MULTI-COUNTRIES

Day 02 - Hanoi

 

After breakfast, visit the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum; an imposing monument lavishly built using marble and granite, and where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” resides. Next stop is the Temple of Literature, the first university for the sons of Mandarins, for an overview about Hanoian culture and appreciation for ancient Vietnamese architecture. Then, visit the lotus shaped One Pillar Pagoda – resting on a single stone pillar emerging from the water. Drive onto the tree lined boulevard splitting the West Lake and Truc Bach Lake. Make a stop at Tran Quoc Pagoda which is one of the endearing symbols of Hanoi. After that, enjoy a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter of “36 streets and 36 wares” to witness the vibrant life along the street sides. Cap off the day with a show at the water puppet theater - a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes of rural life and episodes of national history. 

Day 03 - Hanoi / Halong Bay

 

After breakfast, embark on a 3.5 hour drive to Halong Bay. Board your deluxe junk where a welcome drinks awaits. After a relaxing break, enjoy a delicious lunch while cruising through the magical bay where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waters like dragon teeth. 

 

After lunch, take a sampan ride to visit a floating fishing village. Back on board for sunset and later unwind at the restaurant for dinner.

Day 04 - Halong Bay / Hai Phong / Danang via flight

 

Wake up early to catch the dramatic sunrise on the bay and enjoy a Tai Chi demonstration on the top deck of the junk and witness the sun rise over the bay. Visit a magnificent limestone grotto where stalactites are hanging from the high ceiling forming numerous designs and shapes. Return to the boat for brunch while cruising back to the dock station.

Transfer (approx. 1,5 hours) to Hai Phong for flight to Danang.

Day 05 - Hoi An

 

Enjoy a walking tour around Hoi An Ancient Town. Visit the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with outstanding wood carvings; and the colorful market with stalls brimming with local specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two. An optional stop, subject to availability, is the private home of Diep Dong Nguyen with a stunning collection of artefacts ranging from pottery, seals and paintings to money and old Hoi An photography.

 

In the afternoon, visit a local market with the Chef to enjoy the sights, sounds and aromas. This is your chance to learn about how to select fresh produce and ingredients essential for Vietnamese cuisine. Then, take part in a private hands-on cooking class. After the lesson, sit down and taste what you have created in the lovely restaurant overlooking the river.

Day 06 - Hoi An / Danang / Saigon via flight

 

After breakfast, transfer (approx. 45mins) to Danang Airport for flight to Saigon.

Have a lunch at the modern Wrap & Roll restaurant where you will experience various types of local “market style” food that can be wrapped and rolled by yourself.

Then, visit to the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war, is a short drive away and reveals the history of Saigon during its turbulent recent past. From there, take a short walk to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris. Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel, before he had risen to fame for the Eiffel Tower. Stroll along Dong Khoi street, or Rue Catinat as it was known in the time of the French occupation, to discover some of the beautiful French colonial buildings built in the late 19th and early 20th century. 

Discover what this thriving and exciting metropolis can offer in terms of street food, all from the back of a vintage Vespa scooter. 

Day 07 - A day trip to Mekong Delta

Depart from Saigon and head two hours to Mekong Delta, which will help you get closer to daily life and agricultural activities along the Mekong River. Visit the small Cai Be floating market, experience how people exchanging goods, fruit and many other commodities on their boats. Lunch will be served at an ancient Mandarin house where four generations of family members live together. After feasting on Mekong Delta specialties, you may wish to take a stroll around the orchard to see how fruit is cultivated. 

Day 08 - Saigon / Bangkok via flight

 

After breakfast,  transfer (approx. 30mins) to Tan Son Nhat Airport for morning flight to Bangkok.

 

Upon arrival, you clear the customs formalities yourself. When you leave the airport terminal, please proceed to GATE B or GATE C and look for Door 6 where our English-speaking guide is waiting for you and holding a sign with your names on it. Embark the comfortable vehicle for transferring (approx. 45mins) to your hotel for check-in and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

 

Day 09 - Bangkok

Wake up early this morning, and visit Wat Po in time to experience the monks’ morning chanting ritual. 

Followed by a short but exciting ride on Bangkok’s Tuk Tuk to Royal Grand Palace - the most important and impressive royal palace in Thailand and do not miss the mysterious Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. Lunch will be served. 

Then, board an exclusive hot ride “007” long tailed boat to have a first-hand experience of Bangkokian’s local life style along the small canals of Thonburi. The water journey passing through Wat Arun or called Temple of Dawn, one of the cities earliest temples, now often used as a symbol of the city & the country. 

Early evening, drive to China Town for local street food tasting. There are thousands of street food stalls which make Bangkok one of the yummiest town for visitors. 

Day 10 - Bangkok / Kanchanaburi

 

This morning, drive 1.5-hour to visit the Railway Track Market. It's a kind of unique experience as you will see the vendors quickly pack up their stores as the train approaches the tracks. 

 

Then continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, stepping back in time to experience the traditional way farmers would trade their produce. The canals are lined with boats that are paddled by local women and piled high with vegetables, fruit and even souvenirs for the tourists. Sit back and soak up the atmosphere as the locals go about their daily life and entertain you with their haggling techniques. 

Then, transfer to Kanchanaburi. A trip back into more recent history with a memorable day out to the River Kwai and its famous bridge. Continue your journey to Lawa Cave, the biggest cave of this area and the stalactites and stalagmites inside are very nice. 

Day 11 - Kanchanaburi / Bangkok / Phuket via flight

 

Morning, we head to an elephant camp.  Enjoy an elephant ride along the jungle trails, and then return to the river for the next adventure - boarding a traditional bamboo rafts for a relaxing drift downstream, maneuvering your way along the River Kwai through the rain forest. 

 

Transfer back to Bangkok (approx. 3hours) for your onward flight to Phuket.

Day 12 - Phuket

 

Take the speedboat to the twin Phi Phi Islands - Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le - are famed for being home to some of the best dive sites in Thailand. Phi Phi Don, the larger island, is inhabited by local villagers and is adorned with fine sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and extraordinary marine life, and is thus an ideal place for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, sunbathing, and relaxation. The smaller Phi Phi Le offers even more dramatic scenery with a number of small secret coves, rocky cliffs, caves and “Maya Bay”, the location of the film “The Beach”. Its most celebrated attraction is an immense cave, "Viking Cave", which has an abundance of stalactites and stalagmites. Spend the day cruising around these two superb islands, exploring the wonderful caves, and swimming, snorkeling, enjoying lunch and relaxing on the white sand beaches.

Day 13 - Phuket

 

Departs for Phang Nga Bay where you will board a local motor boat to one of the beautiful islands of the bay for sea canoeing. Paddle through a sea cave with an experienced canoeing guide and explore Hong Island. Observe the magnificent beauty of the place and witness the tranquility that surrounds you. 

Relax and have some free time and paddle through the area by yourself until the sun sets. Enjoy swimming and snorkeling if you like before a sunset buffet dinner is served under a star-filled sky. 

Day 14 - Phuket departure via flight

 

Check-out of your hotel no later than 12:00 noon and transfer (approx. 30mins) to the airport for your onward flight to next destination or returns your home.