THE HIGHLIGHTS OF VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA
Day1 Arrival in Hanoi
Arriving at Noi Bai Airport, you’ll be welcomed by our tour guide. Then we’ll travel to the hotel in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day2 Hannoi City Tour (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Our tour starts with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace; this whole area reminds you some parts of the Vietnamese history and the most revered man of the nation. Then we’ll tour Tran Quoc Pagoda - Nation founding pagoda, Quan Thanh temple where you can enjoy the freshness of the West Lake and learn about the spiritual life of the Vietnamese.
In the afternoon, we’ll tour the Temple of Literature-1st University of Vietnam and the Ngoc Son temple. We’ll have a walking tour of the Old Quarter and free time for shopping in the narrow hustling bustling streets of the Old Town which dated back from the 11th century.
In late afternoon, we'll take you to a traditional water puppet show for sampling this Vietnamese unique art of water puppet performance. After the show, we'll travel back to the hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day3 Hanoi - Silk Village - Thay Pagoda – Tay Phuong Pagoda - Hai Phong (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today is for touring the old villages of the Red River Delta with the Vietnamese traditional culture. We travel 20 km (45 minutes) from Hanoi to Van Phuc Silk village specializing in weaving silk from the 11th century. Then we go on with the tour of Tay Phuong Pagoda which was built in the 17th century and very famous for the 18 statues of La Han coated with lacquer paint. After that we will tour the Thay Pagoda which was first built in 11 century. This one is located at the foot of Thay Mountain. It has a neat setting with perfect combination of Feng Shui (Water and Wind). Also you'll have an opportunity to witness the oldest stage for performing water puppet right in the village lake dated back from the 17th century.
In the afternoon, we travel to Bat Trang ceramics village starting the ceramics business from 500 years ago with old traditional and modern models. Then we travel onto high way 5 for Hai Phong colonial city charmed with side walk café and French architecture from the 19th century. Overnight in Haiphong.
Day4 Hai Phong - Cat Ba - Ha Long Bay - Hanoi (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Travel by speed boat from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island, then embark our private boat for the cruise through the most stunning area of the Summer Orchid Bay and Ha Long Bay. We’ll tour a limestone cave and have fresh seafood on board for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll disembark our boat at Ha Long City and join our car for the road trip back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day5 Hanoi - Perfume Pagoda – Hanoi (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
We travel 60 Km (2 hours) from Hanoi to Perfume Pagoda. Upon arrival, we board some bamboo boats and row 1.5 hour on the Yen River surrounded by mountains to the Perfume Pagoda. On the way, we will tour Trinh Temple just right on the river bank. We get off the boat at the foot of Huong Tich Mountain and from there we start our hiking tour to the top which is 4000 m away to visit the main pagoda. We'll also tour many pagodas built in to limestone cliffs on the way to the top. After getting lost in the Buddhist world, we’ll take the boat trip back to the village and join our car for the trip back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day6 Hanoi - Hue (VN245: 1240-1350) (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free time at leisure until have a transfer back to the airport for the flight to Hue. Meet the tour guide in Hue and have a tour of Hue Ancient Citadel. Overnight in Hue.
Hue is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Vietnam. The Perfume River flows through the middle of Hue dividing the city into 2 parts: the ancient citadel area to the north and the new town to the south. While the Citadel boasts its weathered gates and kilometer-length walls surrounded by moats filled up with lotus flowers in the summer, the towering flag towers, the old rustic cannons, wide tree-lined roads and the vast green lawns, the new town is where the hotels, restaurants, bars and riverside cafes are found. The western side of the city is where the royal tombs are located amid trees-covered hills. Also Hue is famous for hundreds of century old pagodas, temples and tombs. For the Vietnamese, Hue royal cuisines seem to be the finest in the country. Always check with the restaurants before tasting the food here, since the spices may make someone remember Hue for the rest of their life!
Day7 Hue – Hoi An (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Take the morning cruise on the idyllic Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Royal tomb of Tu Duc. Then move onto the Royal Tombs of Khai Dinh and Minh Mang. Each was designed by the king himself expressing his attitude and characteristics.
In the afternoon, take the scenic drive to Hoi An ancient town. Overnight in Hoi An.
