Highlights:
- Discover the bustling cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi minh City.
- Stay overnight on cruise in Halong.
- Explore the culture, history and architecture of the Vietnamese ancient capitals: Ninh Binh, Hue.
- Discovery of rural areas, farming life, and floating market in the immense Mekong Delta.
- Stay and tour Phnom Penh, considered the most beautiful of French colonial cities in Indochina.
- Explore the ancient city of Angkor with its incredible complex of temples.
ITINERARY:
DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL
Our driver will pick you up at airport, transfer to hotel. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Inclusion: Airport pick up service, Accommodation.
DAY 2: HANOI CITY TOUR ( BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
08:30Am, our guide will pick you up at your hotel and start the city tour. For the start of the tour journey visit Ho Chi Minh Complex. Enjoy the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho"s final resting-place. Continue to visit the Quan Thanh Temple (Taoist, dating from the Ly Dynasty) and Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda on West lake ( One of the oldest in Vietnam ). Having lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch proceed to visit the Literature Temple and Quoc Tu Giam. Vietnam"s first university constructed in 1070, it"s gardens and well-preserved architecture offers a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam"s past. After this we will take a water puppet show. Coming back to hotel. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, meals, English Speaking guide, all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 3: HANOI - HALONG BAY (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)
08:00 – 08:30: Our tour guide and bus pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi old quarter.
08:30: Departure to Halong Bay for 3.5 Hours.
10:00: Arrive in Hai Duong province, and have 20 minute short break.
12:00: Arrive to Tuan Chau harbor, 12:15 Welcome to cruise and enjoy Welcome drink, get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Check-in your cabin.
12:30: Enjoy Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian lunch, while cruising in the magnificent Halong Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.
15:00: You at Tung Gau Area. The airy and fresh air, cool breezes, blue sea and sky, and natural seascape will captivate any visitors setting foot here. Especially, Tung Gau of Lan Ha Bay is extremely suitable for enjoying kayaking and swiming and then Visiting Halong Pearl Farm Village
17.30: Come back to our cruise and relax.
19:30: Time for dinner enjoying special food on the cruise.
21:00: Evening entertainments: play game on the cruise: cards game, chess, karaoke, squid fishing, and overnight on the cruise.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, English Speaking Guide, All entrance fees, Kayaking, Swimming, meals, accommodation on cruise
DAY 4: HALONG BAY - HANOI (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-) – NIGHT TRAIN TO LAO CAI
06.30: Early morning sun risers can enjoy Tai Chi lesson on sundeck.
07.00: Morning view of bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast.
08:00: Arriving Sung Sot Cave (Amazing Cave) and joining with guide to visiting and explore the cave
10:00: Check-out and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay. Join cooking class guided directly by Chef of Rosa Boutique cruise. You have chance to practice Vietnamese traditional dishes such as spring roll or famous cuisine of Vietnam.
11:00: Enjoy the lunch on cruise.
12:00: Rosa Cruise are landing Halong Bay harbor, tourist say goodbye to sailors and finish the cruise.
12:30: Return to Hanoi by shuttle bus.
14:30: Stopover in Hai Duong province to visit a ceramics workshop.
16:00 – 16:30: Arrive in Hanoi.
Free and easy to visit city until 08:30 Pm, our staff will pick you up at hotel and transfer to train station. Take the night train to Lao Cai. Stay overnight on train.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, entrance fees, meals, English speaking guide, train tickets ( soft sleeper train cabin 4 berth with A.C, sharing cabin)
DAY 5: Y LINH HO - LAO CHAI - TA VAN (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
Arrival in Lao Cai train station at 06:30 Am, our driver will pick you up at exit gate of train station and transfer you in 1 hour by driving to Sapa town. Having hot shower and breakfast at hotel, then leave your luggage at hotel before starting your journey to villages at 09:00 Am. Our guide will lead you moving down along to Muong Hoa Valley for visiting Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages, have picnic lunch at Lao Chai. Continue trekking to Ta Van village. Walk around village to see the local culture and ethnic’s customs and habits before getting on minibus back to Sapa town. Free evening in town. Stay overnight in Sapa.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, meals, English Speaking guide, all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 6: LUNG KHAU NHIN MARKET – AFTERNOON SHARING BUS TO HANOI (BREAKFAST /LUNCH/-)
At 07:30 Am, our tour guide will pick you up at hotel then we transfer you to Muong Khuong Town, which is far away from Sapa around 110 Km - It takes 1 hours 45 minutes follow the National Road 4D then turn on the way to Si Ma Cai District. Reach Lung Khau Nhin market at the most crowded time to enjoy the local atmostphere and explore the local cultures.
