INDOCHINA DISCOVERY

Your luxury holiday starts as we meet you at Hanoi airport (Noi Bai), and you’re taken directly to your hotel. Hanoi is a stylish and exciting city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia‘s most striking colonial architecture. The lakes and parks provide pleasant and relaxing escapes from the bustle of the city, overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 of your Wonder Vietnam tour starts with breakfast, followed by a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this site is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origin dates back to the foundation of Hanoi a thousand years ago. Your tour of Hanoi continues with a trip to the remarkable Temple of Literature, well known as Vietnam’s first university. After lunch, you’ll enjoy the always impressive Ethnology Museum dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. You’ll then continue to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem. In front of this lake is the famous Water Puppet Theatre where you’ll see a fantastic performance. Overnight in Hanoi.

After an early breakfast you start with a transfer out to the internationally famous and stunningly beautiful Halong Bay, made world famous by James Bond in Tomorrow Never Dies. Arriving just before lunch, you’ll embark on a traditional Vietnamese junk. Take lunch on board and enjoy the afternoon and overnight cruise as it provides you with fantastic views of the fabulous scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands which amazingly rise from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves, some of which you’ll visit. Overnight on board in Halong Bay

The tour continues with a morning spent cruising on to the Man’s Head, Tortoise islands and then Luon Cave by small bamboo boat. After an brunch check out and continue to travel though Bai Tu Long to Bai Chay for disembark, meet the driver and guide to transfer you back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast on day 5 of your Vietnam holiday you have some free time to explore Hanoi on our own until a transfer to Noi Bai airport for an hour flight to Hue – Vietnam’s last feudal capital. This small and quiet city is widely known for its magnificent architecture, pagodas and royal tombs laid in many small villages and surrounding hills. You’ll spend this afternoon visiting Hue with the massive citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This Royal Residence was destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins of the Vietnam history timeline. overnight in Hue.

Your Vietnam vacation continues on day 6 with a full exploration of Hue starting with a boat cruise upstream on the Perfume River which will give you a taste of the scenic countryside as well as an enjoyable visit to the beautiful pagoda of Thien Mu. You continue on to the Emperor Minh Mang’s mausoleum, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. The next stop of your trip is the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and the famous Tu Hieu. Overnight in Hue

Upon leaving Hue you drive south to Hoian, which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down the centuries by traders from various cultures. The scenic road is hugging the coastline before crossing over the winding Hai Van pass. A view from the top of the pass is one of Vietnam’s most impressive panoramic scenes of Lang co Beach. You stop en route to visit the Cham Museum in Danang City, China Beach and the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements of the universe. Overnight in Hoian.

The ancient architecture of Hoian is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional buildings with Chinese and Japanese influence. There’s plenty to see in this delightful town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, Pottery Museum, 200 years old Tan Ky House, Chua Ong Pagoda and vibrant market. Today we include these on a walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls, which reflect the town’s multi-cultural past. You’ll understand why many visitors come to Hoi An again and again. In spite of the beautiful setting, many visitors site the food as the highlight of their trip to Hoi An – ask your guide for a recommendation!
Overnight in Hoian.

On day 9 it some time for your own at leisure in the morning at a nice beach in Hoian before continue your Vietnam Holiday by transfer to airport for an hour flight to Ho Chi Minh. Greeting at airport and drive to the most bustle city of Vietnam which we named Pearl of Indochina. Overnight in Saigon

Day 10 of your Vietnam journey begins with breakfast in your hotel, followed by a guided tour of some of the most important attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, beginning with the Reunification Palace, which was the former residence of the Southern Vietnam President until the end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office. Afterwards, we’ll visit the History Museum where there is a special exhibition of Phu Nam country which dates back to the 2nd century ‘Oc Eo’ civilisation. You’ll also visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, one of the best examples of Taoist temples in Vietnam. This afternoon, you call in the Museum of War Remnants which provides a very partial, but riveting perspective of the Vietnam war, and the Binh Tay market in Chinatown area. Overnight in Saigon

After an early breakfast you’ll avoid the city heat to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Viet Cong in the American war. Afterwards, you’ll continue to the headquarters of Cao Dai religious sect which is located in Tay Ninh. This religion was founded in 1923 and now numbers over 2 million members. It’s an unusual religion with an eclectic mix of different saints from different religions, and has Victor Hugo and Charlie Chaplin as patron saints. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

