VIETNAM & CAMBODIA DISCOVERY – 15 DAYS

Arrival in Noi Bai airport , you will be picked up then transferred to the hotel in city center. The check-in is available at 2 pm. The day is free for your own exploration and shopping. Overnight at hotel.

You will be picked up at the hotel at 8:00am. Starting the day trip will be a visit of the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which compromises Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays), his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum. We will then visit the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigid exams in the feudal ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring luck. Its peaceful green compound with its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative being the History Museum), which offers informative and well-documented displays of the country’s 54 ethnic groups, including elaborate and colorful hill tribe costumes. The 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. Then back to the Old Quarter for a 1 hour cyclo tour. We then head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny island 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. Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, take 6-hour drive to Sapa by sharing limousine. On arrival, check in hotel for a rest

In the afternoon, The journey will be mostly driving downhill toward Lao Cai, before taking a left turn into a small paved road leading to Ta Phin village.

Here you can experience the unmixed cultural life of Black Hmong and Red Dao minorities, 2 largest ethnic groups in the area. They live happily together while maintaining their own tradition from generation to generation.

You can recognize them by dressing while they are both very famous of handicraft.

Enjoy walking among local people. The trip also offers you the opportunity to visit the local houses as well as visit the local caves.

Back to Sapa for overnight

After breakfast, private transport will take you to Silver Waterfall, the highest in Vietnam with a 300m drop. An ascent to the base of the waterfall will enable you to explore the surrounding landscape. This is a famous spot and is regularly visited by monks to pray. After that, we are driven to Tram Ton Pass where we will trek 30 minutes through the forest. Along the way, you have chances to see wild flowers. Trekking along the Golden Stream, you will arrive at Love Waterfall. It is the best place for relax in Sapa, returning to Tram Ton Pass. Then we continue our drive uphill to the Heavens Gate, the highest stretch of road in Vietnam as well as the provincial border of Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. Enjoy fantastic view over the valley!

After that we will be transferred to cable car station where we will have 25 minutes travelling to Fanxipan Mountain where is considered to be the most beautiful landscape of Vietnam now. Reach the altitute of 2800 meters, you have a good time to see the view and take photos, visit pagoda the spiritual destinations and trek up to 600 steps you will reach the peak of Fansipan – the Roof of Indochina. ( Spend about 1,5 hours for hiking and taking photos).

Back to Sapa for overnight

You will commence your short journey by driving south toward Muong Hoa valley. You will then start your walk by descending into the valley, which is the largest rice paddy terraced among Sapa area. The guide can provide you interesting information about rice. If you visit the valley sometime in between May and October, you will be able to observe and experience how the local do planting and harvesting, one of the most important activities in the daily life.

The walk takes you from Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority to Ta Van village of Giay minority including a visit to the local Catholic Church. After visiting Ta Van the car will return you to Sapa. Then at 2PM, you are transferred to Hanoi by sharing sleeper bus. Overnight in Hanoi

 Approx: 2 hours walking.

08:15 – 08:45: Hotel or private address pick up with our shuttle bus. Short break half way.
11:45 – 12:00: Arriving Tuan Chau marina, transferred by tender of La Pandora cruises.

12:45 – 13:00: Welcome aboard the cruise. Refresh with our welcome drink. Meet the captain, crew in the cruise briefing, safety instruction.

13:00 – 13:15: A special lunch in Vietnamese cuisine of fresh seafood and an assortment of appetizing favorites are served while sailing through Islets of Con Vit.
16:00: The Cruise sails through Lan Ha Bay. The area is surrounding of extraordinary limestone karsts landscapes. We progress to Ong Cam Area of Lan Ha Bay- a separate part of Ha Long Bay. This is a quiet tourist paradise in Vietnam, enjoy kayaking and/or enjoy swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the Bay.
17:30: Back to La Pandora Cruise, drop anchor for staying overnight. Enjoy cooking demonstration (teaching you how to make our speciality, Spring rolls) and the complimentary Sunset Party on the sundeck with local wine and fresh fruit.

19:00: Dinner is served in the restaurant. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff. After dinner, retiring to your cabin or join the fishing excursion, watch a movie, have a drink at the bar, wifi access or play exciting games. Overnight on board.

