Jewels of Indochina (19 days and 18 nights)

	Name of the trip: Jewels of Indochina
	Trip Code: VNLT-MPT-08
	Length of the trip: 19 days and 18 nights
	Trip type: Private & Daily departure
	Trip Starts from: Saigon City, Vietnam
	Trip Ends in: Saigon City, Vietnam
	Extension: The trip can be extended if tourists want to visit Angkor Wat in Siem Reap in Cambodia before or after the trip.
	Required booking time: At least 20 days in advance for individuals and 45 days in advance for group
	Call to book this trip: +84.91.2270058 (24/7)
	Email to book: sales@vietnamluxurytravel.com
	*** Click here to read our clients' comments ***

This itinerary is really fantastic for photographers who want to have nicest pictures about Vietnam, traveling from bustling Saigon downstream to Mekong Delta, from the ancient town of Hoi An to the former capital of Hue, from land of dragon descending to the sea "Halong" to the place where you can touch the sky "Sapa". All the best of Vietnam are awaiting for you to come.

TRIP OVERVIEW

The trip has Vietnam's most popular sites rolled into one. Visit the historical sights of Saigon, Hanoi, Hoi An and Hue" plus take a dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River; spend the night on a junk boat in Halong Bay and take sampan cruise through the Mekong Delta.

DETAILS OF THE TRIP

Day 1: Saigon City Arrival (Meals: N/A)
Our representative/tour guide will meet and greet you at the airport. Transfer to the city for hotel check-in. You will be free at leisure for the rest of time. Stay overnight at hotel in Saigon.

Day 2: Saigon - My Tho - Mekong Delta (Meals : B)
Leave your hotel at 7.30 for a 3-hour drive to Cai Be with stop en route at Trung Luong Bonsai garden for a tea break. Upon arrival, board a motorized boat to visit the popcorn cake, rice paper making family before visiting the lively floating market of Cai Be. Then continue by boat towards Vinh Long province to see the diverse fish traps in order to learn a kind of lazy fishing. After cruising along small shady canals, we step ashore and take a chance to watch a typical and interesting music show of the Mekong cultural life. Lunch is at the home/ bonsai garden. Afternoon, take a walk for about half an hour to enjoy the rural peaceful atmosphere of the countryside life, on the way we can also stop en route to learn more about fruit trees. Drive back to Saigon. Overnight in Saigon
Day 3: Saigon - Siem Reap (Meals : B/L/D)
Upon arrival at Siem Reap airport, meets and transfers to hotel. Visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), Bayon Temple (the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, visit the most famous of all the temples on the Angkor plain: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five tower symbolize Meru's five peaks, the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat symbolizes the ocean beyond Sunset from Phnom Bakheng, one of two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and Angkor Wat.
Day 4: Siem Reap - Angkor Tours (Meals : B/L)
In the morning, you will continue your temple visits. Included are Prasat Kravan (with its unique brick sculptures), Srah Srang ("The Royal Boths" was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by four concentric walls), Eastern Mebon (guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation) and the "Mountain Temple" of Pre Rup. In the afternoon, transfer to the archaeological site and continue to the temple tour. Visit Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples in the area. Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery, then, visit Takeo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda temples. Stay overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 5: Siem Reap - Hanoi (Meals : B/L)
Visit the floating village of the Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Take a traditional wooden boat for a ride on the Tonle Sap, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia and the largest in Asia. In the afternoon, visit "Les Artisans d'Angkor – Chantiers Ecoles" of Siem Reap and time at leisure at the local market (if time permits) Transfer to Siem Reap airport for departure to Hanoi. Pick up upon arrival and transfer to hotel in the city for check-in. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 6: Hanoi Half Day Tours (Meals : B)
Morning at leisure to refresh. Half day city tour to see Hanoi with landmarks (The Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh historical relics, Hanoi Hilton Museum, Hanoi old quarters. Tour will be finished after the water puppetry show at around 07:00 PM) . Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 7: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hanoi (Meals : B/L)
Morning depart for Halong Bay, we go through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town we embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. This exciting five hour cruise will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. Transfer back to Hanoi at 08:00 pm. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 8: Hanoi - Perfume Pagoda (Meals : B)
The Perfume Pagoda is one of the most important religious sites in Buddhist Vietnam. Every spring thousands of pilgrims come here to pray for all the health and prosperity they need to get them through the coming year. The pagoda itself is built into limestone cliffs and can only be reached by boat or on foot, as there are no roads into the area.  Float by boat along scenic waterways and walk up mountain paths visiting the pagodas and temples that were built in this area over the centuries. Departing Hanoi we have a two hour drive through the picturesque countryside and back roads to the village of Duc for some refreshments before boarding our boats for a 1.5 hour ride along the scenic Yen River. After this we walk to the Thien Tru Pagoda (Heavens Kitchen) and the Perfume Cave and Pagoda – one hour walking in total. On our return, we visit Giai Oan and Tuyet Son Pagodas. Lunch will be at one of the little food stalls near Thien Tru Pagoda. After lunch the boat will take us back to our bus for the drive back to Hanoi.

