DAY 2-3 Siem Reap           B

Spend 2 full days exploring this vast temple complex at Angkor. Tour highlights include Angkor Wat, the Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei, Banteay Samre, Roluos Group Temples, Srah Srang,  and cruise in Kampong Kleang, a fishing community on the edge of the Tonle Sap Lake, passing wooden houses built on towering stilts, submerged forests and fish farms.

DAY 4 Siem Reap – Luang Prabang                B

Fly to Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage town, with beautifully preserved Buddhist temples and French fusion architecture.

Hotel: 4* Souphattra Hotel or similar (3 nights)

DAY 6 Luang Prabang                    B

Explore Wat Visoun, the oldest temple in Luang Prabang; That Makmo, one of the more unusually shaped stupas; and Wat Xieng Thong, the crowning jewel of all monasteries and other temples of interest in the city. Late afternoon, climb up Mt. Phousi and discover the several wats on its slopes with a 24-metre high stupa on its peak.

DAY 8 Hanoi                                B, L

Enjoy a full-day city tour including the One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, Ethnology Museum, and Hoa Lo Prison. Wind up your day with an exhilarating street-level cycle ride through Hanoi’s bustling lanes and alleys in the Old Quarters.

Day 10 Halong Bay                    B, L, D

Awake early and join the Tai Chi session on the sundeck. After breakfast on board, sail to Viet Hai Village. Take a bicycle trip along the village path and go through the rain forests and dark tunnel. Enjoy stunning scenery of rice fields on the way.

Back to the day boat for visiting Lan Ha Bay. After lunch visit the Lan Ha Bay. There will be time for kayaking and swimming at Ba Ham Lake area.

Return to the cruise in the afternoon. Enjoy the dinner and activities on the cruise.

DAY 12 Hue             B, L, D

This morning enjoy a tour on a Vespa motorbike cycled by ladies in Ao Dai (Vietnamese long dress) visiting Quoc Hoc High School, Thanh Toan Village, and Vong Canh Hill to have a vista of the beautiful Perfume River. Stop at Ho Quyen Arena (Tiger Fighting Arena) and walk from Mr. Hè Café to Tu Hieu Pagoda, the resting place of the Nguyen Dynasty’s eunuchs.

After a vegetarian lunch at Thien Tam Restaurant, visit the Imperial Citadel (Forbidden Purple City). Tonight, enjoy a traditional royal tea ceremony and dinner with three generations of the formal royal family at Mrs. Tuyet’s house and learn more about Vietnamese culture and traditional customs.

DAY 13 Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An              B, L

Drive to Da Nang (110km) and enjoy the beautiful landscape along the way through the Hai Van Pass. Proceed to Hoi An, a historic trading post of seafaring Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese merchants.

Hotel: 4*+ Hotel Royal Hoi An MGallery or similar  (3 nights)

DAY 15                            Hoi An                                                B, L

Experience rural and fishing life on the waterways in Hoi An. Highlights include a leisurely cycling along country roads, a visit to an organic farm with opportunity to ride on a water buffalo on the rice paddies; paddle a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat and gain hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. Lunch is at a local home. Balance of the day is free at leisure.

DAY 17               Ho Chi Minh City  – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City                B, L

Depart for Ben Tre, referred locally as land of coconut. Visit seedling cultivation in Cai Mon and Nam Cong Bonsai Garden. Cruise along the river and watch the daily life of the delta’s residents along the river banks. Enjoy cycling in the village under shadowy forest of palm trees. Lunch is served with local specialties in a farmer house.

DAY 19 Ho Chi Minh City Departure  B

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Sapa Extension

4 Days / 3 Nights

DAY 1   Hanoi – Lao Cai

Board your overnight train to Lao Cai. Train departs at 9:35pm.

Victoria “Orient” Express train is the best train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, with one restaurant and two luxury air-conditioned sleeping carriages.

Overnight: Victoria Express Train (Superior 4 berth cabin -1 night)

DAY 2   Lao Cai – Sapa                 B, L

Arrive early morning in Lao Cai (approx. 5:30 am) and proceed to Sapa for check in at your hotel. After breakfast, visit Lao Chai and San Chai minority villages. Late afternoon, climb up the steps of Ham Rong Mountain and enjoy a panoramic view of Sapa Town with gothic villas, gardens and paddy fields.

Hotel: 4* Victoria Sapa Resort or similar (1 night)

DAY 3   Sapa – Lao Cai   – Hanoi                 B, L

This morning, set out on a light trek to discover Sapa’s lesser known areas. Visit Cat Cat village, home to H’mong hill tribe minority peoples. Proceed to the spectacular 100 meter high Thac Bac Waterfalls (18 kms from Sapa), and enjoy the views of Mt. Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest mountain. Late afternoon, head back to Lao Cai for your overnight train journey to Hanoi. Train departs at 9:00 pm.

Overnight: Victoria Express Train (superior 4 berths in 1 cabin- 1 night)

DAY 4   Hanoi Departure

Upon arrival in Hanoi, transfer to the airport.