Itinerary
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Day 1 HANOI, VIETNAM
Welcome to Vietnam’s capital city, an attractive, laidback city with charming French-Colonial-style buildings.
Day 2 HANOI–SAPA
Today, transfer to the hill-station town of Sapa known for its mountain scenery, rice fields, and colourful ethnic minorities. This afternoon, join a walking tour of this small town and visit the LOCAL MARKET.
Breakfast
Day 3 SAPA
Your day starts with a visit to TA VAN and LAO CHAI villages, to see the traditional way of life of the Zay and Black Hmong ethnic groups. These ethnic groups live together here under the watch of Fansipan Mountain. The Zay live a sedentary lifestyle and choose land near the valley's bottom for growing wet rice. The Hmong have historically preferred higher elevations for corn farming but recently they've started gradually moving to lower land and learning from others like the Zay. After lunch, visit the beautiful SILVER WATERFALL and ascend the highest road in Vietnam to HEAVEN GATE for stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valley.
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 4 SAPA
This morning, visit one of the famous WEEKLY MARKETS. Here, the local ethnic minority groups wear their most beautiful costumes as they sell and trade their homemade products. The Flower Hmong group is most recognisable with their colourful dress. After a quick photo stop at the China border, visit Taphin village, home of the RED DAO people who migrated from China starting in the 12th century. The Dao women are recognisable by the bright red turban they wear and, in some cases, shaved eyebrows. Tonight, consider exploring Sapa and stop at the famous "Love Market," where local Hmong and Dao come from their villages for the chance to see one another and perhaps go on a date!
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 5 SAPA–HANOI
Return to Hanoi today. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Breakfast
Day 6 HANOI
Today’s included sightseeing tour takes you to many of the city’s highlights, including the TEMPLE OF LITERATURE, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and gateways, and ONE PILLAR PAGODA, designed to resemble a lotus blossom. You will also see Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the fascinating network of alleyways and shop houses that make up the Old Quarter. This evening, enjoy a performance of Hanoi’s famed WATER PUPPETS.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 7 HANOI-HA LONG BAY
Drive to Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s favorite destinations, and board your DAY CRUISE through the stunning bay. Enjoy lunch on board as you sail through the dramatic limestone islands, then explore the Sung Sot (Surprising Cave) and visit Titov Island.
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 8 HA LONG BAY–HANOI–PHONG NHA-KE BANG NATIONAL PARK
Return to Hanoi this morning and fly to Dong Hoi. From here, journey inland to remarkable PHONG NHA-KE BANG NATIONAL PARK, a UNESCO park littered with beautiful jungles, caves, and underground rivers. Your lodging tonight is a charming farmstay at the base of park.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 9 PHONG NHA-KE BANG NATIONAL PARK
This morning, take a BOAT RIDE on the Son River to PHONG NHA CAVE, famous for its rock formations with names like the “Lion” and the “Buddha.” The afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy the activities and serene views at your hotel.
Day 10 PHONG NHA-KE BANG NATIONAL PARK–HUE
Drive to Hue, stopping at the DMZ bridge en route. Upon arrival in the imperial walled city of Hue, visit the FORBIDDEN PURPLE CITY, modeled after Beijing’s famed Forbidden CIty. During your visit, you will see Thai Hoa Palace, the Halls of the Mandarins, and the Nine Dynastic Urns.
Breakfast
Day 11 HUE–HOI AN
Begin today with a visit to pretty THIEN MU PAGODA, made up of seven tiers, each dedicated to a step assumed by Buddha to reach enlightenment. Continue up the river to the IMPERIAL TOMB OF MINH MANG, a majestic complex of courtyards, pavilions, and temples in a beautiful setting. Head south through spectacular Hai Van Pass (weather permitting) and visit the CHAM MUSEUM, then continue to the charming town of Hoi An.
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 12 HOI AN
Start today with a CRUISE on the Thu Bon River, passing unspoiled countryside. Then, a leisurely WALKING TOUR through Hoi An Ancient Town brings you to the Japanese Covered Bridge. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Breakfast
Day 13 HOI AN–HO CHI MINH CITY
Enjoy your morning at leisure. This afternoon, fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest and most vibrant city, packed with timeless traditions.
Breakfast
Day 14 HO CHI MINH CITY
Today’s sightseeing tour takes in Dong Khoi Street, the main shopping thoroughfare, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office. Afterward, visit the REUNIFICATION PALACE and the WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM, as well as the Chinese district.
Breakfast
Day 15 HO CHI MINH CITY. CU CHI TUNNELS EXCURSION
Today, visit the CU CHI TUNNELS, an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles long that was used by the Viet Cong as a hideout and secret village during the war. See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas, and meeting rooms. If you are feeling adventurous, you may enter and explore the deep, narrow tunnels.
Breakfast
Day 16 HO CHI MINH CITY–PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA
Today, fly to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city.
Breakfast
Day 17 PHNOM PENH–SIEM REAP
Today’s sightseeing tour takes in the ROYAL PALACE with its spectacular Silver Pagoda, as well as the haunting TUOL SLENG GENOCIDE MUSEUM, a former torture and interrogation center under the Khmer Rouge. You will also visit one of the KILLING FIELDS. This afternoon, fly to Siem Reap.
Breakfast
Day 18 SIEM REAP
Today, visit nearby ANGKOR, the ancient Khmer capital. Visit the splendid temple complex that includes ANGKOR WAT, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and ANGKOR THOM, the former fortified royal city built by King Jayavarman VII, which includes Bayon and Baphuon Temples, the Terrace of Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 19 SIEM REAP
Today, visit the exquisite 10th-century BANTEAY SREI, a unique temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva that was built on a small scale from red sandstone, which can be carved like wood. Unlike the other temples, TA PROHM has been left relatively untouched. Surrounded by jungle, tree roots grow over and through the ruin walls, and you will experience the temple with the same wonder as the early explorers who discovered it.
Breakfast
Day 20 SIEM REAP
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast