Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Saigon via flight (your own tickets, flight information to be advised)
Upon arrival, when you leave the airport terminal please look for a tour guide displaying a welcome signboard with your name on it. Meet you up and transfer to your hotel for check-in (Early check-in is NOT included and subject to availability) and relax.

Day 02: Saigon City Tour
Saigon is the country’s commercial centre and, with over nine million inhabitants and five million motorbikes, a city that never sleeps. Despite the well-documented hustle and bustle, Saigon retains its connections with the past. A walking tour to admire Saigon’s historic landmarks is a must. Transfer to Dong Khoi street., or Rue Catinat as it was known in the time of the French occupation, to discover some of the beautiful French colonial buildings built in the late 19th and early 20th century. Appreciate the splendidly restored exteriors of the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville which are still two of the finest buildings in Saigon. Wander up to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris. (It is only possible to visit inside when no service is being performed) Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel, before he had risen to fame for the Eiffel Tower. The former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war, is a short drive away and reveals the history of Saigon during its turbulent recent past. Head out of the city centre on a short 6km drive to District 5 to visit Thien Hau temple, built by the Cantonese congregation in the early 19th century to honour the Goddess of the Sea. The temple’s ornate interior courtyard is always full of life as worshippers from the local Chinese community come to offer their prayers. Take time to make a wish, write it on a small card and attach it to one of the incense coils in the local custom. Continue your visit to FITO(closed on Monday), the first museum of traditional medicine in Vietnam, offering an insight into how traditional medicine was used in the past. Return to your hotel.

Day 03: Cai Be (Mekong Delta)
The Mekong Delta, south west of Saigon, is known as the rice bowl of Vietnam. Cai Be is located in Tien Giang province, a two hour drive from Saigon, and you will notice lush rice paddies and fruit farms emerging alongside the highway as you leave the city behind for the peaceful Mekong Delta. On arrival, board the charming Mekong Queen, a wooden motorboat, which will help you get closer to daily life and agricultural activities along the Mekong River. Visit the small Cai Be floating market, experience how people exchanging goods, fruit and many other commodities on their boats. Continue cruising for another 20 minutes before enjoying a short stroll through palm fringed trails to observe traditional Delta life and to visit a family-run business. Lunch will be served at an ancient Mandarin house where four generations of family members live together. After feasting on Mekong Delta specialties, you may wish to take a stroll around the orchard to see how fruit is cultivated. Chose to either walk or be rowed in a sampan along the small canals back to the Mekong Queen before returning to the pier. Transfer back to Saigon.
(Note: it is recommeded to depart hotel around 7.00am since Cai Be market is busy early morning but slows down mid morning)

Day 04: Saigon / Hanoi (air / Economy class / Trails of Indochina to book)
Early this morning, transfer to the airport for a 2-hour domestic flight to Hanoi, Vietnam’s 1000-year-old capital city.

With ochre-coloured colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes, Hanoi is full of charm. Start the tour at the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument lavishly built using marble and granite, and where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” resides. (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed every Monday & Friday, all afternoons and from early September until mid November). A short walk from the mausoleum is the lotus shaped One Pillar Pagoda – resting on a single stone pillar emerging from the water. Wind your way afterwards to the Temple of Literature, the first University for the sons of mandarins, for an overview about Hanoian culture and appreciation for ancient Vietnamese architecture. In the afternoon, drive to central Hanoi for a walking tour through the Old Quarter to enjoy the bustling local life, then cap off the day with a show at the water puppet theatre - a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes of rural life and episodes of national history.

Day 05: Hanoi / Halong Bay (around 160km ~ 3,5hours drive)
Embark on a 3.5 hour drive to Halong Bay with a quick rest stop at Hong Ngoc Center – the best place to stop and stretch your legs en route. On arrival in Halong Bay, board your deluxe junk, settle into your cabin and prepare your appetite for an enjoyable lunch on deck. Mid-afternoon you will visit the mysterious atmosphere of Tien Ong cave, adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, then continue to the Cua Van fishing village, the largest community on the bay. This will allow a closer look into the lives of local fishermen before you transfer to a bamboo boat and are rowed slowly through the village with a museum and a school among floating houses. Back to the boat, a cooking class is offered with the chef if you are interested while your boat leisurely cruise be amazed or enjoy sunset cocktails and canapés on up top deck before served wonderful dinner on board tonight.

