| Day
1: Hanoi Arrival
(D )
Arrive in Hanoi, the capital of unified
Vietnam. The city was founded in 1010
on the right bank of Red River and was
then known as “Thang Long”,
roughly translated as “Soaring Dragon”.
Hanoi is one of the most charming cities
in South East Asia with its authentic
street scenes, large shady avenues, numerous
lakes, manicured gardens and well-preserved
architecture. Transfer from Noi Bai airport
to your hotel. Free evening. Dinner and
accommodation included.
Day
2: Hanoi city tour (B,L)
The day is dedicated to a more in depth
discovery on Hanoi beginning with a visit
to Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum. This
imposing monument, dedicated to the father
of modern Vietnam, was cnstructed from
marble and granite and takes the form
of a stylized lotus (closed on Mondays
and Fridays). Located nearby is Ho Chi
Minh’s house on stilts and the One
Pillar Pagoda, a symbol of Hanoi. Continue
your tour with a visit to the ancient
Taoist Temple of Quan Thanh, where lies
the genie protector of the city (or Tran
Quoc pagoda lcated on the shores of West
Lake). Next visit the Temple of Literature,
or Van Mieu, a structure dedicated to
Confucius. Constructed in 1070, the compound
soon became first Vietnam’s university.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, where
you will have the opportunity to sample
some regional delicacies.
In
the early afternoon visit the renowned
Museum of Ethnography (closed on Mondays),
which houses an interesting collection
of artifacts relating to the mosaic of
ethnic groups that inhabit Vietnam. Alternatively,
visit the Museum of History (closed on
Mondays) which displays an array of exhibits
ranging from prehistoric times to the
fight against French colonization. This
afternon’s touring wil also provide
the opportunity to see Hanoi’s famed
old quarter from the seat of a cyclo.
During your tour around the district you
will see some of the areas original 36
streets which have always sold the same
wares. Silver street, Silk street and
Flower street are just a few. During your
adventure through this maze of streets
you will see traditional “tube houses”
a style of architecture indigenous to
this part of Hanoi. Next, visit the Temple
of Jade at the centre of atmospheric Hoan
Kiem lake, otherwise known as the lake
of “the restored sword”.
Finish,
the city tour with a stop at the food
market in Hang Be street. This afternoon
is free for a stroll along the boulevards
of the old colonial quarter where you
can view some of the best French architecture
in South East Asia. In the evening, visit
Hanoi’s water puppets theatre to
attend a performance of the traditional
show. Breakfast,
lunch and accommodation included.
Day
3: Halong - Hoalu - TrangAn (B,L)
Depart Hanoi for Ninh Binh province and
enjoy the drive through the luxurious
vegetation of the Red River Delta. Continue
on to TrangAn and take a cruise up the
rivers through karst hills and rice fields
on the traditional boat, a photographer’s
paradise. Sometimes referred to as “Ha
Long Bay inland”, for some its beauty
surpasses that of it’s coastal rival.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Continue
your tour with a journey through bustling
villages, rice paddies and some beautiful
limestone rock formations. Arrive at Hoa
Lu, the capital of Vietnam for 41 years
under the Dinh and Le dynasties (between
968 and 980). Discover beautiful shrines
dedicated to the Emperor Le Dinh, the
first ruler to unify the country. Aside
from this important historical site, this
region is also worth a visit for its rolling
hills and picturesque rocky landcapes.
Return to Hanoi. Overnight at hotel.
Day
4: Hanoi - Halong (B,L,D)
Overnight on private junk
Depart Haoi for the world
famous Ha Long Bay, or bay of “the
descending dragon”, a journey of
approximately 3,5 hours. Listed as a World
Heritage site by UNESCO, Ha Long Bay is
a stunning limestone archipelago stretching
over some 1500 square kilometers and comprising
nearly 200 islets. Board your junk for
a memorable cruises through the “eight
wonder of the world” gliding gently
past fishing communities and hidden cave
systems. Visit the
“Cave of Surprises” really
a complex, where you can marvel at strangely
formed stalacties and stalagmites. After
anchoring at a nearby beach you can go
for a swim or climb to the top of Thien
Cung (Heaven’s) Island to get a
panoramic view of the bay and surrounding
islands. Delicious local seafoods is served
on boat. with other options available.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and accommodation
included. NB. Accommodation is on junk
in private cabin (with air conditioning
and shower).
