TRAVEL SERVICE & RESERVATION – Michele Meltzer and Phil Meltzer

Day 1 – 30 Jan: Hanoi (Arrival)

Please be ready around 2.5 to 3 hours at the airport before your departure time to check – in your flight. Take a flight to Ho Chi Minh (depart at 11:50 AM – VN 772) then take connecting flight to Hanoi (depart at 19:00 PM – VN 258). Arrival at the airport in Hanoi at 21:15 PM, our driver welcomes and transfers you to hotel for check in.

Rest of the day is your leisure time to explore the city on your own.

• Overnight at The Light Hotel in Hanoi.
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Day 2 – 31 Jan: Hanoi → Halong Bay

Breakfast at your hotel then check out your hotel, you can leave big luggage at hotel (please note to hotel staff to keep for you) and bring small bag for Halong bay trip as you will be back to this hotel to stay more.

At 08:10 – 08:20 AM , our guide Pick you up at your hotel and go to Halong bay on a shuttle bus.

• 11:45- 12:00 – Welcome at waiting room 26 Tuan Chau harbour in Halong Bay
• 12:00. You will be taken on our tender from the wharf and make your way out onto the bay to board our luxurious craft, Sapphire Cruise. You will be welcome aboard and greeted with a complimentary drink. Our Crew will conduct a compulsory safety procedures session and then you are free to check into your cabin and freshen up. Take some time to have a look around the vessel or watch the magical landscape go by.
• 13:15  While our boat starts to cruise ,  enjoy the special lunch of fresh  seafood and vietnamese food  cooked by one of the best Chef in halong bay . 
• 15:00  After cruising for nearly 2 hours to explore the tranquil Bay , passing by thousands of islands and islets , the boat reaches the best area to do kayaking to see a lot of amazing limestone karst landscapes . Our boat will not bring you to the crowded and tiny beach for swimming . Our boat will stop in the middle of the Bay so that you can have chance to jump into water , take a backflip or somersault ..
• 16:30  Keep cruising to admire the stunning beauty of the Bay from our Sundeck where you can capture great  photos
• 17:00  Attend the cooking class opened right on the Sundeck , our guide will show you how to prepare and make our vietnamese traditional dish that is spring roll
• 17: 45  Join the Sunset party , enjoy fresh fruit , making friends with other members in the group , listening to soft and light music.
• 19 :00  Enjoy the special Dinner with fusion food prepared by the excellent skills of decoration of our Chef .
• 20: 30  Your free time

• Overnight at Sapphire Cruises on Halong.
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Day 3 – 01 Feb: Halong Bay → Hanoi

• 05:45 – The nicest time of the day on Lan Ha Bay is the morning. Head to the upper deck to participate in our daily Tai Chi sessions. Relax with an early morning cup of tea, coffee or juice anywhere you wish on the boat and watch the never-ending miraculous scenery unfold before you.
• 06:30 – Light breakfast will be served in our restaurant (pastries, tea, coffee)
• 7:00 – 8:15 – Enjoy the last stage of your trip to Dark & Bright cave and islets by local rowing boats which is a wild and mysterious beauty in the middle of the World Heritage. Back to our main board afterward.
• 09:15-9:30 – Check out of your cabin as we draw closer to the mainland.
• 09:45 Enjoy your brunch on the boat.
• 11:00 you will board our tender and head back to the wharf where you will be met by your return trip vehicle to transfer you to Hanoi.
• 11:45 Tour ends at TuanChau habour in Halong
• 15:00 – 15:30 PM – drop off your hotel. Rest of day is your leisure time in Hanoi.

• Overnight at The Light Hotel in Hanoi.
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Day 4 – 02 Feb: Hanoi (City tour) → Hoi An

Breakfast at your hotel then check out your hotel, you can leave big luggage at hotel (please note to hotel staff to keep for you). After Hanoi city tour you will come back hotel to collect your luggage.

At 08:00 – 08:30 AM: Get picked up by our friendly guide and start to explore Hanoi City.

08.45: Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish IsLand in West Lake

It is the oldest pagoda in Ha Noi built in the 6th century.

09.30: Visit Ho Chi Minh complex, you have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969. Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Goddess of Mercy – It is the most unique pagoda in the world

• Should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, temples, pagodas…

• Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays.

• Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed at least 2 months (15thJune -15thAugust) for the annual maintaining but still can take picture Mausoleum and visit around that area

11.15: Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam.

Special Note: we will visit Women Museum instead of Ethnology Museum closed on Mondays

12.45: Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine with 8 delicious dishes.

14.00 – 14.15: Continue to visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11 century.

15.15: Leave for Hoa Lo Prison Museum which originally used by the French colonists in Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. During this later period, it was known to American POWs as the “Hanoi Hilton”

After the tour, drop you off at hotel.

At 16:30 PM – We transfer you to airport for flight to Da Nang (depart at 19:10 PM – VN 197). Once arrived in Da Nang airport at 20:35 PM, you’ll be taken to Hoi An hotel for your stay.

• Overnight at Silkotel Hoi An in Hoi An.
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Day 5 – 03 Feb: Hoi An (visit My Son Sanctuary)

Breakfast at hotel.

