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NEW ZEALAND – SINGAPORE one night in Singapore
Day 1: We depart New Zealand on Singapore Airlines on a direct flight to Singapore, the start of our adventure and journey of discovery which is Vietnamand Cambodia.
SINGAPORE – HANOI two nights in Hanoi
Day 2: We bid farewell to Singapore and take a mid morning flight to Hanoi, the second largest city in Vietnam and capital. Located on the banks of the Red River the onetime French Capital of Indo China is an elegant city with the French influence still evident in the wide boulevards and colonial style buildings. Time to freshen up before we embark on a leisurely walking tour of the old city quarter, a hive of activity with its bustling markets and shops. This evening we’ll sample some Vietnamese cuisine and dine in a popular local restaurant.
Day 3: Today we discover some of Hanoi’s historical sights. Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and his house where he chose to live simply behind his palace! The one Pillar Pagoda, a small but significant pagoda with a Buddhist representation of the world followed by the Temple of Literature originally built in 1070. This afternoon is at leisure to explore Hanoi further or to try out your bargaining skills in the plethora of local shops and markets. This evening we visit the Water Puppet Theatre and check out the night markets, a bustling mix of shopping and dining.
HANOI – HALONG BAY one night on Deluxe Cruiser
Day 4: Today is a highlight. Departing Hanoi we take in the countryside and scenery en-route to Halong Bay ‘the land of 3000 Islands’. A world renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and a significant natural wonder in its own right. On arrival we board our deluxe cruise vessel and glide out into the bay en-route to Hang Trong and our overnight anchorage. We explore this fabulous area up close on our overnight cruise visiting fishing villages, ancient caves and grottos, kayaking, swimming and much more.
HALONG BAY – HANOI one night in Hanoi
Day 5: This morning the early risers can join the Tai Chi class on the sun deck, otherwise enjoy a relaxing breakfast whilst taking in the breath-taking scenery, as we make our way back to Halong and our transfer to Hanoi. En-route to Hanoi we’ll visit a local village popular for producing embroidery and textile products.
HANOI – HUE two nights in Hue
Day 6: This morning is at leisure before we bid farewell to Hanoi and transfer to the airport for our flight to Hue. On arrival we are transferred to our hotel located on a fantastic riverside setting on the Perfume River. Time to freshen up before dinner.
Hue was once the Imperial Capital of Vietnam. The city once boasted magnificent archaeological and historical sites however, many were damaged during the Vietnam War but thankfully there are gems that still remain.
Day 7: We begin the day with a boat trip along the Perfume River to view life for those living on its banks and to see many of the ancient monuments from a different perspective. Gardens, pagodas, towers and temples reflected in its gentle waters give Hue its reputation of peace and tranquillity. We visit Tu Duc Tomb an architectural masterpiece, the Imperial Citadel and within its fortifications the Forbidden City once home to Emperors, the aristocracy and government officials. Tonight we experience an Imperial Banquet enjoyed by former Emperors.
HUE – HOI AN three nights in Hoi An
Day 8: Today we depart Hue and travel via the Hai Van Pass, the highest pass in Vietnam, en-route to the coastal town of Hoi An. Hai Van was once rated by National Geographic as one of the 50 ‘must-do’ journeys in the world for its breath-taking views where forest clad mountains meet the clear blue sea. The Hai Van is a physical boundary separating North Vietnam from South. We visit Danang and fascinating Marble Mountain before continuing on to Hoi An.
Day 9: Time out to experience and enjoy the local flavour for yourself, or simply relax at our beach front resort hotel and enjoy the many fabulous facilities on offer to us. Hoi An is an ancient World Heritage town and is quite unique. It was once a major Asian trading centre and this morning we have planned a walking tour to see many of the ancient and historical sites. This afternoon is free to enjoy Hoi An town and its array of cafes, arts galleries, and excellent tailors, craft shops or just relax at our wonderful beach front resort hotel.
