Itinerary
Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam!
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a local tour guide and transferred to downtown. After checking in at your hotel, your afternoon will begin with a visit to Ba Dinh Square, the largest square in Hanoi and the site of the city's most significant cultural and political events, including demonstrations. We’ll start our tour at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (viewed from the outside only, as it closes in the afternoon), Ho Chi Minh’s house-on-stilts, his fish pond, and the One-Pillar Pagoda. Afterward, we'll visit the Temple of Literature, which is recognized as Vietnam's first university.
Later, we'll take a one-hour cyclo ride to get an overview of the capital, meandering through the Old Quarter of Hanoi and around Hoan Kiem Lake (also known as the "Sword" Lake). From there, you can explore the narrow streets of the Old Quarter, immersing yourself in the daily life of the local people. After the tour, you'll be transferred back to your hotel for an overnight stay in Hanoi.
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and take the cruise's shuttle bus to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin and a UNESCO-designated Natural World Heritage site (1994 and 2006). The journey will take you through the Red River Delta, where you'll see lush green paddy fields and rural villages, with hardworking farmers tending to their fields, plowing with buffaloes, or planting seedlings.
Upon arrival in Halong, board your overnight cruise to explore the breathtaking beauty of this "Descending Dragon" bay, formed by thousands of uniquely shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After enjoying lunch on board, you'll have the opportunity to visit the grottoes, stop for a swim or go kayaking, and pass by floating houses while getting a closer look at the islets.
Return to the cruise to enjoy a cooking demonstration before dinner. In the evening, you can participate in onboard activities or relax at your leisure. Overnight on the cruise.
Wake up early to experience the breathtaking dawn over the sea. In Vietnam, the "East Sea" is often referred to as the "Eastern Sea," emphasizing the wonder of watching the sunrise over the islets of the bay. After breakfast, our boat will continue cruising through the stunning areas, where nearly every islet has a name inspired by its shape or resemblance, such as Sail Island, Fisherman’s Head Rock, Butterfly Rock, or Turtle Islet.
Afterward, check out of your room and enjoy brunch on board as the cruise makes its way back to the pier. Once you disembark, you'll be transferred back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy your leisure time. Overnight in Hanoi.
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to the airport with a driver (no guide) for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by a local tour guide and transferred to your hotel by the beach for check-in (standard check-in time is between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM).
In the afternoon, you'll head to Hoi An Town, where you can take a leisurely walk across the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge, visit the serene Chinese Assembly Halls, and admire the charm of ancient houses. You may also enjoy traditional folk music from Central Vietnam at the old clubhouses. Later, you can stop by shrines or explore the market by the Thu Bon River, where you'll feel the same inspiration that has captivated artists, with Hoi An's rooftops evoking a magical old-world Oriental charm. Hoi An is also a fantastic place to shop for lanterns, soft silk, raw silk, or even have clothes tailored within a day. Afterward, you'll be transferred back to Danang for an overnight stay.
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, you'll be transferred to Ba Na Hill, one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Danang City. You'll take a cable car to the mountain summit, which is 1,487 meters above sea level. Begin your visit to Ba Na Hill, where you'll explore various attractions, including the Funicular, Debay Ancient Wine Cellar, Le Jardin D’Amour, Linh Ung Pagoda, and the Thich Ca Buddha Statue.
In the afternoon, enjoy the activities and games at Fantasy Park. Later, walk to the summit of the mountain, the highest point of Ba Na Mountain at 1,487 meters, and visit the Bell Tower, Nghinh Phong Tower, and the Golden Bridge, where you can capture stunning photos of the mountain and Da Nang City. In the late afternoon, take the cable car back down to the foothills and transfer back to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Danang.
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to the airport with a driver (no guide) for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, the most vibrant city in Vietnam.
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a local tour guide and transferred to downtown. After checking in at your hotel (standard check-in time is 2 PM), you'll begin a city tour starting with the War Remnants Museum, one of Saigon's most renowned historical sites. Here, you'll gain insight into the Vietnamese struggle for independence, freedom, and peace, as well as the local perspective on the Vietnam War. The museum's exhibits, including weapons, documents, and photographs, provide compelling evidence of the war's impact and highlight the bravery of the Vietnamese people during that era.
