Day 1 Welcome to Hanoi!
Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request
Welcome to Hanoi! Upon arrival, your local tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport. Then, the guide will escort you to the hotel and help you check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2 Hanoi City Highlights
Meals: B
In the morning, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda located on the shores of West Lake. With amazing Buddhist symbolism, you can take some time to deeply explore the pagoda.
Then, head to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of Vietnamese great father - President Ho Chi Minh. He lived here on and off from 1958 to 1969.
The next destination is One Pillar Pagoda, a group of structures consisting of a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square lake. Leaving the pagoda, go to the Temple of Literature that is the first college in Vietnam.
In the afternoon, you need to choose one of Hanoi's museums (History Museum or Ethnology Museum) to visit. After that, drive to admire Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.
Then take a cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets. The bustling narrow streets are home to thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore.
Optional:
In the late afternoon, you can watch the Water Puppet Show for one hour, which is a unique traditional performance in Vietnam.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3 Hanoi to Halong Bay, Full Day Halong Bay Cruise
Meals: B / L / D
After breakfast, drive about 3 hours to Halong Bay, one of the Wonders of the Orient. Around noon, your Halong Bay Cruise starts from Tuan Chau Island, the gateway of Halong Bay.
In the afternoon, explore the treasures spread across the Halong Bay, covering some stunning caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, and fantastic rock formations rising up out of the emerald water.
While onboard, you can enjoy the services of Spa and Massage. Another highlight of the cruise is the innovative and varied cuisine offered in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages. You can watch the chef's cooking demonstration and try to learn how to prepare traditional Vietnamese cooking.
Overnight on Halong Bay Cruise.
Day 4 Halong Bay to Hanoi, Flight to Saigon
Flight: Domestic flight is on Indochina Tour's arrangement
Meals: B
Wake up to experience Tai Chi exercises on the sun deck and then continue cruising the beautiful Halong Bay. The breakfast buffet will be served in the dining room. After a visit to a limestone grotto, you will then disembark the cruise in Halong City around noon.
Your guide will transfer you to the airport in Hanoi and take the flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to hotel to check in.
Overnight in Saigon.
Day 5 Saigon Day Tour
Meals: B
Today, you will explore some of the most important sights in Saigon. First, visit Cu Chi Tunnels that were developed by the guerrillas fighting in the Vietnam War. You can see the various weapons used in the war and learn about the innovative ways that the guerrillas survived and fought back in the war.
Then head to Notre Dame Cathedral, constructed by French colonists during their settlement. It is the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia. Across the road is the Old Saigon Post Office, a neoclassical architecture considered one of the main attractions in the city.
After that, visit the Reunification Palace, home of South Vietnam's President during the war. The next stop is Cholon, the Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh City. Explore the thickly settled district that is rife with tea-houses and pagodas. It's the home to the famous Binh Tay Market.
Finish today's trip with a visit to the Emperor Jade Pagoda. Also known as the Tortoise Pagoda, this figurine-filled place of worship is considered by many to be one of the finest places to see in Saigon.
Overnight in Saigon.
Day 6 Saigon to My Tho, Mekong Delta Discovery
Meals: B
This morning, drive to remote My Tho. This burgeoning city rests in the Mekong Delta and is surrounded by beautiful countryside which is known as the "rice basket of Vietnam".
Firstly, head to visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, decorated with mosaics made from broken pottery. Overlooked by a tall white Buddha, it sets amongst lovely gardens overflowing with flowers, shrubs, lotus pools, and ornate gates that provide entry. Continue on a boat ride along the river to view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages.
After lunch, visit An Khanh, a small village that specializes in fruit orchards and coconut sweets. If time permits, you can take a short cycling trip through the island or explore the island on foot (the island is flat and relatively small).
In the end, return back to Saigon to have some rest.
Overnight in Saigon.
Day 7 Saigon to Siem Reap
Flight: Internal flight is on Indochina Tour's arrangement
Meals: B
Enjoy your free morning today until transfer to airport for a flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Upon arrival, guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 8 Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat
Meals: B
Today, begin your exploration of the remains of Khmer Empire that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Angkor served as the seat of the empire.
In the morning, tour the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. First on the agenda is Ta Prohm. Huge silk-cotton trees and strangler figs grow over, around, and through the ancient stone blocks. The temple would make you feel as if you are in an adventure movie set.
Then, visit Banteay Kdei, a kind of smaller version of Ta Prohm. Continue to Victory Gate, Terrace of the Leper King, Royal Palace, Baphuon Temple and Bayon Temple. Bayon sets itself apart with its 200 smiling faces, sure to make you feel welcomed. With winding tunnels, chambers, and climbs, Bayon offers many exciting moments to keep your camera busy.
In the afternoon, head to visit Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. Angkor Wat possesses some of the longest and most intricate stone carvings. Spend the afternoon fully exploring the passages, levels, and chambers that once housed many treasures of the flourishing kingdom.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 9 Banteay Srei, Tonle Sap Lake, Kompong Phluk
Meals: B
In the morning, head towards the deep jungle to visit Banteay Srei. The temple is carved from red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to elaborate wall carvings, which are well preserved to this day.
After lunch, take a half day excursion to the biggest Southeast Asia’s largest fresh water lake - Tonle Sap Lake. You’ll take a boat trip to enjoy the beautiful lake views and mangrove forests. Then, tour Kompong Phluk, the largest village on the lake, to discover the fascinating daily lifestyle of the local people who live on the water.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 10 Siem Reap Departure
Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request
Meals: B
Today, the guide will transfer you to the airport. Hope you have a nice trip home and look forward to traveling with you again!
End of service.
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9 Days In-depth Vietnam Tour with Angkor Discovery
12 Days Cambodia and Vietnam Highlights Tour
14 Days Vietnam and Cambodia Tour with Sapa Discovery
21 Days Leisure Vietnam and Cambodia Tour
