Day 1:
ARRIVAL IN HANOI (by A/C car,
rickshaw)
Arrival in
Hanoi
in early morning,
warm welcome to
everybody, a moment of courtesy meeting of the tour guide in the meeting
point's Noi Bai Airport.
Hanoi
- its legendary beginnings from 1,010 to 15th
century then before the World War II,
after 1954 as well, is the cradle of Red
River Delta civilization with green rice-fields, its Old streets
and colonial Quarter, its
calm
lakes, the shaded boulevards, its verdant public parks and sunny smiles
with truly Far-East Asian faces ...Our experienced to
ur
guide will transmit you the most lovely aspects of Hanoi -
the ancient city of 1,000 yrs, during 45'
by coach from the airport to your hotel in the centre city.
Transfer to hotel for check in and time of rest. Afternoon, you visit
the
Vietnam
Museum of Ethnology
where
contains more than 10,000 objects which depict all aspects of
life, customs, and habits of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam.
You will enjoy later an interesting tour by
traditional Pedicabs,
the best and most
stylish way as
far more charming
to see Hanoi and to take in the sights and sounds of
the Old quarter is
by Cycle ( a tricycle ), your people
will enjoy 1 hour cycle tour
the
Old Quarter and shopping streets
to watch the daily lives of the people living on and around the busy
areas,
the
small rickshaws will carry you
strolling around the Old Quarter and shopping
streets, to relax and view
to daily-life surrounding or communicating is a good way to have a full
impression of the city, catch the spirit
of Vietnam. Rickshaws will return back
at the Garden of Hoan Kiem Lake
- the Return-Sword Lake,
to visit Ngoc Son - Heroic Temple, But
Tower, where you will be fascinating
with legendary stories from 600 years
that a turtle stole a
king's sword and took it to the bottom of this lake.
A moment free in
Garden of Hoan Kiem Lake
to enjoy the lovely Hanoi landscapes in the
sunset
until the time of
water puppet show,
a unique art form of Vietnamese, at Thang Long Water Puppet Troupe, and
you will also experience more about a specific culture in South-East
Asia coming from agriculture of wet rice during the performance.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2:
HANOI - HALONG BAY (a Cruising tour by
wooden junk, and A/C car 175km)
After
breakfast,
straight up to
Halong Bay.
Landscapes en route are very interesting with the
immense rice-fields,
farmers are working in the fields, small and peace villages ….there
are the sweet beginnings to talk with then explanation of Vietnam by our
tour guide. Arrival
Halong Bay,
come to
the Marina
for
a cruising tour 4 hours by a big wooden Junk
on Halong Bay, this is a golden time for your voyage -
a masterpiece of Nature Ha Long Bay
is constituted by 3000 small and big islands of all shapes. In
1994 UNESCO
classified
Halong Bay
as a
World Natural Heritage
and in November 2000, the World Heritage Committee reconfirmed this
classification, your excursion
to Halong Bay will re-evaluate the classification of UNESCO to this
fairyland
In the
book intituled
“Wonders
of the World” published in 1950. The
French marshal Lyautey compared it with
Venice rocks in the “Letters of Tonkin
and Madagascar” (June 24, 1895).
The French novelist Yvonne Schultz
did not
hesitate to praise the miraculous beauty of this bay:
All heights and ten thousand forms; imagination, imitation, pagodas,
Hindu temples, menhirs, Chinese towers, pieces of chess-board or true
immense mountain. And the extraordinary flows simulating the ruined
keeps, the broken down bastions, a succession of palaces with the open
belly and tribes of mutilated idols.
HALONG BAY
is nearly a hidden bay with
thousands of limestone islands
densely rising from the blue jade water in a sea area of over
1500 square kilometers.
Its
1969 green islands
enfeeble the strong winds blowing from the ocean to leave the
transparent water of the bay often calm in cool and healthy air. From
time to time, sailing Junk appearing and disappearing between the
islands make the poetic sight more colorful like sparkling pearls or
coral reefs found out in the bay. The beauty of the bay is not monotone,
at different positions of viewing, it will astonish viewers with quite
different fascinations. In the caves and grottoes of stone islands,
visitors will discover and
admire
how many impressive stalactites and stalagmites.
