Vietnam Escapes and Cambodia extension 22 Days/21 Nights

Welcome to Vietnam! On arrival at the airport, you will be picking up and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, take a rickshaw ride rambling through the maze of Hanoi’s old quarter.

Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant with authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a guided tour to Ho Chi Minh Complex which includes Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s House on Stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda, then visit the Temple of Literature. Next is Vietnam National Museum of Ethnology, the attractive collection of 54 ethnic minorities in Vietnam. Enjoy lunch at Cha Ca La Vong restaurant which is listed as a famous local fish restaurant in Hanoi. Tonight you have reserved seats for an unforgettable show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. DAY 3: Hanoi – Maichau (B, L, D)

Enjoy the morning drive to Hoabinh and visit Muong and Dao villages along the way then continue to Maichau valley, the home of white Thai ethnic minority. Enjoy lunch at the tribe’s traditional house on stilts, followed by an orientation walking tour to nearby villages for learning of Thai’s farming techniques and experience the Thai tribe’s cultures. Tonight, the special treat is a local dinner and be our guest at a special folk dance. Overnight in Mai Chau. Accommodation: Homestay in LacVillage

Enjoy the morning drive to Hoabinh and visit Muong and Dao villages along the way then continue to Maichau valley, the home of white Thai ethnic minority.

Enjoy lunch at the tribe’s traditional house on stilts, followed by an orientation walking tour to nearby villages for learning of Thai’s farming techniques and experience the Thai tribe’s cultures. Tonight, the special treat is a local dinner and be our guest at a special folk dance.

Overnight in Mai Chau. Accommodation: Homestay in LacVillage

Explore some other villages and surrounding area before going back to our village for lunch and say goodbye to our host family. Drive back to Hanoi on a scenic country road and the rest of the day is at your leisure for some more exploration in the city or spend some time by the serene Hoan Kiem Lake area

Today, we leave Hanoi for Halong Bay, the world natural heritage site; enjoy a drive through rural area with scenic views of rice paddy fields and local people at work.

After 3,5 hours of driving, embark our Vietnamese wooden junk. Journey through the spectacular limestone islands and floating villages whilst having a delicious seafood lunch, then disembark to visit ‘Sung Sot’ or “Surprising cave” which is one of the most imposing grottos of the bay.

Sail on to the next stop of Titop Island where you can swim and climb up to the top of the island for panoramic views. Tonight, you will be delighted by a candle light seafood dinner on board. Overnight on board in Halong Bay.

A breakfast will be served on board with the combination of western style and local cuisine. Experience the bay up close and personal with a leisurely sampan tour to “Hang Luon” or “Lagoon Cave” for having some stunning picture of the floras and faunas system in Halong and Catba National Park then cruise back to the wharf. Enjoy yet another seafood meal on

board before disembarkation for a drive back to Hanoi. . Tonight, you will be transfer to Hanoi Train Station for the overnight train to Laocai.

Overnight on the train Accommodation: Tulico Train (Share Cabin)

Upon arrival in Laocai Train Station you will be picking up then transfer to Sapa, the home of six different hill-tribes.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel then take a morning walk to Sapa Central Market where you can find all local ethnic minority’s arts and crafts. Today, we will explore the stunning scenery of the Muong Hoa River by the walk to the village of Laochai which is inhabited by the Black H’mong families amongst an amazing valley. Continue to Tavan Village, the home of Zay minority.

After 3 hours trekking through this beautiful villages, drive back to Sapa Town. Overnight in Sapa

In the morning, enjoy the guided tour to Taphin, this lovely village was set up amongst a wide valley and surrounded by rice paddies.

Ta Phin is a Red Dzao community where the women are particularly striking with large red turbans often covered with old coins or jewellery. We will visit one of a Red Dzao household and learn about their cultures and way of life before heading back to Sapa.

The rest of the day will be at your leisure to enjoy Sapa’s Orchid & Flower garden or taking a leisurely walk down to Catcat valley to see the daily lives of the Black H’mong tribe. Overnight in Sapa.

After breakfast at your hotel, check out and drive about 3 hours on a scenic mountain road to Bacha Market where many different tribe’s people are exchange their colorful handicraft products.

Lunch at a local restaurant then visit H’Mong Royal Palace built by French in 1923 and drive back to Laocai Train Station for overnight train to Hanoi.

On the way, stop at border gate between Vietnam and China for some photo opportunities. Overnight on the train Accommodation: Tulico Train (Share Cabin)

Upon arrival in Hanoi you will be transfer to the hotel for your breakfast and picking up the rest of your baggage and then transfer to Hanoi airport for the short flight to Danang. From Danang we travel further south to Hoian with the stop en route at the Cham Museum & the Marble Mountains, a series of large marble outcrops that have acquired mythical significance over centuries. After check in, the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Hoian.

Today enjoy a guided walking tour in the ancient town of Hoian to the Japanese Covered Bridge, Phung Hung Ancient House, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and Chua Ong Pagoda. In the afternoon, enjoy a peaceful boat ride along the Thu Bon River to Thanh Ha Ceramic village. In the afternoon, enjoy your free time or stroll around the local stores for shopping and tailoring. Overnight in Hoian.

