DAY 1: HANOI
Greetings from Vietnam! For a casual welcome gathering, meet your guide and new tour companions in the hotel lobby at 6:00 p.m. After dusk, explore the bustling streets and night markets of Hanoi or join an optional tour group meal to immerse yourself in the city’s energy!
DAY 2: HANOI CITY TOUR
Spend a whole day exploring the streets of Hanoi, which are teeming with motorbikes, lovely aromas, and mouthwatering street cuisine. Try some authentic Vietnamese coffee and stroll into the Old Quarter to see an amazing example of French, Chinese, and Vietnamese architectural fusion. After that, head to the tour group’s meeting point at 1:00 pm for a half-day guided city tour! You will see the One Pillar Pagoda, President Ho Chi Minh’s home, and his mausoleum. After that, take a tour of the magnificent Temple of Literature and its surrounds. Dedicated to Confucius, the temple was constructed in 1080 as a university. Take a stroll around the well-known Hoan Kiem Lake to experience the tranquility of Ngoc Son Temple, a pagoda perched on a little island in the middle of the lake, as you wrap up your guided city tour! Spend your final evening in Hanoi strolling around the city or opt for a nighttime walking tour that includes street food tastings.
DAY 3: HANOI - HALONG BAY CRUISE
Today you’ll farewell the capital and head towards the dreamy, UNESCO World Heritage-listed region of Halong Bay! On the way, you’ll pass lush paddy fields by the Red River Delta before arriving at Tuan Chau wharf by midday. Then it’s all aboard a traditional Junk Boat for the true Halong Bay experience. Kick back and soak in the serenity on board as you drift past the abundance of limestone islands with lunch served at 1.00pm. In the afternoon, stop to visit some of the islands, like the Ti Top Island, and explore the intricate cave systems of Sung Sot Cave on foot. Then it’s back on board to savor sunset moments over the picturesque backdrop before dinner is served at 7.00 pm. Spend the evening relaxing on board, chatting at the bar, or trying your luck at squid fishing off the Junk Boat.
DAY 4: HANLONG BAY, FLIGHT TO DANANG, HOIAN
It doesn’t get much better than this in the morning! Coffee and tea will be available starting at 7:00 am, but go slowly and soak in the relaxed atmosphere of the Junk Boat deck. Take a few last pictures of the idyllic islands in Halong Bay, such as Sail Island and Ga Choi Island. Savor a kayaking activity that is optional. You will say goodbye to Halong Bay and your amazing Junk Boat Crew as you travel back to the pier at 9.00 am, with brunch served by 9.30 am. We’ll take a domestic flight this afternoon to Danang, where we’ll check into our hotel in Hoi An, one of the most picturesque places in Vietnam!
DAY 5: HOIAN
Salutations from Hoi An! Hoi An was a busy port for many different kinds of trading decades ago. Today, it’s a charming riverbank village with charm and peace that draws tourists from all over. A guided tour of the Old Quarter will help you get your bearings. You’ll fall in love with the Japanese Covered Bridge, see a historic trader’s residence, and take in the Chinese Assembly Hall and French Colonial architecture. During your free time in the afternoon, stop by one of the well-known tailors in Vietnam to get bespoke clothes created, or rent a bike and travel to An Bang beach for some seafood and seaside atmosphere. For those with a bit more spirit, consider taking a guided bike tour into the countryside or signing up for an optional Vespa city and street food tour. Make sure not to skip the optional trip to the Golden Hand Bridge. With two enormous stone hands supporting it, the golden footbridge, which is 1,400 meters above sea level, provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
DAY 6: HOIAN, MARBLE MOUNTAIN, HUE
Enjoy some last-minute sightseeing in Hoi An, pick up your custom-made clothes, or peruse the boutique shops during your morning free time. Leave Hoi An in the afternoon and head to the Marble Mountains and Cham Museum. Next, head towards Hue while admiring the picturesque vistas of Hai Van Pass from the road. During your free time in the afternoon, you can leisurely stroll around the exquisitely designed pavilions and lotus blossom pools. For a fresh and fascinating perspective on the city at your own pace, we suggest taking a Cyclo ride.
DAY 7: HUE CITY TOUR, FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH CITY
Even though the American War severely damaged many of Hue’s best buildings, the ancient city, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is nevertheless filled with memories of imperial Vietnam. Taking a guided city tour, we’ll explore Hue for the entire day starting at 8 a.m. today. You will see the Royal Tombs of Khai Dinh, the Old Imperial City, the Flag Tower, the Thien Mu Pagoda, and the Dong Ba market. Get your camera ready to witness some of Vietnam’s most exquisite buildings! Take a domestic trip to Ho Chi Min in the afternoon to recuperate for the upcoming busy day.
DAY 8: HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR
Start your trip through a half-day guided city tour that takes you through the must-see sights of the vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh City, starting at your hotel. Explore the War Remnants Museum and the historic Reunification Palace before seeing the stunning French colonial Notre Dame Cathedral and the recognizable Post Office. Discover the history of the Vietnamese people who excavated these tunnels and established a new existence underground in order to flee the conflict by taking the optional tour of the well-known Cu Chi Tunnels. After that, spend your last hours at Ben Thanh Market sampling some authentic Bánh mì, Pho, and Bia hơi.
