HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON), VIETNAM Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, still known as Saigon to many. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
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HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON). MEKONG CRUISE EXCURSION Enjoy a CRUISE on the great Mekong River. Travel south to My Tho, gateway to the Mekong Delta and Vietnam's 'rice bowl'. Board your boat and travel to an island in the middle of the delta where you can visit a local family's home, enjoy their hospitality, and share some tea or rice wine. Tonight, venture on your own to try some of the local cuisine, an interesting blend of French and Asian flavours. This evening, join your travelling companions at a special welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director. (B,L,D)
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HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON). CU CHI EXCURSION This morning, leave the city and drive through vast expanses of rice paddies to visit the CU CHI TUNNELS, an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 193 kilometres (120 miles) in length that were used by the Viet Cong as a hideout and secret village during the war. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a walking tour of the city's famous and historic landmarks. The tour will take you through the heart of the city along Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat) past the Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh Square, the Municipal Theatre, and Notre Dame Cathedral. Next, visit the REUNIFICATION PALACE (formerly the Presidential Palace) and the WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM followed by BEN THANH MARKET, the largest and oldest in the city. Your Tour Director can assist with dinner recommendations for tonight; maybe you'll choose to dine at the famous Rex Hotel. (B,L)
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HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON) - DANANG - HOI AN After a short flight to Danang, enjoy a picturesque journey by motorcoach to Hoi An. Along the way, visit CHINA BEACH, landing point for U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War, and also visit the CHAM MUSEUM. Hoi An is Vietnam's active trading centre and a town which has been largely preserved. The architecture of Hoi An reflects the influence of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French and British traders. Hoi An is also where French Missionary Alexandre De Rhodes introduced Catholicism and Roman script to Vietnam. (B,D)
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HOI AN Today starts with a BOAT JOURNEY on the Thu Bon River. Continue with a walking tour of Hoi An, visiting an old MERCHANT HOUSE, the HOI AN MUSEUM, a CHINESE ASSEMBLY HALL, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Then, free time to enjoy this quaint town. (B)
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HOI AN-DANANG-HUE Stop in Danang to visit the CHAM MUSEUM, then continue north over spectacular Hai Van Pass, considered to be one of the most scenic in all of Vietnam, before arriving in Hue. One of Vietnam's former capitals, Hue is a beautiful and welcoming city and still a cultural and religious centre. Upon arrival, visit the IMPERIAL CITADEL and the THIEN MU PAGODA, the unofficial symbol of the city. This evening, enjoy an imperial banquet at a famous local restaurant. (B,D)
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HUE-HANOI This morning's sightseeing provides a unique window into Vietnam and its complex past. Visit the TOMBS of the NGUYEN EMPERORS: the KHAI DINH MAUSOLEUM and the ROYAL TOMB of TU DOC. Later, fly to Hanoi, the nation's capital and one of Southeast Asia's most engaging cities. (B)
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HANOI Start today with a "CYCLO" ride through the fascinating Old Quarter, 36 ancient streets where peddlers trade as they have for centuries. Then, take time to look at the life of Ho Chi Minh, the father of modern Vietnam. First, visit the MAUSOLEUM and the humble cottage from which "Uncle Ho" ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969. Next on the agenda are the ONE PILLAR PAGODA, the HO CHI MINH MUSEUM, and the Presidental Palace. Stop at the infamous 'HANOI HILTON' before continuing on to mystical Hoan Kiem Lake, where you will enjoy a brief guided walk. Also visit the ancient TEMPLE OF LITERATURE, over 900 years old and Hanoi's first university. An early dinner this evening is followed by a fasinating performance of Hanoi's renowned WATER PUPPETS, a traditional art form dating back to the 11th century. (B,L,D)
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HANOI - HA LONG BAY Travel from Hanoi through the fertile countryside to Hon Gai, gateway to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Bay, located in the Gulf of Tonkin, is dotted with over 3,000 limestone islands carved into fanciful shapes by the action of the water. Tunnels, caves, and weirdly shaped outcroppings with imaginative names can be found on many of the small islets that are sprinkled across the Bay. Board a CRUISE that takes you to explore the caves and admire the beauty and scale before stopping at one of the many secluded bays. (B,L,D)
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HA LONG BAY - HANOI - SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA This morning, drive to Hanoi and board your flight to Siem Reap, which will act as your base during your visit to the Angkor, considered by many to be the most spectacular architectural ruins found on Earth! (B,D)
