Siem Reap - Hanoi - Halong - Ho Chi Minh 9 Days

Itinerary

1. Day 01

   Siem Reap arrival - city tour (B)
   Welcome to Siem Reap! - a gateway to the ancient Khmer civilization, with its famous Angkor Wat temple complex. You will be picked up from the airport for the tour around Siem Reap city.  This afternoon, we visit Senteurs D'Angkor New Workshop (open from Monday to Friday, close on Saturday and Sunday). Discover how the local artisans make by hand: soap with coconut oil, natural cosmetics, subtly scented balms, aromatic candles. You will also observe the different steps to treat and prepare the local spices (Kampot pepper, lemongrass, chili…), and how people blend them to make the traditional curry or amok. During your visit, you will also be able to taste several of local creations: flavored coffee, flavored tea, exotic jams… and identify various exotic plants and flowers as lemongrass, chili, pepper plant, coffee tree, frangipani, jasmine… We then visit Wat Bo, a highly respected pagoda founded in the 18th century, contains very unique wall paintings of the Reamker (Ramayana) that are said to be from late 19th century. End our visits at one of the city’s lively open markets, Psar Chars, also called the “Old Market”, where anything and everything is for sale. Overnight in Siem Reap. Please note:  -    Normal check-in time at hotel is 14:00/15:00. Early check-in is not included.  -    Normal check-out time at hotel is 11:00/12:00. Late check-in is not included.  
2. Day 02

   Siem Reap - Angkor Complex tour (B)
   After breakfast, we explore South Gate of Angkor Thom known as Big Angkor, 3km2 walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of the Angkorian Empire, The famous Bayon Temple was an architectural muddle, in part because it was constructed in a somewhat piecemeal fashion for over a century. Terrace of the Elephants is an impressive, two and a half meter tall, 300 meter long terrace wall adorned with carved elephants and gradual that spans the heart of Angkor Thom in front of Baphuon - huge temple mountain in the heart of Angkor Thom, Royal Palace Area and Phimeanakas - impressive rite and sandstone pyramid. Terrace of the Leper King is at the north end of the Terrace of the Elephants, a double terrace wall with deeply carved nag as, demons and other mythological beings. Last visit Ta Prohm temple which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty. Giant trees have grown here for centuries.  This afternoon we visit Angkor Wat temple, the Cambodia's ancient temple is one of the wonders of the oriental world. Masterpieces of decorative details as well as of architectural style, its awe-inspiring ruins survive as testament to the spectacular achievements of Southeast Asia's greatest civilization. It is a replica of the universe according to the Hindu mythology. It is composed by the Mount Meru, surrounded by the continents and the oceans. Its extraordinary bas-reliefs, describe some Khmer epics and myths. Angkor Wat's five famous towers rise into the sky, a geometrical arrangement of numerous galleries, adorned with beliefs and the stone images of celestial Apsara dancers, as well as portals, chambers and courtyards. Overnight in Siem Reap.  
3. Day 03

   Siem Reap – Chong Kneas floating village – Afternoon flight to Hanoi (B)
   After breakfast, we visit Chong Kneas Floating Villages, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Take a ride in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia and the largest in Asia. Here we will see plenty of examples of the Khmer way of life on the Tonle Sap. Check out and transfer to the airport for the flight to Hanoi (air tickets excluded). You will be picked up from Noi Bai airport and transfer to the hotel in the city centre. Overnight in Hanoi.   
4. Day 04

   Hanoi city tour (B)
   – SIC TourHave breakfast and get ready for our city tour of Hanoi today. Your bus and tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in the Old Quarter at 8 AM. We will then drive to Tran Quoc Pagoda, which is located on an island east of West Lake (Tay Ho District). The pagoda has a history of over 1,500 years and is considered to be the oldest in Hanoi. It was the Buddhist center of the Thang Long citadel during the Ly and Tran dynasties. Tran Quoc Pagoda is famous for its beautiful architecture and its sacred Buddha land, which attracts many Buddhists and visitors from all over Vietnam. Our next stop is the Ho Chi Minh Complex, includes the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, and the Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh, the leader of Vietnam who helped to liberate the country from French colonialism and American occupation. Then we drive to The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which is the largest and most interesting museum in Hanoi and Vietnam. It has both indoor and outdoor exhibits. The indoor exhibits are informative, but the outdoor displays and activities are what make the museum stand out. Have lunch at local restaurant.  In this afternoon, we will visit The Temple Of Literature - a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hanoi, Vietnam, that was founded in 1070 as the first national university of Vietnam. The last visit is to Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the Hanoi Hilton, was a prison in Hanoi, Vietnam, that was used by the French colonists and later by the North Vietnamese government to detain political prisoners and prisoners of war. Overnight in Hanoi. Please note: The guest will self-transfer to the pick-up point if your hotel is outside the Old Quarters. On Monday and Friday mornings, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum are closed. The Vietnamese Women's Museum is replaced instead. Please dress politely, do not wear shorts when visiting the mausoleum.  
5. Day 05

