Itinerary Overview Day 1: Destination Hanoi

Meet and greet with our tour leader at Malta International Airport to check in at 12:45 for our Emirates flight onwards to our destination Hanoi. The flight departs at 14:45.

Itinerary Overview Day 2: Arrival Hanoi

On arrival at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, we will be driven to the hotel. Once we check in we can enjoy free time to for the remain of the day and the night will be spent in Hanoi.

Itinerary Overview Day 3: Discover the city’s treasures

After breakfast at the hotel, we will be picked up to start a Hanoi city tour and head to Ba Dinh Square. Silent sentries guard the marble and Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and here is where Ho Chi Minh lies in state and you will get to see the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked. The next visit is to the One Pillar Pagoda and here you will learn about the legend of how it was constructed, born from the love of an emperor in the 11th Century. The tour will continue to visit the serene Tran Quoc Pagoda, which is the oldest in Hanoi, situated on the banks of Hanoi’s West Lake. A short visit to see the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 dedicated to Confucius. Truly a serene retreat from the busy streets. The building later became Vietnam’s first ever university.

After lunch at a local restaurant, the driver and guide will take you to visit the Ethnology Museum for an overview of Vietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic and enjoy an orientation of the tree-lined streets of Hanoi, oozing French colonial architecture, including the recently restored Opera House. Pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Lake of Restored Sword from the legend that surrounds it en-route to one of the city’s fascinating museums.

In the afternoon we will take a walk through the streets of the Ancient Quarter of 36 streets District. This densely populated corner of the city was once a centre of commerce where goods were sold under the street name of a particular guild. Still a thriving community of sellers today, you will read street names such as Sugar Street, Tin Street and Paper Street. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores in this souvenir hunter’s paradise. Later on in the day, you will be taken to watch the Water Puppet show an art form unique to northern Vietnam, and a good, light-hearted introduction to its rural culture. We will spend the night in Hanoi.

Itinerary Overview Day 4: Cruising along Ha Long Bay

In the morning we will head out to Ha Long Bay, which is often called Vietnam’s eighth wonder of the world and once visited, it is hard to dispute that claim. Four thousand spectacular limestone outcroppings, cliffs, arches and coves compete for space in an area that is without doubt the most outstandingly naturally beautiful in the country, truly a stunning coastal scenery. On arrival, we will board a boat, a wooden junk that will take you first to the busy World Heritage area Ha Long Bay, which is translated as “Descending Dragon”. The next stop will be at an islet and climb though a series of breathtaking caves and grottoes, marveling at some of the most impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations. Driving on to a secluded beach, here you can enjoy cruising among the cave dotted islands and seeing a number of small fishing boats, which are always a feature of this lovely bay. Weather permitting, you will be able to take a swim, possibly fish or take a climb up a hill to take in the amazing view of Ha Long Bay’s remarkable seascape. All your meals will be provided on board, usually based on fresh seafood. We will spend the night on the boat.

Itinerary Overview Day 5: Ha Long Bay Scenic

A western breakfast is served on the boat and the rest of the morning will be spent cruising Ha Long Bay. We will have lunch around 11.00 am before docking in the harbour. On the way back from Ha Long, we will pass through one of the villages close by to experience the typical lifestyle of the northern farmer. If time permits, we will visit one of the children’s school, after which we return to Hanoi for an overnight stay.

Itinerary Overview Day 6: Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu and Tam Coc

Ninh Binh will be the destination of today, approximately 110 km. On arrival in Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam, our first stop will be a visit to Dinh and Le temples, dedicated to Emperor Dinh and a memory of Emperor Le. We will take a brief visit to the remains of the Old Palace and on to Tam Coc (the 3 grottos) where we will stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, you will be rowed along a gentle river between paddy fields and through the Tam Coc, enjoy the tranquility of a peaceful valley among the limestone ‘karst’ hills on the way back. End of this day we will drive back to Hanoi for an overnight stay.