Today, you will have free time for your own exploration in Hoian or just simply relax at the hotel spa to reload some energy before discovering the beauty of Mekong Delta & the marvel of Cambodia. Overnight in Hoian.

Take a short flight to chaotic Hochiminh city in the morning, followed by an orientation visit to the Former Presidential Palace which brought back memories of the two tanks plough through the gates on April 30, 1975. Afterward, we head to the War Remnants Museum to see some powerful images of the most horrific wars in history, the colonial Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office. Overnight in Hochiminhcity

Start the day with a tour to the Great Holy See Temple, built in 1926; it’s considered one of the most striking structures in all of south-east Asia.

It is the centre of Caodaism, a religion that blends Buddhism, Christianity and Confucianism. Explore this fascinating site and attend the colorful noon-day mass held by the Cao Dai followers. It is an experience not to be missed.

Afterwards we continue to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence.

The complex system of underground tunnels contained innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Overnight in Hochiminh city.

Today, we leave the bustling Saigon for Cai Be where you will board your wooden river cruise vessel around noon. After a refreshing welcome drink we show you our on-board facilities and your cosy cabin.

As lunch is served, the boat starts cruising. Sit back and watch the fantastic scenery and the daily life of the Mekong people. In the afternoon you can disembark for a guided leisurely stroll through a village and the surrounding fruit orchards or rice fields. Meet the friendly locals and taste the local produce and fruits.

Get back on board and enjoy a drink at the bar or relax on deck as the sun sets over the magnificent water landscape of the MekongRiver. The boat will anchor for the night. The day ends with a delicious on-board dinner. You stay overnight on board your floating hotel in the Mekong Delta. Accommodation: Mekong Eyes River Cruise (Share Boat with private cabin) MekongRiver

Wake up well rested to the sound of the Mekong river and get ready for another exciting day of sightseeing in the Mekong Delta.

At 6.30h the cruise vessel sets off for a sunrise cruise. Watch the locals go about their daily work drying exotic fruits and building ships on the wooden yards while enjoying an early breakfast. After breakfast, we will board a sampan boat to Cai Be or Cai Rang floating market, the region’s busiest and most lively markets. Marvel at the sheer abundance of exotic fruits, vegetables and skillfully handcrafted regional products. We will pull up to the boats for talking and bargaining with the merchants.

We will also visit some of the local candy and cake making factories or boat through the green water landscape to see local houses, verdant orchards and ship-building yards.Disembark the boat at around 11.00 – 11.30h on the pier and enjoy lunch in town. Sit back in the car and watch the water landscape from a land perspective until you reach Chau Doc where we bring you to your Victoria Chau Doc hotel. Overnight in Chau Doc.

This morning you will embark the speed boat at the Victoria Hotel in Chau Doc for an exciting ride to Phnom Penh( 4,5 to 5 hours).

Upon arrival you will be welcome by our Cambodian guide & driver and transferred to the hotel. In the afternoon, we start Phnom Penh city tour to visit the Victory Monument, the National Museum, the Royal Palace, and the Silver Pagoda which is located in the Royal Palace.

Our next destination will be the Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh’s namesake; from here we can enjoy the overview of the tree-lined avenues of Phnom Penh during sunset. You may be end up our day with a leisurely walk along the Mekong River. Overnight in Phnompenh

Today we take an excursion to Tonle Batie (40 kms from Phnom Penh), for the visit to Ta Prohm and Yeay Poev temples. In the afternoon, visit to the killing Field of Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

This morning, you will be transfer to the airport for an internal flight to Siem Reap, the home of famous Angkor Wat. Upon arrival Siem Reap airport, you will be welcome by our Siem Riep’s tour guide and driver for the transfer to hotel. Enjoy your visit to one of the earliest capitals in the Angkor area is Roluos Group with Preah Ko, Bakong & Lolei temples and then view sunset from Phnom Bakheng.Overnight in Siem Riep.

Today, we take a tour to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat.

Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this is the most famous temple at Angkor. In the afternoon, we visit to Angkor Thom, built by King Jayavarman VII. Following the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the new king decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire.

Visit to Terrace of the Leper King, Terrace of Elephants, Baphuon and Bayon temples. Overnight in Siem Riep.

Start with a visit to Srah Srang (Pool of Ablutions), measuring 800m by 400m. Banteay Kdei, built in 1186 by Jayavarman VII who was a Mahayana Buddhist and then visit to Eastern Mebon, this temple has large guardian elephants on each corner. Return to Siem Reap via the temple of Kravanh.

Built entirely from brick and dating from 921, this temple was extensively restored in the 1960s.Afternoon, we visit to Ta Prohm, was a Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII.

It is one of the few temples in the Angkor region where an inscription provides inFormation about the temple’s dependents and inhabitants, continue to visit Takeo, built by Jayavarman V, it was dedicated to Shiva and was the first Angkorian monument built entirely of sandstone.

We also visit to Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon temples. Tonight our guide will host a lavish farewell celebration dinner at a local restaurant with Khmer Dance Show. Overnight in Siem Riep.

Travel to Phnom Krom to visit a floating village and take a boat trip on the Tonle Sap Lake to see the daily life of local people in this exciting fishing community. There are floating schools, floating shops, floating petrol stations, and even floating karaoke bars. Visit to a local market before transfer to Siem Reap airport for your onward flight.