Route: Hanoi – Halong Bay Overnight On Cruise – Night Train To Hue – Hue Citadel - Hoi An Ancient Town – Tra Que Village – Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnels – Mekong Delta - Angkor Temples – Floating Villages
Duration: 14 or 17 days
Tour starts from Hanoi & end at Siem Reap or Ho Chi Minh City
Itinerary in brief
DAY 1 – DUBLIN - HANOI
DAY 2 – HANOI ARRIVAL (-/-)
DAY 3 – HANOI – FULL DAY CITY (B/D)
DAY 4 – HANOI – HALONG BAY OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE (B/L/D)
DAY 5 – HALONG BAY – HANOI – NIGHT TRAIN TO HUE (B/BR)
DAY 6 – HUE ARRIVAL – FULL DAY CITY (L)
DAY 7 – HUE – HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN (B/L/D)
DAY 8 – HOI AN - CYCLING - TRA QUE VILLAGE – BOAT TRIP (B/L)
DAY 9 – HOI AN - DANANG - FLY TO HO CHI MINH (B/D)
DAY 10 – HO CHI MINH - CU CHI TUNNELS - HALF DAY CITY (B/L)
DAY 11 – HO CHI MINH – MEKONG DELTA (B/L)
DAY 12 – HO CHI MINH – FLY TO SIEM REAP (B/L/D) – Or FLY HOME
DAY 13 – SIEM REAP - FULL DAY ANKOR VISIT(B/L/D)
DAY 14 – SIEM REAP - FLOATING VILLAGES (B/L)
DAY 15 – SIEM REAP – DEPARTURE (B) FOR DUBLIN OR DOHA
DAY 16 – ARRIVE DUBLIN
DAY 18 – DEPART DOHA HOTEL
DAY 19 – DEPART DOHA HOTEL AND ARRIVE DUBLIN OR UK
Itinerary in detail
DAY 1
Today, we fly from Dublin via Doha to Hanoi with Qatar Airlines.
Check-in Dublin Airport 11.30hrs
Depart Dublin 2.30pm. Arrive 00.55am(DAY 2) – (dur. 7hrs 25mins)
Depart Doha at 01.45am. Arrive Hanoi at 12.25pm (dur. 6hrs 40mins)
DAY 2 –HANOI ARRIVAL (-/-)
Our flight arrives into Hanoi at 12.25pm, where we will be met by our local guide and transfer to our hotel for immediate check in. The afternoon is free to relax
Evening meal at local restaurant and overnight in Hanoi
DAY 3 – HANOI – FULL DAY CITY (B/D)
After breakfast, visit Hanoi’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. The Citadel was constructed on a Chinese fortress dating back to the 7th century and re-built in the 11th century by the Ly Viet Dynasty. The historical site and remains represent a unique fusion of traits, with influences from China in the north and the ancient Kingdom of Champa in the south.
Afterwards, visit The One Pillar Pagoda, which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure is one of Vietnam’s smallest but most iconic temples. Close by is the Mausoleum of the historic Father Figure of modern Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh (view from outside), and the Former President's House on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. His former home illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary.
Lunch on your own and then the remainder of the day free to relax and kill the jetlag. Your hotel is in the heart of the city, so it is easy to go out and explore your surroundings. Take a walk down to the river or stroll through the narrow alleys and streets that the city is famous for. Enjoy a bit of shopping and bartering.
If you wish, join us for an hour cycle tour to discover more of the charming and historic capital city of Vietnam. Hanoi is a unique city with more than 1000 years of rich culture and fascinating history.
Dinner on your own. Remainder of evening is free.
DAY 4 –HANOI – HALONG BAY OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE (B/L/D)
Hanoi to Haloing Bay (160 km)
After breakfast, you will enjoy a drive to the famous Halong Bay. It’s amazing and unique geography has seen it appear in many films and travel documentaries. Arrive at the jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. Lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board. Overnight on Halong Bay.
