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Highlights of Indochina
Vietnam, Lao & Cambodia
AXT-NWAR 13A
Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap Angkor

 

 

DESCRIPTION
 
HIGHLIGHTS
  • Vietnam: Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta, Hanoi's Old Quarter, Halong Bay Overnight.

  • Lao: Luang Prabang, Pak Ou Caves, Kuang Si Falls, Lao cooking class.

  • Cambodia: Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Bayon, Tonle Sap Lake, Trekking Kbal Spean.

 
ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrive - Saigon

Upon arrival in Saigon International Airport “Tan Son Nhat International Airport, is the largest airport in Vietnam. It is located 4 mi (6 km) north of the center (District 1) of Ho Chi Minh City”. You will meet our local tour guide welcome you then transfer to your hotel.  You are probable discuss brief itinerary with tour guide, Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.

 
Day 02: Saigon

Breakfast at hotel.
You will let start the trip toward the river on Dong Khoi you will come to Lam Son Square and the Hotel Continental. This is the heart of the former French Quarter and still a desirable area to live in today. The Municipal Theatre is on the east side of the square, looking much as it did 100 years ago.  We pass the now-demolished wartime American Embassy before exploring the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to this palace are some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office.

After lunch you will departure to Cu Chi. Along the way we stop at a factory of handmade rice cakes (pastry produced from rice flour), Arrival and visit to Cu Chi tunnels, built during the French occupation and developed by the Viet Cong during the war against America.
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.

 
Day 03: Saigon - Mekong Delta - Saigon

Breakfast at hotel.
Today explore the Mekong Delta’s canals, orchards and towns by boat and interact with the friendly locals. depart to My Tho, enjoy the scenic journey a long the National Highway bordered by green rice fields, stopping to see how the rice is cultivated an take pictures of the rice farms in the Mekong River Delta. On arrival at My Tho, take a leisurely boat trip to Tortoise Island. Then disembark and go for a gentle stroll through the picturesque orchards and fruit garden.

Enjoy lunch on the island, followed by a traditional cock fighting display (if available). Enjoy a boat ride through Tan Thach natural canal in Ben Tre, Return to the water for a relaxing rowing boat ride along a small canal, cruising in the shade of the water coconut trees. Learn about bee-keeping in the delta and sip a refreshing cup of honey tea to the accompaniment of traditional Vietnamese folk music. Then travel the narrow rural road by horse and cart to visit the coconut candy mill to find out how this delicious confectionery is made and sample the finished product. Return by boat to My Tho and drive back to Saigon,
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh

 
Day 04: Saigon - Hanoi (Flight)

Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to Saigon airport then take a flight to Hanoi and upon arrival welcomed by local guide then let to visit historic Ba Dinh Square, the square itself is a wide open and paved space and the focal point is of course the mausoleum and a giant flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The Ho Chi Minh Quarter,



After lunch visit the infamous Hoa Lo (Hanoi Hilton) prison, the prison was built by the French in 1896. It was used to house PoWs during the American War, and American GIs nicknamed the place the "Hanoi Hilton". The prison was used up until the mid-1950s. There are exhibits throughout which include photographs of American prisoners (including John McCain, then and now), French instruments of torture, and themes of Vietnam's fight for independence from France. There are some interesting exhibits describing various escapes and showing sections of sewer through which escapees crawled, and the peaceful Temple of Literature, this is such an amazing place to visit in Hanoi. This is not a temple but a huge compound with beautiful gates, lakes, courtyard, museum, and etc. It was the first Vietnam University back in 1070 built by King Ling Ly Nha Tong to dedicate Confucius, Sages, and Scholars.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

 
Day 05: Hanoi - Halong Bay (Boat)

Breakfast at hotel.
At 08:00 depart for Halong Bay. Drive about 03 hours through the rice fields in the Red River Delta to Ha Long city. Upon arrival, check in a junk boat for a cruise around Ha Long Bay with delicious seafood lunch served on board. 

In the afternoon, cruise on a boat in the crystalline emerald green water of Ha Long bay, among thousands of spectacular limestone islands and islets and discover Surprising Cave, the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay. The boat stops at an ideal location for Sea Kayaking as we paddle through a maze of islets amid dramatic natural scenery. Explore the many hidden lagoons and stalagmite caves that are not so accessible otherwise.
Overnight on boat at Halong Bay

 
Day 06: Halong Bay - Hanoi

In the morning, one more kayaking trip around the stunning Ha Long bay and enjoying sunrise before returning to the junk. Lunch served on board while cruising toward Ha Long harbor. Disembark at around 12:00 and drive back to Hanoi, with a stop in Dong Trieu Ceramic Village (optional). Arrive in Hanoi at around 17.00.  Proceed to show water puppet theatre where we will see a fantastic performance ( approximately 1hr ).
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

 
Day 07: Hanoi - Luang Prabang (VN 931, HANLPQ 1120-1245)

Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer you to Hanoi airport for flight to Luang Prabang this morning “The charming city of Luang Prabang, once the capital of Laos and still considered to be its spiritual heart, breathes a rich meld of French Indochinese architecture, Theravada Buddhist temples and a magical atmosphere. ”. Spend the afternoon walking around the city’s many beautiful Wats.

