Incredible Vietnam and Cambodia and Thai Lan Tour 26 days

After breakfast, you will be dropped  off at the airport for your flight to Hue. Up on arrive in Hue, our driver and guide will pick you up & take  you to hotel for check in. 

Today, you will explore Hue City by visiting the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum.  You then take the  private boat to see the   Thien Mu pagoda , next stop is King Tu Duc tomb. Overnight stay in Hue.

Rising up in the ancient land, enjoy your breakfast in the hotel. You then leave Hue for Hoi An.  You will stop in Danang for a visit to the Cham Museum and the handicraft villages at the foot of Marble Mountain. You will check into your hotel. And then you will enjoy the walking tour in the ancient town Hoi An to visit  Cua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200- year old Tam Ky ancestral house, and the Japanese Bridge and  the Museum of Trade Ceramics.

Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Located 60 km. from Da Nang, 150 km. from Hue and 75km from Hoi An, My Son is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the second to the thirteenth century. Their religion was primarily derived from Indian Hinduism. My Son is considered to be one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. The complex is comprised of seventy Hindu-like towers and temples dating from the second century. This site is a Must-See for those people who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations and is now one of five UNESCO World Heritage sites in Vietnam.  Back to Hoi An ancient town at around 1:30  P.M or 2:00 P.M.

Free at leisure by your own way  to relax on beach. The resort offer shutlle bus to beach  daily.

After breakfast, you will drive to Danang Airport. From Danang, you will take the one-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon), where you will transfer directly to Phan Thiet.

It takes 4. 5 hours or even 5 hours by car from Ho Chi Minh to Phan Thiet.  Arrive in Phan Thiet, check in  hotel and overnight  stay there.

Free at leisure by your own way in  Mui Ne

Free at leisure by your own way on beach in the morning. After check out time, you will be transferred back to Ho Chi Minh by car ( 5 hours on car). Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh.

In the morning you will have an excursion to the famous Cu Chi tunnels. This network of tunnels, which stretched for over 200km, became legendary during the 1960s. The Cu Chi tunnels played a vital part in the U.S.-Vietnam War in that they allowed the Viet Cong to control a large rural area only 30 to 40 km from Saigon . At its height, the tunnel system stretched from Saigon to the Cambodian border. The network, parts of which were several levels deep, included innumerable trap doors, specifically constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and feel of what underground life during the war must have been like. The tunnels have been widened for our benefit (otherwise we would not be able to enter them!). For those interested there's even the opportunity to try an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range (pay by your own account). Back to Ho Chi Minh city for the afternoon tour.

In the afternoon, you visit:

•  The Reunification Palace : This is one of the most important buildings in the city. Here on April 30, 1975, what the Vietnamese refer to as the ‘American War' officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of what was, at the time, the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam .

•  War Remnants Museum : Formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes , this is a poignant display of the futility of war. Some of the black and white photography in the ‘Requiem' exhibit is particularly touching, dedicated to both foreign and Vietnamese journalists and photographers who perished during the conflict. The exhibit includes the last shots these photographers had taken before their deaths. The courtyard outside contains the spoils of war, namely rusting jets, tanks and cannons captured from the American military machine.

•  Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office : Built between 1877 and 1883 this is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Remarkably every stone used in its creation was shipped from France to Vietnam . Her two 40m towers, topped with iron spires dominate the city's skyline. The Old Post Office is another example of French colonial architecture and is also the country's largest post office.

•  Ben Thanh Market: This bustling and well-organized market is very popular with tourists, primarily due to its central location. It has a wide selection of goods ranging from fake Nike shoes to beautiful silk Ao Dais.

At 8.00am, depart for a 1.5 hour drive from Saigon to Ben Tre, one of the country's southern provinces, situated in the Delta of the Mekong River.  Take in the highway as you leave behind the busy city. Pass Rach Mieu bridge before reaching Huu Dinh hamlet. Get on a tri-motor cycle (xe loi) ride to enjoy the lush surroundings of rice paddies and fruit farms alongside the narrow village roads.

Arrive at the waterfront, board the charming Mango Cruise for a glimpse at the Delta scenery while enjoying coconut juice. First stop for a visit at the coconut processing, then back to your cruise and the cruise will stop at a brick making shop, where the locals still use centuries-old traditional methods to make the bricks by hand where you will start a Bicycle trip around Phong Nam village around 4km, through gardens and stop at the a rice noodles factory “hu tieu”, one of most popular breakfast dishes in the region .Walk about 3 minutes to visit at Mrs. Huong’s home. Her family live on fishing, shrimp and farming. Enjoy the tropical fruits and honey tea in her garden before taking the rowing  sampan , be paddled by a personalized rower trip to discover the maze of small canals.

Then rowing you back to your mango boat and head to Mango home restaurant, enjoy your 5 course lunch and freshen up before switch to a bicycle and ride  500m About 4 minutes( or 7-10 minutes walk) on village roads past green gardens and local houses, and stop at another local house of Mr Sau Tuong, a former Vietcong soldier who survived two years fighting the Khmer Rouge in Phnom Penh. Now he and his wife live on making rice paper which is the most famous specialty of My Long village. Have a chat with him and enjoy the crispy rice paper made by his wife, and see how it is made.

After the visit, the boat will be waiting for you at the pier nearby to bring you back to Ben Tre city where your car will be ready to take you back to Saigon.

After breakfast, you will be dropped off at the airport for flight to Phnom Penh.

Today we visit the Toul Sleng Prison Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek-both grim reminders of Cambodia's bloody past under Pol Pot. It is almost inconceivable to confront the nature of true evil here in this gentle land, but the Buddhist memorial at Choeung Ek, commemorates the 1.7 million victims of the 1975-79 Pol Pot regime. This excursion may prove distressing for some. It is, however, an important piece of this country’s historical and cultural puzzle. We continue to visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. We also visit Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh's namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of Phnom Penh during sunset. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Transfer by private car to the Battambang town, where you can find many of the French Colonial architectures. On the way, we will visit Kompong Loung village where you will observe the life living on surface. After check in, we drive along the picturesque Sangker River to Wat Slaket Pagoda, the former  residence of the provincial Buddhist patriarch. We continue to visit Ek Phnom Temple which is an 11th century Angkorian-era ruin built as a Hindu temple under Suryavarman I. The temple consists of prasats on a platform with some carvings in pretty good condition. Wat Ek Phnom, a modern pagoda, sits next to the ruin. The river road drive to Ek Phnom from Battambang passes through small villages and rice paddies and is an absolutely beautiful countryside drive. Visit a market where Prahoc, the Cambodian fish paste, is made. We continue to visit the place where local people take steam-sticky rice cooked in bamboo. Return to town for a short walk to local market. Overnight at the hotel in Battambang.

We drive to the village of  Ksach Puoy on the banks of the Sangker River. As well as being home to many well preserved traditional Khmer wooden stilted homes, this area grows a variety of tropical fruits and after the rainy season farmers plant all kinds of vegetables along the fertile river banks, here you can learn about traditional agriculture – Phnom Banan, Battambang also a great opportunity to taste juicy oranges, sweet pineapples, and many other fruit… Not far from Ksach Puoy is Cambodia’s first vineyard – Prasat Phnom Banan Vineyard – you can pop in if you like, learn about producing wine in the tropics and of course enjoy a spot of wine tasting! A few kilometers further south you arrive at the well preserved 11th century mountaintop Angkorian temple of Phnom Banan. After climbing the 350+ steps you are treated to a wonderfully peaceful setting with superb views across the surrounding countryside. and transfer to Siem Reap. arrival in Siem Reap and transfer to the hotel for check in, free at your leisure time. Overnight in Siem Reap.

 Start your sightseeing tour of Angkor area we spend a full day exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple and the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man's creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. Overnight in Siem Reap.

 Heading out of town we make our way by traveling on a newly paved road to the intricately carved and well preserved temple of Banteay Srei. Along the way we make stopover at the Preah Dark village and we follow these with a visit the Banteay Samre Temple adorned with impressive relief’s depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna legends. Afternoon we visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. We take a boat trip in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia. We spend the rest of day visiting the "Chantiers Ecoles - Les Artisans d'Angkor" which provides training to young Cambodians in an effort to revive the ancient Khmer traditions of stone carving and wood sculpting. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport for flight departure.

Arrive to Suvarnabhumi’s airport, you will be picked up to the hotel in Bangkok for checkin. This day will be at leisure in Bangkok.

Overnight in Bangkok

After breakfast, you'll begin your tour of Bangkok with a long tail boat ride along the Chao Phraya River to see many lively inner canals which provide some fantastic views of the local life. Along the way you will stop over at Wat Arun, the temple of dawn, before continuing to the Grand Palace which dedicated to the Thai Royal Family's ceremonies. Nearby is the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew, which is famous for the Emerald Buddha Image. After seeing this complex, you will drive through the many vibrant streets of China Town to some of the most significant temples in Bangkok. The landmark of Wat Traimit is well known as the Golden Buddha Temple while Wat Pho houses a gigantic Reclining Buddha. A visit also to Wat Saket known for its famous Golden Mount temple. You will spend the night in Bangkok. END TRIP!

After breakfast, depart for the visit of the single railway market Talad Rom Hoop or Maeklong. It is a unique market held every day literally on the railways. This activity in the rail market starts several minutes before the train passes through the market. As soon as the siren indicates the arrival of the train, everything stops.

Customers will jump out of the way, and sellers quickly pack their goods and prepare to close / retract awnings of their pen train track ing that the train passes through. The process happens quickly since awnings poles have attached wheels. Once the train departed, his affairs are carried as usual like nothing happened. For the people here, they are neither excited nor annoyed by this event because the market is here long before the construction of the railway in 1905 Then transfer to the tourist floating market Damnoen Saduak. Discover the scents and colors of the markets in a bustling atmosphere of life. Market Damnoen Saduak is reputed to have preserved its authenticity and remains today one of the most famous floating markets of Thailand. This small village is a must in the Kingdom. These floating markets, which is the largest Ton Kem will take you to the canoes and you will discover delicious fresh produce. Some women will even cook your eyes. After that transfer back to hotel in Bangkok.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Morning free and easy until time to transfer to airport for flight departure.

