15 DAYS DISCOVERING SOUTHEAST ASIA

DETAILS ITINERARY:

DAY 0 21-FEB FLIGHT FROM BNE BY YOURSELF. 

Flight from BNE to Saigon by Viet Jet Air – Deluxe Ticket with allowance luggage. 

VJ084 21:40 – 05:05

DAY 1 22-FEB DA NANG ARRIVAL HOI AN [GUIDE/B] VJ-084 @0505

Arrival in Saigon, you will take a connecting flight to Da Nang. 

Transfer from International airport to domestic one by yourself. 

Check in at hotel 

In the late afternoon, Take a walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient town centre, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year old Tam Ky ancestral house and the famous Japanese Bridge. 

Then you will take a lantern drop on Hoai River, a romantic experience in Hoi An. 

Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 2 23-FEB HOI AN MY SON SANCTUARY - COCONUT FOREST [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at hotel, then our guide will pick  you up to depart to My Son Sanctuary – take around 1 hour for transfer. My Son – “the spirit and art valley” is a symbol for a brilliant period of Champa kingdom. Since 1999, My Son has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage

Arrive in My Son Temple, a special electric car will pick you up at the main gate and take you to the place where was chosen to build the temple tower of the Champa Royal for nearly 1000 years with many ancient towers hidden in a discreet valley. The place where the most exquisite focus of ancient Champa culture – is considered to be the Holy Land.

There, you will hear the stone bricks tell about the dancing gods, tell about the gods of worship in the Champa culture, and so many secrets that until now still have no explanation and maybe you will be the first decode them.

After visiting and listening to the tour guide talk about the mysteries here, you will be back to the main gate of My Son Ruins by special electric car. Leave My Son Holy land behind.

Lunch on your own

Then you will visit Coconut Forest at Cam Thanh Village with amazing basket boat dancing.

Then back to hotel and take a rest.
Overnight in Hoi An. 

DAY 3 24-FEB HOI AN BANA HILL - MARBLE MOUNTAIN [GUIDE/B]

In the morning, transfer to Bana Hills Station. You have a chance to ride on a modern system of cable cars helps you get a bird’s-eye view, very miraculous and attractive while enjoying a feeling of flying in the blue sky amidst the clouds and wind. You will visit some old French villas en route, as well as the suspension bridge, Nui Chua & the Mountain Peak (at the height of 1,487m). Visit Linh Ung Pagoda, Golden Bridge, Sakyamuni Buddha’s monument and Ba Na.

Leave Bana behind, you will visit Marble Mountain - a cluster of five marble and limestone hills located in Ngũ Hành Sơn District, south of Da Nang city in Vietnam. The five mountains are named after the five elements: Kim, Thuy, Moc, Hoa and Tho.

Overnight on Hoi An.

DAY 4 25-FEB DA NANG FLIGHT TO HANOI [GUIDE/B]

Free and easy in the morning. 

Then you will transfer to airport for flight to Hanoi. 

Arrival in Hanoi, check in at hotel and take a rest. 

The first stop is Hoa Lo Prison, a historical site to understand about Vietnam history during war peridot. 

Next you will visit Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam. 

Then you will discover Hoan Kiem Lake with The Huc Bridge and Ngoc Son Temple.

Finnally, enjoying Water Puppet Show - a traditional art dating back from 11th century.

DAY 5 26-FEB HANOI NINH BINH [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at hotel, then our guide will pick you up from hotel to Ninh Binh in around 2.5 hours.

Arrival in Ninh Binh, you will visit Hoa Lu, an ancient capital dating back to the 10th century, packed with temple & fortress ruins. 

Then you will visit the Temple of King Dinh and King Le and learn more about Vietnamese history under the Dinh, Le, and Ly Dynasties.

Lunch by your own account  

In the afternoon, you will visit Tam Coc, known as “Halong Bay on the land”, where you can spend 1.5 hours on the bamboo boat to explore this area. On this excursion down the Ngo Dong River, you will pass through the beautiful paddy fields, limestone karst formation, and a stunning cave system including Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba for an unforgettable experience. 

We continue to visit Mua Cave, also known as the “Great Wall of China” in Vietnam, and climb 500 steps to reach the peak of Ngoa Long Mountain, overlooking the amazing view of the city and Tam Coc below.

Back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 6 27-FEB NINH BINH HA LONG BAY [GUIDE/B/L/D]

8: 30 – 8: 45 Pick up at your hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter. Then transfer to Tuan Chau wharf on the new highway.

 Note: If guests do not stay at the hotel, our car will pick up at Hanoi Opera House – the final pickup point.

10: 30 – 11: 00 Stopover for refreshment at Pearl store, pearl breeding place about 20 minutes.

11: 30 – 12: 00 Arrive at Tuan Chau harbor.

12: 00 – 12: 30 Transfer to Hermes Cruises. Check in your cabin.

13: 00 Enjoy a nice buffet lunch at our restaurant while the cruise goes ahead to Halong Bay.

