VAT.VC03- 14 Day Hanoi – Halong – Sapa – Saigon – Cambodia

From the intensity of Ho Chi Minh City’s streets to spectacular rice terraces, travel the length of Vietnam and savor its natural, cultural, and historical delights. Meet the Hmong people and other minority villagers on a hilltribe excursion and sail into the photographic possibilities of beautiful Halong Bay. This trip offers great value as it introduces the region’s main sights, providing plenty of flexibility so you can experience an adventure you’ll never forget.

• Day 1 Hanoi Arrival (No Meal)

  The car pick you up from Noi Bai airport (in Ha Noi) take you get in the heart of the city, it takes 40 minutes ride. You will be free to discover many ancient and beautiful places such as: Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Dong Xuan Market….
  Evening: You also have opportunity to enjoy water-puppet show and go wandering to see its landscapes. You can try to go out by Cyclo, a traditional transports of Viet Nam.
  Overnight in Ha Noi.

• Day 2 Ha Noi - Ha Long (Meal: B, L, D)

  (Your hotel – Tuan Chau marina – Halong bay – Lunch– Surprising Cave – Titop Island – Sunset party – Dinner – Onboard night activities)
  07.45 – 08.15 approx
  – Our guide will meet you at your hotel. The shuttle bus or private car pick up
  – Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta
  – Get your camera ready to take photos. Comfort break. The time from Hanoi to Halong bay is approximately 3 ½ hours.
  12 – 12.30 approx
  – Arriving Tuan Chau marina. Welcome aboard the cruise. Refresh with our welcome drink. Meet the captain, crew in the cruise briefing.
  – Check into your cabin. Time to refresh and unwind
  – Set sail as lunch is served
  – Join us for a typical local lunch in the dining room or at the outdoor dining area.
  Afternoon
  – Arrive at Surprising Cave (Hang Sửng Sốt), explore the cave and find out how the cave was named a Surprising.
  – Heading to Titop island area. Drop anchor in the calm water surrounded by beautiful islets. Visit Titop island for swimming and snorkeling or do the short trek to the top of island to have the overview of Halong bay from here
  – Heading back toward the sleeping area
  Early evening
  – Summit on the sundeck watching the sunset, enjoy Sunset party. It’s ideal time to make acquaintance with new friends, sharing your traveling experience or simply watching the sunset
  – An authentic Vietnamese menu is served
  – After dinner, reward yourself with a large selection of cocktails at our bar, or take for you one of our onboard activities: book reading, games, movies, and squid fishing…

• Day 3 Ha Long - Ha Noi (Meal: B, L)

  (Tai Chi – Breakfast – Luon Cave – Cooking Demonstration – Lunch – Farewell at your hotel)
  06:30
  For the early risers join us for a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body, joining Tai Chi session to full charge your energy for the day.
  07:00 – 08:00
  Local breakfast is served
  08:00
  – Mingling yourself in the stunning views of the Bay and it’s dramatic limestone islets as we sail through the calm emerald waters heading to Luon Cave (Hang Luồn)
  – Take your option either exploring the cave yourself on kayak or comfortably on bamboo boat rowed by the locals.
  09:00
  Check out the cabins, at your leisure while our cruise taking you pass by other beautiful highlights in the bay.
  10:00
  You will join with our short class of Cooking demonstration, how to make spring rolls before an early lunch is served.
  12:00
  Return to the shore and disembark from the cruise as our crew say farewell.
  Transfer to minibus or private and return to Hanoi.
  Arrival back at your hotel approximately 16:30
  Overnight in Hanoi.

• Day 4 Hoa Lu - Trang An - Mua Cave (Meal: B, L)

  07:00 – 07:30 – Our guide will meet you at your hotel/stay and start 110km modern Bus-journey through verdant landscape of countryside. Short-brake en route.
  10:45 – Visiting Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel with Dinh King Temple and Le King Temple dating back to the 17th Century.
  12:00 – Enjoying the lunch at our restaurant with the great local cuisines.
  13:30 – Leaving for the Trang An Grottoes, an out-standing natural beauty of majestic limestone massif at 20 square kilometer rise dramatically out from rice paddy fields. Deep into the linked chains of towering mountain are pristine places of mystical valleys, numerous fresh water ponds, and jungle.
  Embarking on a traditional sampan gently roweddown the exquisite river through numerous caves: Lam Cave, Vang Cave, Dai Cave, Thanh Truot Cave,…and Cao Sơn Temple, Suoi Tien Temple, Vu Lam Temple…
  15:30 – Arriving Mua Cave and start an amazing trek up to the top of Ngoa Long mountain for watching the spectacular rice valley with specious view of the nature.
  17:15 – Returning to our bus and then come back to Ha Noi
  19:30 – Dropping you off at your hotel.
  Overnight in Hanoi.

