Classic Vietnam & Angkor

Day 1
Depart London

Depart London

Day 2
Arrive Hanoi

Upon arrival in Hanoi, the rest of the day is free to recover from the flight
or stroll amongst broad tree-lined avenues dating from the French period.
There is a faded colonial charm where baguettes and good coffee are sold from
doorways of grand buildings of a past era.

This evening there will be a welcome briefing with your leader followed by an
optional group dinner at a local restaurant.

*Lan Vien Hotel or similar*

Day 3
City tour; afternoon free

Thismorning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city that includes a visit
to the Temple of Literature; the site of the oldest university in Vietnam
with over 2000 graduates, Hoa Lo Prison & the Old Quarter of the city with
its ’36 Streets’ where each street is home to shops selling particular
products – e.g. ‘silk street’, ‘gold street’, ‘paper street’ and ‘tourist
souvenir street’.

We have the afternoon free in Hanoi to wander around the Hoan Kiem lake and
perhaps enjoy the view from a lakeside caf.

*Lan Vien Hotel or similar*

Day 4
To Halong Bay; cruise; overnight on boat

We make an early start for the approximately 4-hour journey to Halong
Bay.This is one of the most stunningly beautiful sights in South East Asia
with some 3000 limestone peaks rising directly from the clear emerald sea. We
cruise amongst this amazing karst scenery, stopping to swim and kayak,
allowing us to get to places inaccessible by boat (weather permitting), and
enjoy a seafood lunch on board. We overnight on board in twin share cabins
with en suite facilities.

*Overnight Boat*

Day 5
Continue cruise; return to Hanoi

We continue to cruise around Halong Bay this morning before returning to
port. We then drive back to Hanoi where the evening is free to explore or
relax. There is the option of seeing a performance of the famous Water
Puppets, which your leader can arrange if you have not already seen them and
wish to do so.

*Lan Vien Hotel or similar*

Day 6
Fly to Da Nang; transfer to Hoi An

After breakfast we transfer to Hanoi Airport for a flight to Da Nang. In Da
Nang, we climb Marble Mountain where we explore the large caves which were
used by the Viet Cong as a hospital base during the war. From the mountain
peak there are fantastic views over My Khe Beach and the surrounding
countryside which leads on to Hoi An, our next destination.

*Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spaor similar*

Day 7
Walking tour of Hoi An; free afternoon

This morning will include a walking tour of Hoi An, the original European
trading port in Vietnam dating back to the mid-16th century. It is now a
living museum, with attractive wooden merchant’s houses and pagoda-style
temples with Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European architectural
influences. It is also a marvellous place to wander around and enjoy the
thriving riverside market and great silk clothes shopping.
The afternoon is free to enjoy a town that has become a favourite for so many
travellers to Vietnam. Options include a trip to My Son, the Cham
civilisation’s spiritual home, where Cham kings were buried as long ago as
the fourth century. Although wartime bombing has destroyed much of the site,
there’s a number of interesting stone towers and sanctuaries.

*Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spaor similar
*

Day 8
Cruise on Thu Bon River to a cooking class; free afternoon

We spend the morning at the wonderful Red Bridge restaurant, located on the
bank of the Thu Bon River. Visiting the colourful local market first, we shop
for ingredients before taking a boat ride to the restaurant. Here we learn
the intricacies of Vietnamese cooking. Under the supervision of an
English-speaking Vietnamese chef you have the opportunity to create your own
dishes. You don’t need to be a proficient cook to enjoy this activity but be
warned, you get to eat your creations at the end of the morning! You may
choose to stay on and enjoy the idyllic garden at the restaurant or make your
way back into Hoi An town for an afternoon at leisure, or jump on a bike
(optional) for a ride through the countryside, passing markets, schools and
villages before continuing on to Cua Dai beach (5 km).

*Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spaor similar*

Day 9
Fly to Saigon; afternoon city tour

This morning we transfer to Da Nang Airport for the flight to Saigon,
officially known as Ho Chi Minh City. This is an exciting and absorbing city
where scooters pack the streets and temples stand defiantly alongside modern
developments. Devastated by the Vietnam War, it is now a bustling free market
city where anything goes. The Saigon River and Ben Thanh market, are within
easy walking distance and are highly recommended. This afternoon a city tour
will include a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace
and the War Remnants Museum. The Museum has an interesting photographic
record of the Vietnam/American War. Please be aware that some images at the
museum are very graphic.

*Sila Urban Living or similar*

Day 10
Morning visit to Cu Chi tunnels; free afternoon

Today we leave the city behind us and head north to visit the infamous Cu Chi
tunnels. Used by the Viet Cong during the war, the network covers 3 levels
and incorporates around 240km of tunnels. Traditionally these were very
narrow but some areas have been widened to allow tourists to explore the
system. Claustrophobes may prefer to stay outside in the sunshine! In the
afternoon we return to Saigon and the rest of the day is free for individual
exploration.

*Sila Urban Living or similar*

Day 11
To Mekong Delta; cruise through waterways

In the morning we drive to Cai Be in the Mekong Delta (approx 2 hours),
known as the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam. This region produces most of Vietnam’s
fruit, sugar cane and coconuts. We take a boat trip on the mighty Mekong
River, passing many orchards and friendly locals also travelling by
boat.Recently, Cai Be floating market has become less crowded and smaller
as fruit trading is mostly now done by trucks due to the bridge being built.
However, this is still a great opportunity to see a local market and the
trade being conducted traditionally on a smaller scale.We stop to see some
small cottage industries such as rice paper and coconut candy, getting a
chance to sample the produce along the way before enjoying the local
speciality, Elephant Ear Fish’, for lunch. After lunch, we continue by
boat to Vinh Long where our bus is waiting to take us to Can Tho.

*TTC Can Tho Hotel or similar*

Day 12
Visit floating market; return to Saigon

This morning we take a boat trip to visit Cai Rang floating market, the
biggest and most lively floating market in the Delta, with great photo
opportunities. It is a maze of hundreds of boats packed with fruits,
vegetables and plants, where samples are hung from the tops of long poles so
that buyers can see from a distance what is for sale. Later we drive back to
Saigon where the remainder of the day is free.

*Sila Urban Living or similar*

Day 13
Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia

Today we transfer to Saigon Airport for the flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia.
On arrival in Siem Reap, we will be met by our Cambodian tour leader.
Flight-time dependent we may have the opportunity to see the sunset at the
temple-complex this evening. If not, we will enjoy this magnificent marvel
tomorrow evening.

*Tara Angkor Hotel or similar*

Day 14
Full day to explore Angkor

A full day spent exploring the Angkor complex. We will visit the incredible
Angkor Wat and the many temples inside the Royal City of Angkor Thom,
including the magnificent Bayon, which comprises of 54 intricately carved
towers in one single temple. The Bayon certainly left an impression on an
early traveller in 1925 who stated ‘we stand before it stunned. It is like
nothing else in the land.’ We will also see other less-visited outlying
temples. Particularly impressive are Banteay Srei and Ta Prohm, which is
still covered in jungle as it was first found. Re-discovered in the 1870s and
famously described as being ‘grander than anything of Greece or Rome’ by the
French explorer Henri Mouchot, this World Heritage Site stands alongside
Chichen Itza and Machu Picchu as one of the world’s most spectacular
archaeological sites. A truly magical experience and a photographer’s
paradise.
*Tara Angkor Hotel or similar*

Day 15
Depart Siem Reap

Depart Siem Reap.

Day 16
Arrive London

Arrive London