Welcome to a world where the colours are more vivid, where the landscapes are bolder, the coastline more dramatic, where the history is more compelling, where the tastes are more divine, where life is lived in the fast lane. This world is Vietnam, the latest Asian dragon to awake from its slumber.

Nature has blessed Vietnam with a bountiful harvest of soaring mountains, a killer coastline and radiant rice fields, Vietnam is a cracker. Inland, peasant women in conical hats still tend to their fields, children ride buffalos along country paths and minority people scratch out a living from impossible gradients.

Vietnam
Essential Vietnam Tour - 9 Days / 8 Nights

Day 01: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), also known as Saigon to the locals. With the entire day at leisure, take some time to recover from jet lag or explore the city on your own. 
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 02: Ho Chi Minh City (B):
Today, a full day tour introduces you to the diverse attractions of HCMC. Venture into the Chinese quarter at Cholon, learn about traditional Vietnamese medicine at FITO Museum and browse the amazing array of goods at Ben Thanh Market. This afternoon, visit either the War Remnants or History Museum, and the former Presidential Palace for a glimpse into Vietnamese history before ending with an exploration of the city's French-influenced colonial architecture.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 03: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City (B)
This morning, enjoy a 2.5 hour drive past rural villages and rice paddies to Cai Be in the Mekong Delta. Embark on a cruise to visit the bustling Cai Be floating market, observe the production of rice paper and coconut candies at cottage industries and sample local Mekong specialties for lunch. When the cruise ends, return by road to the city.  
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 04:  Ho Chi Minh City - Danang - Hoi An (B)

An early morning flight leads you to the central port city of Danang, and onward to Hoi An. At Hoi An, take a walking tour of this ancient Southeast Asian trading town to see the Chinese-style shophouses, Japanese Covered Bridge and other historic architecture. Late this afternoon, enjoy a sunset boat trip.
Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 05: Hoi An - Hue (B)
Driving to Hue via Danang, the overland journey includes a stop at the Cham Museum before passing through the panoramic Hai Van Pass and the picturesque fishing village of Lang Co. In Hue, explore the Imperial Citadel, the Mausoleum of Tu Duc, before capping the day at Khai Dinh's Tomb, a unique tomb that marries traditional Vietnamese and European styles.
Overnight in Hue.

Day 06: Hue - Hanoi (B)
Start your day with a cruise on the iconic Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, which contains beautiful Buddha images, and the Tomb of Minh Mang, an opulent complex of gardens and ponds. Depart Hue this afternoon for a short flight to Hanoi, and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 07: Hanoi (B)
Today features a full day of sightseeing in Hanoi, with visits to landmark attractions such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his former stilted residence, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature and the ancient Buddhist pagodas surrounding West Lake. Then, explore the narrow, atmospheric streets of the Old Quarter. This afternoon, you can choose to visit either the Ethnology, Army or National Fine Arts Museum to get an overview of Vietnamese culture or history. Depending on availability, end the day with a water puppet show to discover traditional Vietnamese art forms.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 08: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B,L,D)
This morning, drive through the fertile farmlands of the Red River Delta to Halong City. Board the Emeraude, a classic replica of a colonial steamship, for the overnight cruise on Halong Bay. Enjoy the magnificent scenery as the boat sails around the emerald waters and craggy limestone cliffs.
Overnight on Halong Bay

Day 09: Halong - Hanoi Departure (B)
Enjoy the beauty of Halong Bay in the morning hours as your boat sails back to Halong City. After disembarkation, drive back to Hanoi with an optional to stop at But Thap, one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. Spend the remaining time at your leisure until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight.


