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TOUR HIGHTLIGHTS |
Explore Phnom Penh’s must –sees and learn about its dark history through Toul Sleng Museum
Tours to ancient temples and royal palaces
Witness beautiful landscape and huge Plain of Jars
Chance to make unique photos of Indochina’s hidden beauty
Lots of opportunities to immerse in the local daily life
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Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
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Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a city of lakes, shaded streets and verdant public parks. Come to Hanoi, you will have a chance to explore the rich cultural heritage with the Old Quarter, prominent delicious Vietnamese cuisine as well as other interesting spots. Upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, our guide and driver will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. After check –in, you are free to stroll around the city and catch a first glimpse of this peaceful city. In the evening, a special dinner out at a stylic restaurant, where our guide will summarize the itinerary for coming days.
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Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B, L)
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At 8am, our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and begin the full day city tour with Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and “House on stilt” at the same area with the Presidential Palace and the famous One Pillar Pagoda. We also make a visit to the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, which is now dedicated to Confucian worship and “Hanoi Hilton” –a nick name given by US pilots during the war. Enjoy lunch with authentic delicious Vietnamese cuisines, then we continue our day to the impressive Ethnology Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. After that, the trip will be followed by one –hour cyclo tour through the busy Old Quarter where you can see peddlers are selling wares as if they have done that for centuries! In front of the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will see a fantastic performance at the end of the day.
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Day 3: Hanoi –Mai Chau -Hanoi (B, L)
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Departing at 7am from Hanoi for three and a 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 minority people 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 a half hour trek to three White Thai villages of La Poon, La Thia and Poom Coong. Return to Hanoi around 6.30pm.
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Day 4: Hanoi –Halong Bay (B, L, D)
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In the morning, you will take 3 –hour journey to Halong. The road to Halong will lead you through the magnificent landscape of the Red River Delta. Upon arrival at Bai Chay Dock, Ha Long City, you will check in your deluxe junk boat. The stunning views, limestone caves, off-shore islets, sea-bathing onboard and the delicious seafood lunch will make this a remarkable trip. Dinner will be served among a wonderful sunset. Relax and overnight onboard.
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Day 5: Halong Bay –Hanoi –Overnight train to Hue (B, L)
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The breakfast will be continued by a cruise to explore more some 1,600 islets. Visiting floating village, swimming or kayaking is the highlights for this day. After having lunch onboard, you will head for the new route back to Ha Long Harbor, where the waiting vehicle will pick you up for a drive back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you can do last minute shopping or relax in a cafe with some snacks before proceeding to Hanoi railway stations for the night train to Hue. Overnight on train.
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Day 6: Hue city (L, D)
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Reaching Hue at around 8am, you will be transferred to your hotel for some refreshment. Hue with splendid tombs of the Nguyen emperors, notable pagodas and the remains of the Citadel becomes one of Vietnam’s attractions to tourists from all over the world, who like to explore the traditional cultural values of Vietnam. We start our day with guided touring around the Imperial Citadel, visiting the Noon Gate and Forbidden City; then followed with the Antiquity Museum for some view. After delicious lunch at a local restaurant, we can drive out Hue outskirt to visit Khai Dinh Royal Tomb and Minh Mang Mausoleum. In the evening, we enjoy a nice dinner, followed by a cruise on Perfume River while Hue traditional folk music is performing.
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Day 7: Hue –Hoi An (B, L)
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After breakfast, we will be on 4 –hour journey to Hoi An. The winding road begins as we make our way up the Hai Van pass. The breath -taking view from the top of the pass is one of Vietnam’s most impressive panoramic scenes. We also make stop for relaxation at charming Lang Co Beach. Our next stop is Da Nang City, famous for the Cham Museum and the China Beach, a place called R and R (Rest and Rehabilitation) where thousands of American GIs came for a break during the war in Vietnam. Also, we have a short sightseeing at the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements of the universe. Arriving in Hoi An in the early afternoon, we enjoy lunch, check in hotel and then start a walking tour through the Ancient Town. Here we can see the vestige of the mix combination of Chinese and Japanese architecture as well as traditional cultural values. In December, 1999 Hoi An is declared a Unesco World Heritage site. We will discover by ourselves interesting proper character. Overnight in Hoi An.
