ID05: Splendid Indochina Tour - 19 days from Hanoi

ITINERARY

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Splendid Indochina Tour in brief:

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour

Day 3: Hanoi - Mai Chau Valley

Day 4: Mai Chau - Hoa Lu - Trang An (Ninh Binh)

Day 5: Ninh Binh - Halong

Day 6: Halong - Flight to Hue

Day 7: Hue City Tour

Day 8: Hue - Hoi An

Day 9: Hoi An Cooking Class

Day 10: Hoi An - Flight to Nha Trang

Day 11: Nha Trang Free Day

Day 12: Nha Trang - Flight to HCMC

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi Tunnels - Ho Chi Minh

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh - Can Tho (Mekong)

Day 15: Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh

Day 16: Ho Chi Minh - Flight to Siem Reap

Day 17: Siem Reap

Day 18: Siem Reap

Day 19: Siem Reap Departure

Splendid Indochina Tour in details:

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Meals: None

+ Guide

Hanoi, the first stop for your Indochina tours. Upon arrival, our private Vietnam Tour guide and driver will welcome your Vietnam Holiday to Hanoi, a city where the exotic chic of old Asia blends with the dynamic face of new Asia. Where the medieval and modern co-exist. A city with a blend of Parisian grace and Asian pace, an architectural museum piece evolving in harmony with its history, rather than bulldozing through like many of the region’s capitals. Hanoi is where imagination becomes reality. Free at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi city tour

Meals: B, L

Hanoi without a doubt is an exotic city for your Vietnam Tours. Today we enjoy a full day Hanoi city tour of this charming capital city including the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh (close on Monday & Friday), the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the impressive Ethnologic Museum, the beautiful West Lake, the Tran Vu Pagoda, the peaceful lake of the Restored Sword.

Late afternoon we take a cyclo tour for a short excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. In the evening, we end Hanoi city tour with a fantastic traditional water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau Valley

Meals: B, L, D

Mai Chau is the heart of a beautiful valley that is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi. The modern village is an unappealing sprawl, but as you emerge on the rice fields and rural living it is transformed into a real paradise. It’s a stunning area and a memorial experienece for your Indochina tours.

Departing at 8h30 am from Hanoi for three and half hour journey through Hoa Binh Town, then gradually climb the begining of the Truong Son Mountain Range to Man Duc Town, a town with spectacular karst scenery. Upon arrival in Lac Village, Mai Chau, we will be greeted by friendly White Thai family. You will have a chance to communicate with Thai monority poeple and enjoy a simple lunch with them - The Thai has their own language, dress, customs, usages and singular blend of belief, worship and myth.

After lunch, we will do a two and half hour trek to three White Thai villages of La Poon, La Thia and Poom Coong. In the afternoon, we get back to Lac Village for refreshment and overnight at Thai home.

Day 4: Mai Chau – Hoa Lu – Trang An grottoes

Meals: B, L

After breakfast, we drive to visit Hoa Lu which was the capital city of Vietnam under the Dinh Dynasty between 968 and 980 AD and ancient sanctuaries and tombs can still be seen today. Apart from the historical importance, the area is naturally beautiful, referred to many as the “dry Halong Bay,” and highlight of any Indochina tours with limestone peaks and fertile green valleys. After lunch, take the amzing boat trip to visit Trang An grottoes which is a gathering of 31 valleys, 50 cross-water caves, and home to 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna, many of them in the Red Book of Vietnam. While rowing through Trang An grotto in the quiet, fresh air of the highlands, with only the sound of birds and the oars stirring the clear water and surrounded by magnificent forested mountains upon which graze white goats, visitors enjoy a heaven on earth. The end of the day, drive to Tam Coc and free at leisure to take a walking visit around Tam Coc or doing bike trip to visit the village and Bich Dong pagoda. Overnight in Tam Coc.

