From Land of Dragon to Magnificent Kingdom

Itinerary

1. Day 01

   Arrival in HanoiWelcome to Vietnam!  Upon arrival to Hanoi...
   Arrival in HanoiWelcome to Vietnam!  Upon arrival to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, welcomed by the local tour guide and transfer to downtown to check in the hotel.  The rest of the day is at your leisure after a long flight and reset your bio-clock before gearing up for an interesting exploration ahead. Overnight in Hanoi. 
2. Day 02

   Hanoi city tour (B/L)
   After breakfast at hotel, we will head to a local bike store to choose suitable bikes for your trip and let’s ride.    Our first visit today will be at a small market in the old quarter, experience like a true Hanoian.  Continue with an exciting cycling leading to Hanoi Opera House where you will learn about French colonial. After riding through the city’s labyrinth of lanes toward St. Joseph’s Cathedral for a picturesque photo stop, you reach Ho Chi Minh mausoleum complex and Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.   Discovering Ngoc Ha neighborhood offers a glimpse into the vibrant local life and storied history of Hanoi. Take a short walk-through small alley with typical houses, from the lively market to a small lake, visit a 400-year-old pagoda, and witness the remnants of a B-52 aircraft downed during the city’s 1972 bombing raids. Nearby, visit the B52 Museum to delve deeper into this historical event, showcasing artifacts and narratives that highlight Vietnam's triumph during wartime.   On the way of lakeside cycling, with the sound of cars, motorbikes, the bustling sales of goods, the fragrances of flowers, the aroma of coffee, and of course the scent of hot and familiar dishes, communal houses, ancient temples and pagodas, residential areas… we immerse into the city’s exciting art scene, both traditional and contemporary. Enjoy local street food before next heartwarming encounter with a Hanoi local.    Afternoon, visit Temple of Literature - which was the first university in Vietnam and is dedicated Confucius and Hoa Lo Prison, also known as Maison Centrale - well-known as one of the most inhuman prisons with terrified punishment.    Finish the day with a beer after wandering the crooked alleys of the iconic Old Quarter and the promenade around Hoan Kiem Lake. Overnight in Hanoi.
3. Day 03

   Hanoi – Halong/Lan Ha – overnight on cruise (B/L/D)
   Breakfast at hotel.   Head East for about 3 hours to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994 and 2006. Upon arrival in Halong, check in the overnight cruise to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch on board, we can visit the Grottos, stop for swimming or kayaking, passing floating houses and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Back to the cruise, enjoy cooking demonstration before having dinner. Evening attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the cruise.    Please note: the program may be little varied upon the cruise you choose.
4. Day 04

   Halong – Haiphong – Ninh Binh (B/Brunch)
   You should wake up early to enjoy the dawn on the sea in the early morning. The Vietnamese call the “East Sea” by a point-oriented name “Eastern Sea”, so you may guess how miraculous seeing the sunrise over the islets of the Bay. After breakfast our boat will continue to cruise in marvelous areas, where almost each islet has its own name, adopting its shape or reminiscent like Sail Island, Fisherman’s head rock, Butterfly rock or Turtle islet etc. Early lunch/brunch will local food will be served on board.   Disembark and transfer to Ninh Binh, the site of the once capital city of ancient Vietnam before Hanoi took its leading role in 11th century. Overnight in Ninh Binh
5. Day 05

   Visit Ninh Binh – overnight train to Hue (B)
   Breakfast at hotel. The visit in Ninh Binh starts by a boat trip in Tam Coc where spectacular limestone karsts jut out from the green paddy fields reminding about Guilin (China) and Halong Bay of Vietnam, which gives this scenery the name “Halong-bay-on-land”.   After that walking to visit Thai Vi temple dedicated to the Kings of Tran Dynasty, settled in a very tranquil area surrounded by rice fields and mountains. The temple looks modest in scale but contains high values of long history and cultural legacy. From here cycling to Bich Dong Pagoda on the village roads. Along the way, you will have chance catching up with the local people and learn a bit about their daily life and activities. Bich Dong pagoda is situated on a mountainside consisting of 3 separated pagodas located from low to high. When you reach the top of the stairs, you’ll be welcomed with a stunning view out of the valley of the distant mountain peaks and vast rice fields.   In the afternoon, head to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam during the 10th century. Explore the historic temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, and immerse yourself in the rich history of this site. Make your way to Mua Cave, where a steep climb of around 500 steps awaits. The effort is rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the Tam Coc area and the surrounding landscape. Capture stunning photos from the viewpoint.   Then transfer to Ninh Binh train station for your overnight train to Hue.  Overnight on the train.    Tentative train schedule: SE3: HN 19:20 - NB 21:34 - Hue 08:45 (+1) 
6. Day 06

   Hue city tour (B)
   Upon arrival in Hue, welcome by your local guide and transfer to the city to enjoy a local breakfast just like the locals.    Being recognized by UNESCO as the 1st Cultural World Heritage for Vietnam, Hue is highlighted by the old royal architectural works and the most traditional Vietnamese lifestyle. Today, we will discover the charm of the city from the Citadel Complex of Hue, set up by Nguyen Dynasty from 1805 to 1945, is now one amongst the relics of the Hue ancient Capital – the World Cultural Heritage. This is a huge complex covering an area of 520ha and comprising three circles of ramparts, Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel).   Then, take a visit to Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc – the most popular, imposing and impressive of the royal mausoleums. The tomb’s palace area has a lake where the Emperor used to boat, a small game hunting ground on a tiny island in the middle of the lake, and the luxurious Xung Khiem Pavilion where Tu Duc is said to have retreated to relax and recite or compose poetry in the company of his concubines.    We then take a boat trip on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda at sun set moment, the iconic seven-story pagoda is regarded as the unofficial symbol of the city. Also visit the Dong Ba bustling market before making your way to your hotel.  Overnight in Hue.
7. Day 07

