INDOCHINA SIGNATURE 16 DAYS

Breakfast at hotel. This morning will be at your leisure.

Afternoon enjoy a tour of Hanoi. Visit the outside of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (as it is closed the whole month of November), the One- Pillar Pagoda - a tiny shrine where couples make offerings when they want to have a child, and the Temple of Literature.

Enjoy your dinner and a show at Mme Tuyet’s house. Located in her home in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Madame Anh Tuyet and her daughter will join you during dinner. She will also happily allow you to join her in the preparation of her spring rolls as well, if you desire to try your hand at Vietnamese cooking!

Afterward, enjoy a water puppet show. The puppets are made of wood and usually stand sixteen inches high, but can be as tall as three feet. Puppets are attached to a long bamboo pole and dipped in and out of the water by a person behind a rattan curtain. Learning to manipulate the puppets is usually a tradition that is passed on as a family secret. It takes a great deal of skill and because the puppeteers’ hands are underwater it is easy for them to hide their methods....

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

This morning, visit the Ngoc Son Temple. Hoan Kiem Lake was already considered the most beautiful lake in Hanoi when Ngoc Son Temple was built on an island in the 19th century. Discover the Old Quarter during a 1-hour cyclo ride.

Enjoy lunch at Bobby Chinn’s. Internationally acclaimed chef Bobby Chinn produces a mix of western and Vietnamese creations served in a beautifully designed space. The restaurant offers a style of California-Asian fusion cuisine served in a hip contemporary atmosphere.

Afternoon. Free your time at leisure. You will then transfer to the Hanoi Railway Station for an overnight train ride departing at 2155 hours to Lao Cai in a deluxe cabin on the Victoria Carriage.

Early this morning at approximately 5:30 AM, you arrive at Lao Cai, the border town to Yunnan, China. A scenic 38km drive on winding roads up the mountains brings you to Sapa, approximately 1500 meters above sea level. On clear days you can see the highest mountain of Vietnam, the Fansipan.

This morning, enjoy a short trekking excursion to visit the Ham Rong Mountain. Enjoy a minority show here performed by the young minority ladies and men. You also have opportunity to overview the whole picture of Sapa town on a clear day as well as visit the so-called “stone forest” here. You then trek back to Sapa and enjoy a walking tour to visit the Cat Cat village and have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, a 4km drive takes you to the rim of a deep valley. Along the road you will see Hmong, Dzay and Dzao minority people dressed in their traditional costumes. A 30-minute walk takes you over a bridge to picturesque Ta Van Village, home to all three minorities. Share their daily lives for a rare glimpse into their culture and customs. Afterward, drive back to the hotel.

Enjoy a full day of soft trekking through Ma Tra village of the Black Mong people and Ta Phin village of the Red Dzao people. A lunch box will be provided.

Transfer back to Sapa and free your time at leisure until it is time to transfer to the train station. Your overnight train to Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi around 05:30 A.m. Visit Hanoi morning market and enjoy the famous Pho Hanoi, Hanoi old quater coffee.

Drive to Halong Bay and embark around 1200 hours. Welcome on board and set sail through the bay while lunch is served. Pass through the magical bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waves like dragons’ teeth.

After lunch, take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay, go swimming on a quiet beach or sunbathing on the sundeck. Later in the afternoon, visit a fishing village with the opportunity to interact with the local fishermen who have been living by the bay for nearly three generations. Just before sunset, kayak or simply take a bamboo rowboat to discover a water tunnel with many coral reefs in a scenic lagoon. Back on board, enjoy cocktails while watching the sunset.

We suggest 02 options for overnight cruise:

Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi exercise with an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, visit beautiful limestone grotto. Back on the boat take a final glimpse of Halong Bay while cruising back to the pier. Upon disembarkation, you will be met and driven back to Hanoi.

Transfer to the airport to take a flight to Hue. Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Hue.