After lunch visit National Museum, was built by the  French colonial government for King Sisavangvong between 1904 and 1909 on the foundations of a much older palace building, the former Royal Palace was taken over by the revolutionary government in 1975 and reopened to the public as a national museum on 13 March 1976. And gain an appreciation for the unique architectural styles and Buddhist culture. Finish off the day with sunset drinks and a game of Petanque on the famous Mekong River.
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.

 
Day 08: Luang Prabang

Breakfast at hotel.
Travel up river by slow boat to visit Pak Ou (thousand Buddha) caves. Pak Ou Cave is located about 25 km from Luang Prabang. It can be reached by boat from Luang Prabang, that will bring you to the opposite bank of the river, where boats will be waiting to take you to the other site. There are two levels. One cave entrance  is clearly visible from the river. The higher level can be reached after climbing some stairs. Bring a flashlight with you, if possible. Both caves have lots of small and bigger Buddha images, mostly donated by local people. Return to town for a short break, Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.

 
 
Day 09: Luang Prabang

Breakfast at hotel.
Rise early this morning to witness hundreds of robed monks perform the spectacular centuries old morning alms tradition. Visit a local market to explore the different local products.

Afternoon drive to the beautiful Kuang Si falls for swimming and taking in the amazing natural surroundings, visiting the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre en-route.
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.

 
Day 10: Luang Prabang - Siem Reap

Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer you to Luang Prabang airport for taking a flight to Siem Reap, home of the cradle of Khmer civilization and majestic Angkor Wat “Siem Reap – a small colonial town, charming and pleasant enough to roam around, with some fine examples of French colonial architecture,”  Upon arrival at Siem Reap Airport, meet and welcome with your tour guide then transfer to hotel for check-in. After check-in, proceed to start your trip with a cruise to Tonlé Sap Lake (largest inland body of water); Enjoy the spectacular views as you cruise along the Tonle Sap Lake, which enable you to see fascinating fishing villages, one of Asia’s largest fishing villages, returning go shopping at Old Market.

Afternoon visit Artisans D’ Angkor to discover the traditional Khmer techniques used for stone and wood carving, lacquering and gilding, The numerous items made in the workshops are inspired by the rich Cambodia heritage, next proceed to watch sunset at Phnom Bakheng hill, Overnight at hotel, Siem Reap

 
Day 11: Siem Reap (Angkor Wat Temple)

Early morning drive to Angkor Wat to view sunrise, then return to refresh and breakfast at hotel.  This morning, visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom (Great Angkor or Great City). Angkor Thom is a 3km walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of the Angkorian Empire. After Jayavarman VII recaptured the Angkorian capital from the Cham invaders in 1181, he began a massive building campaign across the empire, constructing Angkor Thom as his new capital city. The ancient walled city of Angkor Thom contains the famous Bayon Temple with its more than 200 enormous, mysterious smiling faces. Next, visit to the Terrace of the Elephants. Impressive, two and half-meter tall wall spanning the heart of Angkor Thom in the front of Baphoun and Phimeanakas, Carved elephants and giant Garudas adorn the wall. Terrace of the Leper King – a double terrace at the north end of the  Terrace of the Elephants with deeply carved nagas, demons and other mythological beings, juggle temple of Tapromh.

After lunch, visit ANGKOR WAT – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Angkor Wat, the largest temples in the world, with a volume of stone equalling that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt/ The temples of Angkor, built from 879-1191AD, when the Khmer civilization was at the height  of its development, represent one of humankind’s most astonishing and enduring architectural achievements.

Enjoy dinner with Apsara dance show at local restaurant
Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap

 
Day 12: Siem Reap (Kbal Spean & Banteay Srey)

Breakfast at hotel
Drive away to Kbal Spean, 50 Km from town. This sacred Hindu site was meant to bless the waters of the Kbal Spean, which flow from Phnom Kulen to the temples of Angkor. Due to the number of lingas, it was likely dedicated to the god Shiva, though carvings of Vishnu are also present. You are going clamming & trekking mountain about 1,5 Km to visit Kbal Spean, "The River of a Thousand Lingas". On the  way back to town take a small time to discovery of the famous temple of Banteay Srei, the "City of Women", a jewel of pink sandstone carved entirely dedicated to Shiva and built in the 10th century by King Jayavarman V, through the temple of Prasat Kravan built in the year 921 .  Then visit Akira Landmine Museum and before returning to town to celebrate the end of your journey.
Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap

 
Day 13: Siem Reap - Departure

Breakfast at hotel free day till transfer to the airport for your onward journey (End service)

 
 
 

 

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