Wonders of Vietnam-Cambodia

Upon arrival at Noi Bai airport, you are welcome by our local tour guide and driver for 30 minutes drive to your preferred hotel for check in. Rest of the day, free at leisure. Stay overnight in Ha Noi. 
 
    Meals : None
    Accommodation : Ha Noi

City tour begins with drive through French area to the Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh read the independence declaration in the morning of September 2nd 1945. 

Lining up for entering inside the Soviet-style mausoleum where late president Ho Chi Minh’s corpse has been reserved for years. Then walk through the gardens of the Presidential Palace to House 54 where Ho Chi Minh lived during 1954-1958. Strolling along the little pond, you will see Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts, the humble dwelling was modeled of hill tribes traditional dwelling far north of the country where Ho Chi Minh and his government ever lived during French war. Take photos of the distinctive One Pillar Pagoda - one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples which was built since 11th century. 

Continue to picturesque Ho Tay (West Lake) where houses  the 6th century Tran Quoc Pagoda. 

Short drive to the 900-year-old Temple of Literature, which served as the first national university of Vietnam till end of 18th century.

Lunch with Ha Noi specialty at a local restaurant. 

Drive out of the central city to visit the Museum of Ethnology showcases the diverse culture of Vietnam's 54 ethnic minority groups through a collection of clothes, textiles, musical instruments and many other items from daily life.

Visit Hoan Kiem lake which has been considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Hanoi. Stroll through the red bridge to Ngoc Son temple which is dedicated national heroes as well as Saint Van Suong, here you will learn about why the story of  "Lake of the Restored Sword” as well as take photos of Turtle tower. 

Explore the fascinating Old quarter  by cyclo before wrapping the tour with water puppet show, an unique folk art of Viet Nam from about 11 century. Stay overnight in Ha Noi. 

The Ho Chi Minh mausoleum is closed every Monday and Friday (outside grounds and garden area will be open on these days) and normally closed from September 4 through November 5 for preservation and maintenance of the building.

Please Note: The Ho Chi Minh mausoleum is closed every Monday and Friday (outside grounds and garden area will be open on these days) and normally closed from June 15 through August 15 for preservation and maintenance of the building.

     Meals: Breakfast/ lunch
     Accommodation: Ha Noi

This morning, we embark 2-hrs drive journey out of Hanoi to Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its outstanding natural beauty and the scenic karst formations which contribute to its reputation as being the “Halong Bay in land.” Upon arrival, board enjoyable rowing boat ride meandering down the peaceful river through towering limestone mountains and passing through a series of spectacular caves. 

Return to the pier, where your vehicle will be waiting for you to take you to local restaurant for lunch. 

Heading to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam under the Dinh and Le dynasties dating back to the 10th - 11th  century. We visit 02 temples dedicated to kings of the dynasties and learn about interesting history  stories of Vietnam in the early independence from Chinese domination.  

You also have chance of biking through  local villages on small back roads. Stay overnight in Ninh Binh. 

     Meals : Breakfast/ lunch
     Accommodation: Ninh Binh

8:00 embark your 3.50hrs drive through Red river delta’s peaceful villages. On route, make a visit to Pho Minh Buddhist pagoda in Nam Dinh province. Upon arrival in Halong, board luxurious boat. Your overnight cruise journey in Ha Long Bay includes visits to a sandy beach and a limestone cave full of stalactites and stalagmites. Doing kayaking to a lagoon and partaking in cooking demonstration are part of your activities as well. 

Ha Long Bay has been twice recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in 1994 and 2000 as well as named one of the seven natural wonders of the world,  Ha Long Bay, located in the Gulf of Tonkin and 165 kilometres from Hanoi, covers an area of 43,400 hectares and includes over 1,600 islands and islets. The exceptional scenic beauty of the limestone pillars complemented by biological interest is an ideal model of a mature Karst landscape developed during a warm and wet tropical climate. The outstanding value of Ha Long Bay is centered around the drowned limestone karst landforms, displaying spectacular pillars with a variety of coastal erosional features such as arches and caves which form a majestic natural scenery. 

Stay overnight on your cruise boat. 
         
         Meal: Breakfast/ dinner

Start your day with early get up and practicing Tai Chi exercise with help of a crewmember. Then continue your unforgettable Halong Bay cruise until a big brunch is finished and then disembark the cruiser at around 10:00 am.  
Our guide and driver will meet you at the pier then drive back to Hanoi for an hour  flight to ancient capital of Hue.
Upon arrival, you are welcome by our tour guide for short drive to your preferred hotel for check in.
Stay overnight in Hue.

      Meals: Brunch
      Accommodation: Hue

Make full day tour of the former Imperial capital built  early 19th century.  Enter the Ngo Mon Gate, main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure and the central passage reserved for use by the Emperor. Continue to the Supreme harmonious Palace or Thai Hoa in Vietnamese with its spacious hallways and ornamental roof, the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns, and the ruins of the Forbidden Purple City, once home to the royal family. 

