Includes internal flights, twin shared accommodation, English speaking guides, private cars, sightseeing and meals listed. Excludes visa and travel documents, travel insurance, international flights, local tipping, etc.
This itinerary is to give you a flavor of what is possible. We can tailor this trip to suit your specific needs and expectations. You may alter any aspect of the itinerary from excursions to accommodation.
Day 1: Hanoi | Arrive in Hanoi | Dinner at Home Restaurant
International Flight: Excluded
Meals: Dinner
Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival in Hanoi, our guide will greet you at the airport welcome area and transfer you to your hotel in the Old French Quarter for check-in.
After check-in, enjoy a stroll on your own around Hoan Kiem Lake outside your hotel. Feel free to also pick up a souvenir at the night markets or at one of the many trinket shops in the alleys and small roads of this historic part of town.
Enjoy traditional Vietnamese cuisine at Home Restaurant – a historic French colonial residence restored in between the Old Quarter and the serene West Lake. Enjoy fine Vietnamese cuisine as you reminisce on your journey through Thailand and Vietnam. Once you finish your dinner, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel for overnight.
Accommodation: Silk Path Boutique Hotel
Day 2: Hanoi – Lan Ha Bay | Lan Ha Bay Luxury Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trail along Lan Ha Bay
In the morning, transfer to Haiphong with our guide (3 hours) to the La Regina Private Lounge. Then board La Regina Legend Cruise.
Start with a welcome drink and a cold hand towel while the Cruise Manager gives the safety briefing. The boat starts to cruise to Lan Ha bay. A delicious set menu lunch is served in La Corona restaurant.
In the afternoon, take an excursion to discover Trung Trang cave, one of the iconic and historic caves in Cat Ba island.
As dusk approaches, welcome the beautiful sunset. Join a Cooking Class on the sundeck with the Chef to learn how to prepare an iconic dish. Then dinner is served on sundeck, weather permitting.
In the evening, you can try Squid Fishing or watch a movie in La Magia Restaurant on the third floor. Or perhaps some private time in your room. I do suggest keeping your eyes to the water for catching an iridescent light show from plankton and sea life if conditions are right.
Accommodation: La Regina Legend Cruise
Day 3: Lan Ha Bay – Ninh Binh | Lan Ha Bay Sunrise | Bai Dinh Temple Sunset
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy the sunrise over the bay followed by a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. A light breakfast is served in La Corona on the second floor. The boat anchors at Tra Bau area, where you’ll enjoy kayaking or swimming.
Return back to the boat for relaxing, packing up, and settling any bills. Brunch is served in the restaurant while the boat heads back to the harbor.
Bid the crew farewell and then transfer to Ninh Binh (3 hours).
Check-in at the Emeralda Resort with stunning views all around.
Time to stretch your legs! Go with our guide to visit Bai Dinh Temple, the largest temple in Vietnam. This Buddhist temple was built into the mountain with 3 terraces and faces the river. Explore the many halls, rooms, carvings, and statues during the late afternoon. Our guide will then take you to the best place for watching the sunset over this untouched part of Vietnam. Shortly afterward, you’ll witness the 13-tier pagoda – Chau Bai Dinh – be lit up for the evening: a true spectacle to behold! Return to the resort for leisure and overnight.
Accommodation: Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh
Day 4: Hanoi – Hue | Bicycling to Van Long Nature Reserve | Flight to Hue
Internal Flight:Included
Meals: Breakfast
Start at 8 am with our guide taking to the countryside by bicycle through narrow backroads. Rice fields and grottoes line your path with towering karsts in the distance. An occasional local farmer and small communities with friendly welcoming smiles. You’ll head up to Ba Chon Mountain’s viewpoint. Enjoy the clean fresh air of this region far away from any major cities. Continue South on the country road alongside Van Nature Reserve. You’ll stop at Van Long Marina to board a traditional local boat. Explore some of the streams and grottoes of Van Long Nature Reserve. You might spot some flocks of the rare black-faced spoonbill, cotton pygmy geese, or white-browed crakes.
Return back to the resort to relax and freshen up. Check out at noon and then you’ll go to visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital. In 968, Dinh Bo Linh declared himself as the King. Since then Hoa Lu existed as the capital for only 41 years. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long – present-day Hanoi. Hoa Lu became the old citadel. In Hoa Lu there are now two temples dedicated to two Vietnamese kings, which have been built on the grounds of the old royal palace. The visit offers a chance to learn more about the feudal dynasties and historical periods in Vietnamese history.
