Description
The Tour
13 days/12-nights - a comprehensive tour taking in the turbulent histories of Vietnam and Cambodia, the beauty of Halong Bay and the Vietnamese coast, and the wonders of the ancient Temples of Angkor. Throughout the tour, experience the warmth of the local people and an enchanting, often mystical beauty as you explore this unspoilt region.
Day 1: London - Hanoi
Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Hanoi with Thai Airways International via Bangkok.
Day 2: Hanoi
On arrival, you will be transferred to the Guoman Hotel for 1 night. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay
After breakfast, take a half-day city tour including a visit to Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and residence, One Pillar Pagoda and the Army Museum. After lunch at a local restaurant, you are driven to Halong, 180km east of Hanoi. Transfer to the Halong Plaza Hotel for 1 night. (B/L)
Day 4: Halong Bay - London
After breakfast, discover Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Known in Vietnamese as 'dragon descending to the sea', the bay has more than 3,000 limestone islets rising from the clear emerald water, many of them containing beautiful grottos. Enjoy a boat trip and marvel at the spectacular scenery. Seafood lunch is included on board. Later, return to Hanoi, visiting Haiphong en route. Overnight at the Guoman Hotel (page 217). (B/L)
Day 5: Danang - Hoi An
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang where you will visit Cham Museum, Marble Mountain and China Beach. Continue to Hoi An, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and discover this historic town - it was a prosperous seaport city during the 16th-18th Centuries. Transfers to Victoria Hoi An for 3 nights in a Superior River View Room. (B/L)
Days 6-7: Hoi An
Enjoy 2 full days at leisure at this beautiful resort, located on a stunning beach. Relax by the pool or beach, or you may wish to cycle into town to do a bit of shopping or try one of the many local restaurants. (B)
Day 8: Hue
After breakfast, travel back to Danang and continue to Hue across the Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Ocean Clouds). Pretty red-tiled villages and fruit orchards line the route, with spectacular views of sky and sea. On arrival in Hue, the royal city of Vietnam's last ruling dynasty, transfer to the Century Riverside Hotel for 1 night in a River View Room. After lunch at a local restaurant, take a boat trip on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and Minh Mang Tomb. (B/L)
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer to the Majestic Hotel (page 217) for 2 nights in a Deluxe Pool or City View Room. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Chinatown, Thien Hau Pagoda and the History Museum, with photo stops at Reunification Hall, Notre Dame Church and Central Post Office. (B/L)
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, journey 75km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels - an amazing complex of underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam war. In the afternoon, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch. Visit the former Presidential Palace and the War Museum. (B/L)
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap
Morning at leisure, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Transfer to the Victoria Hotel (or similar) for 3 nights. Evening at leisure. (B/D)
Day 12: Temples of Angkor
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the magnificent Temples of Angkor. One of the greatest archaeological and architectural sites in the world, the Angkor temples actually spread across 400sq km. Angkor Wat, the most important of the temples, is the largest religious temple in the world. Visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Royal Enclosure, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Remain at the magnificent Angkor Wat until sunset. Dinner is at the hotel this evening. (B/D)
Day 13: Temples of Angkor
Enjoy another day exploring the temples. Visit Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre temples, Ta Prohm and Neak Pean. (B/D)
Day 14: Cambodia - London
Enjoy a morning at leisure, then transfer to Siem Reap airport for your flight to Bangkok, to connect with your overnight Thai Airways International flight to Ho Chi Minh City. (B)
Tour Notes
- Tour departs Sat from Heathrow.
- Accommodation may be substituted to that of a similar standard.
- Tour operates with a min of 2 adults.
- Tickets for flights within Vietnam and to Siem Reap will be provided locally.
- Departure tax US$12 per person is payable locally.
- As well as Vietnam, a visa is also needed for Cambodia, which is obtained upon arrival, requiring 2 passport photos and US$20.
