Day 1: Hanoi arrival (-/-/-)

Hanoi - Airport: 30km, ~40min drive

Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you will meet your guide and driver who will then escort you to the city centre. After making sure of a successful hotel check-in, they will be pleased to leave you for some to relax after your long flight.

Meals Included: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi City (B/L/-)

In the afternoon, we visit the Museum of Ethnology dedicated to Vietnam's fifty-four officially recognised ethnic groups with both indoor and outdoor sections. While the in-house exhibition is particularly informative, the outdoor display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. We then enjoy a 45-minute-cyclo tour (similar to a rickshaw) to the Old Quarter where you can see streets with century-aged trees and French Colonial buildings. We then head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny islet in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple dates back to the 13th century and the lake itself is the picturesque heart of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike.

In the evening, we will enjoy a water puppet show, illustrating the unique Vietnamese traditional art. This art is originated from rural festivals in Vietnam. The artists, men and women, stand waist-deep in the water to manipulate the puppets, making them move, talk and laugh and even dance on the surface of the water.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Overnight on Boat (B/L/D)

Hanoi - Halong: 180km, 3.5h drive 

After breakfast, we depart for Halong Bay via Thai Binh and Nam Dinh. Sit back and enjoy the peaceful countryside symbolic of the Red River Delta. We will arrive at Halong Bay’s wharf around noon and embark an elegant wooden junk for an overnight cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay. Here we enjoy the striking scenery of this World Heritage Site. While being on board, we will be served fresh local seafood lunch followed by swimming and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. Witness one of the world’s best the sunsets before you sit down for a luxurious dinner. The captain then will anchor for the night nearby a remote island where you’ll have the option night fishing or just sit out on the deck and relax under the stars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on Junk

Day 4: Halong Boat Trip - Hanoi - Flight to Luang Prabang (Br/-/-)

Hanoi - Luang Prabang: 730km, 1h flight

After waking up surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the bay, we have time for an early morning dip. Then it’s time for breakfast whilst you watch the sun rise over Halong bay. The cruise continues to move around the bay for in order for us to discover more secluded areas; we then go kayaking and continue sailing around the bay. The boat will be near us at all times for those who prefer to relax on board. Around midday, we will return to the main harbour before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for the three-hour journey to Noi Bai airport for the flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, your driver will transfer you to your new hotel.

Meals Included: Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 5: Luang Prabang (B/L/-)

After breakfast at the hotel, we enjoy a short-guided tour to view the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong. Notice the low sweeping roofs typical of the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temples.

We then board a boat heading upstream the Mekong River providing us with a view of the tranquil countryside as well as visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, 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 a local rice wine. On our return, we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a town well-known for its hand weaving.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 6: Luang Prabang - Flight to Vientiane (B/L/-)

Luang Prabang - Vientiane: 340km, 50min flight

After breakfast, we visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace and the Central Market. We then transfer to the airport for our flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, we see the major temples including the oldest Wat Sisaket, known for its many miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo.  On the way, we view the sacred structure of That Luang Stupa. We take time to stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument (Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph). To wrap up a busy day we enjoy a sunset by Mekong Riverside before driving back to the hotel for the night.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

Day 7: Vientiane - Flight to Siem Riep (B/-/-)

Vientiane - Siem Riep : 675km, 2h55min flight

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, our driver will meet and transfer you to airport for flight to Siem Riep. Upon arrival in Siem Riep, our guide and driver will meet and transfer you to hotel for check-in. 

After lunch on your own cost, we will visit the Roluos Group which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89), are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art. Preah Ko erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century dedicated by the King to his ancestors in 880. Bakong the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, with his active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance. Lolei built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir (now rice fields) by Yasovarman I, the founder to the first city at Angkor.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Riep

Day 8: Siem Riep - Angkor Wat (B/-/-)

In the morning after breakfast, we visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. 

After lunch at a local restaurant on your own cost, we visit the South Gate , the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Sunset at Angkor Wat.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Riep

Day 9: Banteay Srei - Ta Prohm - Preah Khan (B/-/-)

Morning after breakfast, we travel to Banteay Srei temple (10th century) which is regarded as the jewel in the crown of Classical Khmer Art. Our next destination is Ta Prohm - one of the area's most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery.