Day 9: Hanoi - Hue (Meals : B)
Transferring to the airport to catch mid-day flight to Hue. Check-in hotel upon arrival and take refresh for a while. This quiet city is widely known for the magnificent architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples built under the Nguyen Dynasty. We visit the major sites including the Imperial Citadel with Forbidden Royal City like in Beijing. Free shopping in Dong Ba market. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Day 10: Hue Sightseeing Tours (Meals : B/L)
Boat trip on Perfume River to see Thien Mu Pagoda and Ming Mang Emperor's Mausoleum. Rest of time you will be free at leisure.
Day 11  Hue - Hoi An (Meals: B, L)
This morning we drive to Hoi An, we will cross Hai Van Pass where you will have magnificent view of the China Sea. Stop at Lang Co to have break. Visit the fascinating Cham Museum, famous China Beach and the Marble Mountains en route to charming Hoi An. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports and today it still retains that special old-world feel.
Day 12: Hoi An Tours (Meals : B)
Enjoy a walking tour through the Old Quarter to visit its landmarks of Japanese Covered Bridge, Assembly Hall, Phuc Kien Chinese styled Temple, local market. Hoi An is also famous for its large number of tailor shops, so if you want to have a new wardrobe made up, this is the time to do it. In the afternoon we take a boat trip on Thu Bon River to see handicraft villages. Transfer back to the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Day 13: Hoi An - Danang - Nha Trang (Meals : B)
Flight to Nha Trang. Private airport pick up and transfer to hotel in Nha Trang City.  Nha Trang has a 7 km white sand beach fringed by palms and casuarina trees, is one of nicest municipal beaches in Vietnam. The turquoise waters around Nha Trang are almost transparent, making for excellent fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving. You will be in Nha Trang around 14:00 PM. Overnight in Nha Trang

Day 14: Nha Trang at Leisure (Meals: B)

NHA TRANG The fabulous sunny weather, turquoise water surrounding a string of islands and white sandy beach stretching the whole length of the city make Nha Trang one of Vietnam's premier beach resorts. The usual water spots such as fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving are also available. On these free days, you can soak up as much sun and sea as you want by spending your time on the turquoise water enjoying swimming or lazing on a beach.

Day 15: Nha Trang at Leisure (Meals: B)
NHA TRANG The fabulous sunny weather, turquoise water surrounding a string of islands and white sandy beach stretching the whole length of the city make Nha Trang one of Vietnam's premier beach resorts. The usual water spots such as fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving are also available. On these free days, you can soak up as much sun and sea as you want by spending your time on the turquoise water enjoying swimming or lazing on a beach.
Day 16: Nha Trang - Dalat (Meals: B)
5 hour drive to Dalat (~205 km). The first part of the journey was through agricultural scenery - rice paddies and vegetable fields, with hills arising the background. Late in the morning, we stopped at the Po Klong Garai Cham towers. The sites, at the top of a cactus covered hillside, date from the 13th century and enjoy magnificent view from Ngoan Muc Pass.  Free at leisure for the rest of day at hotel in Dalat. Overnight at hotel in Dalat.

Day 17: Dalat Sightseeing Tours (Meals: B)
Enjoy a full day sightseeing visiting the Lat village, the Mad Monk, Vien Thuc and take  a scenic train ride to Trai Mat for sightseeing. Transfer back to hotel. Overnight in Dalat
Day 18: Dalat - Saigon City (Meals: B)
Free at leisure until you will be transferred to Dalat airport to take 1-hour flight to Saigon City. Stay overnight in Saigon.

Day 19: Saigon City Departure

At leisure and transfer to airport for departure flight. HOME SWEET HOME. End of service.

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