After the tour, you will transfer to Hanoi airport (3 hours) for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Accommodation: Azerai La Residence, Hue
Day 5: Hue | Royal Tombs by Bicycle | Dinner, and Mini-concert at Ben Xuan Garden House Theatre
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, take to bicycles through the romantic city of Hue and surrounds. Your journey will bring you to Khai Dinh’s Tomb. On the way, stop to take some photos of the countryside scenery. When reaching Khai Dinh Tomb, start exploring the structure. It is notable for its elaborate decorative work and unique architecture, being a mix of a number of architectural styles. The tomb is of a rectangular structure leaning against Chau Chu Mountain in the outskirts of Hue. The side walls are formed by large dragon sculptures. The tomb is home to an imperial audience court, featuring a reinforced concrete steel monument, as well as twelve stone statues representing bodyguards.
Close to the top floor is the Khai Thanh Palace, featuring intricately designed glass and porcelain decorations on the walls. The ceiling of the palace is decorated with nine intricate dragons. The rear room of the palace is home to a temple containing Khai Dinh’s grave, an altar to him as well as a statue of his likeness. After visiting Khai Dinh tomb, continue by bicycle to Tu Duc Tomb. While Khai Dinh’s Tomb is noteworthy for its ornate extravagance, Emperor Tu Duc’s tomb showcases a traditional elegance, and many view it to be the most beautiful of Hue’s royal tombs. Designed by Tu Duc himself, it is said he preferred spending time in these serene grounds than at the palace.
Hue Style Lunch at a Former Residence
Enjoy a Hue styled Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant before riding to the last famous imperial tomb today – Minh Mang Tomb. Minh Mang tomb is a standard architectural complex consisting of 40 structures (palaces, temples, and pavilions) designed on a symmetrical axis running from Dai Hong gate to the foot of La Thanh (The Surrounding Wall) behind the Emperor’s tomb. Local rumor has it that the emperor buried a splendid treasure of gold and priceless valuables somewhere on the large compound. But the secret of its whereabouts followed him to his grave.
Enjoy a relaxing cultural evening-out with live traditional Vietnamese music and dining at Ben Xuan Garden House Theatre.
Accommodation: Azerai La Residence, Hue
Day 6: Hue – Hoi An | Hue Imperial Citadel | Mountain Coastal Road Trip to Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
In the morning, you’ll press onward to see the famed Imperial Hue Citadel – the old capital of Vietnam. This Citadel has a moat and wall perimeter 10 km long. You’ll be able to view it’s vast gardens and structure relics. Then you’ll breach the outer perimeter of the Hue Imperial City. Inside, you’ll see many of the national treasures and structures which have survived the Vietnam War. Venture further inside and you’ll enter the Purple Forbidden City. This city was off-limits to the commoners and only could be entered by the highest officials in the Vietnamese government and royalty. Your driver will meet you on the other side of the city where you’ll then be escorted to a stop at the Dong Ba Market where you can see local fruits and produce for sale.
In the afternoon, your ventures will take you to lunch at a royal residence. These imperial styled houses near the Royal Citadel feature beautiful gardens, intricate furnishings, and detailed ornaments at every turn. Each dish highlights different aspects of Hue traditional food enjoyed by the royalty. The brilliant food presentation will be sure to leave a fond memory with you of this family-owned garden and restaurant.
Scenic Mountain Coasts Road Trip
Your tour guide will assist with checking you out of your hotel and then you’ll be escorted by vehicle for a scenic ride along the mountain coasts of Vietnam. Start by riding through the mountains, valleys, countryside, and shorelines where you’ll find numerous breath-taking scenes. Feel free to request your driver to stop for photos along the way. Then you’ll continue to a summit where the clouds will meet you. In Chinese, the summit is referred to as “Where the Clouds Meet the Ocean”. After you cross the summit, you’ll approach a steep and narrow descent where you’ll find the scenery surreal. Along the way, there is a stretch of road which overlooks a beautiful bay with a small fishing village, perfect for a Facebook portrait.
As reach the base, you’ll travel alongside the beaches of Danang where you’ll see hundreds of traditional fishing boats scattered out along the water with beautiful mountains lining the horizon.
Then you’ll approach Hoi An with beautiful countryside, hills, river views, and seaside coasts. Your tour guide and driver will escort you to your hotel for check-in.
At the end of a long lane of sandy beaches, palms and the blue sea turns the Thu Bon River. Take a step back in time 300 years to cobblestone alleys and aged wooden and stone homes. Time stands still in this quiet part of the world where ornate doorways and bridges could keep the curious passerby entranced in amusement. The setting – a Far Eastern port that was forgotten in time. Japanese, French, Chinese, and Vietnamese designs and styles melt together along every street.