Splendours of Vietnam
A shorter version of the Splendours of Indochina tour, this 9-night tour excludes Cambodia to enable you to extend your stay in Vietnam or head off to your Thai beach resort on day 11.
Splendours of Vietnam and Vietnam Beach
Nha Trang is located in South Vietnam and offers long stretches of white sand beaches and clear waters.
Days 1-10: As per Splendours of Indochina.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City - Nha Trang
Morning at leisure, then transfer to the airport for the short flight to Nha Trang. Transfer to the Evason Ana Mandara Resort (4V+) for a 3-night stay. (B)
Days 12-13: Nha Trang
At leisure to relax and enjoy the water sports, or boat trips to the outlying islands (additional charge).
Day 14: Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh City - London
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, then on to Bangkok for your overnight flight to London Heathrow.
Why not add our 4-day Cambodia extension tour to complete your Indochina experience? See below.
Cambodia Discovery
An optional extension for those selecting the Splendours of Vietnam and Vietnam Beach option, exploring both Phnom Penh, plus Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor.
Days 1-13: As per Splendours of Vietnam and Vietnam Beach (above).
Day 14: Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh
Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, then on to Phnom Penh. Afternoon city tour on arrival. Overnight at Amanjaya Hotel. (B/D)
Day 15: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
After breakfast, transfer to Phnom Penh airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Enjoy a full-day tour of the temples of Angkor. After lunch (not included), visit Angkor Wat until sunset. Overnight at Victoria Angkor hotel. (B/D)
Day 16: Siem Reap
Morning visit to Banteay Srey temple, stopping at villages to see the countryside life. After lunch (not included), visit Ta Prohm, Phreah Khan and Neak Pean temples. Overnight at Victoria Angkor hotel. (B/D)
Day 17: Siem Reap - Bangkok - UK
Enjoy a morning boat trip to the floating village on the Tonle Sap (Mar-Oct) or visit the National Silk Centre in Puok (Nov-Feb). Transfer to Siem Reap airport for your flight to Bangkok and overnight flight to the UK. (B) Prices are per person to be added to your Splendours of Vietnam and Vietnam Beach tour price.
01 Jan-31 Oct '08: £549 per adult.
01 Nov '08-30 Apr '09: £659 per adult.
Splendours of Vietnam and Thailand Beach
Cha-am is just 2½ hours drive from Bangkok and boasts a glorious 4-mile stretch of white sand beach.
Days 1-10: As per Splendours of Indochina.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City - Cha Am
Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport for your flight to Bangkok. On arrival, transfer by road to Cha Am for your 3-night stay at the Holiday Inn Regent Beach Cha Am, room only.
Days 12-13: Cha Am
Time to relax on the beautiful beach at Cha Am, or perhaps do a spot of sightseeing. See our range of pre-bookable excursions. (RO)
Day 14: Cha Am - London
Transfer by road back to Bangkok airport for your overnight Thai Airways International flight to London Heathrow.
Splendours of Indochina and Thailand Beach
After enjoying our full 12-night Splendours of Indochina itinerary, enjoy a 3-night extension in Cha Am for some beach relaxation before returning home to the UK.
Days 1-13: As per Splendours of Indochina.
Day 14: Cambodia - Cha Am
Morning at leisure, then transfer to Siem Reap airport for your flight to Bangkok. On arrival, transfer by road to Cha Am (approx 2 hours 30 min) for your 3-night stay at the Holiday Inn Regent Beach Cha Am, room only.
Days 15-16: Cha Am
Time at leisure to enjoy Cha Am. (RO)
Day 19: Cha Am - London
Transfer by road back to Bangkok airport for your overnight Thai Airways International flight to London Heathrow.
Tour Notes
- Tickets for flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang (vice versa) or Phnom Penh to Siem Reap will be provided on arrival.
- Cambodia Discovery - the boat trip on day 17 to the floating village on the Tonle Sap is not recommended during dry season (Nov-Apr), but will be supplied should conditions permit.