Best of Indochina
10 days - Hanoi, Halong Bay, Saigon, My Tho, Siem Reap
10 days - Hanoi, Halong Bay, Saigon, My Tho, Siem Reap
The highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia are presented in this program. Hanoi is the modern-day capital of Vietnam that still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries. The narrow lanes and traditional shophouses found in the Old Quarter invite exploration, while it's many beautiful public spaces - lakes, parks, tree-lined boulevards and monuments - give it an air of elegance and harmony with nature unique among Asian capitals. Scenic Halong Bay, located on the South China Sea, is home to beautiful limestone islands and floating fishing villages, best explored aboard a traditional wooden boat. In the south we arrive in Saigon, a vibrant metropolis teeming with energy, activity and motion. Outside on the streets, young professionals zip by on their motorcycles, chatting on cellphones; inside the quiet temple courtyards worshippers pray amidst clouds of incense. The French influence is readily seen in the old colonial buildings, such as the Opera House and City Hall, which serve as a contrast to the luxury hotels, shopping malls, and gourmet restaurants springing up across the city. Siem Reap is gateway to the famed temples of Angkor, and has grown to be Cambodia's major tourist destination. There are hundreds of restaurants, hotels of every category, and plenty of shops and markets. All serve to make a stay in Siem Reap comfortable and pleasurable while touring the main attraction - the temples. The crown jewel is Angkor Wat, the UNESCO world heritage site that has become the symbol of Cambodia, it's image depicted on the national flag.
Private tour itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi. Arrive at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi. Full-day private tour of Hanoi City. Sights include the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House, Hoan Kiem Lake, and view colonial landmarks such as the Opera House and St. Joseph's Cathedral. From the lake, explore the Old Quarter on foot. The network of narrow alleys and shophouses are also known as "The 36 Streets," each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there. In the afternoon visit one of Hanoi's famous museums, either the History Museum, including exhibits spanning the entirety of Vietnam's history, or the Museum of Ethnology which brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam. Finish the day by seeing a Water Puppet Show, a fantastic art form where puppets appear to "dance on water." (breakfast).
Day 3: Halong Bay/Hanoi. Depart Hanoi in the morning for a drive to scenic Halong Bay. Upon arrival at the pier at midday begin a cruise aboard a traditional wooden junk boat, passing craggy limestone cliffs, and stopping at different islands to explore some of the areas many caves. Lunch will be served aboard the boat. Late afternoon return to Hanoi. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 4: Saigon. Fly to Saigon. Upon arrival embark on an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an important Vietcong base during the war. Walk through the area and learn about the day-to-day life of the Vietcong, and even venture inside the tunnel if you choose. Afterwards return to Saigon. (breakfast).
Day 5: Saigon. Full-day private tour of Saigon. Begin with a visit to the historic center, strolling along Dong Khoi Street, the main shopping thoroughfare and heart of old colonial Saigon. Pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate City Hall, the old Opera House, neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office. Tour the Reunification Palace, followed by a visit to the War Remnants Museum, and then the Emperor of Jade Pagoda. In the afternoon explore bustling Cholon (Chinatown), with visits to Binh Tay Market, Thien Hau Pagoda, and Ben Thanh Market. (breakfast).
Day 6: My Tho/Saigon. Embark on an excursion to My Tho, located in the rich agricultural region of the Mekong Delta. Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, a beautiful temple recognized as a national historical and cultural relic. The pagoda features a lovely garden of ancient and ornamental trees, and also serves as a sanctuary for orphans and other needy children. Afterwards board a local boat to explore the Mekong River islands, stopping at a fruit orchard to enjoy fruit and tea, and some local music. There is time for a brief sampan ride through the tiny waterways that thread the island before returning to Saigon. (breakfast).
Day 7: Siem Reap. Fly to Siem Reap, gateway to the famed temples of Angkor. Begin your exploration at Angkor Thom, the fortified "Great City" that was the final capital of the Khmer empire. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, and continue to the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of Leper King, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeankas before continuing to the Bayon Temple. The Bayon is one of Angkor's most compelling and popular sights, with galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs, and where giant stone faces smile enigmatically down at you from every angle. We finish the day watching the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple. (breakfast).
Day 8: Siem Reap. The crown jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat, is the national symbol and highlight of any visit to Cambodia. It is the largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples. Cross the vast moat, and enter the main building, ascending through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary. Intricate stone-carvings adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones. Afterwards continue to Ta Prohm, built in the Bayon style it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. A most interesting and distinctive feature of Ta Prohm are the twists of tree trunks and roots that emerge from the ruins and soar upward into a lovely shaded canopy. Also visit Banteay Srei, smaller in comparison to other Angkor temples, but considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. (breakfast).
