12 DAYS SIEM REAP & VIETNAM THROUGH

After breakfast, start your day to visit Angkor by visiting the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8 m high wall, with each side of the city being 4 km long, drawing a perfect square. You will enter the city through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant. On each side of the entrance path a row of 54 gods or demons is holding the sacred Naga snake.

From here, continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. The particularity of this monument is the 54 towers with four faces representing the 54 provinces of the then Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs. Lunch will be serve at local restaurant.

Afternoon, you will continue to enjoy the tour of the famous Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing the Mount Meru, home of the gods. The divine residence of Vishnu, the King himself was to reside here after his death. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Moreover, Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor. Today, Angkor Wat is figured on Cambodia's national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast at hotel, guide will meet in the lobby of your hotel and enjoy the journey to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels - an complex of an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. There are more than 200 km of tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. You have the chance to crawl through this amazing system of tunnels. For a more “thrilling” experience, you can even test your shooting skills on original AK47s and other guns from past war times (subject to a surcharge). Journey back to Ho Chi Minh.

Afternoon, tour continues to visit the former Presidential Palace, renowned for its symbolic role in the fall of Saigon in 1975 and continue to visit the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral inaugurated in 1880 became the spiritual and cultural crucible of the French presence in the Orient as was the Post office designed by Gustav Eiffel and resembling a grand railway station, the people’s Committee Hall, Old Saigon Post Office. End the day at the famous Ben Thanh Market, where you can purchase souvenirs for your beloved ones and shopping before transfer back to your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Morning meet our local guide in the lobby of your hotel and drive to My Tho the heart of the Mekong delta, famous for its coconut production and quiet, peaceful waterways and the most beautiful landscapes, the pristine natural beauty that is Ben Tre Province. Known as “Coconut Island,” many of its people still rely on tradition and centuries old methods of production. Our program focuses on the Giong Trom and Phong Nam districts, areas untouched by commercial tourism.

We showcase the amazing local people, the villages they call home and the peaceful Rivers they use as a part of their daily lives.
 
Upon arrival, take a Xe Loi ride through the local village of Huu Dinh to enjoy the green fields and gardens. Continue with a short walk to Huu Phuoc Bridge, where you will start your boat trip through small canals with beautiful tropical scenery. On board the boat, enjoy a welcome drink and tropical fruits while cruising.
 
The cruise will first stop at a Coconut processing family owned business. Here you will learn what Ben Tre is known for and the hundreds of uses of each single coconut. Return to your boat and cruise across the water to a brick making factory, where the locals still use centuries-old traditional methods to make the bricks by hand. Enjoy a casual cycling trip that will take you to visit a local rice noodle factory which produces Hu Tieu noodles, one of the most popular dishes in the region.

After your visit take a short walk to one of our friends, Mrs. Huong, who lives with her 3 children and grandson – they live on fishing, shrimp and fruit orchards. Enjoy fresh fruits and tea and then board a rowing sampan taking you through a lush narrow canal, displaying the tranquil nature of the region.

After our team rows you through the quiet canal, reconnect with your Day Cruiser and enjoy a cruise to a private riverside restaurant. It is time for you to relax and enjoy a 5-course lunch of local specialties. Relax and have a walk around the lush garden setting.  

Then continue your cycling trip to My Long to visit Mr. Sau Tuong, a former Vietcong soldier who survived two years fighting the Khmer Rouge in Phnom Penh. Now he and his wife live on making rice paper which is the most famous specialty of My Long village. Have a chat with him and enjoy the crispy rice paper made by his wife, and see how it is made.

Then visit the nearby house of Mr. Hung, who is a famous sticky rice maker in the village. You can also feed his stock of catfish and walk through his fruit garden.

After the visit, the boat will be waiting for you at the pier nearby to bring you back to the harbour city where your car will be ready to take you back  to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Tan Sat Nhat Airport for a domestic flight to Danang. Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed by our local guide and transfer to Hoian while passing Danang city - the fourth largest city in Vietnam, the gateway to the central provinces and a sea port with nice beaches and resort. En route, you vist the Cham Museum - The world's foremost collection of the sculpture of the ancient King-dom of Champa, and the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements of the universe en route then continue driving along Non Nuoc Beach to Hoi An.

Arrive Hoian, check in the hotel. Afterward you will explore Hoian - known to early Western merchants, Hoi An was one of the major trading centres of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Hoi An has a mixed Chinese-Vietnamese atmosphere with low, tile-roof houses and narrow streets. Having been through many ups and downs in the past, the original structures, however, are still virtually intact. That was the reason to persuade the UNESCO to recognize Hoi An as a World Heritage in 1999. Besides, the surroundings of Hoi An, especially the countryside, are one of the most outstanding highlights that visitors should experience during their stay in Hoi An. One of the best ways to discover Hoi An and its surroundings is by walking. During your leisurely walk around you will discover the daily life of the local people: green paddy fields, vegetable gardens, markets, temples, historic houses, fishermen and stunning countryside scenes will simply mesmerize you. This tour offers great photo opportunities and you may find yourself chatting with the locals and inhaling unforgettable memories. Later, enjoy free time to visit the tailors, if you would like to have some clothing made. Rest of the day free at leisure for your own activities. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Hoian.

