Highlights of Vietnam including Cambodia Extension

Depart for Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi

Morning

Upon arriving in Vietnam, you will be met by our local representative in the airport before being transferred to your hotel in Hanoi, which will be your base for the next two nights of your stay. 

Traditional Puppet Show & Dinner

Evening

Later in the evening, enjoy a cyclo ride to the theatre, to watch a traditional Water Puppet show, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

Hanoi Guided City Tour

Full Day

After breakfast (included every day of your stay in Vietnam) begin with a full day guided excursion of Hanoi. Here you will see fascinating sites, such as the monumental tomb of Ho Chi Minh’s (uncle Ho) Mausoleum, view (from the outside) his simple old wooden house where he lived and worked and the One Pillar Pagoda, a historic Buddhist Temple sitting within a lake. Included is also a visit to the world famous 11th century Temple of Literature, the former Hỏa Lò Prison, finish your day with a walking tour of the Old Quarter and area around the beautiful Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Lunch is included today at a local restaurant.

Evening at Leisure

Evening

This evening is yours to further enjoy your surroundings, perhaps take a stroll along the lake, watch the locals dancing or going about their daily life. There are many bars and restaurants that offer great views over this bustling city. If you happen to be in Hanoi on a weekend, wander the local night markets for a bargain. Your guide will be happy to suggest further places of interest.

Sail Around Ha Long Bay

Full Day

After breakfast, depart Hanoi and travel to the magnificent Hạ Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive will take approximately two and a half hours. On arrival you will set sail on a leisurely cruise, taking in the beauty and scenery of Ha Long Bay. Lunch is included today on your cruise. During the cruise you will visit some of the caves and grottos of the spectacular limestone islands.  Sit back and enjoy the serene blue waters and towering caves of this bay, no wonder this location has been used as a setting for many movies.

Evening at Leisure

After disembarking from your cruise, drive to your hotel in Ha Long Bay and check in for the night. Dinner is included in your hotel tonight. Relax and unwind after your day of sailing.

Travel to Hoi An

Full Day

After breakfast you will transfer to Hanoi Airport, approximately two and a half hours drive for your flight to Da Nang, central Vietnam. There will be a stop along the way for lunch. On your arrival at Da Nang airport you will transfer by coach to your hotel in Hoi An, the drive will take approximately forty-five minutes. Check into your hotel and relax for the evening. Dinner is included tonight. The following three nights will be spent in Hoi An.

Hoi An Guided Excursion

Half Day

Today you will enjoy a morning boat tour on the Thu Bồn River, where you will be able to see the fascinating daily activities of the local people who live along its banks. In the afternoon you will enjoy a walking tour of Hội An, where you will have the opportunity to see the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge.

Afternoon at Leisure

The rest of your afternoon is at leisure to further spend time exploring this fascinating and beautiful town, or relax at the beach. If you enjoy photography, this town is a perfect place for the budding photographer, with colourful buildings, rice paddy fields, markets and interesting people, you will easily fill your day taking many scenic photos. A trip to the Rehahn gallery is also worth a visit, portraying some of the different tribes throughout Vietnam, including their traditional costumes and stunning photos by Rehahn himself, of different ethnic Vietnamese tribes.For coffee connoisseurs this will be the perfect opportunity to try an egg coffee, or a Cafe Sua Da (iced coffee) Vietnamese style. Vietnam is famous for its coffee and it is simply delicious!

Hoi An Guided Tour

Morning

After breakfast enjoy a guided excursion, you into the Hội An countryside, where you will visit a typical local village and see the farmers working their fields and gardens. You will also have an insight into the daily life of Vietnamese farmers. 

Vietnamese Cookery Class

Afternoon

After visiting the fields and gardens of the local farmers you will have a hands-on experience cooking class, where you can learn traditional Vietnamese cooking methods and recipes. It will include a talk on the art of Vietnamese gastronomy, vegetables, herbs, spices and how to prepare and use them. After your cooking lesson you can enjoy the meal you have skilfully prepared.

Transfer to Hue

Morning

After breakfast, you will transfer from Hoi An to Hue, the drive will take approximately four hours, with a stop for lunch along the way. Upon arrival in Hue, you will have a guided excursion of the city, visiting the walled fortress of the Imperial Citadel and the 19th century Tomb of Tu Duc. 

Perfume River Cruise

Evening

Finish your day with a cruise along the Perfume River (once named because falling orchids gave the water a pleasant scent) to Thiên Mụ Pagoda, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. After your dinner transfer to your hotel in Hue where you will spend the night.