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Breakfast at hotel. This morning an excursion boat trip along the romantic Perfume river carries us through a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes, where Hue’s best known religious sites are located. We will visit Thien Mu pagoda - one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious work ship in Hue. We include this in a half day cruise on the Perfume river which also gives us a taste of the scenic countryside and an enjoyable visit to the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. This impressive landmark reflects the beautiful architecture, intricate decor and mysterious statues. Afterwards we take a short drive though the rolling hill to see the elaborateroyal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc - One of the most beautifully designed complexes among the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty. Embedded in a lush pine forest, this tomb is the final resting place of Emperor Tu Duc (1848-83) who had the longest reign of all emperors of the Nguyen dynasty. Have your lunch at Tinh Gia Vien restaurant.

P.M: We will visit the Hue Citadel Complex including Royal Citadeland Forbidden Citadel - UNESCO World Heritage Sites, set up by Nguyen Dynasty from 1805 to 1945, is now one amongst the relics of the Hue ancient capital.

The sightseeing continues with a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market - fantastic to wander boulevards, verdant parks and ochre buildings that retain an old-world around. It sells all manner of items and is a lively place to spend a couple charm, Dong Ba is also famous for the best conical hats in Vietnam.

A special dinner tonight will be served at Tha Om, located within a traditional home.

Breakfast at hotel. We depart to to Da Nang (110 km) via Lang Co beach and Hai Van pass, you’ll have a brief look at the remarkable Hindu statuary in the Cham museum - One of the largest collection of Cham sculpture and artwork in the world. The museum is officially known as the Museum of Champa Sculpture. We continue to visit a nearby stone-cutting craft village before leaving for Hoian ancient town (35km) - an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Hoian has 1,068 ancients houses, 19 pagodas, 43 temples, 23 communal houses, 38 family temples, 5 assembly halls, 11 old wells, one bridge, 44 ancient tombs. In old quarter, there are more than 1000 relic sites. Discovery Hoian’s night and overnight in Hoian.

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Breakfast at hotel. Walking around the historic town. Soaking up the atmosphere. Exploring the many Chinese assembly halls and fascinating ancestral homes, some of which have been occupied by the same family for fifteen generations. One of the most spectacular Assembly Halls is thePhuc Kien Assembly Hall, built in 1690. The pagoda inside contains intricate statues and artwork, in part dedicated to Thien Hau Than Mau, the Goddess of the Sea and protector of fishermen.

Walking tour of the ancient town center takes us to the sites of former merchants’ homes, the 400-year old Japanese Covered bridge - The symbol of Hoian. The Japanese Covered bridge was the first bridge in Hoian and was constructed in 1593. It was built by the Japanese community of Hoian to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream.

Have your lunch at Morning Glory restaurant.

The town is also famous for its shops in particular it’s large number of tailors. If you wanted, you could have a whole new wardrobe made for you here. You can enjoy browsing and shopping in one of the most colorful local marketplaces in all of Southeast Asia. Free your time to relax or discover the hidden charm of Hoian town. Overnight in Hoian.

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. You will be met upon arrival and transferred immediately to the Cai Be Princess (Victoria cruise), in the Mekong Delta. Visit the bustling floating market at Cai Be on board the Cai Be Princess boat and enjoy a boat trip through the Delta. You will pass rice fields, islands with fruit orchards, houses built on stilts and narrow bamboo bridges crossing the waters and also have the opportunity to watch local villagers producing rice paper, pop-rice, ceramics and woven baskets.

Enjoy lunch at Le Longanier Restaurant, a superb Indochine style villa located in a large, lush tropical garden by the river. After lunch, the Cai Be Princess will cruise deeper into the countryside on smaller canals and arroyos passing under several small traditional bridges made by wood and bamboo. Stops can be made during the cruise to visit some fruit markets and plantations on the banks (bananas, water melon, longans). This is an opportunity to make contact with local inhabitants. Along the river, you will observe some very large rice fields while cruising between numerous suspended fishing nets, an ancestral way of fishing in the Mekong Delta.

An optional bicycle tour on the banks, through the countryside can be arranged if desired. Then, you will be driven to your hotel in Can Tho. A thriving and pleasant, expanding town, Can Tho is home to a busy floating market and big university, part of which is the famous Rice Research institute, but more importantly to the joy of all travelers, it is surrounded by a myriad of canals, rice lands, groves and gardens. Enjoy dinner this evening at Sao Hom.

