Thank you Helen for a great and memorable trip in Vietnam & Cambodia - from the well done tailored itinerary to all your support and taking care throughout the trip.
PROGRAM DETAIL
Day 01 . Tue 13 March 2018 : Hanoi arrival .TUE, 13 March 2018 - KA295 - HKG 17:30 -> HAN 18:50 Operated by Cathay Dragon (-) | Guide and driver
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.
Hotel: The Lapis Hanoi hotel . http://thelapishotel.com/
Room type: 1 deluxe double+ 1 deluxe triple ( next door or opposite)
Accommodation: The Lapis**** - Deluxe
Day 02 . Wed 14 March 2018 : Hanoi city & street food tour (B) | Guide and driver
You will be picked up at the hotel at 8:30am. 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, 15:00 Pm, pick up again to discover the Old Quarter, also known as the “36 Streets & Corporations”. It is a veritable labyrinth of lanes where each of them is specialized in a trade or art. The best way to explore and discover this district full of life is by foot. Designed to capture all aspects of local life, the course will cover all the elements of the daily life of the inhabitants in an original way: crafts, Buddhism, temple, gastronomy, local market, visit of traditional house-tube (Vietnamese particularity), medicine…Discover the capital through food, as a local, a real experience and a highlight of the journey. Overnight in Hanoi.
Join in water puppet show before leaving back to hotel.
Hotel: The Lapis Hanoi hotel . http://thelapishotel.com/
Room type: 1 deluxe double+ 1 deluxe triple ( next door or opposite)
Day 03 . Thu 15 March 2018 : Hanoi-Halong bay by private car (B,L,D) | Guide and driver
08:00 : Pick-up at your hotel near by the Old Quarter in Hanoi by private car
12:00 – 12:30:Embark the LaFairy Sails at Tuan Chau International harbor. Enjoy welcome drink, cruise briefing & start cruising.
13:00 – 14:30:A sumptuous lunch is served while cruising into the magnificent Halong Bay with its thousands of extraordinarily shaped limestone islands, considered as the heaven on the Earth.
15:15 – 15:45:Explore Lờm Bò area and be charmed by this outstanding masterpiece of Mother Nature. Visit Mê Cung Cave – one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay and climb up to see the panoramic view of the bay from above.
16:00 – 16:45: Explore Ngoc Trai area by kayaking.
17:00 – 19:00: Return to the LaFairy Sails for a Sunset party to admire the best moments of the day when the sun starts to set. Enjoy everyday promotion HAPPY HOUR - BUY 2 GET 1 FREE all beverages from 5 to 6pm.
19:00:Savor a sparkling and dreamlike dinner on top deck under the light of a thousand stars in middle of the tranquil Bay with extremely delicious food and be awed by a fascinating fruit and vegetable carving show. Delight in traditional music performances. Afterwards, socialize with the artist, new friends and crew members, join squid fishing. Overnight on-board.
Cruise: La Fairy cruise- family connecting room.
Accommodation: La Fairy Sails - La Fairy - Deluxe
Day 04 . Fri 16 March 2018 : Halong- Ninh Binh (B, L) | Guide and driver
06:30 – 07:00:Start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt.
07:15 – 08:00:Enjoy breakfast in the fresh air and peaceful beauty of the Bay.
08:15 – 09:15:Visit Titov Island for swimming in the emerald water. Then hike up to the top of the island to take the breathtaking panoramic view of the Bay.
09:45 – 10:15:Pack your luggage and check out of the cabin while cruising towards the harbor.
10:15 – 11:45:Join a cooking demonstration before enjoying an exceptional Buffet lunch.
12:00 – 12:30:Disembark the LaFairy Sails & Farewell. Transfer ahead to Ninh Binh. Overnight in Ninh Binh.
Hotel: Hidden Charem hotel.
Room type: family connecting room.
Accommodation: Ninh Binh Hidden Charm**** - Royal Family Suite
Day 05 . Sat 17 March 2018 : Ninh Binh- Tam Coc- Bich Dong (B, L) | Guide and driver
After having breakfast, 8:30 Am ,we will take the road to Tam Coc, where we will embark a small rowing boat to discover the outstanding karst waterscape on Ngo Dong River. Tam Coc literally translates to « three caves» and is adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of all sizes shaped like gemstones. When rowing, enjoy the peaceful scenery of rice paddies lining the river bank.
In The afternoon, h we will cycle along winding roads passing lotus ponds, temples and cottages, typical of Vietnamese countryside to visit Bich Dong Pagoda situated on a hillside.
