Duration:27 Days

Descriptions:Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong - Huay Xai – Pakbeng – Luang Prabang - Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hue - Hoi An - HCMC - Cu Chi Tunnels - Mekong Delta - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

We continue this beautiful Vietnam holiday with private car transfer to Hoi An (145km, it takes you about 3 hours). During the way, we will pass villages and rice paddies then stop for photos at Lang Co Beach travelling over the picturesque Hai Van Pass to Danang where you might want to stop for a nice swim at the white sandy beach of Danang then visit Marble Mountains...

Day 1: Upon arrival Bangkok (G)
Upon arrival, meet & greet our tour guide before transfer to the hotel. Free at leisure after check in.
Overnight in Bangkok.

 

Day 2: City temples tour – Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Temple (B, L) (G)   
Breakfast at hotel and then sightseeing tour to visit: At first visit to Wat Traimit, the Temple of the Golden Buddha, the temple is famous for its 900-years old five-and-a-half-ton solid gold image and then continue to visit Wat Arun, perhaps better known as the Temple of the Dawn, is one of the best known landmarks and one of the most published images of Bangkok. After that, visit to Wat Po, the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok, as well as the largest single Buddha image: the Reclining Buddha (Phra Buddhasaiyas), also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon or The Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The temple is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage Reclining Buddha. Lunch on own. After lunch, we continue to visit the most famous tourist places in Bangkok, Royal Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha. The Grand Palace adjoins Wat Phra Kaew in a common compound and is where you will end up after exiting Wat Phra Kaew. Despite the proximity of the two, there's a distinct contrast in style between the very Thai Wat Phra Kaew and the more European inspired designs of the Grand Palace (the roof being the exception). After this place we go back to the hotel and free at leisure.
Overnight in Bangkok

 

Day 3: Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Mae Hong Son by flight (L) (G)
Flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and then connecting flight from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son. Upon arrival at Mae Hong Son airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel. After a short rest, we will start our sightseeing tour and first visit Long Neck Karen Village by taking a boat along the Pai River. Lunch time. After lunch, we continue to visit The Phrathat Doi Kong Mu Temple where is the worthy of worship in Mae Hong Son. It is located on the top of Kong Mu Mountain. Later then, visit to Jong Kahm and Jong Klang Temple, then drive back to the hotel and free hat leisure.
Overnight in Mae Hong Son

 

Day 4: Mae Hong Son – Chiang Mai (B, L)  (G)
After breakfast at hotel, today we will travel to Chiang Mai and begin the journey to visit Fish cave to behold of the most wondrous of a school of fish (over 100 fish) which gather peacefully in the steam inside the hole of the cave. Then continue to visit Lahu Tribe Village. Lahu is the second most population in Mae Hong Son. In the early ages Lahu was very famous in hunting. But the most colorful and attractive dresses among the hill tribe in Mae Hong Son must be Lisu. Then visit to the Lod Cave to see one of the most important archaeology place which has a stream known as “Laang” flows through from one end to the another end of the cave. Then we drive to the hotel in Chiang Mai to check in and free at leisure in the evening.
Overnight in Chiang Mai

 

Day 5: Chiang Mai Elephant Safari and Doi Suthep (B, L)  (G)
Breakfast at hotel. Today we will enjoy seeing how elephants are used to help in logging work and then take an elephant riding around 45 mins. After the elephant ride, we take Oxcart about for 30 mins. Lunch time. After that enjoy the beauteousness of the countryside along the river by bamboo raft. An Orchid farm is also visited. Then we will visit Wat Doi Suthep, the most sacred temple in Chiang Mai which contains a holy relic of the Lord Buddha. After this exciting tour we go back to the hotel and free at leisure.
Overnight in Chiang Mai

 

Day 6: Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai (B, L)  (G)
Today we leave from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. On the way we will visit the most famous local industry at Sankampang District to see silk weaving, umbrella making, wood carving and silvers ware. After that we drive to our hotel in Chiang Rai and check in and free at leisure in the evening.
Overnight in Chiang Rai

 

