THE NOSTALGIA OF INDOCHINA
Day1 Arrive in Hanoi
Arriving at Noi Bai Airport, you’ll be welcomed and escorted to the city. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day2 Hanoi
Breakfast at the hotel.
Our morning tour starts with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, The Temple of Literature and the West Lake area. You have free time at leisure in the afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day3 Hanoi - Bac Ninh - Tho Ha – Hanoi
Breakfast at the hotel.
We travel by car 50 km north of Hanoi where we get on a local ferry across the Nhu Nguyet River for Tho Ha Village. Tho Ha has been specializing in making pottery wares for hundreds of years. Touring Tho Ha Village, we’ll learn about the artistic pottery items and we’ll also have an opportunity to mingle ourselves into this authentic country life of Vietnam with the friendly villagers. We travel back to Hanoi in the afternoon and enjoy free time on our own for the remainder of the day. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day4 Hanoi - Perfume Pagoda – Hanoi
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning, we travel through the tranquil countryside to Perfume Pagoda. Upon arrival, we’ll get on our sampan rowed by local ladies for Huong Tich Mountains. Arriving at the foot of the mountain, we’ll start our hiking tour through the myriad Buddhist Pagodas built into limestone mountain cliffs to Huong Tich Cave Pagoda. We’ll have some timeless moments in this cave which receives thousand of pilgrims a day in festive times, then descend the mountain for the boat trip back to our car park. We’ll travel back to Hanoi and arrive in late afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day5 Hanoi - Ha Long Bay Junk Cruise
Breakfast at the hotel.
Travel by car/bus through the Red River Delta to Ha Long Bay. Upon arrival, we’ll embark our junk and start a cruise through the most beautiful area of Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage Site. Our lunch and dinner are conveniently prepared and served by the staff on board. In the evening, we’ll anchor in the wild of Ha Long Bay. Overnight on board the junk.
Day6 Ha Long Bay Junk Cruise - Ha Long City
Breakfast on board the junk.
We’ll have further exploration of Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay then have the last feast for lunch before disembarking. We’ll rejoin our car and drive to our hotel in Ha Long City.
The afternoon is free at our own pace for more exploration of Ha Long City. Overnight in Ha Long City.
Day7 Ha Long City - Hue (VN 245: 1240 - 1350)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Travel back to Noi Bai Airport for the flight to Hue. Hue was the capital city of Vietnam from 1802 - 1945. Hue is a charming imperial city with combination of the new and the old. The Perfume River bisects the city into the northern and southern parts. To the north is the ancient citadel surrounded by moats which were home to the royal court of Vietnam in the 19th century. Visiting the ancient citadel you can visit the Palace where the king lived, the quarter for the royal family and concubines, the royal library….Lots of damages during the war are still found here though. To the south is where hotels and fine dining restaurants are located. In Hue, we’ll visit the Imperial Citadel – A World Heritage Site.
Arriving in Hue, we’ll meet our Hue tour guide at the airport and transferred to the city for the tour of Hue Imperial Citadel and the Dong Ba exotic market on the Perfume River Bank. Overnight in Hue.
Day8 Hue
Breakfast at the hotel.
Hue is no doubt the city of harmony with the encircling green mountains, the meandering rivers, the architecture nestled in trees….Everything of Hue seems to be just in the right place and in perfect harmony. Our tour brings us to the western side of the city where the royal tombs are found. The Vietnamese kings thought that the West is the direction of sunset and permanent rest. That was why they built different royal tombs in the western part of Hue city. Here the kings would rest permanently in complete peace and tranquility.
Each of the royal tombs was designed by the king himself and the architecture of each tomb shows a lot about the king and the context of Vietnam at the time. Many tombs were constructed, completed and used by the king when they were still in reign. The royal tombs of Hue are definitely the fine pieces of arts.
We start with a cruise on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, then we’ll explore by road the royal tombs of King Tu Duc and the tranquil Tu Hieu Pagoda. Overnight in Hue.
