ID9: Indochina Highlight Tour 10 days

Day 1: Ho chi minh arrival
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport, you are warmly welcomed and transferred to hotel by private Asia View Travel’s guide with signboard, check in, relax. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh.

Day 2: Ho chi minh city  (B, L )
We spend the whole day to discover Ho chi minh, visiting 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 3: Ho chi minh  - Mekong delta  – Hanoi flight  (B, L)
You will be picked up at your hotel, transfer to My Tho, 80km from Ho chi minh city. It takes you around 2,5 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 2,5 hour drive back Ho chi minh city.
transfer directly to the airport for flight to Hanoi. The guide in Hanoi will welcome you, transsfer to hotel, check in, relax.
 
Day 4: 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 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay cruise  (B, L, D)
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 6: Halong – Hanoi – Luang prabang (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. Drive directly to the airport for flight to Luang prabang. The guide in Luang prabang will pick you up, transfer to hotel, check in, relax.
 
Day 7: Luang prabang (B, L)
Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos.
We start our day with a visit to The National Museum (closed Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture throughout the ages. We’ll visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as capture a beautiful view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset. From there, we visit the Night Market, where you can browse through a lovely selection of handmade textiles. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
 
Day 8: Luang prabang- pak oucave (B, L)
Today, we enjoy a short-guided tour of the city's oldest temple, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong where you can see the impressive “tree of life” mosaic set in colored glass. We then board an upstream cruise on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. We’ll make sure to stop at the Pak Ou Caves, sanctuaries consisting of two large caverns, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images. We will also stop at a few villages during the day, including Ban Xanghai where the local rice wine is produced and Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan. Once back in Luang Prabang city we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving.
Take the flight to Siemreap. The local guide in Siemreap will welcome you at airport, transfer to hotel in city center. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at hotel in Siemreap

Day 9: Siemreap ( 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: Siemreap departure ( B )
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.
Transfer to airport for your departure flight. End of tour.