Extend This Tour With...
Angkor Discovery - 4 Days / 3 Nights
Day 01: Arrive Siem Reap
Arrive in Siem Reap, the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor and the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire. You will start with a visit to the great city of Angkor Thom. An eight metre high wall surrounds this ancient civilisation that was the last capital of the empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. From here you continue to the Bayon Temple and the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. As the day comes to a close, visit a local temple and receive a private blessing from a monk, a special and memorable occasion.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 02: Siem Reap (B)
After breakfast you will depart through the countryside and start with the early Angkor-era temples of the Roluos, the first town created by the kings of Cambodia. Next you will see the splendor of Bangkok temple, built in 881 AD by King Indravarman I, and what remains of the ambitious Lolei temple. In the afternoon you will explore the temples of the Small Circuit. The most famous among these is Ta Prohm, built between the mid 12th to early 13th centuries and is overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground making for a truly memorable site. Your visit will also include Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the 'pool of ablutions'.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 03: Siem Reap (B)
Take time to enjoy breakfast before visiting the Banteay Srey and Banteay Samre. One of the smallest temples in the region, Banteay Srey is also one of the most beautiful, showcasing the most exquisite, deep and complex carvings in all Khmer architecture. On the way back to Siem Reap you will visit Banteay Samre, on the eastern edge of the Angkor complex and a local village to see the production of rice paper and palm wine. In the afternoon,to visit the biggest religious temple in the world - the magnificent Angkor Wat. Built by Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is considered a masterpiece of Khmer architecture.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 04: Departure Siem Reap (B)
After breakfast, drive to Lake Tonle Sap where you will have the opportunity to learn about life on the water. Tonle Sap is Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, the size of which quadruples during the wet season. You will board a boat and visit Kampong Phluck to see life in this floating village. There will be a chance to visit the Artisans D'Angkor workshop to see wood and stone carvings or visit the local markets before transferring to the airport for the departure flight.


Ratanakiri Experience - 5 Days / 4 Nights

Day 01: Phnom Penh - Kratie (L,D)
Journey overland from the capital, Phnom Penn, via Kompong Cham. One of the largest province-towns in Cambodia, Kompong Cham is a transport and trade hub for the area. You will also visit Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei, home to classic examples of colonial architecture, and the French established Chhup rubber plantation, ensuring that the overland journey is as interesting as the rest of the tour.
Overnight at Udom Sambath Hotel, Kratie.

Day 02: Kratie - Banlung (B,L,D)
Enjoy a breakfast of local food before departing for Kampie by boat for a chance to see the rare Mekong River-Dolphins. You will then return to town for lunch before continuing to the sleepy capital of the province, Banlung. After a long day's travel, enjoy a relaxing dinner at your hotel.
Overnight at Terres Rouges Lodge, Banlung.

Day 03: The Kroeung territory (B,L,D)
Today you will leave by jeep on a bumpy road to discover the waterfalls that surround the area, including the stunning Teuk Cha. Then, head northwest across lush bamboo forests to the village of Voeune Sai, a Chinese enclave of Cambodian territory where most villagers don't even speak Khmer. If possible, you will take a boat (or go by jeep) to the village of Ka Choan, home to some superb totems. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Overnight at the Terres Rouges Lodge, Banlung

Day 04: The Kroeung territory (B,L,D)
Heading further north towards Laos, you reach the village of Taveng. First crossing Veyrum Plang, a round lava field in the forest, you will then come to what the locals call the "Tiger caves". The further north you go, the more beautiful the forest becomes. In some Kroeung villages, depending on the season, you might discover the impressive stilted bachelor-houses. Depending on the time and the state of the dirt road, a picnic lunch will be provided before exploring the nearby villages.

The day is completed by a trip to the volcanic lake of Yeark Laom, a superb place surrounded with pristine rainforest, where you can swim or take a walk around the lake. Enjoy your final dinner here as you reflect upon your incredible journey to the remote northwest.
Overnight at Terres Rouges Lodge, Banlung.

Day 05: Ratanakiri - Phnom Penh - Departure (B,L)
An early-morning departure for a quick tour of Banlung market marks the end of the tour, followed by a long overland-transfer directly back to Phnom Penh.

ast at hotel, free time until transfer to Jogyakarta airport for your next destination.