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This 11 day tour visits the
six World Heritage Sites of Indochina, from the unique mighty beauty of
Ha Long Bay to the marvellous former Imperial Capital in Hue, the
ancient town in Hoi An, the ancient kingdom of the Champa in My Son Holy
Land, the magnificent caves in Phong Nha and the inspiring temples of
Angkor in Siem Reap.
Day 1: Arrival Ha Noi
Arrive in Noi Bai Airport (35km from
downtown Ha Noi), our guide will greet you. An orientation tour of Ha
Noi will follow. This capital of 3 million inhabitants combines an old
world charm with its colonial houses and the intriguing liveliness of
the Old Quarter. Enjoy Vietnamese specialties dinner. Overnight in Ha
Noi.
Day 2: Ha Noi - Bac Ninh - Ha Long Bay
(World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO in 1994)
On the road to legendary Ha Long Bay, you
will cross rice paddy fields in the Red River Delta. A visit to a
village of Bac Ninh, a province rich in traditions such as folk dances
and Quan Ho songs, will follow on board a carriage pulled by cows or
buffaloes through the old brick roads.
You will be surprised by
the beauty of the ancient communal house and will witness a performance
showcasing Quan Ho dances and songs, a cultural heritage from the
Tonkin, by the locals dressed in traditional outfits (Ao Tu Than). You
will cherish these moments with the local population. Picnic lunch.
Departure for Ha Long Bay. Dinner and overnight in Ha Long.
Day 3: Ha Long Bay - Ha Noi
Enjoy a leisurely morning cruise in the
magical setting of the "Bay of the Descending Dragon" where
approximately three thousand oddly-shaped limestone islets and rock jut
up out of the water covering an area of 1,550 square kilometers. The
Grotto of Surprises and several small beaches nestled among rocks await
you. Seafood lunch on board. Return to Ha Noi. Evening enjoy water
puppet show. Dinner and overnight in Ha Noi.
Day 4: Ha Noi - Hue (World Heritage Site
recognized by UNESCO in 1993)
Get on morning flight to Hue, the last
imperial capital. Upon arrival, start the visit of the Imperial City
built in the 19th century. You will discover the Flag Pole, the Nine
Urns symbolizing the Nguyen Lords. You will pass through the Noon Gate
that is mounted by a belvedere displaying Five Phoenixes (Lau Ngu Hung).
It was here that the emperors presided over official ceremonies. Some
palaces and temples have remained despite the war. After lunch, visit
the mausoleums of emperors Khai Dinh and Tu Duc amidst an enchanting
landscape featuring pine trees and small ponds. A visit to the lively
Dong Ba market will follow. "Lantern Game" dinner on board a boat cruise
on the Perfume River accompanied by singers and musicians.
Day 5: Hue – Phong Nha (World Heritage Site
recognized by UNESCO in 2003)
Early leave Hue for Phong Nha. On the way
visit Khe Sanh Combat Base, Ta Co former Air Base and Vinh Moc Tunnels.
This area was called DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) which was the former
demarcation line between North and South of Vietnam. Then drive another
100 km towards Quang Binh for the night.
Day 6: Quang Binh – Phong Nha Cave – Hue
Morning enjoy a 55 km drive to Son Trach
District with the beautiful scenery of cone-shaped limestone hills
rising from the flat valleys. Upon arrival, take a boat cruise for 6
hours to explore the series of spectacular River Caves around the area
including Phong Nha Cave, the longest one with the length of 8 km among
the surroundings. The Phong Nha Cave was listed as World Heritage by
UNESCO togerther with the Ke Bang National Park, just in July of 2003.
Drive back to Hue. Overnight in Hue.
Day 7: Hue - Lang Co - Da Nang - Hoi An
(World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO in 1999)
In the morning, take a superb cruise on the
Perfume River while visiting a craft village where conical hats are
made. Stop for a visit of the Thien Mu Pagoda (Old Celestial Goddess
Pagoda) perched on top a hill overlooking the Perfume River, 4km
south-west of Hue. Departure for Lang Co, a fishing village situated in
a lagoon of white sand. Lunch at Lang Co Resort. On the road to Da Nang,
you will pass through the breathtaking Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Ocean
Clouds). Upon arrival, you will visit the famous Cham Museum in Da Nang.
Continue on to Hoi An (ex-Faifo), the most charming little town in
Vietnam. This ancient port has preserved its unique urbanism, its
Chinese temples and rich merchants residences. Dinner and overnight in
Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An - My Son Holy Land (World
Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO in 1999)
This morning, you will travel over rural
roads to My Son (120km), where architectural treasures and sculptures of
Cham culture dating from the 7th to the 13th century can be discovered.
Return to Hoi An and you will spend the rest of day visiting the town of
Hoi An - walking the Japanese Bridge, visiting the different Chinese
Assembly Halls and pagodas and walking the market. Then transfer to the
Non Nuoc stone-carving village. Lunch in Da Nang. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9: Hoi An - Da Nang - Siem Riep (World
Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO in 1992)
In the morning, spend last minutes for
downtown or at leisure before check-out. In the afternoon, transfer to
Da Nang Airport for a short flight on Siem Reap Airways to Siem Reap.
Free at leisure. Late in the afternoon, enjoy the sunset from the top of
Phnom Bakheng Hill with a panoramic view of the western Baray and Angkor
Wat. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 10: Siem Reap (Angkor Wat)
Today, you will spend a full day exploring
the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, famous
for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive
Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace,
the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as most complete
structure of Angkor Wat which was built by King Suryavarman II in the
middle of the 12th century over a period of about 30 years. A view of
the spectacular contrasting colors of the sunset over these sandstone
monuments is a perfect way to finish the day. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 11: Siem Riep - Departure
This day is free until your departure from
Siem Riep. |