HELLO INDOCHINA 10 DAYS

Today we set out for a scenic drive through the paddy fields and small towns of the Red River Delta to Halong Bay, dotted with well over 3,000 limestone islands and islets. It is an enchanted, timeless world created by bizarre rock sculptures jutting dramatically from the sea, and the numerous grottoes. The sails of the junks and sampans gliding on the bay add further to the beauty of the scene. Here was declared by the United Nation as a “World Heritage Site of Outstanding Natural Beauty”.

Upon arrival at the harbor, we will board a traditional wooden junk to enjoy 4 hours’ relaxing cruise. Countless limestone islets, many containing beautiful grottos, rise from the ocean. A sumptuous seafood lunch will be served onboard as we glide through the emerald clear water, passing craggy limestone cliffs. We will stop at an island to explore its massive underground cave, before continue our sailing towards the picture-perfect floating villages, fisherman casting their nets and interesting pearl fisheries, observing rhythms of the peaceful life on the bay.

Transfer back to Hanoi. Free your time at leisure, walking or shopping around the old quarter. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, we first visit the One Pillar Pagoda built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong in the 11th century. Constructed of wood and standing on a single stone pillar, it is designed to resemble a lotus blossom. We then head to the massive marble and granite Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh delivered Vietnam’s declaration of independence in 1945

Next we tour the Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university. Constructed in 1070. The temple is dedicated to one of the world’s most famous scholars, Confucius. Inside the temple grounds huge stone stele rest on the backs of even larger stone turtles (in Vietnamese culture the turtle represents longevity).

Transfer to the airport to take a flight to Ho Cho Minh city (Saigon). Upon arrival, you are welcome and transfer to your hotel. Free your time at leisure.

Breakfast at hotel. We drive to Cu Chi district, 50 km to the northwest of Saigon city. The incredible underground network in Cu Chi stretched over 200 kilometers and became legendary during the American war. The extensive tunnels have been specially constructed with living areas, storage facilities, weapon factories, filed hospitals, command canter, plus accommodation. Upon arrival to the Cu Chi tunnels, watch a short introductory video showing how they were constructed, then spend the next hour exploring the maze of tunnels, you will even have a chance to crawl through the tunnels. Also on display are various mantraps, the remains of an American tank and numerous bomb craters made by 500 pound bombs dropped by B52 bombers. For those interested there's even the opportunity to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range.

We transfer to Tay Ninh, the birthplace of the unique Cao Dai religion, a fusion of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam and native Vietnamese spiritual beliefs. We then proceed to the Cao Dai Great Temple to participate in the daily prayer sessions, which visitors may respectfully observe from the upper balconies. Overnight stay at Saigon.

Breakfast at hotel. Journey south to the Mekong delta, known as the ‘rice bowl of Vietnam’, and spend a full day exploring one of Vietnam’s most fertile regions and the main cultivation area of rice and tropical fruits.

We transfer to My Tho city (02 hour). It‘s famous for its extensive orchards and immense rice fields. On arrival, take a leisurely boat trip around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenixand Tortoise islands (04 sacred animals of Buddhism). Enjoy a rowing boat ride in the shadows of the water-coconut palms along the tiny canals. Enjoy fresh coconut juice on boat. We will visit the picturesque orchards and sample the freshly picked fruit at the invitation of friendly local farmers. Spend some time in the villages to learn about the daily lives of the inhabitants, enjoying some kinds of tropical fruits while listening Southern traditional music.

We continue to “Coconuts homeland”, Ben Tre - Where you can learn how to make coconut candy. You can try some candies, visit the honey bee farm and try the honey, banana wine, ginger jams, soy beans… made by the villagers

Enjoy a horse-cart around the village to have a look at the orchards and visit local people’s house. Enjoy a relaxing cup of honey tea before returning to My Tho via a natural canal, cruising under the shadows of water coconut palms. You will have a chance to enjoy the famous dish“Fried Mekong Elephant Ear Fish” at local restaurant.

After your lunch we transfer back to Saigon. Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Saigon.

Breakfast at hotel. The following program is a sightseeing of major sights in Ho Chi Minh city. First stop is Notre Dame Catholic cathedral and short visit to French built post office nearby and then we will visit the War Remnants museum, which primarily contains exhibits relating to the American phase of the Vietnam war. We continue to visit the Reunification palace. Discover the history and fascinating street life of Saigon on a walking tour along Dong Khoi street, known as Rue Catinat in French-colonial times.