Day 7: Chiang Rai – Chiang Saen – Golden Triangle (B, L)  (G)
Breakfast at hotel and then we journey to visit Chiang Saen by taking a boat along the Mae Kong River around 30 mins. Later we continue our tour to Golden Triangle and Mae Sai (Burmese border). Lunch time. Then visit Akha and Yao Villages to walk around the villages and see their lifestyle. Then we go back to the hotel.
Overnight in Chiang Rai

 

Day 8: Chiang Rai – Chiang Khong - Huay Xai – Pakbeng with Luang Say Cruise (B, L, D)  (G)
We transfer early this morning to the border town of Huay Xay (the road journey takes approximately 2hours, it is recommended for arriving at Huay Xai border early around 8.00am-9.30am)

Arrive in Huay Xai pier, you will meet with the Luang Say representative. Following your completion of border formalities and travel to Luang Say Cruise,
The Luang Say Cruise boat leaves Huay Xay pier at 09:00 hrs for a cruise down the Mekong to Pakbeng. En route one stop is made to observe rural life along the Mekong and visit minority ethnic groups; then, a buffet lunch on board. Arrive Pakbeng before sunset and check-in at LuangSay Lodge. You can then enjoy dinner on the terrace overlooking the Mekong River. Overnight in Pakbeng

Note: Luang Say cruise downstream programme departs every Monday, Thursday and Friday. Every Sunday, the cruise departs with Pak Ou I (by a white steel boat). For Green season (May-September) the cruise departs every Monday and Friday.

*No operation in June: Due to level of River decrease in dry season and the steps to the lodge are quite steep, this is advisable all boat passengers to leave the large suitcases in the storage room on the boat in Pakbeng and only take a small daypack with a change of clothes to the Lodge.

 

Day 9: Pakbeng – Pak Ou Caves – Luang Prabang with Luang Say Cruise (B, L)  (G)
Full breakfast at lodge, (Optional: walk to Pakbeng market, where people from the surrounding minority villages exchange their goods). At 08:30 board the boat for the second leg of the cruise. A short stop to discover a Hmong village before having a buffet lunch on board. Continue to Pak-Ou village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, and then visit Pak Ou Caves "Cave of a thousand Buddha's". On the way to Luang Prabang a brief stop is made to observe the traditional process of manufacturing local rice alcohol. Arrive at Luang Prabang before sunset. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

 

Day 10. Luang Prabang Free Day (B)
Day is free at leisure to relax and explore this charming ancient town one your own. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

 

Day 11. Luang Prabang – Flight to Hanoi (B) (G)
Day is free at leisure to relax until we take you to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon your arrival at the airport, Holidaytoindochina's private tour guide and driver will meet you with our welcome sign board then transfer you to the hotel (old quarter's area). Check in if the room is available (check in time at 14:00) before your tour guide does the briefing of the tour and give you some helpful information during your stay in Hanoi. Free at leisure and overnight in Hanoi.

 

Day 12: Hanoi City Tour (B, L) (G)
Spotlight of many Vietnam tour packages, Hanoi can be the most graceful, atmospheric and exotic capital city in Asia. Its appeal is instant, with sweeping boulevards, tree-fringed lakes, ancient temples and pagodas.

Today, your charming Hanoi City Tour includes Ho Chi Minh Complex (the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh (closed on Monday and Friday), Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts and One Pillar Pagoda), Temple of Literature then lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will visit the outlaying Museum of Ethnology (you can see the Museum of Fine Art, Museum of Women, Museum of History, Museum of Vietnam Military History, Hilton Prison instead), and then 1 hour cyclo or rickshaw will take you along narrow streets of the diverse Ancient Quarter. Stop at the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake to visit Ngoc Son temple and to enjoy a fantastic performance of the famous water puppet show. After the show, we will take you for a walk to "Bia Hoi Corner" to try some draught beer and have leisure time to talk, see and experience the breath of Hanoi. After some beer, our tour guide will take you back to the hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

 

Day 13: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D) (G)
A "Must" for all Vietnam holidays, Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. The site's outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest.

