14 DAYS Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Danang, Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap

Day 1 Sat: North America / Singapore
Depart for exotic Singapore this afternoon.

Day 2 Sun: Arrive Singapore
Arrive in Singapore late this evening and overnight at the AMBASSADOR TRANSIT HOTEL.

Day 3 Mon: Singapore / Hanoi
Fly to Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital for nearly 1,000 years. Historical emphasis on the arts and learning stipulates that buildings in Hanoi remain small, simple and in harmony with nature. You will be met at the airport and escorted to the elegant SOFITEL METROPOLE HANOI. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening, attend the famous Water Puppet Show, followed by a welcome dinner at the renowned Le Tonkin Restaurant. (D)

Day 4 Tue: Hanoi / Ha Long Bay / Hanoi
Depart Hanoi this morning on your day trip to Ha Long. Your journey will be broken by a refreshment stop at a craft center run to raise money for handicapped people. Upon arriving in Ha Long City, you are transferred to your private boat for an amazing cruise of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO designated World Heritage site. During the 5-hour boat cruise, you will have a chance to visit some of the island caves that make the bay famous and view the beautiful islets. The trip would not be complete without a fresh seafood lunch on board as your cruise. Late this afternoon, return to Hanoi. (BL)

Day 5 Wed: Hanoi Sightseeing
Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” may be viewed. Also visit his nearby house, the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, and a couple of museums. Enjoy lunch at Sen Restaurant. This evening, enjoy a one-hour cyclo ride around the Old Quarter. (BL)
Note: The mausoleum is closed from October - December, during which time it can only be viewed from outside.

Day 6 Thu: Hanoi / Hue
Fly to Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital on the Perfume River. Your sightseeing tour today includes the imposing Imperial Citadel, the Museum of Royal Relics and the Dong Ba Market. Enjoy a cyclo ride this evening to the Y Thao Garden where you will partake in a typical family dinner. HOTEL SAIGON MORIN (BD)

Day 7 Fri: Hue / Hoi An
Continue your sightseeing in mystical Hue today, including a boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, followed by a drive to visit some of the 13 lavish imperial tombs of the Nguyen kings, including Tu Ducs’ tomb and Khai Dinh’s tomb. Enjoy lunch at Tropical Garden Restaurant, followed by a drive to the absolutely charming and relaxed town of Hoi An. Believed to have been settled no less than 2,200 years ago, Hoi An was a thriving seaport and a base for seafaring nations seeking new sources of wealth throughout Southeast Asia. Even ancient Arab trading documents mention Hoi An as a stop along their trade routes. Check in at the luxurious HOI AN PALM GARDEN RESORT. (BL)

Day 8 Sat: Hoi An
Some of the highlights of your walking tour of this historic town include the Temples of Phuoc Kien and Quang Dong and the 16th-century Japanese Covered Bridge. Continue on the narrow streets of Hoi An, which are lined with buildings representing a mix of architectural styles, some of which are not seen anywhere else today. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel. Afternoon is at leisure. (BL)

Day 9 Sun: Hoi An / Danang / Ho Chi Minh City
Drive this morning to Danang. Your first stop is at a stone-carving village at the foot of the Marble Mountains. Next visit the Cham Museum, featuring artifacts from the Kingdom of Champa, a civilization that ruled the area from the 2nd to 14th centuries. Later, fly to vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Although it’s the largest and busiest city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City retains the beauty of its graceful colonial French-style structures. Enjoy dinner at Blue Ginger Restaurant. Check in to the CARAVELLE SAIGON HOTEL. (BD)
Day 10 Mon: Cu Chi Tunnels Excursion
Venture into the “Iron Triangle,” riddled with an extensive system of tunnels inhabited during the recent war, along with fascinating traps and surprises. After lunch at the well known Indochine Restaurant in Saigon, your afternoon is free. (BL)

Day 11 Tue: Ho Chi Minh City / Siem Reap
Your morning tour of Ho Chi Minh includes the former Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, Central Post Office and China Town with Thien Hau Temple and Binh Tay Market. Later, fly to Siem Reap in Northern Cambodia, your base for visiting the fabulous ancient sites of Angkor, one of the wonders of world. The grandeur of this bygone civilization is truly astounding. Enjoy a three-night stay in a state room at the posh SOFITEL ROYAL ANGKOR HOTEL. (BD)
Day 12 Wed: Angkor Wat Excursion
Your exploration of this mysterious region begins with the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat and the surrounding sites. The Khmer civilization constructed the temples between the 9th and 13th centuries. Strolling through the massive hallways of this ancient site, you will find many small shrines still in use by the local people. Picturesque Ta Prohm remains overgrown, presenting oddly haunting and exotic scenes. Visit various ruin sites of these ancient stone masterpieces—mute testimony to the once-mighty Khmer civilization. View Angkor Wat at sunset from Phnom Bakheng. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (BD)

Day 13 Thu: Angkor Thom Excursion
See Angkor Thom, or “Great City,” which, having nearly disappeared into the jungle, is in some ways even more spectacular than colossal Angkor Wat. Your day includes a boat ride on Tonle Sap. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (BD)

Day 14 Fri: Siem Reap / Home
Depart for home today, taking along memories of a most enchanting trip. (B)