Free your time at leisure until you are transferred to the airport to board flight to Phnom Penh. Arrive Phnom Penh, called the “Pearl of Asia”, the capital and the largest city of Cambodia. Check into hotel. Overnight stay at Phnom Penh.

Breakfast at hotel. Start your tour with an insight into Cambodia's cultural heritage with a visit to the Royal Palace, still the official residence of King Norodom Sihamoi and the adjacent Silver Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha. Continue your visit to the elegant National Museum, which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer Art:

Visit Tuol Sleng meaning “Hill of the Poisonous Trees”. It is a museum which showcases the photographs and exhibits of the thousand victims during the fall of Khmer Regime, followed by a visit to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, a place just outside the city of Phnom Penh, where thousands of people were killed here between the years of 1975 and 1978 and buried in mass graves.

Finally, explore the modern-day city, visiting one of Phnom Penh's two great shopping markets, the Central Market, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building. Overnight stay at Phnom Penh.

Breakfast at hotel. We transfer to the airport to take a flight to Siem Reap (Cambodia). Upon arrival, you are welcome and transfer to your hotel for check in.

We begin our exploration at the fortified royal city of Angkor Thom, built in 1,100, covering an area little less than 4 square miles. We enter the imposing South Gate after a causeway lined on both side by multiple statues of demons and gods, all carrying a giant naga (snake). We then continue to the Elephant Terrace, a base for the Kings’ grand audience hall and a site for public ceremonies. On both end of the retaining wall we can see the famous lines of elephants. Next to it is the Terrace of the Leper King, a platform with a nude statue, one of Angkor’s many unanswered mysteries. We also explore the ruined Baphuon, the Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas - the “Celestial Palace”.

The most striking experience today will be a visit to the stunning Bayon Temple, one of the most popular and compelling sites in Angkor. Its exterior gallery walls contain some of the most extensive and best bas-reliefs, depicting everyday scenes with historical details of battles won and lost by the Khmers. Today at dusk, we will watch the sunset over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian Temple.

After breakfast, we devote the entire morning to Angkor Wat, the crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, the national symbol of Cambodia, and the optimum highlight of any visit to Southeast Asia. The largest, best preserved and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor Wat impresses visitors with her sheer scale, beautifully proportioned layout, and the delicate artistry of its carvings. It is now one of UNESCO’s most famous World Culture Heritage Site, and is considered by art historians the definitive example of classical Khmer art and architecture.

In the afternoon we explore Ta Prohm, “Ancestor of Brahma”, also nicknamed “Kingdom of Trees”. Following an unusual archaeological decision, the jungle has been only partly cut back, so that the buildings are covered with the roots of huge banyan and kapok trees which rise high above the temple.

We will continue on to Banteay Srei - the “Citadel of Women” - a tiny enchanting temple built of red sandstone in the 10th century dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. We have time to study closely the exquisitely carved male and female figures in the niches, all with beautiful style and proportion, representing the extraordinary skills and superior artistic appealing of the Khmer sculpture.

Transfer back to the city. Free your time at leisure.

This morning we continue our in-depth exploration of the magnificent Angkorian archeological ruins. Our first stop is Prasat Kravan, the Hindu temple built in 921 with five brick towers and spectacular bas- reliefs on the interior walls. Next we visit Banteay Kdei – a massive Buddhist temple dating back to 12th century, surrounded by four concentric walls, featuring towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors in a jungle setting.

We then visit the Tonle Sap Lake. Located in the heart of Cambodia, this huge lake swells up to seven times of its original size during the monsoon season every year. Its ecosystem is one of the richest and the most diversified in the region. We will explore Kampong Kleang, one of the most unspoiled floating communities on the lake by boat. We will cruise on the wooden sampan across the vast lake to the floating villages, passing submerged forests and fish farms. If the timing is right it might even be possible to visit a floating school to interact with teachers and students. Observe the authentic village life while we stroll by the simple huts.

Transfer back to the city. Free your time at leisure unstill our guide and driver pick you up and transfer to the airport to catch your departure flight.