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Highlights of Indo China Tour

Vietnam Holidays

Visits: Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, Hoi An, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Luang Prabang & Siem Reap

An exclusive tour to discover the main highlights of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, including the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, the charming and ancient town of Hoi An, the fascinating Old Quarter in Hanoi, the natural heritage site of Halong Bay, Luang Prabang and finally the famous temples of Angkor.

Day 1 - Departure flight from UK to Ho Chi Minh City ( Saigon )

Day 2 - Ho Chi Minh City arrival

Arrival in Saigon city, welcome by your local guide and transfer to hotel. Check in at your hotel. At leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 - Ho Chi Minh City (B)

In the morning, depart to Cu Chi, where you will visit the amazing tunnel network built by Vietnamese fighters during the Vietnam War with America. We will make a short stop on the way to visit a ceramic village in Binh Duong. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon. Afterwards, set out on a city tour of the former capital of French Indochina, once known as Saigon. Historic landmarks include the Old Saigon post office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House and bustling China Town with its famous Thien Hau Pagoda and Cho Lon Market. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 - Ho chi Minh City - Mekong Delta Cruise (B,L,D)

This morning we will depart for the Mekong Delta, boarding the Bassac boat in Cai Be at noon. Enjoy a welcome drink while you are being introduced to the ship, crew and your fellow passengers. Afterwards, we depart towards Cho Lach on the Tien Giang River. Lunch is served on route. Relax on deck while the boat is branching into Cho Lach Canal through the traffic of sand and rice barges, and view fruit drying facilities and wooden ship building yards. Visit a village on the banks of Mang Thit River, an opportunity to appreciate the way of life and hospitality of the locals. Visit an orchard or rice field nearby. Relax again onboard with complmentary soft drinks or tea/coffee. The crew will serve dinner while the Bassac is cruising the Mang Thit River.

Day 5 - Mekong Delta Cruise - Hoi An (B)

Breakfast is available from 06:30, while the ship is cruising the Tra On Floating Market. The ship then departs towards Can Tho. Arrival in Cai Rang Floating Market, check out and transfer onto a local boat to visit the floating market, the nearby arroyos and gardens and return to Can Tho in the late morning. Then, transfer directly to Ho Chi Minh City Airport where you will take a flight to Danang. Welcome by local guide on arrival and transfer to your hotel in Hoi An. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6 - Hoi An (B,L)

In the morning, take a leisurely cycle journey through the rural scenery of Hoi An to a small vegetable planting village located on the banks of Tra Que Lagoon (3 miles or 15 minutes cycling from Hoi An). Tra Que Village is known for its special aromatic herbs. Join in with local people in their daily work of planting and watering vegetables. Then learn to cook some local dishes before dining on them for lunch. Return to Hoi An to visit Hoi An town, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its unusually well-preserved ancient streets and homes. Set out to explore the quaint cobblestone streets of the town with more than two-century-old Chinese houses. Sites include the Japanese Bridge, the Chinese Temple, and Phung Hung Chinese-style trading house. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 - Hoi An - Hanoi (B)

Spend the morning at leisure until you are transferred to the airport for the flight to Hanoi. On arrival at Hanoi airport, welcome by your local guide and drive to your hotel for check in. After a short rest, climb into a traditional cyclo for a tour of the city’s traditional 36 streets in the Old Quarter and the Hoan Kiem Lake vicinity with ancient Ngoc Son Temple. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8 - Hanoi (B)

Full day tour of Vietnam’s capital city, including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday and Friday), the traditional stilt house and the One-Pillar Pagoda. After that, tour to Vietnam’s first university - the thousand-year-old Temple of literature. In the afternoon, visit the Ethnology Museum (closed on Monday) and one of the most typical pagoda of Hanoi. In the evening, enjoy the traditional water puppet show. Overnight at the hotel.

Please note: Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum closes from 08 September to 08 November for annual maintenance.

Day 9 - Hanoi - Halong Bay (B,L,D)

In the morning, leave for Halong Bay passing through large rice fields by the Red River Delta and at noon arrive at Halong Bay. Board a beautiful wooden junk for an overnight cruise on Halong Bay with fresh seafood meals. Overnight on board.