This every- Thursday- market attend by 4 ethnic minority group: The Black Dzao, Giay, Tay and Flower H'mong and last from 7:30 AM until 12:00 PM.
In the afternoon, we have lunch at local restaurant then we visit some local ethnic villages nearby market, pineapple and tea plantations then transfer you to the meeting point nearby highway for getting on sharing bus to return Hanoi. Arrival in Hanoi at 21:00, drop you off at hotel, stay overnight in Hanoi.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, meals, English Speaking guide, all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 7: HANOI - MAI CHAU (BREAKFAST / LUNCH/DINNER)
At 08:30 Am, our tour guide and car will pick you up at hotel, we depart to Hoa Binh, short break for 10 minutes. On the way to Mai Chau, you will pass through the lush valley, rich with rice fields.
Then stop for snapping pictures of Mai Chau valley and have lunch at local restaurant.
Bicycle ride with our tour guide to visit peaceful villages of traditional stilt houses, see farmers working in the fields, and locals weaving scarves surround the villages or relax at swimming pool at your hotel. Having dinner then watch the Thai’s traditional dance and drink traditional wine “ruou can” with the local people.
Overnight in Mai Chau.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, meals, English Speaking guide, all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 8: MAI CHAU - NINH BINH (BREAKFAST /LUNCH/-)
Have breakfast at hotel, at 08:30 Am, our tourguide will take you to visit Buoc Village, then 1000 steps cave. You will understand more about their culture and customs. Have lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, our guide will transfer you to Ninh Binh. Arrival in Ninh Binh, short biking tour arround the surrounding villages. Relax and stay overnight in Ninh Binh.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, meals, English Speaking guide, all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 9: HOA LU - MUA CAVE - TRANG AN GROTTOS (BREAKFAST / LUNCH/-)
Breakfast at hotel, at 09:00 Am, our guide will pick you up at hotel and depart to Hoa Lu - the historic capital of Viet Nam and the local ancient temples of the Le and the Dinh Dynasties. Then we transfer to Mua Cave where you will hike up to the top of the mountain for a great view of Tam Coc area. We have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, get on a boat trip at Trang An Eco-tourism to visit 9 caves in 2 hours, then we transfer you back to Hanoi by car. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, meals, English Speaking guide, all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 10: DONG HO FOLK PAINTING VILLAGE - BAT TRANG CERAMIC VILLAGE - FLY TO HUE (BREAKFAST/ LUNCH/-)
Bat Trang village: The most ancient and famous pottery village of Vietnam, continues to work today and is constantly developing. There are various kinds of pottery, for example jade enamel (under the Ly-Tran Dynasties), brown flower or brown enamel (under the late Tran to early Le Dynasties), cracked enamel (under the late Le Dynasty) and royal blue enamelled items (under the late Le to Nguyen Dynasties).
Dong Ho Painting village: Dong Ho Village with its famous paintings has become an aesthetic symbol in Vietnam Culture.. Located to the left side of Duong River, Dong Ho stood for centuries making their unique art work. From over 100 families in the 1950s, currently there are only a handful of families still making the traditional craft. Most villagers have now turned to joss paper making, since the regulation has relaxed and again allowed for religious practices that were once deemed “unfit of the revolutionary”. The families of Nguyen Dang Che and Nguyen Huu Sam both run their own galleries and employ a number of workers. To everyone’s relief, the essence still remains and thrives.