Early this morning you enjoy a boat trip on the Mekong River to visit the bustling floating market in Cai Rang, having the opportunity to watch villagers producing rice paper, pop-rice and rice husking. Take a walk into the village for a closer look at the local life.

Afterward, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Your guide will give you a short introductory tour of the city including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the ornate Post Office. Designed by Gustav Eiffel and built by the French as an apparent statement of their dominance over the territory, the Post Office resembles a grand railway station. If time permits, see the former Presidential Palace.

Following your quick tour of the city, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy Siem Reap.

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This 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.

In the afternoon, visit the ancient temples of Wat Athvea Pagoda and give special alms to the monks. Then visit the South Gate of the ancient capital Angkor Thom (12th century) with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk and cycle to Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara). After visiting the Bayon Temple, continue to the Terraces of Elephants and the Leper King, The Royal Enclosure, Baphoun, Phimeanakas.

Enjoy dinner at FCC restaurant.

Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The crown jewel of Laos and former Lanexang, Luang Prabang is perhaps the best preserved traditional city in South east Asia. It is a sleepy town which has preserved its long-standing reputation as a stronghold of Lao cultures with its splendid natural scenery and sense of timelessness. Magical and charming, Luang Prabang is the destination that every traveler has to see once in their life time. During 1995 Luang Prabang was voted by UNESCO as a world heritage city.

Watch a splendid sunset at Vat Prabaht Tai located along the Mekong River.

We suggest 02 options:

Early this morning you depart from your hotel to see the monks gather for their morning alms. You will join along with the local people giving alms to the monks. The custom of alms gathering is an ancient monastic tradition where the monks or nuns, who may not beg, stand quietly with their alms bowl visible allowing interested people to approach and offer food - if so inclined.

Afterwards, you return to your hotel to have breakfast. Visit Vat Xieng Thong considered the most beautiful temple in the city. The Sim of the Vat represents the classic Luang Prabang temple architecture with roofs that sweep low to the ground.The rear wall of the Sim features an impressive “tree of life“ mosaic set in red background. Inside, a richly decorated wooden column supports a ceiling vested with Dharma –wheels. In the compound stand several small chapels housing bronze Buddha images displayed in Paris in 1911. Near the compound east’s gate stands the royal funeral chapel. Inside is an impressive 12 meter high funeral chariot and various funeral urns of each royal family member. The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts a semi-erotic episode from the Ramayana.

Next, take a traditional boat trip upstream on the Mekong River to visit the famous caves of Pak Ou housing thousands of statues of Buddha. On the way, stopover at Ban Xanghai, a village where people produce Lao liquor (rice wine). After visiting the Pak Ou caves, cross the Mekong River to enjoy a picnic lunch at a bamboo cottage on the river overlooking its beautiful scenery at the confluence between the Mekong and Ou rivers.

Return to Luang Prabang by boat and continue by car to visit Ban Phanom, the weaving village populated by the Lu minority people who originally came from Sipsongpanna of Southern China. Almost all of the villagers are skilled weavers and finished items can be bought in this village.

Enjoy your fare well dinner with Laos Traditional show.

This morning, visit Vat Visoun, the site of most impressive stupas, That Makmo with a rounded dome stylistically more Silankalese than Lao. Walk for a step to Vat Aham which was a city’s major tutelary shrine, dedicated to Deveta Luang (spirit) Pu Gneu Ya Gneu (ancestors). Climb Phousi Hill, overlooking the heart of the city and offering excellent views. The temples on the slopes of Phousi are all of rather recently constructed located at the summit of the sacred hill. Phousi is reached by 350 steps. Continue to visit Vat Mai, built in 1796, the five–tiered roof of the wooden sim in the standard of Luang Prabang style.

Afterwards, enjoy a visit to Satri Lao, where you may browse through exquisite Lao textiles. Return to your hotel for lunch. This afternoon you visit the National Museum (former King’s Palace) displaying a collection of personal artifacts of the Royal Family: photos, musical equipment and gifts received from foreign countries.

Free your time at leisure until transfer to the airport for your departure flight.