Day 10 - Ha Long - Hanoi - Luang Prabang (B)

You are advised to set the alarm clock to enjoy a spectacular dawn over the bay. After breakfast on board, return to the pier at noon and travel back to Hanoi Airport for the flight to Luang Prabang - an UNESCO Heritage City. Welcome on arrival and transfer to your hotel for check in. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 - Luang Prabang (B)

Visit this city found on the left bank of the Mekong River. Previously a religious capital, Luang Prabang showcases more than 100 temples, considered amongst the most beautiful in Laos. In particular, you will discover:

Vat Xieng Thong or Temple of the Royal City - a vast collection of sacred buildings and the most beautiful temple in the city.

Vat May - built at the end of the 18th century, a capped sanctuary featuring a five sided roof surmounted by three parasols.

Vat Visoun - the oldest temple in the city with its wooden windows inspired by the Khmer Temple of Vat Phou.

Vat Aham - located just beside Vat Visoun, framed by two large Banyan trees.

The Royal Palace, which is today the National Museum.

At the end of the afternoon, climb Mount Phousi to admire the sunset and then discover the H’mong Night Market on your way back to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 - Luang Prabang (B,L)

In the morning, go to the pier and embark on a cruise along the Mekong River. Visit the sacred caves of Pak Ou, which shelter hundreds of Buddha statuettes. After the caves enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and continue to Khuang Sy Waterfall on a road bordered by villages and rice fields. Time is allocated to swim in the waterfalls (weather permitting) before travelling back to Luang Prabang . Return to your hotel in Luang Prabang in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13 - Luang Prabang - Siem Reap (B)

At leisure until you are transferred to airport for onward flight to Siem Reap. You will be welcomed at the airport and taken to the hotel for check in. We then set out to discover one of the most ancient sites of the region, the Roluos Group. Begin your visit with the impressive Bakong Temple, then Preah Ko and Lolei which today houses a small monastery. This visit is an ideal introduction to Angkor because it allows you to get an idea of how the Khmer site was structured. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 - Siem Reap (B)

Today you will discover the incredible temple of Angkor Wat, a world heritage site with soaring towers and extraordinary bas reliefs. It is one of the most amazing man made monuments in the world, erected in the 12th century (1112-1152) in honour of Vishnu. In the afternoon, leave for Banteay Srei where a most impressive jewel of Khmer art exists. Erected in the 10th century, this small pink sandstone temple known as the Citadel of Women maintains some remarkable sculptured lintels in very good condition. On the way back, visit the ancient Ta Prohm Monastery (also nicknamed the Jungle Temple) where immense branches have taken root in the stones. Beyond this impressive vegetation you will find some splendid sculptured Devatas. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 15 - Siem Reap (B,L)

In the morning, leave for Kompong Khleang, a village as yet bypassed by mass tourism. All the houses are on stilts offering an exceptional natural environment offering breathtaking views of floodplains, rice fields and water as far as the eye can see. Walk through the village meeting the locals and a family who raises crocodiles. Afterwards, travel by boat through the canals to a large lake where Vietnamese people live when they are displaced from their homes because of the seasons. Return to the village and have a picnic lunch in a villager’s home. In the afternoon, return to Siem Reap and visit Angkor Thom (the Great City) beginning by the south gate and the famous Bayon of the 12th and 13th centuries which is dedicated to Buddhism and composed of 54 gigantic towers featuring 216 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. Then, visit the Elephant Terrace and the raised Leper King Terrace, built in the 12th century. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 16 - Siem Reap departure (B)

Free time until you are transferred to the airport for your onward/return flight.

Prices ( based on 2 persons travelling together ) include:

- International & Domestic Flights with Vietnam Airlines ( Other airlines on request )

- Meals as mentioned above ( Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner )

- Transportation by private vehicle with A/C.

- All entrance fees and sightseeing as mentioned in the program.

- Local English speaking guides

- Accommodation in the category chosen or similar (subject to availability).

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