The Bay to Angkor

• Download Dossier
• Get Adobe

• Destination Information
• Travel Guide
• View Tour Map

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1   :  Hanoi arrival                            
Day 2   :  Hanoi full‐day City tour                        
Day 3   :  Hanoi – Halong Bay                         
Day 4   :  Halong – Hanoi                            
Day 5   :  Hanoi – Duong Lam Village – Thay Pagoda – Night train to Hue  
Day 6   :  Hue City tour – Vegetarian lunch in a Buddhist nunnery.        
Day 7   :  Hue ‐ Hoi An                            
Day 8   :  Hoi An half day biking tour                 
Day 9   :  Hoi An at leisure                       
Day 10 :  Hoi An/ Da Nang – Fly to Saigon             
Day 11 :  Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnels              
Day 12 :  Saigon – Mekong Delta     
Day 13 :  Saigon – Fly to Siem Reap            
Day 14 :  Angkor Wat Discovery                         
Day 15 :  Angkor Wat – Tonle Sap Lake           
Day 16 :  Siem Reap Departure

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival day (D)
Out tour guide will meet you at the Hanoi Airport and escort you to your hotel in downtown Hanoi. The rest of the day is at leisure, allowing you to relax or explore the city. Welcome dinner in a Vietnamese restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi City tour (B, L)
Today you will enjoy a full day tour of Hanoi, Vietnam’s charming capital. You will see Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and his private home, a wooden stilt‐house surrounded by lush gardens. You will also visit the One Pillar Pagoda in the same complex, an important symbol for Hanoians. The tour continues at the museum of Ethnology where we will see Vietnam’s diverse culture through the Museum’s display of articles and dress used in daily life. After lunch at a local restaurant we will visit the Temple of Literature (Confucius Temple), considered the first National University of Vietnam.
 
Next, we visit Hoa Lo prison (known as the “Hanoi Hilton” during the American war). Then we enjoy a cyclo (rickshaw) tour through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. This bustling area of narrow streets and alley ways houses thousands of small family businesses and shops traveling by cyclo is the way to get a real feeling for the town as well as some great photographs. In the evening we enjoy a performance of the traditional water puppet show, a typical northern Vietnam art form.
Overnight in Hanoi
 
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D)
This morning, a four hour journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta brings us tolegendary Halong Bay. On arrival, we board our boat where we enjoy a seafood lunch. The afternoon is spent cruising among hundreds of islets discovering unspoiled pockets of the Bay.  We will also visit “Sung Sot” Cave, one of the most imposing grottos of the area. Tonight we enjoy dinner and a night on board ship.
Overnight on boat cruise

Day 4: Halong – Hanoi (B, L)
In the morning we rise to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the bay and perhaps an early morning swim, followed by breakfast. Our cruise around the bay continues. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our private vehicle for the four hour journey back to Hanoi.Back to the hotel for the night. Dinner is on your own arrangement.
Overnight in Hanoi
 
Day 5: Hanoi – Duong Lam ancient village – Night train to Hue (B, L)
At 7.30 am, our guide will collect you at your hotel. We take a 1 ½ hour drive heading southwest of Hanoi to Duong Lam Ancient village ‐ a rich historical site with fascinating old houses, churches and temple of the two famous Kings, Phung Hung and Ngo Quyen. Despite the passing of time, these old relics are still being well‐preserved on the features of ancient houses and local ways of life. We take a walk around this old village for photos, meet the locals and experience their daily life. We also take a short bicycle tour to the village outer for some more photos. We will enjoy our authentic lunch with a villager family.

In the afternoon we drive to Thay Pagoda located in a beautiful and tranquil village. Formally regarded as Thien Phuc Tu Pagoda, Thay Pagoda was built in the 11th century during the reign of King Ly. We continue our sight‐seeing drive to the Tay Phuong Pagoda. The present structure of this pagoda dated from the 18th century and is renowned for its impressive collection of wooden statues depicting the Buddha and other middle ranking Buddhist deities coated with lacquer paint.We then drive to Hanoi for your self‐arranged dinner before taking the night train to Hue. We depart at 17:00 from Hanoi Railway Station. The train journey (SE3) takes about 13 hours in A/C soft sleepers.
Overnight on train

Day 6: Hue city tour (B, L)
Arrive to Hue in mid morning, transferred to the hotel for your breakfast and start our day with a trip to the ancient walled Citadel where we’ll see the former Imperial Palace, closely modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. Significant damage was caused by French aerial bombing and the Tet Offensive of 1968, however, much of the city is now being restored thanks to UNESCO funding. Next, we drive to the Perfume River and visit Thien Mu Pagoda. From here we take our car to a Buddhist Nunnery for our vegetarian lunch.

In the afternoon we visit King Khai Dinh’s Mausoleum. The impressive mausoleum was built in early 20 century combining Vietnamese and French architecture, yet the best part is the interior which was artfully decorated with colorful broken china and glass and beautiful drawings. We then take our dragon boat cruising down stream back to our hotel for your leisure time. Dinner is on your own arrangement.
Overnight in Hue City.