Itinerary Overview Day 7: Flight to Danang, destination Hoi An

After breakfast at the hotel we will head to the airport for our flight to Danang. On arrival in Danang we will be met and transferred to Hoi An. En-route, we will stop for a brief visit at the Cham museum, one of the first museums built in Vietnam by the French. The Cham left a legacy of excellent sculptures as they were pushed south by the advancing Vietnamese invaders. Our driver and guide will take you to visit My Khe Beach, a place immortalized for many by the US television show and still one of the most spectacular beach in Asia. On the day we will also visit the Marble Mountain, consisting of five marble and limestone hills, all are named after the 5 elements. We will enjoy a visit to the town of Hoi An which has a considerable significance in the history of a Vietnam town. We will enter a narrow street to look at unique Japanese covered bridge, Chinese communal house, shop for art at one of the numerous galleries and enjoy riverside ambience. The night is spent in Hoi An.

Itinerary Overview Day 8: My Son Sanctuary, a fun basket boat ride and release lanterns at Hoai River

We will be picked up from our hotel after breakfast and travel to visit the World Heritage My Son Sanctuary. The guide will show us the remains of the remarkable brick towers, and explain their origins and purpose. In the afternoon we will return to Hoi An, you will experience the fun of travelling in a basket boat ride in and around the coconut forest, learn about the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their families and community. During the trip, the boatman will entertain us with their skills making natural ornaments such as hats, rings, glasses by coconut leaves for you as takeaways. You will surely experience the feeling of floating on water. We will be part of a fun basket boat race which will take place between all the boat baskets, together we will participate in the cheering and bustling of the music drum. Into the evening, our tour guide will take us to Hoai river to join a boat ride and release lanterns at Hoai river. A truly wonderful way to end the day’s trip. Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Itinerary Overview Day 9: Sun World Ba Na hills, the Golden Bridge, picturesque villages, Gothic-style castles and street festivals

After breakfast, our tour guide will pick us up from our hotel and we will start our journey to the Sun World Ba Na hills. Such a stunning view point and you will be give time to take some photos. Our guide will organise tickets for us to take a memorable 20 minutes cable car ride. We will visit the Golden Bridge, a famous attraction in Vietnam, Le Jardin Garden and a visit to an old wine cellar. Next on the agenda is a visit to the French villages, we will get there with the next available cable car. A picturesque village which boasts Gothic-style castles at Du Dôme Square. One can join in the lively street festivals and at 12.00 noon we will stop for a buffet lunch. We will return to Hoi An for the night.

Itinerary Overview Day 10: Scenic panoramic day, destination Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, you will be driven to visit Linh Ung pagoda of Son Tra peninsula. Linh Ung pagoda of Son Tra peninsula is the largest pagoda in Central Vietnam. On arrival you will feel the cool sea wind, enjoy Da Nang panoramic, the Arhat statues and Lady Buddha statues which are the tallest in Vietnam. We will have time to visit Han Market before transferring to the airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer on arrival to our hotel for an overnight stay.

Itinerary Overview Day 10: A day spent exploring Ho Chi Minh City

In the morning, we will spend some time visiting the Cu Chi tunnels, a byzantine maze of underground passage full of chambers, rooms and booby traps used by both the Vietminh and the Viet Cong. In the afternoon, we will visit the Museum of War Remnants which provides a partial, but riveting, perspective of the ‘American War’. A visit to the Centre Post Office within the impressive colonial building, the Cathedral Church and onwards to the Jade Emperor Temple. The Emperor Temple is one of the best Taoist temples in Vietnam, with its superb effigies, remarkable carved panels of the descent to Hell and somewhat incongruous terrapin and tortoise sanctuaries. We will have approximately two hours to visit Ben Thanh market, one of the liveliest areas of Ho Chi Minh City, packed with every conceivable commodity and a visit to lacquer workshop where one can see the complex processes and meticulous workmanship involved in this traditional Vietnamese craft product. You’ll spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.