08:00 - Start departure from Hanoi with our private tour guide and car.
12:00 - Arrive to Bhaya Cafe at Tuan Chau Island.
12:45 - Board with welcome drinks and welcome briefing from our Cruise Manager.
13:00 - Start the buffet lunch while the boat is cruising towards south east of Halong Bay passing by Chicken Rock and Titov Island.
15:15 - Transfer to centre of Vung Vieng floating village by tender boat. Start to discover the floating village while sitting on rowing boats with local people.
16:30 -Transfer to Vung Ha Beach for Kayaking and swimming (Kayak & Spa book in advance at the reception).
17:00 - Bar opens for the Happy Hour "Buy one get one free".
17:30 - Cooking demonstration with traditional Vietnamese food on sundeck (in restaurant if weather does not allow).
19:00 - Western style dinner will be served with fixed menu.
21:00 - Free time for joining movies in the restaurant; Squid fishing at the reception or 30% discount for all kind of drinks.

 

Day 14: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Hue (Brunch) (G)
06:15 - Start early Tai Chi demonstration on sundeck; tea and coffee available.
07:00 - Light breakfast will be served in the restaurant.
07:45 - Discover Surprise Cave, one of the biggest caves in Halong Bay with beautiful stalactites and stalagmite.
09:00 - Back to main boat for check out, put baggage out to corridor and settle the bill at the reception.
09:30 - Buffet brunch will be served in restaurant while the boat is cruising back to harbour.
10:30 - Disembark in Tuan Chau Marina. Leave for Hanoi.
15:00 - Return to Hanoi airport for your short flight with Vietnam airlines to Hue where your tour guide is waiting for. Met and transfered to your hotel, check in and free at leisure. Overnight in Hue.

 

Day 15: Hue City Tour (B, L) (G)
Hue was the capital of Vietnam during the feudal rule from 1802 to 1945 under the Nguyen dynasty and is commonly known as a place of many cultural heritages. Up to now, there is no place like Hue remaining a lot of originally historical vestiges.

Our guide will pick you up at your hotel in Hue city at 8:00 then drive to visit King Tu Duc and King Khai Dinh tomb, two of the most beautiful works of royal architecture of the Nguyen dynasty. After that, we'll drive back to the city center with stopovers at villages to learn how people here make conical hat and incense stick. Arriving to the city, we'll visit the unique Royal Arena where Tiger and Elephant fights were held by the Kings of the Nguyen Dynasty.

After lunch and short break at a local restaurant, we'll then continue our Hue day trip with an interesting visit to the Royal Citadel - one of the best places in Hue to experience the tradition, culture and rhythms of the Vietnamese Royal life in the past. The next attraction is Thien Mu Pagoda - a picturesque landscape on the bank of Perfume River, a perfect place to enjoy peaceful and serene atmosphere that also gives you chance to watch praying time of the monks here.

On the way back, we take the beautiful boat trip on romantic Perfume River, enjoy the sunset and relaxing time. Pick up after the boat trip and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Hue.

 

Day 16: Hue – Drive to Hoi An (B, L) (G)
After breakfast, we continue this beautiful Vietnam holiday with private car transfer to Hoi An (145km, it takes you about 3 hours). During the way, we will pass villages and rice paddies then stop for photos at Lang Co Beach travelling over the picturesque Hai Van Pass to Danang where you might want to stop for a nice swim at the white sandy beach of Danang then visit Marble Mountains, a fairy land with a dreamlike scenery, pagodas, grottoes before coming to Hoi An for check in your hotel. Free at leisure and overnight in Hoi An.

 

Day 17: Hoi An Biking & Farming Tour (B, L) (G)
This is no doubt the most wonderful experience during your Vietnam travel in Hoi An. The Hoi An Biking & Farming Tour is highly praised and recommended by many of our clients.

8.30 am: Our guide will pick you up at your hotel and ride the bicycles to the TRA QUE Vegetables village -famous village. On the way to the village, you stop to take the photos of the rice-farming, you can see the buffalos ploughing a ricefield and you see the Vietnamese farmers working on their rice farms...,the fishermen row the boat and catch the fishes by using the fishing net on their boat....

