Inclusions:
- Vietnam visa approval letter to collect visa on arrival at airport (New Zealand passport holders, single entry - 1 month)
- 13-night twin/double share accommodation with daily breakfast (standard check-in at 2.00PM & check-out at 12.00PM)
- One-way flight tickets for Hanoi – Danang and Danang – HCMC via Vietnam Airlines (Economic Class), allowance of 20 kg checked baggage & 7 kg hand luggage
- Bus ticket from HCMC – Siem Reap
- Ground transportation by A/C vehicle as tour program
- Regional English speaking guide for touring. For transfer: only driver, no tour guide
- Entrance fees to sites listed and boat trip in Halong Bay & Mekong Delta
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- 1 bottle of water per person/per day
- Join in group tours, minimum of 2 people per group is required
Exclusions:
- International flight & visa upon arrival (25 USD per person for Vietnam & 35 USD per person for Cambodia)
- Travel insurance & personal expenses
- Other meals not mentioned and beverages during meals
- Tips for tour guide & driver
Day 1: Arrival Hanoi (No meals)
Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you will be welcomed by your driver & transferred to your hotel in city centre. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2: Full Day City Hanoi (Breakfast, Lunch)
You will take the sightseeing tour featuring both cultural and historical highlights, starting with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday, Friday, & the whole months of October & November) - an important historical attraction of Hanoi, known for honouring the national hero: President Ho Chi Minh. Inside the complex, is also his House on Stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda.
Before lunch, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda – one of the oldest pagoda in Vietnam. Lunch at local restaurant. Proceed to the Ethnology Museum which offers an insight into the 54 different ethnic groups of Vietnam. The Temple of Literature - being constructed in 1070 under Ly Thanh Tong’s dynasty, first to honour Confucius and nowadays to celebrate the doctorates and high-rank scholars of Vietnam. In 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong continued the work and built Quoc Tu Giam as the first university of Vietnam. The tour then will be wrapped up with the visit to Ngoc Son Temple uniquely set on a tiny island on Hoan Kiem Lake. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast, depart for the 3½ hour drive to Halong Bay. Journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta, observe everyday life of Vietnamese villagers as they work the rice fields, take pigs to market on motorbikes and plough the fields with their water buffaloes. You will be cruising from the awesome limestone cliffs of Ha Long Bay toward the centre of the World Natural Heritage Site, discovering the exotic formations of a limestone cave, and exploring the daily life of local people living on the bay. Overnight on board.
Day 4: Halong – Hanoi (Breakfast, Lunch)
Start your day early with Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck and then visit further islands in the Bay before heading back to the shore. You'll then be transferred back to Hanoi where you'll enjoy free time to explore the city. (Please be advised that the cruise itinerary will depend on cruise of your choice and weather conditions). Overnight in Hanoi
Day 5: Hanoi - Danang Arrival – Hoian (Breakfast)
Pick up and transfer from hotel to airport for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to the hotel in Hoian Ancient Town where you'll Enjoy free time at own leisure. Overnight in Hoian
Day 6: Hoian – My Son Sanctuary Visit (Breakfast)
Leave Hoian for My Son Sanctuary and cross Cua Dai Bridge en route with its spectacular views of Hoi An river system, mountains and Cham islands. My Son Sanctuary dates from the 4th to the 13th centuries and comprises of a series of impressive tower-temples located in a dramatic site that was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence. Drive back to Hoian & enjoy free time at your own leisure. Overnight in Hoian
Day 7: Tra Que Vegetable Village (Breakfast, Lunch)
Introduction: Tra Que is a charming little village on the edge of Hoi An, the village is named after the sweet scented vegetables that spice up the everyday meals of the Pho Hoi people. Experience a day of living and working with the local people in this village.
Local guide will see you at your hotel with your bicycle, you will cycle to a local farm in Tra Que village. A short stroll will take you around the vegetable garden and then you can join the farmers in preparing the land and fertilizing it with seaweed from the local lake. You'll rake the ground, sowing, watering, picking vegetables and many other gardening activities. You will then take a short rest and enjoy foot bath before preparing lunch with a local family. Your lunch will consist of many local delicacies including ‘tam huu’ spring roll, Banh xeo or local pancake of the people in Vietnam middle region. On the way back to Hoi An you will stop at the Japanese Tomb. Overnight in Hoian
Day 8: Hoian – Danang – Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast)
Free time until transfer back to Danang Airport for your flight to HCMC. Upon arrival in HCMC, pick up and transfer to your hotel in city centre. Overnight in HCMC
Day 9: Cai Be – Vinh Long – Night Walking Street Food Tour (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
6:30AM: Depart for Cai Be and upon arrival, set off by motorboat to visit the Cai Be floating market and watch the locals trading fruits and many other commodities. Visit a small family business to see how coconut candy and crispy rice popcorn is made. Then wander into the small villages and visit the orchard and fruit plantation, accompanied by traditional southern Vietnamese folk music. Keep cruising to Vinh Long through a series of small canals to experience the charms of the Upper Mekong Delta.
Arrive on Tan Phong Island, where you can immerse yourself in nature. Enjoy a cooking experience and learn how to prepare special Vietnamese dishes. Food cooked by yourself and fresh river food served in the heart of the garden. Relax in the hammocks to get back your energy. Cycle around the village path with fruit orchards and bonsai garden. Meet the local islanders to learn more about the local daily life in the Mekong Delta. Take a boat ride back to Cai Be and meet your bus for the trip back to HCMC.
At dinner time, enjoy Walking Street Food Tour. After a short walk, enjoy your first meal of the evening - “Banh xeo”, a large rice pancake filled with vegetables, shrimps and pork. The second stop is a street food place located near Tan Dinh Market. There, enjoy a delicious local soup, inspired by Chinese recipes. This is followed by a tasty “com suon non nuong muoi ot”, a local dish from HCM with rice and pork ribs. Overnight in HCMC
Day 10: Half Day Cu Chi Visit (Breakfast, Lunch)
Depart for Cu Chi Tunnels, the trip will take approximately 1½ hours bus drive. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to exploring remaining area and tunnel systems which include the constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side, with other martial facilities like storage, weapon factories, field hospitals, and command centres. There are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served. Break time for relaxing or time for those who want to try the shooting (gun-shooting fee at own expense). Have light lunch at local restaurant then return to HCMC. Overnight in HCMC
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap (Breakfast)
Transfer to bus station for bus trip to Siem Reap (roughly 13 hours). Upon arrival, pick up & transfer to hotel for check-in. Overnight in Siem Reap
Day 12: Siem Reap – Full Day Temple Visit (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, visit South Gate of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom (Big Angkor) is a 3km Square walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of Angkorian Empire. The city began with existing structures such as Baphuon and Phimeanakas, Elephants Terraces & Leper King Terraces. The outer wall/moat was added later and some of Angkor’s greatest temples including the state- temple, Bayon, famous for its 54 towers decorated with 216 enormous mysterious smiling faces, set at the centre of the city. There are five entrances to the city, one for each cardinal point and the victory gate leading to the Royal Palace area. Each entrance is crowned with 4 giant faces. Lunch at local restaurant, then proceed to explore the temples of the Small Circuit. The most famous among these is Ta Prohm temple.
Then visit the visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking Angkor Wat. It is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level. Angkor Wat is the centrepiece of any visit to the temples of Angkor. The temple itself is 1km square and consists of three levels surmounted by a central tower. The walls of the temple are covered inside and out with bas-reliefs and carvings. Then enjoy your shopping at Old Market. Overnight in Siem Reap
Day 13: Siem Reap – Free & Easy (Breakfast)
Free time. Overnight in Siem Reap
Day 14: Siem Reap – Departure (Breakfast)
Free time until transfer to the airport (hotel check-out by 12.00PM at the latest)
- Surcharge for peak season: 23rd December 2017 - 10th January 2018 & 27th January 2018 – 4th February 2018 ) See fine print details
Hotels:
Three-star Accommodation:
- Hanoi – First Eden (Superior)
- Halong – Rosa Cruise/Oriental Sails Cruise (Deluxe)
- Hoian – Vinh Hung 2 (Standard)
- Ho Chi Minh City – La Felix (Superior)
- Siem Reap – Cheathata Angkor (Superior)
Four-star Accommodation:
- Hanoi – Golden Cyclo (Standard)
- Halong – Phoenix Cruiser (Deluxe)
- Hoian – Vinh Hung Riverside Resort (Superior Garden)
- Ho Chi Minh City – A&EM Signiture (Deluxe)
- Siem Reap – Cheathata Suites (Studio Suite)
Five-star Accommodation:
- Hanoi – Movenpick (Superior)
- Halong – Alisa Cruise (Junior Suite)
- Hoian – Palm Garden Resort (Superior Garden)
- Ho Chi Minh City – New World (Superior)
- Siem Reap – Royal Angkor Resort (Superior)