After breakfast, start the journey to Hue - the former Imperial City of the last dynasty of Vietnam over the spectacular Hai Van Pass. Have a short stop on top of the pass – once regarded as the prime mountain pass on the North - South national road. Continue further north to Hue – a charming town set on the banks of the Perfume River. Located in Central Vietnam, Hue is the only place in the country where many historic, cultural, architectural as well as artistic values have been preserved. Tangible cultural heritage - the system of historic monuments - and intangible cultural heritage - the Imperial court music - have their own national and international values that were acknowledged as World Cultural Heritages. Hue is also the site where the northern and southern ecosystems meet, the area of river-hills, greenery and beautiful landscapes.

Arrival Hue, lunch at local restaurant before exploring the Imperial City of Hue. The Hue Citadel is situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River and built by Emperor Gia Long it was designed for the exclusive use of the Emperor and his household. The Citadel is a square 2 km wall  encompassing 3 walled enclosures; the Citadel, Kinh Thanh Hue, the Yellow  Imperial city, Hoang Thanh and in the centre the Forbidden Purple city Tu Cam Thanh where the Emperor lived. The Hue royal complex has been officially recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Tour continues to enjoy a scenic boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. Afterward, check in the hotel

Tonight you will be brought back to the splendid history of ancient Royal time in Vietnam, you will be charmed with the Royal style decoration of the Royal Dining room, the atmosphere of the diner that you are the King with royal wears., beside you are the Queen accompanied by the servants in traditional royal clothes, all wearing traditional royal clothes. All the food served is royal dishes symbolizing the dragon, phoenix, or peacock. Table is decorated by Hue’s colorful silk and flowers, large candle lights, colorful lantern with dragon pattern and spotlights … All meticulously prepared to the finest details for a sumptuous dinner that fits for royalty.

It will surely surprise you with its authentic cuisines of Hue’s royalty. You will discover how Royal life was by enjoying the "Royal meal" while listening to melodious music and having a feeling of being a real King. Overnight at hotel in Hue.

16h30 – 17h30    Cruising to Titop island. Go swimming and relaxing at the beach of Titov or climb up to the top of the island for a panorama view of Halong Bay.

17h30                    Cruise back to the main boat for a shower. Relax or snap photos as the sun starts to set.
19h00                    Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests, fish for squid, or just laze around.

Overnight on board.

This morning, you will explore the citya to visit the Temple of Literature. In 1076, Vietnam's first university Quoc Tu Giam, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

Then you will visit The One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049, next. This structure is one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples. Close by is the Mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and The Former Presidents House on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. His former home illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary. (viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov)

Tour continues to visit Hoa Lo prison, known by its American inmates as the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ during the war years of the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Whilst much of it has been torn down to make way for a modern office development a section of it remains open for visitors and provides a fascinating insight into the domination of the French during their colonial governance. Lunch will be served at local restaurant

Afternoon you will visit the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Hoan Kiem Lake was already considered the most beautiful lake in Hanoi when Ngoc Son Temple was built on an island in the 19th century. Initially, the temple was called Ngoc Son Pagoda and was later renamed Ngoc Son Temple, since temples are dedicated to saints. Saint Van Suong, considered to be one of the brightest stars in Vietnam's literary and intellectual circles, was worshipped there along with other National heroes.

Afterward enjoy a leisurely one-hour buggy tour through the streets of this fascinating city,  you will come face to face with the daily lives and activities of Hanoi’s streets as you pass through the congested, but delightful, Old Quarter. Ride pass the fascinating streets, which still bear the names of the shops that could be found in them in the 15th to 18th centuries

End the day you will attend a performance of the famous water puppet show. The Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry has roots that date back to the 10th century when it originated in the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam. The farmers in the region celebrated festivals and harvests by performing this unique art form. Learning to manipulate the puppets is usually a tradition that is passed on as a family secret. It takes a great deal of skill and because the puppeteer’s hands are underwater, it is easy for them to hide their methods. The fascinating part is that the central stage is below the water line, and the puppeteers stand in the waist-deep water. A rattan curtain hides them, but they can see the stage and the audience through the bamboo slats. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Optional Ionah Show @ surcharge of US$ 35/ pax
Ionah Show - a unique experience combining modern dance, theater, circus, and music, visual and light effects. It delivers novelty and originality in performances and stage effects. Ionah Show is only performing on Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday.