18 DAYS DISCOVERING AWESOME VIETNAM THAILAN 

PHNOMPENH - SIEMREAP - BANGKOK - CHIANGMAI - HANOI - HALONGBAY 

OUTLINE ITINERARY:

Day 1  Phnom Penh Arrival (D)

Day 2  Phnom Penh (B/L)

Day 3 Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B/L) By Shuttle Bus

Day 4 Siem Reap (B/L)

Day 5 Siem Reap (Kulen National Park) (B/L)

Day 6 Siem Reap -Flight To Bangkok [Guide/B]

Day 7 Bangkok Half Day Tour [Guide/B]

Day 8 Bangkok Flight To Chiang Mai [Guide/B]

Day 9 Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary And Half Day Temple Tour [Guide/B]

Day 10 Chiang Mai Flight To Hanoi [Guide/B]

Day 11 Hanoi City Tour [Guide/B]

Day 12 Hanoi Ninh Binh [Guide/B]

Day 13 Hanoi Ha Long Bay [Guide/B/L/D]

Day 14 Ha Long Bay Hanoi - Flight To Da Nang [Guide/B/Br]

Day 15 Da Nang Bana Hill [Guide/B]

Day 16 Da Nang Hoi An [Guide/B]

Day 17 Hoi An [Guide/B]

Day 18 Hoi An/ Da Nang - Departure [Guide/B]

DETAILS ITINERARY:

DAY 1 PHNOM PENH ARRIVAL (D)

Pick up from the airport transfer to the hotel check in. Afternoon, visit to Royal Palace is a royal residence now where His Majesty, the King of Cambodia, and the royal families live. It is like a small town of royal dynasties. Continue to Silver Pagoda, serves less as a functioning temple than a repository for cultural treasures such as 90 kg golden Buddha encrusted with 2086 diamonds. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

DAY 2 PHNOM PENH (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel:  Drive to visit the “Killing Fields” of Choeng Ek (15 km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners) were detained and tortured at the S-21 prison and transported to extermination camp of Choeng Ek and followed by visiting to Independence monument for photo shooting and Psa Thmey market. 
Afternoon, visit Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 prison). This former school was used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeng Ek to be executed. Then Visit Russian Market (Toul Tumpong Market), the Market has gained reputation for cheap clothing, a large selection of Buddha images and woodcarvings, betel-nut boxes, silk, silver jewelry, and classic music instrument and followed by Wat Phnom Temple is one of the most important pagodas in Phnom Penh. Built in 1373 on an artificial hill by the wealthy widow Daun Chi Penh. Optional: Visit Naga World Casino. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

DAY 3 PHNOM PENH – SIEM REAP (B/L) BY SHUTTLE BUS

Breakfast at the hotel: Transfer to the bus station for your continued journey to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to the hotel check in. Lunch at local Indian restaurant.  Afternoon, visit to Floating Village, take a ride by traditional wooden boat on Tonle Sap Lake to experience the human occupations at the edges of the lake is similarly distinctive – floating villages, towering stilled houses, huge fish traps, and an economy and way of life deeply intertwined with the lake, the fish, the wildlife and the cycles of rising and falling waters and followed by a visit Artisan D’Angkor, a handicraft centre the Handicraft center for the wood and stone carving processes if time permits.  Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 4 SIEM REAP (B/L)

After breakfast, visit to The South Gate of Angkor Thom: Bayon Temple, The Royal Enclosure, Phimeanaka, Elephant and Leper King Terrace. Continue visit to Ta Promh (the jungle temple. After lunch, visit to Thommanan, Chaosay Tevoda, Ta Keo: small, attractive temple in very good condition, built all the same time as Angkor Wat. Continue to Angkor Wat: The “7^th Wonders’of the World”. World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. Continue visit to Bakheng Hill: Sunset viewing on the top of the hill. Bakheng is the first major temple to be constructed in the Angkor area; this temple-mountain offers extraordinary views. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Special note:

As for the visit of Bakan Tower of Angkor Wat Temple itself, closed for 4 days of a month on the Theravada Buddhist Religious Calendar, visitors are required to wear decent attires with shoulders and knees properly covered (Non-revealing dress). The visitors are particularly requested to stand in queue awaiting their turns to climb up to this peak, and children under twelve year-old are not permitted to do so for their own safety reason.

