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.
Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival in Hanoi, our guide will greet you at the airport welcome area and transfer you to the hotel 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.
Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi | Explore Bat Trang Village by Motorbike
Meals: Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner Discover the famous ceramic village and see how the artisans work.
After you’ve finished breakfast at the hotel, your private guide and motorbike will greet you to bring you to Bat Trang Pottery Village, the famous village is situated approx 15-km outside of Hanoi, surrounded by fertile farmland. Explore around the village, watching the artisans forming, painting and glazing their products, which are then baked for several days in huge kilns.
Then you’ll go to the Dong Ky Carpentry Village the famous wood carving village, walk around and listen the sawing and chisellin sounds, and check how the artisans make furniture and another wood staff with high artistic sophistication.
Once completed the tour you’ll be escorted to your hotel.
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 Cambodia and Vietnam. Once you finish your dinner, you’ll be escorted to your hotel.
Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi | Impressions of Hanoi | Street Food Tour
Meals:Breakfast, Dinner In the morning, you’ll be transferred to see the Tran Quoc Pagoda. This 1,400-year-old temple features ten tiers surrounded by gardens and which also hosts a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the original Buddhist tree under which Buddha sat. Next, you’ll take a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake where you can see the Tortoise Tower sitting on the water. Then you’ll enjoy a half hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter in Hanoi. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist escorts you while you sit in a seat affixed to the front with a canopy over top.
Next, you’ll visit the One Pillar Pagoda – a pagoda situated on a pillar made of a single stone, in the middle of a lotus pond. This pagoda was built by a 9th-century emperor who saw it in a dream and regarded this as a divine inspiration to recreate the structure in the vision.
You’ll pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before visiting the highlight of this tour – The Temple of Literature. This ancient university was erected almost a millennium ago and has hosted many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history. The site features many gardens, pools, buildings, and ancient trees where the best and brightest of Vietnam studied under the guidance of Confucius teachings.
Banh can on the Street
Street food Adventure by Vespa
Around dusk, transfer to a cafe for a cocktail and snack. There you will meet your Vespa chauffeur. With helmets on, hop on the back of your vintage Vespas. You’ll explore the back streets of the Old Quarter on the way to the vending area. It’s a local joint quite literally on the railway tracks! There you will enjoy some infused rice wine and buffalo jerky. Back on the road, you’ll venture to stop two – a lively restaurant serving Bun Cha. This dish is at the heart of Hanoi cuisine – grilled pork and meatballs, spring rolls and rice noodles.
Heading out of the Old Quarter, continue to the West Lake to give Pho Cuon a try. You’ll learn how to wrap these Hanoi style rolls and enjoy. Then take in a bowl of Vietnamese Pho noodles. Continue to the last stop near the Opera House – a Jazz Club with a blend of 30’s style Jazz combined with traditional Vietnamese music. Nothing like you’ve ever heard! Return back to the hotel for some rest.
Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay | Voyage to Emerald Halong Bay
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner In the morning, our guide and chauffeur will transfer you to Haiphong where you’ll enjoy some time at Orchid’s Private Lounge for refreshments until boarding. Then board Orchid Cruise.
Receive a safety briefing and check in your cabins. The boat sets adrift for Da Chong islet, home to an old French lighthouse. Enjoy a sumptuous feast in the panoramic dining hall while en route to the isles of Con Vit and Gia Luan. The bay opens up to you with stunning green karsts towering above the water. This area receives very few cruise ships as it has just been newly opened up. Continue to Ba Trai Dao beach of Lan Ha Bay. A paradise with perfect beaches and natural beauty. Stop at one of the beaches for swimming or kayaking during the afternoon.
As dusk approaches, welcome the sunset with a local specialty – “Ba Kich”(a liquor made from Noni fruit). Back on board, you’ll join a cooking demonstration to learn a few Vietnamese culinary secrets. Enjoy your creation! Then time for supper in the dining hall. Delicious Vietnamese cuisine and seafood in a romantic setting. After dinner, you may enjoy watching the stars from the sundeck, watching a movie in the restaurant, or give night squid fishing a try with the staff(subject to seasonal availability).
Accommodation: Orchid Cruise
Day 5: Hanoi – Ninh Binh | Sunrise Halong | Bai Ding Temple Sunset
Meals: Breakfast Rise early for one of the top best sunrises in the world. Then head to the sundeck for an invigorating Tai Chi session amongst a picture-perfect backdrop of karsts, sea, and nature. Enjoy a breakfast in the dining hall before taking a journey to explore the area around Sang Tai sea cave via canoes.
Then disembark for a road transfer to Ninh Binh.
Check in at the 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 overnight and leisure.
Accommodation: Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh
Day 6: Hanoi | Wonders of Ninh Binh | Return to Hanoi
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch
Grottoes in Ninh Binh
After breakfast, enjoy some time at the resort to relax and take in the stunning views. Check out late morning 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.
Next, you’ll take an amazing boat trip through Trang An Grottoes. A gathering of 31 valleys and 50 cross-water caves are home to 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna many of which are listed in the Red Book of Vietnam. Rowing through the Trang An Grottoes is a peaceful trip of serenity. The highland air is a respite from modern living and the sounds are only that of birds and the oars stirring the clear water. Towering overhead are magnificent forested mountains upon which you might catch a glimpse of grazing white-bearded goats. Then return back to Hanoi for overnight.
Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Day 7: Hanoi – Hoi An | Flight to Hoi An | Leisure
Internal Flight:Included Meals: Breakfast Board a morning flight to Danang. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel near Hoi An ancient port town 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: Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery Collection
Day 8: Hoi An | 4th Century Cham Ruins and Hoi An Ancient Port Town
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch In the morning, you’ll transfer to the My Son Holy Land. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views, lay the 4th century My Son Holy Land Ruins. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden from living or development. The ruins lay in a beautiful surrounding mountainous landscape. You’ll enter the temples while your tour guide gives you the history and stories of the Cham and the site.
In the afternoon, you’ll continue to visit 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 colorful lanterns light up the town. After you’ve finished the tour, you will return back to your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery Collection
Day 9: Hoi An | Cham Island Getaway
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch Discover the amazing Cham Island.
In the morning, you will be transferred to the pier where you will continue by boat to the island. Then you will start with a visit to the Cham Island Museum where you’ll see relics from the ancient Cham civilization which were found on the island and learn some quick facts about Cham history. Next, visit Au Thuyen which shelters smaller boats during big storms. Next, you’ll walk along rice fields to the temple of Hai Tang for a brief visit. Then you’ll return back to the boat for snorkeling for half an hour at Xep beach. Here you can see the forests of tropical coral under the sea. After, you’ll go to Chong beach for lunch and relaxation.
You’ll return be returned to the hotel when you’re ready.
Accommodation: Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery Collection
Day 10: Hoi An | Leisure | Sunset Boat Trip on Thu Bon River
Meals: Breakfast Start from your hotel to Thu Bon wharf on Bach Dang street. Take a boat and sail along the major branch of the lower section of Thu Bon river. Enjoy the beautiful scenery along both banks of the river and the many boats bobbing on the waters. After that, go to the Cua Dai estuary, joining to the Co Co river and heading for Bay Mau nipa (water coconut tree) grove where you will disembark and discover the daily life of the people there.
Return back to your hotel by evening.
Accommodation: Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery Collection
Day 11: Danang – Siem Reap | Flight to Siem Reap | Leisure
Internal Flight:Included Meals: Breakfast In the morning, board a flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your 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: Shinta Mani Villa – Bensley Collection
Day 12: Siem Reap | Angkor Thom Ancient City by Bicycle
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch Enjoy a relaxing cycling tour in the morning in ancient Angkor Thom – a stone city built around the time of Angkor Wat.
Ta Prohm Ancient University
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 which 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 about the history of the Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot, and the war. Cambodia is still healing from these atrocities.
Accommodation: Shinta Mani Villa – Bensley Collection
Day 13: Siem Reap | Zip-lining in Angkor Forest
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch
This day, prepare to visit the #1 “Craziest” Zipline in Asia. World Class Course Features:
21 platforms high in the treetops 10 thrilling ziplines 4 sky bridges spanning hundreds of meters Spiral staircases circling trees A 50 ft. abseil finish The longest single zip line in Cambodia 6 hectares teaming with exotic wildlife Re-introduction of wild-gibbons State of the Art Safety Equipment
After the course, you will enjoy lunch in local restaurant near Ancient Royal Swimming Pool (Srah Srang).
Accommodation: Shinta Mani Villa – Bensley Collection
Day 14: Siem Reap | Floating Village and Water Filtration Donation
Meals: Breakfast In the morning, start with an ox-cart ride through Cambodia’s green countryside where you’ll see many coconut trees, rice fields, and water buffalo. After that, continue the trip to the largest lake in Southeast Asia, the Tonle Sap. You’ll take a boat ride to Kampong Phluk which means, Harbor of the Tusks due to its history in the elephant trade several centuries ago. You’ll also see the mangrove forests nearby. After the tour, you’ll return to your hotel to relax for rest of the day.
Then go to visit a small village to donate a slow sand water filtration system. You’ll have a chance to meet with the village families. The water filtration system will be able to provide potable/drinking water to the whole village. We can also arrange to have your logo or names painted on the filter ahead of time. The installation staff will instruct the villagers on how to maintain the filter.
Optional recommendation: We recommend 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. This can impact the village children to focus on their education and provide them English reading materials not available from their school.
Accommodation: Shinta Mani Villa – Bensley Collection
Day 15: Siem Reap | Angkor Wat Sunrise
Meals: Breakfast Before the light of day, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to the front of Angkor Wat Temple. From here, you’ll watch one of the most revered sunrises in the world. Our guide will arrange a light picnic breakfast for you to enjoy in front of the world’s #1 Heritage Site. 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. After your explorations, you’ll return to the hotel for some rest and leisure time.
Angkor Wat Temple
Accommodation: Shinta Mani Villa – Bensley Collection
Day 16: Siem Reap | Leisure | Khmer Traditional Spa and Central Market
Meals: Breakfast Morning and afternoon are at your leisure.
As evening approaches, enjoy a relaxing spa treatment at Bodia Spa – an award-winning spa in Southeast Asia. You can experience traditional Khmer massage or your favorite treatment of choices. Then stroll nearby Psar Chas, the central market, to see local life or look for some local-made souvenirs before returning to your hotel.
Accommodation: Shinta Mani Villa – Bensley Collection
Day 17: Siem Reap | Farewell!
Meals: Breakfast Today our guide will transfer you to the airport before your onward flight and will bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!
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One of our Travel Experts will reach out to you and assist you with an itinerary and quote. Also, feel free to leave your phone number and we will give you a quick call just to say hello and clarify any questions we have about your inquiry.
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