   Hue – Danang - Hoian (B)
   Breakfast at hotel.    On the bike, we will head to Thanh Toan Bridge, a charming wooden bridge with a rich history. Built in the 18th century, this iconic structure showcases unique Vietnamese architecture, blending seamlessly with the lush surroundings. Nearby, you can explore the Thanh Toan Market, where locals sell fresh produce and handmade goods. This vibrant market offers a glimpse into daily life in rural Hue, allowing visitors to experience the local culture firsthand.   Early afternoon, we depart from Hue to Hoi An via scenic route Hai Van pass “Cloudy pass” road, with magnificent landscapes & passing the Lang Co beach. On the way, we stop to visit Marble Mountain, a group of five limestone peaks situated seven kilometres from downtown Da Nang. Then we visit the Cham Museum, the marvelous museum which tells us in advance about the Cham Culture, once brightened in Central Vietnam. Transfer to Hoi An, check-in the hotel and the rest of day is at your leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.
8. Day 08

   Hoian (B)
   Breakfast at hotel.  This morning, we will take interesting walk over the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge, visit taciturn Chinese Assembly Halls, enjoy the attractiveness of ancient houses or listen to folk music of Central Vietnam at old club-houses. Later we can stop at shrines or stroll into the market located by Thu Bon river, where you may find the same feelings of the artists, who see the rooftops of Hoian a magical old world of Oriental feel and source of inspiration. This is also a wonderful town to shop for lanterns, soft silk, raw silk, or get your clothes tailored within a day.   Then we transfer to visit Cam Thanh water coconut village. Here we will learn how to paddle the Vietnamese unique bamboo basket boat and explore the now tranquil coconut-palm flanking the waterways. We also learn about the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their families and their community.    Later on, we will join a bamboo workshop program in nipa palm forest at Cam Thanh village. The local bamboo artisan will welcome you and share with you tory of his family with 3 generations have deep passion for bamboo. You will be surprised and excited to see all the different household facilities and things that the locals have created out of bamboo and use in thier house. Take them home with you as a souvenir.    All levels of skills are welcomed to participated to workshop except children under 5 years old. A group limited up to 30 people. Overnight in Hoian.
9. Day 09

   Hoian – Danang - Siem Riep (B)
   Breakfast at hotel.  Morning at your leisure until we transfer to Danang airport for flight to Siem Reap.   Upon arrival in Siem Reap international airport, meet outside a local driver. From the airport, you will be privately transferred to your lovely hotel in Siem Reap. Overnight in Siem Reap.
10. Day 10

    Angkor complex exploration (B)
    We begin with a pre-dawn departure (4.30 to 4.40 am depending on the time of year) from your hotel for sunrise outside Angkor Wat. Our local guide will take you to the best photo spots before retreating again from the crowds. Enjoy a peaceful momentum of reflection at this breathtaking World Heritage Site. Enjoy a scenic walk along the temple (we will not go inside) in the soft morning light and cool temperatures. You will experience a special Angkor Wat moment unlike any other. Back to hotel later on for your delicious breakfast   We continue exploring Angkor by an easy biking on the roads-less-traveled. Ride along the jungle on well-paved trails, passing through local villages, you will reach Angkor Wat, highlighted by the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, carved on the walls and tell the stories of Hindu legends. We will explore some of Angkor’s most beautiful temples including: The ancient capital of Angkor Thom; the South Gate; Bayon Temple - unique with its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces; Baphuon temple; north of Bayon represented of holy Mount Meru the residence of the gods in Hindu tradition. We will go around The Royal land, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. We stop at the less-traveled west gate of Angkor Thom before calmly relaxing at Bakheng hill for a romantic sunset view.  We will return to Siem Reap downtown, enjoy 1-hour foot massage and enjoy your time at bars and pubs at Angkor night market. Overnight in Siem Reap
11. Day 11

    Kampong Phluk (B)
    In the afternoon, we visit to Kampong Pluk Floating Village (upon water level – if it’s in low water, a similar floating village can be replaced), 20km from Siem Reap Town. Arrival at the dock, take a boat trip a long a small stream to the village. Over 3000 inhabitants are real Khmers, their households made of wood and bamboo built on stilts of about 6m to 7m high. During dry season when the lake is low and lack of water those buildings look like the skyscrapers. At this time of the year many of villagers move out onto the lake and build provisional stilted houses. In wet season while the water level rises up again, the dwellers move back to their permanent houses on the flood plain, the stilts now hidden under the water. People made a living by catching fishes produce as well as smelly fish paste, fermented fish, smoked fish, dried fish, dried prawn etc. Return to Siem Reap, we continue to visit one of the city’s lively open markets, Psar Chars, also called the “Old Market”, where anything and everything is for sale.    In the evening, enjoy a unique show of Phare circus - Circus-style entertainment featuring high-flying acrobatics with live music Overnight in Seam Reap.
12. Day 12

    Siem Riep departure (B)
    Breakfast at hotel. Leisure until transfer to Siem Reap for departure flight home.

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