HALONG BAY
is nearly a hidden bay with
thousands of limestone islands
densely rising from the blue jade water in a sea area of over
1500 square kilometers.
Its
1969 green islands
enfeeble the strong winds blowing from the ocean to leave the
transparent water of the bay often calm in cool and healthy air. From
time to time, sailing Junk appearing and disappearing between the
islands make the poetic sight more colorful like sparkling pearls or
coral reefs found out in the bay. The beauty of the bay is not monotone,
at different positions of viewing, it will astonish viewers with quite
different fascinations. In the caves and grottoes of stone islands,
visitors will discover and admire how many impressive stalactites and
stalagmites. The caves have strange but very accurate names, have their
own legends in their names as
Thien Cung (Heaven Palace) grotto,
Dau Go (Wooden Head) grotto,
stop-over to visit the caves, your sailing Junk will continue to visit
around
the shapely islets of
fighting cock, incense-burner and others.
We shall
suggest you do not miss a romantic lunch with
very fresh seafood on-board (see
supplement), since after visit the
floating-rafts/houses of living seafood, taste the specialties of
Halong Bay is quite a lifetime experience.
The Junk sailing back to Marina then transfer back to your hotel in
Hanoi.
Overnight
in Hanoi. (B)
Day 3:
HANOI-DA NANG /HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN
(by A/C car, plane)
After
early breakfast, check out then let’s experience the
basic
concepts of political Vietnam currently by visit to
the Chairman Palace area, there are
Ho Chi Minh mausoleum (outside), Ba Dinh
National square, Stilt House; One Pillar
Pagoda, a nice group picture should
photo in the parade yard of Ba Dinh
National square with the great back view of Ho
Chi Minh mausoleum.
Then transfer to Noi Bai airport for flight to Danang by
VN309 at 12.15-13.30.
Arrival Da Nang, brief visit to
the Museum of
Cham Sculpture, began in 1915. This is
the only museum dedicated to preserving the unique Champa sculptural
heritage in Sou
th
East Asia. There are about 300 items of
sculpture exhibited here. Most of them
are original works carved in sandstone, some are terracotta. Items
exhibited include altars statues and decorations from Cham towers and
palaces. The statues include the Gods
Siva Vishnu Brahma as well as
the brahmanists Buddhas dancers
and musicians elephants lions
the holy cow Nandin
and the holy bird Garuda.
These date from the 7th
century to the
15th century. Then
stone carving villages at
Marble Mountains, where visitors will see the skilful artisans
working on the products of marble / granite and visitors can choose a
collection of excellent stone products for souvenir. From Da Nang you
continue to Hoi An ancient town,
lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River,
30 km south of Danang,
has a distinct Chinese atmosphere with
low, tile-roofed houses and
narrow streets;
the original structure of some of these streets still remains almost
intact. Occupied by early western traders, Hoi An was one of the major
trading centers of Southeast Asia in the
16th century. All the houses
were made of rare wood, decorated with lacquered boards and panels
engraved with Chinese characters. Pillars were also carved with
ornamental designs. Transfer to hotel for check in and time of
rest. Overnight in Hoi An. (B)
Day 4:
HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN - HUE ROYAL CITY
(by A/C car 135km, boat)
This
morning, enjoy
an interesting town-tour by walking.
It
is the best way to discover Hoian ancient town, visit
The Japanese Covered Bridge where
retains a harmony of architectural styles, combining Chinese,
Vietnamese, Japanese cultural characteristics.
Ong Pagoda
is one of the typical pagodas in
Hoi An’s old quarter,
built in 1653 and is dedicated to
Quan Thanh De Quan (Quan Van Truong). Fukienese Assembly Hall was
built in 1692 by
Chinese Phuoc Kien
merchants, is architecturally unique with its artistic ornaments and
beautiful statues, Chinese architectural style combined with Vietnamese
workmanship has enriched it with Hoi An’s cultural character.
Tan Ky Ancient House,
constructed almost two centuries ago as the house of a Vietnamese
merchant. It has always been lovingly preserved and now looks almost
exactly as it did in the early 19th century,
Hand-made Silk workshop
as a last destination.