Day
5 : Halong - Hanoi - Hue (B,L ) Flight
Am :After breakfast, continue your jurney
cruise through the breathtaking scenery
of Bai Tu Long Bay. After disembarking,
return to Hanoi by road in time for lunch.
Enjoy a free afternoon exploring the city
on foot or simply relax with a drink at
the edge of Hoan Kiem lake. In the late
afternoon transfer to Noi Bai airport
for your flight to Hue. On arrival in
Hue, transfer to your hotel and check
in. Breakfast, lunch and accommodation
included.. Overnight in Hue
Day
6: Hue city tour (B,L)
The day is spent discovering Hue, capital
of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945 during the
reign of the Nguyen dynasty emperors.
Declared a world heritage site by UNESCO
in 1993, the Citadel is nly one of many
well-preserved historical sites in the
city and its environs. Cruise in a sampan
on the Huong River (Perfume River) to
Thien Mu pagoda, or pagoda of the Heavenly
Lady, a Buddhist shrine dating from the
mid-seventeenth century. Located on the
banks of the Huong River, it is easily
recognizable by its octaganal tower. Cntinue
your tour with a visit to the Citadel,
seat of the Nguyen Dynasty Emperors. Construction
began in 1804 under the orders of the
first Emperor Gia Long after the site
had been selected using principles of
geomancy (Feng Shui). The citadel was
inspired by Vauban fortifications and
is composed of three sections; the capital
city (Kinh Thanh), the Emperial city (Hoang
Thanh) and the Forbidden City (Cam Thanh).
It was largely destroyed in 1968 during
the fighting that engulfed Hue following
the Tet Offensive. Tday, efforts are being
made to restore and preserve this invaluable
piece of heritage. Next, take a walk through
Dong Ba market that offers an array of
goods and produce, ranging from fresh
vegetables to conical hats. Lunch at a
local restaurant provides an opportunity
to sample some of Hue’s famously
refined cuisine. In the afternoon visit
the intricately decorated tomb of Khai
Dinh, which contains a beautiful altar
and a bust of the king. Next, visit Minh
Mang’s mausoleum located on the
left bank of the Huong River, which represents
the perfect harmony between nature and
architcture. Return to Hue. Breakfast,
lunch and accommodation included.
Day
7: Hue -Da Nang -Hoian(B,L)
Depart Hue for Hoi An along Highway 1
which links Hanoi to Sai Gon. This drive
is reputedly the most beautiful in all
Vietnam, taking you past coastal fishing
settlements, most notably Lang Co with
its stunning lagoon backdrop. The drive
also takes you over Hai Van Pass, or “pass
of the ocean clouds”. En route you
can stop in Da Nang for a visit to the
informative Cham Museum, which houses
one of the largest collections of Cham
artefacts in the world (optional). Also
stopping in a village of stone carvers
at the foot of the Marble Mountain –
giving you a chance t climb to the top
and view the secret Vietnamese Wartime
hospital in a cave. Continue on to the
delightful town of Hoi An which stands
on the banks of the Thu Bon river, some
thirty kilometers southeast of Danang.
