Discover Vietnam and Angkor

Today, we will visit Hanoi with Ho Chi Minh Complex that includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, House-on-Stilts, One Pillar pagoda. After that we will visit the Temple of Literature – a temple to Confucius, this is also known as Vietnam’s first University dating back to 1070

After having lunch at a nice restaurant, we continue our trip to visit Museum of Ethnology that is widely acknowledged as the best museum in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples. As well as the comprehensive array of exhibits inside, there are also traditional tribal houses reconstructed within the ground.

Then, we go back to the center of Hanoi to visit Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake. Enjoy one hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter of Hanoi that also known as the 36 streets and guilds, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Originally each of the street’s names was related to the products being sold there. It’s a great place to explore on foot with numerous photo opportunities. At the end of the day, you can enjoy the famous traditional water puppetry show in Thang Long Theater where you will have a chance to experience an overview of daily life in Vietnam’s rural areas in dramatic form. Back to the hotel and overnight in Hanoi.

After is served at the hotel, being picked up by our driver, travel to Halong Bay. The world heritage site Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Upon arrival at Ha Long, you will be welcomed by our local guide on board. Heading out of the town we embark on a Chinese style junk for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay.

This exciting cruise provides a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with some 3,000 limestone islands and islets rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. Sea food lunch will be served while cruising through the bay.

The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches. You then explore the Surprising Sung Sot cave which still reserves much of the amazing original stalactites and stalagmites.

Wake up in the morning to the calming sound of the waves crashing on the nearby islands. You enjoy a morning coffee and watch the world going by in the bay. Sitting on the upper deck and enjoy the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the crystal-clear water of the bay. The quiet is almost eerie; we can hear birds singing, cicadas chirping ashore and the gentle lapping of the waves against our boat, the perfect soundtrack to accompany the fresh air and gentle breeze.

Our Junk starts cruising back while the brunch will be served. Arrive at harbor by 12:00 noon, transfer straight back to Hanoi airport for boarding a flight to Hue. Upon arrive to Hue, Vietnam Great Tours’ guide and driver will personally pick up and transfer you to hotel for check in.

Breakfast is served in the hotel. We start the tour to explore Citadel, Imperial City, Forbidden Purple City.

Enjoy a vegetarian lunch prepared by nuns at a pagoda. After lunch we continue to visit a tomb monument of King Tu Duc which is located in a very special area. More than just a tomb visiting, it’s the great chance to learn more about Nguyen King and the landscape is spectacular. Come back to hotel in the late afternoon

Check out in the morning, we departure for Hoi An. Stop en route at Lang Co beach to have short break before crossing Hai Van Pass. At the height of 450 meters above sea level Hai Van pass is the highest pass in the central coast of Viet Nam. Here you can enjoy the magnificent view of the central coast. The soft adventure drive over the 23 km long pass will add more highlights for this trip.

Next, you drive pass by Da Nang city – the 4th large city of Viet Nam. Here we pay a visit to the fascinating Cham Museum – museum of ancient Champa kingdom’s sculptures and artifacts.

You then stop en route to visit famous China Beach, better known as R&R of the US army officials and soldiers during the Vietnam War. Then you visit the Marble stone carving workshop at Ngu Hanh Son handicraft village en route to charming Hoi An.
Arrive at Hoi An in late afternoon, check in to the hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.

Known as Faifo to early Western traders, Hoi An was one of South East Asia’s major international ports and today it still retains that special old-world feel. Enjoy a walking tour through the Old Quarter. Hoi An is also famous for its large number of tailor shops, so if you want to have a new wardrobe made up, this is the time to do it.

Today we spend a half day for exploring Hoi An town. From the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants. These people came primarily to trade in the high grade silk, which is still produced in the area, as well as ceramics.

Today, Hoi An is a quaint riverside town, popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, tailors shops, and numerous cafes. Some of the buildings in the narrow streets have remained unchanged for more than a century. We enjoy a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200- year old Tan Ky ancestral house and the Japanese covered Bridge.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Nha Trang. The panoramic view of Cam Ranh bay from airplane before landing at Cam Ranh airport is really what we should not miss. On arrival, meet our guide and drive to continuing our next leg of the journey to visit Nha Trang city. We visit the Giant Buddha built 1963, Long Son Pagoda and Cham Ponagar sanctuary, decorated with divine animal statues and other Hindu shrines. Discover Hon Chong Promontory, an isolated site where huge rocks are piled up in a strange way, then transfer to hotel. Afternoon you are free at leisure to walk along the beautiful while sandy Nha Trang beach.

Optional: Overnight train from Da Nang to Nha Trang

Breakfast is served in the hotel Today, you will spend a full day to experience the coast of Nha Trang. After breakfast, transfer to Cau Da wharf to take a boat trip exploring Nha Trang bay. Our first stop is at Tri Nguyen aquarium. You will then head out to Hon Mun Island where you have the chance for swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters. From here, continue to Hon Tam Island where you have the choice of relaxing on the beach or for the energetic – there is a choice of water sports. We then call at the fishing village of Lang Chai where we will have lunch then explore the village before boarding the boat back to Nha Trang harbor. Returns to your hotel by 4 PM. Rest of the day you are free to discover the city by yourself or visit Dam Market for shopping.

