Upon arrival at Noi Bai airport, transfer to Hanoi Hotel and Check in. later proceed for Hanoi City tour from Ba Dinh Square – the biggest square in Hanoi where all biggest cultural, political events of the cities, especially demonstrations, take place. Visit the Complex of Ho Chi Minh located by this square. Have a visit to Ho Chi Minh’s house-on-stilts, his fish pond and the One-Pillar Pagoda before strolling around the Old Quarter of Hanoi by pedicabs. Later continue to visit the city with stops at Ngoc Son Temple, the Sword Lake, which is considered the centre and the soul of the city. Visit History Museum, one of the two best Museum in town, and the Temple of Literature, the very first High School of Vietnam built in 1070. Evening enjoy a show of Water Puppetry, a unique stage art created by the Vietnamese peasants. Overnight in Hanoi.
Today check out from Hanoi Hotel after Breakfast and transfer to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994. The road will pass by the Red River delta with green paddy fields in summer crop and rural villages, where hard-work farmers are busy with their farming jobs, planting seedling or taking care of the growing green rice. After more than 3 hours, we will arrive in Halong and board our big boat to cruise the Bay to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” area, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karsts grottoes. After a lunch of fresh seafood on board, we can visit the Surprising Grotto (alternatively Thien Cung Cave), stop for swimming or kayaking, passing floating villages and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Back to the boat for dinner late afternoon. Evening attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the boat.
Join the crew in their morning yoga or taichi-quan exercises at dawn on the sundeck before having breakfast. This morning will be for us to continue to visit Bai Tu Long Bay, another area of Halong, before heading back to the Wharf of Halong passing by a densely area with many rocks with inspiring names of Cock- Fighting, the Sails, Incense Burner or Sea Dog. Arrive at Halong Wharf around 11.00. transfer to Airport to board flight for Danang. Upon arrival at Danang, transfer to Hoi An and overnight stay.
Today visit My Son, where you can discover the hidden treasure of the Cham culture that once brightfully developed in the area of present Central Vietnam. Thanks to the beauty and secrets of building the Cham Towers hereby, My Son had been also designated by UNESCO as one of the five World Heritages in Vietnam. We also have chance to enjoy Cham dances in this Holy Land (at 0930). Back to Hoian town for lunch. This afternoon is for Hoian Ancient Town, – when walking over the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge, visit taciturn Chinese Assembly Halls and Trading Houses, Pagodas, and stroll around the market located by Thu Bon river, you may find out the same feelings of the artists, who see the charm of Hoi An a magical old world of Oriental feel and source of inspiration. Overnight in Hoian.
Check out from Hotel and leave for Hue, the Vietnam’s last feudal capital by road. En-route, stop at The Museum of Cham Sculpture features extensive and diverse displays of Hindu-influenced Cham sculpture dating from the 7th to the 15th centuries. Designed in 1915 by two French architects, Delaval and Auclair, your visit here will introduce you to the most common features of Cham towers and temples from throughout the region. Keep driving to Tu Duc Tomb. Tu Duc's tomb is a sprawling compound centred around a lake and several waterways, and including numerous separate memorials connected by pleasant walkways. Planned long before Tu Duc's death in 1883, the major portions of the tomb complex were completed from 1864-67, along with future temple buildings that served as a palatial retreat for Tu Duc and his many wives during his lifetime. Overnight in Hue.
Being recognized by UNESCO as the 1st Cultural World Heritage for Vietnam, Hue is highlighted by the old royal architectural works and the most traditional Vietnamese lifestyle. Today we will discover the charm of the city from the Royal Citadel, Forbidden City, Hue Royal Museum. Later take a boat trip along the poetic Perfume River, you can reach the seven-storey Thien Mu Pagoda, the icon of Hue . Then we will visit Dong Ba bustling market located by Perfume River. After lunch, drive to the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds. After that, we drive to visit King Khai Dinh’s Tomb, which is traditional Vietnamese in design with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs. Transfer to Airport to board flight for Saigon. Overnight stay at Saigon.