Then depart to Hue. The trip
passes many spectacular scenarios along the National Highway 1, via the
breathing Hai Van Pass,
literal meaning is “Sea and Cloud”,
is the highest and longest pass in
Vietnam with the north- south national highway zigzagging through it for
almost 20 km.
Reaching to a height of 496 m above
sea
level the pass seems to be lost in the clouds almost all of the time. In
the 15th century King Le
Thanh Ton when stopping here to admire
the dreamy and majestic scene of sky cloud and sea called it “De
Nhat Hung Quan” (the First Grandiose Landscape of the country).
From the highest point of the pass you get a bird’s eye view of the rich
lowlands encircling the city of Danang with its image reflected on the
waters of Han River.
To the south and at the foot of the mountain lies the
Nam O seashore
where there is a fine beach with gentle waves and fishing boats crowding
the water front.
Photo-stop somewhere in the Pass, get your
perfect pictures of Lang Co beach,
a spectacular landscape & peaceful fishing hamlet.
Hue Royal City
-
the Complex of Monuments,
the heart of central Vietnam served as Vietnam’s political capital 1802
to 1945 under the 13 emperors of the Nguyen
Dynasty and was recognized as the World
Cultural Heritage Site.
Hue
- has been the Capital of a unified Vietnam, built at about the
beginning of
the 19th century,
combines the oriental philosophy with the traditions of Vietnam.
Intimately mingled with the natural environment, the beauty and special
richness of the architecture and decorative art of the building are an
original image of the Vietnamese monarchy at its most prosperous period.
Upon arrival,
you spend time strolling around the mighty
Imperial City,
photo-stop at the Royal National high-school
and its Royal Stele on the bank of Perfume River,
which was the most famous National school in Vietnam,
visit
The
Imperial City - Purple Forbidden City,
is the best-preserved remnant of a vast citadel and royal quarters that
once existed on the site. To put the ruins into context, it is important
to consider how they were originally used., there
are a network
of palaces, gates, and courtyards that served as The Emperor’s home and
the administrative core of the Empire, visit
The Flag Tower
- a huge structure of three
flat-top pyramids,
the nine holy cannons
are housed in two buildings beside the
The Nhan and Quang Duc Miradors
in the Citadel of Hue,
Palace of the Supreme Harmony,
was the building for great court’s meetings. It faces the
Noontime Gate (Ngo Mon Gate)
and lies right on the central axis of the Citadel,
The Mieu Temple
is situated southwest of the Citadel and facing south, dedicated to
ten Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty,
then
The Royal Theater - DUYET THI DUONG
was the oldest of Vietnamese traditional stage that remained. Transfer
to the
Royal Marina
and continuing
boat upstream to visit
Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of Heavenly Lady).
While
the wind smoothly moves the bamboo branches
One hears the Thiên Mụ bell, and the Thọ-Xuong rooster’s song.
Thien Mu Pagoda
located on a sloping pine hill with the front side facing the
Perfume River,
was firstly built in 1601 which its 21-metre-high tower of seven storeys
and refined bell are always the most beautiful sceneries of the ancient
pagodas in whole country, and the highest spirit of Vietnamese also, a
moment enjoy the beautiful views of sunset, the sun is setting
down along the
Perfume river
and
the tinged clouds becoming dim on horizon. Let’s put in your mind the
sceneries surroundings…they may be a shine star of lifetime and
memorable feelings.
Free evening for individual exploring in dreamlike Hue. Overnight in
Hue. (B)
Day 5:
HUE ROYAL CITY - HO CHI MINH CITY (by
A/C car, plane
This
morning, check out then you will enjoy the exciting historical tour by a
visit to the Royal Tomb of Tu Duc King,
its serious sceneries, impressive architectures to remind a splendid
monarchy and the circulate widely false news of
the
real tomb of Tu Duc
remains hidden for future generations to discover. Transfer to Phu Bai
airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City by
VN253 at 12.10-13.30.
Saigon
or
Ho Chi Minh City,
a
young city with the age of more than 300 years, a center of culture,
education, commerce and tourism of Vietnam,
the biggest city of Vietnam mix with the West and the Orient, and
once known as the "Pearl of Far East".
