Vietnam-Cambodge set departure tours
Vietnam-Cambodge set departure tours by Thu Nguyen
Vietnam and Cambodia connection (15d/ 14n)
(Learn more about Vietnam : http://www.vietnamtravelsolutions.com/home/default.asp)
Start date From 12 April 2008 to 26 April 2008 or From 03 Sep 2008 to 17 Sep 2008 Price USD 1,059/ pax (if book the tour 45 days prior to the departure date) USD 1,099/ pax (for last bookings) Single surcharge USD 392 Type of tour Joined tour Route Ha Noi - Ha Long - Sa Pa - Hue - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Siem Reap. Duration 15 days 14 nights
Itinerary:
Day 1: Ha Noi arrival
Welcome at Noi Bai International Airport of Ha Noi capital. On the way to the downtown, we will see the views of farmers working in the rice fields and authentic villages in the suburb of Hanoi . Relax at a comfortable hotel. Go round the animated Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake by cyclo to view the most exciting part of Hanoi . Enjoy a traditional art: Water - Puppet Show in the evening. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay (B, L, D)
In the morning we travel to the World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay where our boat and sumptuous seafood feast awaits us. Cruising amongst the limestone islets, you will have a chance to explore various caves including Dinh Huong Island , Fighting Cock Island , Dog Island , Sail Island , Cave of Surprise - the natural cave of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.
Enjoy swimming at Titov Beach . Passing across a fishing-floating house and bargain some fresh shrimps, crabs and fishes. O/N on board. (Huong Hai Junk)
Day 3: Ha Long Bay - Ha Noi - Lao Cai (B, L)
After a night on board our deluxe junk, you will awake to see daylight filtering through the early morning mist and the towering rock formations, leaving you with unforgettable memory of your visit. Lunch on board.
Transfer to Ha Noi in the afternoon. After dinner, you will be picked up and transfer to the railway station for the train to Lao Cai province. Night on train. (SE3 - 21h15)
Day 4: Lao Cai - Sapa (B, L)
Arrive in Lao Cai in early morning. Breakfast in Lao Cai. Meet and transfer to “the town of fog” of Sapa by van. Check in and free time to visit Ham Rong Mountain with scenic spots: Gate of Heaven, Garden of Orchid and the Silver Waterfall. In the afternoon, trekking tour to Cat Cat village, 3km south of Sapa which is a steep and very beautiful hike down like everywhere in this area. After dinner on your own, free time to discover typical “Love Market” and taste grilled eggs, sugarcanes, sweet potatoes … O/N in Sapa.
Day 5: Sapa - Lao Cai - Ha Noi (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we drive to Lao Chai. It is home to black H’mong and Dzay (or Nhang). Continue to visit Ta Van village, where Black H’mong lives. Picnic lunch. Then the van picks you up and transfers to Lao Cai station for the night train to Ha Noi. Dinner at a local restaurant in Lao Cai. O/N on train.
Day 6: Ha Noi (B)
Pick up at Ha Noi station and have morning café before visiting Ha Noi on your own with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple Of Literature … and shopping in the old quarter. Lunch and dinner on your own. O/N in Ha Noi.
Day 7: Ha Noi - Hue (B)
Free for your leisure until transfer to airport for a short flight VN245 (11h50-13h00) to the Imperial city of Hue. Meet and transfer to hotel for check in. In the afternoon, we follow the cobbled paths through the grounds of the Imperial Citadel and tour the Forbidden Purple City. Dinner on your own. O/N in Hue.
Day 8: Hue - Hoi An (B, L)
After breakfast at hotel, we start the morning tour by visiting Minh Mang’s Tomb. Continue with taking a boat on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, transfer to Hoi An ancient town, a Cultural World Heritage designated by UNESCO by road through Hai Van Pass. Stopover in Da Nang city and you will climb the stone steps of Marble Mountains and are rewarded with a panoramic view over the South China Sea.
Check in a nice resort in Hoi An. Dinner on your own and O/N in resort.
