DAY 1

• HANOI

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• The Adventure Begins
• Welcome to Vietnam! Please note: Your travel documents contain a Visa-on-Arrival letter (unless otherwise arranged). Please ensure to pack this in your carry-on luggage. Your Visa-on-Arrival letter must be presented to Customs upon entry into the country.
• Upon arrival to Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport you will be welcomed by a hostess holding a sign with your name on it. This hostess will guide you through fast-track security services and, after you obtain a stamp for your Visa and have collected your luggage, will lead the way to your awaiting guide and vehicle.
• You will be privately transferred between your accommodations and Hanoi Airport by a professional driver and an English-speaking guide.

DAY 2

• HANOI

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• See the Signature Sights in Style
• Hanoi enjoys a rich Imperial history dating back over a millennium, and a surprising diversity of local ethnic groups weave the fabric of the city’s rich tapestry. Start your day on the outskirts of the city with your private driver and English-speaking guide by visiting the Museum of Ethnology. The museum provides an insightful glimpse into the country’s lengthy history, with more than 15,000 photos and 10,000 objects and artifacts depicting a historical perspective of the lives, activities, customs, and habits of the 54 recognized ethnic groups of Vietnam. Drive back into central Hanoi to the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. From here, continue to Bun Cha Huong Lien, the famous local spot where President Barack Obama dined with Anthony Bourdain.
• After lunch, visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square, an important point of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese. The area surrounding the complex is a traffic-free zone filled with botanical gardens, monuments, memorials and pagodas, and includes the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Museum and the One Pillar Pagoda. Travel back in time to the nearby simple cottage on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked during his humble beginnings as a revolutionary. Walk a few blocks out of the Ho Chi Minh Complex to the 11th century Buddhist One Pillar Pagoda, an elegant construction rising from the center of a square-shaped lotus pond on a solitary pillar.
• Continue to Ngoc Son Temple, a pagoda situated on a small island in Hoan Kiem Lake accessible by a classically painted wooden bridge. The view of the city from the pagoda is particularly popular.
• End your day at a by walking through the iconic Old Quarter. The streets of this district are bustling with scooters, bicycles, cyclos, and cars zipping around pedestrians. The best way to enjoy the charming colonial architecture is to wander with your guide at a leisurely pace and be sure to stop for a cup of Vietnamese coffee or a local snack from one of the many tantalizing street vendors. Your guide and private driver will accompany you back to your hotel, or if you prefer to enjoy dinner at your pace in the Old Quarter and soak up the atmosphere, you can make your own way back to your hotel at your leisure.

DAY 3

• HANOI TO HALONG BAY

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• All Aboard!
• In the morning, transfer from Hanoi's Old Quarter to Halong Bay. The transfer is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. You may stop on the way to admire the local scenery. Upon arrival to the port, you'll take a speedboat transfer to your cruise.
• Welcome on board the Orchid Cruise!
• Embark on your cruise and enjoy a welcome cocktail followed by an introduction. Boarding time is at approximately 12:15 PM.
• Next, on to Trung Trang Valley and Cave by bus on Cat Ba Island - the largest island in the Halong Bay area. The valley covers an area of approximately 300 hectares, has a depth of 25-60 feet and is around 10 miles into the middle of Cat Ba National Park. Trung Trang Cave measures 980 ft. lengthwise - it's really a geological wonder. The cave was carved by nature for more than 2000 years with many stalactites that take on various shapes that will awe and inspire.
• Later this afternoon, Orchid Cruise enters the less-populated area at Tra Bau - Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy a nice relaxing swim in the green emerald water and try your hand at kayaking here, which allows you to explore the karst rock formations up close.
• Tonight is also a great night to unwind with the ship's "Enjoy the Happy Hour (buy 1 get 1) at the bar" while watching the view of the bay at sunset.  Or indulge in a massage at the end of your first evening -- Please book with the Cruise Manager directly.
• Return to the cruise and gaze upon the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. On board join in a traditional cooking class in which the chef introduces and instructs you on the preparation of Vietnamese dishes. Dinner is served with delicious local food prepared by the wonderful on-board catering staff. Enjoy the landscape of the bay at night up on the top deck. You can hands-on squid fishing at night or watch a movie in the restaurant. Overnight on board.

