Your itinerary
1.
London to Hanoi
Your door-to-door driver will get you to London Heathrow for
your overnight flight to Hanoi, via Kuala Lumpur, with Malaysia
Airlines.
2. Hanoi
Reaching Vietnam's capital, relax at the central Hilton Hanoi
Opera Hotel (4 diamond), your home for three nights.
3. Halong Bay
Take a full-day trip, passing rice fields on the way, to Hon Gai
and Halong Bay. Made internationally famous as a film location,
Halong Bay has been important in Vietnamese legend for centuries.
Admire the splendid vistas on a four-hour cruise around some of the
3000 islands, and perhaps swim in a secluded bay (weather
permitting). A fresh seafood lunch will be served on board. B L
4. Hanoi
Discover gracious Hanoi today, visiting the Ho Chi Minh Quarter,
including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square and the
ruler's house on stilts, before viewing the Presidential Palace,
the One-Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature and Hanoi's former
prison. Explore the city's streets on a cyclo ride to the Old
Quarter, where pedlars continue their age-old trade, and see the
French colonial architecture of the Hoan Kiem Lake area. Round off
your day with an evening performance of Hanoi's famous water
puppets before spending a final night at your hotel. B
5. Hanoi to Hue
Fly to Vietnam's central coast, where the city of Hue provides a
window on Vietnam's complex past. Visit the Citadel, former home to
emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty, and journey along the Perfume River
by dragon boat to Hue's oldest and most beautiful pagoda - Thien
Mu. This evening, the central Saigon Morin Hotel (3 diamond),
overlooking the river, welcomes you for the night. B
6. Hue to Hoi An
Visit the impressive tombs of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh then
continue south via the spectacular Hai Van Pass and through both
rural and coastal settings. Reaching Danang, visit the Cham Museum
before heading to the Marble Mountains, China Beach and Hoi An.
Settle in at the 3 diamond Hoi An Riverside Hotel for two nights.
B
7. Hoi An
Cruise along the Thu Bon river, passing scenic farmland and
paddy fields, to Hoi An town. Find out about the city's cultural
heritage with visits to an old merchant house, the Hoi An Museum, a
Chinese Assembly Hall and the Japanese Covered Bridge. This
afternoon, enjoy a respite from city life on a drive to beautiful
My Son to see some of Vietnam's most important Cham ruins. B
8. Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
(Saigon)
You've a free morning in Hoi An to discover its many clothing
shops, soak up the atmosphere or observe life on the river. Later,
head to Danang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, still
often called Saigon. Although at the head of modernisation in
Vietnam, the country's commercial capital still has a friendly air,
and you'll also find reminders of its turbulent past. Depending on
your departure date, the 5 diamond Renaissance Hotel is your
central home for three nights. B
9. Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu
Chi tunnels
Explore Ho Chi Minh City's famous and historic landmarks on a
morning walking tour. Begin with a stroll along Dong Khoi Street,
past the Rex Hotel, and take in sights such as Ho Chi Minh Square,
the Municipal Theatre and Notre Dame Cathedral. Tour the impressive
Re-Unification Palace and the War Remnants Museum before visiting
the bustling Chinatown district of Cholon: the Binh Tay market and
an ornate Chinese pagoda dedicated to the goddess of the sea, Thien
Hau, are among the sights. This afternoon, take a tour of the Cu
Chi tunnel network. Set in the Vietnam War's 'Iron Triangle', the
network, comprising three levels of tunnels stretching over 250km,
was developed for guerrilla warfare. Spend the rest of the evening
at leisure in Ho Chi Minh. B
10. Mekong Delta
You've a full day to find out about the most fertile region in
Vietnam with a journey south to the Mekong Delta. Travel from Ho
Chi Minh to My Tho for a boat trip to one of the islands in the
Mekong River; sample fruit at a local orchard then travel by sampan
along narrow canals. You'll also have the opportunity to try
elephant-ear fish for lunch and to visit a local family for some
tea or rice wine. B L
11. Ho Chi Minh to Siem
Reap
Fly to Siem Reap in Cambodia and settle in at the 3 diamond Day
Inn Angkor, a short ride from Angkor Wat, for two nights. Get a
glimpse inside the incredible fortified city of Angkor Thom on a
guided tour and visit the mysterious Bayon at the centre of Angkor
city. Arriving at Angkor Wat late in the afternoon, watch the sun
set over this awe-inspiring temple. B
12. Temples of
Angkor
An early start today for breakfast at Angkor Wat: it's well
worth it to see the sunrise. Afterwards, tour more of Angkor's
incredible ruins and beautiful temples, including the 10th-century
Banteay Srei, filled with well-preserved, detailed carvings, the
atmospheric and jungle-shrouded Ta Phrom in the greater Angkor
area, and the large Banteay Kdei complex, before heading back to
the hotel. This afternoon, take a cruise on Tonle Sap Lake to visit
the floating villages, complete with schools, restaurants and even
a hospital, before an evening at leisure in your hotel. B
13. Siem Reap to Phnom
Penh
Fly to Phnom Penh this morning to discover a city reinventing
itself. As well as architectural evidence of its French colonial
past, you can see the recently developed riverfront centre, visit
the Silver Pagoda, and walk around the Royal Palace. For a reminder
of the history of the Pol Pot era, visit the chilling Tuol Sleng
Museum of Genocide Crimes and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek this
afternoon before spending the rest of the day at leisure. The
centrally-located Cambodiana Hotel (3 diamond) welcomes you for a
night on the banks of the Mekong River. B
14. Phnom Penh and flight
home
Journey to the airport this morning for your flight back to
London Heathrow, via Kuala Lumpur, with Malaysia Airlines. B
15. London
Your door-to-door driver will be waiting at London Heathrow to
take you home.
Travel notes As well as the
many architectural treasures, we want to show you the real Vietnam
and Cambodia of modern times and remind you of the recent history
of both countries. The trip to Halong Bay makes day 3 long but very
rewarding - the scenery is stunning. Make sure you try the local
dishes available in your hotel's restaurant, as the cuisine in this
area is of a very good quality. Although tourism in both countries
is in its infancy, we use good-standard hotels throughout the tour,
but you'll find that roads can be bumpy and flight changes are
possible.
get more info »
