Tour Plan
Fly to Saigon for a three-night stay. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
This morning, discover the history of guerrilla warfare at the Cu Chi Tunnels before returning to Saigon. Visit the Central Post Office, the Reunification Palace, and the chilling War Remnants Museum.
Travel to Ben Tre to take a cruise on the Mekong. This area is called the ‘Rice Basket of Vietnam’ – paddle through the maze of palmlined canals and get a glimpse of daily life on the Mekong Delta. Lunch on typical Mekong fare. Return to Saigon.
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DAYS 4-5: EXPLORE HOI AN
Fly to Danang and transfer to Hoi An. This afternoon take a walking tour of Hoi An including the elaborate Japanese Bridge and the workshop of social enterprise Reaching Out. The next morning visit the beautiful rural Tra Que Village.
Spend a day at leisure to explore and unwind in this lovely traditional town.
Travel the scenic route to Hue over the Hai Van Pass. Visit the UNESCO Royal Tomb of Minh Mang. The next day explore the imposing Imperial Citadel before seeing Thien Mu Pagoda and cruising along the Perfume River.
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DAY 9: JOURNEY TO HANOI
Fly to Hanoi. Vietnam’s capital brings all the charms of the past with a modern buzz in one fast paced yet refined city. Take an exciting cyclo tour of the Old Quarter and enjoy a Vietnamese coffee at a café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. In the evening, watch a water puppet show.
Spend the morning at leisure. Later, explore the Museum of Ethnology and Temple of Literature, before boarding an overnight train to Sapa.
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DAYS 11-12: SAPA COUNTRYSIDE
Spend the next two days discovering this verdant and beautiful area of rolling hills and rice terraces exploring colourful markets, minority villages including Cat Cat and tribal architecture. Board the overnight train back to Hanoi.
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DAYS 13-14: CRUISE HALONG BAY
Arrive back in Hanoi this morning and depart to Halong Bay. Spend two days aboard your comfortable cruise ship sailing amongst magnificent karst peaks on the tranquil green waters of Halong Bay. Stay overnight on the boat before returning to Hanoi. This evening enjoy The Quintessence of Tonkin show, a spectacular open-air performance celebrating the rich history of northern Vietnam.
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DAY 15: FLY TO LUANG PRABANG
Visit Hanoi’s Ho Chi Minh Quarter, the Humble House on Stilts and One Pillar Pagoda, with the afternoon free to do a little shopping. Fly to Luang Prabang.
Rise early to witness the Buddhist ceremony of Takbat. Ascend Phousi Hill for city views and visit Wat Xieng Thong. Take to the waters of the Mekong to visit the sacred caves of Pak Ou.
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DAY 17: KUANG SI WATERFALLS
This morning visit the National Museum. Marvel at the cascading turquoise waters of the enchanting Kuang Si Waterfalls before returning to Luang Prabang via Ock Pop Tok Weaving Centre.
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DAY 18: TRAVEL TO VANG VIENG
Fly to Vientiane and drive to Vang Vieng, a town beautifully set in a spectacular karst landscape. En route, stop at Nam Ngum Lake.
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DAY 19: EXPLORE VANG VIENG
Venture into the Tham Chang cave before wandering through the limestone karst countryside beside the Nam Song River.
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DAY 20: DISCOVER VIENTIANE
Drive back to Vientiane. Nestled in a languid bend in the Mekong, Vientiane is more a friendly backwater than chaotic capital. Visit Wat Si Saket, Wat Phra Keo, That Luang Stupa, and the Patuxai Victory Monument. Enjoy dinner with a traditional Lao music and dance performance.
Fly to Phnom Penh. A city of airy boulevards and colonial villas, it is a pleasurable place to be. Today’s visits include the magnificent Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Later on, admire the artefacts of the National Museum.
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DAY 22: EXPLORE PHNOM PENH
Visit the children of the Apsara Arts Association and the harrowing Tuol Sleng Museum, later exploring the Russian and Central markets.
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DAY 23: PHNOM PENH – SIEM REAP
Ascend to the hilltop Wat Phnom before transferring to the airport to fly to Siem Reap. Visit the captivating Banteay Srei, before taking a leisurely boat ride on the moat of Angkor Thom and view hidden elements of the ancient Khmer water systems.
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DAY 24: EXPLORE ANGKOR
The seat of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries, the Angkor complex includes over 1,000 temples. Begin at atmospheric Ta Prohm, continuing to Angkor Thom and passing through the South Gate to reach the enigmatic Bayon. This afternoon is dedicated to the indescribable Angkor Wat. This evening enjoy a rollicking performance of the Phare Cambodian Circus.
High water season (Aug to Feb) Visit Beng Mealea, a mysterious temple overrun by the jungle. Enjoy a cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, visiting the community of the floating village of Kampong Kleng. Return to Siem Reap via Artisan D'Angkor, an organisation working to revive traditional Khmer arts and crafts. This evening enjoy dinner and an Apsara dance show. Low water season (Mar to Jul) Head to Beng Mealea to explore this mysterious temple overrun by the jungle. Drop by Artisan D'Angkor after visiting the floating village of Chong Kneas. This evening enjoy dinner and an Apsara dance show.
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DAYS 26-27: SIEM REAP TOAUSTRALIA
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Australia, arriving home to same or following day.