Take a 15-day/13-night escorted coach trip to experience the beauty of Vietnam. Located in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is known for its beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas and bustling cities. Start by getting to know Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, where you will stay for two nights, before taking an overnight boat cruise around the emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands of Halong Bay. After, you will embark on an overnight train from Hanoi to Hue in the center of Vietnam, where you will visit the Hue Citadel and Royal Antique Museum. After a morning boat trip on the Huong River to Thien Mu, you will drive to Hoi An, a coastal city known for its well-preserved Ancient Town. Spend two nights there before taking a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where you will spend two more nights surrounded by French colonial architecture. Transfer by sit-in-coach bus to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, and stay one night, with a morning tour that includes the National Museum. Transfer to Siem Reap for a three-night stay, visiting the ruins of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. Starting from $2,799 including air from Los Angeles or San Francisco on select departure dates.
ITINERARY
Day 1, Tuesday/Sunday - Los Angeles or San Francisco/Hanoi
Depart the US from Los Angeles or San Francsico via China Airlines. En Route Cross the International Dateline en route.
Day 2, Wednesday/Monday - Taipei/Hanoi
Arrive in Taipei and connect with your flight to Hanoi. On arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. (The Ann Hotel Hanoi or similar)
Day 3, Thursday/Tuesday - Hanoi
After breakfast, depart for your morning sightseeing tour of Hanoi. Visit One Pillar Pagoda and Temple of Literature, and take a walking tour of the Old Quarter. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. (B)
Day 4, Friday/Wednesday – Hanoi/Halong
After breakfast, travel overland by coach to Halong Bay and then embark on a boat cruise around Halong Bay. (Bai Tho Victory Junk or similar) (B/L/D)
Day 5, Saturday/Thursday – Halong/Hanoi/Night Train to Hue
Continue your boat cruise around Halong Bay with brunch on board. In the afternoon, travel back to Hanoi, and transfer in the evening to Hanoi railway station for an overnight train to Hue. (Based on quad occupancy on overnight train from Hanoi to Hue. For private double occupancy cabin, add $150 per person; for single private occupancy cabin, add $375. Subject to availibility.) (B)
Day 6, Sunday/Friday - Hue
Arrive in the morning in Hue, where you are met at the railway station, and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, have lunch at a local restaurant with Hue specialties. Then visit the Hue Citadel and Royal Antique Museum. (Century Riverside Hue or similar) (L)
Day 7, Monday/Saturday – Hue/Hoi An
Take a morning boat trip on the Huong (Perfume) river to Thien Mu pagoda. Then drive by coach to Hoi An and take a walking tour to explore this World Heritage Site. Highlights include an ancient merchant house, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the vibrant riverside market. (Mulberry Collection Silk Village Hotel or similar) (B)
Day 8, Tuesday/Sunday - Hoi An
Full day free to enjoy this quaint town. (B)
Day 9, Wednesday/Monday – Hoi An/Da Nang/Flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Spend the morning at your leisure. Transfer to the airport for an afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. (Muong Thanh Grand Saigon Centre or similar) (B)
Day 10, Thursday/Tuesday – Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast take a half-day tour of Ho Chi Minh City, including the Cathedral, Central Post Office, and China town with a visit to Binh Tay market and Thien Hau temple. Afternoon on your own. (B)
Day 11, Friday/Wednesday – Ho Chi Minh City/Phnom Penh
Today you are picked up at your hotel and transferred to the bus station to take a sit-in-coach bus to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Arrive in the afternoon at the bus station in Phnom Penh, where you are met by a guide and transferred to hotel to check in. (HM Grand Central Hotel or similar) (B)
Day 12, Saturday/Thursday – Phnom Penh/Siem Reap
This morning, visit some of the capital’s most impressive sites, including the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda containing the Emerald Buddha statue, and the Royal Palace. After breakfast, transfer to the bus station and take a sit-in-coach bus to Siem Reap, the base for exploring the ancient temples of Angkor. This amazing site, built between the 9th and the 13th centuries, deep in the Cambodian jungle, is spread out over some 60 square miles, scattered with walled cities and magnificent stone temples, sculptures, causeways and reservoirs. Arrive in Siem Reap, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. (Lotus Blanc Hotel or similar) (B)
Day 13, Sunday/Friday – Siem Reap
Today, enter Angkor Thom via the Southern Gate and explore the ancient city. Then proceed to visit the ruins at Bayon, Baphoun Phimeanakas, the Royal Palace, the Elephant Terrace and the Leper King Terrace. On the way back, swing by the Ta Prohm Temple, which is mystically enveloped in the jungle. In the afternoon, visit magnificent Angkor Wat. Explore its extraordinary architecture for an opportunity to experience a spectacular sunset over the monuments. (B)
Day 14, Monday/Saturday – Siem Reap
Morning free to explore the ancient ruins on your own. (B)
Day 15, Tuesday/Sunday – Siem Reap/Los Angeles or San Francisco
Today, you are transferred to the airport for your China Airlines flight back to the US. Board your flight to Los Angeles or San Francisco, arriving the same day. (B)
