Day 1 : Arrival in Hanoi – Welcome dinner
Dong Xuan market - Hanoi
On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia’s most striking colonial architecture. If time permits we enjoy a short cyclo ride through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places until enjoy our welcome dinner at the fine restaurant in Hanoi.
O/N in Ha Noi.
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Welcome dinner
– Hotel in Hanoi : GOLDEN RICE HOTEL – 3 star
Day 2 : Hanoi City Tour Full Day (B, L)
Hanoi Hilton Museum - Hanoi
Enjoy 5 hour sightseeing tours to visit the city’s landmarks such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, The Temple of Literature (First University built in the 11 Century), Hanoi Hilton Museum. Free walking around Hanoi old quarter for shopping and short visit Dong Xuan market. Enjoy 1 hour cyclo tours around the Hanoi City’s old quarters and the traditional water puppetry show. Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast, lunch
– Hotel in Hanoi : GOLDEN RICE HOTEL – 3 star
Day 3 : Hanoi - Halong Boat Trip (B, L, D)
Sung Sot Cave - Halong Bay
08.30 approximate : Our guide will meet you at your hotel. Mini bus or private car pick up.
Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta. You will have a chance to take photos.
Comfort break.
The distance from Hanoi to Halong bay is approximately 3 ½ hours.
12 noon approximate: Arrive Halong Bay. Welcome aboard The Paloma. Meet the captain and crew and join us for a welcome cocktail as we tell you about life onboard.
Check into your cabin. Time to refresh and unwind.
Set sail as lunch is prepared by our chef.
Join us for a relaxing lunch in the restaurant or on the outdoor dining area. Enjoy the stunning views of the Bay, its dramatic limestone islands as we sail through the calm waters.
Afternoon : While we make our way to Bai Tu Long Bay, relax on the sundeck and watch the world go by or take an afternoon nap in your cabin. Early afternoon arrive at Vong Vieng floating fishing village
Drop anchor.
Our guide will give you some information and interesting facts about this fascinating village and its local community.
Disembark and travel on the sampans rowed by the local people. They will be your guides through their fishing village where you can meet the locals, visit the school and pearl farms. See at first-hand what life is like living on the water. We are proud of our working partnership with, and support of, this community.
Back on board The Paloma we head towards Halong Bay.
We drop anchor in the calm waters surrounded by islets
Opportunity to go swimming in the clear warm waters or go kayaking. Kayaking is suitable for all levels and ages. Our expert will run through the safety procedures and after a basic paddling lesson our experienced guide will lead you to explore the Bay, its lagoons and beaches.
For those who prefer a relaxing afternoon, make the most of sunbathing on deck or pamper yourself with a massage and sauna in our luxurious spa.
Early evening : Back on board, enjoy the sunset with evening cocktails and fresh fruit.
Take an opportunity to refresh and then join friends for a pre-dinner drink in the bar.
Dinner is served in the restaurant or outdoor dining area, which is a gastronomic delight.After dinner, unwind in the bar where there is a selection of books, magazines and board games or relax in the spa; watch a movie on our plasma TV; join some of our team to go cuttle fishing at night or take a late night swim under the stars.
Accommodation and overnight on junk.
Include:
– 16 seat van with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast, lunch, dinner
– Private boat to cruise in Halong
– Cruise in Halong
Day 4 : Halong Boat Trip – Hanoi (B, L)
Ta Chi on Sun Deck - Halong Bay
For the early risers join us for a Tai Chi session on the sun deck. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body and there is no better environment to practice this than amongst the limestone peaks and islands.
Take an opportunity to view the sunrise over the Bay or have an early morning swim.
Breakfast, coffee and tea and served.
After breakfast we sail through the waters and pass by a number of caves including Trong (Drum) cave, Trinh Nu (Virgin) cave, Coc Ngoi (Toad) cave and we drop anchor at Surprise (Sung Sot) Cave.
Include:
– 16 seat van with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast, lunch
Disembark and visit Surprise Cave located on Bo Hon Island. It is one of the widest grottoes in Ha Long Bay with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites.