Day9 Hue - Hoi An
Breakfast at the hotel.
We check out of the hotel in the morning. Our journey brings us through the scenic countryside of the Central Region of Vietnam to Hoi An. We’ll stop at the Lang Co Beach with fine white sand against the green mountain backdrop and on the Hai Van Pass which offers 360 degrees of breathtaking mountain and sea view. Descending the mountains, we’ll make our way to Da Nang where we tour the Cham Museum. At this museum we can adore the artifacts from the Cham Cultures which thrived in the Central Region of Vietnam from the 2nd through the 15th century. Then we have time for mid day break in Da Nang.
In the afternoon, we’ll drive out of Da Nang City to the Marble Mountains. There are 5 mountains which represent 5 elements on earth: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Soil. There are caves and pagodas built into caves visited by the local pilgrims. Right close to the Marble Mountains are the Stone-Carving Village and the famous China Beach which served as an R&R base for US Servicemen and war reporters in the past.
Hoi An was a famous trading port back to the 16 – 19th centuries. Hoi An was visited by merchants from China, Japan, Persia, Europe….at the times. Hoi An residents are composed of Vietnamese, Chinese. Hoi An’s architecture is the perfect combination of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese styles. Hoi An nowadays still retains the atmosphere of the old town dated back to the heyday which never fails to charm the visitors.
Apart from the cozy ancient town, Hoi An also offers the pristine white sand Cua Dai Beach which claimed one of the most charming beaches in the world. Hoi An has always been unforgettable memory for our dear travelers. Overnight in HoiAn Ancient Town.
Day10 Hoi An
Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day free at leisure.
Day11 Hoi An
Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day free at leisure.
Day12 Hoi An - Da Nang - Saigon (VN 321: 0800 - 0910)
Breakfast at the hotel.
You enjoy free time at leisure until we transfer you to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Saigon. Arriving at Saigon Airport, you’ll be picked up and escorted to the city. Before getting to the hotel, we’ll have an oriented walking tour of Saigon down town area. The rest of the day is free at leisure. Overnight in Saigon.
Saigon sprawls its length along the Saigon River. With convenient transportation and location, Saigon has always been busy with trade and commerce for hundreds of years since its formation.
Saigon boasts its high rise buildings and luxurious hotels along the riverside. This area is particularly stunning at night when the city full of light can be viewed from a boat cruising on the Saigon River. There are also some rooftop bars and restaurants for you to watch Saigon at night from above.
Saigon is a city on the go, busy days and nights. It’s required no effort to find something to entertain ourselves while in Saigon. There are many pagodas, temples and museums in the city. Those who want to have more active experiences may like to get lost in the busy and exotic markets selling most of things on earth, the numerous bars and sidewalk cafes always full of guests, smoke and music, or just take part in the traffics like nowhere else in the downtown area. If those things are not enough, then there are lots of parks and water parks around the city for you to get relaxed.
Day13 Saigon - Cu Chi – Saigon
Breakfast at the hotel.
we drive 70 km to Cu Chi once famous for the legendary tunnel system which at the height stretched over 250 km. In Cu Chi, you will have to check these tunnels of 3 levels yourself by creeping in the narrow tunnels. We’ll be surprised to find out how people made these tunnels and find out how life of the local people was during the Second Indochina War. Overnight in Saigon.
Day14 Saigon - Cai Be - Vinh Long – Saigon
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today we’ll discover the exotic lifestyle of the communities who live on the mighty Mekong River. We travel through the heart of the verdant Mekong Delta to Cai Be for our boat trip to Vinh Long.
In Cai Be we will witness an exotic floating market with boats carrying loads of commodities for bartering. We can engage in the bargaining sessions with the local merchants for the fresh fruits of the region. Then we’ll move on to visit exotic occupations still carried out by the locals such as making dry young rice, making rice papers, making coconut candy. After that our tour brings us to an old house with traditional Vietnamese architecture and we’ll learn about agricultural works through the ancient tools used here in the past.