• Day 5 Limousine From Hanoi - Sapa Then Take A Short Trek To Cat Cat Village (Meal: B, L, D)

  06:30: Pick up from the hotel, get on Limousine and depart for Sapa

  13.00: Arrive Sapa Town with colorful traditional costumes of H’mong, Dzao, Tay ethnic People.
  The Limousine will be drop you off at the hotel
  · Welcome drink and itinerary briefing
  · Enjoy the lunch with local Vietnamese dishes, check-in procedures
  14.30: A short trek to the gate of Cat Cat village which is home of Black H’mong ethnic people and is located near the bottom of a deep valley at the foot of Fansipan Peak. Our local guide will show you the daily life activities of the locals, trek down to the valley bottom to the waterfall where the French built a Hydraulic Power Station; stop for photo with bridge and waterfall then you will walk uphill for bus to pick up to get back to Sapa in the afternoon.
  Trekking distance is about 3.5 kms and it lasts for 2 hours
  17.00: Come back to Sapa Town.
  Have dinner at the hotel’s restaurant
  Overnight in Sapa

• Day 6 Sapa Trekking – Then Back Limousine To Hanoi (Meal: B, L)

  7.00 – 7.45: Have breakfast at hotel and prepare light pack for trekking
  7:45 : Trek from Sapa to Y Linh Ho then trek through the rice terraces and along Muong Hoa Stream to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai to see the spectacular landscape of Hoang Lien Son Mountain.
  11.00: Picnic lunch at Lao Chai Village
  12:00:Heading to Ta Van village – home of Dzay ethnic people.
  13.30: Bus picks you up at Ta Van Bridge to Sapa.
  Trekking distance is about 12 kms and it lasts for 4.5 hours
  14.00: Have a shower at shower room of our hotel.
  15:00: Limousine will be pick you up at the hotel to back to Hanoi.
  Ovenight in Hanoi

• Day 7 Hanoi – Saigon Arrival (B)

  Our driver will pick you up at the hotel to transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Ho Chi Minh city.
  When arrive Tan Son Nhat airport. Our car will pick you up and takes you to hotel. Check in and have free time for relax or you can go sightseeing the life in Ho Chi Minh City such as: Ben Thanh Market, Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedra

  Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

• Day 8 Cu Chi Tunnel – Night Life Saigon (Meal: B, D)

  8:30am: We will pick you up from your hotel and depart from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels for 60 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Cu Chi is now considered a heroic district for its role in the anti – American war in Vietnam. It is legendary for its tunnels system of over 220 km and is a popular spot for both the locals and foreigners.
  The peacefully rural rice paddy scenery contains ducks and water buffaloes swimming in the rivers along the side of road. You will find it hard to imagine the destruction, damage and defoliation all over the area caused by bombing and mines when Cu Chi was “A Free Target Zone.” The remnants you will see that Cu Chi still has evidences to prove the fierce battleground that took place there. Ever wonder what it feels like to fire an AK-47? Visit Cu chi tunnels and you have a chance to find out!
  2:30pm: Getting back to Ho Chi Minh.
  18:00: We depart by cycle, take you go around city, and then going to Water Puppet Theater. Enjoy Water Puppet Show at the theater.

  Water Puppetry – part of Vietnam’s Cultural Heritage. A living portrait of Vietnam’s history and culture… Watching the Vietnamese Water Puppetry is also the best way to discover the history and traditional cultural life of Vietnamese people. This program has been presented in various international festival and carried our cultural exchanges activities with other countries.
  After show, you will together take cycle or car to Bach Dang riverside, have a look before going ship. Take some picture with cruise. Then we start boarding one of the ships: Bonsai, Indochina Junk, Ben Nghe Cruise, …. The ship leaves Bach Dang port and leisurely cruises around Saigon River. Dinner will be served on board while tourists are being stunned by the colorful view of Saigon riverside by night. We can also experience Southern Vietnamese fork music or dance with fire by dancer or sing together show or live music….
  09:00PM After dinner, send back to your hotel.
  Overnight in Hochiminh

• Day 9 Saigon – My Tho – Ben Tre (Meal: B, L)

  8.00am depart to My Tho city, 1.5 hours drive.

  • A smooth pass the rice fields to the beautiful rural. Start boat on the Tien River to islet. View the Dragon, Phoenix and Unicorn Islet. Walk into the village, visit fruit garden, enjoy the tropical fruit while folk music is performed by the local people.

  • The cruise will lead to Ben Tre province, “the country of coconut”, visit coconut candy workshop, bee house, enjoy honey tea and take a picture with snake.

  • The amazing rowing boat trip on the small canal – fully covered by the shadow of the water coconut’s tree.

  • Having lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, we will freetime for biking, walking.

  • 3.00 Back Saigon.

  On the way, we will stop at vinh Trang Pagoda.
  • 5.00PM get back your hotel.
  Overnight in Hochiminh.

