Fascinating Vietnam & Thailand

Welcome to Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City, the largest metropolis in Vietnam!

Being the largest metropolis in Vietnam, Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City is a very dynamic city that contains a big blend of old and new, East and West. This place is characterized by busy traffic, fast moving daily life, skyscrapers, exciting nightlife and is home of some best street foods. 

Met and greeted at the airport and transfer to hotel for check in.
Remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, depart Saigon centre for a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the most famous war relics in Vietnam and the World. The system was dug and used as a stronghold of Viet Minh and Viet Cong from 1948 to 1975 during the first and second Indochina War.
This underground city consists of more than 200km of narrow underground tunnels that connecting half or total covered hideouts, shelters, fighting bunkers, hospital, school, living rooms and so on with air filters, airtight covers, booby traps and sentries were all part of the system.

Watch a documentary film introducing the war time then walk along sinous paths run under tropical foliages to explore the tunnel system. Discover secret entrance, booby traps, visiting workshops, clinics and so on...
It is the chance for you to creep into a tunnel to experience how the Vietcong lived and fought during that time and learn more about Vietnam War as well as how strong people’s determination can be.

This afternoon we will spend our time to explore city’s highlights including War Remnants Museum (or History Museum), Reunification Palace - formerly known as the Independence Palace which was the Presidential Palace of the South Vietnam before North Vietnamese tanks seized on the morning of April 30 1975, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office and Dong Khoi Street - formerly Rue Catinat – that made famous by Graham Greene in his best-selling book The quiet American. Perhaps take a sit by the veranda of colonial building Continental hotel sipping cafe au late watching the current of people an time pass by.
End our day with a visit to the Ben Thanh Market - the central market with plenty of local products.
Evening is at your leisure..

Summary of inclusions

Get transferred to the airport for flight to Da Nang, gateway to Hoi An ancient town.

This afternoon we take a walking tour of Hoi An ancient town with visits to Hoi An’s Colorful Local Market, ancient houses, Chinese Assembly Hall, The 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi An Museum and so on…
As this is also a food tour so, you will have a walk along streets and hidden alleys for the food discovery. You can have chance to eat more than 6 dishes: Cao lau, Quang noodle, white rose, VAC cake, fried wonton, chicken rice and so on.
It is also the chance for you to learn about the local life and their cooking, dining style.

Remainder of the day is at your leisure for shopping, sightseeing or beach relax at your own pace.

Summary of inclusions

This morning you will take a transfer out to Bana Hills Station.  You will have a chance to ride on the World’s longest cable cars to get a bird’s-eye view, enjoying a feeling of flying in the blue sky amidst the clouds and wind.
Upon arrival, take 15 minute walk to the Giant Hand Golden Bridge - A new building (just opened in June 2018) in Thien Thai garden in Ba Na Hills. The bridge is located at a height of 1,400M, between a sea of clouds, including 8 spans with a length of nearly 150m.
Following, visit the Flower Garden, Hiking Train, Debay wine cellar, and Linh Ung Pagoda…
After that, take the second cable car to the top (which is another 10 minutes) and visit the top of Nui Chua National Park and discover Linh Chua Linh Tu Temple, Linh Phong Tu Tower, Belfry, Beer House, Tru Vu Teahouse and Linh Phong Thien Tu and the Fantasy Park – the largest indoor amusement park in Vietnam.
Return to cable car station and drive back to Hoi An.
Remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast and free at leisure until check out time then get transferred to Da nang airport for your flight to Ha Noi.

This afternoon we will take a sightseeing tour of Hanoi and spend our time to explore city’s some highlights including the Temple of Literature - Vietnam's first university that built from 1076, the memorial complex for the historic figure and father of modern Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential palace, Uncle Ho's house on stilts, One Pillar Pagoda.
Later of the day, take a walking tour around the Hoan Kiem Lake, visiting the monuments and statue of the two Kings: Le Thai To and Ly Thai To those left their prominent works to the founding and development of the capital city, the Ngoc Son Temple where a legendary turtle is reserved.
Following, wander through the maze of colorful streets of Hanoi Old Quarter for sightseeing and enjoying food tasting of Hanoi specialty.

Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, get picked up by bus and leave Hanoi for a more than 2 hours drive along the Red River Delta to Halong Bay, the Natural World Heritage site that dubbed one of the most beautiful places on earth. 
Check in on board and make your way cruise amongst thousands of dramatic lime stone islands jutting off from emerald water surface. In the afternoon we visit a limestone cave and do some kayaking and swimming (depending on the weather).
Enjoy a brief cooking class on board and have dinner with fresh seafood.
Your accommodation tonight is a truly special experience – sleeping on board surrounded by high limestone karsts under star live sky.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, take a rowing boat tour around to visit to explore a nature tunnel and karst largoon. Later, you will cruise to visit another part of the Halong Bay.
Lunch is served on your way cruising back to the harbor.
Disembark the boat at early noon (11.00 – 11.30 depending on boat and tide).

Drive back Hanoi and enjoy some free time until we take a transfer to the train station for our overnight train ride to Lao Cai, gateway to Sapa town.
Overnight on board the train in AC soft sleeper cabin

Summary of inclusions

Arrival in Lao Cai in early morning.
Take breakfast at a local restaurant then get on a drive uphill to visit to colorful weekly hill tribe markets.
Here you’ll see local people from different mountains gather to exchange their products, showing up their best costume and find their partners in one of the most colorful weekly fairs of the highland.
Wander through, enjoy the atmosphere, try some local specialties and get for you some best photos.

Drive back down to Lao Cai then uphill to Sapa in the afternoon.
Remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, get transferred to the trekking point for exciting half day trekking through the fascinating landscapes of the Muong Hoa River valley along towering mountains, terraced fileds, bamboo forest, rustic hill tribe villages of Black Hmong, Dzao and Dzay people.
On the way we will have chance to observe locals working on their land and perhaps joining with locals at their farm work, visiting local houses to learn about their life style and traditions, getting for you some best photos of landscapes and daily life scenes.

Pick up and transferred back the town for late lunch then enjoy some interesting shopping or simply pamper yourself with a massage to ease your muscles. 
Later, take a van drive downhill then along the highway back Hanoi.
Check in hotel in the evening and free at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Vietnamese cooking, very natural and friendly to people health, can be seen on what people have for their daily meals at the market. The concept of dinning is implied through the show of ingredients. It is not only fresh but also colorful and balanced. In this tropical agriculture land that profoundly influenced by the concept of Yin Yang harmony, each ingredient play a certain role in making a perfect balance.

This morning you will spend time at a Hanoi cooking class to discover special recipes of Hanoi cuisine.
Accompanied by local chef for a visit to a food market, one of busy traditional food markets of Hanoi. The chef with his extensive knowledge about Vietnamese cuisine will introduce you about Vietnamese cooking ingredients, how they are grew and traditional way of processing.
Back to the class and start our hands-on cooking experience. The chef will introduce you how to play with ingredients and very detail of each step in the cooking process.
It is then time to enjoy your own creation and check how wonderful cook you are.

Get transfer to the airport for a short flight to Chiang Mai.
Check in hotel and remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, leave the hotel for a short drive out of the town then along the scenic winding mountain road to the Doi Suthep Temple, the holiest temple in Chiang Mai which situated on a hill thousand meters above the surrounding landscapes. Climb the 309 step naga-guarded stairway up to the temple, exploring the fascinating temple ground, listen to the beautiful chanting by resident monks and enjoy the rewarding view of Chiang Mai’s downtown and surroundings.
Following, drive to the Royal Park Rajapruek, a wonderful botanical garden that covers an area of 80 hectares and divided into different zones with the prominent Lanna architecture of Ho Kham Luang Royal Pavilion perched at the center.
Spend our time to explore the Orchid Garden to see rare orchids and hop into different areas to explore the architectures and gardening cultures from different countries around the world.
Today you will also visit Bor Sang village that is well known for traditional handicrafts of paper umbrella-making and Sankampeng village where you will have chances to explore other famous traditional handicrafts such as silk weaving, woodcarving, silversmith, and lacquer wares making.

Return to your hotel in remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast at the hotel.
Today you will have a free day to enjoy shopping, exploring Chiang Mai at your own pace.
Overnight in hotel in Chiang Mai.