10:00
We board The Paloma again. Take time to refresh and relax before checking out. Bags can be left in the luggage store.
An early lunch is served.
12 noon” Return to the shore and disembark from The Cruise as our crew say farewell.
Transfer to minibus or private and return to Hanoi.
Arrival back at your hotel
– Hotel in Hanoi : GOLDEN RICE HOTEL – 3 star
Day 5 : Hanoi – Hue Tour (B)
Dong Ba market - Hue
Transferring to the airport to catch morning flight to Hue. Check-in hotel upon arrival and take refresh for a while. This quiet city is widely known for the magnificent architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples built under the Nguyen Dynasty. We visit the major sites including the Imperial Citadel with Forbidden Royal City like in Beijing. Free shopping in Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Domestic air ticket : Hanoi – Hue (Vietnam Airline)
– Meal : Breakfast
– Hotel in Hue: SERENE PALACE HOTEL – 3 star
Day 6 : Transferring to the airport to catch morning flight to Hue. Check-in hotel upon arrival and take refresh for a while. This quiet city is widely known for the magnificent architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples built under the Nguyen Dynasty. We visit the major sites including the Imperial Citadel with Forbidden Royal City like in Beijing. Free shopping in Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue Hue Tour & Boat Trip (B)
Ming Mang Emperor - Hue
Morning boat trip on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda and Ming Mang Emperor’s mausoleum. Overnight in Hue
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast
– Private boat to cruise in the river
– Hotel in Hue: SERENE PALACE HOTEL – 3 star
Day 7 : Hue – Hoi An Walking Tour (B)
Hai Van Pass
This morning we drive to Hoi An, we will cross Hai Van Pass where you will have magnificent view of the China Sea. Stop at Lang Co to have break. Visit the fascinating Cham Museum, famous China Beach and the Marble Mountains en route to charming Hoi An. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, it was one of South East Asia’s major international ports and today it still retains that special old-world feel. Enjoy a walking tour through the Old Quarter and try some of the local specialties. Hoi An is also famous for its large number of tailor shops, so if you want to have a new wardrobe made up, this is the time to do it. Overnight in Hoi An
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Hotel in Hoi An : HA AN HOTEL – 3 star
Day 8 : Hoi An Tour - My Son (B)
My Son
Morning tour to visit local market and boat trip on Thu Bon River to visit handicraft villages until transfer to My Son to explore the place, which is called “ Angkor Wat” in Vietnam. Back to hotel and you will be free at leisure on the beach or wandering around the town for the rest of day. Overnight in Hoi An
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Hotel in Hoi An : HA AN HOTEL – 3 star
Day 9 : Hoi An – Fly to Saigon - Tour (B)
Reunification Palace - Saigon
Free at leisure until transferring to Danang airport to take flight to Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam’s largest city has an exciting buzz as millions of people rush around on their daily business. We’ll see the historic Reunification Palace and some great examples of French colonial architecture from the comfort of a cyclo. You will be free at the rest of day to make your own exploration to discover the city. Overnight in Saigon
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast
– Air ticket : Danang – Saigon
(Vietnam Airline)
– Hotel in Saigon : SIGNATURE HOTEL – 3 star
Day 10 : Saigon – Mekong Delta – Can Tho (B, L)
Cultural Life
Leave your hotel for a 3-hour drive to Cai Be with stop en route at Trung Luong Bonsai garden for a tea break. Upon arrival, board a motorized boat to visit the popcorn cake, rice paper making family before visiting the lively floating market of Cai Be. Then continue by boat towards Vinh Long province to see the diverse fish traps in order to learn a kind of lazy fishing. After cruising along small shady canals, we step ashore and take a chance to watch a typical and interesting music show of the Mekong cultural life. Lunch is at the home/ bonsai garden. Afternoon, take a walk for about half an hour to enjoy the rural peaceful atmosphere of the countryside life, on the way we can also stop en route to learn more about fruit trees. Continue by boat to visit the brick and pottery factories. Back in the car at about 3 pm to drive to Can Tho. On arrival in the capital city of the Mekong Delta, do a walking city tour, including the local evening market to take photos of the busy trading activities before checking in the hotel. Overnight in Can Tho.