On the way to hotel, take photo-stop at Neo-Roman
Notre Dame Cathedral
- one of
the most splendid and typical of the beautiful French-built churches in
Ho Chi Minh city,
next
Municipal Post Office - Saigon's
French-style main post office to admire and take photos of its nice
architecture that is one of the Ho Chi Minh City’s symbolizing images,
then drive slowly along a historical boulevard which the impressive
buildings as the old US Embassy the
Prime Ministerial building and many
more, there are
like the historical
witnesses to the ups and downs, political upheavals of a Nation and its
generations. Later, pass by
Ho Chi Minh City People Committee
(also the
old French City Hall before 1975), and
Municipal Theatre
built in 1899.
Transfer
to hotel for check-in and time of rest.
Evening,
we highly recommend a good dinner cruise on
Saigon River in a floating restaurant and getting the admirable
feel of the charming views of Saigon river and city-by-night during a
short river-cruising.(see
supplement)
Back to the hotel for
good night.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
(B)
Day 6:
HO CHI MINH CITY - CU CHI TUNNLES (by
A/C car 70km)
Morning
depart to Cu Chi Tunnels located
at the threshold of Saigon and adjacent to the revolutionary base,
played an important role in the two wars on before 1975. Visitors will
have a lot of questions as knowing that Cu Chi was an
"underground village" with its
labyrinth of interlaced tunnels having
a combined length of more than 200 km of tunnels built here by the
Communist guerillas are the highlight of South Vietnam tours. You will
be guided to the bedrooms, meeting rooms, air-raid shelters, smokeless
kitchens, and experience life underground during your short visit to
this extraordinary tunnel complex. Opportunity to cra
wl
into the tunnels for discovering and hearing all things of it. You can
also try shooting with real bullets here (your
own account).
Back to Ho
Chi Minh City
then visit the
Reunification Palace -
a symbol
of Saigon old Government before 1975,
(also called former President Palace) to
learn the sorrowful historic of Vietnam
Ideology War from 1954-1975.
Left time is saved for
you to do shopping at Ben Thanh Market - a most
typical market of Vietnam, with how many things are available for
your choice: jewelry, gold and silvers items, silk, lacquer-ware,
woodcarving, ready-made clothes... all at extremely attractive price.
You shall
not miss an
Outdoor dinner at Binh Quoi Village
For those
travelers thirsting for cultural highlights of Vietnam, try dinner at
Binh Quoi village for the most traditional surrounds accompanied with
the best of regional Vietnamese cuisine.
Evening
is the time of Cultural Show-Dinner,
is a fantastic dinner in a garden-riverside
restaurant,
transfer to Binh Quoi tourist village,
and enjoy a traditional show of wedding
ceremony before having dinner on the
riverside restaurant with a very pleasant setting. The show will
tell you the Southern Vietnamese traditional wedding with folk music and
classic melodies, rites expressing Vietnamese humanity,
a cup of reception herbal tea is good beginning
to wake-up your mind for a night show.
(See supplement & This show is available on Tue, Thu & Sat only).
Drive back to the hotel and free leisure at hotel.
Overnight
in Ho Chi Minh City.
(B)
Day 7:
HO CHI MINH CITY - SIEM REAP (by A/C
car, plane)
After
breakfast, check-out then transfer to airport for flight to Siem Reap by
VN827 at 11.40-12.40.
Siem Reap
-
The Cradle of Angkor Civilization - Where
Cambodian were Born, this is also a famous Archaeological City,
as named as one of the seven greatest
architectural wonders of the World.
Covering approx 600 sq km, it contains more than 100 fabulous ancient
monuments and over dozen major compound Temples, which were built during
the most splendid Era of the Khmer
Dynasty between the 9th -
13th century and were the ancient capital of the
Khmer Empire.
Then
transfer to hotel for check-in and have a rest.
Afternoon,
you will visit the wonderful
Angkor Wat
- one of the seven greatest architectural wonders of the world,
as a temple
and mausoleum for
King
Suryavarman II at the peak of the Khmer empire in
the first half of
12th,
Angkor Wat is probably the best-preserved of the Angkorean temples, with
a central tower surrounded by four smaller towers. The central monument
represents the mythical Mount Meru, the
holy mountain at the centre of the universe, which was home to
the Hindu God Vishnu.