08.00AM Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi, driver to Bat Trang, the famous pottery village surrounded by fertile farmland. You ll stroll in the small alleys of this old village to watch local people producing their fine products and visit some of the houses used as workshops and showrooms. Join the local crafts and make your own product - a lovely souvenir from VietnB,am. Time for lunch. In the afternoon, we take a short drive to Dong Ho folk painting village and spend full afternoon to discover the painting village. Walk through the village, visit different homes to observe the painting process. Leaving the village, we transfer you to airport, fly to Hue. Another driver will pick you up at airport, transfer to hotel. Stay overnight in Hue.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, meals, English Speaking guide, all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 11: HUE CITY TOUR (BREAKFAST /LUNCH/-)
After breakfast, at 08:30am, our guide will pick you up at hotel and take you to visit Hue City. We will visit the mausoleums of Nguyen’s Kings like Khai Dinh and last Minh Mang tomb and a Martial Art Show. Having lunch at restaurant. You will visit the Imperial Citadel and Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village. The driver and guide will take you to the boat landing on the river to make a trip on Perfume river for visiting Thien Mu pagoda. Along the river on dragon boat you will enjoy the tranquil feeling with two sides of green banks’ river and see the daily life of local people. Overnight in Hue.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, meals, English Speaking guide, all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 12: HUE - MARBLE MOUNTAIN - HOI AN BY MOTORBIKE (BREAKFAST/ LUNCH/-)
At 09:00 Am, our tour guide will pick you up at hotel. Starting our tour journey, depart to a fishing village to take photos of the fishing boats is where people live on boat and earn their life from fishing on the biggest lagoon in Viet nam. Then next stop is the Elephant Water Falls – the lovely site to enjoy the view and relax in the mountain next to Bach Ma national park
You will have lunch at local restaurant in Lap An Lagoon – on floating restaurant (the center of seafood in Hue)
After lunch, we visit Hai Van pass, Top Gear around here with amazing drive, stop on the top of the pass to take pictures
– My Khe Beach or R & R Beach – former name and nick named is China Beach in English by American and Australian soldiers during the Vietnam War
– Marble Mountain – which was named after the ancient oriental philosophy including 5 elements creating universe: metal, wood, water, fire and earth. Reaching here, you will see the systems of caves and tunnels which were used as a very important base for Vietnam Revolutionary
– Continue to go to Hoi An Ancient City
When you finish the trip we will drop off at your hotel in Hoi An. Stay overnight in Hoi An.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, meals, English Speaking guide, all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 13: HOI AN COOKING CLASS (BREAKFAST /LUNCH/-)
08:00- 08:30am, a trip to the market to purchase some fresh, locally grown herbs. Then, we board our river boat for a relaxing 30 minutes ride to Thuan Tinh Island, which is recognized by Hoi An as an official ecological zone.
To visit the Local Village, we take a row boat ride through the water coconut trees. We then walk through the gardens to visit Ms. Hoa's house to meet her family and snack on grilled rice cakes and iced tea. From there, we head back to our open-air cooking class overlooking the water coconut trees and river. Our chefs will show you how to make Vietnamese food while you enjoy the cool breeze and peaceful setting.
Our chefs have prepared a 4 course cooking class of traditional Vietnamese dishes. They will demonstrate how to prepare them, and then it's your turn-you prepare your own tasty Vietnamese lunch!! We start with a homemade Passion fruit Juice soda to whet your appetite.
Around at 2 Pm: finish and you will be free in afternoon. Overnight in Hoi An.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, meals, English Speaking guide, all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 14: HOI AN FREE AND EASY - FLY TO HO CHI MINH CITY (BREAKFAST/-/-)
Free and easy on the beach in Hoi An until our driver pick you up at hotel and transfer to airport. Fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Another driver will pick you up at airport and transfer to hotel. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, accommodation.
DAY 15: HO CHI MINH CITY – CU CHI TUNNELS (BREAKFAST / LUNCH/-)
08:30 am we will start city tour to visit War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, followed by exploring Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office
We will have lunch before go to Cu Chi to explore the amazing site where Viet Cong hid during the War. It is now a popular spot for both Vietnamese foreign tourists - the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a "Free Target Zone". Visitors can watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed before entering the tunnels. Spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. Afterwards, enjoy tea, cassava (guerrilla’s food in war time). Return to hotel. Stay ovenight in HCMC.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, meals, English Speaking guide, all entrance fees, accommodation.
