Enjoy a full day to tour Saigon’s diverse attractions. Start with a visit to Saigon’s China Town including Thien Hau Pagoda & Binh Tay Market (Cho Lon Market). Stop to visit the Fine Art Museum located in a beautiful colonial house combining French and Chinese styles; it presents a large collection of fine artworks from paintings to historical objects. After lunch (paid by your own), continue on the city tour with a visit to the War Remnants Museum. Learn about Vietnam’s recent history at the Reunification Palace followed by the nearby neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral and the City's Centre Post Office before passing by the ornate Opera Theatre and the City Hall on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Boulevard. Next browse through the amazing array of goods at Ben Thanh Market.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon.

Today you spend a day away from the busy city of Saigon and drive to Ben Tre Province. On arrival at Hung Vuong Pier, board on your private boat for a glimpse at the delta scenery while enjoying coconut juice. Experience the unique lifestyle of the Mekong Delta as you visit fruit orchards, coconut groves, brick workshops, and home-made products such as coconut candies, rice cakes, handicrafts etc. After a short walk to visit a local family to learn how they make sedge mat and enjoy tea, tropical fruits, take “Xe Loi”, a kind of motorized rickshaw or you can hop onto your bicycle and peddle through picturesque villages (about 20 minutes). Stop at a riverside restaurant for a delicious and filling lunch. Then board a sampan for a relaxing trip along narrow canals. The boat will be waiting for you at the pier nearby to bring you back to Ben Tre where your car will take you back to Saigon.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon.

After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Danang. Your guide and driver will meet you at the airport and take you on the short drive to the sleepy riverside town, Hoian. Take a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient quarter, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year old Tan Ky ancestral house and the famous Japanese Bridge.

Next we drive to your hotel, check in and enjoy rest of day at leisure or explore the town by your own.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian.

Today you will hop on the shuttle bus then drive to meeting point. Our Farming & Fishing Life Tour provides you with a close-up and intimate exposure to both the local farming and fishing communities. Accompanied by your tour guide, you commence the day leisurely cycling along country roads witnessing local Vietnamese rural life first hand, discovering all manner of photo opportunities - coming and visiting a beautiful organic vegetable village, watering and planting vegetable, hoeing a soil with local farmer, riding a water buffalo in a rice paddy field; seeing ducks swimming along the rice farm or farmers tending their crops.
The photo opportunities are endless. As well you will experience the friendliness of the local people greeting you along the way. Later you will board our boat for a river cruise to meet and engage with local fishermen and enjoy a hands-o n experience of traditional net fishing. You will also experience paddling the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat while the waterways of coconut palm paradise. This tour provides you with a cultural window into the ways of life of both our farming and fishing communities.
Return to your hotel and enjoy free afternoon at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast & Light lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then check-out and drive over the 500m-high Hai Van pass to Hue. Enjoy a stop at the scenic Lang Co Beach for a drink before continuing on to Hue - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Vietnam’s former capital. Spend the afternoon on a leisurely walking tour through the ancient city. Visit the Royal Citadel, the Imperial Museum, as well as the Mausoleum of King Tu Duc (a replica of the king’s palace built for the next reincarnation of the king).
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue.

Spend the late morning on a private boat cruise down the romantic Perfume River to visit the Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda), Dong Ba Market and the ornate Minh Mang's tomb. Drive to the airport in the mid-afternoon to catch your short flight to Hanoi, Vietnam's bustling colonial capital. Your driver and guide will meet you outside and take you to your hotel in the city center. Check in and free at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Today you have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas, Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone. Your city tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house), the Presidential Palace, the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Temple of Literature; West Lake including the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda & Quan Thanh Temple; and one of the city's museums (a choice between the Hoa Lo Prison, the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). Later in the afternoon, enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Today you are taken on 2.5 hour drive to Ninh Binh province where presents you an ancient land enriched with cultural and geographic wonders that were recently World Heritage Site listed.
Upon arrival, starting the day by visiting Bai Dinh Pagoda complex, the largest pagoda, not only in Vietnam but also in Southeast Asia. This place is scenically set on the foothill of Dinh Mountain, surrounded by amazing views of the exquisite river valley below, and dotted with limestone karsts, which will take your breath away. The pagoda complexes stunningly boast an array of the most massive and magnificent refined Vietnamese architecture, which will take a full day to explore.
After lunch, you will leave for the Trang An Grottoes, an outstanding 20 square kilometer majestic limestone massif, which rises dramatically out from the rice paddy fields. Embark on a traditional sampan gently rowed down the exquisite river through numerous caves: “Hang Toi” (Dark Cave), “Hang Sang (Light Cave) and “Hang Nau Ruou” (Cooking Wine Cave). Every passage brings a new hidden inside isolated valleys of tranquility, which perhaps transformed to another world and time.
Next we drive to your hotel in Ninh Binh, check in and relax.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh.