Around the fifteenth century, this old
port town in the kingdom of Champa was
known as Faifo. Check-in to the hotel
on arrival. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
The afternoon is spent
strolling through the narrow streets of
this atmospheric old town. This former
port, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is
full of architectural gems that show a
range of influences. Visit the Japanese
covered bridge, the temple of the water
genie, the Fujian temple and the fish,
meat nad vegetable market. Around the
seventeenth century Hoi An was one of
the busiest ports in South East Asia,
with Chinese, Portuguese, Japanese, Dutch,
French and English merchants visiting
the town in search of spices, lacquer
ware, and ceramics. Enriched by the proceeds
of this trade many merchants constructed
beautiful homes. One can admire these
charming houses along Tran Phu Street,
one of the oldest in Hoi An. Architecture
in the old town tends to show an integration
of Sino-Japanese influences in a local
style. Most buildings share the same overall
plan; built on two levels, they are constructed
like a tube between two streets that run
parallel. In the late afternoon take a
boat ride on the Thu Bon River for the
chance to view some beautiful rural scenery,
finishing at around sunset. Breakfast,
lunch and accommodation included.
Day
8: Hoian -Danang -Saigon (B,L)
Flight
Transfer to the airport for your flight
from Danang to Saigon. On arrival in Saigon,
transfer and check in to your hotel. Begin
your exploration of this frenetic city
with lunch at a local restaurant. Not
only is Saigon the most important economic
centre in Vietnam, it also has some very
imposing colonial architecture which belies
in fascinating past. Almost a hundred
years of French rule bestowed upon the
Central Post Office, a Pearl of colonial
architecture designed by Gustave Eiffel.
Visit Notre Dame – Sai Gon’s
beautiful cathedral. Continue your city
tour with a visit to District 5, formerly
known as Cholon or China Town. Cholon,
or ‘big market', with its congested
streets is where most of the city's ethnic
Chinese population lives. The district
lives up to its name in the form of Binh
Tay wholesale market. Founded in 1778
the market sells a stunning array of goods
and produce, ranging from fish to incense.
Finish your city tour with a stop at Thien
Hau temple, otherwise known as ‘Temple
of the Heavenly Lady', to marvel at its
intricate friezes and coils of incense.
Breakfast, lunch and accommodation included.
Day
9: Saigon - Mytho - Mekong delta (B,L)
Depart Saigon by road for Mekong Delta
and its gateway city of My Tho, located
72 km south west of the city. Board a
riverboat for an excursion across the
Mekong through islands covered with lush
flora and small rural communities. Cruise
to Thoi Son Island where you will have
the opportunity to visit a local house
and taste some of the fruits that are
grown locally in the orchards. Parkway
in orchards, tasting tropical fruits.
Lunch is at a local restaurant where you
will have the chance to sample a local
specialty: ‘elephant ear' fish.
Conclude your tour of the Mekong with
a stop at Vinh Trang pagoda, the largest
and most remarkable pagoda in the delta.
Return to Saigon. The late afternoon is
free for you to do some last minute shopping
on Dong Khoi Street. Breakfast, lunch
and accommodation included.
Day
10: Saigon - Siemreap (B, L)
Flight
Transfer to the airport for your flight
to Siem Riep. On arrival in Siem Riep,
you will be met and transferred to your
hotel. Siem Reap is famous as the gateway
to the remains of the former Khmer kingdom
of Angkor..... You will begin your tour
of the area with a visit to the world
famous Angkor Wat, one of the largest
religious constructions in the history
of the world..... Enjoy a break with lunch
at a nearby restaurant.
The afternoon visit the Bayon Temple,
located in the heart of the capital, Angkor
Thom, Bayon Temple was built in the late
twelfth century. You will discover its
central tower surrounded fifty laps each
secondary at their summit on 4 smiling
faces of Bhodisattava This imposing edifice
is built on 3 levels, symbolizes the Khmer
empire in miniature. Continuation with
Baphoun, Temple Royal regarded as the
centre of the 3rd. Terrace of the Elephants:
This terrace measuring nearly 350 meters
long and 3 meters high derives its name
from the various sculptures and statues
adorning the monument. Move
on to the Terrace of the Leper King, a
7 metre high platform located to the north
of the terrace of elephants hosting a
statue which seems asexual, probably Shiva.
Enjoy sunset from the summit of Phnom-Bakheng,
a perfect vantage point which offers excellent
views of Angkor Wat and the surrounding
area. Breakfast, lunch, accommodation
included.