DAY 16: H0 CHI MINH – CAI BE – VINH LONG – CAN THO (BREAKFAST/ LUNCH/-)
Depart Ho Chi Minh City around 8h30 Am for a scenic morning drive to Cai Be, stopping en route at the ornate Cao Dai Temple. From Cai Be ,take a boat trip along the mighty Mekong River and its tributaries to view the daily lives of people who work and play on the waterways of the Mekong Delta.The trip includes a visit to the floating market at Cai Be,and a family-run business producing pop rice,coconut candy,rice paper- a key ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine.Lunch is on an island mid-river,in a local house set amongst fruit orchards and bonsai trees and then followed by a performance of traditional Vietnamese music.Continue to Vinh Long by sampan boat, and proceed by car to Can Tho for overnight.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, entrance fees, meals, English speaking guide, accommodation
DAY 17: CAN THO - CHAU DOC (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/-)
After breakfast, 8am take a boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong River (Bassac River), then visit the Cai Rang floating market, which are the best in the region. You will probably have tried Vietnamese vermicelli soup, so now go and see how it is made. Then wander around the village and talk with the local people. Learn how to cross a "monkey bridge" which is built from a single bamboo. Break for lunch. Proceed to Chau Doc, stopping off at Long Xuyen to visit the Thot Not Bird Sanctuary. From the summit of the Sam Mountain, admire the beautiful landscape around the Vietnamese-Cambodian border. Visit the carved pagoda. Dinner on guests account. Overnight in Chau Doc.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, entrance fees, meals, English speaking guide, accommodation
DAY 18: CHAU DOC - PHNOMPENH (BREAKFAST/-/-)
After breakfast, transfer to a Hang Chau express speed boat at 06:40 AM for the final part of the journey to Phnom Penh. Arrive at Sisowath tourist dock in Phnom Penh at around 12pm. We will pick up and transfer to hotel for check in. Free and easy in Phnompenh. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, speedy boat ticket, accommodation
DAY 19: PHNOMPENH CITY TOUR (BREAKFAST / LUNCH/-)
Breakfast at hotel.Visit Tuol Sleng Museum (also known as S-21 prison). This former school was used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeng Ek to be executed. Then drive to visit the “Killing Fields” of Choeng Ek (15 km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners) were detained and tortured at the S-21 prison and transported to extermination camp of Choeng Ek. Visit Russian Market (Toul Tumpong Market), the Market has gained reputation for cheap clothing, a large selection of Buddha images and woodcarvings, betel-nut boxes, silk, silver jewelry, and classic music instrument. Enjoy Sunset Cruise on the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers in Phnom Penh, it bursts into 4 branches. Accommodation at hotel.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, entrance fees, meals, English speaking guide, accommodation
DAY 20: PHNOMPENH - SIEM REAP (BREAKFAST/-/-) ROAD TRANSFER
Breakfast at the hotel – Transfer to Siem Reap by local bus takes 6 hours.
Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to the hotel check in. Afternoon visit to Wat Thmey or Killing Field, contains a unique glass-walled stupa containing the bones of victims of the Khmer Rouge. After that, visit to Wat Memorial Mountaint. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, entrance fees, meals, English speaking guide, accommodation
DAY 21: SIEM REAP (BREAKFAST /LUNCH/-)
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Angkor Thom, the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, built from the late 12th century to the early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII and consists of 54 towers, the Royal Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King, then visit Ta Prohm, surrounded by jungle. Visit Angkor Wat, the largest temples in world and covers an area of 200 hectares and surrounded by moat and an exterior wall measuring 1300 meters x 1500 meters. Early this evening, we will take the Tuk Tuk (the most common taxi in Cambodia) to cruise around the Siem Reap and town and and for a blessing ceremony by Buddhist monks for happiness, prosperity and safety for your journey. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, entrance fees, meals, English speaking guide, accommodation
DAY 22: SIEM REAP (BREAKFAST /LUNCH/-)
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Banteay Srei, constructed at the late 10th century by a Brahmin counselor under a powerking Rajendarvarman. It was loosely translated to citadel of the woman, but it is a modern appellation that probably refers to the delicate beauty of the carvings. En-route stop at Pre Rub (turn the body), was constructed in late 10th century dedicated to Hindu gods. This reflects the common belief among Cambodians that funerals were conducted at the temple. Lunch at local restaurant
Visit Preah Khan temple, built by King Jayavarman VII dedicated to his father. It is a huge, highly exportable monastic complex, and served as a Buddhist monastery and school, engaging over 1000 monks. Continue to Neak Pean, a small island temple located in the middle of the last Baray, constructed by a Khmer king in the Angkor area.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, entrance fees, meals, English speaking guide, accommodation
DAY 23: SIEM REAP DEPART (BREAKFAST/-/-)
Our driver will pick you up at hotel and transfer to airport, fly to home. Tour ends.
Inclusion: Vehicle with A.C, breakfast, accommodation
