Hotel is very nice. Hotel in Phnom Penh was excellent. Chet Seaphorum was very good. Passionate about the country. Mr Sen is also excellent. Angkor Wat is amazing. Hotel in Hanoi is absolutely beautiful. Very happy to be out of the hot weather, which we’re not used to. Flight was very good. Driver and guide are also very good. Thank you for the lovely gift. We have a great place for it in our house. Thank you for all your help. I will refer you to others if they are coming to Vietnam. Very good vacation. Loved being here and meeting such friendly people.
PROGRAM DETAIL
Day 01 . Sat 09 December 2017 : Cai Be – Cho Lach – Tra On. Overnight in Bassac cruise. (L, D) | Guide and driver
8:00am Start Bassac Cruise - Mekong Delta Tour 2 Days 1 Night. Pick up from your hotel in Saigon and depart travel by car/van to Cai Be – 11: 30am, half hour your wait boat and rest. 12:00pm Boarding at Cai Be. Welcome drink, Introduction to the ship and crew, check into the cabins.Departure towards Cho Lach on the Tien Giang River.
Lunch while en route. Rest on the deck.The Bassac slips into the Cho Lach canal, in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the river traffic, between markets and churches, a unique opportunity for a glimpse of the very varied life on the banks as well as on the water.Visit of a village on the banks of river Mang Thit, an opportunity to appreciate the way of life and hospitality of the local inhabitants. Visit of the orchard or rice fields nearby.
Boarding back, complimentary drink as a welcome back on board. Rest on the deck enjoying the sunset. The crew will serve dinner while the Bassac is cruising Mang Thit River.
The Bassac sets anchor just downstream from the little Tra On floating market, for the night.
Day 02 . Sun 10 December 2017 : Tra On – Can Tho (B) | Guide and driver
You may get up for breakfast as early as 06:30am, as the ship is resuming its cruise 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 the Ninh Kieu pier. End of services by mid-morning on shore at Can Tho. After disembarking we will drive to Chau Doc, the closet town to the Vietnam Cambodian border in An Giang province. Continue the tour to visit Tra Su, getting to the wild birds Sanctuary, cruising smoothly with small boats to discover the arrays of splendid canals deep into the forest, watching storks, cranes and other tropical birds. Back to the Town, hotel check in. Overnight in Chau Doc.
Day 03 . Mon 11 December 2017 : Chau Doc – Phnompenh (B) | Guide and driver
In the morning we will take a speed boat to Phnom Penh and arrive in the city around noon. Time to rest and have lunch. The afternoon will be spent exploring Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. We commence our tour with a visit to the National Museum, then on to the Silver Pagoda situated inside the Royal Palace complex and lastly Wat Phnom Pagoda considered the spiritual heart of the city. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 . Tue 12 December 2017 : Phnompenh - Siem Reap - Small Circuit (B) | Guide and driver
Transfert to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap in the morning. In the afternoon, visit to the “Small Circuit” group of temples including: Ta Prohm embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees, one of Jayavarman VII's first major temple projects dedicated to his mother, Thommanon built at the same time with Angkor Wat, Chau Say Tevoda temple, Banteay Kdei – surrounded by four concentric walls, Srah Srang – “The Royal Baths" was once used for ritual bathing and Ta Keo known as “ The mountain with golden peaks” dedicated to Hindu God Shiva. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 05 . Wed 13 December 2017 : Siem Reap - Banteay Srei - Angkor Thom - Siem Reap- flight to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi. (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
Day 06 . Thu 14 December 2017 : Hanoi free time (B) | Guide and driver
Free time . Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 07 . Fri 15 December 2017 : Hanoi city & street food tour (B) | Guide and driver
You will be picked up at the hotel at 8:00am. 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. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, 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.The tour ends with a stroll around the HoanKiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) before watching the traditional water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 08 . Sat 16 December 2017 : Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay (B) | Guide and driver
After breakfast depart to Halong Bay via Thai Binh and Nam Dinh, passing a peaceful countryside typical of Red River Delta with endless rice fields and winding rivers.
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.
Note: Tour guide on cruise.
Day 09 . Sun 17 December 2017 : Halong - Hanoi - flight to Hue (B) | 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 Sails & Farewell.
16:45 – 17:00:Arrive in Hanoi, transfer ahead to the airport for departure to Hue. Upon arrive, pick up and transfer to hotel.Overnight in Hue.
Note: Tour guide on cruise.
Day 10 . Mon 18 December 2017 : Hue- Thuy Bieu village (B) | Guide and driver
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.
Day 11 . Tue 19 December 2017 : Hue- Ho Chi Minh. (B) | Driver
After breakfast, free time until transfer to the airport for departure to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
Day 12 . Wed 20 December 2017 : Saigon departure (B) | Driver
After breakfast, free time for relaxation until being transferred to take your departure flight from Saigon. The hotel is available until noon only. Thanks for your travelling with us.