(The itinerary is a sample, depends on weather and it will be different between cruises. Our travel consultants will provide the exact schedule and program if you book other cruise such as Hera Cruise, Indochine Sails, Emperor Cruise, Halong Violet, Halong Ginger, Paradise Grand Cruises, Orchid Cruise, V’Spirit Premier Cruise, etc.)

After breakfast at the hotel, your driver will take you on a 2.5 hour drive passing the countryside of the Red River Delta to Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnam’s most scenic impressive sights. On arrival you are welcomed onboard a traditional junk. Settle into a private comfortable cabin and unpack for a two-day cruise around Halong Bay. Along the way, enjoy a huge lunch served on board and admire the picturesque scenery of islands. These limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. You will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to Sung Sot cave, one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. The remainder of day is for your own pleasure; observing the bay, lazing around the deck or simply soaking up the sunshine.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: on cruise on Halong Bay.

Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore the nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for brunch then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of the bay as you navigate back to Halong City, where your driver will meet you at the dock and take you to Hanoi Airport for flight to Luang Prabang, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This exquisite town in Laos is not to be missed under any circumstances. Situated on the peninsula formed by the Mekong and the Nam Khan River, Luang Prabang is a perfect spot to unwind, eat good food and enjoy the scenery. This relatively small, palm fringed place is packed with fabulous colonial villas, top class restaurants, coffee shops and stunning Buddhist temples. On arrival, your tour guide will welcome you and escort you to the hotel. Check in and relax.
Meals: Brunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

Take a morning cruise along the Mekong River, about two hours upstream from the centre of Luang Prabang, and discover the numerous Buddha images at Pak Ou Caves. Pak Ou (mouth of the Ou river) the Tham Ting (lower cave) and the Tham Theung (upper cave) are caves overlooking the founder name Mekong River. They are a group of caves on the right side of the Mekong River. It is then only a short distance from the caves to the village of Ban Xang Hai. We’ll stop here to learn about LauLao (Lao whisky) and LauHai (Lao wine). Back to the old town to visit Royal Palace Museum, was built between 1904 and 1909 during the time of French colonial occupation as the residence of the Laos Royal Family. Then we head to Wat Xiengthong, once known as “The Temple of the Golden City”. It’s the most historic and enchanting Buddhist monastery in the entire country. Later of the day we climb on Phousi mountain for sunset over old town.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

Rise early this morning to witness the Buddhist ceremony of Takbat, when the monks of Luang Prabang’s monastic communities collect alms from locals. These lines of silent saffron robe-clad monks will be an enduring image of your trip. See Wat Sene and the National Museum. Visit the traditional H’mong village of Ban Na Ounae, before walking to the cascading turquoise waters of delightful Kuang Si Waterfalls for a picnic lunch (paid by your own). It is possible to swim in the river near the falls and if you wish to do this, please don't forget to bring along your swimsuit and a towel. Changing rooms are available on site. Stop at Ock Pop Tok Weaving Centre on the return to Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

Enjoy your free morning until time to the airport for flight to Pakse, the commercial hub of Laos but it doesn’t lack of laid back ambiance. This quaint city is stop over for another adventure to Bolaven Plateau or 4000 island. Drive to Champasak to visit Wat Phou, the site originated long before Angkor. The complex you see today was built in the Angkorian period early in the 11th century, with additions constructed in the 12th and 13th century. After visiting Wat Phou, drive back to Pakse, on the way stop at Phou Salao to capture the best view from the big golden Buddha watching over Pakse and the Mekong River.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Pakse.