DAY 4

• HALONG BAY TO HANOI TO DANANG TO HOI AN

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• The Journey Continues…
• In the early morning, enjoy a Tai Chi class on the sundeck; after that breakfast is served on board. Upon completing breakfast continue your journey and head out in canoes to explore the bay in the area where the Dark & Light Caves are situated.
• Next, your cruise will visit The Ao Ech area, home to Sang Toi Cave, where you can experience the cave via kayaking or on a bamboo boat. Dark and Bright (also known as Day and Night) grotto is not only known for the stunning limestone structure at every turn but also for the interesting natural habitat.
• Later in the morning return to your boat where brunch will be served on board while the vessel cruises back to the harbor.
• Meet your professional driver for a transfer back to Hanoi.
• You will be privately transferred between your accommodations and Hanoi Airport by a professional driver and an English-speaking guide.
• Board a flight from Hanoi with direct service to Danang. Approximate flight time is one hour and 20 minutes.
• Enjoy a scenic transfer from Danang to Hoi An with a private vehicle and an English speaking guide. The transfer is approximately 40 minutes.

DAY 5

• HOI AN

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• It’s All Ancient History
• The ancient town area in Hoi An and the elaborate temple complex of My Son in the neighboring countryside are an ideal pairing of two very diverse UNESCO World Heritage sites. My Son is Vietnam’s most important and iconic Cham site, and a must-see during your time in Vietnam. Head an hour and a half outside of Hoi An with your private driver and English-speaking guide to spend the morning exploring the Hindu ruins dedicated to Shiva. Regarded as one of the foremost important Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia, My Son is widely considered to be the Champa civilization’s counterpart to the grand temple complexes on Indian influenced civilizations such as Angkor in Cambodia, Ayutthaya in Thailand, and Borobudur in Indonesia.. Enjoy lunch at a local Vietnamese restaurant on the way as you make your way back to Hoi An. As a former fishing village set on the banks of the Thu Bon River and strategic trading port for Southeast Asia, centuries of Chinese and Japanese influence have left their unique mark on Hoi An. The streets of the old town are very narrow, so cars are not permitted in the historical center. Start with the 200-year-old Tam Ky House, a beautifully home that has been lovingly preserved over seven generations. Continue on foot to the Museum of Trade Ceramics, with fascinating pottery artefacts from all over Asia and the Middle East. Take a short walk to the 17th century Chinese Chua Ong Pagoda – the neighborhood around it has distinctly Chinese inspired buildings and is lovely to explore at a relaxed pace.

DAY 6

• HOI AN

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• Creative Cuisine
• Vietnam has a rich culinary tradition, and many of the iconic dishes are surprisingly simple to make, relying on skilled techniques and local fresh ingredients. This morning, your private driver and English-speaking guide will accompany you to your half-day private cooking class. Meet with the chef and start the day by hopping on a 25-minute boat ride across the Thu Bon River. Your lesson takes place in an open-air-pavilion with beautiful views of the Thu Bon where you will cook fresh ingredients used in typical Vietnamese recipes with your own private chef. Your Chef will teach you how to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes like cao lau - a famous noodle specialty of the area.  Once the cooking's complete, relax and enjoy the variety of dishes you prepared for lunch after which you will be returned to your hotel by car.
• Enjoy your lunch included in the tour cost.

DAY 7

• HOI AN TO DANANG TO HO CHI MINH CITY

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• En Route
• Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.
• You will be privately transferred from Hoi An to Danang by a professional driver and an English-speaking guide. Approximate travel time is 40 minutes.
• Board a flight from Danang with direct service to Ho Chi Minh City. Approximate flight time is one hour and 15 minutes.
• You will be privately transferred between your accommodations and Ho Chi Minh Airport by a professional driver and an English-speaking guide.

DAY 8

• HO CHI MINH CITY

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• Explore a City of Contrasts
• Years of French occupation and a lengthy war with the United States have marked Vietnam since the late 19th century. One of the most impressive feats of wartime engineering is the famed Cu Chi Tunnels, located in the countryside near Ho Chi Minh City. With your private driver and English-speaking guide, head approximately an hour and a half out of the city to explore this monument to perseverance. Gain important insight into the prolonged struggle against invading armies, and appreciation for the resilience and spirit of the Vietnamese people. The residents of Cu Chi took the war underground into a highly developed network of tunnels that at its height stretched as far as Cambodia and included meeting rooms, kitchens and triage areas. Imperceptible from the ground, opposing armies could roll their tanks over the bunkers without causing damage to the tunnels below. Living conditions were harsh – in addition to fighting the war, residents battled food and oxygen scarcity, venomous insects, and cramped living quarters.
• Drive back into the city and stop for a local lunch. In the afternoon start with a moving visit to the War Remnants Museum, a must-see for any war or history buff visiting Vietnam. Delve into the images and sounds of Vietnam’s lengthy war history with the French and Americans. The museum features a comprehensive collection of the machinery, weapons, and photos of the Vietnamese side of the war, and includes a moving tribute to the journalists, civilians, and soldiers lost during the war, as well as a critical look at biological warfare, weaponry, and worldwide movements for peace. It’s a truly moving visit but not for the faint-hearted. Continue to the Reunification Palace, also known as the Independence Palace, which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until the end of April 1975 during the Fall of Saigon. It was here that the Vietnam War ended when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates and led to the formal reunification of the two sides.