Check out in the morning we will board our private vehicle for four and a half hour drive to Da Lat, the scenery along the way is absolutely amazing and so many chance for Kodak moment!

Upon arrival at Da Lat we check in at hotel, Lunch on your own. afternoon we relax and enjoy a walking via Xuan Huong Lake, to Da Lat market, hundreds different kind of highland vegetable, fruits, Artichoke tea, Coffee, packaged highland fruit jams can be found here. We walk back to hotel via the old catholic church of Da Lat.

Lunch and Dinner tonight are on your own arrangement.

Today you explore Da Lat ‘s highlights. 8:30 depart from hotel by van Da Lat flower garden and take a cable car ride to view Da Lat from the air. We also visit Truc Lam pagoda, the best known Buddhist monastery in Da Lat where monks are so friendly, some speaks excellent English and they are interested in talking to expat tourist. Then you visit the Crazy House.

Lunch today is at Ngoc Duy restaurant. Travel back to hotel in the afternoon, enjoy your time at leisure. Or wandering around the town by yourself, or reserve a booking for playing golf in one of a top golf course in Da Lat. Price will be advised upon your request.

We check out this morning and transfer to airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Upon arrival at Saigon airport, meet your guide, driver to depart for a half day city tour Ho Chi Minh city. We start by Visiting to the Notre Dame Cathedral that was built between 1877 and 1883. This church is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. The nearby Old Post Office is another example of French colonial architecture and is also the country’s largest post office.

Then, we move on to see the Reunification Palace. This was one of the most important buildings in the city. Here on April 30th 1975 the ‘American War’ officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of what was, at the time the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. After that, we continue to visit War Remnants Museum – Formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes, this is a poignant display of the futility of war.

Breakfast is served at the hotel. Today we explore the and departure for the Cu Chi tunnels, otherwise known as the “Iron Triangle zone” or “Iron Land”. The network of three level underground tunnels which stretching over 200 km, was once the former stronghold of Viet Cong guerillas formally known as NLF-National Liberation Force. We will drive through pleasant countryside; rubber plantations and rice paddies.

Before exploring the incredible underground tunnels, we will watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnel system were constructed, followed by an exploration of the maze of tunnels, some of which have been widened to allow tourist access. Also on display are various mantraps and the remains of an American tank which landed here in 1972 as well as numerous bomb craters made by B52 bombers.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch. Afternoon you are free at leisure.

Today, escaping from the high-rise hotels, shopping malls and chic restaurants of Ho Chi Minh City, we drive to My Tho with paddy fields, thick orchards and canals. Upon arriving, we board a private boat start exploring the vast Mekong River. We will pass by the floating market,

Fish Quay along the water way to Turtle Island, a beautiful island with many orchards. Here we can enjoy a variety of fresh tropical fruits while listening to traditional South Vietnamese folk songs performed by local artists.

We then visit a coconut candy workshop before taking a short horse cart ride to visit a Bee Farm where we try some honey tea, tastes local confectionery. After that, we will have a short rowing sampan boat ride along the water coconut shady canal to our main boat then go to Phoenix Island that was the lonely bastion of Coconut Monk. Here we enjoy lunch of local cuisines with delicious Elephant Ear fish, before go back to the harbor. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh by late afternoon.

Day at leisure until to transfer to the airport to take flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, meet our guide/driver and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is free at leisure.

Early morning (from 4:00 to 4:30 am), we start pre-dawn departure from the hotel. Enter the temple in the darkness and prepare for catching the dawn.

Choose the best place to enjoy sunrise, ready with camera and professional photograph facilities under help and guideline from our local tour guide. Before meeting up sunrise, tour guide will give you a brief story about Angkor history and Khmer empire.

Soak up the atmosphere of dawn at Angkor, catch up with the first light of sunrise. And then we discover the rest of Angkor Wat. After that, we end the tour at Angkor Wat and take a short breakfast outside. Continue with Angkor Thom site from the South Gate, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King.

Have lunch at local restaurant at your own expense, and take a leisure before going to Ta Prohm – one of the most famous temple in Angkor area. The temple was used as scenery for Tomb Raider movie.

Back to the hotel and say goodbye to our tour guide after a long day to discover Angkor culture.

Today, you’ll visit the highly-intricate pink coloured Banteay Srei Temple – which translates beautifully to “The Citadel of Women”.

You’ll be hungry after that long drive, so settle into one of the restaurants nearby, and dig into some traditional Cambodian curries, soups and stir-fries.

Spend your afternoon exploring the completely unique East Mebon, Ta Som and Preah Khan Temples, all built for different reasons at different times. Keep an eye out for the detail in these ancient walls

Finally, revel in sunset at lovely Pre Rup—a temple built in dedication to the Hindu god Shiva in Phnom Bakkeng Hill—before returning to your hotel for the evening.

Day at leisure until to transfer to the airport to take flight back to your country.