Breakfast at the hotel. Cruise along the backwaters to explore Siphandone. During the rainy season, the Mekong River reaches a breadth of 14 kms, the river’s widest reach along its 4,350 km journey from the Tibetan Plateau towards the East Sea (Bien Dong); when the river recedes, it leaves behind thousands of islands and islets. Visit the surrounding islands of Done Khone and Done Det for a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the fishermen. Continue to Done Det Island and hike along its ancient railway built by the French in 1897 in order to bypass the powerful rapids when transporting goods from Cambodia. Continue to the Sumphamith Waterfall (Liphi Waterfall). Leave Don Khone we cruise back to Ban Nakasang and head to Khon Phapheng, the largest cascade along the Mekong River. A fault line caused the cascade, which is 6 km wide at this point, and the astonishing force of the water has cut dramatic gorges through the brittle bedrock. Stay overnight in Don Khong.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Don Khong.

Today drive back to Pakse for flight to Siem Reap. Welcome to Siem Reap, the provincial capital and gateway to the ancient Angkor Temples. Upon arrival, driver and tour guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to hotel for check-in. In the rest of the afternoon, orientation walking around the hotel area followed by the Phare show at Cambodia Circus Centre to expect the unexpected. More than just a circus, Phare performers use theater, music, dance and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk and modern. The young circus artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm and talent.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Wake up early to be transferred for picking up the most beautiful, haunting and spiritual moment to visit magnificent Angkor Wat at dawn. This special activity is designed also to help you see “the Temple reflex on the water” when it’s much cooler and less crowded. Angkor Wat, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was constructed by Suryavarman II who reigned Cambodia from 1113 to 1152 and built the five towers in the 12th century and dedicated them to the Hindu God Vishnu. The plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple combined with spaces, alleys and ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction.
For your most convenience, hot coffee or tea will be served afterward (you could also order breakfast box from your hotel and serve here and avoid the crowd when they go back to hotel for breakfast)
Your journey continues to Angkor Thom, first with its South Gate, which is famous for its majestic doors and artifacts. The next visit will be the monumental temple of Bayon, the heart of Angkor Thom. Later, visit the Elephant Terrace, Terrace of the Leper King and Takeo “Jewel of Crystal”, which is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva and was erected at the end of the 10th century. Leaving Angkor Thom by the North Gate, you travel to Preah Khan (Sacred Sword), one of Angkor’s largest temples, constructed in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII. You should not miss Ta Prohm Temple, which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty with its giant trees that have grown there for centuries.
Later this afternoon, transfer back to the hotel where you will spend the rest of day on your own.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Notes: The itinerary to Kampong Phluk subjects to change based on the season (water levels) and weather.

After breakfast, we leave Siem Reap for 1.5-2 hour drive to Kampong Phluk – a floating village on the Tonle Sap. Our first stop at Silk Farm where you will be guided to see the process from the mulberry bushes cultivation to the production of silk fabrics and accessories. As the Silk Farm covers an area of 8 hectares, of which 5 are used for the mulberry trees plantation, you will enjoy the beautiful setting while learning about the fascinating process of silk-making.
During your visit, our local guide will give you more details on the mulberry trees, silkworm farming, cocoon unwinding, preparation of the silk threads, ikat technique (tie-dyeing of the threads) and silk weaving. We are sure that you will be impressed by the dexterity of our artisans with silk threads.
The Angkor Silk Farm also features a large showroom where you can buy high-quality silk products that were made in the workshops you just visited.
Next you take a boat trip through the houses on stilts, canals and mangroves. It is really unique experience that exposes you to the hardships and tribulations facing the locals on a day to day basis. Enjoy the sunset over the lake before transfer back to hotel where you spend the rest of time on your own.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Enjoy your last day in Siem Reap before driving to the airport for departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.
Bon voyage!
Thank you for choosing Vietnam Heritage Travel. We trust you have had a great holiday in Vietnam. Hope to see you again!