Vietnam & Cambodia Extension

Chao mung! Welcome to Vietnam and its beautiful ancient capital, Hanoi.
On arrival at Hanoi airport, our driver is waiting for you at the exit of the airport and take you to the hotel located in the heart of the city. Take some time to relax and, depending on your arrival time, enjoy the afternoon or evening at your leisure. 
Overnight in Hanoi. 
Please note! The standard check in is 2pm. Should you be arriving earlier in the day, the hotel can hold your luggage until your room is ready.
 

• Discover the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on Ba Dinh Square, where Vietnam's independence was declared on September 2, 1945. This is followed by a walk in the park behind the former Indochina Governor's Palace, now the Presidential Palace. Discover the stilt house of Ho Chi Minh, the founder of modern Vietnam, and the One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049 and recognized as having the most original architecture in Vietnam. Visit the Temple of Literature, the first national university with its original architecture, built in the 11th century and now dedicated to the worship of Confucius and scholars. This temple has become the emblem of the city of Hanoi and Vietnamese culture
• You will also visit the Defense of the Country Pagoda, built in 1615 on the shores of the great West Lake, then the Museum of Ethnography, which presents the lifestyles, customs and traditions of the 54 ethnic minorities populating Vietnam.
• At the end of the day, we will have an overall view of the capital by a “GREEN-CAR” (electric car) visit, which will start around the Old Quarters of Hanoi. 
• The evening is dedicated to a water puppet show, a folk art of the peoples of the Red River Delta.
• Overnight in Hanoi. 
   

Morning, we transfer (2h30) to Ninh Binh. In Hoa Lu, visit the temples dedicated to the Dinh and Le kings, founders of the first independent dynasties of Vietnam in the 10th century. Continue to the village of Tho Ha, located in the middle of an ocean of rice paddies. Aboard a small rowing sampan, you will travel on a river and enter the heart of the labyrinth of limestone peaks of Trang An, recently listed as a world natural heritage site. Passage through a long cave, called Buddha Cave because of the rock in the shape of a reclining Buddha, inside. The sampan then winds its way between the reeds, on a watercourse that winds through the peaks. After about 1h30 of "navigation", disembarkation in Linh Coc and short transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Ninh Binh.
 

At 8am, head East for about 3 hours to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994 and 2006. Upon arrival in Halong, picked up and transferred by tender boat to Lan Ha Bay where you will check in the overnight cruise to discover the magnificent beauty of this marvelous bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch on board while the cruise sailing among the breathtaking scenery, approaching the islets in close distance. Post lunch we will have a short rest before joining the cruise’s activities like swimming or kayaking. Enjoy the last stage of your trip to Dark & Bright grotto and islets by local rowing boats which is a wild and mysterious beauty in middle of the World Heritage.
Late afternoon, return to the cruise to join cooking demonstration before having dinner. Evening attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the cruise. 
Please note the program may be little varied upon the cruise you choose. 
 

You should wake up early to enjoy the dawn on the sea in the early morning. The Vietnamese call the "East Sea" by a point-oriented name "Eastern Sea", so you may guess how miraculous seeing the sunrise over the islets of the Bay. Warming up your body with Tai Chi lesson or enjoy leisure time in room.
After breakfast our boat will continue to cruise in marvelous areas, where almost each islet has its own name, adopting its shape or reminiscent. The cruise will take you to Cat Ba Island for a light hike to visit Trung Trang cave. 
Come back to the cruise and check out your room. Have brunch on board while the cruise coming closer to the mainland. Say farewell to the crew team and you will board the tender and head back to the wharf. Disembark from the boat, transfer back to Hanoi for free time until our driver come to pick you up for straightly drive to airport for flight to Hue, former capital of monarchical Vietnam from 1804 to 1945.
Arrival in Hue around 9:00 p.m. - Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Hue. 
 

