Day 01:    Arrive Siem Reap

Upon arrival at the airport and after clearing the immigrations and customs, meet with your guide and embark on your vehicle for transferring to hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 02:    Siem Reap

Start exploring the stunning temples today by tuk-tuk. Visit the Royal city and former capital of the Khmer Empire; Angkor Thom which consists of several temples. Enter the city through the impressive South Gate and drive towards the Bayon temple. At first glance the temple may seem like a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals enigmatic faces looking into every direction. Continue your exploration with a visit to the Terrace of the Elephants, which served as a platform from where the King viewed the victorious return of his army. Later, visit the Terrace of the Leper King with detailed carvings winding along a narrow passage way that leads to the Baphuon.

In the afternoon, visit some of the wonders of the modern world, Angkor Wat. It was constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries and is the largest Hindu structure in the world. The temple is home to hundreds of fine carvings of Apsara and Hindu mythology. Stroll around the massive hallways to discover small shrines still in use today by the local people. Return to one of the grass terraces in front of the five massive towers of Angkor Wat to watch the sunset before transferring back to your hotel.

Day 03:    Siem Reap

The day is started with a visit to the picturesque Ta Prohm. This temple is considered to be Angkor's most beautiful structure and is overgrown with fig trees, giving a haunting yet exotic atmosphere. The magnificent roots of the trees have merged itself over the centuries with the temple's huge stone blocks, emphasizing a 'forgotten city' feeling.

Return to Siem Reap and visit L'Artisans d'Angkor, an organization focusing on training unschooled rural youth in traditional handicraft skills. Here you can discover traditional Cambodian handicraft skills and observe the artisans at work.

Later in afternoon depart for the jewel of Khmer art, Banteay Srei temple. Translating to "The Citadel of the Women", this red sand-stone temple is one of Angkor's most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings and in an amazing state of preservation. Much of the Angkor civilization can be learned here by studying the remarkable carvings.

Day 04:    Siem Reap / Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival, meet and transferred to hotel. Rest of the day is free to explore the city on your own.

Day 05:    Sai Gon – Cu Chi – Sai Gon

Enjoy a two hour drive northwest of Sai Gon, through urbanized areas and typical lush southern Vietnamese countryside, to the famous Cu Chi tunnels. The tunnel complex was initially started in 1948 to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. The tunnels also served as communication routes, storage facilities for food and weapon caches as well as hospitals and living quarters for guerrilla fighters throughout the American war. A visit to the underground villages will provide a better understanding of the tunnels' history, the hardship of life in the tunnels and the Vietnamese resilience during combat. Return to Sai Gon in afternoon.

Sai Gon 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, Sai Gon retains its connections with the past. A walking tour to admire Sai Gon'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 Sai Gon. 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. Finally, the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Sai Gon Government during the American war, is a short drive away and reveals the history of Sai Gon during its turbulent recent past.

Day 06:    Sai Gon – Cai Be – Sai Gon

Today visit The Mekong Delta, south west of Sai Gon, known as the rice bowl of Viet Nam. Cai Be is located in Tien Giang province, a two hour drive from Sai Gon, drive through 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 Sai Gon. (Note: It is recommended to depart hotel around 7.00am since Cai Be market is busy early morning but slows down mid morning)

Day 07:    Ho Chi Minh – Hanoi

Today check out hotel and proceed towards Airport. On arrival check in your flight for Hanoi. On arrival at Hanoi, get transferred to hotel. Later in afternoon, enjoy a half-day tour in the capital of the country.

With ochre-colored 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. 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 Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest of all pagodas in Hanoi - located beside the dazzling West Lake; and Quan Thanh Temple with its spacious and charming landscape helps highlight the ancient and romantic beauty of this area.

Day 08:    Hanoi – Ha Long Bay

After breakfast, be ready at the hotel's lobby and picked up for the transfer to Ha Long Bay. Depart for a 3.5-hour journey to Halong Bay stopping for a break at Dai Viet Center – the best place to stop and stretch your legs en route. On arrival in Halong Bay, board your junk, settle into your cabin and prepare your appetite for an enjoyable lunch on deck. In mid-afternoon visit the mysterious Tien Ong cave, adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, and then continue to the Cua Van fishing village, the largest fishing community on the bay. Head back to the boat, participate in a cooking class with the chef or enjoy sunset on the top deck before dinner. Overnight on junk.

Day 09:    Ha Long Bay – Hanoi

Rise early and greet the day with another refreshing Tai Chi class on the upper deck. Transfer from the main boat to a small beach on Ti Top Island. Those wanting a bit of exercise can climb to the top of the island (20 minutes). Later, board the main boat and enjoy a delicious buffet brunch while cruising back to shore. Arrive at the jetty in late morning then transfer back to Hanoi (Light snack provided en route). On arrival check in hotel and relax for the day.

Day 10:    Hanoi – Departure

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

End of Holidays...!!!

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