Back to hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight in Ninh Binh.
Hotel: Hidden Charem hotel.
Room type: family connecting room.
Day 06 . Sun 18 March 2018 : Ninh Binh- Mai Chau (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
Depart at 08h00 from Ninh Binh to Mai Chau- a picturesque valley, where the White Thai predominantly inhabit.
In the afternoon, we will make a nice bike ride to discover an authentic country really unknown by mass tourism. We will be charmed by the traditional houses on stilts, the smiles of the Thai, friendly acceuils and green rice, vegetable gardens and bamboo forests near our path, crossing the villages: Chieng Sai, Cha, Cha Long, Na Tang, Tong Dau ... Return to the lodge to enjoy its natural surroundings.
After dinner, you will enjoy the traditional music show in the evening. Overnight at hotel.
Hotel: Mai Chau Ecolodge
Room type: Junior connecting room.
Accommodation: Mai Chau Ecolodge**** - Junior Deluxe
Day 07 . Mon 19 March 2018 : Mai Chau- Pu Luong (B, L) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, 8:30 Am pick up and transfer to Pu Luong. You enter Pu Luong Nature Reserve by road via a breathtaking mountain pass giving you a panoramic view of the whole valley. You arrive at your accommodation in time for a delicious lunch , followed by free time to explore the beautiful retreat, with its captivating panoramic views and tranquil setting.
In the afternoon, you will be transffed to a suspension bridge over the Cham River, where you begin your walk in search of stunning water wheels. Get up close to each wheel and discover how water is moved from river to handmade bamboo aqueducts via simple constructions of all sizes.Arriving at a local fisherman’s house, you have a short rest to gear up for the bamboo river rafting with Dinh and his team. Float along the calm river and enjoy the views, in between learning how to paddle and steer your handcrafted rafts. Arriving at scenic Tan Lap bridge, you disembark to be transferred back to Pu Luong Retreat for overnight.
Hotel: Pu Luong retreat.
Room type: Valley view and duplex room.
Accommodation: Pu Luong Retreat*** - Valley View Bungalow
Pu Luong Retreat*** - Duplex Bungalow
Day 08 . Tue 20 March 2018 : Pu Luong - Hanoi (B, L) | Guide and driver
Start early to descend into the beautiful valley facing the Retreat where you walk around tumbling rice terraces. Trek through small paths shrouded in vegetation to slowly reveal a picturesque village sitting at the base of a towering mountain.Your camera will not be able to sit still! Continuing to the base of the valley, you weave between roads and farmland, villages and wild fields, ponds and rivers, mountains and open land. Savour the ever-changing scenery as you trek to a beautiful spot. Then you will be transferred back to Puluong for check out hotel , Transfer to Hanoi in the afternoon. Arrive in Hanoi in the afternoon. Check in hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Hotel: The Lapis Hanoi hotel . http://thelapishotel.com/
Room type: 1 deluxe double+ 1 deluxe triple ( next door or opposite)
Accommodation: The Lapis**** - Deluxe
Day 09 . Wed 21 March 2018 : Hanoi- Flight to Hue VN1543 HAN HUI 0840 0955 (B) | Guide and driver
Morning, after breakfast transfer to the airport at 6:30 AM, for departure flight to Hue. Check out hotel and then transfer to the airprot for departure to Hue. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to visit Dong Ba market- local famous market in Hue. And then transfer to learn Learn to craft your own conical hat & to recognize their details regards their region with an expert. Ms Thuy will welcome you in her house to pass down her art. One of the best opportunities to make an authentic memory & to bring it home.Overnight in Hue.
Hotel: Moonlight Hue
Room type: Family connecting
Accommodation: Moonlight Hue**** - Family connecting
Day 10 . Thu 22 March 2018 : Hue- Thuy Bieu village (B, L) | Guide and driver
8:30 Am, Start the day with a visit to Hue Imperial City, the remaining vestiges of Hue's citadel, including: Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh), Then, we will take a boat trip on poetic Perfume River. Stop to visit Thien Mu Pagoda (Celestial Lady Pagoda) built in 1601 - the symbol of Hue city. Cruise toward Thuy Bieu eco-village, an old laid back village situated on the bank of Perfume River known for its green tea fruit orchards.Arrive in the village, and join our cooking class to prepare Hue’s signature dishes with our chef’s instruction
, then enjoy your creations in the open air riverside restaurant surrounded by lush trees. The afternoon is reserved for cycling through the peaceful village, visiting several communal houses, ancient temples and the garden-house, a typical and unique feature of Hue.Soaking your feet in medicinal herb water followed by an excellent blind massage will refresh them after a day of sightseeing.Back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.
