Vietnam and Cambodia

 

Duration 23 Days

 

3 October - 26 October 2019

 

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This is a once in a lifetime trip.  Travel the length of Vietnam and into Cambodia with us.  The ethereal limestone outcrops

of Ha Long Bay are a World Heritage Sight you will never forget.  We visit the colourful Sapa Hill Tribes close to the Chinese border and cruise the Perfume River, The Mekong Delta is indescribable and main cities Hoi An and Saigon exude gentle

charm.  We discover imperial monuments, ancient temples, lofty pagodas, cross the vast Tonle Sap Waterways

(another world in itself), magnificent temples at Angkor Wat, great hotels, great shopping, super friendly people

and many, many special surprises.

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Day 1 : New Zealand – Vietnam 
Fly to Singapore to connect with the early morning flight to Hanoi.

 

 

Day 2 : Hanoi B 
Hanoi is a most fascinating city – grand boulevards, colonial buildings, lakes and parks. Stay close to the bustling Old Quarter - a veritable maze of markets and tiny workshops. In the evening, attend the famous Water Puppet Theatre - a delightful and traditional art form.

 

 

Day 3 : Hanoi - Sapa  B
After breakfast we drive along the new highway to Sapa. We have a free afternoon to soak up the incredible views and meet the H’mong Dzao, Tay ethnic people.

 

 

Day 4 : Lao Cai – Sapa   B
Breakfast at our Hotel then a gentle stroll at the Ta Van villages. Here we see the Black H’mong as they go about their daily life, living in wooden and bamboo houses then on to Tavan village to visit the Dzay minority, an incredible experience. Afternoon free to discover Sapa.

 

 

Day 5 : Sapa – Ta Phin   B
Today we take a gentle slow walk at the village where the Red Dao and Black H’mong minorities live alongside each other - a fascinating experience. After which we return to Lao Cai to Hanoi. Time permitting we will take you to the border with China. Return to Ha Noi for free time.

 

 

Day 6:   Hanoi - Ha Long Bay  B, L & D
Today we drive to the incredibly beautiful World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay to overnight on V’Spirit Classic Cruise. On the way we visit the Ngoc Handicraft Village. We cruise the South China Sea amidst the 3,000 or so towering limestone formations. Explore amazing caves, hidden beaches and fishing villages. A photographer's paradise. Enjoy the sunset and admire this location at leisure.

 

 

Day 7 :  Hanoi – Ha Long Bay  B& L
Enjoy the peaceful morning on Ha Long Bay. Kayak among the hidden areas of the bay around the Man’s Head Islet area. Return to the boat, freshen up and check out of your cabin. While heading back to the harbour, watch the fruit carving demonstration and participate in the cooking class before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch. Disembark V’Spirit Classic and transfer back to Hanoi. Free time in the evening.

 

 

Day 8 : Hanoi  B & L
Breakfast in the hotel, after which we visit the sights of Hanoi. Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. We have an incredible buffet style lunch.

 

 

Day 9 : Hanoi - Hue  B
We depart Hanoi and fly to Hue. We are picked up from the airport and taken to our hotel. In the afternoon we visit the impressive Tombs of the Imperial Emporers and the Citadel of the Old Imperial City – so reminiscent of the Forbidden City in Beijing.

 

 

Day 10 : Hue - Da Nanag - Hoi An  B & L
In the morning a dragon boat trip on the Perfume River to reach the beautiful Thien Mu Pagoda, Mieu Temple, Tu Duc and the King’s Tombs. After checking out of our hotel, we travel south by road across the famous Hai Van Pass. We call at Lang Co (China) Beach before driving through Marble Mountain/Village then on to Hoi An an ancient town and World Heritage site. This little town is a real charmer, so historic and beautifully located. Hoi An has wonderful art and craft shopping and its special food is very tasty indeed.

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Day 11: Hoi An  B
A half-day tour of the city which includes FucKien Pagoda, Hoi An Museum the Japanese Covered Bridge, TanKy Old House, the Assembly Hall of the Cantonese Chinese and Hoi An Market. We drive to My Son, an ancient religious centre for the Cham people. We return to Hoi An for a free afternoon. Browse the shops for paintings, crafts and tailored clothes or you might like to hire a bike and cycle to the nearby beach or along the river bank, hire a tuk tuk or relax by the hotel swimming pool.