Next, we'll visit the Reunification Palace, a significant historical site where the Vietnam War officially ended in 1975. Today, this grand building serves as both a museum and a venue for official receptions. Close to the palace, you'll see the Notre Dame Cathedral (viewed from the outside only), built between 1877 and 1883, and the colonial-style Central Post Office, both of which are major landmarks of the city.
In the late afternoon, we'll visit Ben Thanh Market, a symbol of Saigon, where you'll have some time for shopping. Overnight in Saigon.
Breakfast at hotel.
In the morning, drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast network of over 200 kilometers of tunnels that became legendary for their crucial role during the Vietnam War. At their peak, these tunnels functioned as underground cities, complete with numerous trap doors, specially designed living quarters, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers, and kitchens. After watching a brief introductory video on how the tunnels were constructed, you’ll have the opportunity to crawl through a short section of the tunnels to experience the oppressive narrowness and heat within.
After the visit, return to Saigon.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure, whether for sightseeing or shopping around town. Overnight in Saigon.
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to the airport with a driver (no guide) for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a local tour guide and transferred to downtown. Check-in at your hotel (standard check-in time is 2 PM).
This afternoon, we will visit Wat Bo, a highly respected pagoda established in the 18th century, renowned for its unique wall paintings of the Reamker (Ramayana), believed to date back to the late 19th century. Next, we'll explore "Les Artisans d'Angkor – Chantiers Ecole," where you can admire some of the finest authentic Khmer arts and crafts. We'll conclude our day at Psar Chars, also known as the “Old Market,” a lively market where you can find a wide variety of goods. Overnight in Siem Reap.
After breakfast, we will begin our exploration of Angkor Thom through its South Gate, often referred to as Big Angkor. This expansive royal city, covering 3 square kilometers and surrounded by walls and moats, was the last capital of the Angkorian Empire. Our first stop is the renowned Bayon Temple, an architectural masterpiece known for its intricate construction that evolved over more than a century.
Next, we'll visit the Terrace of the Elephants, an impressive wall approximately two and a half meters high and 300 meters long, adorned with carved elephants and other intricate designs. This terrace stretches through the heart of Angkor Thom, situated in front of the majestic Baphuon temple mountain, and includes the Royal Palace Area and the Phimeanakas—a striking sandstone pyramid.
At the northern end of the Terrace of the Elephants, we'll explore the Terrace of the Leper King, a double terrace featuring deeply carved nagas, demons, and other mythological figures. Our final morning visit will be to Ta Prohm Temple, a stunning blend of human ingenuity and natural beauty, where giant trees have intertwined with the ancient structures for centuries.
In the afternoon, we'll travel overland to visit the highlights of the Grand Circuit, including:
- Preah Khan: Meaning "The Sacred Sword," this temple was also built by Jayawarman VII and is famous for its extensive cruciform corridors and delicate carvings.
- Neak Pean: A beautiful example of Khmer art, this temple was constructed by Jayavarman VII and symbolizes heaven on earth.
- Ta Som: A small, classic Bayon-style monastic complex with a relatively flat enclosure.
- East Mebon: Built in the 10th century by Rajendravarman, this temple is located on a small island in the middle of the Eastern Baray reservoir.
- Pre Rup: Another 10th-century temple constructed by Rajendravarman.
After a day rich with cultural and historical discoveries, we will return to Siem Reap for an overnight stay.
After breakfast, we'll visit the Chong Kneas Floating Villages, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Here, we'll take a ride in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap, Cambodia's "Great Lake" and the largest lake in Asia. This excursion offers a glimpse into the Khmer way of life on the Tonle Sap.
In the afternoon, we'll explore the iconic Angkor Wat temple, one of the wonders of the oriental world and a masterpiece of both decorative details and architectural style. The awe-inspiring ruins stand as a testament to the remarkable achievements of Southeast Asia's greatest civilization. Angkor Wat is designed as a replica of the universe according to Hindu mythology, with Mount Meru at its center, surrounded by continents and oceans. The temple’s extraordinary bas-reliefs depict various Khmer epics and myths. Angkor Wat's five famous towers rise majestically into the sky, surrounded by numerous galleries, adorned with bas-reliefs, stone images of celestial Apsara dancers, portals, chambers, and courtyards.
We'll end the day by enjoying the sunset at Phnom Bakheng, which rises nearly 70 meters above the plain where the other temples are located, offering a magnificent view of Angkor. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Breakfast at the hotel. Time at leisure until check out time and transfer to the airport with driver only (no guide) for the departure flight back to your sweet home.