Summary of inclusions

Morning flight to Phuket, Thailand’s largest island that listed as one of the world’s finest beach destinations. This island city is known for its great stretches of powdery white sand with coconut palms, emerald water, warm sunlight all year round and striking town atmosphere offering little something for everyone.

Get pick up from the airport upon arrival and transfer to hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is at your leisure for kicking back with sun, sea, sand and cocktails.
In the evening, it is time to join in exciting nightlife of Phuket with neon lights, sidewalk open air restaurants, bars and nightclubs. A visit to one of Phuket night markets would be great, otherwise consider one of exciting cabaret shows.   

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast is at the hotel. Enjoy your day for sun, sea and sand.
Also, you may like to take an optional trip to visit the Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary and the Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre located in the remaining untouched rain forest of the island, and take wonderful swimming in the nearby Bang Pae waterfalls. Another option is the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary or the Tiger Kingdom where you can get close contact with these big animals.

Overnight in hotel.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast at the hotel then head out on a tour to explore the prominent Phi Phi Islands.
Being one of the most famous island group in southern Thailand, Koh Phi Phi is a paradise for beach lovers that is known for its amazing rock cliffs, stunning white sandy beaches, colourful coral reefs, honey tropical sun and crystal clear water.

Embark a speed boat to Phi Phi Leh where you will visit the Maya Bay which was made famous by the movie “The Beach”. After a time for relax and swimming in beautiful crystal water, continue on to Loh Samah Bay and followed by Pileh Lagoon where you enjoy wonderful snorkeling to see coral, explore rock cliffs and soak up tropical sun.
Lunch is served at beachside restaurant.

In the afternoon we will visit Monkey Beach where you can feed the monkeys then continue to Bamboo Island for relaxing and swimming in the tropical waters before getting back to your hotel. 

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy your time for relax until getting transfer to the airport for flight to Bangkok, the capital largest city of the Kingdom of Thailand, with magnificent temples and palaces, authentic canals, busy markets and a vibrant nightlife that has something for everyone.  
Pick up from the airport and transfer to hotel (check in time is 14.00)
The remainder of the day is at your leisure to roam around, soaking up the sights, smells and sounds of the thriving metropolis or set out on a shopping spree.

Summary of inclusions

Today we will spend time to explore some highlights of Bangkok with the first visit to the majestic Grand Palace, one of the most beautiful samples of an ancient Siamese court and used to be the residence of the Kings of Thailand. Within the precinct of the Grand Palace is the Temple of Emerald Buddha regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in the country, home to the famous statue of Buddha meticulously carved from a single block of jade that is deeply venerated as the country's palladium. Afterward, continue to visit the Wat Pho - classed as the highest grade of the royal temples, with an incredible 46-meter long gold-plated reclining Buddha inside.

Remainder of the day is your free time to explore the bustling Bangkok, wander around the colorful the Khao San Road – the so-called tourist mecca, or indulge in a Thai massage, and enjoy street food crawl.

Summary of inclusions

Leave Bangkok and drive southwestward to the Ratchaburi Province for the Damnoen Saduak floating market. Make stops along the way to visit salt fields and chat with salt workers in Samut Songkhram and to experience the interesting Mae Klong Railway Market whichhas the active train tracks running right through it. This place is full of locally grown fruits, freshly caught seafood, dried spices, peppers, and other local foods.
Then, hop on a long-tail boat and cruise along winding canal to the Damnoen Saduak floating market where you will see a fascinating Thai way of life from the ancient time that is still widely practiced in this area. It is a great chance to try various kinds of exotic Thai fruits and Thai foods or make some fun shopping for Thai handicrafts that are available at the spot.

Back to Bangkok center and this afternoon you spend some time to visit the Jim Thompson Museum dedicated to James H.W. Thompson, the founder of the world renowned Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company who known as the "Legendary American of Thailand". For his contribution to the development of the Thai Silk industry, Jim Thompson was awarded the Order of the White Elephant, a decoration bestowed upon foreigners for having rendered exceptional service to Thailand. In 1967, he went on holiday with friends to the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia, set out for a walk in the surrounding jungle but never returned, thus began the Jim Thompson legend.
Remainder of the day is at your leisure. 

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast at hotel

Morning is free at your leisure. Check out time hotel at 12.00AM.
Get transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Safe travel and see you again!

Summary of inclusions