Explore the World Heritages of Indochina
Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Dong Hoi – Hue - Hoi An – My Son Sanctuary - Siem Reap
14 Days/13 Nights
14 Days/13 Nights
This is a theme tour focusing on World Heritage sites. Vietnam is homeland to eight inscribed World Heritage Sites by UNESCO and Cambodia hosts two sites. We include in this program seven heritage sites including the Natural heritage of Ha Long Bay in the north of Vietnam, Phong Nha Ke Bang in the centre of Vietnam, the cultural heritage of Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Hue Imperial Citadel, Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam, and the Angkor Complex in Cambodia.
There are 3 left and if you can extend the length of your exploration journey, it’s our pleasure to include them!
Day 1: Hanoi - Arrival (D)
Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel in the city center to check in. Relax after a long-haul flight.
In the evening, enjoy your Welcome Dinner with Vietnamese cuisine at an elegant French colonial restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Explore Hanoi (B)
After breakfast, the day starts with visit to the complex dedicated to Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder, to see Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the house on stilts, and One Pillar Pagoda. Next up, visit the Centre Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hanoi, which was built in the 11th century and was listed as the World Heritage Site list in 2010. Lunch will be at your own expense.
In the afternoon, visit Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, constructed in 11th century. And then take a cyclo (richshaw) ride around the Old Quarter streets which were named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. Stop at Hoan Kiem Lake to learn about the legend of the lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple, followed by the Water Puppet show - a uniquely Northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi - the World Natural Heritage of Ha Long Bay by car (B/L/D)
After breakfast at our hotel, you will depart by road to Ha Long Bay, your first World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. Travel through the rich farmlands of the Delta of Red River and the landscape of rice fields, water buffalo, and daily life of the Vietnamese village. Arrive in Ha Long and board a traditional Junk. Lunch on board. The cruise passes by the many karst rocks and islets in many funny shapes. The cruise may stop for a while to visit Surprise Cave. Later on, the Junk moves to quiet docking area for overnight. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi (Brunch)
In the morning, your brunch will be served while doing further cruising to explore the beauties of the bay before returning to the wharf. The Junk continues cruising toward Ha Long port for disembarking. Our car will be there to pick you up and return you to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 5: Hanoi – Dong Hoi by flight – Paradise Grotto & the World Natural Heritage of Phong Nha (B)
Early morning you will board a flight to Dong Hoi. Upon arrival, you’re greeted by our guide and travel along Victory Road 20, a historic road used during the Vietnam-American War. Arrive at Paradise Grotto, an amazing cave with various shapes of stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is the longest cave in South East Asia (31km) and was found by the farmer Ho Khanh in 2005. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, before heading to impressive Phong Nha Cave located in Ke Bang National Park. Take a 25-minute boat on Son River hidden between lime-stone cliffs to Phong Nha cave, famous for its fascinating rock formations where your imagination can play its role! Overnight in Dong Hoi.
Day 6: Dong Hoi - DMZ - Hue (B/L)
After breakfast, you will check out your hotel and drive to Quang Tri for visiting the historical sites of Khe Sanh Combat, Ho Chi Minh Trail, Rock Pile, etc. You’ll have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, continue to Hue with a stop en route to visit Quang Tri Old Citadel. Overnight in Hue.
Day 7: Hue – the World Culture Heritage site (B/L)
Hue is the last imperial capital of Vietnam. It’s well-known for magnificent architecture, pagodas and royal tombs laid in small villages and surrounding hills.
In the morning you’ll visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue, Minh Mang King’s Tomb (in typical formal oriental style), and Thien Mu Pagoda that is Hue’s best-preserved religious monument. It is a historic pagoda with its seven-storey tower on the banks of the Perfume River, apart from their scenic riverside and hilltop location. Lunch will be at a local restaurant with Hue cuisine. In the afternoon we will visit the elaborate mausoleums of Emperors Tu Duc, and later in the afternoon take a boat cruise on the Huong River to admire the sunset. Overnight in Hue.
