Day 1 (Arrival and sightseeing in Hanoi) (-, L, D)

Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport to commence your Classic Vietnam tour. We will meet you at the airport and facilitate your transfer to your hotel. The hotel will store your luggage until you are able to check in, later in the day.
Begin with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and museum. The mausoleum is the final resting place of Vietnam’s revolutionary communist leader. Please note that dressing and behaviour regulations are strictly enforced as you pay your respects at this beautiful grey granite monument.
Next up, the One Pillar Pagoda is one of the most iconic Buddhist temples in Vietnam. Built on a single stone pillar, the wooden structure resembles a lotus.
After breaking for lunch, you may move to the Temple of Literature. It is an 11th century temple dedicated to Confucius. It is home to Vietnam’s first national university. Due to subsequent reconstruction, the Temple is an interesting mish-mash of various architectural styles.
Your final stop for the day will be at Hoa Lo Prison Museum, a sobering relic of French colonialism in Vietnam, also used during the Vietnam War.
Spend the evening at your leisure, exploring the Old Quarter.

Day 2 (Exploring the Hanoi countryside) (B, L, D)

The day is off to a very early start. Smell the blooms at the flower market where trade begins at the crack of dawn. The bustling city of Hanoi reveals a very different facet in the serene early mornings. Move on to a brisk walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake and let the fresh air whet your appetite. You’ll need it for the hot bowls of pho and Vietnamese coffee waiting for you at breakfast.
The craft villages to the west of Hanoi are wonderful places to see Vietnam’s fine handcrafting and textile-work up close. Visit the villages of Van Phuc (for its silk weaving), Phu Vinh (for its bamboo and rattan), Chuyen My (for wood-work and mother of pearl inlay) and Ha Thai (for its centuries-old tradition of lacquer ware).
We will return to Hanoi for the night.

Day 3 (Sightseeing in Hai Phong) (B, L, D)

Drive to Hai Phong after breakfast. Hai Phong is a maritime hub on the coast of northern Vietnam. Stroll around the city for a taste of the neoclassical French colonial-era architecture. Prominent examples are the Opera House and the Queen of the Rosary Cathedral. Don’t miss the celebrated Du Hang Pagoda, an ornate Buddhist temple. The Hai Phong Museum offers a fascinating peep into the history of this port city.
Grab a delicious seafood dinner at one of the many beach side cafés before returning to your hotel for the night.

Day 4 (Cat Ba Island and Ha Long Bay cruise) (B, L, D)

Check out of your hotel and leave the bulk of your luggage behind for a foray into Ha Long Bay. Feel the spray on your face as you take a hydrofoil from Hai Phong to Cat Ba Island. This is the largest island in Ha Long Bay and is home to Cat Ba National Park. In this biosphere reserve, you will find the critically endangered white-headed langur, among other mammals, fish, corals, birds and reptiles.
Take a half-day’s hike up the trails and through Kim Giao forest for a breathtaking vista of limestone cliffs and green mountains at the top.
In the evening, board your cruise ship for a special seafood dinner and night on the water.

Day 5 (Cat Ba Island and Ha Long Bay cruise) (B, L, D)

Spend a day in paradise. Cruise through the waters of Ha Long after a spectacular sunrise.
Kayak through the lagoons and tunnels of Hang Ca and Toi Sang cave. Take a dip in the water at Bai Trai Dao beach.
Anchor at Lan Ha Bay and have a leisurely lunch on the water. Disembark and take the ferry back to Hai Phong from Cat Ba Island to pick up your luggage and drive to Hanoi.
Take a late evening flight from Hanoi to Huế and drive to your hotel for the night.

Day 6 (Sightseeing in Huế) (B, L, D)

Once a seat of the Nguyen Dynasty, set out to see the citadel of Huế situated on the banks of the Perfume River. Within the Imperial City are the remains of the Purple Forbidden City, the most intimate space of the imperial family. This complex of buildings is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along the Perfume River (which draws its name from the flowers that float in the water in autumn), lies the Thien Mu pagoda or Pagoda of the Celestial Lady. This seven-story temple was built in the 17th century by the Nguyen Dynasty and expanded upon and refurbished by later emperors.
In the afternoon, make a trip to the Huế Museum of Royal Fine Arts for an in-depth look at Vietnam’s imperial past and spend the evening at your leisure.

Day 7 (Drive to Hoi An via Da Nang) (B, L, D)

After breakfast, drive along the gorgeous coast with glimpses of the sea and mountains, to Da Nang. The Cham Museum of Da Nang has an incredible collection of Champa kingdom sculptures and the Marble Mountains are limestone cliffs offering a stunning view of the South China Sea.
From Da Nang, make your way to Hoi An, where you will be staying for the night. Hoi An is perfect for a walking tour in the afternoon. The historic city centre will give you a taste of Hoi An’s medieval Sino-Vietnamese past while the carved and lacquered building facades and surrounding green countryside make for a picturesque setting. If you take a stroll by the Hoai River after sundown, a special sight will await you. The river is usually ablaze with the floating flower lanterns offered by pilgrims.

