Itinerary in Brief:
Day 1: Arrival Ha Noi
Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B, L)
Day 3: Ha Noi - Halong bay cruise (B, L, D)
Day 4: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Danang - Hoian (B, L )
Day 5: Hoian ancient town (B, L)
Day 6: Hoian - Danang – Ho chi minh ( B, L )
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong delta - Ho chi minh (B, L)
Day 8: Ho chi minh - Cu chi tunnel – Siemreap flight( B, D )
Day 9: Siem Reap- Angkor tour (B, L)
Day 10: Siem Reap tour (B, L )
Day 11: Siemreap – Luang prabang ( B )
Day 12: Luang prabang ( B, L )
Day 13: Luangprabang – Pak oucave ( B, L )
Day 14: Luangprabang departure ( B )
Itinerary in Details:
Day 1: Hanoi arrival - 30km, around 50 minute drive
Arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to hotel by Asia View Travel’s guide with signboard, check in, relax. Today is free at your leisure to rest or explore, discovering your own first impressions of Vietnam. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour ( B, L )
Breakfast at hotel, This morning we start city tour with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh (Close on Monday, Friday & October for annual maintenance), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with the impressive Ethnology Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam, Vietnam’s first university. Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. We continue to visit the Restored Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple, do a cyclo tour around around the 36 streets of the Hanoi old quarter to learn more about simple life of Hanoian. Enjoy water puppet show- a remarkable Vietnamese art form that combines traditional music, fireworks, underwater puppeteers, and elaborate puppets floating gracefully over water. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong bay on board ( B, L,D ) – 180km around 3,5 hour drive
Breakfast at hotel, then 8:30 AM start a 3. 5 hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee (by your own) before arriving to Ha Long City.
12:00–12:15: Arrive in Ha Long city, board our traditional wooden junk boat for an overnight journey. Sip on a refreshing welcome drink upon check in before you begin your cruise through the bay.
13.00: Start sail from Bai Tu Long Bay area, Feast on a delicious lunch as you cruise among beautiful of islets (Tea pot islet, Mat Quy –Monster Face islet, Yen Ngua islet, Man’s Head islet, Tortoise islet etc.) to discover unspoilt pockets of Halong Bay and visit Sung Sot - Amazing cave, one of the most imposing grottos of the Bay. Swim at Soi Sim beach or Titov beach or a short trek to the top of Titov mountain (426 Steps) for a magnificent panorama scenery.
17.30: Fresh fruits serve at lounge or sundeck
Enjoy vegetable/fruit carving & Folding Napkin
19.30: Enjoy your dinner on board.
21.00: Squid fishing or relax and chatting with your partner, friends, family.
Overnight on Ha Long Bay aboard Junk.
Day 4: Halong – Hanoi – Danang flight – Hoian ( B, L )
06.20: Tai Chi Exercise with an opportunity to admire the magnificent scenery of sunrise over the Bay.
07.00: For early riser complimentary tea, coffee and break fast are served.
08.00: Visit Luon cave on small bamboo boat paddle by out crew staff and enjoy the quiet atmosphere enclosed by high islets and mountains. Be back to our Junk. Sail past rock formations such as and passing Finger islet, Hoa Cuong fishing village area, Ga Choi – Fghting Cock islet, Dinh Huong Islet, Little Dog islet. Enjoy the tranquil scenery as the boat meanders its way through the bay on the way back to Ha Long city, etc.
09.00: Arrange your luggage and do the check out onboard.
10.15: Enjoy a lunch as your boat weaves through strange-shaped limestone rock formations.
11:30–12:00: We will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a drive back Hanoi. We transfer directly to the airport for flight to Danang. The guide in Danang will pick you up, transfer to hotel in Hoian, check in, relax.
Day 5: Hoian ancient town ( B, L )
Today there are a lot of time to explore Hoian ancient town, once a major Asian trading port in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Hoi An’s architecture and relaxed lifestyle have changed little over the years. Take a leisurely walking tour of the ancient town center and visit the sites of former merchants’ homes, a 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and a Chinese Communal Hall. Believed to have been settled no less than 2,200 years ago, Hoi An was known as Faifo to early Western traders. Hoi An was one of the major ports of Southeast Asia from the 17th to 19th centuries. Chinese, Japanese, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and other traders had small communities here, and the old wooden houses, bridges and temples that remain are reminiscent of a Vietnam of centuries past. This unique old trading town slowly became isolated due to its river silting up and by destroyed rail lines, leaving it untouched by war and frozen in time. Nowadays, this absolutely charming and relaxed town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is also famous for it's shops in particular it's large number of tailors. If you wanted, you could have a whole new wardrobe made for you here!Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
Day 6: Hue - Ho chi minh ( B, L)
Morning after breakfast transfer to airport for the flight to Ho chi minh. Pick up at Tan Son Nhat airport, transfer to city center. We spend the rest of the day to visit the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office, Opera House before we shall see the exhibition on Vietnam War to the famous War Museum. We pass a place with its famous lacquers and the city's finest shopping street, Dong Khoi Street and the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh.
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong delta - Ho chi minh (B, L) – 80km for 1 way, around 2 hours on road / 1 way.
