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 / Hue

 

This morning, take a short bike ride to the countryside, enjoy the fresh air with the nature and take pictures about beautiful countryside views before getting arrived to Tra Que herb garden veggie village. Visit the village garden and meet with the local farmers there. Join-in the farm activities like hoeing soil, using seaweed, transplanting and watering vegetable …Then, becoming a "local farmer" and getting into muddy rice field to learn how to grow wet rice with water buffalo plough, use agricultural water system, transplanting baby wet rice at the rice paddle field, enjoy riding with water buffalo at a small pond at the rice farm. Followed by a simple lunch served at a local farmer’s house. 

Then, depart Hoi An for Hue, the scenic drive over the Hai Van Pass, the summit of which presents a spectacular panoramic view of the central coastline. 

Day 07 - Hue

 

Start your journey with a visit to Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO listed site. Around noon, visit to a local pagoda, have a chance interact with the monks over a cup of hot tea for a glimpse of how Buddhism effects on local’s life in Hue. This is followed by a pure vegetarian lunch prepared by some Buddhism followers. The next stop is Emperor Minh Mang’s tomb, observe the majesty and symmetry of this large complex with 40 buildings set in the stunning natural surroundings and Emperor Khai Dinh’s Tomb which was built in the mountains and took 11 years to construct. Its architecture and atmosphere showcase elements of eastern art and western designs. Enjoy Royal Martial Arts, a great cultural performance inherited from the Nguyen Dynasty. A 25-minute long performance is reminiscent of the past heroic plots of Vietnamese patriots against colonialists’ suppression.

 

This evening, enjoy an evening Perfume River Dinner cruise, savor yourselves with the sunset champagne followed by sumptuous dinning of signature delicacies.

Day 08 - Hue / Saigon via flight

 

After breakfast, check-out of your hotel at 9:30 a.m. and transfer (approx. 30mins) to Phu Bai Airport for flight to Saigon.

Having 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 09 - 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 10 - Saigon / Siem Reap via flight

 

After breakfast, check-out of your hotel and transfer (approx. 30mins) to Tan Son Nhat Airport for morning flight to Siem Reap.

Early evening, take part in a good luck blessing ceremony, performed by local monks at a local pagoda. Then, explore Siem Reap night by tuk tuk to experience Cambodia's nightlife. Walking through the food markets, enjoy dinner with local beers in beer garden, insect salad with cocktail, visit night markets, and beer in nice bar at Pub Street. 

Day 11 - Siem Reap

 

Wake up early this morning and drive to the famous Angkor Wat, one of the modern wonders of the world for sunrise. 

 

After breakfast, visit to the picturesque Ta Prohm. This beautiful temple is overgrown with fig trees, giving a haunting yet exotic atmosphere. Continue your journey to the royal city of Angkor Thom, Elephant Terrace and the Leper King Terrace with perfect carvings winding along a narrow passage way.

 

Followed by taking a gondola boat onto the Tonle Oum leading to the south gate along with red and white wine and snacks during the sun is setting down behind the surrounding jungle.

 

This evening, enjoy dinner with Apsara dance performance 

Day 12 - Siem Reap

 

Today, transfer out of the Siem Reap town to a beautiful village in the countryside, witness with very nice and different activities from the locals for their daily life. 

 

Enjoy a 30-minute ox-cart ride through the rice paddies to reach to your van for driving back to the town

Visit the Angkor Silk Farm in Siem Reap that is an extensive and well documented foundation that gives excellent insight into how silk is traditionally made in Cambodia. 

Day 13 - Siem Reap / Luang Prabang via flight

 

Enjoy a private hands-on Cambodian cooking experience set in a purpose built bamboo village pavilion. After the class, enjoy the fruits of your labors with a lunch of your personally prepared food. After lunch, transfer (approx. 30mins) to the airport for flight to Luang Prabang. 

 

Arrive in Luang Prabang, transfer (approx. 30mins) to your hotel for check-in. Evening free at leisure and enjoy the nice setting of the hotel.

Day 14 - Luang Prabang

 

Visit the Adventure and Elephant Camp located in the middle of unspoiled, natural green surroundings. You will be introduced to the Asian Elephants and venture on a 1 hours scenic journey through forests, plantations and fields and have a chance to bath the elephant.

 

This afternoon, visit to the Royal Palace which is now a National Museum and houses the precious exhibits that used to be possessions of the former Laos Royal family.

 

Continue with the exploration of Wat Xiengthong, a 16th century temple which epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture.

 

Take the opportunity to interact with the monks at the Wat Mai temple before ending the day with a climb of 328 steps to the top of Phousi Hill. Where you can watch the sun set over Luang Prabang town and the two rivers and forested hills which form its natural borders.

Day 15 - Luang Prabang

 

You have the option to wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks - an awe-inspiring sight.

 

After breakfast, embark a long tail boat for a two-hour journey upstream on the Mekong River to Pak Ou Cave which are home to about 4,000 Buddha statues. Local villagers and pilgrims have assembled the mostly wooden Buddha statues here for centuries as it is deemed disrespectful to ever destroy a Buddha image and this has now become a sacred site. On the way back to the town, stop at a minority village where you learn more about sticky rice production and other traditional customs.

 

If time permits, pay a visit to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre where you are able to observe valuable artifacts and traditional clothing and implements from each of the 20 ethnic minority groups which inhabit the Luang Prabang area.

Day 16 - Luang Prabang 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.