15: 00 – 16: 45 Continue to explore Halong by visiting Luon Cave and participate in kayaking, a must-try sport activity in Halong.

 After that, visit Titov Island. Here, you will have time to climb up to the peak of Titov Island, admire the beautiful panorama view of Halong Bay or swim, take pictures, play on the sea.

18: 00 Enjoy Sunset Party with fruits and snacks on Hermes Sky Bar.

 Option: Happy Hour (Buy 2 get 1 free)

            Massage service is available

18: 30 Join cooking demonstration: How to make Vietnamese spring rolls – traditional Vietnamese food.

19: 30 Enjoy European set-menu dinner on the restaurant on-board.

21: 00 Join the Squid Fishing activity. Free time on the boat.

DAY 7 28-FEB HA LONG BAY FLIGHT TO LUANG PRABANG [GUIDE/B/BR]

6: 30 Practice Tai Chi class. Tea and coffee are served.

6: 45 – 7: 30 Light breakfast is served.

7: 30 Visit Sung Sot cave.

9: 30 Check – out time on the board.

9: 45 – 10: 30 Enjoy buffet brunch while the cruise transfer to the Tuan Chau Wharf.

10: 45 – 11: 00 Disembark to Tuan Chau Wharf.

Then transfer to airport for flight to Luang Prabang. 

Arrival in Prabang, check in at hotel and take a rest. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang. 

DAY 8 29-FEB LUANG PRABANG [GUIDE/B]

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning alms giving ritual to saffron clad monks. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession. Enjoy your UNESCO morning walk to understand insight of this charming town then stop and visit fresh Morning market and back to hotel for breakfast.

Breakfast is served at the hotel. Then embark on boat and enjoy a relaxing cruise on Mekong to visit Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers. In these 2 caves are displayed hundreds of sacred centuries-old Buddha images which are the object of pilgrimages during the Lao New Year festivities around mid-April. 

End of your visit, cruise back and then stop at Ban Xang Khong, a weaving village, where you can jump into wooden looms with local expert for practical and experience. Then continue to cruise back to town.

This afternoon, we continue to visit Wat Xieng Thong further emphasizes the uniqueness of Luang Prabang, its several roofs sweeping low to the ground. See also the impressive "tree of life" mosaic here. The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts semi-erotic episodes from the Ramayana. 

After that, you will visit the former Royal Palace, a commanding structure in the centre of town that until 1946 was the heart of the Lang Xang Kingdom. Today it is the National Museum, and its halls contain rare religious and cultural artefacts.

Then visit Wat Sene.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

DAY 9 1-MAR LUANG PRABANG [GUIDE/B/L]

After breakfast, beginning with transfer to the Phosy market for meeting a host from local family. She will lead you through the market, meeting market sellers of vegetables, bamboo etc... You will help buy fresh and organic ingredients for your Lao food cuisine. When ingredients have been purchased transfer will be to the local family house. 

On arrival, you will be greeted by the family and cooking will begin.  Dishes prepared and cooked will begin with Noung Khao (steam sticky rice), then Bamboo shoot soup (Keang Nor Mai), Steam fish in banana leaf (Mok Pa), Luang Prabang stew (Or Lam), and Eggplant sauce (Jeo Mak Kheua). The way of cooking will be local family style and by fire stove. After all dishes are cooked, you can enjoy dining their cooked food with family members, and afterwards enjoy seasonal fruits. During lunch, you can enjoy drinking home-made Lao Lao whisky made from sticky rice. You are most welcome to share conversation with family members about Lao culture and family living. 

Note: The menu can be flexible for you if you have any allergic and could change directly with the family cooker at the market. 

Then travelling outskirt of Luang Prabang, driving through green rice paddies and farms. On your arrival at the Kuang Si falls, enjoy main waterfalls with spectacular views and surrounding of orchids inside the park and falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. 

Dinner on your own. Overnight in hotel.

DAY 10 2-MAR LUANG PRABANG FLIGHT TO SIEM REAP [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast is served at the hotel. Free time until transfer without guide to the airport for your flight international.

Upon arrival at the arrival halls you will be met by your local guide and driven to your hotel for check in. ( Subject based on room availability ) 

The rest of the day is free to relax and explore this charming town on your own.

DAY 11 3-MAR SIEM REAP ANGKOR WAT [GUIDE/B/L/D]

After breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion to discover Angkor Thom and Temples. Firstly, you will visit the wonderful Angkor Thom (the Great City) including the Southern Gate, famous Bayon temple (12th century in the centre of city remains one the most enigmatic temples of the Angkor group composed of 54 gothic towers decorated with 216 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. Baphuon temple is lying just to the north of Bayon a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru. Terrace of Elephants used   as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king’s grand audience hall ; Terrace of the Leper King  a platform 7m high, with statue and temple walls covered in emerald-green moss intertwined with roots which many deem the most charming of all, Ta Prohm.

Lunch is Khmer style in a local restaurant. Regain your energy enjoying a sumptuous Khmer feast near Sras Srang, the Royal Pool of Ablutions, originally reserved for the King and his consorts. Enjoy a spread of great local food followed by a nap lazing in a hammock, or explore to see the traditional way of life and say hello to the Cambodians near here.