Day 5: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay Cruise

Meals: B, L, D

Halong Cruise must be the most beautiful tour in Vietnam for any visitors to Vietnam. This morning, after breakfast, we drive to Halong Bay, Vietnam most scenic sight, a recognized World Natural Heritage Site and highlight of any Indochina tours. Upon arrival, board your deluxe traditional wooden junk. Welcome drink on board. After a relaxing break, enjoy a delicious seafood lunch while cruising through the wonderful Ha Long bay visiting its amazing grottoes and caves. Opportunity to dive off the boat and have a pleasant swimming in the deep blue water of East Sea before relaxing on your sun deck to view a Halong sunset.  Dinner on board with excellent fresh seafood. Overnight on boat

Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Hue

Meals: B

It is said that your Indochina tours will not be complete without a trip to Halong Bay and spending one night on romantic Halong Cruise. People describe Halong Bay as majestic and mysterious, inspiring and imperious and words alone cannot do justice to the natural wonder that is Halong Bay. Imagine 3000 or more incredible islands rising from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin and you have a vision of breathtaking beauty. Halong Bay is pure art, a priceless collection of unfinished sculptures hewn from the hand of nature. It is absolutely true when you get up early to catch the sunrise on the bay, doing Ta Chi on sundeck and relax with a cup of hot coffee or tea when the boat cruising to explore more of Halong Bay. All make your Vietnam Holiday with full sweet memory. Back to Halong city at around noon where Vivutravel's private guide and driver are waiting for the transfer back to Hanoi Airport for a short flight to Hue. Pick up and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Hue.

Day 7: Hue City Tour

Meals: B, L

Hue is one of places, which has many cultural heritages. Up to now, there is no place like Hue remaining a lot of originally historical vestiges as in this ancient Capital City and favorite destination for all Vietnam Tours. After breakfast, our tour starts with the visit to Imperial Citadel before taking the beautiful boat trip on the romantic Perfume River and visit Hue's best-known religious site-Thien Mu Pagoda and the Mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. Return to the hotel. Free at leisure. Overnight in Hue

Day 8: Hue – Hoi An

Meals: B, L

After breakfast, we drive to Hoi An,  a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years and for sure, Hoi An is a wonderful destination and choice for all kinds of Vietnam Tours. This scenic drive passes through the fishing village of Lang Co before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds. Along the way, stop in Danang to visit the Cham Museum which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world. Upon arrival in Hoi An, free to take walking tour of the Hoi An ancient town centre. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Hoi An Cooking Class

Meals: B, L

Cooking class and tasting Vietnamese food can be special and highlight for your Indochina tours

We start the day (8.15am) with a welcome drink at Hai Café

(98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An Ancient Town, Tel: 863210) – our meeting point.

Visit Hoi An’s colourful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later.

We board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy.

On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – the Red Bridge chefs first demonstrate each dish before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the lesson, we sit down and eat what we have cooked.

Bring your swimsuit and after the cooking tour has finished relax and enjoy free use of our new 20 metre swimming pool.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 10: Hoi An – Nha Trang

Meals: B

After breakfast, our Vietnam tour guide and driver in Hoi An will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Nha Trang, the most famous seaside resort-town of Vietnam and home to one of the most beautiful beaches. After check –in at hotel, rest of the day is free to explore the beach. Overnight in Nha Trang

Day 11: Nha Trang free day

Meals: B

Nha Trang is Vietnam’s best-known Vietnam beach destination, a perfect break during or your Vietnam Tours with miles of white sandy beaches, swaying coconut palms and wonderful fresh seafood restaurants. Day free at leisure, water sports abound including parasailing, jet skiing, water skiing and relaxing boat trips to the outlying islands. If you prefer to keep your feet dry then hop into a taxi or take a cyclo for an exploratory trip around Nha Trang. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 12: Nha Trang – Flight to Ho Chi Minh

Meals: B

After breakfast, our Vietnam tour guide and driver in Nha Trang will transfer you to the airport for your flight to to Saigon. Arrive at Tan Son Nhat airport, welcome by our private Vietnam tour guide and driver and transfer to you hotel for check in. Ho Chi Minh, the most exciting city of Vietnam, a mecca of commerce, also a city with a chequered history and a rich culture, its pagodas, museums, public buildings, parks and boulevards make it one of the most delightful Indochina Tours and cities to visit in Vietnam.

