12 Days Hanoi. Hue, Hoi An, Danang, Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Riep.

Day 1 Mon: Arrive Hanoi
Arrive this afternoon in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital for nearly 1000 years. Historical emphasis on the arts and learning stipulates that buildings in Hanoi remain small, simple and in harmony with nature. You are met at the airport and escorted to the elegant HILTON HANOI OPERA HOTEL. Rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Evening attend the famous Water Puppet Show followed by welcome dinner at the renowned Le Tonkin Restaurant. (D)

Day 2 Tue: Hanoi / Ha Long Bay / Hanoi
Depart Hanoi this morning on your day trip to Halong. Our journey will be broken with refreshment stop at a craft centre run to raise money for handicapped people. Upon arriving in Ha Long City, we are transferred to our private boat for an amazing cruise of Halong Bay Bay, a UNESCO designated World Heritage site. With a 5-hour boat cruise, you will have chance to visit the cave and view the beautiful islets. The trip would not be complete without a fresh seafood lunch on board as we cruise. Late afternoon returning to Hanoi. (BL)

Day 3 Wed: Hanoi Sightseeing
Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” may be viewed, 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. Lunch at Sen restaurant. 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 4 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 partake in a typical family dinner. IMPERIAL HOTEL. (BD)

Day 5 Fri: Hue / Hoi An
Continue your sightseeing of 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 To Ducs tomb, and Khai Dinh’s tomb). Lunch at Tropical garden restaurant followed by drive to the absolutely charming and relaxed town of Hoi An. Believed to have been settled no less than 2200 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 6 Sat: Hoi An
Enjoy a walking tour of this historic town (some of the highlights 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 at leisure. (BL)

Day 7 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 followed by 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 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 into the SOFITEL PLAZA HOTEL. (BD)

Day 8 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)

Cambodia

Day 9 Tue: Ho Chi Minh City / Siem Riep
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 Riep in Northern Cambodia, your base for visiting the fabulous ancient sites of Angkor, one of the wonders of world. The grandeur of this bygonecivilization is truly astounding. Enjoy your three-night stay in a state room at the posh SOFITEL ROYAL ANKOR HOTEL. (BD)

Day 10 Wed: Angkor Wat Excursion
Your exploration of this mysterious region begins with the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat and surrounding sites (one of the world’s most impressive ruins). The Khmer civilization constructed the temples between the 9th and 13th centuries. Strolling through the massive hallways, you will find many small shrines still in use by the local people at this ancient site. 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 the local reataurant. (BD)

Day 11 Thu: Angkor Thom Excursion
See Angkor Thom or “Great City,” in some ways even more spectacular than colossal Angkor Wat, as it had nearly disappeared into the jungle. Your day includes a boat ride on Tonle Sap. Enjoy dinner at the local restaurant. (BD)

Day 12 Fri: Siem Riep / Home
Depart for home today taking along memories of a most enchanting trip. (B)