Day 7: Hue ‐ Hoi An (B, L)
After breakfast we drive to Hoi An on a 4 hour scenic journey hugging the coastline with some photo stops en‐route at Hai Van Pass and Marble Mountain. Arrive to Hoi An by lunch time. Check into the hotel then go into town for lunch followed by a short walking tour through the Old Quarter. From the sixteenth to eighteenth century, Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port. Today it is a quaint riverside town popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, tailor shops, and cafes. We visit Chua Ong Pagoda, Assembly Hall, the 200‐year‐old Tan Ky house, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. It will then be your free time for photos and shopping in town. Dinner is on your own arrangement.
Overnight in Hoi An

Day 8: Hoi An – half day biking excursion (B)
This morning we enjoy our leisure biking excursion to Tra Que vegetable village to witness villagers’ way of cultivating their vegetable crops. We then head to Thanh Ha Pottery village then go back to the hotel by lunch time. It will be your free time to chill out at Cua Dai Beach or shopping for the rest of the day. Lunch and dinner are on your own arrangement.  
Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Hoi An leisure day (B)
Today is absolutely at your own leisure. Spend you day at the beach or just enjoy the comfort of our hotel.
Overnight in Hoi An

Day 10: Hoi An/ Da Nang – Flight to Saigon (B)
In the morning we drive to Da Nang airport for a short flight (VN425 0810 0915) to Saigon. In the afternoon, we visit the Reunification Palace. The war officially ended here on April 30th 1975 when tank 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of the home of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. Then we visit the War Remnants Museum, a poignant display of the futility of war. We also stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office. The post office, built between 1877 and 1883, is an excellent example of classic French colonial architecture. We then transferred to our hotel for your leisure time. Lunch and dinner are on your own arrangement.
Overnight in Saigon

Day 11: Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L)
Today we will travel out of the city to the Cu Chi Tunnels. This vast network of tunnels, stretching over 150 kilometers, was built by the Viet Cong in the battles for the south. The tunnels are a sobering insight into the dedication of the Viet Cong who lived almost entirely underground in the narrow and claustrophobic tunnels. Upon arrival, we have a chance to watch a brief video that will introduce you to the Cu Chi tunnels, followed by a walk through the reserve. Nearby is a chilling demonstration of the traps and weapons used against the American GIs. The Cu Chi tunnels have been made wider and cleaner for western visitors, however they can still be dark and claustrophobic inside so please keep in mind if you do not like enclosed spaces. We return to Saigon for lunch and the remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Saigon

Day 12: Saigon – Cai Be (B, L)
We take over 2 hour drive to Cai Be ‐ Phu An where we will board the Cai Be Princess to visit Cai Be colorful floating market with exciting world of people buying and selling their farming/ orchard produce. After that we visit some cottage industries and learn how rice paper, coconut candy, rice popcorn and fish sauce are made. The trip continues along the Mekong canals to Dong Hoa Hiep Island located between Vinh Long and Cai Be. During this 40 minutes cruise we will discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong delta rural life. Stops on the way can be made upon request for particular visits or photos opportunities. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still remain unknown to many people. We have lunch at Le Longanier restaurant at La Residence de Phu An resort, an Indochine style resort. After a short walk along a narrow canal, the excursion will end at around 3.30pm where the vehicle will await us for our transfer back to hotel. Overnight in Saigon

Day 13: Saigon – Flight to Siem Reap (B)
This morning, we take a short flight to Siem Reap. After checking in to the hotel you’ll have free time to rest and relax. In the afternoon we’ll visit the Roluos Temple Complex. The complex displays the remains of the first major capital of the Khmer empire and contains several significant monuments including Bakong, Preah Ko and Lolei. The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure. Overnight in Siem Riep

Day 14: Angkor Wat (B, L)
Today, we tour Angkor Thom City. We’ll start at the South Gate and explore the centerpiece of the ancient city, The Bayon. The Bayon has fifty four towers decorated with more than two hundred enigmatic smiling faces. The tour also includes the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of Leper Kings, as well as The Ta Prohm Temple. After lunch we explore Angkor Wat, probably the most famous and best‐preserved of the temples in the complex. After spending the afternoon here, we will go to Pre Rup to see the sunset.
Overnight in Siem Riep

Day 15: Angkor Wat – Tonle Sap Lake (B)
An early start will let us see the sun rise over Angkor Wat Temple. After breakfast, we head to the exquisite Banteay Srey (“Citadel of the women”). The temple displays fine examples of classical Khmer art. You will enjoy free time here until your transfer to the Tonle Sap for a boat trip on the lake.
Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 16: Siem Reap – Departure (B)
Free time until transfer to Siem Reap Airport for your flight home. End of our service.

                                    Wishing you an Unforgetable Holiday with Indochina Pioneer!

This tour is private and can be well tailor-made to suite your travel needs. As a result the price is quoted in US dollars and per person basis. The final price will be privately quoted upon your own number of participants, time of travel, grade of hotel rooms and other detailed services. Please click on BOOK button and fill in the requested information then our travel consultant will customize the best value holiday for you. Thank you!
 

♦ REMARKS:
1. We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. In Indochina particularly, hotel price makes up most of the cost of your holiday in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. All of our prices are calculated upon twin-shared basis. To Indochina Pioneer standard, here is basically how we define our service:

+ Superior Level (3 star hotels in good locations): > 60USD/room/night
+ Deluxe Level (4 star hotels): > 110 USD/room/night
+ Luxury Level (5 star hotels): > 180USD/room/nigh

2. Price base in twin share basis accomodation.
3. Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.
4. More people more discounts. Please enquire for more details.
 

Note: We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. Particularly, hotel price makes up most of the cost of your holiday in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. All of our prices are calculated upon twin-shared basis. To Indochina Pioneer standard, here is basically how we define our service:

+ Superior Level (3 star hotels ): > 60USD/room/night
+ Deluxe Level (4 star hotels): > 110 USD/room/night
+ Luxury Level (5 star hotels): > 180USD/room/night

Contact Person: Steven Quinn
E-Mail: sales@indochinapioneer.com
Call Us: +84 43715 3627 | Fax: +84 43715 3626
Make an enquiry | Hotline: +84 983 145 799