Afternoon, it is time to visit the wonderful Angkor Wat Temples – one of the seven greatest architectural wonders of the world, as a temple and mausoleum forKing Suryavarman II at the peak of the Khmer empire in the first half of 12th. Angkor Wat is probably the best-preserved of the Angkorean temples, with a central tower surrounded by four smaller towers. The central monument represents the mythical Mount Meru, the holy mountain at the centre of the universe, which was home to the Hindu God Vishnu. The whole complex covers 81 hectares, a rectangular wall measuring 1025 meters by 800 meters borders the inner edge of the moat, and temple's greatest sculptural treasure is its 2 km-long bas-reliefs around the walls. In the late afternoon, visit to the Phnom Bakheng temple, is the first temple in Angkor region build by the Yacovarman I King in the first of 9th century, located on a slope gently hill where thousands tourist are grouping on the hilltop to catch a memorable time of life when viewing the marvellous sunset, the distant Angkor Wat in the jungle. This evening, enjoy buffet local dinner with Cambodian Cultural Performance including Apsara Show

DAY 12 4-MAR SIEM REAP KULEN MOUNTAIN [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast in the hotel. Excursion to Mount Phnom Kulen. • We will see the river “thousands of lingams” - the bottom of which is decorated with stone carvings from the image of deities for hundreds of meters. Climbing the holy mountain Phnom Kulen and visiting the 16th-century temple with a carved 8-meter silhouette of the “recumbent” Buddha. A visit to the waterfall (optional, you can swim - we recommend taking towels and bathing accessories) • Next visit to the Banteay Srei temple, built at the end of the X century. A pink sandstone Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva. The temple site is surrounded by a wall, behind which there is a moat. The temple consists of three prasat towers. The walls of the towers are decorated with reliefs. The Banteay Srey Temple is also called the "Citadel of a Woman." On the way back stop at Pradark Village, where you will see the villagers making palm sugar, handicraft for selling to tourist. It’s a nice chance for you to see the local people living at the country side with their struggling for daily life.

DAY 13 5-MAR SIEM REAP - FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH [GUIDE/B]

Today is on your own leisure until transfer to the airport for your flight to the next destination. Arrival in Ho Chi Minh, our guide will pick you up to hotel for check in and take a rest.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh. 

DAY 14 6-MAR HO CHI MINH MEKONG DELTA CU CHI [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at hotel, our guide will pick you up and transfer directly to Cu Chi Tunnel for a 2hr drive northwest to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The ingenious tunnel complex was initially started in 1948 to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. The tunnels also served as communication routes, storage facilities for food and weapon caches and contained hospitals and living quarters for guerrilla fighters throughout the American War.

Lunch on your own 

After lunch time, we'll head to My Tho to explore the Mekong Delta. You'll get a glimpse into the daily life of the locals as we take a boat ride down the Mekong River, where you can enjoy the picturesque scenery of the surrounding countryside. We will then take a sampan ride through the small waterways with coconut palms line both sides, where you can experience the rural lifestyle, stop by the bee house to enjoy some local fruits and honey tea, listen to a live local music performance performed by the villagers. We'll wrap up our day and head back to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon and be taken back to your hotel.

DAY 15 7-MAR HO CHI MINH DEPARTURE [GUIDE/B] @1055

Breakfast at hotel, free & easy, then our guide will pick you up to airport for flight home.

End of trips! 

We look forward to seeing you again on your next adventure with Vinasoul Travel!

SERVICE INCLUDES

+ Private door-to-door pick-up & drop-off services; 

+ All private transfer and transportation, except for coconut forest discovery tour 

+ Accommodation shared in Twin/Double room with daily breakfast 

+ Tissues and water on coach; Services charges and government tax; Exclusive and personalized single agent/single customer service; No extra charge after services confirmation; 24/7 hotline support guaranteed;

+ All Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast ; L: Lunch ; D: Dinner)

+ Halong Bay cruise program as specific

+ Domestic Flights

+ International Flights 

+ Experienced English-speaking guide during all tours and transfers

+ Private boat trip for sightseeing as mentioned in the program, Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary

SERVICES EXCLUDES

+ Evisa to Vietnam (50usd/ person 2 times) 

+ Visa on arrival in Cambodia  (30usd/ person)

+ Visa to Laos 

+ Meals, if not specified in the itinerary

+ Tipping for guides, drivers, hotel staff, restaurant staff, boat rider, etc. Personal expenses, such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc. All other services not specified in the itinerary Surcharge for Peak season, Tet Lunar New year holidays, and compulsory dinner at some hotel & resort on Xmas and New year’s Eve

+ Travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance).

Suggestions for tipping and gratuities: 

+ Group under 6 pax: 20 USD per Group per day.

+ Group from 6 pax up: 3 - 5 USD per pax per day 

+ Group under 6 pax: 10 USD per Group per day. 

+ Group from 6 pax up: 2 USD per pax per day