Day
11: Siemreap (B,L)
Begin your day with a visit to beautiful
temple of Banteay Srey, or citadel of
the ladies. Built in the early tenth century,
this site features intricately carved
bas reliefs carved in sandstone..... Sras
Srang: Grand Basin 800 m x 400 m which
was once used in swimming pools, Bantea
Kdey: Next visit the former Buddhist monastery
of Ta Phrom, an atmospheric maze of ruined
buildings and giant tree roots. One of
the most significant monuments in the
Angkor park, it is not to be missed. Lunch
nearby.
Following visits with the great temple
of Angkor Wat, one of the most famous
temples and more harmonious whose architecture
perfectly illustrates the power of the
Khmer empire at that time (12th century).
You can admire a fabulous result of corridors,
cloisters and magnificent bas-reliefs.
Breakfast, lunch and accommodation included.
Day
12: Siemreap (B,L)
Visit
Banteay Srey. Located 45 km from the Angkor
temple built of stone rose Xth century
is undoubtedly the most remarkable temple
in Siem Reap at architectural. You can
admire the finesse of sculptures and bas
reliefs. The landscape leading to the
temple is beautiful. You pass through
villages and landscapes of rice fields
before arriving at the site. Lunch.
In
the afternoon, boat ride on the tone Sap
located 10 km south of Siem Reap. The
Ton Le Sap experiencing an annual cycle
of floods and décrues and contributes
significantly to rice production. The
boats from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap meet
at Chong Khneas point in the middle of
the lake. This walk on the lake you will
discover the lives of Cambodian who have
preserved traditions of the past. Because
water levels too low between February
and May this trip will be replaced by
visiting the Ruluos temple located 15km
south and was one of the 1st capitals
of the Khmer kings.
Dinner
in town with a show of Khmer dances at
the hotel Angkor Village. Breakfast,
lunch and accommodation included.
Day
13: Siemreap - Luangprabang (B,L)
Flight
Free time for market shopping. Transfer
to the airport for the flight to Luang
Prabang. Welcome by the local guide and
transfer to the hotel. The city of Luang
Prabang, the pearl of Asia, welcomes you
to this journey through time to discover
the Laos. Take time to wander and discover
the charms of this city and its inhabitants.
You glimpse the summit of the mountain
Phousi to discover the sacredness of this
place, you admire a beautiful sunset over
the city and the majestic Mekong River.
From there, you'll get lost in the colourful
Bazarre night where you can find surprising
tissue collections handmade by the tribes
of the mountains which surround Luang
Prabang. Breakfast, lunch and accommodation
included.
Day
14: Luangprabang (B,L)
Wake up in good time to participate in
the ritual of Buddhist monks known as
Alms-giving. Take the distance with respect
and share the fervor and prayers of the
monks. Then return to your hotel for breakfast,
then you visit the city of Luang Prabang,
the jewel of South Asia West, you'll discover
that legacy classified as World Heritage
Site by UNESCO. The road to visit the
oldest temple in Luang Prabang with its
roof down at ground level, it represents
the classical architecture of Luang Prabang.
This city with its beautiful natural landscapes
and its centres of cultural interests,
Wat Visoun (for example) or the charm
of Wat Aham, making it the most attractive
cities in Laos. Breakfast, lunch accommodation
included.
Day
15: Luangprabang (B,L)
Embark on a boat to go up along the majestic
Mekong, which offers a magnificent view
of the Lao campaigns to reach the cave
mystique of Pak Ou. This cave contains
thousands of Buddha statues of shapes
and sizes varied, covered with gold. In
return, we will stop in the village of
Ban Xanghai where villagers distills a
traditional rice liquor. Lunch on the
way back.
In
the afternoon, rolling up the cascade
Khuangsi to visit a centre for care bears,
you will enjoy the waterfalls and pools
of water clear and refreshing.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and accommodation
included.
Day
16: Luangprabang Departure (B)
Free time for last minute shopping or
a last stroll through the tranquil streets.
Transfer to the airport for your departure
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