Day 8 (Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and explore District 1) (B, L, D)

Transfer to Da Nang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) and check in to your hotel. Saigon is the most populous city in Vietnam and was the former French colonial capital as well as the capital of the Republic of South Vietnam (before the reunification of Vietnam).
In the afternoon, explore the sights and sounds of Saigon with a walking tour of several monuments of the French colonial era in District 1. These include the Opera House, the Town Hall and the Post Office. Notably, the Notre Dame Cathedral was originally built with material solely imported from France, although it has since been repaired and refurbished with Vietnamese material. The Reunification Palace is an important landmark standing testament to Vietnam’s power struggles. Built by the French and originally called the Norodom Palace, the reconstructed palace became the primary residence of the President of South Vietnam, before being renamed Reunification Hall after the end of the Vietnam War.
Spend the evening getting a taste of the incredible street food of Saigon.

Day 9 (Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels and the museums of Ho Chi Minh City) (B, L, D)

The Cu Chi tunnels are a network of underground tunnels lying beneath the Cu Chi district of Saigon. They were invaluable to the Viet Cong war effort and some of the better-preserved sites are open for tourists to crawl into. The area has been converted to a war memorial.
After a simple lunch, make the 70 km drive back to Saigon and see the sights of Cho Lon (Chinatown). The Ba Thien Hau Pagoda is dedicated to the Chinese Sea Goddess Mazu and decorated with delicate porcelain figures and scenes. Try not to lose your head as you go shopping in the impressively large Ben Thahn marketplace for textiles and souvenirs. Admire the glittering lights of Saigon at night from the observation deck of the Bitexco Financial Tower.

Day 10 (Day’s sail down the Mekong River Delta) (B, L, D)

After an early breakfast, drive to Cai Be to board the Cai Be Princess, a traditional Vietnamese sampan boat. It will take you to the wonderful Cai Be Floating Market. Wholesalers of fruit, flowers and vegetable dock in enormous boats, selling their produce. Sample some fresh fruit as you sail the Mighty Mekong and eat lunch at a villa by the river. You will pass through various inlets and by orchards, getting a chance to observe Vietnamese village life, and through the Dong Hoa Phu canal.
On your way back to Saigon, stop at the delightful Tam Ho Bonsai Garden with its collection of fruit and flowering trees.

Day 11 (Sightseeing in Phnom Penh) (B, L, D)

Transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport and fly to your next destination, Phnom Penh in Cambodia. A trip to Cambodia would be incomplete without seeing its capital Phnom Penh.
Visit the Wat Phnom, a 14th century Buddhist temple that gives this city its name and is its central point. If you’re in the mood for opulence, drop by the Royal Palace with its lush gardens and the Silver Pagoda with 5000 silver tiles making up the floor and its fabulous jewel-encrusted statues of Buddha.
Post lunch, visit the National Museum of Cambodia to see its impressive collection of Khmer art. The museum itself was designed in the Khmer architectural style.
Don’t miss the Independence Monument commemorating Cambodia’s independence from French colonial rule before proceeding to Central Market where you may spend the evening. Central Market is a huge market housed in an iconic art deco building. Choose from a dazzling variety of knick-knacks, jewellery, electronics, decorative items, clothes and some produce among other things.

Day 12 (Drive to Siem Reap and explore the city) (B, L, D)

Make a stop at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, in the morning. This building was used as a prison by the Khmer Rouge and offers a record of the Cambodian genocide.
Check out of your hotel and after an early lunch, you will make the long drive to Siem Reap, the final stop on this tour. The early evening is a perfect time to explore the streets and night market of Siem Reap which is the busy gateway to Angkor. Shop for local Cambodian crafts and souvenirs, relax with a drink at a café and soak in the thrum of Siem Reap’s buzzing nightlife.

Day 13 (Visit to Angkor Wat) (B, L, D)

One of the most important archaeological sites in Asia is t he Angkor Archaeological Park. It stretches over 400 square kilometres of forests and contains the ruins of multiple capitals of the Khmer Empire. An early start to your last day of sightseeing will ensure you get to the Angkor Archaeological Park in time to see the glorious sunrise over Angkor Wat. The early morning will also ensure minimal crowds at Ta Prohm, one of the more untouched temples in the complex.
Return to Siem Reap for breakfast and then visit Bayon, the South Gate of the archaeological park for its carvings, and the ancient capital of Angkor Thom. These temples are a mix of Hindu and Buddhist influences under the Khmer emperors.
Grab a quick lunch at one of the small eateries nearby and proceed to the most well-known name in the complex, Angkor Wat. The best time to see it is by afternoon light. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, it is one of the largest and most elegant examples of Khmer architecture. Even with our guided tour, some prior research of the history and layout is recommended. Please observe dressing regulations and note that you must remove shoes before entering areas of active worship.
Return to your hotel in Siem Reap for dinner.

Day 14 (Departure from Siem Reap) (B, -, -)

After breakfast, say goodbye to Cambodia and Vietnam as we convey you to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport. ProVacation hopes to see you again soon!

Classic Vietnam and Angkor Wat

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