The Golden Triangle of Indochina

Morning visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam built in 11th century, followed by President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his house-on-stilts and the nearby One Pillar Pagoda.

In the afternoon take a walking tour around the Old Quarter to see daily life of Hanoians, followed by a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit to Ngoc Son Temple.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Arrive at Hanoi Railway Station in the early morning. Pick up by local guide and have breakfast at a local restaurant before departing for Ha Long Bay without guide, one of the most stunning natural wonders of Vietnam, a picturesque blend of harmonious transition between the mountains and the sea. On arrival, board a traditional junk and head out into the Gulf of Tonkin amongst the huge limestone outcrops and emerald waters. Lunch is served onboard while the junk cruises through scenic part of the bay. Dinner and overnight on board.

Note: Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, tide levels and operating conditions.

Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and Dinner

Enjoy brunch while the junk cruises back to the wharf. Disembark before noontime and drive to Noi Bai airport without guide for flight to Hue. Upon arrival to Hue, pick up by local guide and transfer to hotel in Hue.

Overnight in Hue.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Start Hue city tour with visit to the Imperial City where Emperors of Nguyen dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945. The relics inside the city are surprisingly well preserved including royal gates, temples, palaces of the Kings and royal families, etc. Continue to the interesting Dong Ba Market. 

Rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Hue.

Note: Hotel’s check-in time is 14:00.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Rest of the day at your leisure.

Overnight in Hue.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Check out of hotel and drive to Hoi An without guide, passing the scenic Lang Co Lagoon and Hai Van Pass with breathtaking view from the top. Upon arrival in Hoi An, drop off luggage at hotel.

Rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Note: Hotel’s check-in time is 14:00.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

The day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

The day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Rest of the day at your leisure until transferred to Danang Airport for your onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Afternoon visit the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. Today this building is a museum and venue for official receptions. The nearby Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 and 1883 is one of the city’s major landmarks. Neo-Romanesque in form, it’s the major seat of the Catholic religion in modern Vietnam. Next to the cathedral stands the Saigon Post Office. Finished in 1891, it’s another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam's largest post office. Continue to the Chinatown of Cho Lon with visit to Thien Hau Temple – one of the oldest Chinese temples in Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Morning visit Cu Chi Tunnels. Watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed before seeing various mantraps, the remains of an American tank as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500 pound bombs dropped by B52 bombers. Spend the next hour exploring the maze of tunnels to see how the Viet Cong communists were able to survive in this underground network.

Rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

After breakfast, head South to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta. On arrival, take a boat cruise to see local life along the river. Visit brick and coconut processing workshops. Turn to smaller scissors creeks to go to a village. Take a walk to family workshop making sleep mats and enjoy some seasonal fruits. Take a motorcar ride on shady paths, passing rice fields and vegetable plains. In the afternoon, take a rowing boat along the water palm creek and then to the pier to take the drive to Can Tho.

Overnight in Can Tho.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

In the morning cruise along the small and picturesque tributaries to see Cai Rang floating market – the biggest and most interesting floating market of the Mekong Delta with heaps of rowing boats. Take in the beautiful scenery and the daily activities of the local people who live along the Mekong canals. Check out of hotel and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Transfer without guide to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward flight to Siem Reap. Sua s’dei and welcome to Siem Reap! You are welcomed at the airport by your driver and guide who will transfer you to your hotel in the city centre (rooms are available from 2pm). Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the rest of the day at your own leisure, absorbing the various atmospheres of Siem Reap.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will head out to Kampong Kleang “floating village”, which is, in fact, a stilt-houses settlement of over 20,000 people where structures can tower up to ten meters above the water. Greeted by waves of the friendly locals, here you can glimpse Cambodia’s countryside culture and traditional family lifestyle. To get closer to it, you will have a chance to enjoy a home-hosted lunch and dine on stilts.

In the afternoon, we transfer to the forgotten temple of Beng Mealea. After a short walk through a dense jungle, you'll feel like an explorer when entering the completely overgrown temple. Undiscovered for centuries, Beng Mealea has only recently been made accessible and remains unrestored. It is one of the very few temples that actually give the opportunity to climb through it, giving a very 'Indiana Jones' feel to the experience.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Note: From February to August/September the water level of the Tonle Sap Lake is very low. It’s muddy and the boat can get stuck. If clients are still keen on having a boat trip on the lake we’ll change to Chong Kneas floating village instead of Kompong Kleang where the condition is a little bit better for the boat trip.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Today is dedicated to the discovery of the essentials of Angkor temples. Let’s first explore Angkor Wat, easily the most famous and best-preserved of all temples within the Angkor complex. It is a massive three-tiered structure crowned by five lotus-like towers rising 65-metres from ground level. Next, visit the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. Bayon Temple, Baphuon, the royal enclosure, and the Terraces of the Elephants and the Leper King are the main elements of this 12th century masterpiece. A lunch break will be arranged in a local restaurant and will be at your own expense. We continue to Ta Prohm Temple, which, unlike most other Angkor temples, has been left just as it was when rediscovered: a photogenic and atmospheric maze of trees growing out of the ruins. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at your own leisure.

Note: Appropriate attire when visiting Angkor temples is long pants (covering the knee) and shirts that cover shoulders. Skirts, small shorts, tank tops, and other items of revealing clothing are not allowed within temple grounds. Visitors can and are frequently turned away from temples when wearing revealing clothing.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

The day is free at your leisure until transfer to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport for your departure flight. We wish you a pleasant flight! 

Meal Plan: Breakfast