DAY 5 SIEM REAP (KULEN NATIONAL PARK) (B/L)

After breakfast – Drive to Kulen national Park of Kulen Mountain, the Khmer Empire’s capital in the early 9th century. Here we will visit countless ancient temples, the River of 1000 Lingas, a reclining Buddha and cascading waterfall, where you can rinse your sin and unpleasant deed with holy water. Return to the town for your late lunch. Afternoon, visit Pouk district about 15 Km in the West of Siem Reap town you visit the silk farm, a fascinating farm/workshop where you can see the entire silk creation process including growing the food for the silk worms, breeding the worms, silk extraction and refinement, traditional kit dying pattern creation and looming. Retail silk and souvenir shop. On the way back, visit the Western Baray (Baray Occidental) measuring 8 km by 2.3 km which provided water for the intensive cultivation of lands around Angkor. Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 6 SIEM REAP -FLIGHT TO BANGKOK [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at the hotel – Free and leisure.  Transfer to the airport for the flight departure.

Arrival in Bangkok, check in at hotel and take a rest.
Overnight in Bangkok.

DAY 7 BANGKOK HALF DAY TOUR [GUIDE/B]

H/D TEMPLES AND CITY TOUR NO LUNCH

Pick up at hotel.

A ride through the interesting parts of Bangkok with stop at the Golden Buddha, Reclining Buddha.

This tour takes you through the hustle and bustle of Bangkok to visit two of the capital s most significantly and visually stunning temples. Wat Traimit houses the world s largest solid gold Buddha (5.5 tons of precious meta) and Wat Pho, which is the oldest temple in Bangkok and houses of the Reclining Buddha, a 45 meter-long statue which depicts Buddha entering Nirvana. What Pho is also Thailand s first university and houses a wealth of art. It is still an important centre for traditional medicine and massage.

Accommodation at CENTURY PARK HOTEL BANGKO

DAY 8 BANGKOK FLIGHT TO CHIANG MAI [GUIDE/B]

Transfer from HOTEL IN BANGKOK to SUVARNABHUMI DOMESTIC APT

Transfer from CHIANGMAI AIRPORT to HOTEL IN CHIANG MAI

Accommodation at NOVOTEL CHIANG MAI NIMMAN JOURNEY HUB

DAY 9 CHIANG MAI ELEPHANT SANCTUARY AND HALF DAY TEMPLE TOUR [GUIDE/B]

H/D CHIANGMAI ELEPHANT JUNGLE SANCTUARY WITH LUNCH

Half day Elephant Jungle Sanctuary with lunch

06.30-07.00 am. You will be picked up from hotel, and travel to the Karen village and Sanctuary surrounded by beautiful agricultural countryside of Northern Thailand. When you arrive at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, an English-speaking guide will walk with you through the adjacent Karen village and teach you a little about elephants and the local way of life. Get changed into traditional Karen clothing, listen as your guide tells you more about the Sanctuary, grab some bananas and sugar cane for feeding, and you will be ready to meet the elephants !

Meet the Elephants and take your time to play and feed them !

Go to the River with the Elephants to take a bath and swim with them

Mud Spa for everybody !

Change clothes and lunch will be provided.

12.00 Leave Elephant Jungle Sanctuary

HD -TEMPLES OF CHIANG MAI :WAT CHEDI LUANG WAT PHRA KAEW WAT SUAN DOK DOI SUTHEP

Half Day Tour -Temples of Chiang Mai :Wat Chedi Luang Wat Phra Kaew Wat Suan Dok Doi Suthep MountainWat Phra That: Morning visit to Wat Chedi Luang, a historic temple that once housed the Emerald Buddha, now held in Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaew.

Visit the jade replica in this impressive temple built between the 14th and 15th centuries.

Continue to Wat Suan Dok, just outside the ancient city walls of Chiang Mai. The temple was built in the 14th century by King Keu Na of Lanna to accommodate important priests visiting from Sukhothai, and to be a place for local monks to shelter from the rain.

Drive to Doi Suthep Mountain, enjoying the spectacular views of Northern Thailand as you head past mountains and forests, towards Wat Phra That, one of Northern Thailand’s most sacred temples. Founded in 1383 AD, the temple is reached by climbing 309 steps (or for the less fitness-minded, a tram is available for a small surcharge). Enjoy the superb panoramic view over the city before returning to your hotel.

