Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Hanoi. The rest of day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi (B)

Today we commence our exploration of Hanoi by visiting the Ho Chi Minh complex, starting at the President’s Mausoleum. We continue to his humble “house on stilts”, see the French colonial Presidential Palace and the 11th century One-Pillar Pagoda. Afterwards we go to the Museum of Ethnology, which is an excellent museum containing the ethnic costumes of the various minorities of VN, as well as relics, tools and even full size replicas of their homes and buildings.

After lunch, we visit the Temple of Literature, the first Vietnam University dating to 1070. We then take a Cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake before attending a famous Water Puppet show.
Overnight in Hanoi

Day 3: Halong Bay (B/L)

After breakfast we cross the Red River towards Halong city. The three-hours-drive stops en route at Hong Ngoc, where we will have time for a drink and see local people manufacturing different kinds of handicrafts.
On arrival Halong city we get in boat for a fantastic cruise through Ha Long Bay (approx. four hours). We will enjoy lunch with fresh sea food while having a cool drink before leave the boat to see the Heavenly Palace Grotto and Driftwood cave, one of the highlights of the Bay. Return Hanoi in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 4: Hanoi – Hue (B)

A short flight in the morning will bring you to Hue, the last Imperial City of Vietnam. In the afternoon we begin to see the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City, created in the 19th century for the Emperors under Nguyen Dynasty. We then drive outskirts of Hue to the impressive tomb of King Khai Dinh.

Overnight in Hue

Day 5: Hue – Quang Binh (B)

In the morning, we travel by boat along the Perfume River. We stop at Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the best known religious sites. Here we can see the 21-meter high octagonal tower, a famous symbol of Hue. Continue tour by boat to Emperor Minh Mang’s tomb, built in the 1840s. The Emperor’s tomb complex consists of 40 constructions (palaces, temples, pavillons…) designed on a symmetric axis.

In the afternoon, we drive about 100km from Hue, an area of 5-km trip set along the two sides of Ben Hai River. It was bombed into a desolate wasteland, riddled with land mines and surrounded by barbed wire during the war. Nowadays bomb damage and craters are still evident in paddies, beside the railway tracks and beside the roads and bridge in the area. Here we also see the famous Hien Luong Bridge, which was first built by French sappers in 1950s and then served as border gates to the both sides.

Overnight in Quang Binh

Day 6: Phong Nha Cave & Ke Bang National Park (B/L)

We take 45 minutes from the hotel to Phong Nha cave & Ke Bang National Park. The Park is one of the world’s two largest limestone regions. In comparison with 41 other world heritage sites which have karst, Phong Nha has dissimilar geomorphic, geologic and biotic conditions. The karsts of Phong Nha can be traced back to Palaeozoic 400 millions years ago. This makes Phong Nha is the oldest major karst in Asia. The area has numerous grottoes and caves. Vietnamese and British scientists have so far surveyed a total of 20 caves with a total length of 70km. Of these surveyed caves, 17 were in the Phong Nha area and three in the Ke Bang area. 

Following the narrow underground river, we explore the most impressive Phong Nha cave, from which the name to the whole system. The Cave is famous for its rock formation which has been given names such as the “Lion”, the “Fairy Caves”, the “Royal Court”, and the “Buddha”. Afterwards, we drive to Da Nhay Beach for a seafood lunch. Drive back to Hue in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Hue

Day 7: Hue – Hoian (B)

This morning we travel by road over spectacular Hai Van pass to Hoi An ancient town. On arrival, we will enjoy a walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200-year old Tam Ky ancestral house, the Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful local markets.

The rest of day is free to relax or hire a bicycle to ride to the nearby beach.

Overnight in Hoian.

Day 8: Hoian – Myson – Danang- Saigon (B)

Take a haft day excursion to My Son sanctuary. It was the site of religious ceremony of kings of the Champa dynasty, and was also a burial place of Champa royals and national heroes. The My Son temple complex is one of the foremost temple complexes of Hinduism in South East Asia and is the foremost heritage site of this nature in Vietnam.

Afternoon, we transfer to Danang airport to fly to Saigon. On arrival, pick up and transfer to hotel.

Overnight in Saigon

Day 9: Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnel (B)

This morning takes a half-day city tour. We explore city’s grand boulevards, passing famous sites such as the Re-Unification Palace, the Old Saigon Post Office, and the Notre Dame Cathedral.

We leave Saigon after lunch to Cu Chi tunnels, an incredible underground system covering nearly 250km, was shelter to over 16,000 communist guerillas during the war. Come back Ho Chi Minh city in late afternoon.

Overnight in Saigon

Day 10: Mekong Delta (B/L)

After breakfast we travel out of Ho Chi Minh city and spend full day floating through waterways on an exploration of the lush Mekong Delta region. Upon arrival Vinh Long province, we will boat through the lush green vegetations of the canals to an orchard, where you leave boat for a delicious lunch complete with a local delicacy – the Elephant’s Eye Fish. Continue taking a boat trip to Cai Be floating market which offers great insight into the daily lives of the locals along the rivers and canals. We also visit Vinh Long local market on the way back to Saigon.

Overnight in Saigon

Day 11: Saigon – Siem Reap (B)

In the morning we take a flight to Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Complex. The temples of Angkor represent 600 years of Khmer civilization (802-1432). On arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel.
On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Siem Reap.