DAY 5 –HALONG BAY - HANOI - NIGHT TRAIN TO HUE (B/BR//D)
Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the early morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi late in the afternoon and evening meal will be served at a local restaurant.
Around 20:00 hrs you will be transferred to Hanoi Railway Station for the overnight train trip to Hue in superior 4-berth compartments sharing with other passengers. Train departs at approximately 21:50 hrs.
Notes: Train schedule is subject to change. Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless private cabin is requested, and all berths paid for - with supplement. – See costs at back of brochure) . Restrooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience.
Light breakfast will be prepared on board.
DAY 6 – HUE ARRIVAL - FULL DAY CITY (L/D)
Arrive Hue in morning (approximately 09:30 hrs), warmly welcomed by our tour guide and a transfer to the hotel for refreshment before enjoying lunch at local restaurant. (We cannot actually check in until later in the day.) Start the day by exploring the Imperial City of Hue. We visit the Citadel, situated on the northern bank of the Perfume River. It was built by Emperor Gia Long and designed for the exclusive use of the Emperor and his household. You will tour the Citadel, which is a square 2 km wall encompassing 3 walled enclosures; the Citadel, Kinh Thanh Hue, the Yellow Imperial city, Hoang Thanh and in the centre, the Forbidden Purple city, Tu Cam Thanh, where the Emperor lived. The Hue royal complex has been officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Enjoy a scenic boat trip on the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda (Heavenly Lady pagoda), one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. Situated 4 km upstream on the banks of the Perfume River, it is an active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601.Stop at a local restaurant for lunch.
In the afternoon you will visit Tiger Arena – built in the 19th century under the Nguyen dynasty by the Minh Mang emperor. This is the place where the Nguyen Dynasty military trained the elephants how to fight by fighting with tigers.
Next, you will visit Emperor Tu Duc Tomb – one of the most impressive royal mausoleums in Hue.
Transfer back to your hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Hue
DAY 7 –HUE – HOI AN (B/L/D)
After breakfast at the hotel, we start the spectacular drive over Hai Van Pass to Danang with a whole view of Pacific Ocean and famous Lang Co fishing village. Continuing to the charming historic city of Hoi An which lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Hoi An was one of the major trading centres of southeast Asia in the 16th century and was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. The ancient town of Hoi An is recognized for its well-preserved architecture from the 15th-19th century. One of the best ways to discover the city and its surroundings is with a leisurely walk. You will visit and experience some of the historic merchant and community houses, places of worship and famous Japanese Covered Bridge, the daily life of the local people: green paddy fields, vegetable gardens, markets, temples, historic houses, fishermen and stunning countryside scenes, which will simply mesmerize you.
This tour offers great photo opportunities and you may find yourself chatting with the locals and inhaling unforgettable memories.
Lunch at local restaurant. This afternoon, there may be the chance to meet with a local lantern-making artisan whose family has been making lanterns for decades. Have fun with a hands-on lesson from the artisan on lantern making, choosing your own silk fabric, colors, and pattern. (This will be an optional tour and is not included in the fare)
Afterward, transfer back to your hotel for an early dinner. Afterwards. you'll have the opportunity to delight in the Hoian Memories Show at the Eco Zone. This remarkable outdoor art performance features more than 500 dancers and actors, along with a captivating stage adorned with various props, stunning visual effects, eye-catching choreography, state-of-the-art sound and lighting, all set on a vast 25,000 square-meter stage against a backdrop of mountains and rivers. The result is a mesmerizing and poetic depiction of Hoi An by night. You'll spend the night in Hoi An, surrounded by the vivid cultural experiences of the day.
Overnight in Hoi An.
DAY 8 –HOI AN - CYCLING - TRA QUE VILLAGE – BOAT TRIP (B/L)
Start the day with a leisurely bicycle ride along picturesque country roads. (This is subject to enough people wishing to do it. We will arrange transfers for those not willing to cycle)
Reach Tra Que Herb Village and see the daily activities of the local farmers there.
