MYSTICAL VIETNAM & CAMBODIA

08:00 am: After breakfast, proceed for a guided tour of the charming city of Hanoi, often referred to as the ‘Paris of the East’, with its yellow ochre colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and scenic lakes. Then visit the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument of marble and granite built to house the preserved body of beloved revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, affectionately known to the Vietnamese as “Uncle Ho”. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built in 1049 of wood in the shape of a lotus blossom and set on a single stone pillar. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university built in the late 11th century. The picturesque temple is an example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese Dong bank notes. In the afternoon, visit the fascinating Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays) which houses an extensive collection of traditional costumes and artifacts from Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups. Drive back to central Hanoi for a walking tour through the famous Old Quarter known for its ‘36 streets of 36 wares’ named after the original 36 artisan guilds that date as far back as the 13th century. Conclude your day by watching an entertaining water puppet performance, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form said to have originated in the flooded rice fields of the Red River Delta where villagers entertained themselves by manipulating puppets over the water. The show uses colorful wooden puppets to depict scenes of rural life and episodes of national history set to music. Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

07:30 am: Depart Hanoi with a guide for a 2hr (101km) drive to the Trang An Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh Province. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, Trang An is famous for its spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks whose sheer vertical walls rise abruptly 200m (656ft) above the surrounding land and water. Dense rainforest covers the landscape, even clinging to the cliffs and peaks, blending naturally with rice paddy fields and rivers, creating a picturesque patchwork of color. Within the complex, visit Vietnam’s ancient capital of Hoa Lu, the country’s first centralized feudal state from the end of the 10th century. While the ancient citadel has largely disappeared, the temples of the Dinh and Le dynasties still stand surrounded by rice paddies. Continue to Tam Coc (12km/20min), known as “Halong Bay on Land,” where a skilled rower will take you on a 2hr slow journey on the winding river and canals. Enjoy the views of the beautiful karst formations as you enter three of the many natural caves formed under the hills. Visit the Thai Vi temple on the way back to Tam Coc for lunch. Return to Hanoi by evening. Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, at 08:30 am – Transfer to Ha Long Bay (150km – with guide)

11:30am: Arriving at Tuan Chau Marina, carry out check-in procedures at the waiting lounge.

12:15pm: Transfer to Orchid Classic by a tender boat. Welcome aboard, you will be served some welcome drinks and gather at the restaurant for a cruise briefing and some safety instructions.

13:00pm: Lunch will be served while we cruise and visit Ha Long Bay – Lan Ha Bay which is one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

15:00pm: We progress to Dark and Bright Caves, the ideal place for you to get up and close to Ha Long Bay by bamboo boat or kayak.

17:00pm: Orchid Classic enters a less populated area at Tra Bau – Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy a nice swim in the green emerald water.

18:00pm-On board you may join a cooking demonstration, and enjoy the Happy Hour (buy 1 get 1) at the bar while watching the view of the bay at sunset.

19:15pm: Savor a deluxe dinner made with the freshest ingredients in a sophisticated space with elegant French neoclassical style and traditional oriental touches.

21:00pm: It is time to admire the beauty of the night on the bay, our bar on the sundeck and in the restaurant welcomes you. You may want to try your luck with squid fishing or watch a movie in the restaurant, we also have chess and cards for you. Overnight on board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

06:30am: It is a perfect time to refresh and indulge yourself in the peaceful beauty of the bay with a tai chi session on the sundeck. If you want to hunt for dawn, get up from 5:30 to 6:00 depending on the season, and consult our sailors. At 07:00 am-We will have breakfast at the restaurant while continuing the cruise. Thereafter

07:45am: Kayaking activities in the Ao Ech area are held to discover the hidden charm of Ha Long – Lan Ha Bay.

08:30am: Orchid Cruises welcomes you back on board and it is time for checking out.

10:00am: Enjoy a delightful brunch at our restaurant while cruising back.

11:30am: Disembark Orchid Classic at Tuan Chau Marina, say best wishes, and, transfer to the Hanoi airport(170km) (with a driver) for a flight to Da Nang.

Flight Details:

Upon arrival at Danang Airport, after clearing all customs procedures, please proceed to the exit gate. Your driver will come to meet you up and transfer you to the hotel in Hoi An (28km). Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: Brunch & Dinner

08:00 am: Drive about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Hoi An downtown to Ba Na Hills (60km) with a guide. In the old-growth forest, there are 543 species of flora and 256 species of fauna including many rare animals such as Crested Argus, Asian Black Bear, and northern buffed-cheeked gibbon. Located at an elevation of 1,487 meters, the temperature of this place is mostly cool year-round. Arrive at Ba Na Hills Station where you have a chance to ride on a modern system of cable cars. Get a bird’s-eye view of nature which is strikingly beautiful, while enjoying the feeling of flying in the blue sky among the clouds and wind. Next, visit some old French villas as well as a suspension bridge, Nui Chua, and Mountain Peak. Experience the feeling of walking in the clouds when you walk on the Golden Bridge which is supported by giant hands at a height of over 1,400m above sea level. After your lunch at a local restaurant with a great view, continue to explore Vong Nguyet villa (and its wine cellar), and Linh Ung Pagoda, Sakyamuni Buddha’s monument. Later, transfer back to your hotel in Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Half-day Hoi An guided walking tour:

09:00am: Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An known then as ‘Faifo’, was a prosperous trading port, attracting Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese, and Spanish ships amongst others. Today, this World Heritage ancient town is recognized for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets, and distinctive local cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. Hoi An’s narrow lanes are ideal for a guided walking tour of its many atmospheric sights including the old merchant houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, first built in the 1590s by the Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with its intricate woodcarvings; and the colorful market with stalls brimming with local specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two.

Transfer from the hotel to Danang airport (with a driver) for a flight to Ho Chi Minh.

Flight Details:

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport, after clearing all customs procedures, please proceed to the exit gate and look for your driver who will be waiting at the lobby to meet you and transfer you to the hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Note: The regular check-out time is at 1200; late check-out is NOT included and subject to availability

Meals: Breakfast

Visit Cu Chi tunnels (by road) (tour duration- 05hrs):

08:00 am: Take a 2hr drive (with guide) northwest to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an immense network of connecting underground tunnels started in 1948 to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. The tunnels also served as living quarters, communication and supply routes, and housed hospitals, food, and weapons caches. Touring the underground compounds will provide a better understanding of the history of the tunnels, the hardship of life in the tunnels, and the Vietnamese resilience during combat. Return to Saigon.

City Highlights tour (Duration- 04hrs):

14:00 pm: Depart for a guided city tour of Saigon city. With over eight million inhabitants and four million motorbikes, Saigon is truly a city that never sleeps. Despite its modernity, Saigon maintains a strong link to the past and our city tour takes in some of Saigon’s most historic landmarks including the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France (the entrance is only permitted when no services are being performed). Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. A short drive away is the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American War. Continue to the War Remnants Museum for a vivid perspective of the American War through the eyes of the Vietnamese. (Please note that some of the displays are very graphic.) Experience Saigon’s famed street coffee culture while your guide provides a brief language lesson as well as insights into the daily life of a Saigonese before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Meals: Breakfast

08:30am: Depart from Saigon (with a guide) for the 1.5hr (90km) drive to Ben Tre, situated in the Mekong River Delta, exchanging city scenes for lush rice paddies and fruit farms. At the pier, embark on a fascinating motorboat excursion past stilt houses, fish farms, and scenes of countryside living. Arrive at Turtle Island, and sample freshly picked fruit and coconut milk while interacting with a local farming family. Visit a family-run coconut candy workshop, utilizing Ben Tre’s famous coconuts. Explore more of the Delta from a rowing sampan through a network of small canals. Enjoy country hospitality as you sip a cup of honey tea while taking in a traditional folk song performance. A local lunch of local specialties will be served at the town of My Tho before returning to Saigon in mid-afternoon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Transfer from your accommodation to Tan Son Nhat International airport for a flight to Phnom Penh.

Flight Details:

Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Phnom Penh.