Day 06: Halong Bay / Hanoi
Wake up early and partake in a Tai Chi class which is held on the upper deck. Visit Soi Sim Island, here you can relax in azure water of Halonng Bay or enjoy over 200 steps to the up top for panoramic view of the whole bay. Back to the boat for boarding towards the shore while brunch is served. Prepare your luggage and hand your key to the reception for check out. Arrive at the jetty late morning and transfer back to Hanoi with light snack provided en route. Opt to visit a traditional pottery workshop en route.

Day 07: Hanoi / Luang Prabang (air / Economy class / Trails of Indochina to book)
Early this morning, transfer to the airport for a short international flight to Luang Prabang, Laos – once referred to as the jewel of Indochina.

Start your day with a visit to the Royal Palace, which is now a National Museum and houses the precious exhibits that used to be possessions of the former Laos Royal family. (Open from 8:30am to 11.30am and from 1.30pm to 3.30pm daily except on Tuesdays) Continue with the exploration of the main Buddhist temples of Luang Prabang including; Wat Visoun, a 16th century temple which serves as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat That Luang (monastery of the big stupas). Interestingly, the ashes of King Sisavang Vong and his brother are interred inside the large stupa, which was erected in 1910. A smaller stupa in front dates back to 1820; Wat Xiengthong, a 16th century temple which epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture. Take the opportunity to interact with the monks at the Wat Mai temple before ending the day with a climb of 328 steps to the top of Phousi Hill. Where you can watch the sun set over Luang Prabang town and the two rivers and forested hills which form its natural borders.

Day 08: Luang Prabang – Hill tribes visit
Start the day early with a drive of 2.5 hours to Ban Nayang village. The village is home to the Tai Lu minorities, who migrated from Yunnan, China in the late 18th century. Upon arrival, walk a short distance to the village which is home to about 500 Tai Lu tribal people. The villagers grow their own cotton and each household has two or three weaving looms beneath their living quarters. The houses are all built on stilts, which is particular to the Tai Lu. Observe the distinct weaving style of the villagers, who produce table cloths, wall decorations and scarves. Although shy by nature, the villagers are open to talk about their daily life activities and you are invited to interact with the local people. Learn more about their efforts to preserve their traditional working methods and crafts. Lunch is cooked by the villagers and served in a local home. Enjoy the afternoon mingling with the locals and going around the area to learn more about daily life in the village. Head back to Luang Prabang in mid afternoon.
This tour is maximum for 10 persons only.

Day 09: Luang Prabang / Vientiane (air / Economy class / Trails of Indochina to book)
This morning, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Vientiane.

Situated on the northern bank of the Mekong River facing Thailand, Vientiane is a quaint and easygoing town compared to other frenetic capitals in the region. Meet with your guide upon arrival and enjoy some free time before starting for a stroll around the city. Admire how French colonial architecture sits beautifully next to gilded temples. Visit the serene Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple surviving the Siamese war of 1828 and home to over 8,000 Buddha statues. Continue to Wat Ho Phra Keo, the former home of the Emerald Buddha statue. Nowadays it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and artefacts found in and around Vientiane. Enjoy a rest and continue in the afternoon to That Luang, considered to be the symbol of Laos. Continue to Patouxay, also known as the Arc de Triomphe, which was built in the 1960’s in commemoration of those who died during the wars of the past. You may choose to finish your day as many of the locals do, relaxing by the Mekong River to watch the sunset over a drink (on your own accounts).
Enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 10: Vientiane departure (your own tickets, flight information to be advised)
Enjoy the morning at leisure until your departure flight.

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