 Short drive to legendary Thien Mu pagoda on the north bank of Perfume river. Take boat excursion on the iconic Perfume River as to explore the life along the banks of the ancient royal capital city. 

Lunch with local dishes.

Our exploration continues with visit to the tomb of King Tu Duc, the dynasty’s longest reigning ruler. Unlike other tombs, the 12ha tomb complex with theater, bedroom, moon viewing house, pagoda, fishing pond was used by the King and his entourage as summer palace during his lifetime. Make our next visit to Tomb of Khai Dinh, built in Chau Chu mountain. Built for the Emperor Khai Dinh between 1920-31, the last tomb of its kind is an impressive structure combining western and eastern architecture, guarded by statues of soldiers and animals. This is only royal tomb that position of the king’s corpse can be found. Stay overnight in Hue.

       Meals: Breakfast/lunch
       Accommodation: Hue

This morning, depart to Hoian on 3hour journey. On route, we make couple of stops  including Hai Van Pass  known as Cloudy pass (weather permitting). Also make a visit to Mable mounts that features beatiful pagodas and caves. Arrival  Hoian at noon, having lunch at local restaurant with delicious local dishes. Check in hotel. 

Enjoy a 3hour walking tour of Hoi An, a UNESCO world heritage site retaining a diverse mix of architecture influenced by the many nations that traded in this historic port of call.

The tour starts with a visit to the Fujian Assembly Hall, established as a meeting place by Chinese merchants fleeing the Manchu conquest of China in 17th century. The hall is dedicated to the goddess of the sea, Tian Hau, and the Chinese merchants' ancestors, and is adorned with ornate carvings and statues. Continue to the Old House of Tan Ky, the iconic 400-year old Japanese covered bridge, and then to Trade ceramic museum.
The city exploration on foot concludes at the vibrant riverside market nearby. Stay overnight in Hoian.

         Meals: Breakfast/ lunch
         Accommodation: Hoi An

Today morning, set off 90-minute road excursion through lush rice fields, passing by the peaceful rural villages to My Son holly land, Vietnam’s most significant relics from the old Champa, which prospered between 2nd and 15th centuries. My Son was built as a religious center as well as burial place of choice for the Cham kings in the 4th century in an isolated valley surrounded by towering mountains. The site was listed as the World heritage site by UNESCO in 1999. 
You'll learn much more about the history of My Son and its surroundings as we stroll through these red-brick ruins, enjoying time to admire the delicate structures and to take in the peace of the place.  

Drive back to Danang airport to take 2-hour flight into Siem Reap. Upon arrival, met by our guide who will help you with hotel check in. Stay overnight in Siem Reap.

         Meals: Breakfast/ lunch
         Accommodation: Siem Reap

Drive 18 miles beyond ANGKOR to  visit BANTEAY SREI, a unique temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. This is the fabled pink temple of women, so called because it is made of pink sandstone & considered a tribute to the beauty of women. Its small size, delicate carving and remarkable state of preservation make Banteay Srei one of travelers' favorite temples.

Next stop is jungle covered temple of TA PROHM which has been left relatively untouched. Enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers grow over and through the ruin walls, allowing you to experience the temple with the same wonder as the early explorers who discovered it.
 
This afternoon, continue your Angkor exploration from SOUTH GATE OF ANGKOR THOM -the capital city of Khmer rulers, where you will explore BAYON TEMPLE. One of the few Buddhist temples in Angkor, which is famous for some 200 striking colossal humane faces carved in 54 stone towers and impressive bas reliefs. 

Then stroll to ELEPHANT TERRACE, which is over 350 meter long and is carved with a long line of elephants.  The terrace was used by Angkor's king Jayavarman VII as a platform from which to view his victorious returning army. 

Having dinner while enjoying traditional Apsara dance. Stay overnight in Siem Reap.

         Meals: Breakfast/ lunch/ dinner
         Accommodation: Siem Reap

Early morning, depart hotel by Tuk Tuk to visit the largest Hindu temple in the world: ANGKOR WAT, honoring the Hindu god Vishnu. 
This large pyramid temple was built between 1113 and 1150 by King Suryavarman II as state temple and capital city. The complex is surrounded by a great moat 570 feet wide. It features five trademark towers and stunning bas reliefs, it has become a symbol of Cambodia.

Back to your hotel at noon. 

In the afternoon, view sunset on Bakheng hill. Stay overnight in Siem Reap.

      Meals: Breakfast/ lunch
      Accommodation: Siem Reap

Today, you are free discovering the city your self.  Check out of your hotel room by noon. Our tour guide and driver will come to transfer you back to the airport for your departure flight. Your tour ends.