You will witness the Vietnamese rural life, offering endless photo opportunities. Then board the boat for a river cruise down to Cua Dai. You will also have the chance to manoeuvre the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boats while exploring coconut-palm flanked waterways.
For a bit of fun, we will divide group into small teams for basket boat racing and catching crabs. The winner will get a lovely gift. Rejoin the boat. Enjoy tunch at local family homes before transfer back to Hoi An.
Afterward, return to your hotel.(You can cycle, if you wish) Free time at your own leisure for the rest of the day. Overnight in Hoi An. Evening meal is not included tonight, to allow you the opportunity to try some of the local specialties on your own or eat at the hotel.
DAY 9 – HOI AN - DANANG - FLY TO HO CHI MINH (B/D)
Morning, free at leisure until pick up and transfer to Danang airport to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, meet our guide and transfer to check in to the hotel (check in after 14:00). Free time at your own leisure for the rest of the day until pick up and transfer to enjoy an impressive Welcome Dinner while cruising along Saigon River.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh
DAY 10–HO CHI MINH - CU CHI TUNNELS - HALF DAY CITY (B/L)
This morning you will enjoy the journey (about 75km) from Saigon to Cu Chi Tunnels - a complex of an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. There are more than 200 km of tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. You have the chance to crawl through this amazing system of tunnels, if you’re game for it!. For a more “thrilling” experience, you can even test your shooting skills with original AK47s and other guns from past war times (subject to a surcharge).
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant before journey back to Ho Chi Minh. Tour continues to visit Independence Palace (Reunification Palace), War Remnants Museum. Afterwards, stroll through the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral inaugurated in 1880 became the spiritual and cultural crucible of the French presence in the Orient as was the Post Office designed by Gustav Eiffel and resembling a grand railway station, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee (formerly Hôtel de Ville) which is one of the most photographed buildings in Vietnam - notable for its gardens, ornate facade and elegant interior lit with crystal chandeliers.
End of day you will explore the famous Ben Thanh Market, where you can purchase souvenirs for your beloved ones. Dinner is not included but can be taken at the Ben Thanh Market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh
DAY 11 –HO CHI MINH – MEKONG DELTA (B/L/D)
After breakfast, meet our local guide in the lobby of the hotel and drive to My Tho, the heart of the Mekong Delta, famous for its vast rice fields and most beautiful landscapes. Visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda en-route and stop by the banks of Tien Giang river. Take a boat trip on Mekong River to Phoenix Island where local handicrafts and sweets made from coconut are being produced. Enjoy fresh seasonal fruits and traditional live music and a singing performance. Visit a typical local house to taste some homemade honey-tea. Proceed by small sampan boats through the small canals and side arms of the river to observe the daily life along the riverbanks, with a stop and short leisurely walk at the Turtle Island. Lunch will be served at local restaurant before driving back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Remainder of time is free at the hotel.
Vietnam Farewell Dinner at the hotel..
Overnight in HCMC
DAY 12 –HO CHI MINH - FLY TO SIEM REAP (B/L/D) – NOON FLIGHT
(OR FLY HO CHI MINH CITY TO DOHA (Qatar) AND ON TO DUBLIN – See below for flights)
If flying home, transfer to the airport around 3.00pm. We will be booking an airport lounge for you to relax before your flight, and maybe get something to eat.
Flight departs Ho Chi Minh at 7.55pm and arrives Doha (Qatar) at 11.50pm (Dur.7hrs 55 mins}
Flight departs Doha at 01.15am and arrives Dublin at 6.00am (Dur. 7hrs 45mins)
If continuing to Siem Reap. You will transfer to the airport early in the day.