Accommodation: Boutique Hoi An Resort
Day 7: Hoi An | Morning: Relax on the Beach | Afternoon: Hoi An Ancient Town at Dusk | Evening: Candlelight Dinner Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning you’ll be able to relax on the beautiful beaches of Hoi An. Across the sea, you’ll see the Cham islands. Feel free to join or start up a game of volleyball, or just soak up the sun on the sandy beaches.
In the afternoon, transfer with our guide to Hoi An Ancient Town. This town features the 16th-century Hoi An port town in it’s preserved state. You’ll start the day visiting the Museum of Trade Ceramics. This museum houses art and pottery dating from the 1,500s to the 1,700s.
Then you’ll briefly visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, a temple from the 17th century which features China’s influence in the region. You’ll continue through the Ancient Town as the streets take on a magic of their own with old lanterns, French-style houses, intricately carved wooden doors, and more. You’ll take a stroll through the Old Tam Ky House to see it’s imperial styles meshed with French overtures. Continue on to stroll along the river and see traditional boats and locals on bicycles passing by. You’ll then approach the Japanese Covered Bridge. This bridge has connected the Chinese and Japanese sides of town over the waterway for centuries. The old wooden structure has shown amazing resilience for more than 400 years.
At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as old colorful lanterns light up the town.
As evening unfolded, you’ll enjoy a romantic candlelight dinner cruise on the Thu Bon River. Cruise into the heart of Hoi An’s Old Town as you relax with a glass of wine and Vietnamese dishes.
Accommodation: Boutique Hoi An Resort
Day 8: Hoi An – Siem Reap | Relax on the Beach or Explore Hoi An | Evening Flight to Siem Reap
Internal Flight:Included
Meals: Breakfast Morning is at your leisure to relax on the beautiful beaches of Hoi An or explore on your own.
You will transfer by an evening flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
Siem Reap is a quaint town in Cambodia and the gateway to the vast remains of the Angkor empire. Discover the Royal Gardens on your own with ancient trees home to a colony of giant fruit bats. Take a stroll along the scenic riverside and visit the night markets to find unique souvenirs. You may also want to spend the evening with a visit to Pub Street with several restaurants and bars that stay open late into the night. Many restaurants have live entertainment in the evening.
Accommodation: Viroth’s Hotel
Day 9: Siem Reap | Angkor Thom by Bicycle | Apsara Dinner Performance
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a relaxing cycling tour in the morning in ancient Angkor Thom – a stone city built around the time of Angkor Wat.
The biking tour will start at the South Gate – a photogenic bridge at the gateway of the stone city of Angkor Thom which has made its way into many Hollywood movies. Angkor Thom was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer Empire. Enter the stone city and explore shaded trails and ancient monuments. Visit Bayon Temple where you will be surrounded by 216 gigantic stone faces which fame as “Khmer Smile”, you will also visit the Terrace of Elephants, the Royal Palace, and the Terrace of the Leper King. Stop your cycling trip with a visit to the local monastery to chat with monks and see their daily life.
On the way back, stop to see the Killing Fields of Wat Thmei. Our guide will relay to you the history of the Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot, and the war. Cambodia is still healing from these atrocities.
Be prepared to enjoy a beautiful traditional dance performed by a team trained in the Dance of Apsara.
In the evening, you will be picked up from the hotel lobby and transferred to Angkor Village Hotel Theater for a traditional Apsara Dinner Show. where you will have a unique dinner experience which will bring ancient Khmer culture to life in spectacular surroundings while you enjoy the very best in Cambodia cuisine. This one-of-a-kind cultural experience highlights the mysterious civilization and heritage of Khmer spoken through choreography and music. Colorful costumes and playful activities will give you insights into the Khmer daily life and wedding traditions while you enjoy a delicious meal to welcome you to the Kingdom of Wonders.
Accommodation: Viroth’s Hotel
Day 10: Siem Reap | Angkor Wat Sunrise | Banteay Srei Temple | Village Visit and Filter Donation | Dinner at a Private Countryside Villa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Before the light of the day, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the front of Angkor Wat Temple. From here, you’ll watch one of the most revered sunrises in the world. Then in the early hours, you’ll explore the vast temple with your guide bringing to life the stories of Angkor. In the morning, the rays of the light play through the chambers as the morning haze settles and giving the temple a mystical ambiance while there are few tourists who visit during this time of day.