Day 8: Hue – the UNESCO Heritage Site of Hoi An by car (B/L)
Today we will heading to Hoi An through Hai Van pass, and Lang Co beach – one of the most beautiful beaches of Vietnam. Visit Cham Museum on the way, the open air collection of Cham sculpture. Many of the sandstone carvings are breathtaking. After check-in at your hotel, take a guided walking tour around Hoi An Ancient Town. The town was an old trading port, dating back to 15-16th century. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Hall, and the local market. There are numerous art galleries, souvenirs and tailor shops where you can get some express made-to-order clothes if you like!
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9: the cultural Heritage Site of My Son Sanctuary (B/L)
After breakfast, we travel about 50km from Hoi An to My Son sanctuary. It comprises many Champa temples in a valley roughly two kilometers wide, surrounded by two mountain ranges. It was the site of religious ceremony of kings of the Champa dynasty, and was also a burial place of Champa royals and national heroes. The My Son temple complex is one of the foremost temple complexes of Hinduism in South East Asia and is the foremost heritage site of this nature in Vietnam. Though the complex has been destroyed over time, we still see many majestic ancient ruins of temples in the area.
Afternoon is free for swimming in the sea or in the swimming pool at your hotel, sunbathing or another walk in the town where you can have clothing personally tailored or do more shopping. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 10: Hoi An – free (B)
A free in Hoi An to chill out by poolside at your resort, or leisurely stroll around Hoi An to buy more souvenirs for your family, or visit My Son Sanctuary, ruins of Cham kingdoms in the centre of Vietnam, or learn recipes of central Vietnam style food in a cooking class.
Day 11: Hoi An – Danang – Siem Reap by flight (B)
You will be free in Hoi An in the morning before being driven to the airport for your 90 minute flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, you’re met by our guide and check in to your hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 12: Discover World Heritage site of Angkor (B)
After breakfast, we start a very special and busy day as you will explore some of Angkor’s most beautiful temples. You will visit Angkor Thom from its West Gate – less discovered by mass tourism:
- The ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), see the South Gate
- Bayon Temple- unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara
- Baphuon Temple: lying just to the north of Bayon, a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.
We continue to visit the fabulous Ta Prohm embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers. Ta Prohm was built in the 12th century. It’s a Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of King Jayavarman VII.
The day ends with more visits to Banteay Kdei and Pre Rup temples. Banteay Kdei was built in 12th century by king Jayavarman II in Mahaya Buddhism. There are at least two different art periods Angkor Wat and Bayon discernible at this temple. Pre Rup temple was built in second half of the tenth century (961) by the King Rajendraman II dedicated to the god Siva (Hindi), replica to Pre Rup style of art. Its high towers are the best place for watching the sunset. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 13: Siem Reap – Banteay Srei & Banteay Samre - Tonle Sap Lake (B)
After breakfast, you will have another busy day! You‘ll visit more amazing temples outside of Siem Reap:
- Banteay Srei: nearly everyone’s favorite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation, and the excellence of its decorative carving
- Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer.
Evening is your free time to walk along the busy pub streets, pop up at a bar for a cool drink or shop at the Angkor Night Market. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 14: Siem Reap - Departure (B)
You will be free today to relax and prepare until being transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
:>> Our prices include:
> Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room
> Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced safe driver
> The services of an experienced English-speaking guide throughout the tour (please note: guides will be on hand from pick-up until guests’ return to their hotel or reaching their destination)
> Where necessary, entry fees and permission to enter border areas for all visits mentioned in the program
> Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available
> In-tour flight tickets: Hanoi – Dong Hoi, Danang – Siem Reap (2 flights) with Vietnam Airlines and economy class
> VAT and other taxes
:>> Our prices do not include:
> International flight tickets and airport tax
> Vietnamese Visa handling and stamp fee
> Dinners, except as specified above
> Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses
> Camera fees (if any)
> Insurance