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Day 12: Hoi An – Da Nang – Na Trang - Mui Ne   B  
After another delicious breakfast we tranfer to Da Nang Airport and fly to Na Trang. From there we take an interesting drive to our tropical beach stay at Mui Ne stopping along the way for lunch. Time to relax in the afternoon at our beautiful beachside accommodation.

 

 

Day 13: Mui Ne   B
After breakfast we have a short tour of the sand dunes and a local picturesque fishing village. The nearby sand dunes are renowned for their colourful sand patterns and together with the local fishing village make for an interesting excursion. Afternoon free to enjoy this delightful beach location, swimming or relaxing by the hotel pool.

 

 

Day 14 : Mui Ne – Ho Chi Minh (Sai Gon)   B
Today we drive to Ho Chi Minh. This interesting city is an intriguing blend of the old and the new. We will visit the War Museum, Notre Dame and other fascinating sights of this rapidly emerging city. In your own time you might like to visit the wonderful markets, or try cyclo riding (a local pram/bicycle like contraption) through the city streets - it is a highlight in itself!

 

 

Day 15: Ho Chi Minh (Sai Gon)   B
A morning trip to the incredible extensive network of the Cu Chi Tunnels – tunnels lived in by the Viet Cong during the Communist War. There is no doubt that the resourcefulness and determination to survive will leave a huge impact on you. Afternoon free to discover more of Ho Chi Minh (Sai Gon).

 

 

Day 16 : Ho Chi Minh (Sai Gon) – Can Tho / Mekong Delta   B & L
Start of our 3-day excursion into the Mekong Delta, a beautiful and productive area to the south of Ho Chi Minh. We are picked up and driven to My Tho then we take a boat on the Mekong River to visit the tropical fruit gardens, home industries, an amazing variety of watercraft and traditional houses on islets in this maze of waterways. We carry on to Can Tho where we have an overnight stop.

 

 

Day 17: Can Tho - Chau Doc (Mekong Delta)   B
We continue our exploration of this fascinating area by boat, stopping at the Phong Dien Floating Market in Cai Rang. We travel to Chau Doc close to the Cambodian border by bus and then take an amazing trip on a traditional rowing boat to visit floating houses, fish farms, the Cham villagers and a Muslim Mosque. Overnight stay at the 'Victoria' right on the river bank at Chau Doc. A very special treat!

 

 

Day 18 : Chau Doc - Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Mekong Delta)  B
We leave Vietnam by river on a speed boat up the Mekong Delta to the Cambodian border. After immigration we continue by speed boat to Phnom Penh for our two night stay. Free afternoon to relax by the pool.

 

 

Day 19: Phnom Penh  B
Sightseeing in and around the city, visiting some remarkable sights; the Silver Pagoda, the Royal Palace – symbols of Cambodia's rich cultural heritage, while others such as the Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields are memorials to the country's more recent tragic history.

 

 

Day 20 : Phnom Penh - Siem Reap  B
We depart Phnom Penh by bus. We visit the spider village and get to taste spiders, crickets, grasshopper – a Cambodian delight! Late afternoon boat trip on Great Lake Tonle Sap to visit a floating village and view the sunset.

 

 

Day 21 : Siem Reap   B

Before breakfast, for those who would like we view the sunrise at Angkor Wat. A half-day visit to the magnificent temple complexes of Angkor Wat the famous complex of the 9th century Angkor Wat, once the heart of a sophisticated civilisation. We will see famous temples within the ancient Royal Palace enclosure.

 

 

Day 22 : Siem Reap  B

Today we visit the Museum and Les Artisana d’Ankor-Chantiers Ecole where we see students learning traditional carving and finishing techniques. Free time for a swim at the pool, pop into the local Siem Reap market, or try having a ticklish fish foot pedicure!

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Day 23: Siem Reap B

This amazing tour has reached its final day. Reluctantly we will board our flight for our homeward bound journey.

 

Day 24: In transit to New Zealand

 

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