On day 12 of your Included Overview of Vietnam holiday you’ll head out of the city for the Mekong Delta with a visit to Cai Be for a local traditional boat trip to observe the daily lives and activities of the local people who live along the river. Visit the various fascinating local cottage industries including rice paper makers and bonsai nurseries before docking at Ving Long and continuing to Can Tho, the largest town in the Mekong Delta. Over night at a hotel in Can Tho

The last day of your tour of Vietnam takes you to Can Tho, which is famous for its Cai Rang floating market where hundreds of local boats drift on the Mekong River and sell local agriculture products. An early wake up is required to start your trip before returning to hotel for breakfast. You’ll head back to Ho Chi Minh City before noon, on arrival city you’re free to relax in the afternoon back in HCMC, may to do some final shopping, or just to enjoy yourself Vietnamese style – sitting in a café watching the world go by. Overnight in Saigon city

There is some free time to relax or further explore Ho Chi Minh on our own before a transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport you’re your departure flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, met and transfer to city centre to start your trip visit Phnom Penh. Your private tour visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda, Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. Then continue your visit at Wat Phnom Temple, a small hill crowned by an active Wat (Pagoda) marks the legendary founding place of the Phnom Penh. Overnight at Phnom Penh

After breakfast this morning group will transferred to speed boat for your 5 hours trip to Siem Reap on Mekong river. On arrival meet up and transfer to hotel

Today we continue exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King. Enjoying a romantic sun set view form Bakheng Hills. Today we also visit other temples as Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. The grand circuit with Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup Temples, is also visited this afternoon before we walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill for a view of the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments, over view of Angkor Wat under sun setting from Bakheng Hills. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap

This morning we will visit the largest complex and impressive sand stone art here Angkor Wat. The temple constructed in the 12th century cover an area of about 210 hectares. We stroll around this massive structure, seeing the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. Continue our private tour in Siem Reap we visit incredible Ta Prohm temple settle among of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of mans creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. Overnight in Siem Reap

We embark to visiting the Khmer Village and enjoy view of the rice field and a lots of palm trees with great fresh air. We board on boat in Tonle Sap Lake, the “Great Lake” of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia. Then we transfer to airport for flight to Luang Prabang. Transfer from Luang Prabang International Airport to your hotel, time permitting climb Phousi Hill, with its 328 steps, it’s a rewarding walk as once at the summit you’ll have for a fabulous panorama view over the town centre and the mighty Mekong River and beyond. We return to your hotel late afternoon and the evening will be at your leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

For those early risers you have a fantastic opportunity to take part in the daily morning ritual of Alms giving to the saffron-clad monks who walk along in single file collecting offerings, normally food. This is a unique tradition throughout Laos and the monks are fully supported by the local residents. After breakfast, we’ll take you on an amazing long tail boat journey along the Nam-Ou & Mekong Rivers , through the beautiful Laotian countryside all the way to Luang Prabang, passing by the local villages and seeing the real everyday life of the villagers going about their chores including fishing, trading & washing along the rivers on our 5 hour journey. We’ll stop on the way to see the fascinating Pak Ou caves, which in fact are a cave system of two interlinked caves, crammed full of Buddha statues left behind by pilgrims over generations and then we’ll observe the traditional process of rice wine distillation in Ban Sanghai, after lunch spend the afternoon at Kuang Si Waterfall set in a delightful jungle setting relax by the waterfall or have a swim in one of its turquoise pools. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

For those early risers you have a fantastic opportunity to take part in the daily morning ritual of Alms giving to the saffron-clad monks who walk along in single file collecting offerings, normally food. This is a unique tradition throughout Laos and the monks are fully supported by the local residents.

Visit the Laotian Royal Palace officially known as Haw Kham which was built during the French colonial era for the King and his family. The site was chosen so that official visitors to Luang Prabang could disembark from their river voyages directly by palace and be received there. In 1975, the monarchy was overthrown and the Palace was then converted into a National museum. Today it houses many artifacts which showcase the richness of Laotian culture. Transfer to the airport for flight to Vientiane, upon arriving in Vientiane the nation’s capital city we’ll take an afternoon city tour, starting with the thousands of miniature Buddha’s at Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in the city and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo which used to house the Emerald Buddha, now in Bangkok, Thailand. We’ll then take a short ride across the city to see the National symbol of Laos which is the ‘That Luang Stupa ‘and stop at the imposing Patuxay Monument Laos Arch de Triumph a reminder of the French Colonial period. We’ll arrive at our hotel late afternoon in time for you to relax before dinner. Overnight in Vientiane.

Take a short trip to the Morning market to pick up a souvenir or just browse before transferring to Wattay International airport for your onward flight.