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast, lunch
– Private boat to cruise in Mekong Delta
– Hotel in Siem Reap : KIM THO HOTEL – 3 star
Day 11 : Can Tho – Cai Rang & Phong Dien Floating Market - Saigon (B, L)
Can Tho City
Early morning board for a 3-hour cruise to Cai Rang and Phong Dien, 2 big floating markets with stops at a Bun Tau noodle factory and a short trek before arriving at a rice-husking mill. You can even try passing one of the many fragile monkey bridges along the canals photo shot. At the floating markets, you will discover a typical way of displaying and advertising farm products of local people gathering on the Mekong river to trade their goods. Drive back to Saigon with a lunch stop at My Tho.
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast, lunch
– Private boat to cruise in Mekong Delta
– Hotel in Saigon : SIGNATURE HOTEL – 3 star
Day 12 : Saigon – Cu Chi – Tay Ninh - Saigon (B)
Cao Dai Great Temple - Tay Ninh
Enjoy a morning drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to Cu Chi district, and Tay Ninh Province. Upon arrival in Cu Chi district, make a couple of stops for photo opportunities and a visit to a rice paper making factory at Tan Phu Trung Village. Experience ourselves the underground village of Cu Chi guerrilla fighters, which is simply a network of tunnels built during the long years of wars. Continue to drive another an hour and half from Cu Chi towards Tay Ninh to visit the incredible Cao Dai Great Temple, and attend the noon time service with architecture that could have come straight from a Walt Disney fantasy and where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious cocktail; photo opportunities during the ceremony. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Drive back to Saigon and arrive at 4 pm. Free at leisure for the rest of day. Overnight in Saigon
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast
– Hotel in Saigon : SIGNATURE HOTEL – 3 star
Day 13 : Saigon – Fly to Siem Reap – Angkor Temple Complex Tour (B)
Dancers in Siem Reap
Upon arrival at Siem Reap airport, meets and transfers to hotel. Visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), Bayon Temple (the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, visit the most famous of all the temples on the Angkor plain: 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 tower symbolize Meru’s five peaks, the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat symbolizes the ocean beyond Sunset from Phnom Bakheng, one of two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and Angkor Wat. Stay overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast
– Air ticket : Saigon – Siem Reap
(Vietnam Airline)
– Hotel in Siem Reap : ANGKOR HOME HOTEL – 3 star
Day 14 : Angkor Temple Complex Tour (B)
Ta Prohm Temple - Siem Reap
In the morning, you will continue your temple visits. Included are Prasat Kravan (with its unique brick sculptures), Srah Srang (“The Royal Boths” was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by four concentric walls), Eastern Mebon (guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation) and the “Mountain Temple” of Pre Rup. In the afternoon, transfer to the archaeological site and continue to the temple tour. Visit Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples in the area. Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery, then, visit Takeo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda temples. Stay overnight in Siem Reap.
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast
– Hotel in Siem Reap : ANGKOR HOME HOTEL – 3 star
Day 15 : Siem Reap – Tonle Sap Floating Village (B)
Tonle Sap Floating Village - Siem Reap
Visit the floating village of the Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Take a traditional wooden boat for a ride on the Tonle Sap, the “Great Lake” of Cambodia and the largest in Asia and see the daily life of local people in the floating village. In the afternoon, visit “Les Artisans d’Angkor – Chantiers Ecoles” of Siem Reap and time at leisure at the local market. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast
– Boat trip on the lake
– Hotel in Siem Reap : ANGKOR HOME HOTEL – 3 star
Day 16 : Siem Reap - Departure (B)
Great Lake - Siem Reap
Free time until pick up and transfer you to the airport to catch your flight back home.
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– Meal : Breakfast
Summary highlights:
