Grand Indochina (16D/15N Program)
Vientiane - Luang Prabang – Hanoi – Halong – Hue – Danang – Hoi An – HCMC - Cu Chi - My Tho - Siem Reap - Phnom Penh.
Day 1: Arrival in Vientiane (-, -, -)
Meet on arrival at Vientiane Wattay airport and transfer to your hotel. Have an afternoon city tour of the major sights of the capital, comprising the famous and most sacred sculpture of That Luang Stupa, Wat Sisaket with remarkable frescoes and 6,840 Buddha statues, the former royal temple of Ho Prakeo and the imposing Patuxay Monument, well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Stay over night in Vientiane.
Day 2: Vientiane - Luang Prabang (B, -, -)
Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Luang Prabang, listed in 1995 as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the well-preserved traditional city. Explore the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and That Makmo.Then take walk to the nearby Wat Aham, dedicated to Deveta Luang (spirit) Pu Gneu Ya Gneu (ancestors). Continue visiting the shrine of Wat Mai, famous for the five–tiered, timber-framed roof. Next, walk 328 steps uphill to the summit of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded Wat Chamsi stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. In the evening stroll round the lively Street Night Market, where visitors can find all kinds of snacks and bargain for hill tribe weavings and woodcarvings. Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou caves - Luang Prabang (B, -, -)
Enjoy a unique sight of the early morning ritual parade of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents and visitors, and from there have a leisurely stroll around the nearby morning market. Then visit the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong before having a boat cruise upstream the Mekong River for the sacred Pak Ou Caves. Enjoy the beautiful mountain landscape, the tranquil countryside along the journey. After exploring the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes, drive to Ban Xang Khong village to see how traditional Sa paper is made. Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 4: Luang Prabang - Hanoi (B, -, -)
Visit the National Museum (former King’s Palace) where displays a collection of personal artifacts of the Royal Family and the famous hand-weaving village of Ban Phanom. Transfer to the airport to catch an afternoon flight to Hanoi. Meet on arrival at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, the Vietnam’s capital city that boasts tree-lined streets and centuries-old temples and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Day 5: Hanoi- Bac Ninh - Halong (B,-, -)
Have a morning sightseeing tour of Hanoi with cultural and historical highlights, comprising Lake of Restored Sword, Ngoc Son Temple, the Temple of Literature, the Ethnology Museum (closed on Monday) and a downtown pedicab ride (1 hour) round the old quarters of Hanoi, a collection of narrow streets, each named after the product sold. In the afternoon depart a scenic drive for Halong. Stop over at Phu Lang ceramic village, 18 km northeast of Bac Ninh Town. Stay overnight in Halong.
Day 6: Halong – Hanoi – Hoi An (B, L, -)
Embark a traditional-style wooden boat at a nearby wharf for a 4-hour cruise around the wondrous Halong Bay, a World Heritage site listed by UNESCO in 1994. Visit some magical grottoes, marvel at odd-shaped islands and relax in the best scenic beauty of Vietnam. Lunch of fresh seafood is served on board. Transfer to Noi Bai airport for an evening flight to Danang. Pick up on arrival at Danang Airport and transfer to Hoi An, known as Faifo to early Western traders and recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 1999. Stay overnight in Hoi An.
Day 7: Hoi An (B, -, -)
In the morning, have a walking tour of the ancient town centre. Stroll around the Japanese and Chinese Quarters to visit a number of temples, pagodas, communal houses, traditional shops, local markets and other places of interest and watch local daily activities, handicraftsmen at work and a lively show of traditional dancing and music. Afternoon relax on the beach or enjoy hotel facilities. Stay overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An – Danang – Hue (B, -, -)
This morning relax on the beach and enjoy hotel facilities. Afternoon leave for Hue with stop over in Danang to visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture and the stone-carving village of Non Nuoc. Continue to Hue, widely known for its magnificent monuments built under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 – 1945). Stay overnight in Hue.
Day 9: Hue (B, -, -)
Start a morning tour by a visit to the Royal Citadel. The next stop is a typical Hue garden, featuring various kinds of fruit trees and flowers. Continue to visit the lively Dong Ba market. In the afternoon pay visit to the Mausoleum of King Minh Mang. The next stop is Thien Mu Pagoda, and from here take a boat cruise along Perfume River returning to you hotel. Stay overnight in Hue.
Day 10: Hue – Ho Chi Minh City (B, -, -)
Transfer to Hue Airport for a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Have an afternoon sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the History Museum (closed on Monday), the Reunification Palace, the Central Post Office, then have a short walk along the shopping Dong Khoi Street from Notre Dame Cathedral to the Municipal Theatre. Drive to bustling Cho Lon (Chinatown). Drop into the lively Binh Tay wholesale market before visiting Thien Hau Temple. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi - Ho Chi Minh City (B, -, -)
Have a morning sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the History Museum (closed on Monday), the Reunification Palace, the Central Post Office, then have a short walk along the shopping Dong Khoi Street from Notre Dame Cathedral to the Municipal Theatre. Drive to bustling Cho Lon (Chinatown). Drop into the lively Binh tay wholesale market before visiting Thien Hau temple. In the afternoon drive 70 km to Cu Chi, famed for its elaborate network of over 200 km of three-story underground tunnels hand-dug by local people during the Vietnam War. Crawl down a tunnel to feel the underground life, and then test your marksmanship with an AK rifle at a local rifle range (optional with surcharge). Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, -)
Drive 75km to My Tho, a peaceful town on the bank of the Mekong River. On arrival board a private boat for a boat cruise along one of the Mekong River’s main tributaries to an islet. Once at there, visit some local homes and orchards where you can taste seasonal fruits and honey tea and enjoy a performance of traditional southern singing. Continue with a horse-drawn cart ride along village lanes and a sampan ride through palm-shaded creeks. Lunch of Mekong specialties is served at local restaurant. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap (B, -, -)
Take a morning transfer to the airport for a short flight to Siem Reap. Meet on arrival at Siem Reap airport and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon pay visits to "Les Artisans D' Angkor - Chantiers Ecoles" and a local market. Then walk up to the top of Phnom Bakheng Hill to enjoy a panoramic view of the western Baray and Angkor Wat at sunset. Stay overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 14: Siem Reap (B, -, D)
In the morning explore the famous 12th-century temples of Angkor Wat, with their five distinctive towers emblazoned on the Cambodian flag. Then visit Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples in the area. In the afternoon pay visit to the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), which comprises the South Gate, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the famous Bayon Temple. In the evening enjoy a buffet dinner with a presentation of Khmer dancing & music is arranged. Stay overnight in Seam Reap.
Day 15: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh (B, -, -)
Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Phnom Penh. Meet upon arrival at Phnom Penh Airport and transfer to the downtown of Phnom Penh. Visit the Russian Market (Psah Tuol Tom Poung) and the transfer to your hotel for check-in. Have an afternoon city tour to include the Victory Monument, the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda located in the Royal Palace, and the Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh’s name-sake. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong River with a view of the locals at work along the banks. Stay overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 16: Departure from Phnom Penh (B, -, -)
Spend last minutes shopping before check-out. Transfer to the airport for departure flight.