You will be picked up at hotel, transfer to My Tho, 80km from Ho chi minh city. It takes you around 2 hours to get the area. This trip provides a look at a wide variety of the life and scenery on Vietnam River from the peaceful Delta. The huge ships, which come from many different countries moving slowly, quietly along the river is what you will see at the Saigon River. Do not miss this sight! On the way you will see daily activities of local people along the river sellers and buyers bargaining, exchanging fish, the products that they got from their working on the sea. From My Tho, you will ride on a local motor boat around Dragon Island, Unicorn Island, Phoenix Island, Turtle Island and stop at the famous Unicorn Island. While at the Unicorn Island, you will take a short trek and go for a rowing boat trip. You will also enjoy lunch, tropical fruit and free time bike ride in the rural village. From there, you will continue your motor boat trip to Ben Tre province to visit a handmade coconut candy workshop. Then transfer to a small motor boat and travel along the lush, green canals that are so beautiful for photography. Take 2 hour drive back Ho chi minh city, check in, relax.
Day 8: Ho chi minh - Cu chi tunnel - Ho chi minh – Siemreap flight ( B, D )
Breakfast at hotel, driver to Cu chi tunnel. Cu Chi used to be a bitter battleground for many years during the Vietnam War. Visitors to our country should not miss a visit to this underground village with us intricate network of over 200 km of tunnels at Ben Dinh, 50 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Don"t miss the experience a short, exciting trip through this labyrinth of interlaced tunnels. In addition, green paddy fields along the road to Cu Chi, and see local peasants at work and buffaloes led by children…These are really pleasant sights and will offer you some insights into Vietnamese agriculture as well.
Transfer back Ho chi minh and directly to the airport for flight to Siemreap. The guide in Siemreap will welcome you, transfer to hotel in city center, check in, relax. Dinner at local restaurant and enjoy Apsara show.
Day 9: Siem reap – Angkor tour (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel.
In the morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond.
Lunch at restaurant.
Visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara).
Day 10: Siem reap tour (B, L)
After breakfast, visit the graceful 11th century Temple of Shiva – Banteay Srei – and the Banteay Samre Temple. On the return trip, experience the impressive Ta Prohm Temple which is mystically enveloped by the jungle. One of the area's most beautiful temples, Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. Visit as well Takeo, Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon.
Day 11: Siemreap – Luang prabang ( B )
Morning we visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. We take a boat trip in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia. Transfer to airport for flight to Luang prabang. Pick up and drive to the hotel in town, check in, relax.
Day 12: Luang prabang ( B, L )
This morning we start city tour, visit Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple served as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Aham, the early 19th century temple, whose two guardian figures at the foot of the steps which represent two characters from the Ramayana - Hanuman, the Monkey God and a fierce Yaksa; Wat Xiengthong, the 16th century temple which, more than any temples in Luang Prabang, epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture; Climb up Phousi Hill, the 328 steps leads to the summit of Phousi hill that dominates the sky-line of Luang Prabang overlooking the finest panoramic view in the whole Luang Prabang. From there, we explore Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 13: Luangprabang – Pak oucave ( B, L )
We depart hotel to the boat landing, and take an excursion by boat upstream on the Mekong to visit
Pak Ou cave in the side of a lime stone cliff and opposite of the mouth of the Mekong and Ou rivers. The sanctuaries at Pak Ou consist of two large caves, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from mere centimeter to two meters in height. En route, Lao typical villages are barely visible behind a screen of foliage. Slender canoes bobbing by the shore, bamboo poles and floats mark the location of nets and fish traps. Our first stop will be at Ban Muangkeo, a well-known village for Lao traditional rice whisky, namely Laoh-Khao to be distilled. We are welcome to taste it and also take away. Lunch is served at a riverside restaurant. We arrive back at Luang Prabang in late afternoon, visit the National Museum, the former Royal Palace which houses the collection of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue, gifts received from foreign dignitaries…etc, Overnight in Luangprabang.
Day 14: Luangprabang departure ( B )
Free until transfer to airport for your departure flight. End of tour.
Accommodation Options
Location |
Standard 3* |
Superior 3* |
First class 4* |
Deluxe 5* |
Hanoi |
Le Carnot 3* |
Le Carnot 3** |
Lan Vien 4* |
De L’ Opera 5* |
Halong boat |
V Spirit 3* |
V Spirit 3* |
Pelican 4* |
Starlight 5* |
Hoian |
Vinh hung II 3* |
Vinh Hung Emerald 3* |
Hoian Beach resort 4* |
Palm Garden 5* |
Saigon |
Ruby River 3* |
Tan Hai long hotel &spa 3* |
Grand Silverland 4* |
Majestic 5* |
Siem reap |
Casa angkor 3* |
Central Boutique 3* |
Prince D'angkor 4* |
Borei Angkor 5* |
Luang prabang |
New Daraphet 3* |
New Daraphet 3* |
Villa Stanti hotel 4* |
Villa Maly 4* |
Tour includes:
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All accommodation in double / twin room with daily breakfast at selected hotels
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2 days 1 night cruise in Halong Bay ( private cabin – sharing boat )
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All tours & transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
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Private English or French speaking guide
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Meals as indicated in the itinerary with local foods (B = breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
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Boat cruise as stated
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Airfare & aiport taxes: Hanoi – Danang, Danang – Ho chi minh, Ho chi minh - Siem reap, Siemreap - Luangprabang
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Entrance fees and permits for all sights visited
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Mineral water & towel
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Government taxes & Service charges
Tour excludes:
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International flights that not mentioned above
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Vietnam visa arrangement (We can apply Visa on arrival if you request)
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Cambodia Visa (available at the airport at 20 USD/person)
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Laos Visa ( available at airport at 30 USD / person )
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Kayak in Halong Bay
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Meals not indicated in the itinerary
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Surcharge on 24,31 December and Lunar New Year
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Personal travel insurance
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Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills, drink during meals
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Tips and gratuities