9 - day The best of Vietnam tour - 9 days

City tour begins with drive through French area to the Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh read the independence declaration in the morning of September 2nd 1945. Lining up for entering inside the Soviet-style mausoleum where late president Ho Chi Minh’s corpse has been reserved for years.  Then walk through the gardens of the Presidential Palace to House 54 where Ho Chi Minh lived during 1954-1958.

Strolling along the little pond, you will see Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts, the humble dwelling was modeled of hill tribes traditional dwelling far north of the country where Ho Chi Minh and his government ever lived during French war. Take photos of the One Pillar Pagoda - one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples which was built since 11th century. 

Continue to picturesque Ho Tay (West Lake) where houses  the 6th century Tran Quoc Pagoda. 

Short drive to the 900-year-old Temple of Literature, which served as the first national university of Vietnam till end of 18th century.
Lunch with Ha Noi specialty at a local restaurant. 

Drive out of downtown to visit the Museum of Ethnology, which showcases the diverse culture of Vietnam's 54 ethnic minority groups through a collection of clothes, textiles, musical instruments and many other items from daily life.

Explore the fascinating Old quarter  by cyclo before wrapping the tour with water puppet show, an unique folk art of Viet Nam from about 11 century. 

Please note: The Ho Chi Minh mausoleum is closed every Monday and Friday (outside grounds and garden area will be open on these days) and normally closed from June 15 through August 15 for preservation and maintenance of the building. 

• Meals: Breakfast / lunch 
• Accommodation: Hanoi

9:00 set off for Ha Long Bay - the bay of the descending dragon. Arrive in the early afternoon and transfer to the pier where  you  board luxurious boat.  The overnight excursion on Ha Long Bay includes visits to a sandy beach and a limestone cave full of stalactites and stalagmites. Besides, you also may choose to go kayaking and and partake in demonstration cooking class onboard.

Ha Long Bay has been twice recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in 1994 and 2000 as well as named one of the seven natural wonders of the world,  Ha Long Bay, located in the Gulf of Tonkin and 165 kilometres from Hanoi, covers an area of 43,400 hectares and includes over 1,600 islands and islets. The exceptional scenic beauty of the limestone pillars complemented by biological interest is an ideal model of a mature Karst landscape developed during a warm and wet tropical climate. The outstanding value of Ha Long Bay is centered around the drowned limestone karst landforms, displaying spectacular pillars with a variety of coastal erosional features such as arches and caves which form a majestic natural scenery. 

• Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner
• Accommodation: cruise boat

We start your day with early get up and practicing Tai Chi exercise with help of a crewmember. Then continue your unforgettable cruise until a big brunch is finished and then disembark the cruise at around 10:00 am.  Our guide and driver will meet you at the pier for transfer back to Hanoi airport. We will fly one hour to Luang Prabang, Laos. Upon arrival, you are welcome by our local tour guide and driver for short drive to your preferred hotel for check in. 

• Meals: Brunch
• Accommodation: Luang  Prabang.

Your exploration of the charming town starts at the National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace, where you will learn the history of Laos. Continue on foot to Wat Mai, a temple famous for its golden bas-relief, and Wat Sensoukarahm, which features a beautiful dazzling golden façade. Wrap up your morning foot tour at Wat Xieng Thong, the most revered Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang. Located at the end of the confluence, close to the Mekong, this temple was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat and is decorated with ornate carvings and mosaics. Lunch with local cuisine. 

Start the afternoon on an excursion along one of the longest rivers in the world, Me Kong river. The boat journey takes us to Pak Ou Caves (locally called Tam Ting), filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha icons. The icons range in size from a few centimeters tall to the height of a human and are crammed into the cave which is nestled in a limestone cliff. The caves are frequently visited by local pilgrimages. Return to Luang Prabang by car with stops at Ban Xiengkek and Ban Xangkhong where local villagers make jute paper. 

In the late afternoon, we make a  visit to Phousi mount, located right in the heart of the old town. Here, you can make the climb up 300 plus steps to the top of the hill where you can take in spectacular views of most of Luang Prabang.  You'll also enjoy views of the Khan and Mekong rivers.

Explore night market on your own. 

• Meals: Breakfast / lunch 
• Accommodation: Luang Prabang. 

This early morning, take the special dawn visit to watch the local monks collecting the alms.  As the sun begins to rise, you will see long lines of orange-robed monks walking barefoot down the streets collecting offerings (Alms Giving) from faithful local residents. This beautiful, serene ceremony is unique to Laos, making it the only Buddhist nation still preserving the daily procession.

You are free to explore the town till noon when being transferred back to the airport for flight to Siem Reap (Cambodia). Upon arrival, you are welcome by our local tour guide and driver for short drive to your preferred hotel for check in. 

• Meals: Breakfast 
• Accommodation: Siem Reap.

Early morning, set out early this morning  to visit BANTEAY SREI, a unique temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. This is the fabled pink temple of women, so called because it is made of pink sandstone & considered a tribute to the beauty of women. Its small size, delicate carving and remarkable state of preservation make Banteay Srei one of travelers' favorite temples. 

Next stop is jungle covered temple of TA PROHM which has been left relatively untouched. Enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers grow over and through the ruin walls, allowing you to experience the temple with the same wonder as the early explorers who discovered it. 

In the afternoon, start at ANGKOR THOM, where you will explore BAYON TEMPLE. One of the few Buddhist temples in Angkor, which is famous for some 200 striking colossal humane faces carved in 54 stone towers and impressive bas reliefs. 

Then stroll to ELEPHANT TERRACE, which is over 350 meter long and is carved with a long line of elephants.  The terrace was used by Angkor's king Jayavarman VII as a platform from which to view his victorious returning army. 

Tonight, you enjoy dinner and see traditional Apsara performance.

• Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner
• Accommodation: Siem Reap

Today explore the largest Hindu temple in the world: ANGKOR WAT, honoring the Hindu god Vishnu. This large pyramid temple was built between 1113 and 1150 by King Suryavarman II as state temple and capital city. The complex is surrounded by a great moat 570 feet wide. It features five trademark towers and stunning bas reliefs, it has become a symbol of Cambodia.  

This afternoon, walk up to Bakheng hill for wonderful sunset over Angkot Wat (weather permitting).

• Meals: Breakfast  
• Accommodation: Siem Reap.

Visit the famous Tonle Sap Lake on a boat trip out. This shallow lake boasts the largest natural fresh water body in Southeast Asia and flows into the Tonle Sap River which joins the Mekong River in Phnom Penh. The traditional boat navigates along a small river towards the gigantesque lake, giving us a chance to explore floating village, local life style, friendly children in small boats and fishermen pulling in morning catch close up.

This excursion is all depending on your departure time. The trip ends after your transfer to Siem Reap Airport for departure. 

• Meals: Breakfast