The
whole complex covers 81 hectares, a rectangular wall measuring 1025
meters by 800 meters borders the inner edge of the moat, and temple's
greatest sculptural treasure is its 2 km-long bas-reliefs around the
walls... In the late afternoon
coming to
the Phnom Bakheng temple, is the first
temple in Angkor region build by the Yacovarman I King in the first of
9th century, located on a
slope gently hill where thousands tourist are grouping on the hilltop to
catch a memorable lifetime when viewing the marvellous
sunset
on Angkor Wat and on the other sites.
You shall not miss a welcoming buffet dinner with 'Apsara Dance'
For those travelers thirsting for cultural highlights of Cambodia, No
visit to Cambodia is complete without attending at least one traditional
Khmer dance performance, often referred to as 'Apsara Dance' after one
of the most popular Classical dance pieces. Traditional Khmer dance
better described as 'dance-drama' in that the dances are not merely
dance but also meant to convey a story or message.
We would strongly recommend a
Cultural Show-Dinner on buffet,
with
the most traditional surrounds accompanied with the best of regional
Cambodian cuisine
in a local restaurant. Your clients will enjoy able the tradition
Royal musical instruments
of Cambodia. A traditional music band will sow in your mind the most
memorable moments of lifetime thru the folk music, folk-singers, folk
songs and folk-dances of
Apsara dancers
during dinner (see
supplement).Overnight
in Siem Reap.
(B)
Day 8:
SIEM REAP FULL DAY TOUR (by A/C car)
A full day
to discover Siem Reap. Firstly, you will visit
Angkor Thom (the Great City) including the
Southern Gate, famous
Bayon temple
(12th century in the center of city remains one the most
enigmatic temples of the Angkor group composed of 54 gothic towers
decorated with 216 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara;
Baphuon temple
lying just to the north of Bayon a p
yramidal
representation of mythical Mont Meru; Terrasse
of Elephants used as a giant reviewing stand for public
ceremonies and served as a base for the king’s grand audience hall ;
Terrace of the Leper King a plateform
7m high, on the top stands a nude though sexless statue;
Phimean Akas
temple means “Celestial Palace”, dedicated to Hinduism.
Afternoon, visit
Thommanon,
small, attractive temple in very good condition, built at the same time
as Angkor Wat. It’s Angkor Wat style is most easily seen in the style of
the carved Apsaras and the shape of the tower,
Chaosay Tevoda, it seems to stand in
partnership with Thommanon but actually was built much later in
Suryavarman II’s rule than Thommanon,
Banteay Kdei,
Srash Srong.
Then visit Kravan & especially Ta Phrom Temple,
was a monastery built by Jayavarman VII as a residence for his mother.
Ta Prohm has been controversially left to the destructive power of the
jungle by French archeologists to show how nature can destroy man's
work. It has been largely overgrown by the jungle and as you climb
through the dilapidated stone structures you see many giant trees
growing out of the top of the temple itself. Ta
Prohm looks as many of the monuments did when European explorers
first laid eyes on them. Free at leisure for your own activities at
night. Overnight in Siem Reap.
(B)
Day 9:
SIEM REAP - HO CHI MINH CITY & DEPARTURE
(by A/C car, plane)
After
breakfast, check out and transfer back to Ho
Chi Minh City by VN3818 at 10.30-11.50
(supposing).
Have a safe trip come home.
It’s timely, you have to say Good-Bye
Vietnam-Cambodia. We (Toan
Vinh Tours) thank you very much for your choice of
our company as your ground handler in Vietnam-Cambodia and may be
Indochina countries on further, be sure all our people are your best
friends always and beyond. May we will meet and honoured welcome you
have other voyages to Indochina in the days coming, continuing to
discover, to experience the endless imposing landscapes, and then get
the restful moments in a diversified World and a
colourful Sub region of Mekong River:
VIETNAM - LAOS - CAMBODIA - THAILAND -
MYANMAR! GOOD-BYE & SEE YOU AGAIN !
(B)
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