9.00 am: You will arrive in the farming village to see the vegetable gardens & buffalos. Here, You should take the photos of the buffalos. The guide introduces the history of Tra Que village, and local daily works of the villagers; furthermore, you are cycling around the village to see the farmers growing the vegetable which are very good-smelling, the local farmers do not use the chemicals to put in the vegetable garden. They only use the eco-fertiliser to put in their vegetable garden. That is good to eat the vegetable here. Your lunch has the local mixed vegetables.

9.30 am: The local villagers will teach you how to grow the herbs here. You become a real Vietnamese farmer; the guide will show you their daily activities,he also explain you  how to grow the rice....it is not difficult for you to learn their works. You also witness the villagers here to use the water tank & watering their herb garden....ect. After that you will practice to water the herbs in their gardens.

- You will do the cooking class in the village. You enjoy your lunch together with the friendly Vietnamese farmers family in Tra Que Village. We think that you will get the warm friendship & welcome from the local people here. It makes you more interested in your life. You feel so happy with the life.

12.30 pm :you ride your bicycle back to your hotel in Hoi An town. The trip finishs.

 

Day 18: Hoi An Free Day (B) (G)
At leisure. Relax on the private beach, by the resort pool or optional is to rent a bicycle to ride into Hoi An to explore the picturesque central of town with its restored 18th century merchants’ houses. Hoi An also boasts some of the best silk shops, art galleries and handicraft shops in Vietnam as well as dozens of excellent restaurants serving the delicious local specialities. Overnight in Cua Dai, Hoi An.

 

Day 19: Hoi An – Danang – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City (B) (G)
It is always hard to say goodbye to Hoi An, but there are a lot of things to see for your Vietnam holiday in the coming destinations in the south. After breakfast, our tour guide and driver take you to Danang for your flight to Ho Chi Minh, the most exciting city of Vietnam. Warmly welcomed by your private tour guide and transferred to your hotel for check in (if the room is available, check in time at 14h00). Free at leisure and overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Note: Your hotel is centrally located and easy to visit the War Remnants, History Museum, the former Presidential Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hallon your own.

 

Day 20: Ho Chi Minh City – Cao Dai Temple –  Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L) (G)
Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh and Cu Chi Tunnels are two of the very interesting places to visit during your Vietnam holiday in Ho Chi Minh city. After breakfast, we drive to Tay Ninh to see the Great Holy See Temple, built in 1926, is considered one of the most striking structures in all of South-East Asia. It is the headquarters of the unique Cao Dai sect, a religion with a hybrid of Buddhism, Christianity & Confucianism. Above the entrance is the all-seeing holy eye – symbol of the sect. Visitors will attend the midday ceremony’s extravaganza to witness the daily mass held by the Cao Dai followers which is a fantastic experience.

After lunch, proceed to Cu Chi to explore the amazing site where Viet Cong hid during the War. It is now a popular spot for both Vietnamese & foreign tourists - the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a "Free Target Zone". Visitors can watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed before entering the tunnels. Spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. Afterwards, enjoy tea, cassava (guerrilla’s food in war time). Return to Ho Chi Minh and free at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Day 21: Ho Chi Minh – My Tho – Ben Tre – Can Tho (B, L) (G)
Your Vietnam tour to Mekong Delta begins early at 7.40am, when you bus picks you up and you travel to My Tho. Upon arrival, you will be transferred into a Wooden Motor Boat, which will take you to the spectacular Unicorn Island. Here, you can experience quiet local villages and rural people working the rice fields. Make sure to snap some pictures of the exotic fisherman's port with its iconic stilt houses.

After a snack of some local tropical fruits, we'll head on to Turtle Island. Here you can get into a smaller row boat to experience a more local view of the river. We'll take you to a bee farm here where you can sample some of the tasty treats and listen to local folk music. If your sweet tooth hasn't been satisfied enough, we'll head to a coconut candy store, where you can see how local people make these great handcrafted treats and items from the coconuts around. We spend the night tonight in Can Tho.