Morning free and easy until time to transfer to airport for flight departure.

Today, you will visit Ho Chi Minh's complex, including the mausoleum of the nation's founder and leader. Here, large crowds gather to pay their respects to the man they simply call “Uncle Ho” as they silently file past his glass sarcophagus. The Presidential Palace and Uncle Ho's wooden stilt house can also be seen here. One of must-see places in the complex is the One Pillar pagoda dating back tothe 11th century.

The next stop is the Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam's oldest university and dedicated to one of the world's most famous scholars, Confucius. Inside the temple grounds, huge steles rest on the backs of even larger stone turtles (in Vietnam's culture, the turtle represents longevity). The stele recorded the names of the successful candidates who later became mandarins in the Emperor's court.

You also will  visit the  Musuem of Ethnology where you will know bout our people, culture and custom and our history.

Then you will have one hour cyclo  to see Hanoi  Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem lake and Ngoc SonTemple.  You then have will see water puppet show  – apart of  Vietnam Culture that you should not miss.

Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Pick-up at hotels if located in the Hanoi Old Quarter  departing to Halong Bay with stopovers for refreshing en route by privvate car with guide.

12:0: Arriving and enjoying fresh tea at Gray Line Lobby before check-in.

12:30: Entering Gray Line Cruise via a private pier and being warmly welcomed by the crew. Enjoying welcome drinks when listening to the Briefing of the main Tour guide and check-in

13:30 Having a delicious Lunch while the Cruise goes ahead to the Bay. At your leisure after lunch to enjoy hundreds of limestone islands with various shapes. This is the best time to watch unparalleled scenery of Halong in a slow motion.

15:00 Arriving at Luon Cave by tender boat. We will discover the area’s tranquility by kayaks or rowing boats. Relaxing on the kayaks and boats is a more brilliant way to really experience the special view of this sea.

16:00 Stopping over at Titov Island. We will have various choices to be by your own, having sunbath, swimming or conquering the peak of the Titov to admire the Bay’s panorama (strongly recommended).

17:30 Going back to the boat for relaxation at the dusk. Enjoy FREE seasonal fruits on the sundeck. Other drinks will be subject to special rates or seasonal promotions.

18.30 Joining a cooking demonstration on the sundeck. Try to make it well and check how well you can cook or prepare for Vietnamese foods.

19.30 An elegant dinner with local gourmet will be served.

After dinner: Free choice of evening activities (movie watching, fishing tools and guitars, cards, etc. are all available). Some activities are to be ordered in advance.

06:00 Waking up early for the morning exercise (Tai Chi Quan) or greeting the dawn on the ocean (exercises are upon desire)

07:00: Light breakfast will be ready with cakes, bread, tea and coffee, noodle soup, etc.

08:30 - 16:00 A sightseeing boat (without cabins) will pick you up to another part of Halong Bay. It will be the REAL time to watch Halong scenery in vaster area. Below are all activities you can join:

-  Discovery at Ho Dong Tien (Fairy Lake), one of symbolized images of The Bay, thanks to its beauty and rich value of geology, geomorphology and history.

-  Kayaking or swimming (depending on the tide & weather) around Trong (Drum) cave area, which are beyond expectation of those who love kayaking.

- Or just laying down at the beach and enjoy the seascape and your absolute leisure time.

We will end our visit of the day at one of the famous pearl farms in Halong, where we can see and learn an entire process of making pearl and expensive jewelry, from the first steps of feeding to harvesting.

- Having a rest with tea break on the way back to the main boat.

- Any activities can be skipped if you just wanna leisure time.

16:30 It is time to get back to Gray Line Cruise and recapture your energy.

17:30 Relaxing, enjoying sunset with free fresh fruits on the sundeck.

19:30 Having dinner in mellow sound of sea and music.

22:00 Overnight on the sea.

06:00 Waking up at dawn for morning exercise (Tai Chi Quan) or enjoying beautiful moments when a blazing sunrise breaks the clouds of the island on the bay (exercises are upon desire).

07:00 Light breakfast will be ready with cakes, bread, tea and coffee, noodle soup, etc.

07:45 Tender boat will pick us up to visit the Surprising (Sung Sot) Cave, discovered in 1901, and now being a must-to-see tourist attraction for its extensive space. After the rock formation and millions years of water erosion, the cave is now featured by hundreds of marvelous stalactites, stalagmites and grandeur stone chambers which are incomparable with any cave in Gulf of Tonkin.

(Shoes, sandals and convenient clothes are recommended to visit the Cave).

09:15 Coming back to our cruise for freshening check-out. Cabins will be cleaned up soon whilst we can enjoy drink and sunbath on the half-open-air sundeck of the Gray Line.

10:30 Enjoying a tasty farewell buffet lunch while the boat continuously cruises back.

11:30 Time for us to say good bye with the Crew, and give them feedback about the trip.

And then you will   back to Hanoi for an overnight stay

Free at leisure by your own way and overnight stay in Hanoi

There is no activity today, you will be dropped off at the airport for your flight to home.