After breakfast, heading out of town, we travel by road to My Tho, a capital of Tien Giang Province, is an island port in the Mekong River Delta which is 2hours drive from Hochiminh city. Stop en route to visit beautiful Vinh Trang Pagoda. On arrival, embark on a cruise navigating along Tien River, sightseeing 4beautiful islands, Long, Lan, Qui, Phuong. Wander through Thoi San Island, stop by to visit local coconut candy workshop, take a boat to orchard at Qui Islet and taste five seasonal fruits, listen to “Don Ca Tai Tu Nam Bo” - one of Vietnamese folk music. Stop by Mr Nam Ngo's house, enjoy honey tea and row sampan through narrow water coconut creek. In the afternoon, drive back to Saigon. Free time for shopping at Ben Thanh night market. Dinner at guest own arrangement. Overnight in Saigon.
Our day begins with a visit to Tayninh, the centre of Caodaism, a local sect of Buddhism founded by a Vietnamese countryman in early 20th century. The road is thru the typical Southern Vietnam delta. Arriving at noontime, we will have the chance to join the daily ceremony at the temple of Cao Dai called Tayninh Holysee. In his novel “The Quiet American,” Graham Greene described the temple as the “Walt Disney Fantasia of the East”. The eye over the main entrance and on the inside ceiling is characteristic of every Cao Dai church, and is a reminder of the Creator of the Universe. Yet, the midday mass is very solemn and respectful. Today, the Caodaism numbers over 2 million members, who are vegetarians, obey the rules of chastity, and lead very simple lives helping the sick and the infirm. They are known for their séances and communications with the spirit world.
On the way back to Saigon is located Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the few remaining monuments to the Vietnam War. Beneath the ground lie 200 km of tunnels, dug by hand and inhabited by the forces of the Vietnamese guerillas during the conflict. At its peak, prior to the Tet Offensive in 1968, the tunnel complex was base to almost 10,000 troops. To this day, it remains one of the most impressive examples of how fierce the war used to be. We can even crawl a part of the tunnel to experience the real life of the Vietnamese guerrillas, who used to use and live inside this system during the wartime. Return to Saigon late afternoon. Overnight in Saigon.
Check out from Saigon Hotel after Breakfast and transfer to Airport to board flight for Siem Rep. Upon arrival at Siem Reap, transfer to Hotel and check in. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Explore South Gate of Angkor Thom known as Big Angkor, 3km2 walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of the Angkorian Empire, The famous Bayon Temple was a narchitectural muddle, in part because it was constructed in a somewhat piecemeal fashion for over a century. Terrace of the Elephants is an impressive, two and a half meter tall, 300 meter long terrace wall adorned with carved elephants and gradual that spans the heart of Angkor Thom in front of Baphuon - huge temple mountain in the heart of Angkor Thom, Royal Palace Area and Phimeanakas - impressive rite and sandstone pyramid. Terrace of the Leper King is at the north end of the Terrace of the Elephants, a double terrace wall with deeply carved nag as, demons and other mythological beings. Last you will you will visit Ta Prohm temple which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty! Giant trees have grown here for centuries. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon visit Angkor Wat temple, the founder of the temple was Suryavarman II who reined Cambodia from 1113 to 1152 and built the five towers in the 12th century to dedicate to the Hindu God Vishnu. The plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple combined with spaces, alleys, ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction. Then it is time to view a romantic sunset view at Pre Rup temple. Enjoy a traditional Apsara dance performance and have a funny time at Angkor night market. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Visit Floating Villages, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap! Take a ride in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia and the largest in Asia. Here you’ll see plenty of examples of the Khmer way of life on the Tonle Sap. Then visit Wat Bo founded in the 18th century, a highly respected pagoda contains very unique wall paintings of the Reamker (Ramayana) that are said to be late 19th century and Local Market. Enjoy a traditional Apsara dance performance and have a funny time at Angkor night market! Overnight in Siem Reap.
Breakfast at hotel, free for leisure until transfer to airport for flight departure.