 

Day 22: Can Tho – Cai Rang floating market – Chau Doc (B, L) (G)
Want to explore Mekong in depth and see a real Vietnam during your Vietnam holiday? Chau Doc will be the next stop. Depart early, ideally at around 6.00pm, to travel by boat to the fruit gardens in Can Tho and the floating market at Cai Rang.  Then drive to Sa Dec, a romantic and charming little Mekong town, for a walk through the lively and authentic local market before a visit to the house of ‘The Lover’ of the famous love story written by French novelist Marguerite Duras.  The family house of ‘The Lover’ in this apparently autobiographical novel has been lovingly and faithfully restored and you will lunch here. After lunch, drive from Sa Dec to Chau Doc, arriving at Chau Doc at around 5.00pm. Overnight in Chau Doc.

 

Day 23: Chau Doc – Boat Trip to Phnom Penh (B) (G)
After breakfast, we will take the boat trip to Phnom Penh. Welcome to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant then set out on a city tour to acquaint yourself with Phnom Penh’s major sites. Start your visit learning about the Khmer Rouge and Cambodia’s recent history on a guided tour of the TuolSleng Genocide Museum. Our cultural exploration continues as we visit the National Museum, an excellent introduction into ancient Khmer art and civilization, and the Royal Palace, home to the royal family and the opulent silver pagoda.

Enjoy some free time to rest and freshen up before driving to the dock to catch an evening boat cruise along the Mekong River. Savor a welcome dinner on board as you watch the sunset over the shimmering lights of Phnom Penh. Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

 

Day 24: Phnom Penh – Drive to Siem Reap – Floating Village – Sunset (B, L) (G)
After breakfast our driver will meet you at your hotel and take you on the 5 hour drive from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. The journey offers an excellent opportunity to observe rural Cambodia up-close. Stop along the way and visit a market, where every assortment of street food is available, including the Khmer favorite: fried spiders! Once you arrive in Siem Reap, head out of town and embark on a short cruise along Tonle Sap Lake to visit the local floating villages. The experience is wonderful as we pass by floating villages, friendly children in small boats and fishermen at work.  Enjoy sunset on the lake or in the rice field, your choice. Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

 

Day 25: Siem Reap – Tuk tuk to Ta Prohm - Angkor Wat – Angkor Thom (B, L) (G)
Enjoy an entire day dedicated to discovering the mysterious Angkor temples. Wake before dawn and take a “tuk-tuk” ride to visit the jungle-entwined temple, Ta Prohm, at sunrise. Dawn is one of the most beautiful and haunting times to visit the temples, whose ancient sandstone blocks are gilded gold by the early morning rays. Return to the hotel for breakfast then set back out on a full day temple tour. Starting with the magnificent Angkor Wat - the largest Khmer temple and finest example of Angkorian art and architecture, we proceed to Angkor Thom’s imposing South Gate, topped with the four serenely smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. Next, visit Bayon temple, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. In the evening, enjoy the dinner and Apsara Dance Performance at Kulen II restaurant. Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

 

Day 26: Rolous Group – BanteaySrei – Preah Khan – Sunset at Pre Rup (B, L) (G)
Today we take an hour drive out of town to the ancient capital of King Indravarman I (877-889), now referred to as the Rolous Group and known as the birthplace of classical Khmer art and architecture.  In the afternoon, visit Preah Khan (Sacred Sword): one of Angkor’s largest temples, constructed in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII. Then drive 35km to Banteay Srei temple, the birthplace of classical Khmer architecture. Next explore Banteay Samre. On the way back to town, you will watch the sunset in Pre Rup, considered as Mini Angkor Wat.
Return to town in the late afternoon, you are free to explore the PsarChass, also known as the “Old Market” for shopping. Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

 

Day 27: Siem Reap departure flight (B) (G)
Today is free at leisure till transfer to airport for departure flight. Holidaytoindochina.com would like to thank you so much for your traveling with us. We hope you had a great Indochina tour and wish to welcome you back.

 

 

Inclusion:
•    All transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
•    Accommodation based on twin/double sharing
•    Flight tickets: Bangkok - Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang - Hanoi - Hue & Danang - HCMC, Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (Economy class)
•    English speaking guide (Other languages on request)
•    Entrance fees to indicated sights and activities as indicated
•    Meals as indicated in the itinerary
•    Bottled mineral water during touring days

 

Exclusion:
•    Drinks
•    Other meals
•    Insurance
•    Personal expenses
•    Expenses for any optional tours or activities during free time

Tour schedule