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SIEM REAP This morning, start your sightseeing of the TEMPLES OF ANGKOR. Constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries, the temples were built around the Khmer interpretations of Indian religious and political beliefs that ultimately evolved from Hinduism to Buddhism. The complex architectural grandeur of the Angkor temples is arguably unmatched among ancient ruins anywhere in the world. First, visit the best preserved and most famous of all the temples, ANGKOR WAT, honouring the Hindu god Vishnu. Featuring five trademark towers and stunning bas reliefs, it has become a symbol of Cambodia. Next stop if ANGKOR THOM to see the BAYON TEMPLE. One of the few Buddhist temples in Angkor, it features some 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers and impressive bas reliefs. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening, witness one of the world's most amazing experiences: sunset at Angkor Wat! (B,L)
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SIEM REAP Today, continue your sightseeing of the Angkor temples. Unlike the other temples, TA PROHM has been left relatively untouched. Surrounded by jungle, tree roots grow over and through the ruin walls, and you will experience the temple with the same wonder as the early explorers who discovered it. Then, visit BANTEAY SREI, a unique temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Unlike other temples, it is built on a small scale from red sandstone, which can be carved like wood. This afternoon, enjoy a CRUISE on Tonle Sap (Great Lake), where you will see a floating village and get a glimpse of life on the water. This evening, enjoy a traditional APSARA DANCE PERFORMANCE, where the ancient Khamer culture is brought to life by talented dancers, singers, and musicians. (B,D)
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SIEM REAP - BANGKOK, THAILAND Today, fly to Bangkok. Upon arrival, enjoy a fascinating tour of the city, including a visit to the stunning GRAND PALACE featuring WAT PHRA KEO, which houses the 79 centimetre (31-inch) Emerald Buddha. Also visit the TEMPLE OF THE RECLINING BUDDHA. This evening, enjoy a FAREWELL DINNER CRUISE on the Chao Phraya River with sweeping views of Bangkok's modern skyline and riverfront. (B,D)
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BANGKOK Enjoy a full day at leisure. (B)
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BANGKOK - CHIANG MAI. A short flight brings you to Chiang Mai, Thailand's second largest city. (B)
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CHIANG MAI. Today's Chiang Mai city tour includes a visit to WAT PHRA SINGH with its famous Buddha image and WAT DOI SUTHEP, a temple tucked away in the mountains at 1,055 metres (3,464 feet) above sea level. The temple is reached by climbing 290 steps. The remainder of the day is free for your own exploration. (B)
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CHIANG MAI. Today, visit the ELEPHANT TRAINING CAMP in the Mae-Sa Valley. Here you will learn about the methods used to train the elephants and will set out for a brief elephant trek through the jungle. On your return to Chiang Mai, stop at an ORCHID FARM to see these exotic plants up close. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)
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CHIANG MAI - BANGKOK. Fly to Bangkok. The rest of the day is at your leisure. (B)
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BANGKOK. Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
HO CHI MINH CITY: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; Mekong Delta excursion and cruise; Cu Chi Tunnels excursion; walking tour of the city's landmarks; visit the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, and Ben Thanh Market; welcome dinner
DANANG: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit China Beach and the Cham Museum
HOI AN: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; boat ride on the Thu Bon River; walking tour of the city; visit an old merchant house, the Hoi An Museum, and a Chinese assembly hall
HUE: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit the the Imperial Citadel, the Thien Mu Pagoda, Tombs of Nguyen Emperors, Khai Dinh Mausoleum, and Royal Tombs of Tu Doc
HANOI: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; water puppets performance; visit Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and Temple of Literature; take a "cyclo" ride through the Old
Quarter
HA LONG BAY: Cruise the bay
SIEM REAP: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm, and Banteay Srei; cruise on Tonle Sap, Apsara dance performance
BANGKOK: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha; farewell dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River
CHIANG MAI EXTENSION: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit Wat Phra Singh, Wat Doi Suthep, an elephant training camp, and an orchid farm; Host service during your stay
ALL INTRA-TOUR FLIGHTS
MEALS: American breakfast daily (B), 5 lunches (L), 8 dinners (D) including a welcome dinner in Saigon and a farewell dinner cruise in Bangkok; Chiang Mai Extension: breakfast daily (B)
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable
Meals Breakfast - 18 Lunch - 5 Dinner - 8
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Optional Excursions
