Splendid Indochina - 17 Days - ILU01

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel. Hanoi is one of Asia's most charming cities, with romantic boulevards and colonial houses. The rest of the day is free for your own exploration and shopping. Overnight in the hotel.

A full day spent touring Hanoi – the political, economic and cultural capital of Vietnam. Starting with the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays), which offers informative and well-documented information on the country’s 54 ethnic groups, including elaborate and colorful hill-tribe costumes. The display continues in the outside garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses from the Kinh’s to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. We will then visit the Temple of Literature - a temple built in honor of Confucius in 1070, and served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam founded in 1076. This temple and its beautiful garden provide an opportunity to learn more about the Mandarin education that has shaped Vietnam for 1000 years and to relax in this tranquil setting. The afternoon is spent exploring the alleys of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple or the Jade Mountain Temple situated in the heart of Hanoi. A delightful Water Puppet Show will perfectly wrap up our day. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, we will depart to Halong Bay, passing beautiful scenery along  the way with lush rice paddies and winding rivers, typical of the Red River Delta. We will arrive at Halong’s tourist wharf around noon and embark a classic wooden junk. Lunch will be served as the boat gently cruises past numerous islands and limestone structures rising from the emerald waters of the bay. It is also an ideal opportunity to enjoy the sea breeze and refresh your soul. An experienced chef will prepare a fresh seafood dinner.  Overnight on board in your private cabin.

Enjoy breakfast and savor the incredible sunrise from the sundeck while the boat sails to Luon Cave and one of Halong’s floating villages, then back to the harbor. On the way back to Hanoi, stop in Bac Ninh province to visit Vietnam's first Buddhist centre, the But Thap Pagoda, which was built in the 13th century and reconstructed during the 17th century. It is renowned for its valuable statues, the most remarkable of which is a thousand-handed and thousand-eyed Buddha considered a masterpiece of Vietnamese sculpturing. We will then continue the drive to Hanoi. Overnight at hotel.

You will be taken to Hanoi airport in the morning for the short flight to Hue. Arrive in Hue, check into your hotel. We will  start our discovery of Hue by cycling or taking a cyclo to visit Hue Imperial City - the vestiges of Vietnam's last dynasty with its Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh). Overnight at hotel in Hue

We will depart from the hotel in the morning to visit Tu Duc Royal Tomb, one of the most beautiful royal mausoleum compounds in Hue. You will then enjoy a leisurely boat trip along the poetic Perfume River,and  en route visit Thien Mu Ppagoda also known as "Heavenly Lady Pagoda" the symbol of Hue. We will then continue the cruise toward Thuy Bieu eco-village, an ancient village situated on the bank of the Perfume River where lunch will be served. 

The afternoon is reserved for cycling through the peaceful village, visiting several communal houses, ancient temples and the highlight: the garden- house, a typical and unique feature of Hue. Soaking your feet in medicinal herb water followed by an excellent blind massage will refresh them after a day of sightseeing. In the evening you will participate in a cooking class. You will have the chance to prepare a typical Vietnamese meal for dinner under the instructions from our chef. Night at hotel.

Morning drive on the Mandarin road, a scenic journey from Hue to Hoi An, which allows you to see a picturesque Vietnam with stunning beaches and lush tropical forest. Take some photos en route before visiting the Museum of Cham Sculptures, with many precious antique artifacts of the former Cham Kingdom on display. We then continue our drive to Hoi An’s ancient town, once an important international trading port and now a charming riverside town. Hoi An features a fantastic combination of Chinese, Dutch, Japanese and Portuguese culture. Explores each, when visiting the Japanese Pagoda Bridge, Chinese streets, old Phung Hung houses, Hoi An’s market and ancient port, and Old House of Tan Ky. On the 1st and 15th of every lunar month, Hoi An’s ancient town is lit up by hundreds of colorful lanterns, giving it an extra portion of sparkle. Enjoy the city’s transformation and stroll through this quaint, glowing fairytale town in your free time. Overnight at hotel.