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Day 8: Hoi An (B)
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Today is free at your leisure. You can relax on Cua Dai Beach, enjoy hotel’s facilities or join shopping tour at the ancient town. Skillful tailors are willing to make any piece of clothing in any design and in any fabric to fit you. Why don’t we test their talent and test your bargaining skill?. An option (not included in the package) for you is to participate a cooking class with authentic Vietnamese dishes. Overnight in Hoi An.
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Day 9: Hoi An –flight to Saigon (B, D)
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An early morning transfer to Danang Airport for a short flight to Saigon. Saigon is a fast growing city, which is changing day by day and recognized by high buildings and big roads. The ongoing changes in economy have given the city a really cosmopolitan and dynamic character. Today, we will visit the highlights of Saigon including the Central Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace and the War Museum. After that, a visit to Haven Emperor Temple will be followed and you can join the religious atmosphere of the local people. Rest of the time, you can have a look at bustling Ben Thanh Market for an appreciation of local life. A dinner cruise on Saigon River is waiting for you and promising great time together. Overnight in Saigon.
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Day 10: Cu Chi Tunnels & Cao Dai Temple (B, L)
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In the morning our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and then depart for Tay Ninh to visit the famous Cao Dai Temple. There you witness a colorful service. After the service you have lunch at a local restaurant. Then you go to Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi Tunnels are an impressive network of tunnels with a length of over 250 km. This strategic place was used by 15,000 Viet Cong fighters during the war. In the afternoon you return to Saigon.
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Day 11: Saigon –Mekong Delta (B, L)
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At 8 hours, you will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to My Tho. Around 9h30, arriving in My Tho, you will enjoy different type of boat trip (motorized boat trip, rowing boat trip) to islands where you can visit local houses, see how they make delicious coconut caramels and enjoy lunch. You will also stop over the Unicorn Island for a traditional music performance, “cai luong” by local people. Enjoy some tropical fruit here. Especially, you will have a chance to be on horse-drawn carriage or local transport “Xe loi” (nowadays, it is often seen on movies). In the afternoon, you will take a drive to Can Tho City, across Vinh Long, My Thuan Suspension Bridge and cross the Hau River by ferry. Upon arrival, you check in the hotel and relax after a long journey. Overnight in Can Tho.
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Day 12: Can Tho –Saigon (B, L)
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Today, you will get up very early for breakfast so that we will be on time to catch amazing scene of Cai Rang Floating Market. The guide will pick you up at 6:30 hours, check out and transfer you to the boat quay. Now you start a cruise to the floating markets. At 7:30 hours, arrive at Cai Rang floating market, you will take slow running for nice pictures. We will stop for a while and you can buy some fruit or contact with local people. Leaving the market, you will take another boat trip along the river bank and cannels to see how people there live, visit another orchard for relaxation. After that, you will boat to big river and have lunch at a floating restaurant docking at Can Tho River. In the afternoon, after lunch, you will have a transfer back to Saigon. On the way, we can pay a visit at the famed Vinh Trang Pagoda and Dong Tam snake farm.
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Day 13: Saigon –flight to Siem Reap (B)
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Today, we will take a morning flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, will be met and greeting by our guide then transferred to your hotel. Spend the full afternoon exploring the main Angkor Wat Temple and enjoy sunset at the temple top of Pre Rup.
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Day 14: Siem Reap/ Angkor Wat (B)
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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.
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Day 15: Siem Reap/Banteay Sei (B)
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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.