In the afternoon we enter the South Gate of Angkor Thom Temple and marvel the wonders of the eerie Bayon, the terrace of Elephants and terrace of Leper King. Enjoy the sunset view from Phnom Bakheng.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 12: Temple of Angkor (B)

Today we visit the famous Angkor Wat, built for king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. The largest and best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre—first Hindu, then Buddhist—since its foundation.

After lunch we visit Preah Khan Temple, built in the 12th century for King Jayavarman VII. Then spend about half hour journey to reach Banteay Srey, one of the most unusual temples of Angkor, Cambodia. It lies 20 km due north of the main group. It is built largely of red sandstone, which is covered with elaborate and deeply carved decoration.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 13: Siem Reap - Vientiane (B)

Morning we take a flight to Vientiane, Capital of Laos. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. After a short rest, we start to visit the major sights of the capital including Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in town dating back to 1828. We will also visit Haw Pha Kaew, the former Royal temple of Laos Monarchy, now converted into a museum and Pha That Luang, the most important national monument in Laos and the Patuxai Monument, reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. From there, we explore the Central Market.

Overnight in Vientiane

Day 14: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (B)

The morning we visit the National Museum (Revolutionary Museum) where we see varied antique items and legend of Laos’s history fighters and leaders from the ancient times to new revolution period. We then board a short flight to Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best - preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia.

On arrival, we transfer you to hotel and then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a superb view over the town and river. From there, we walk through the streets of Luang Prabang to visit lively street night market.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 15: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave (B)

Today we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. Continue to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then take a boat ride upstream on the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On return, we overland local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan, continue seeing the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun, which once belongs to royal family patronage and near by Sackarine Caves. We cross to city and take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 16: Luang Prabang Departure (B)

You are free at leisure until transfer to airport for departure flight

(B) : Breakfast
(L) : Lunch
(D) : Dinner

Hotels to be used:

In Hanoi:
Deluxe: Sofitel Plaza Hanoi Hotel/ Sheraton Hanoi Hotel/ Melia Hanoi Hotel or similar
Superior: Zephyr Hotel/ Sunway Hanoi Hotel/ Fortuna Hotel/ Serenade Hotel or similar
Standard: Jasper Hotel/ Majestic Salute Hotel/ Galaxy Hotel/ Hoa Binh Palace Hotel or similar
Economy: Hong Ngoc Hotel/ Gia Bao Hotel/ Flower Hotel or similar

In Hue:
Deluxe: La Residence Hotel & Spa/ Imperial Hotel or similar
Superior: Saigon Morin Hotel/ Huong Giang Hotel/ Pilgrimage Village Resort or similar
Standard: Park view Hotel/ Festival Hotel/ Asia Hotel or similar
Economy: Duy Tan hotel/ Hoa Hong Hotel or similar

In Quang Binh:
Deluxe: Sun Spa Resort or similar
Superior: Saigon Quang Binh  or similar
Standard: Cosevco Nhat Le Hotel or similar
Economy: Phong Nha Hotel or similar

In Hoian:
Deluxe: Golden Sand Resort/ Victoria Hoi An Resort/ Palm Garden Resort or similar
Superior: Hoian Beach Resort/ Hoian Trails Resort/ Hoian Riverside resort or similar
Standard: Ancient House Resort/ Hoi an Hotel or similar
Economy: Vinh Hung 2 Hotel/ Hoai Thanh Hotel/Thuy Duong 3 Hotel or similar

In Ho Chi Minh City:
Deluxe: Caravelle Hotel/New World Hotel/ Sofitel Plaza Saigon Hotel/ Renaissance Riverside Hotel/ Legend Hotel/ Equatorial Hotel or similar
Superior: Kim Do Hotel/ Rex  Hotel/ Continental Hotel/ Park Royal Saigon Hotel/ Windsor Plaza Hotel or similar
Standard: Bongsen 1 Hotel/ Palace Hotel/Vien Dong Hotel/ Metropole Hotel/ May Hotel/ Thang Long-Oscar/ Tan My Dinh II Hotel or similar
Economy: Empress Hotel/ Chancery Hotel/ Saigon Hotel/ Elios Hotel or similar

In Siem Reap:
Deluxe: Angkor Palace Resort & Spa/  Sokha Angkor Hotel or similar
Superior: Tara Angkor Hotel/ Empress Angkor Hotel/ Apsara Holiday Hotel/ Apsara Angkor
Hotel/ Borei Angkor Hotel or similar
Standard: Casa Angkor Hotel/ Lotus Angkor Hotel/ Angkor Holiday Hotel/ Angkor Land Hotel
or similar
Economy: Angkor Riverside Hotel/ Angkor ST  Hotel/ Angkor Davy or similar

In Vientiane:
Deluxe: Lao Plaza Hotel or similar
Superior: Novotel Hotel or similar
Standard: Inter City Hotel/ Beau Rivage Hotel or similar
Economy: Day Inn Hotel/ B & P Hotel

In Luang Prabang:
Deluxe: The Grand Hotel or similar
Superior: Villa Santi Hotel or similar
Standard: Ancient Luang Prabang Hotel or similar
Economy: Sanakeo Hotel or similar

* All hotels are subject to availability