Itinerary Overview Day 11: Destination My Tho, boat cruise and more

After breakfast, a lovely drive to My Tho, which is a city nearby Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, we will take a boat and cruise along the Mekong River, small canals and channels to Thoi Son Island where we will disembark and walk along a small village road to visit fruit gardens, the elementary school, the local distillery, and witness the daily life of Mekong villagers. Here we have the opportunity to sample some of area’s tropical fruits and watch a traditional music show. After lunch at a local restaurant on the island, we are back on the boat to visit a coconut candy workshop. In the afternoon, our driver will take us back to Ho Chi Minh City for our overnight stay.

Itinerary Overview Day 12: Free time and flight to Siem Reap

A leisurely morning, and free time until we are picked up to go to the airport for our flight to Siem Reap. Time to be advised during the trip. Upon arrival, our transfer will take us directly to the hotel for check in. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Itinerary Overview Day 13: A visit to the world’s largest temple of Angkor Wat and surrounding area

Breakfast at the hotel – Heading out of town we make our way by traveling on a newly paved road to the intricately carved and well preserved temple of Banteay Srei. Along the way we make stopover at the Preah Dark village and following this a visit the Banteay Samre Temple, adorned with impressive reliefs depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna legends. An afternoon visit to Angkor Wat, which is the largest temple in the world, covering an area of 200 hectares. It is surrounded by a moat and an exterior wall which measures 1300 meters by 1500 meters. Back in the town, we then continue to visit the “Les Artisans d’Angkor – Chantiers Ecole” where one can find the finest Authentic Khmer arts and crafts. We will end our visit at one of the city’s lively open markets, Psar Chars, also known as the “Old Market”, where literally anything and everything is for sale. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Itinerary Overview Day 14: A day spent visiting the most impressive temples in the world

Breakfast at the hotel. A visit to Angkor Thom, the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple. The temple was built from the late 12th century to the early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII and consists of 54 towers, the Royal Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King, then Visit Preah Khan temple, built by King Jayavarman VII dedicated to his father. It is a huge and highly exportable monastic complex, served as a Buddhist monastery and a school, engaging over one thousand monks. In the afternoon, we will enter the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm, this monument is truly an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature and followed by Banteay Kdei, then onwards to Preah Rup Temple. We will end our afternoon tour watching the sun set from the top of Phnom Bakeng. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Itinerary Overview Day 15: Last day with a visit to the Floating Village and a scenic trip en-route to the airport for the journey back to Malta

Last breakfast of our trip, taken at the hotel. We will check out and embark on a visit to the Floating Village. Here we will take a ride in a traditional wooden boat on Tonle Sap Lake where we will pass the occupied habitat at the edges of the lake similarly distinctive floating villages, towering stilled houses, huge fish traps, and an economy and way of life deeply intertwined with the lake, the fish, the wildlife and the cycles of rising and falling waters. Our transfer will then take us to the airport to check in for our flight back to Malta.

Price Per Person:

Triple Room	€2900
Double Room	€2963
Single Supplement	€3323

Price includes:

• International flight tickets and airport tax.
• One-way domestic flight tickets: Hanoi, Danang – Ho Chi Minch City by VN, including domestic flight airport taxes.
• One-way international flight ticket: Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap by VN and airport taxes.
• Breakfast and accommodation in twin or double room.
• Boats cruise as programmed.
• Cable car in Bana Hills (Except for tickets to visit Debay Wine Cellar and Wax Museum)
• Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced, safe driver.
• Experienced English-speaking tour guide as indicated in the itinerary.
• Entry fees for all sightseeing as mentioned in the programme.
• Lunches and dinners, as specified, in the local restaurants and on the boat in Ha Long Bay. 12 Lunches + 1 Dinner
• Government Taxes

Price does not include:

• E-Visa fee (€80)
• €75 tips

Bookings are confirmed with a deposit payment of €1000.

Kindly note that it’s advisable to ensure you are up to date on all vaccines before the trip, even though vaccines are not mandatory. We recommend that you take with you a good sun protection cream, sun hat and a good pair of walking shoes.