DAY 9

• HO CHI MINH CITY TO SIEM REAP

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• The Journey Continues…
• You will be privately transferred between your accommodations and Ho Chi Minh Airport by a professional driver and an English-speaking guide.
• Board a flight from Ho Chi Minh City with direct service to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Approximate flight time is one hour.
• Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you will be welcomed by an escort who will be holding a signboard with your name on it. Your escort will assist you with the VISA on arrival application form (VISA fee included). Upon completion, your escort will then assist you to pick up your luggage and lead you through the arrivals gate where you will meet your guide.
• You will be privately transferred between the airport and your hotel by a professional driver and an English-speaking guide.

DAY 10

• SIEM REAP

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• Sunrise, Sunset
• The day starts in the early morning as you leave your hotel at 5:30 am, heading to Angkor Wat, the largest and most breathtaking monument at Angkor. This is one of the most important archeological sites in Cambodia, with the world heritage temple Angkor and UNESCO has set up a range of programmes to safeguard this symbolic site, its authenticity, and surroundings. Built as the funeral temple for Suryavarman II who ruled from 1112 to 1152, Angkor never fails to reward the first time or repeat visitor with its grand scale, the most iconic temple with surreal bas-reliefs, fascinating decorative flourishes and incredible attention to detail. You will enter the temple complex from the quiet east side of Angkor Wat to avoid the crowds and will spend the morning exploring one of the man's most magnificent creations before returning to the hotel for a late breakfast. After breakfast, you will start your full day visit to the South Gate of Angkor Thom and the temples of Preah Khan, Bayon, Baphoun, Phimean Akas, the Royal Enclosure, the Terraces of Elephants and the Leper King. Next, you will explore Ta Prohm, build in the Bayon style, and originally called Rajavihara. Ta Prohm is a temple of towers, courtyard, and narrow corridors, delicately carved stones that come out through strangulated roots of very old trees. This jungle-clad temple with overgrown trees exudes a haunting and exotic atmosphere. The magnificent tree roots push between the temple's massive stone blocks in a strange embrace. Ta Phrom is particularly astonishing in the late afternoon light after most of the crowds have left. Founded by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university, the temple had been inscribed by UNESCO on the World Heritage List in 1992. Today you will conclude your journey with an unforgettable sunset at Pre Rup or Srah Sarong before returning to your hotel. Add a bottle of sparkling wine and snacks to treat yourself enjoying the sunset, upon request.

DAY 11

• SIEM REAP

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• Sights and Insights
• This morning you will visit Banteay Srei, which for many years was off limits due to its remote location and Khmer Rouge activity in the area. Built in the late 10th century and dedicated to Shiva, Bantrey Srei's pink limestone walls contain the best bas-reliefs of any temple at Angkor. If you are interested, you may choose to visit the Cambodian Landmine Museum, Prevention and Rehabilitation Center. It is estimated that more than 110 million land mines are buried throughout the world. Buried within Afghanistan, Angola, Iraq, Kuwait and Cambodia are the largest concentrations of land mines. In Cambodia, efforts at clearing mines around Angkor Wat and the major tourist sites have been successful. However, millions of mines remain buried and significantly impact the lives of the Cambodian people. Learn about the center's efforts and work on this visit. Moreover, Continue to visit Preah Khan, with its labyrinth of grey decaying stone courtyards that are slowly being reclaimed by the jungle. Large kapok trees extend limbs and roots throughout the carved stone work; while raucous parrots screech and monkeys keep watch to complete a surreal picture. Afterwards, enjoy your lunch at a delicious local restaurant in town.

DAY 12

• SIEM REAP

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• Cultural Immersion
• After breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up by your private guide and driver to visit the Roluos Group of temples, the remains of the first major capital of the Angkorian-era Empire. Included are Lolei, Preah Ko and Bakong. The sandstone carvings in the niches of the temples are as noteworthy as the Sanskrit inscriptions on the doorposts. The Bakong temple was built and dedicated to Shiva by Indravarman I. This is the largest and most interesting of the Roluos Group of temples and still has an active Buddhist monastery. After visiting the temples, you will receive a monk's blessing for good luck and good health before returning back to Siem Reap.
• You will be privately transferred between the airport and your hotel by a professional driver and an English-speaking guide.

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Apricot Hotel

Orchid Classic Cruise

Anantara Hoi An Resort

Caravelle

Shinta Mani Angkor