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, after clearing all customs procedures, walk to the main exit gate, you will be met by your driver. Transfer from the airport to your hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Note: The regular check-out time is at 1200; late check-out is NOT included and subject to availability

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel. 08:00 am: Proceed for a full day guided city tour of Phnom Penh. Home to about 1.5 million people, Phnom Penh, has been Cambodia’s capital since the French colonization of the country. Located on the banks of the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers, Phnom Penh was once known as the “Pearl of Asia”, one of the loveliest French-built cities in Indochina. Spend a full day exploring this charming city which boasts a rich blend of Khmer and colonial architecture. In the morning, explore Wat Phnom and discover the legend of Lady Penh, the founder of the city, the Royal Palace, and Silver Pagoda, two of the most striking buildings in the capital and considered some of the finest examples of Khmer architecture. Also visit the National Museum, designed in Khmer style by a French archaeologist and painter in 1917. The museum houses Khmer art and sculptures from different periods of Cambodian history. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, learn more about the turbulent Khmer Rouge years with visits to Tuol Sleng, a high school turned interrogation prison known as S-21 during the Khmer Rouge era and now a genocide museum; and Cheung Ek, a large memorial commemorating the 17,000 victims who died there under the reign of Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot, made famous by the movie “The Killing Fields”. While somber reminders of the cruelty of the Khmer Rouge regime, these visits will also provide an appreciation of the struggle that Cambodian people have faced and their tremendous courage to move on and rebuild their nation. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Note:

• The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are open from 08:00 to 10:30 and 14:00 to 17:00 but are subject to closure at short notice in the event of official ceremonies. If the sites are closed, the guide will make changes to the itinerary on the day.
• Women should cover their shoulders and both men and women should cover their knees.
• A respectful and humble demeanor is requested when visiting the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Transfer from your hotel to Phnom Penh International airport (with a driver) for a flight to Siem Reap.

Flight Details:

Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, after clearing all customs procedures, walk to the main exit gate, and you will be met by our representative. Transfer from the airport to your hotel with a guide.

Roulous Temple Group (Duration: 4-6 hours):

13:30pm: Today you will start with a short drive to the Roulous temple group with a guide. The ruins of Roulous are among the oldest Khmer monuments in the area, dating back to the 9th century reign of King Indravarman I. Witness the evolution of these magnificent temples from the early days of the Khmer empire up to its peak with the

Angkor temples in the 13th century. There are three key Hindu structures that remain at Roulous; Lolei, Bakong and Preah Ko, which were all part of the ancient city of Hariharalaya. You will peacefully explore the temples and soak up the local atmosphere away from the crowds. Walk a total distance of 3 kilometres from one temple to another and meet local friendly villagers on the way. Transfer back to Siem Reap town. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Note: The regular check-in time is at 1400; early check-in is NOT included and subject to availability.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

07:00 am: Transfer by private vehicle to Ta Prohm with a guide, this beautiful temple, built in 1186 as a Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII, is one of Angkor’s jewels and is overgrown with fig trees, giving a haunting yet exotic atmosphere. One of the largest temple sites in Angkor it took almost 80,000 people to maintain the temple. Drive a short distance to Ta Keo, which would have been one of the finest temples in Angkor had it been completed. Continue to Angkor Thom, not a temple, but an entire walled city of 9 square kilometers and the royal Capital from 1181. With a population of 1 million, it was far bigger than any city in Europe at the time. The centerpiece is the Bayon temple crowned with 216 giants, smiling faces of King Jayavarman VII. Also visit the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, which houses almost perfectly preserved carvings. Return to your hotel to relax and have lunch (on your own). After a leisurely break, your exploration continues as you enter the rear gate of Angkor Wat (early 12th century). Surrounded by 190-meter-wide moat 1.5 kilometers by 1.3 kilometers it is claimed to be the largest religious building in the world. The temple, which took 30 years to construct & used the labor of 300,000 workers was built as the earthly representation of the universe with its central tower symbolizing Mt Meru which, Hindus believe, is at the center of the Universe. Later, return to your hotel late afternoon. Evening time for leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Transfer from your hotel to Siem Reap International Airport (with a driver).

Flight details:

Meals: Breakfast