HERITAGE TRAILS OF CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Arrive Siem Reap – The Cradle of Angkor Civilization – Where Cambodian were Born, this is also a famous Archaeological City, as named as one of the seven greatest architectural wonders of the World.

You will pick up your visa upon arrival at Siem Reap airport. The procedure is very simple at 30USD/passport for the stamping fee.

Welcomed by your local tour guide, and go to your hotel in the city for check in. In the evening, enjoy the dinner with Apsara show at a local Restaurant. Overnight stay at hotel in Siem Reap.

We start a very special and busy day as you will explore some of Angkor’s most beautiful temples. You will visit the West Gate of Angkor Thom – undiscovered by mass tourists. 

The ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate, Bayon Temple– unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara

Baphuon Temple: lying just to the north of Bayon, a pyramidal representation of mythical Mount Meru, The Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, The Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King Later on, we visit Ta Prohm Temple, was a monastery built by Jayavarman VII as a residence for his mother. Ta Prohm has been controversially left to the destructive power of the jungle by French archeologists to show how nature can destroy man’s work. It has been largely overgrown by the jungle and as you climb through the dilapidated stone structures you see many giant trees growing out of the top of the temple itself. Ta Prohm looks as many of the monuments did when European explorers first laid eyes on them.

Have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the mid-afternoon, take a short excursion to Tonle Sap Lake for a short boat trip to a floating village to explore local life there, and enjoy an amazing sunset view on the lake.

Optional activities: Evening is your free time for walking at busy pub street & Angkor Night Market. Back to the hotel on your own.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, we take another exploration of Angkor Heritages sites.

 First, you will visit the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology

 Go back to the hotel for check out, and have lunch.

 Banteay Srei: Nearly everyone’s favorite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation, and the excellence of its decorative carving. Free time for last minute shopping or food massage until flight time to Da Nang (Viet Nam). Upon arrive at Da Nang  International airport, go to Hoi An Ancient town by bus (just 30km away) Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

 Note on visa to Vietnam: When you enter the country by air, you can pick up a visa upon arrival based on a preapproval letter. Your Golden Lotus Travel travel partner in Vietnam can help you to obtain the visa approval letter so you can board a flight to Vietnam. Please refer to the supplements for visa fee.

Morning explore Hoi An Ancient town:

The Japanese Covered Bridge where retains a harmony of architectural styles, combining Chinese,Vietnamese, Japanese cultural characteristics. Ong Pagoda is one of the typical pagodas in Hoi An’s old quarter, built in 1653 and is dedicated toQuan Thanh De Quan (Quan Van Truong).

Fukienese Assembly Hall was built in 1692 by Chinese Phuoc Kien merchants, is architecturallyunique with its artistic ornaments and beautiful statues, Chinese architectural style combined with Vietnamese workmanship has enriched it with Hoi An’s cultural character.

Tan Ky Ancient House, constructed almost two centuries ago as the house of a Vietnamesemerchant. It has always been lovingly preserved and now looks almost exactly as it did in the early 19^th century.

Have lunch at local restaurant.

Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An

After your breakfast, we proceed to Hue by 2.5 hour land trip, pass by the beautiful Lang Co beach and via Hai Van Pass (including a stop for photos)

Lunch at your hotel before check in.

In the afternoon, visit to the most highlight site of Imperial Citadel.

Next, take boat trip on Huong River, or better known as the perfume river. The boat drops us off at the beautiful Thien MuPagoda which is also home to many young people who want to try out and learn from life as a monk. History of Thien Mu Pagoda, dating back from the year 1601.

Overnight at hotel in Hue.

In the morning, we visit to the Tomb of Tu Duc King who ruled under from 1847-1883, he started the planning and construction of the place long before his death, the place was used as a refuge for him and his harem.

Have lunch at local restaurant before flight to Ha Noi. Overnight at hotel in Ha Noi.

The day starts with visit to the complex dedicated to Ho Chi Minh- the nation’s founder, containing Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (view from outside), and house on stilts. This complex also comprises the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city.

Visit Van Mieu- Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature & Vietnam’s first university). Constructed in 11^th century, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Optional visit to Hoa Lo Prison or the Museum of Vietnamese Women.

Next up, take a trishaw ride around the Old Quarter streets which were named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places.

Spend around 30 minutes break at local draught beer shop by one of the busy streets for enjoying local beer with peanuts and snacks like locals do.

Stop at Hoan Kiem Lake for briefing and photo, followed by is the Water Puppet show– a uniquely Northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history. Overnight at hotel in Ha Noi.

After breakfast, check out and get on your bus.

Short visit in Ha Noi including the Hoa Lo Prison and the Museum of Vietnamese Women). 1030: Leave Ha Noi for Tam Coc (in Ninh Binh) by bus. Arrive Tam Coc at noon time.

Lunch at local restaurant or at your hotel.

In the afternoon, get on small rowing boats to trip along the canals amid local villages, green fields. Enjoy the beauty of Tam Coc (3 caves) which is also called “Ha Long Bay on land”. Go through the caves and then row back to the boat quay.

Next, we take a short biking trip (around 4-5km) through the scenic countryside to the villages in the Sunny Valley.

Go back to your hotel/lodge for overnight stay.

After your breakfast, leave Tam Coc, Ninh Binh for Ha Long Bay via Hai Phong city and scenic countryside of Vietnam. After around 4.5 hours drive, you will reach HaLong bay, the splendid World Nature Heritage. Upon arrival, transfer to a junk for a cruise in Ha Long Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch served on board while the cruise passes by many rocks and islets with different shapes.

There may be a chance for swimming and kayaking (not including kayak equipment) on the bay or visiting one of the most amazing caves in HaLong Bay.

Again, your dinner will be served on board. In the evening, enjoy the night fishing (optional) and later overnight on board.

Note: Cruise itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions and each cruise itself. Detailed cruise itineraries with timing will be provided once the booking is confirmed.

In the morning, your breakfast or brunch will be served while doing a further cruise to explore the beauty of the bay before returning to the Wharf. After breakfast or brunch, disembark the boat and drive back to Ha Noi.

1500: We have max 02 hours stop at Dinh Bang Village, Bac Ninh province where snack with Vietnamese dishes (cakes, peanuts, Vietnamese chips (bánh đa), tea…) served in the Communal House courtyard, and enjoy Quan Ho folklore songs (the duo of love songs) performed by the villagers. Quan Ho singing is a Vietnamese folklore music style with alternating groups of female and male singers issuing musical challenges and responses in the repertoire dealing with topics of love and sentimentality. It’s recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO since 2009.

 After the show, we went back to your hotel for check in. Overnight at a hotel in Ha Noi.

Leave hotel early for airport. Passengers need to show up at airport at least 2 hours prior flight time.