In the afternoon, we continue our temple visits to Preah Khan. Built by the King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Prea Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation. Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake), Ta Som and Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries, the southern example remarkably well preserved. Two concentric walls enclose the ensemble.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Riep

Day 10: Siem Riep - Tonle Sap Lake - Apsara Dance (B/-/D)

After breakfast at hotel, we drive south to visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10km from Siem Reap. Arrival there, we will take an excursion in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia.

After lunch on your own cost at a local restaurant, we visit "Les Artisans d'Angkor - Chantiers Ecoles" of Siem Reap and time at leisure at a local market before back to hotel for your last night in Cambodia.

This evening, enjoy Dinner with Apsara Dance Show. No visit to Cambodia is complete without at least a quick glimpse of women performing the ancient art of Apsara dance, as depicted on the walls of Angkor’s temples. Wearing glittering silk tunics, sequinned tops (into which they are sewn before each performance to achieve the requisite tight fit) and elaborate golden headdresses, they execute their movements with great deftness and deliberation, knees bent in plié, heels touching the floor first at each step, coy smiles on their faces. Every position has its own particular symbolism – a finger pointing to the sky, for instance, indicates “today”, while standing sideways to the audience with the sole of the foot facing upwards represents flying.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Riep

Day 11: Siem Riep - Flight to Saigon (B/L/-)

Siem Riep - Saigon: 465km, 1h5min flight

After breakfast, we visit Banteay Srei temple (10th century), regarded as the jewel in the crown of Classical Khmer Art. We continue to Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery.

After lunch, we continue our temple visits to Preah Khan. Built by the King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is a place of towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, The temple of Prea Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve its situation. We visit a few more awe-inspiring temples and then head to the airport for your flight to Saigon. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, our driver will meet and transfer you to hotel for check-in.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 12: Saigon - Cu Chi - City (B/L/-)

After breakfast, we depart for the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during their long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, accommodation, schools and other necessary requirements for life underground. However, they are mostly known for their use as a military base by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War.

In the afternoon, we have a half day to visit all famous sites of this bustling city. The first destination is the now-demolished wartime American Embassy. Following this, we head to the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30^th 1975 when Viet Cong tanks came crashing through the front gates thus bringing the U.S.-Vietnam War to a dramatic end. Enjoy beautiful French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office. Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883, and the stones used to create it were exported entirely from France. Apart from the religious meaning, the most captivating point of this Cathedral is its special neo-Romanesque style of architecture. Next, to the cathedral stands the Old Saigon Post Office, finished in 1891. It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam's largest post office.

 After visiting the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip to the bustling Ben Thanh Market. There are a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offers you many delicious cuisines!  You also can find many goods for daily use as well as a variety of eye-catching local handicrafts and souvenirs. This is your last night so be sure to as our guides for some great restaurant recommendations!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 13: Saigon - Ben Tre - Saigon (B/L/-)

Saigon - Ben Tre: 107 km, ~2h drive

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave the bustling city of Saigon behind us and depart for the Mekong Delta known to local as ‘Vietnam’s biggest rice basket’. Upon arrival at Hung Vuong pier in Ben Tre, we embark a boat to cruise along Ben Tre River, a tribute to the Mekong. With stops at the brickfield to see how bricks are made by hand and a coconut candy home factory located along the canal where we witness how to make these local delicacy. You will then have the opportunity to taste bee honey tea at a local honey farm and a variety of tropical fruit that grow abundantly in the orchards of the Mekong Delta. You can then walk or cycle through the coconut groves and green rice paddies to soak up and relax in the tranquil countryside atmosphere.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we will take a trip on small rowing boats through a maze of waterways lined by two rows of palm trees. We cruise back to the pier and disembark for a drive back to Saigon

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 14: Saigon - Departure (B/-/-)

After breakfast at the hotel, time is free until your driver meets and transfers you to Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight to your next destination or back home. Travel safe and we hope you enjoyed your trip with Tonkin Voyage Travel!

Meals: Breakfast