Day 10: Day at leisure – You may want to take an optional excursion to My Son Holy Land, a series of wonderful ruins of the ancient capital of the Cham Kingdom, or perhaps take a Vietnamese cooking lesson at the Red Bridge school. For the more energetic a bike tour of the surrounding countryside is easily accommodated.
HOI AN - HO CHI MINH CITY (Saigon) two nights in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 11: This morning, well rested we bid farewell to this magical town and transfer to Danang to catch our flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival we are transferred to our central city hotel. This afternoon is at leisure and you may want to wander the main boulevard to visit Ben Thien Market or enjoy the many street cafes, shops and street vendors situated around our hotel.
Day 12: This morning we take a tour to the Tunnels of Cu Chi located 30kms from Saigon. Driving through the countryside we pass through rice paddy fields and small farming hamlets to the tunnel complex which extended over 100km. Dug by hand the tunnels were used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War to shelter soldiers, move supplies, store weapons and provide hospital facilities for the wounded. This afternoon we take a tour of the key sights of Saigon including Bustling China Town wholesale market, the wonderful ornate Thien Hau Pagoda, Saigon’s famous land mark Notre Dame Cathedral, the American Embassy and the Presidential Palace where we remember on the 30th of April 1975.
HO CHI MINH CITY - MEKONG DELTA - CAN THO one night in Can Tho
Day 13: This morning another adventure awaits us as we bid farewell to Ho Chi Minh City and drive through the ‘fruit-bowl’ of Vietnam to the Mekong River. On our own private boat we explore the many tributaries that make up the ‘Mekong Delta’ see life as it has existed for centuries. This evening we overnight at Can Tho. Our hotel is situated in a quiet river bank location, perfect after a busy day of activity. End a perfect day with a cocktail in hand on a hotel sunset cruise.
CAN THO - CHAU DOC one night in Chau Doc
Day 14: This morning we travel by boat to the biggest and most famous market in the Mekong Delta ‘Cai Rang floating market’. From early morning the waterways of Cai Rang become a maze of hundreds of boats jam-packed with fruits, vegetables and produce to be traded with boats from the surrounding areas. We continue our journey by road travelling deeper into the Mekong passing by farming hamlets producing fruit, vegetables and rice. In the evening we arrive at our destination Chau Doc, a small trading town close to the boarder with Cambodia. Hire a ‘cyclo rider’ to take you to ‘Sam Mountain’ to watch the sun set over the endless paddy-fields and Cambodia in the distance.
CHAU DOC – PHNOM PENH one night in Phnom Penh
Day 15: We have an early start this morning and bid farewell to this amazingly diverse and resilient country. Travelling by speed boat up river, from your comfortable seat watch life unfold as we pass by tiny villages, stilted houses, farmers at work in their paddy-fields and smiling children. We cross the boarder from Vietnam into Cambodia and continue by boat arriving in the capital Phnom Penh around lunch time. Phnom Penh was once regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient, and despite its recent turbulent history it still retains a colonial charm
PHNON PEHN – SIEM REAP three nights in Siem Reap
Day 16: Depart Phnom Penh by coach travelling through the countryside and small towns to Siem Reap, gateway town to the famous Angkor Temples. Visit the Angkor Museum, a stunning modern look at the Angkor Temples history.
Day 17: The Angkor Temples! Begin today’s tour by entering the South Gate of Angkor Thom. Continue to the ruins of Bayon, Baphoun, the royal Enclosure Phimeanakas and the Elephant terraces. End a brilliant day watching the sunset atop Bakhen Mountain.
Day 18: This morning we visit the Kravan Temple, Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei and Prehak Khan Temple. The afternoon is at leisure to visit the markets located only a stones throw from our hotel for some last minute souvenir hunting or relax and enjoy our hotels fine amenities.
SIEM REAP – SINGAPORE one night in Singapore
Day 19-21: After a one night stopover we continue our journey to New Zealand, filled with wonderful memories of an incredible journey together.