• Day 10 Saigon – Phnompenh By Bus (Meal: B,D)

  7:30am Pick up at hotel and transfer to the bus for a bus trip to Phnompenh.

  Chum Reap Sour!  Welcome to Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia.
  Upon arrival at bus station, you will be met with our friendly guide and transfer to visit Toul Sleng (S-21) which was once a Tuol Svay Prey High School is now a frightening reminder of the horrors of Pol Pot regime. The school was used as a torture chamber and it was believed that 16,000 people died there. Continue to visit Independent Monument: the Naga (total 100) or snake motif is one, which can be seen in historic, cultural and modern-day. New built bronze statue of Late king father Norodom Sihanouk, it is built to memorizing the first anniversary of his death. Proceed to Naga Casino Entertainment to try your lucky there and enjoy shopping duty free at the underground floor.
  Dinner at local restaurant.
  Overnight in PhnomPenh.

• Day 11 Phnompenh City Tour (Meal: B, L,D)

  Breakfast at Hotel.
  After breakfast at hotel, visit Royal Palace, the incredible solid silver-floored Silver Pagoda is the pagoda which in the Royal Palace campus, where have thousands of silver tiles on the floor of pagoda and have the biggest golden Buddha statue. Silver Pagoda is in the Royal Palace Compound made of 500 0 silver tiles. Raung Damrei Museum. Continue to visit Wat Phnom pagoda a 15th century stupa. Wat Phnom, a small hill crowned by an active wat (pagoda) marks the legend of Phnom Penh City. Shopping at Central Market is one of the largest and busiest markets in Phnom Penh. Located in the heart of the city, the market was built in 1937 by the French & Enjoy at the Khmer Bazaar – Sorya Center Point’s, enjoy mini copies of Khmer architectures building and shopping.
  Lunch at local restaurant.
  Visit Choeung Ek – Killing Field: now become the peaceful stretch of countryside where over 10,000 people were executed. The remains of some of them are stored in a memorial to remind people of the atrocities the Khmer Rouge inflicted on other Khmers. Then stop at the trendy market is Russian Market, where you can buy DVD, clothes, souvenir etc…
  Dinner will be served at local restaurant.
  Overnight in PhnomPenh.

• Day 12 Phnompenh – Siemriep By Public Bus (SIC) (Meal: B,L,D)
  Breakfast at hotel.
  This morning, we will depart from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap agate way of Angkor Wat temple. Approximately, you will need to spend around 06 hours which cross 03 provinces Kandal, Kampong Cham and Kampong Thom.
  On the way, you will be stopped at Skun, Spider Ville, the vending of fried spiders a specialty snack is a popular attraction for tourists passing through this town. Another stop will be at Kom pong Kdei Ancient Bridge – was known as its original name “Spean Preah Toeus” which means “The Bridge of indication” in Khmer language. Kompong Kdei Bridge was built by Jayavarman 7th in Angkor period about 1000 years ago.
  Upon arrival in Siem Reap, lunch in local restaurant
  In Siem Reap, we will set out to Wat Preah Prum Rath, the second oldest pagoda in Siem Reap. Then move to visit Les Chan tiers Ecoles Artisans D’ Angkor is a workshop that teaches the unique craft of wood and stone carving in the traditional and style of classic Cambodian artistry.
  Transfer to hotel for check in then heading to dinner in local restaurant and enjoy 01-hour shopping at Angkor Night Market & stroll along Pub Street.
  Overnight in Siem Reap
• Day 13 Angkor Wat (Meal: B, L,D)

  Breakfast at Hotel.
  After breakfast at hotel, this morning, enter the South Gate of Angkor Thom Temple and marvel the wonders of the eerie Bayon, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, the Elephants terrace and terrace of Leper King. Before lunch, visit Ta Prohm Temple unlike most of the other Angkor temples, the photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of Angkor’s most popular temples with visitors.
  Lunch will be served at local restaurant.
  In afternoon, visit the famous Angkor Wat, built for king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. The largest and best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious center—first Hindu, then Buddhist—since its foundation. Experience super sunset view at Angkor Wat.
  Dinner at Local Restaurant
  Overnight in Siem Reap.
  Visitor Code of Conduct for Temple Visit:
  Dress Code: Revealing clothes such as shorts and skirts above the knees and showing the bare shoulders are prohibited in scared places. Respectful dress is strongly encouraged in Angkor.
  Smoking Cigarettes inside the temple are prohibited. 
  The Bakan Tower (Central Tower) of Angkor Wat Temple always closes on the Buddhist Sabath Days; the Buddhist religious days (four days a month). You cannot climb up the tower.

• Day 14 Siemriep Departure (Meal: B)

  Breakfast at Hotel.
  Chum Reap Lear! After breakfast at hotel, enjoy your final day in Cambodia by exploring Siem Reap on your own, and we will transfer you to the airport for your flight back home, wishing you bon voyage and hoping that you enjoyed your journey with us!