Firstly, we transfer to visit the Imperial City of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945).
Passing in front of various monuments, silent witnesses of a glorious period in Vietnamese history: the Flag Tower, also called the King's Horseman, erected in 1807; the South Gate, an impressive brick construction which represents the main entrance to the City; the Esplanade of Great Salutations where the mandarins of the Court gathered for major ceremonies; the Palace of Supreme Harmony which was the place where major public ceremonies were organized such as the accession of the king, the choice of the crown prince, the reception of ambassadors and the king's birthday; the Temple of worship of the Nguyen kings; the Pavilion of Peace or Royal Library; the Co Ha Garden, reserved for princes and princesses etc.

Continue to transfer to visit the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady – Thien Mu pagoda. It was originally built on a hill overlooking the river in 1601. Stroll through this pagoda renowned for its original architecture and its role in the spiritual and political life of the country. 

Late afternoon, we will have a cyclo trip (similar to a riskshaw) by crossing the Perfume River through Truong Tien Bridge, then ride along the famous Dong Ba Market. From here, you follow the branch of the Perfume River to an area surrounding the Citadel where local people have lived for generations in their old-style houses. While sitting on the cyclo, all of the activities on the street, in the shops and houses, just happen around you, and you can feel like you are a part of it.

Overnight in Hue. 

Departure to Hoi An, the only intact city in Vietnam, thus constituting an invaluable cultural and historical heritage . The road takes you through the famous Cloud Pass, which offers a superb panorama of the Central Vietnam coastline from its summit.

Halfway, stop for one hour in the city of Danang, the colonial Tourane , to visit the Cham Museum which houses a large collection of sculptures from the civilization of the now-extinct Cham Kingdoms.

Arrival in Hoi An in the early afternoon. Visit the Old Quarter of this charming, human-sized town and its main attractions: the Fujian Sanctuary dedicated to the patron goddess of fishermen and sailors; the Japanese Bridge built in 1593, connecting the Chinese and Japanese quarters; the Tan Ky House, one of the jewels of Hoi An architecture; the Ceramics Museum; and the tailor shops.

Overnight in Hoi An. 

Optional Tour - Hoi An Memories Show (closed on Tuesday) 
Experience the iconic Hoi An Memories show. The show features more than 500 performers in colorful costumes accompanied by music to create a high-tech show that explores the history of Hoi An. Round-trip transportation is provided from your hotel, which makes it easy to relax and enjoy the evening’s activities.
Time: 7:30pm
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Inclusion: Transfers from/to hotel in Hoi An, show ticket, English speaking guide escort.
Exclusion: Meals, drinks or expenses not mentioned. 
 

Start your day with a scenic bike ride through the picturesque countryside surrounding Hoi An Old Town. Cycling through the charming villages, lush rice fields, and winding rivers, immersing yourself in the rhythm of local life and engaging with the friendly residents.
Your journey begins with a visit to Tra Que, a tranquil vegetable-growing village nestled by the river. Here, over 500 farmers cultivate more than 20 varieties of vegetables and aromatic herbs, renowned nationwide for their exceptional quality—thanks to the use of nutrient-rich green algae as fertilizer. Stroll through the vibrant fields, meet the farmers, and discover their traditional cultivation techniques.
Continuing along a shaded riverside path lined with coconut trees, you’ll pass through flooded fields and serene ponds where water buffalo often roam. After five kilometers, arrive at Van Lang, a peaceful fishing village near the Thu Bon River, where a lush forest of water coconut trees thrives.
Embarking on a unique round-boat (basket boat) adventure through the dense coconut jungle. These traditional basket boats, two meters in diameter, have been used for generations in coastal fishing. Following this immersive experience, return to the family home to enjoy a delicious lunch featuring regional specialties like crispy pancakes and Hoi An-style spring rolls. Afterward, unwind with a therapeutic foot massage using medicinal herbs - a cherished local tradition.
Afternoon, choose to relax or take our optional excursion to the My Son archaeological site (60 km – approximately a 1-hour drive). Once the religious and political heart of the Champa Kingdom, this UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases the most significant remnants of a civilization that flourished along Vietnam’s central coast between the 4th and 13th centuries.
Overnight in Hoi An. 
 