DAY 9: HO CHI MINH CITY, MEKONG DELTA, CANTHO
It’s time to say goodbye to Ho Chi Minh City and move toward the powerful Mekong River, so get up and shine! Take in the scenery from a window seat during the two-hour trip to Cai Be. When you arrive at Cai Be, take the wooden boat and relax as you go by the Mekong’s verdant islands. Savor your meal while on board. Discover the typical rural life on the Mekong by taking a cruise by little riverside towns like Vinh Long. After your cruise, you’ll have free time to explore Can Tho’s bustling town, vibrant riverfront, and charming backstreets!
DAY 10: CANTHO, CHAUDOC
The floating marketplaces in Cai Rang are the best spot to get a glimpse of river life. Take a boat excursion 6km from Can Tho to visit the interesting marketplaces, where hundreds of wooden rowboats trade everything from garments and rice to exotic fruits on the river, after you’ve finished your hearty breakfast at your hotel. Take a stroll around the markets on foot and stop at the Orchard Garden in the area. After that, proceed to Chau Doc for a boat tour of the Tra Su Sanctuary, which is deep into the Mekong Forest and is home to a variety of tropical birds and beautiful canals. Complete your activities in Chau Doc town and get some rest before we head over the border into Cambodia early the next morning!
DAY 11: CHAUDOC, PHNONGPENH
Vietnam bye, and hello to Cambodia! Make sure to set an early alarm for your 7 a.m. public speed boat transfer to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Take a nap en route, and arrive in Phnom Penh by 1:00 pm, giving you plenty of time to spend exploring the fascinating city in the afternoon on a guided tour. First up, the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda complex, one of the city’s most visited sights! Constructed in 1866 by King Norodom’s predecessors, the palace is one of the most remarkable examples of Khmer-style architecture in Cambodia. After that, pay a visit to Wat Phnom Temple and the Independence Monument for some breathtaking city views! Explore a horrific era by visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh.
DAY 12: PHNONGPENH BATTAMPANG
Today we’re off to Battambang. Delve further into history as we continue to the ancient Cambodian Capital of the Khmer Empire – Phnom Udong! Visit the National Museum to learn about history. In the city, you’ll find two large hills with incredible views across the countryside. Atop the twin humps stands several impressive stupas that survived bombing from both the Americans and Khmer Rouge during Cambodia’s recent wars. After soaking in the views, continue on to Kompong Chhnang for a stop at a local pottery village. This village is famous for producing traditional Khmer pottery, a craft passed down through generations for over 1,500 years! As night falls over South-East Asia, we’ll head towards the Phnom Sampeau Mountains to witness thousands of nocturnal bats take flight through the caves. It’s something quite spectacular to sit at the foot of Battambang’s Phnom Sampeou caves as the sun sinks into the horizon and a stream of thousands of bats parade through the caves and zoom across the night sky. Be sure to bring your camera!
DAY 13: BATTAMBANG, SIEMRIEP
Have you ever taken a Bamboo Train ride? Come along as we go 8 kilometers through Battambang’s picturesque countryside and rice farms. The locals built this bamboo train to make it easier to move people and goods. With just one bamboo platform, four wheels, and a little motor, it is simple but efficient. Next, prepare your camera and trekking shoes for a visit to Phnom Banan, an 11th-century Angkorian temple. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with serene vistas of the surrounding countryside and more than 350 steps! Take in these gorgeous settings. We’ll depart Battambang and head for Siem Reap in the afternoon. Visiting a silk shop in Puok District is a fantastic opportunity to discover more about Cambodian silk. Here, we’ll spend some time studying the mulberry harvesting procedure, silkworm life cycle, and silk production process. We advise getting a good night’s sleep tonight in preparation for tomorrow’s much anticipated trip to the renowned Angkor Wat temples!
DAY 14: SIEM RIEP, ANKOK WAT
Get ready for an incredible day in Angkor Wat, the largest temple complex in the world! You will start by going to the South Gate of Angkor Thom to witness the elaborate Bayon Temple. This temple is well-known for its 54 towers that are adorned with more than 200 huge smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara, as well as its Elephant Terraces. Then, we’ll visit the revered heart and soul of Cambodia—Angkor Wat—again, a temple included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Capture some stunning images of the temple reflecting in its magnificent moat. After that, stroll around the exterior gallery walls as your local guide tells Hindu mythological tales. We’re going to the Phare Circus in Siem Reap tonight to see some of the most amazing performers in Cambodia! Young performers and recent graduates have the chance to polish their skills and make a respectable living doing what they love in this distinctively modern circus!
DAY 15: SIEM RIEP
Just like that, it’s over! Our trip will end in Siem Reap after we say our goodbyes to strangers who quickly became friends. Enjoy a final breakfast together before hotel check-out at 11.00am.