Enjoy your lunch at Devatas Restaurant– a charming restaurant tucked away among the tropical, lush emerald fields that surround Siem Reap. After lunch, continue to Banteay Srei Temple: The Citadel of Women. Built in the 10th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, this temple lies near the hill of Phnom Dei tucked away in the remote jungle north of Angkor Wat. Banteay Srei is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings, which are still in excellent condition to this day. The structures are miniature in scale, but the attention to detail is unmatched among all the temples in Southeast Asia. These factors have made the temple a place of intrigue and wonder, which has led to it being widely praised as a precious gem or the jewel of Khmer art.
Water Filtration System Donation at a Local Village
Note: We will arrange the village visit if it is along the way to the temple. We will check with the NGO if they can help us find a home on their list along the way.
Continue the tour to a small village where a water filtration system* has been donated on your behalf. You’ll have a chance to meet with locals. The water filtration system will be able to provide potable/drinking water to the family. We can also arrange to have your logo or names painted on the filter ahead of time. The guide will help to translate. Optional recommendation: We suggest that if you have any used children’s books in your home that you no longer need, you may bring them with to donate to the children in the village.
*More information on the slow sand water filtration system provided can be found on the Center for Disease Control website here: https://www.cdc.gov/safewater/sand-filtration.html. We coordinate with waterforcambodia.org to have the filters made and for coordinating with local government authorities in establishing which families need a filter. Water for Cambodia is a non-profit supported by Rotary International and The Singapore International Foundation.
Nearing dusk, you’ll go to a private dinner at a traditional wooden villa in the countryside surrounded by dragonfruit orchards and rice fields. Tiki torches and live traditional music will welcome you. Start with cocktails and canapes. Then enjoy an exquisite evening dinner while you chat and reflect on the fond memories you have collected over the last few weeks. Return to the hotel when you are ready.
Accommodation: Viroth’s Hotel
Day 11: Siem Reap – Bangkok | Flight to Bangkok | Kudi Chin Community Visit
Internal Flight:Included
Meals: Breakfast
Check out in the morning and transfer by flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
In the afternoon, you’ll take a trip to one of the oldest communities in Bangkok. After the fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1767, the Kudi Chin relocated to Bangkok along with the Siamese. It hosts the oldest church in Bangkok, Santa Cruz Church (Catholic) built-in 1769 after the Thai king Taksin granted land to the Kudi people. The diverse community is also home to Kanlayanamit Temple (Buddhism), Kudi Khao Mosque (Muslim), and the Kuan Un Keng Shrine (Chinese Buddhism). Explore the community with our guide and visit the main religious monuments to get a feel for the culture. Feel free to have our guide assist with communication and translation as you make new friends. Return to the hotel when you’re finished exploring.
Accommodation: Praya Palazzo Boutique Hotel
Day 12: Bangkok | Morning: Bangkok by Boat | Afternoon: Leisure | Evening Banyan Tree Dinner Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
In the early morning, take a traditional long-tail boat to Wat Arun – the Temple of the Dawn to enjoy a stunning view and explore the gem of Bangkok.
Continue to one of the must-see sights, the spectacular Grand Palace, undoubtedly the city’s most famous landmark. Built in 1782- and for 150 years the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government – the Grand Palace of Bangkok is a grand old dame indeed, that continues to have visitors in awe with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail, all of which is a proud salute to the creativity and craftsmanship of Thai people.
Within its walls were also the Thai war ministry, state departments, and even the mint. Today, the complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom. Within the palace complex are several impressive buildings including Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which contains the small, very famous and greatly revered Emerald Buddha that dates back to the 14th century. The robes on the Buddha are changed with the seasons by HM The King of Thailand and forms an important ritual in the Buddhist calendar. Thai Kings stopped living in the palace around the turn of the twentieth century, but the palace complex is still used to mark all kinds of other ceremonial and auspicious happenings. Then return to the hotel for some leisure time in the afternoon.
In the evening, our guide will greet you and escort you to the pier. Embark on a renovated rice barge for a cruise dinner by Banyan Tree. The dinner features a live Apsara performance while you enjoy Thai delicacies and take in the night lights of the Chao Phraya River.
Accommodation: Praya Palazzo Boutique Hotel
Day 13: Bangkok | Farewell!
Meals: Breakfast
Today, our guide will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight back home and to bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!
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Gentle Giant of Asia - Angkor Ancient Temples - Emerald Isles of Lan Ha Bay - H'mong Hill Tribe - Hue Imperial Citadel and Hue Tomb - Hoi An Ancient Town
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