   Hanoi - Halong bay – Overnight on cruise (B, L, D)
   – Shuttle BusBreakfast at the hotel, then check out. At around 8:00 am, you will be picked up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarters and transferred to Ha Long Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as recognized by UNESCO in 1994 and 2006.  Upon arrival at the Cruise Port, you will enjoy a warm welcome from cruise staff and complete the check-in procedure for the overnight cruise to discover the magnificent beauty of this "Descending Dragon" bay, created by thousands of odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch on board, we can visit the Grottos, stop for swimming or kayaking, pass floating houses, and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close proximity. Later in the afternoon, go back to the cruise and enjoy the cooking demonstration before having dinner. In the evening, attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the cruise. Please note: The guest will self-transfer to the pick-up point if your hotel is outside the Old Quarters. The program may be a little varied depending on the cruise you choose. You will have stationed English speaking guide on board.   
6. Day 06

   Halong – Hanoi – Flight after 18:00 to Ho Chi Minh (Br)
   – Shuttle BusYou 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. Check out your room and have brunch on board while the cruise coming back the pier.  Disembark from the cruise, return to Hanoi by shutle bus. Your driver pick you up from Hanoi and transfer to Noi Bai airport (without tour guide) for your flight to Ho Chi Minh city (air tickets excluded), also called as Saigon, the most dynamic city in Vietnam.  Upon arrival, welcomed by the local tour guide and transfer to the down town. Check in your hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.  
7. Day 07

   Ho Chi Minh City tour – Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L)
   – SIC TourBreakfast at the hotel. You will be picked up from pick-up point in District 1  at 07:30-08:00 am. Take the morning city tour to visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, a witness to the fierce Vietnam War that ended in 1975. The grand building today is a Museum and Hall for official receptions. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral (view from outside only) built between 1877 and 1883, the historic Central Post Office - one of the city’s major landmarks. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum, one of the most famous historical attractions in Saigon. Coming to the War Remnants Museum, you can learn a part of how Vietnamese struggled and fought for their independence, freedom, and peace of the nation, as well as the locals' perspective of the Vietnam War. Have lunch with Vietnamese food at local restaurant.  Afternoon drive to Cu Chi Tunnels: the network of over 200 km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the war. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities, including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers, and kitchens. After a short introduction video showing how the tunnels were constructed, you will have a chance to crawl into a short section of the tunnels to feel the oppressive narrowness and heat inside. Experience the thrill of firing an M15, AK-47, and carbine rifle (at guests own extra cost). This is your chance to get a taste of what it's like to be a soldier in a war zone. With the help of experienced instructors, you'll learn how to handle these powerful weapons and how to shoot them safely.  Return to Saigon later in the day. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.   Please note: The guest will self-transfer to the pick-up point in District 1, address is provided upon booking confirmation.   
8. Day 08

   Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta – My Tho – Ho Chi Minh (B, L)
   – SIC TourBreakfast at hotel. You will be picked up from pick-up point in District 1  at 07:30-08:00 am. Leaving the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and start your trip to depart for My Tho, the town lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang pagoda which sated back to the late 19th century. Then  boarding the sampan and cruising down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.  Stop over at Unicorn Island, go walking around country lane and seeing orchards, enjoy tropical fruits, folk song music which performed by the local people. Visit the fruit plantation. Riding a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and treat yourself in the beauty of the countryside, visit the family business, visit honey-bee farm, enjoy honey tea and coconut candy workshop.  Have lunch at local restaurant. Time for relaxing. In the afternoon, time for cycling around the Tan Thach village, meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong delta. Hammock relaxing and enjoy cool breeze for those can’t join the cycling trip. Return to Ho Chi Minh City late in the afternoon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city. Please note: The guest will self-transfer to the pick-up point in District 1, address is provided upon booking confirmation.   
9. Day 09

   Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)
   Breakfast at the hotel. Time at leisure or shopping until check out time and transfer to the airport with driver only (no guide) for the departure flight back to your sweet home.

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