Free time at leisure.  Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnels – Ho Chi Minh

Meals: B, L

Morning pick up from the hotel for Cu Chi Tunnels tour, en route to visit the bustling market at Thu Dao Mot. Upon arrival in Cu Chi, we visit the incredible underground tunnel network of approximately 200 kilometres hand-constructed by Vietnamese guerillas during the long struggle for independence where you will understand more about the Vietnam War or American War, a must see Vietnam Tour for any tourists to learn about Vietnam past and present days. Afternoon drive back to Ho Chi Minh.

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh – Cai Be floating market – Can Tho

Meals: B, L

Today we will start our exploration of the Mekong Delta, a major rice producing area. This must be one of the most fascinating riverine deltas in the world. The Mekong splits into nine major arteries. A vast network of rivers and waterways with thousands of ships of all sizes plowing the waters gives the Mekong Delta a very special atmosphere and no doubt one of the most interesting destinations for Vietnam Tours. On arrival, we will make a boat trip to the Cai Be floating Market, visit villages and meet the people of the Mekong Delta. Continue your boat trip to An Binh Island for Lunch in a local family and bike trip in the afternoon. Continue to Can Tho – the heart of Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Check in on your arrival, free at leisure and overnight in Can Tho.

Day 15: Can Tho (Cai Rang floating market) – Ho Chi Minh

Meals: B, L

In the morning, we make the boat cruise to see the Cai Rang floating market (the nicest one with heaps of rowing boats), truly highlights of any Vietnam Tours where you will enjoy the beautiful scenery and see the daily activities of the locals who live along the Mekong canals and later, you will roam through the village to visit a rice husking mill, a rice noodles making shop which are nice chances to discover the daily life of Vietnamese people in Mekong Delta. After lunch, transfer back to Saigon.

Day 16: Ho Chi Minh – Flight to Siem Reap

Meals: B

After breakfast, our Vietnam tour guide and driver in HCMC will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, one of the most exciting Indochina tours, the home of the Temples of Angkor. Set off this afternoon for a tuk tuk ride to Angkor Thom. Discover an ancient city of incredible proportions- perfectly planned and filled with impressive temples. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 17: Siem Reap Angkor Wat

Meals: B, L

Siem Reap is no doubt a surprise for your Indochina tours. Early this morning, enjoy a sunrise tour of Angkor Wat with great photographing opportunities. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Continue to explore Angkor Thom, the site of the ancient capital of the Khmer period. Visit the South Gate, Bayon, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of Leper King. Continue to Ta Prohm, which many deemed the most charming of all the temples.

This afternoon, take a boat trip on the Tonle Sap Lake to observe the local’s life on water. Stop by at the Artisan D’Angkor and Old market for some shopping.

Day 18: Siem Reap Banteay Sei

Meals: B, L

In the morning, drive through the lovely countryside to visit Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre, which many consider Bantaey Srei to be the prettiest temple was built with pink sand stone.

In the afternoon, visit Preah Khan, Neak Pean and Ta Som temples. Also, have some time for a re-visit of Angkor Wat and wander around on your own.

Day 19: Siem Reap departure

Meals: B

+ Guide

Free time at leisure for you to wrap up your memorial Indochina tours until Vivutravel's private guide will see you off at the airport with the sincere thanks for traveling with Vivutravel. We hope that you have enjoyed your Indochina tours with us and look forward to your next Indochina tours. Vivutravel says goodbye and see you again!!!

END OF SPENDID VIETNAM & CAMBODIA TOUR