Lunch is served right in a bonsai garden amid trees and tranquility. After lunch, we’ll relax with some walking tours or cycling tours through the village to learn more about the local life. We’ll also sample a bonsai garden and visit a ceramics workshop before rejoining our car and travel back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day15 Saigon - Siem Reap (VN 827: 1140 - 1240)
Breakfast at the hotel.
You have free time at leisure until our car transfers you back to the Tan Son Nhat Airport for your flight to Siem Reap, The Kingdom of Cambodia. Arriving in Siem Reap, meet our Cambodia tour guide and we’ll drive to Rolous Town. The monuments of Roluos, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned from A.D 877-89), are among the earliest permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art.
In Rolous, we’ll tour the temples of Preah Ko (erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century and dedicated by the King to his ancestors), Bakong (the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, it has an active Buddhist monastery) and Lolei (built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir by Yasovarman I, the founder of the first city at Angkor).
In late afternoon, we’ll climb the Phnom Bakheng Hill to the hilltop temple and adore the stunning sunset view over the countryside and the fabled Angkor Wat. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day16 Siem Reap
Breakfast at the hotel.
Our morning tour starts with Angkor Thom the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), Bayon Temple(unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Return to Siem Reap for refreshment.
In the afternoon, we’ll enter the legendary world of Angkor Wat. We’ll have 2 to 3 hours for a guided tour which we’ll learn about the magical works of the Khmer to build these unrivalled structures. Then we’ll have some brief moments for self-exploring the upper levels of Angkor Wat. Since the top levels are vertically steep, it’s necessary we clamber them with good care.
Angkor Wat complex covers 81 hectares. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer arts and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks, the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat symbolizes the ocean beyond. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day17 Siem Reap - Phnom Penh (FT993: 12:10 - 13:00)
Breakfast at the hotel.
You have free time until our tour guide comes back and escorts you back to Siem Reap Airport for the flight to Phnom Penh. Arriving at Phnom Penh International Airport, meet our tour guide and drive to the city. We have time for mid day break before touring this charming capital city.
Our afternoon tour starts with the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda, the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom where Phnom Penh got its name. We check into our hotel in late afternoon and enjoy free time at leisure. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day18 Phnom Penh - Vientiane (QV 840: 1525 - 1655)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Our morning tour is for the sorrows suffered by the locals during the holocaust time. We’ll tour the thrilling Toul Sleng Prison and the Killing Field of Cheung Ek then travel back to our hotel for checking out. You have free time until our guide comes back and escorts you to Phnom Penh Airport for the flight to Vientiane, Laos. Arriving at Vientiane, welcomed by our Laos tour guide and transferred to the hotel. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day19 Vientiane - Luang Prabang (QV 101: 1120 - 1200)
Breakfast at the hotel.
We check out of our hotel and have a tour of Vientiane including Vat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues; Vat Prakeo; the That Luang Monument, Vientiane’s Arc de Triomphe - the Patouxai Monument. Then you’ll be transferred back to the airport for the flight to Luang Prabang. Arriving at Luang Prabang, met by our local tour guide and transferred to the city.
You’ll have time for a break, then we’ll explore the World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang. We’ll tour Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple served as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Aham, the early 19th century temple, whose two guardian figures at the gate represent two characters from the Ramayana – Hanuman, the Monkey God and a fierce Yaksa; Wat Xieng Thong, the 16th century temple which, more than any temples in Luang Prabang, epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture; Phousi Hill, the 328 steps leads to the summit of Phousi hill which is the peak of Luang Prabang, from the top of Phousi Hill we can have the panoramic view of Luang Prabang and the vicinity. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day20 Luang Prabang
Breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy full day free at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day21 Depart Luang Prabang
Breakfast at the hotel.
You have free time until our tour guide comes back and escorts you to Luang Phabang Airport for your departure flight.