Flight departs Ho Chi Minh at TBA and arrive Siem Reap TBA (Dur. 1hrs 10mins)
Upon arrival, welcomed by tour guide in Siem Reap, transfer to have lunch and check in hotel. Then visit Wat Thmei (“The Killing Fields”), which contains a unique glass-walled display containing the bones of victims of the Khmer Rouge. Some of the bones were recovered from a nearby well while others are the remains of soldiers who died on a nearby battlefield. Come back to visit "Les Artisans d'Angkor – Chantiers Ecole" for the Finest Authentic Khmer Arts and Crafts. After a short rest, welcome dinner with Apsara, the traditional Khmer dance - drama performance, which is not merely a dance but also the telling of a story. Overnight in Siem Reap!
DAY 13 –SIEM REAP - FULL DAY ANGKOR VISIT (B/L/D)
Breakfast at hotel, explore South Gate of Angkor Thom known as Big Angkor, a 3km2 walled and moated royal city, which was the last capital of the Angkorian Empire. Then visit the famous architectural muddle known as Bayon Temple, in part because it was constructed in a somewhat piecemeal fashion for over a century. Terrace of the Elephants is an impressive, two and a half meter tall, 300-meter-long terrace wall adorned with carved elephants. Visit the heart of Angkor Thom in front of Baphuon - huge temple mountain in the heart of Angkor Thom, Royal Palace Area and Phimeanakas - impressive rite and sandstone pyramid. Terrace of the Leper King is at the north end of the Terrace of the Elephants, a double terrace wall with deeply carved demons and other mythological figures. Last you will visit Ta Prohm temple which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty! Giant trees have grown here for centuries. We stop for lunch at local restaurant!
Afternoon visit Angkor Wat temple. The founder of the temple was Suryavarman II who reigned over Cambodia from 1113 to 1152 and built the five towers in the 12th century to dedicate to the Hindu God Vishnu. The plan of the pyramidal concept of the temple combined with spaces, alleys, ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction. It is time to visit Pre Rup temple for a romantic sunset view.
Evening meal at a local restaurant. Overnight in Siem Reap!
DAY 14 – SIEM REAP - FLOATING VILLAGES (B/L)
After breakfast at hotel, we enjoy a morning visit to the Floating Villages, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap! Take a ride in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia and the largest in Asia. Here you’ll see plenty of examples of the Khmer way of life. Then visit Wat Bo, founded in the 18th century, a highly respected pagoda containing unique wall paintings of the Reamker (Ramayana) that are said to be late 19th century. Lunch at local restaurant!
Afternoon visit West Baray Big Pond; a “baray” is a water reservoir built by the ancient Khmer people. We continue to one of the city’s lively open markets, Psar Chars, also called the “Old Market”, where anything and everything is for sale. Overnight in Siem Reap!
Farewell Dinner included tonight.
Day 15 -SIEM REAP – DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast at hotel, free at leisure until time to travel to airport for flight onwards! On the way if there is time we will visit Puok, the real and original place of the Artisans d’Angkor silk, where you will see the full process of silk producing, from the silk worms munching on the Mulberry leaves to the spinning of their cocoons, which are used to make silk warp. You of course will see the weaving work and can purchase the high quality silk products as a beautiful Cambodia souvenir. Straight to Siem Reap airport for your departure! We hope you had wonderful time with us. Make it an affair to remember!
Flight details for the onward journey to Doha or home to Dublin TBA.
Our flight from Siem Reap involves a transfer at either Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City, as there are no direct flights. The flight schedule is not yet fully loaded but it is likely that we will reach Doha around midnight, transferring immediately to our hotel.
Day 15 – Day 18
DOHA
We will be booking your hotel for 4 nights, although we are actually only staying for three. We arrive late and depart late, so you won’t have to vacate your room until it is time to go to the airport. Accommodation is on a B&B basis
Day 18/19
We will depart the hotel around 9.30pm and transfer to the airport.
Flight departs Doha at 01.15am and arrives Dublin at 6.00am (Dur. 7hrs 45mins)