Hotel: Moonlight Hue
Room type: Family connecting.
Day 11 . Fri 23 March 2018 : Hue- Danang- Hoian (B) | Guide and driver
8:30 Am, pick up , drive on the Mandarin road – a scenic journey from Hue to Hoi An, which allows you to see a picturesque Vietnam with stunning beachs and lust tropical forest. Hoi an town features a fantastic fusion of Chinese, Dutch, Japanese and Portuguese culture. You can see it by your own eyes when visiting Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese’s street, Phung Hung old house, Hoi an market and ancient port & the old house of Tan Ky. Especially, on the 1st or 15th of every Lunar month, the town will be lighted up with colourful lanterns instead of electric lamp, turning Hoi An into a sparkling little Disneyland of Vietnam. Overnight in the hotel.
Hotel: Le Pavillon Hoi An Luxury Resort & Spa
Room type: Superior river view balcony connecting room.
Accommodation: Le Pavillon Hoi An Luxury Resort & Spa**** - Super Deluxe River View Balcony
Day 12 . Sat 24 March 2018 : Hoi An- Cu Lao Cham- Hoi An. Group tour. (B, L) | Guide and driver
• 8:00 - 8:30am: Minivan pick up for customer at the hotel in Hoi An
• 8:40am: Reach the pier & board the boat
• 8:50 am: Departure from the pier to reach the Marine Protected Areas of Cham Island.
• 10:00-11.00am: Customers enjoy snorkeling under supervision of our guide with full equipment provided
• 11.00-11.45am: Surface interval. Water, coffee, tea and snack available on board.
• 12:00-13.00: Make second snorkeling at second spot.
• 13.15: Boat leaving for Bai Chong tropical beach for lunch and relax
• 14.00: Enjoy Vietnamese lunch on beach: meat or vegetarian option(water is provided during lunch)
• Afternoon: Chill out, relax on beach: hammocks free, swimming from the beach
• 15:30: Departure from the beach to return to mainland
• 16:45-17.00: Boat lands in Cua Dai pier: minivan drop customer off at hotel. Oveernight in Hoi An.
Hotel: Le Pavillon Hoi An Luxury Resort & Spa
Room type: Superior river view balcony connecting room.
Day 13 . Sun 25 March 2018 : Hoi An - Tra Que - Cam Thanh village (B, L) | Guide and driver
Breakfast at the hotel, then 8:30 AM ride bicycles to Tra Que Village.
Tra Que is renowned for its aromatic herbs especially for mint and basil. The basil leaves, which are smaller than usual, are endowed with a strong and special aroma. You will have the opportunity to discover the life of the farmers by introducing you to their techniques of culture.
Continue to Cam Thanh Water coconut village, have a brief introduce to the history there.
Take on the basket boat along the water coconut river, Fisherman will teach you how to catch the crabs (02 paxs/ boat ). Embark on the boat, enjoy the folk songs show by local people there.
After that, learn how to make funny tools by water coconut leaf
Continue to the ancient town, experience the daily life of fisher man along Thu Bon River
Get on Bach Dang wharf, take a bicycle back to Hotel.
Local guide bids farewell to guests. Drop off at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Hoian.
Hotel: Le Pavillon Hoi An Luxury Resort & Spa
Room type: Superior river view balcony connecting room.
Day 14 . Mon 26 March 2018 : Hoi An - Danang - Flight to Ho Chi Minh. VN 121 DAD SGN 1145 1310 (B) | Guide and driver
Breakfast at hotel.Free time until transfer to the airport for departure flight to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to hotel. Then join in cyclo around Ho ChiMinh city. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
Hotel: Liberty Central Sai Gon Riverside
Room type: Deluxe connecting room.
Accommodation: Liberty Central Sai Gon Riverside**** - Deluxe
Day 15 . Tue 27 March 2018 : Saigon - Ben Tre - Can Tho (B) | Guide and driver
Departure from the hotel at 8:00 to Ben Tre province in the Mekong Delta. Arrive at Hung Vuong Pier (Ben Tre town) 90km far from SaiGon, embark and cruise along the Ben Tre River, then visit an artisanal brick factory and its imposing ovens. Next, stop for a sweet break to discover how coconut flesh is used and processed. (tea time in a coconut cadies manufacture).
A short bike ride or tuktuk (motorcycle, allowing transporting 6 passengers) will allow you to explore the countryside, and make a stop at a family braiding mats.
