewell to Vietnam and after a short flight we arrive Siem Riep.
Upon arrival, meets and transfers to hotel for check in (Early check-in is NOT included and subject to hotel’s availability). Siem Reap Orientation visit local main shrine of Preah Ang Chheck/Chhom temple, and visit to Angkor National Museum which we can see the artifacts from the every part of Cambodia in the ancient time. Afternoon drive to southern party of Siem Reap to embark on a short cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia’s biggest natural water body. The experience is wonderful as we pass by floating village, friendly children in small boats and fishermen at work and sunset at Phnom Kraom

Day 15: Siem Reap – Outlying Temples & local lives (B)
This morning we visit the ancient Khmer civilization site of Hariharalaya which flourished in the late 9th and earlier 10th centuries. These are the earliest temples in the Angkor area and are referred to the Rolous group (Lo Lei, Preah Koh, and Bakhong Temples). Lunch with the local family and then we will continue to drive to the rural outskirt 35km from Angkor area to visit the smallest, but magnificent, Banteay Srei built in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture and the bas-relief work is the best example of Khmer classical art remaining. The pink sandstone structure bears a series of striking and beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes. Khmers say the temple must have been carved by women for the details are too fine for the hands of a man. On the way back to Siem Reap we will visit the Banteay Samre Temple adorned with impressive reliefs depicting scenes of Vishnu as well as Krishna legends.
Accommodation: Tara Angkor Hotel

Day 16: Siem Reap – Angkor Tours – Departure (B)
Early morning, visit the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and 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. And 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. At 09am come back to hotel for breakfast and rest in the noon to avoid of the heats of the day until 15:00 continue exploring the mysterious Royal city Angkor Thom. Its 50-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. Further, visit to the surroundings of the complex including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, Lepper King Terrace and Royal Place area and visit one more ruin in Angkor Area of Preah Khan temple, built in 12th century by King Jayavarman VII and it is the same style to Ta Prom Temple. Transfer to Siem Reap Airport for departure

About Price:
Since this is a private tour, the price per person varies and depends on many aspects, such as your group size, the hotel ratings and your departure date. If you want to get a custom price quote for this tour, please fill out the online inquiry form and give you as much information as possible about your trip. Your online travel consultants will be at your service and help you make the most of your travel time and dollars!