Day 1
Arrive in Hanoi
Experience the heartwarming hospitality of Vietnam and its people, known for their humility and entrepreneurial zest. Upon arrival, head to your hotel and later gather with your Travel Director and fellow adventurers for a Welcome Reception, complete with delightful drinks and a variety of local appetizers.
Accommodation: Melia Hanoi or similar
Day 2
Hanoi
Start your day at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, resting place of Vietnam's independence leader, “Uncle Ho”. Nearby, explore his stilt house, delving into his life. Visit the Temple of Literature, Hanoi's ancient centre of learning, to understand local culture. Later, cycle through the vibrant Old Quarter, observing daily life and colourful scenes. The evening is yours to relax or join a foodie tour to savour local delicacies.
Accommodation: Melia Hanoi or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3
Hanoi- Halong Bay
Depart Hanoi for Halong Bay's tranquillity, boarding a traditional Vietnamese Junk boat. Cruise past limestone karsts and islets, enjoying a Vietnamese buffet amidst serene spots like Incense Burner and Soi Sim Beach. Learn about pearl cultivation at a fishery, possibly visit Ti Top beach for stunning views or beach relaxation and partake in a cooking class. End the day with a sunset on deck, followed by dinner and an overnight stay in this UNESCO marvel.
Accommodation: Pelican Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Halong Bay- Hoi An
Begin your day with the harmonious practice of T’ai Chi, a local tradition. Post-breakfast, explore Sung Sot Cave's stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Enjoy final bay views from the sundeck, cruising to the wharf, then drive to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Danang. Arrive in Hoi An for a relaxed evening.
Accommodation: Hotel Royal Hoi An or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 5
Hoi An
This morning, immerse yourself in Hoi An's history with a walking tour. Stroll through its quaint lanes, bustling markets, and timeless temples, witnessing old merchant houses and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. Visit Thanh Dong Organic Village, assisting farmers and understanding their routines. Conclude with a relaxing foot massage, setting a leisurely tone for your day and evening.
Accommodation: Hotel Royal Hoi An or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 6
Hoi An
Take the opportunity to further explore Hoi An or relax at your hotel in the morning. In the afternoon, choose between crafting a vibrant lantern, believed to bring luck and happiness, or experience life as a local fisherman, weather permitting. Either create a personal souvenir or try your hand at fishing, tailoring the day to your interests.
Accommodation: Hotel Royal Hoi An or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 7
Hoi An- Hue
Embark on a culinary adventure to Red Bridge Cooking School by boat, mastering traditional Vietnamese cooking techniques. Enjoy the dishes you've prepared for lunch, then journey over Hai Van Pass to Red Beach, a key site in American-Vietnamese wartime history. Visit Danang's Cham Museum before heading to Hue, Vietnam's former imperial capital, for your overnight stay.
Accommodation: Imperial Hotel Hue or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8
Hue
Discover Hue's vibrant streets via cyclo, heading to the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel, once a royal residence. Visit Thien Mu Pagoda, a key religious site, then enjoy a dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River. Dine at the former Princess Ngoc Son's house, meeting a family member for insights into their historic home. Spend the afternoon leisurely or partake in an optional experience.
Accommodation: Imperial Hotel Hue or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Be My Guest Experience
Day 9
Hue- Ho Chi Minh City
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City for leisure time, followed by lunch at Mai Sen restaurant, supporting vocational education for those in poverty. Then, explore Ho Chi Minh's landmarks on a Dong Khoi Street walking tour, including the Opera House, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Eiffel-designed Post Office. Visit the War Remnants Museum for local perspectives on the war, ending your day at the historic Ben Thanh market before reaching your hotel.
Accommodation: Sofitel Saigon Plaza Ho Chi Minh City or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10
Ho Chi Minh City
Today, journey to Cai Be in the Mekong Delta, starting at a beautifully preserved 19th-century family home. Then, board a traditional sampan to explore the intricate canals leading to Cai Be's distinctive floating market, where goods dangle from bamboo poles. Enjoy a home-hosted lunch with local delicacies before a leisurely evening back in Ho Chi Minh City.
Accommodation: Sofitel Saigon Plaza Ho Chi Minh City or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City
Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast underground network from Vietnam's past, with a VC veteran, uncovering its history as a sanctuary and resource centre for guerrillas. Return to Ho Chi Minh City by speedboat for free time. Later, visit the 1960s home of former American Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge, culminating with a Farewell Dinner to bid farewell to your Vietnam Travel Director and fellow travellers not journeying to Cambodia.
Accommodation: Sofitel Saigon Plaza Ho Chi Minh City or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Day 12
Ho Chi Minh City- Siem Reap
Make your way to the airport for a brief international flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by your Cambodia Travel Director and then proceed to check into your hotel.
Accommodation: FCC Angkor by Avani Siem Reap or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 13
Siem Reap
Embark on a journey into the Cambodian jungle to Angkor, entering through a pyramid-shaped gateway. Admire the serene stone faces and traverse the causeway into Angkor Wat, where a Local Specialist unveils the history behind its carvings. Visit Banteay Srei Temple, marvelling at its delicate 10th-century sculptures. Return to Siem Reap for a guided Old Town tour, visiting Artisans d'Angkor to support Khmer craftsmanship. Experience a private blessing at Wat Damnak, and explore the bustling Old Market, a blend of local culture and French legacy.
Accommodation: FCC Angkor by Avani Siem Reap or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 14
Siem Reap
Continue exploring the lost empire of Angkor, amidst saffron-clad monks and playful monkeys, traversing ruins entwined with ancient trees. Visit Angkor Thom, viewing the Terrace of Elephants and smiling Buddha faces at Bayon Temple. Explore Ta Prohm's lush-covered ruins, a 'Tomb Raider' film location. Spend the afternoon at leisure or opt for a Khmer cooking class.
Accommodation: FCC Angkor by Avani Siem Reap or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 15
Siem Reap
Start the day with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, walking through a local Khmer village to observe daily life and traditional crafts like weaving palm leaf hats and crafting lotus flower art. Enjoy free time before a Farewell Dinner with your Travel Director and group, featuring an Apsara dance show, bidding farewell to those not traveling to Phnom Penh.
Accommodation: FCC Angkor by Avani Siem Reap or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Day 16
Siem Reap- Phnom Penh
Fly to Phnom Penh this morning, a city once hailed as the ‘Pearl of Asia’ and renowned for its beautiful French colonial architecture blended with Khmer influences. Later, embark on a cyclo tour to explore this charming city, uncovering its rich history and spotting hidden churches and Chinese temples in quaint alleyways.
Accommodation: La Rose Suites Phnom Penh or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 17
Phnom Penh
This morning in Phnom Penh, join a Local Specialist for a comprehensive city tour. Visit Wat Phnom temple, learning about Lady Penh's Buddha statues discovery. Explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, then the National Museum with its ancient Khmer art. Reflect on Cambodia's past at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre, memorials to Khmer Rouge victims. Spend the evening at your leisure.
Accommodation: La Rose Suites Phnom Penh or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 18
Depart Phnom Penh
Transfer to your onward flight.
Meals Included: Breakfast
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