Lunch in a local restaurant offering typical dishes.
Then, boarded a rowing boat to join the canal through a maze of arroyos and return to the landing stage. Transfer & overnight at hotel in Can Tho.
Note:
- Transfer time and distance by car: 4h/200km
- Road conditions: good
- Boat duration: 1 hour
- Cycling /tuktuk time: 30' - Cycling /tuktuk time: 30'.
- Visit time: 1 hour
Hotel: TTC Can Tho hotel
Room type: Deluxe river view next door
Accommodation: TTC Can Tho hotel**** - Deluxe River View
Day 16 . Wed 28 March 2018 : Can Tho- Saigon - Flight to Siemreap. VN 811 SGN REP 2020 2150 (B) | Guide and driver
In the early morning, have an excursion to the floating market of Cai Rang, the largest one in the region, where boats full of fruit and vegetables gather every day. Then, take a walk in an orchard of Mr. Ba Cong, where it will also be possible to enjoy fresh tropical fruits and visit a vermicelli factory.
The day will continue with a visit to Binh Thuy's old house where the film adaptation of Marguerite Duras' novel L' Amant was filmed in 1992.
Return to SaiGon in the late afternoon. Transfer ahead to the airport for departure flight to Siemreap in the evening at 20:20 PM. Arrive at 21:50 Pm. Pick up and transfer ahead to hotel for check in. Overnight in Siemreap.
Hotel: Tara Angkor hotel
Room type: Deluxe room ( next door)
Accommodation: Tara Angkor Hotel**** - Deluxe room
Day 17 . Thu 29 March 2018 : Siem Reap - Rolous Group - Angkor Wat - Siem Reap (B) | Guide and driver
We start our trip by visiting the Roluos Temple Group built between 877-889, situated 13km outside Siem Reap. They were constructed during the first Angkor settlement of the ancient Khmer. The group boasts three temples:
- Bakong is the most impressive of the three, much older than Angkor Wat it features beautiful carvings on its lintels that remain in good shape
- Preahko Temple is close to Bakong and consists of six elegant brick towers with exquisite decorations and statues of Nandi, Shiva's sacred bull.
- Lolei Temple constructed in 893, is an island temple dedicated to members of the royal family and the Hindu god Shiva.
The afternoon is spent exploring the amazing World Heritage "Angkor Wat", the world's largest religious building, and Phnom Bakheng on Bakheng Hill the first major temple to be constructed in the Angkor era, marking the move of the Khmer empire's capital from Roluos to Angkor in the late 9th century AD. Overnight at hotel.
Hotel: Tara Angkor hotel
Room type: Deluxe room ( next door)
Day 18 . Fri 30 March 2018 : Siem Reap - Banteay Srei - Angkor Thom - Siem Reap (B) | Guide and driver
We will continue our discovery of Angkor with a visit to Banteay Srei built when the Khmer Empire was gaining significant power. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It’s a masterpiece of Khmer Art with intricate sandstone construction and ornate design. We will then head back to visit Banteay Samre Temple built in the Angkor Wat style.
In the afternoon, we will visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, famous Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace of Elephant, Phimean Akas and the Terrace of the Leper King. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap
Hotel: Tara Angkor hotel
Room type: Deluxe room ( next door)
Day 19 . Sat 31 March 2018 : Siemreap- Tonlesap - Flight to Ho Chi Minh. VN812 REP SGN 18:20- 19 30 . (B) | Guide and driver
Morning, after breakfast free time until 10:00 Am, check out hotel and then transfer toTonle Sap Lake to visit the floating village.Everything floats on water in this living fishing community. There are floating schools, floating shops, floating petrol stations, even floating karaoke bars. Many of the houses are floating fish farms with large pens of fish underneath. For those that are interested, we can also make a stop at the Gecko Environment Centre to learn more about the lake, which is like the heartbeat of Cambodia, providing sustenance to millions of Khmers. Finish trip in the afternoon, then transfer ahead to the airport for departure flight to Ho Chi Minh at 18:20 Pm. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh at 19:30 Pm. Pick up and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
Hotel: Liberty Central Sai Gon Riverside
Room type: Deluxe connecting room.
Day 20 . Sun 01 April 2018 : Ho chi Minh departure CX764 SGN HKG 19:05 22:50 Operated by Cathay Pacific (B) | Driver
Free time until transfer at 16:00 Pm to the airport for departure flight to Israel. Finish trip. Thanks again for your travelling with us!