Day 1: Starting from Hanoi
Vietnam and Angkor-Premium Tour is about exploring Angkor War sites, Hoi An, enjoying Syrena cruise, and Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa,etc. Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, is eager to greet you all. Wander the tree-lined avenues to get acclimatized and familiarize yourself with the city.
There will be a group welcome meeting in the evening with your main leader, and then we will have welcome dinner at KOTO (Know One, Teach One), a well-known training restaurant for disabled youths, where you'll be served a blend of Vietnamese and South-East Asian foods so feel free to enjoy them.
Premium Hotel: The Q Hotel, Hanoi (4 stars)
Meals included: Dinner
DAY 2: City tour, i.e. Hanoi
Enjoy an eye-catching tour of the city this morning, which includes stops at the Temple of Literature, the oldest university in Vietnam with over 2000 graduates, Hoa Lo Prison, and the city's Old Quarter. After that, we'll go to the famed Bun Cha Huong Lien for lunch, where we'll have bun cha, a local specialist dish of noodles, broth, and beef served with greens. Then in the afternoon, you are free to wander around the Hoan Kiem Lake and perhaps a lakeside café to take in the vista.
The Q Hotel in Hanoi is a high-end hotel (4 stars)
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner with the meals offered.
DAY 3; Syrena Cruise
We get up early to create the 4-hour trek to Ha Long Bay, one of Southeast Asia's most spectacular views, with 3000 limestone peaks rising immediately from the pure emerald water. We take a trip through this stunning karst environment, pausing to swim and kayak to access areas not accessible by boat (weather permitting) and enjoying a seafood lunch on board. Later that afternoon, join your professional leader and group on the top deck for a drink or two while enjoying the sunset over the bay before spending the night in twin-share cabins on board.
Premium Living quarters: Syrena Cruises, Ha Long Bay
Meals added: breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 4: Visit Ha Long Women's Association
We will begin the journey to cruise around Ha Long Bay this morning before returning to port. Your leader or head will then introduce your group to the Ha Long Women's Association situated in the Hon Gai township, a sustainable startup that is
working to clean up waste in Ha Long Bay and upcycling all waste were needed into valuable items. Here you'll meet the local women and observe and experience how they upcycle waste items into handcrafted products, and may have the chance to try your hand at upcycling.
We then return back to Hanoi, where the evening is free to explore, enjoy or relax.
Premium Living place: The Q Hotel, Hanoi ( a 4 star)
Meals included: breakfast
DAY 5: Fly to Da Nang; Go to Hoi An
After breakfast, we will depart from Hanoi Airport for a journey to Da Nang. We ascend Marble Mountain in Da Nang and explore or enjoy the enormous tunnels that the Viet Cong used as a hospital base during the war. Beautiful views of My Khe Beach and the surrounding landscape can be seen from the mountain crest our next destination.
This evening, your group will have the last meal of the day at a local restaurant whilst enjoying the scenic view of the beautiful atmospheric Thu Bon river.
Premium Hotel: Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spa, Hoi An (4 stars)
Meals included: breakfast dinner
DAY 6: Walking tour of Hoi An
This morning will feature a walking tour of Hoi An, which dates back to the mid-16th century and is Vietnam's original European trading port. With elegant wooden merchant's houses and pagoda-style temples with Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and European architectural influences, it is now a living museum. It's also a fantastic area to stroll around and take in the vibrant riverside market and incredible silk clothing shopping.
After lunch at a local restaurant, you have the afternoon free to explore a town that has become a favorite among many visitors to Vietnam.
One option is a pilgrimage to My Son, the Cham civilization's spiritual heartland, where Cham kings have been interred since the fourth century.
Even though much of the site was devastated by wartime bombing, there are a handful of impressive stone towers and sanctuaries.
Premium accommodation: Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spa, Hoi An (4 stars)
Meals included: breakfast lunch
DAY 7: Cruise on Thu Bon River to a cooking class; free afternoon
We will spend the morning at the wonderful Red Bridge restaurant, situated on the bank of the Thu Bon River.
We first explore the colorful local market, looking for ingredients before taking a boat ride to the restaurant. Here we will learn about the intricacies of Vietnamese excellent cooking skills. Under the guidance of an English-speaking Vietnamese chef, you have the opportunity to make your own dishes. You don't have to be an excellent cook to enjoy this activity but be warned first, and you get to enjoy your own creations. You can also select to stay on and enjoy the idyllic garden or go back to your way into Hoi An town for afternoon leisure, or jump on a bike (optional) for a fantastic ride through the countryside, passing local markets, education institute and villages before again starting on to Cua Dai beach (5 km).
