Vietnam & Cambodia World Heritage Tour in 16days

DETAILED INTINERARY

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi (D)
You’ll start your luxury trip in Hanoi, Vietnam's artistic and intellectual capital  which celebrated its 1000 year anniversary in 2010. Historical emphasis on the arts and learning stipulates that buildings in Hanoi remain small, simple and in harmony with nature. You will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel where you will have free time before a welcome dinner at local restaurant and an overnight stay.

Day 2: Hanoi (B/L)
You’ll visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the preserved body of "Uncle Ho" may be viewed.  You’ll also see his nearby house, the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, and other museums. Following lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll enjoy a one-hour cyclo ride around the Hanoi Old Quarter and enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show.

Day 3: Hanoi-Halong Bay (B/L/D)
In the morning you will depart Hanoi at 08:30 for a 3.5 hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long Bay City. On the way, you will stop for refreshments. Upon arriving in Halong City, you will take a tender transfer to your junk and set sail through the bay while lunch is served.   As you cruise the magical bay, you will notice thousands of sculpted limestone islands rising from the waves like dragons' teeth.  Later in the afternoon, you’ll visit a fishing village with the opportunity to interact with fishermen who have been living in the bay for almost three generations. Back on board, you’ll enjoy cocktails or a cooking class while watching the sunset and later unwind at a restaurant for a lavish dinner. Enjoy some evening activities such as movie night, board games, or a beauty treatment before an overnight stay on the junk.

Day 4: Halong – Hanoi (B)
After rising to the sound of the ocean coming to life, you’ll enjoy breakfast, take a Tai Chi class and watch the sunrise over the bay (if you choose to get up that early!)    You will visit a beautiful limestone grotto, then head back to the junk for a final glimpse of Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock. Disembarking at the Cruise Café Lounge, you’ll rejoin your private car for transfer back to your hotel and have free time before an overnight stay.

Day 5: Hanoi - Hue World Heritage site by plane (B)
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to the ancient imperial capital of Hue. In the 19th century, Hue was the home of the Nguyen Dynasty, who built opulent palaces, gardens and mausoleums on the banks of the Perfume River. This peaceful central city has long been synonymous with royalty, culture and spiritual reflection.  You will have free time and an overnight stay in preparation for another busy day.

Day 6: Hue Ancient Capital (B/L)
Following breakfast in the hotel, you will board a private traditional boat for a cruise on the romantic Perfume River. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded by ancient tombs of past emperors, some of which will be on the itinerary for the day. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day and is located at the convergence of rivers, which makes it an ideal place for a great view of the Perfume River and surrounding area. From here you will cruise further to the ornate Minh Mang's tomb. You will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before driving to visit King Tu Duc's tomb and back to hotel for overnight stay in Hue.

Day 7: Hue – Ancient town Hoian (B/L)
You will leave Hue for Hoi An, another World Heritage in the Centre the Hai Van Pass, stopping in Danang city for a visit to Cham Museum and handicraft villages on the foot of Marble Mountain. Once in Hoi An, you will check into your hotel and have some free time to explore.

Day 8: Hoian Ancient town (B)
From the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders. Today, Hoi An is a quaint riverside town, popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, tailors shops, and numerous cafes. Some of the buildings in the narrow streets have remained unchanged for more than a century. You enjoy a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200- year old Tam Ky ancestral house, and the Japanese Bridge. Following the tour there will be free time to shop or relax. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Hoian – Time to relax (B)
Today you will be free to relax at the beach and enjoy the wonderful services offered by the resort. Or you can take a bicycle tour along the country roads and through the rice fields to get in touch with local farmers, fishermen and others.   One thing you won’t want to miss are the tailor shops. You can order any tailor-made clothing (even a tuxedo!) and you will have your beautiful clothes within 3 to 4 hours, and at a price that will amaze you.

Day 10: Hoian – Danang – HCMC (B/L)
You will be free until being taken to Danang airport for a flight to HCMC. Your local guide will welcome you and bring you to your hotel.  In the afternoon there will be a cyclo tour so that you may get your first impression of Ho Chi Minh City, aka Saigon.  This is Vietnam's largest city and the heart of Vietnamese business and entrepreneurship.  You will have a chance to visit the Reunification Palace, the Opera House, the Hotel de Ville, the War Remnants Museum and end the day at Ben Thanh market. You’ll be treated to dinner at local restaurant and taste the cuisine of Southern Vietnam.

Day 11: Mekong Delta Excursion (B/L)
You will Leave HCMC on your way to lush My Tho.  You’ll take a private cruise and witness the amazing vegetation of the canals and orchards in the heart of the Mekong Delta.  You will also visit the snake farm in Dong Tam that breeds snakes for wine, among other things.  You’ll also visit a bonsai garden before going back to HCMC for an overnight stay.

Day 12: Tay Ninh Holysee temple & Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L)
In the morning you will be driven to to Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh.  Tay Ninh, near the Cambodian border, is home to the unique Cao Dai sect, whose patron saints include Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo and Winston Churchill, to name a few. The religion is a hybrid of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. The Cao Dai Temple has been described as the Disneyland of the East. The trip to Tay Ninh is combined with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. At its height, the tunnel system stretched over 250km.  Going from Saigon to the Cambodian border, it was three levels deep, including a network of innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today, the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction, giving you a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam war must have been like.  Then it’s an overnight stay back in HCMC.

Day 13: HCMC - Phnom Penh (B/D)
In the morning you will fly to Phnom Penh in Cambodia to continue your wonderful journey.  Despite its sad history, the city has kept its charm and is considered the loveliest city in Indochina.  Today you will visit the legendary temple of Wat Phnom, where you can enjoy an interesting view of the surroundings. The next stop is the National Museum, where you can look at the Khmer art and sculptures. Most of the exhibits are from the Angkor period of 9 to 15 Century, but a few come from the 4th Century. You will then spend the night in Phnom Penh.

Day 14: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (B/D)
Today you will fly the short distance from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you will visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (built in the 12th century), a prime example of Khmer art and architecture. You will be amazed at the beautiful sunset view from Phnom Bakheng hill and you will have dinner at a local restaurant while you marvel at a Apsara dance show. You’ll then have a restful night’s sleep I Siem Reap.

Day 15: Angkor Wat (B/D)
Next, you will embark on an elephant ride from the Angkor Thom into the jungle to visit the famous Bayon temple.  It is known for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, Baphoun, the Terrace of Temple, Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon you will continue to visit the fabulous Ta Prohm, surrounded by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers.  You will have a traditional dinner and have overnight stay in Siem Reap.

Day 16: Departure (B)
You will board a boat in Tonle Sap Lake and enjoy a brief cruise past floating villages, complete with schools, restaurants, and hospitals.  You can also visit the school of the "Les Artisans d'Angkor" before transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for you flight home or wherever your travels take you next.