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Day 16: Siem Reap –Bus to Phnom Penh (B)
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Today, at 7am, we continue a six -hour journey on a good road by public bus toward Phnom Penh. This afternoon, tour Phnom Penh, capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda as well as Tuol Sleng museum, a former school turned concentration camp during Khmer Rouge era. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
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Day 17: Phnom Penh –Vientiane (B, D)
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You will have the day free to wander around the markets until we take the afternoon flight to Vientiane. In the evening, following the meal you can enjoy an evening stroll along the banks of the Mekong River.
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Day 18: Vientiane – Phonesavanh (B, L)
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Today we set off to Phonesavanh, home to the mysterious Plain of Jars. The jars, over 250 in total are thought to be 2,000 years old although there is little proof to date them very accurately. Archaeologists have also struggled to find out the specific purpose of the jars, some of which weigh up to 1 ton.
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Day 19: Phonesavanh – Luang Prabang (B)
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Rising in the morning, we set off on our drive along a zigzag route through the rugged and verdant landscape to Luang Prabang. These back roads are great ways to explore the real Laos. By mid afternoon, we reach Luang Prabang and then explore this enthralling town including the 16th century Vat Xieng Thong, the Golden City monastery, considered to be the finest in Laos with its low-sweeping roofs as well as a rare bronze reclining Buddha.
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Day 20: Luang Prabang (B, L)
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The exploration of this delightful town continued with the Royal Palace Museum. This interesting mansion displays a lovely collection of treasure and artifacts reflecting the richness of Laos culture dating from the days of earlier kings right through the last sovereign. In the afternoon we board a boat for a leisure trip on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the holy caves of Pak Ou, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On return, we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving. Along the way we will have a picnic lunch before returning to Luang Prabang.
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Day 21: Luang Prabang departure (B)
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This morning following breakfast there will be a transfer from the hotel to the airport for the morning flight back to Vientiane and your connecting flight out of Laos.
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INCLUSIVE: |
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All transfers and transportation as per the itinerary
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Local English speaking guides on day trips & excursions
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All accommodation on twin share basis with daily breakfast
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Train ticket: Hanoi –Hue (tourist class)
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Domestic flight tickets: Danang -Saigon; Vientiane -Xieng Khouang (economy class) |
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International flight tickets: Saigon –Siem Reap; Phnom Penh –Vientiane (economy class)
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Bus ticket: Siem Reap –Phnom Penh
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Additional meals as clearly mentioned (B: breakfast, L: lunch; D: dinner)
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Boat cruises as per the itinerary
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Sightseeing fees and permits during guided time
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Airport taxes inside Vietnam
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EXCLUSIVE: |
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Other airfare, Airport taxes outside Vietnam (in Cambodia & Laos)
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Visas & visa fee, Travel insurance (compulsory)
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Other meals not clearly described in the program
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Tips and Personal expenses such as drinks, bar bills, laundry
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Optional tours on free days
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ACCOMMODATION: |
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*Accommodation in hotels is subject to availability. If the listed hotels are fully booked, alternate accommodation will be offered at the same level. |
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PRICING: |
Price per person in USD |
2 PAX |
3 - 5 Pax |
Single Supplement |
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Standard |
0 |
0 |
0.0000 |
Superior |
0 |
0 |
0.0000 |
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*The above prices are based on the group from 4 - 6pax and valid until Sep, 2008. All prices might be changed subject to your group size and travel period.
Some tours have Deluxe Option available. Please contact us for further information.
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Note: |
Rates based on the lowest room categories in all the hotels. Please contact us if you request for better room type or different hotel options.
This is a private tour; thus, we will set a schedule at your convenience
This tour must be booked at least 7 days in advance of your travel date
Cheaper Option:
Cheaper Option is offered to those who seek for good travel experience at an affordable budget. We offer the finest 2-star hotels instead of 3-star hotels in all destinations. These 2-star hotels are chosen for good location, clean, comfortable room and nice staff.
Related information:
Hotel in Laos
Hotels in Vietnam
Hotels in Cambodia
Vietnam travel information
Laos travel information
Cambodia travel information
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