Day 9: Kampong Kleang/Siem Reap. Embark on an excursion to Kampong Kleang, one of the largest of the Tonle Sap lake communities. From here board a boat to explore the floating fishing villages that live at the edges of the lake, passing submerged forests and fishing farms. (breakfast).
Day 10: Depart Siem Reap. Transfer to Siem Reap Airport. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (9), and one lunch.
Cost per person, double occupancy from $2,190.
Day 1: Hanoi. Arrive at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi. Full-day private tour of Hanoi City. Sights include the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House, Hoan Kiem Lake, and view colonial landmarks such as the Opera House and St. Joseph's Cathedral. From the lake, explore the Old Quarter on foot. The network of narrow alleys and shophouses are also known as "The 36 Streets," each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there. In the afternoon visit one of Hanoi's famous museums, either the History Museum, including exhibits spanning the entirety of Vietnam's history, or the Museum of Ethnology which brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam. Finish the day by seeing a Water Puppet Show, a fantastic art form where puppets appear to "dance on water." (breakfast).
Day 3: Halong Bay/Hanoi. Depart Hanoi in the morning for a drive to scenic Halong Bay. Upon arrival at the pier at midday begin a cruise aboard a traditional wooden junk boat, passing craggy limestone cliffs, and stopping at different islands to explore some of the areas many caves. Lunch will be served aboard the boat. Late afternoon return to Hanoi. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 4: Saigon. Fly to Saigon. Upon arrival embark on an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an important Vietcong base during the war. Walk through the area and learn about the day-to-day life of the Vietcong, and even venture inside the tunnel if you choose. Afterwards return to Saigon. (breakfast).
Day 5: Saigon. Full-day private tour of Saigon. Begin with a visit to the historic center, strolling along Dong Khoi Street, the main shopping thoroughfare and heart of old colonial Saigon. Pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate City Hall, the old Opera House, neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office. Tour the Reunification Palace, followed by a visit to the War Remnants Museum, and then the Emperor of Jade Pagoda. In the afternoon explore bustling Cholon (Chinatown), with visits to Binh Tay Market, Thien Hau Pagoda, and Ben Thanh Market. (breakfast).
Day 6: My Tho/Saigon. Embark on an excursion to My Tho, located in the rich agricultural region of the Mekong Delta. Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, a beautiful temple recognized as a national historical and cultural relic. The pagoda features a lovely garden of ancient and ornamental trees, and also serves as a sanctuary for orphans and other needy children. Afterwards board a local boat to explore the Mekong River islands, stopping at a fruit orchard to enjoy fruit and tea, and some local music. There is time for a brief sampan ride through the tiny waterways that thread the island before returning to Saigon. (breakfast).
Day 7: Siem Reap. Fly to Siem Reap, gateway to the famed temples of Angkor. Begin your exploration at Angkor Thom, the fortified "Great City" that was the final capital of the Khmer empire. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, and continue to the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of Leper King, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeankas before continuing to the Bayon Temple. The Bayon is one of Angkor's most compelling and popular sights, with galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs, and where giant stone faces smile enigmatically down at you from every angle. We finish the day watching the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple. (breakfast).
Day 8: Siem Reap. The crown jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat, is the national symbol and highlight of any visit to Cambodia. It is the largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples. Cross the vast moat, and enter the main building, ascending through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary. Intricate stone-carvings adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones. Afterwards continue to Ta Prohm, built in the Bayon style it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. A most interesting and distinctive feature of Ta Prohm are the twists of tree trunks and roots that emerge from the ruins and soar upward into a lovely shaded canopy. Also visit Banteay Srei, smaller in comparison to other Angkor temples, but considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. (breakfast).
Day 9: Kampong Kleang/Siem Reap. Embark on an excursion to Kampong Kleang, one of the largest of the Tonle Sap lake communities. From here board a boat to explore the floating fishing villages that live at the edges of the lake, passing submerged forests and fishing farms. (breakfast).
Day 10: Depart Siem Reap. Transfer to Siem Reap Airport. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (9), and one lunch.
Cost per person, double occupancy from $2,190.
Our deluxe Indochina tours are carefully designed to provide a unique experience in the destination, promote cultural understanding and exchange, flow smoothly from place to place, allow time for relaxation and exploration on your own, provide maximum value, and very importantly to be enjoyable. The itinerary can be modified to suit your tastes, time frame, budget, and special interests.