06:00: Enjoy sunrise and admire the never-ending miraculous scenery of the Bay. Practice an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck.
06:30: Light breakfast, coffee and tea served.
07:00: Visit Dark & Bright Cave and islets by local rowing boats which is a wild and mysterious beauty in the middle of the World Heritage.
09:15: Back to our La Pandora Cruise, relax before checking out.
10:00: Lunch is served on board.
12:00: Disembark at the Tuan Chau marina by tender. Then transfer to the airport for flight to Danang. On arrival, pick up to hotel in HoiAn for check in & overnight

07:45 – 8:00: Pick up from the hotel in Hoi An and start transfer to Ba Na Hills

Check in at the Suoi Mo Cable Car Station and transfer to Marseille Station

Explore Golden Bridge (The Hands of The Gods) – majestic and impressive as a scene in “Game of Thrones” or “ The Lords of the Rings”

Drop by Le Jardin D’Amour (the Flower Garden of Love) with 9 gardens of Le Jardin D’Amour are 9 amusing tales in 9 varying architectures, which harmonize so well in a visual sonata of beauty

Continue the trip with Linh Ung Pagoda & Debay Wine Cellar

Afternoon: Discover and play games at the Fantasy Park – a perfect tourist attraction for an entire family as well as to explore King Peak

Return to the Cable Car Station and back to the Gateway then transfer back to the hotel. Overnight in Hoi An

In the morning, explore My SonSanctuary and we’ll have 2 hours to discover the site by walking throughout the landscape, learning histories with our local English-speaking guide, and enjoying the Champa’s traditional performances.

Afternoon, embark on the boat to Cua Dai sand dune, enjoy casting net show and learn how to cast net by local fisher man. Continue to Cam Thanh Water coconut village, have a brief introduction to the history there.

Take on the basket boat along the water coconut river. Overnight in Hoi An

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh. On arrival, transfer to hotel for check in.

At 17h, picking you up and taste the best Noodle soup in town. After that, we will take a taxi then leave the tourist area behind and start your food adventure to non-tourist districts, a street food paradise, while tasting ‘Banh Xeo” – The Central, and South’s rice pancake with a lot of fresh Vietnamese vegetables.

Stroll along a street known for its barbecue street vendors and head to a local-favorite restaurant to taste the best “bo la lot” (beef in wild betel leaves) . Next up on your food adventure is Banh Mi – Saigon Baguette. You will experience the perfect fusion of 4 delicious flavors just after the first bite.

Walk into the heart of district 3 and discover the old apartments ( Nguyen Thien Thuat ). Go to the best culinary hidden gem: Chuoi Nuong- Grilled Banana with coconut milk: a bit sweet and salty of of tropical fruits and coconut milk sauce. Climb up to the buildings and see the contrasting architecture between the modern and the traditional.

We will continue to walk to Ho Thi Ky flower market and try Saigon Pizza , and taste the best snack of Saigonese ( Crispy Banana Cracker ). Cap off your Saigon street food walking tour at the night flower market by enjoying an amazing dessert which is coconut ice cream, longan ice cream or flan cake with caramel and coffee.

Back to hotel

Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of the both the Indochina wars.

Depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours car driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served.

Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun.

Return to Saigon. End trip.

At 8AM, leaving the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and start your trip to depart for My Tho, the town lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang pagoda which sated back to the late 19^th century. Then, you embark a boat on Mekong river and go down stream, along Dragon Island to see daily activities on river as catching, raising fish on farm and conquer the 3 km large river by crossing.

Next, you get through the Xep canal to village, visit some fascinating local industries and stop in farmer house to enjoy some fruits, honey tea and listen to local music. Drive on paths by horse cart and change on small rowing boat to river.

Lunch in local restaurant by river, enjoying some local speciality as elephant ear fish and shrimp. Boat takes tour to coconut candy and taste some sweet. In the afternoon, time for cycling around the village, meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong delta.

Go back to My Tho by get over back large river.

You return to Ho Chi Minh City, stopping along the way to visit the beautiful Vinh Trang Pagoda. Transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival in Siemreap, you will be welcomed by our guide and brought to your hotel. Overnight in Siemreap.

We will visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom also referred to as “Great City”, the famous Bayon Temple built in the late 12th century and the Baphoun Temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, Ta Prohm, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and Phimean Akas known as “Heavenly Palace”. In the afternoon, we will tour the World Heritage site “Angkor Wat”, the world’s largest religious building.
After visiting Angkor, visit an exceptional private art gallery: Theam’s House. A true haven of peace, the place is soothing and above all the works are extremely varied and refined. Back to hotel

We will start our day trip by visiting Kbal Spean referred to as “The river of a Thousand Lingas” which is situated 30km north of Angkor Wat, roughly a one hour drive. It closes at 3pm. We will take a forest walk and then return for lunch (at your own expense). We will continue from there straight to Banteay Srei, “The Citadel of Women” built at a time when the Khmer Empire was gaining significant power.

Like numerous others, it is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It is a masterpiece of Khmer art with its intricate, pink sandstone construction and ornate design. On the way back to Siem Reap, we will visit Srah Srang, “The Royal Bath” and Banteay Kdei, a richly decorated Buddhist temple. Overnight at hotel.

You are free till transfert to the airport for the flight off.