Fly from Hue to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

Full Day

Today you will transfer from your hotel to Hue Airport for a flight to Ho Chi Min City (Saigon)where you will spend the following four nights. After you check in to your hotel you will have some time at leisure to further become familiar with your surroundings. Dinner is included tonight at a local restaurant.

Saigon Excursion

Morning

Today we delve into the highlights of Ho Chi Min City (Saigon). First stop is at Reunification Palace (formerly Presidential Palace) an important and historical landmark, after take a short walk to the Notre Dame Cathedral, past the French Colonial Post Office and other prominent buildings. Final stop this morning will be at the Jade Emperor Pagoda before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant (included).

Explore Temples and Markets in Saigon

Afternoon

After lunch continue your excursion on to Cholon "Big Market", See Cha Tam Church, the Thien Hau Temple and visit Binh Tay market. On your return you will visit a small Cao Dai Temple before returning to your hotel. The rest of your evening is at leisure to relax after your busy day delving into the highlights of Ho Chi Min.

Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels

Full Day

Today you will embark on an excursion to discover the Chu Chi network of underground tunnels. These tunnels were the location of many, of the Viet Cong’s military campaigns during the Vietnam War (or American War as they call it in Vietnam). The tunnels were used as hiding spots during combat; also serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food storage and living quarters for the Vietnamese fighters. For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above.  For the more daring person, you can enter some of the tunnels with your guide, which may require you to crawl along on your hands and knees in the darkness of the tunnel, it is certainly not for the faint hearted! Lunch is included today.

At Leisure

Evening

Upon your return from your excursion to the Cu Chi tunnels, enjoy the rest of your evening at leisure to delve into the delights of this vibrant city.

Free Time in Ho Chi Minh City

Full day

Enjoy one final day at leisure in Ho Chi Minh City for independent exploration. For those who enjoy history on the Vietnam war, perhaps a visit to the War Remnants Museum to see leftover of fighter aircraft, helicopters, tanks and many photos of this war, a stark reminder of Vietnam’s history not so long ago. Parks in the city are some of the best places to people watch or enjoy watching locals play đá cầ, a form of foot badminton, or spend time further delving into the sites of this bustling city. Now is the perfect time for last minute shopping. Your guide will be happy to suggest something to suit your taste.

Guided Excursion of The Mekong Delta

Morning

Today you will depart Ho Chi Min city for a full day guided excursion to Cai Be, known for its large floating markets, the drive will take approximately two hours to Cai Be. On arrival you will take a cruise on the mighty Mekong Delta in a motorised sampan boat. You will have the opportunity to sample some local fruit that is in season with lunch (included), at a local farmers home before taking a leisurely cruise to Vinh Long. After your cruise you will transfer back to Can Tho and check into your hotel for the night.

Free Time in Can Tho

Evening

This evening dinner is included in your hotel, the rest of your night is at leisure to relax and further become familiar with your surroundings.

Cai Rang Market & Khmer Temple

Morning

This morning enjoy one last cruise to the bustling market town of Cai Rang with a Sampan ride through the colourful floating market. Witness hawkers jostling for space to sell their wares, with everything from exotic fruit and vegetables to plastic sunglasses for sale.  Travel deeper into the Delta area to see one of its most spectacular temples, the Khmer monastery of Kh'leng. This temple is inhabited by a group of young Buddhist monks and is also a learning centre for the many members of Khmer race that have remained there for centuries. The monks study English and Vietnamese within the grounds and are keen to talk to foreign visitors.

Travel to Cambodia

Afternoon

Enjoy some time at leisure before being transferred to the airport for your flight to Cambodia, with guide assistance. Lunch is included en-route. Upon arrival in Siem Reap transfer with guide assistance to your hotel

Explore the Angkor Temples of Cambodia

Full Day

Today you will explore the Angkor Temples of Cambodia. The first tour is to Angkor Thom and then you will travel on to Ta Prohm.  After lunch in the Sugar Palm Restaurant, you will visit the most famous of them all and the largest religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat. The temple was first a Hindu, then a Buddhist shrine and is the top attraction in Cambodia. You will see the sunset over this beautiful site before returning to your hotel. 

Free Time in Siem Reap

Full Day

Today have the day free to explore Siem Reap at your own pace. You might like to visit the Psar Chaa open air market where you can haggle with vendors while enjoying the unique local atmosphere. Another Siem Reap highlight is the Artisans Angkor school where young locals are taught traditional wood- and stone-carving techniques, traditional silk painting, lacquerware and other artisan skills.

Depart Cambodia

Today you will have another day at leisure to experience the wonders Siem Reap has to offer. In the afternoon transfer with guide assistance to the airport for your flight home.

Morning

Arrive home following your adventures in fantastic South East Asia.