Hoian was once a major international port trading in silk, ceramics, and spices. Hoian has the blend of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese culture which has been retained in parts of HoiAn architecture. If you look for some cultural discovery, or for fine silk clothings, or just simply some easy time hanging around the beach, then HoiAn is the place! HoiAn is a World Heritage site and has always been one of our tourists’ highlights.
Day8 Hoi An (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning, we’ll visit the Japanese bridge, Hoi An Museum, one of the Chinese Congregational Assemblies, old merchant houses.
In the afternoon, you have free time at leisure. Overnight in Hoian.
Day9 Hoi An - Da Nang - Nha Trang (VN337:1410-1530) (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
You have free time at leisure until we transfer you to Da Nang airport for your flight to Cam Ranh. Arriving at Cam Ranh Airport, our guide and car will escort you to Nha Trang Beach City. We’ll check into the hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Nha Trang possesses the most outstanding beaches in Vietnam. With turquoise transparent water, many white sand beaches and the superb coral reefs around the magnificent offshore islands, Nha Trang is no doubt a paradise for snorkeling and scuba-diving. Also around Nha Trang city, there are the Po Nagar Cham tower, the Thap Ba hotspring, a very interesting Oceanographic Institute and Yersin Museum. During your stay those may be the places to visit.
Day10 Nha Trang (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free at leisure. Only accommodation with breakfast is provided by Paradissa Travel. Overnight in Nhatrang.
Day11 Nha Trang (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free at leisure. Only accommodation with breakfast is provided by Paradissa Travel. Overnight in Nhatrang.
Day12 Nha Trang-Saigon (VN455: 1545-1645) (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free time until having a transfer back to Cam Ranh Airport for the flight to Saigon. Meet the tour guide at Tan Son Nhat Airport and drive to the city. Overnight in Saigon.
Day13 Saigon City Tour (Half a day) (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
This special tour brings you around the most vibrant city of Vietnam. At first, we'll visit the War Remnants Museum. Then we go down to visit Binh Tay market located in the heart of the China town and visit Thien Hau pagoda. We'll go to the Reunification Palace after that, where you'll find some historical memories of the past. We'll drive around to the Emperor of Jade Temple, the Cathedral, the General Post Office, the Municipal theater - the former Parliament.
In the afternoon, free time at leisure. Overnight in Saigon.
Day14 Saigon-Phnom Penh (VN817: 1155-1245) (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
A.M: You have free time at leisure until we take you to the airport for your flight to Phnompenh- the Kingdom of Cambodia.
P.M: Arriving at Phnompenh International Airport, our guide will welcome and escort you to the hotel. We’ll check into the hotel, then head out for the tour of Phnom Penh. We’ll visit the Toul Sleng Museum where the Khmer Rouge questioned and tortured the victims before they were brought to the Killing Field, Wat Phnom where the story of Phnompenh started, the Silver Pagoda and the Royal Palace. We’ll check into the hotel and you’ll have free time at leisure. Overnight in Phnompenh.
Day15 Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (FT 992: 0955-1040) (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the domestic airport for the flight Phnom Penh-Siem Reap. Arriving at Siem Reap Airport, our guide will meet and we start the discovery of the ancient temples and ruins that are found next to Roluos Town - Preah Ko, Ba Kong and Lo Lei all mark the beginning of Khmer classical art. In late afternoon, we’ll drive to Phnom Bakheng to climb to the hilltop temple for the stunning sunset view over Angkor Wat and the countryside. Overnight in SiemReap.
Day16 Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning tour of Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King, Royal Enclosure and the Phimeanakas.
In the afternoon, we’ll get lost the the fabled world of Angkor Wat. After sharing the secrets of Angkor Wat with our tour guide, you’ll have free time to explore the upper levels of the Angkor Wat Temple. Overnight in Siemreap.
Day17 Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Take a long morning tour through the countryside to visit Banteay Srey with some of the most impressive deep sculptures found in the region, then we continue onto Banteay Samre.
In the afternoon take a trip to visit Banteay Kdei, Ta Prohm and Takeo.
Day18 Departure (B)
You have free time until we take you back to Siem Reap Airport for your departure flight. End of service.