Morning transfer to Danang airport for flights to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon or "Pearl of the Far East". We will spend a day visiting the city situated on the banks of the Saigon River, famous for its wide elegant boulevards and historic French colonial buildings. The must-visit list includes: Ton Duc Thang and Nguyen Hue Avenue, the Reunification Palace or Presidential Palace,  Notre Dame Cathedral built in 1877 and the Central Post Office. The tour concludes with a visit to and optional shopping spree at Ben Thanh Market, the busiest business centre in Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at hotel.

Leaving the bustling city of Saigon behind, we will depart to the Mekong Delta considered Vietnam’s biggest rice basket. We will arrive at Hung Vuong Pier in Ben Tre and embark our boat to cruise along Ben Tre River, a tributary of the great Mekong, to explore the local lifestyle and the daily hustle and bustle. We will stop at the brickfield belonging to Mr. Tu Lo to see how bricks are made by hand in Vietnam and a coconut candy home factory located along the canal to witness the process of making this local candy and other souvenirs. You will then have the opportunity to taste bee honey tea at a local honey farm and a variety of tropical fruit that grow amply in the orchards of the Mekong Delta. You can then walk or cycle through the coconut groves and green rice paddies to soak up the atmosphere and relax in the tranquil countryside.

The afternoon begins with a trip on small rowing boats through a maze of waterways shaded by two rows of palm trees. We then cruise back to the pier and disembark. Transfer to Can Tho. Overnight in Can Tho.

We take an early morning boat trip through the winding waterways of Cai Rang floating market, the biggest and busiest floating market in the Mekong Delta. This is the best time to visit the market, as it is crowded with hundreds of sampans that offer fruit, vegetables, plants, food and other goods for trade. This is the perfect opportunity to take photos, communicate with locals and taste fresh tropical fruit. Leave the market, and return to Saigon. On the way back, we will stop at an old Binh Thuy house 5kms from Can Tho city and Long Dinh mat weaving village where you witness the making of a mat, a very popular item closely associated with Vietnamese culture.  You will then be taken directly to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, we will visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom also referred to as "Great City", the famous Bayon Temple built in the late 12th century and the Baphoun Temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and Phimean Akas known as "Heavenly Palace".

In the afternoon, we will tour the World Heritage site "Angkor Wat", the world's largest religious building. We continue our day with a visit to Bakheng Hill Temple and watch the sunset from the top of the hill. Back to the hotel. Dinner with special Aspara dance show. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Morning visit to the “Small Circuit” group of temples including Ta Prohm overgrown with the roots of enormous fig trees. This is one of Jayavarman VII's first major temple projects dedicated to his mother, Thommanon built at the same time as Angkor Wat and Chau Say Tevoda Temple, Banteay Kdei surrounded by four concentric walls, Srah Srang or “The Royal Baths" which was used for bathing rituals and Ta Keo known as “The Mountain with Golden Peaks” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

The afternoon will be spent visiting the “Grand Circuit” including Pre Rup, a temple mountain with beautiful bas reliefs and excellent views of the surrounding countryside, East Mebon a large temple mountain dedicated to Shiva in honor of the king’s parents, Tasom the most distant temple of the Grand Circuit, Neak Pean a small island temple originally dedicated to Buddha, it is most photogenic during the wet season and finishing off the tour will be Preah Khan dedicated to Jayavarman VII's father. Overnight at hotel.

Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival in Phnom Penh your will meet our guide and be taken to the hotel. After your check-in, we will explore Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, with all its highlights: the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda, the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom considered the spiritual heart of the city. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, we will drive to Sihanoukville, a coastal town located 230 km from Phnom Penh. It hosts one of the most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia. On the way,we pass beautiful countryside landscapes and take several breaks en route to take nice photos. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and enjoy your free time to unwind on Sihanoukville’s beach. Overnight in Sihanoukville.

Free time to enjoy the beach or explore the surrounding at your leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Free time to relax and revel in memories. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, free time for relaxation until we take you to Phnom Penh airport for departure flights. Asiatica Travel's services end at the airport.