Accommodation at NOVOTEL CHIANG MAI NIMMAN JOURNEY HUB

DAY 10 CHIANG MAI FLIGHT TO HANOI [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at hotel, then our guide will pick you up to airport for flight to Hanoi. 

Arrival in Hanoi, our guide will pick you up to hotel for check in and take a rest.
Overnight in Hanoi. 

DAY 11 HANOI CITY TOUR [GUIDE/B]

Explore the charming city of Hanoi, often referred to as the ‘Paris of the East’, with its yellow ochre colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes. Visit the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument of marble and granite built to house the preserved body of beloved revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, affectionately known to the Vietnamese as “Uncle Ho”. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built in 1049 of wood in the shape of a lotus blossom and set on a single stone pillar. 

Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university built in the late 11th century. The picturesque temple is an example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote.

Lunch by your own account 

In the afternoon, you will visit Hoa Lo Prison, where you can discover a lot of informatoin about Vietnam War during French and American War. 

Next, you will drive back to central Hanoi for a walking tour through the famed Old Quarter known for its ‘36 streets of 36 wares’ named after the original 36 artisan guilds that date as far back as the 13th century. You will visit Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple – the temple of the Jade Mountain. 

Next you will visit Water Puppet Show – a traditional art of Vietnamese people in Hanoi.

Back to hotel and take a rest. 

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 12 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.

Then back to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 13 HANOI HA LONG BAY [GUIDE/B/L/D]

In the morning you will depart Hanoi at 08:30 for a three and a half hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long Bay City. On the way, you will stop for refreshments, and upon arriving in Halong City, you will take a tender transfer to your junk and set sail through the bay while lunch is served. As you cruise the magical bay, you will notice thousands of sculpted limestone islands rising from the waves like dragons' teeth. Later in the afternoon, you'll visit a fishing village with the opportunity to interact with fishermen who have been living in the bay for almost three generations. Back on board, you'll enjoy cocktails or a cooking class while watching the sunset, and later you can unwind at a restaurant with a lavish dinner. To end the day, you can enjoy some evening activities such as movie night, board games, or a beauty treatment, before an overnight stay on the junk.

***Special Note: Cruise Itineraries may be subject to change due to weather condition without prior notice.

DAY 14 HA LONG BAY HANOI - FLIGHT TO DA NANG [GUIDE/B/BR]

Wake up on the bay to the sounds of waves and bird welcoming the new day. You will have an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, visit a beautiful limestone grotto then walk back to the boat for a final glimpse of Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock.

Disembark on cruise, then back to Hanoi.

Then transfer directly to airport for flight to Da Nang.

Arrival in Da Nang, transfer to hotel, check in at hotel and take a rest. 

Overnight in  Da Nang.  

DAY 15 DA NANG BANA HILL [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 discover Son Tra Peninsula with panoramic view of Da Nang Beach and amazing Linh Ung Pagoda.

Check in at hotel and take a rest. 

Overnight in Da Nang. 

DAY 16 DA NANG HOI AN [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at hotel, then you will discover Marble Mountain – a cluster of five limestone mountains in Da Nang – a natural destination with Lind Ung Pagoda.

Arriving at the Marble Mountains you first need to climb the stairs up that leads you to Linh Ung Pagoda.

At the top you can visit some temples and discover numerous caves and amazing viewpoints, with panoramic views over the complete area and coast below.

You will learn more how some impressive caves were used by guerrilla fighters during the Vietnamese War.

Transfer to Hoi AN. 

Check in at hotel and take a short rest. 

Next you will discover Cam Thanh Village with coconut Forest and amazing basket boat dancing. 

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. 

Back to hotel and take a rest

Overnight in Hoi An. 

DAY 17 HOI AN [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at hotel, then you will visit My Son Sanctuary – “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.

Overnight in Hoi An. 

DAY 18 HOI AN/ DA NANG - DEPARTURE [GUIDE/B]

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

Trip ends! 

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 SIC Tour/ Shuttle bus sharing 

+ 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: Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Hanoi to Da Nang, Da Nang to Saigon, Economy Class

+ 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

+ International flight tickets

+ Visa to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand

+ 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