Premium accommodation: Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spa, Hoi An (4 stars)
Meals included: breakfast lunch
DAY 8: Flying to Saigon; afternoon city tour
We will arrive at Da Nang Airport this morning to travel to Saigon, often known as Ho Chi Minh City (about 1 hour and 25 minutes). This is an exciting and captivating city, with scooters clogging the streets and temples. After being devastated by the Vietnam War, it is currently a booming free market town where anything goes. The Saigon River and the Ben Thanh market are both within walking distance of one another and highly recommended.
Following your arrival, your company will lunch at Pho Hoa on Pasteur, a Saigon institution serving customers for over decades. Your company will be treated to a delicious meal of Vietnamese noodles and spring rolls prepared in the Southern manner.
This afternoon the journey includes a city tour, an exploration of the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the War Remnants Museum. The Museum has an exciting and eye-catching photographic record of the Vietnam/American War. Please be well aware that some pictures at the Museum are very graphic.
Premium accommodation: Sila Urban Living, Saigon (4 stars)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 9: Morning visit to Cu Chi tunnels
We'll leave the city behind today and travel north to see and explore the infamous Cu Chi tunnels. During the war, the Viet Cong used the network, which comprised three layers.
These were traditionally very tiny, but certain portions have been made wider to free tourists to explore the system. Claustrophobia may choose to spend their time outside in the sun!
In the afternoon, we return back to Saigon, and the rest of the day is free for all.
Premium Living Place: Sila Urban Living, Saigon (4 stars)
Meals included: breakfast
DAY 10: To Mekong Delta; cruise through waterways
In the morning, we will head to Cai Be in the Mekong Delta in about 2½ hours, called Vietnam's 'rice bowl'. Most of Vietnam's popular fruits, sugar cane and coconuts, are grown in this region. We take a boat excursion down the Mekong River. Because of the bridge's construction, the Cai Be floating market. Fruit selling is now primarily done by trucks. However, this is still a fantastic chance to observe a local market and trade on a smaller scale as it was done in the past. We stop to watch some popular local small cottage industries such as rice paper and coconut candy, getting a chance to sample the goods the way before enjoying the local speciality, 'Elephant Ear Fish'.
After lunch, we will again start by boat to Vinh Long.
This evening, the group will dine and can enjoy local Mekong popular dishes.
Premium Hotel: TTC Can Tho Hotel, Can Tho (4 stars)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 11: Visit floating market; return to Saigon
This morning we will take a boat trip to visit Cai Rang floating, the largest and most lively market in the Delta, with great picture opportunities. It is a maze of ver thousands of boats packed with various fruits and vegetables.
Afterwards, we will be back to Saigon, where the remaining of the afternoon is free time. This evening, we'll all gather for a final traditional meal in a 'Vietnamese style house' hotel setting situated in the heart of Saigon.
Premium Hotels: Sila Urban Living, Saigon (4 stars)
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 12
Flying to Siem Reap, Cambodia and be based at the Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa
Today we will head towards Saigon Airport for the flight if included to Siem Reap in Cambodia. On arrival at Siem Reap, your group will be met by our Cambodian expert tour leader. The group will spend their next two nights at the intimate Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa – offering the perfect base to explore Angkor!
This evening, we will have a dinner in the local village of Lum Orng at the first farm to table hotel, where your group will feast on authentic Khmer cuisine based on traditional recipes made with ingredients from the organic garden.
We may be able to enjoy the sunset at the temple complex this evening, depending on flight time. If not, we'll take in this magnificent sight the following evening.
Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa in Siem Reap is a high-end hotel (4 stars)
Meals included: breakfast dinner
DAY 13: Full day to explore Angkor
The Angkor complex was explored for a full day. We'll see the incredible Angkor Wat and the various temples within the Royal City of Angkor Thom, including the spectacular Bayon. The Bayon created an indelible impression on one early traveller in 1925, who wrote, "We stand before it dumbfounded." It is like nothing else in the world.' We will also see other less-visited or less famous outlying temples. Banteay Srei and Ta Prohm. This World Heritage Site rediscovered in the 1870s and memorably described by the French explorer Henri Mouchot as "grander than anything of Greece or Rome," ranks with Chichen Itza and Machu Picchu are one of the world's most eye-catching sites. A photographer's heaven and a wonderfully magical experience!
This evening, we will gather with your leader for a special farewell dinner featuring traditional cuisine and entertainment.
Premium Hotel: Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa, Siem Reap (4 stars)
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 14; End of Vietnam and Angkor-Premium Tour
For land-only clients, the tour ends this morning in Siem Reap after having the day's first meal. Also, if you want the details for other tour packages, click this link.
Meals included: breakfast.