Day 9: Hoi an (B)
After breakfast at hotel, free to discover Hoi An ancient town: visit its network of Heritage streets, Chinese assembly halls, cultural museum, old shop houses and the famous Japanese Bridge, the art galleries, hand crafted woodwork, ceramics, lanterns, embroidery and tailor shops. Lunch and dinner on your own. O/N in resort.
Day 10: Hoi An - Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City (B)
In the morning, free time for your leisure and shopping.
At 11h, our tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer to Da Nang airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City by VN325 (13h40 - 14h40)
At 14h40, you arrive at the frenetic bustle of Ho Chi Minh City. Check in hotel and relax. Dinner on your own. O/N in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 11: My Tho day trip (B, L)
In the morning you will depart for My Tho Town in Mekong Delta, the “rice basket” of Vietnam. Stop at Go Den Winery to see how they make & taste sticky rice wine and to interact with local people. After arrival in My Tho, you will take the boat ride across the Mekong River. Transfer to a sampan row boat along the natural canal. Visit a local house, orchard garden, bee farm, sampling honey tea, taking horse-cart ride, coconut candy factory… Lunch at a local house on the island with local specialties. Drive back to HCMC in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own. O/N in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City (B)
In the morning, transfer to Cu Chi to explore the remarkable underground tunnel network and former Viet Cong stronghold, 30 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Cu Chi Tunnels consist of a network of more than 200 km of underground tunnels used by resistance fighters during the U.S./Vietnam War. Drive back to HCMC.
In the afternoon, free to visit Ho Chi Minh City with Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and the former US Embassy. Shopping at Ben Thanh market. O/N in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 13: HCMC - Siem Reap (B)
Shopping and leisure in HCMC before taking the flight VN827 (11h40 - 12h40) to Siem Reap.
Arrival in the city of World Heritage, Angkor Wat! Our car and guide will pick you up at the airport then transfer to hotel for check-in. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 14: Angkor visiting (B, L, D)
AM: After breakfast at the hotel, visit the famous old palace, Angkor Thom within Angkor Thom are Bayon - Baphoun, Terrace of Elephant, Phemean Akas, Terrace of Leper king. Afterwards visit Taprom Temple. Back to Siem Reap town and have lunch at local restaurant.
PM: Visit the amazing Angkor Wat. Watch sunset from the top of Bakheng hill.
Dinner at local restaurant with buffet and traditional Apsara Show. O/N in Siem Reap.
Day 15: Siem Reap departure (B)
AM: Visit the Great Lake (Tonle Sap Lake) in Indochina with a 100km, in 1-2 hours cruise you will experience visiting the Fishing Villa where fisherman are living on the water, you will see how different their lives with other Fishing Villa around the world. Back to Siem Reap Town, visit Chantier Ecole-Artisan d’angkor, the place is in the Ministry of Education that was constructed in 1992, this place renowned woodworking, stone carving and polychrome training center and workshops. Free tour of different classes and workshops offer a glimpse into the unique skills training program, teaching young artists about the techniques and styles of classic Cambodian Artistry. Lunch at local restaurant.
PM: Visit Old Market for shopping then transfer to the airport for flight off.
PRICE INCLUDES:
Twin shared rooms at 3 star hotel including ABF. Golden Sand beach resort in Hoi An. 01 night on deluxe junk in Ha Long bay, twin shared room. Air-conditioned transportation except for time at leisure. Dragon boat on Perfume River in Hue Private boat in My Tho Roundtrip train ticket Ha Noi - Lao Cai (soft sleeper cabin with air conditioning) Entrance fees and sightseeing as specified All meals as programmed (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). English speaking guide except for time at leisure. Show (Water Puppetry, Apsara) PRICE EXCLUDES:
Drinks & tips Visa arrangement fee to Viet Nam and Cambodia. Domestic airfare Ha Noi - Hue (USD 65/ one way/ pax) Domestic airfare Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City (USD 65/ one way/ pax) International airfare Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap (USD 172/ one way/ pax) International flights & airport tax. Fee for upgrading accommodation. Early check- in and late check- out surcharge Travel insurance Personal expenses Others not mentioned
About the Author:
Written in 2008.