From Hoi An, we transfer to Danang airport for flight to Saigon. 
Upon arrival in Saigon, picked up by our local guide and we leave noisy Saigon behind and go to the most beautiful region of the Mekong Delta - Ben Tre. Then transfer to the homestay for the night - we will stay in the countryside with a local family in a house adapted to receive guests. Walk or cycling around the area among rice fields or relax in a hammock with idyllic views. In the evening, cooking and dinner together.
Overnight at lovely homestay in Ben Tre. 
 

Breakfast at the homestay.
Transfer to Ham luong Pier, boating on Ben Tre river – one of tributaries of Mekong river- go along mangrove trees growing up ashore of waterway. Witness lively activities of town market on land and transfering on waterway as fishing boats, coconut cargo boats. 
Stop at traditional brickwork to see how to make bricks by hand. Turn on Cai Son canal winding through coconut jungle, visit coconut workshop, have a look stages of coconut processing from husk off, prize out to peel out by hand. Go on small waterway and stop at coconut candy workshop, have a look them making candy by hand, try some sweet, enjoy some fruits and listen to local music as well. Go on by boat and step ashore and take a short walk to farmer house who making sleep-mats. 
Hop on tuk-tuk through coconut grove, Deeping on coconut jungle in country. Stop for a Vietnamese traditional lunch at Nam Bo restaurant. Relax and keep going by rowing boat on shady palm tree canal. 
Back to Saigon later afternoon.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon). 

Breakfast at hotel.
The morning is dedicated to discovering the former Saigon. Visit the old colonial district around the Reunification Palace, Central Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel, Notre-Dame Cathedral (under renovation – visit outside only) and the famous Catinat Street (currently Dong Khoi Street). Then, depart for Cholon's Chinatown to better explore this booming economic capital. Visit the Binh Tay Market and the Thien Hau Pagoda, known as the Celestial Lady Pagoda.
Free time in the afternoon. 
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon). 
 

Breakfast at hotel.
Leisure until transfer to airport for departure flights upwards. 
 

You will be transferred to Ho Chi Minh City airport and board your flight to Siem Reap the second-largest city of Cambodia and gateway to the famous ruins of Angkor, the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9th–15th centuries. 
On arrival you will be welcomed and transferred to you to hotel located in Siem Reap city center. 
The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or take a short tuk tuk ride and explore the city on your own. 
Please note Hotel check-in time is around 14.00
 

Today is dedicated to the famous temples of Angkor Wat. 
For the early-rises, join the group for a once in a lifetime experience as we watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat temples before returning back to the hotel for breakfast.   
Following breakfast we’ll head off to begin discovering the most famous of all the temples on the Angkor plain: Angkor Wat. There isn’t much that matches the magnificence of this temple complex, one of the largest religious monuments ever built. The temple complex covers about 500 acres and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. This 12th-century masterpiece is considered to be a prime example of classic Khmer art and architecture and its depiction appears on the national flag. Built to represent Mount Meru, its distinctive five towers symbolise the five peaks of the mountain; the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat symbolises the ocean. 
We first visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom City, Byon. Angkor Thom was once the capital of the Khmer empire. See the well preserved South Gate, with its huge statues depicting the Hindu mythology of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. We’ll visit Bayon Temple, famous for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. We’ll also see the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. 
In the afternoon, we will explore Ta Prohm Temples. The jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight with enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers entwined in the stone foundations of the traditional structure, giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature.  We’ll explore this masterpiece as well as some of the surrounding temples including Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado before returning to the hotel where the rest of evening at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap. 

At the appropriate time today, join your included transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
We hope you have enjoyed the trip in Vietnam & Cambodia.
End of service. 
Please note! Hotel check-out time is around 12.00.