Around 07:30 – 08:00 AM, our guide will pick you up at your hotel and depart from Hoi An to visit My Son Holy Land – the ancient ruins of the Cham people, once the imperial city during the Cham dynasty. Here, you will have the opportunity to explore and learn about the unique techniques the ancient Cham people used to make red bricks for constructing their towers, a mystery still unsolved. The site features a large complex of religious relics with over 70 architectural works, making it a fascinating destination
for those curious about architectural art. In 1999, UNESCO recognized the Cham architecture at My Son as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

• Overnight at Silkotel Hoi An in Hoi An.
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Day 6 – 04 Feb: Hoi An (Leisure)

Breakfast at hotel.

Your free time to explore Hoi An ancient town.

• Overnight at Silkotel Hoi An in Hoi An.
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Day 7 – 05 Feb: Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh

Morning, breakfast at hotel.

At 07:45 AM we transfer you to airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh (depart at 10:10 AM – VN 113). Arrive in Tan Son Nhat airport at 12:00 PM, our driver transfers you to the hotel.

Rest of the day is your leisure time to discover the city on your own.

• Overnight at Mường Thanh Grand Sài Gòn Centre Hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
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Day 8 – 06 Feb: Ho Chi Minh (Cu Chi Tunnels & City tour)

Breakfast will be served at your hotel.

Around 07:30 – 07:45 AM, our guide picks up you to visit Ho Chi Minh. Depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerrilla’s food during the war) will be served.

Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun. Have lunch at restaurant in HCM city.

In the afternoon, visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace.

The Independence palace is a widely known Landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral (Or Tan Dinh Church), the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of the both the Indochina wars.

Back to the hotel. End trip.

• Overnight at Mường Thanh Grand Sài Gòn Centre Hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
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Day 9 – 07 Feb: Ho Chi Minh → Mekong Delta

Breakfast at your hotel then check out your hotel, you can leave big luggage at hotel (please note to hotel staff to keep for you) and bring small bag for Mekong trip as you will be back to this hotel to stay more.

Around 07:30 – 07:45 AM – Pick up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and start the trip to Cai Be. Upon arrival in Cai Be, have a boat ride to the remaining site of a renowned wholesale floating market on the Tien River many years ago. This site entitles you to learn something about the local trading habit that has changed due to the age of modern society when more terrestrial transportation and high techniques of agriculture have dominated everywhere. There, you can realize how diverse the area is and how rich orchard gardens are, which makes it the basket of fruit in the lower part of the Mekong River.

Ramble in small villages where you will uncover the beauty of an ancient house and learn about the indigenous culture. Make a short visit to a small family business where the locals make coconut fudges and crispy rice popcorn. Savor delicious fresh fruit and feel the slow rhythms of Southern Vietnamese folk music – a kind of music entwined with the life and culture of the Mekong Delta people. Paddle through small canals – an exciting experience since you can look around, unwind, and soak up the wonderful atmosphere of the Upper Mekong Delta. Additionally, after arrival on Tan Phong Island, immerse yourself in nature’s tranquility.

At lunch time, you not only enjoy luscious food but also get closer to the locals as it is a chance to learn how to prepare Vietnamese specialties. The meal is cooked on your own and served in the heart of the local garden.

Cycle on the village path through orchards. Meet the local islanders to learn more about the local daily life in the Mekong Delta. Visit Ba Kiệt’s ancient house.

Take a boat ride back to Cai Be and meet your bus for the trip to Can Tho City. Proceed to Can Tho City and overnight in Can Tho.

• Overnight at TTC Can Tho Hotel in Can Tho.
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Day 10 – 08 Feb: Mekong Delta → Ho Chi Minh

Have breakfast at the hotel. You can take a leisurely boat ride to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong River (Bassac River), then visit Cai Rang Floating Market, the most vibrant floating market in the area.

Walking tour of the local noodle factory. Visit Munir Ansay Pagoda – Khmer temple, famous for its unique structure. Then, move by boat to the Con Son tourist area, visit the fruit plantation, and enjoy seasonal fruits.

Have lunch and return to Ho Chi Minh City.

• Overnight at Mường Thanh Grand Sài Gòn Centre Hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
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Day 11 – 09 Feb: Ho Chi Minh → Siem Reap

Morning, breakfast at hotel.

At 08:00 AM we transfer you to airport for flight to Siem Reap (depart at 12:00 PM – K6 825). Arrive at airport in Siem Reap at 13:15 PM, our driver transfers you to the hotel.

Rest of the day is your leisure time to discover the city on your own.

• Overnight at HARI Residence & Spa in Siem Reap.
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Day 12 – 10 Feb: Siem Reap (Explore the Angkor) 

Morning, breakfast at hotel.

At 08:30 AM, Our guide picks up you to visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (literally: “Great City”), located in present day Cambodia, was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. Continue your visit at the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Continue your visit to Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples in Angkor. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery.

In the afternoon, visit Angkor Wat the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture.

Before ending the tour today, enjoy a wonderful sunset scenery from the Top of Phnom Bakhen Hill.

Evening, enjoy buffet dinner and watch Khmer Traditional Dance Show at a local restaurant. Watch a Apsara dance show while dining,.

• Overnight at HARI Residence & Spa in Siem Reap.
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Day 13 – 11 Feb: Siem Reap (City tour) → Departure

Morning, breakfast at hotel.

At 07:30 AM, start the tour by visiting the National Museum. Here, you can explore a collection of Khmer art, artifacts, and historical exhibits that provide insights into the culture and history of Cambodia.

After the museum, take a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake, one of the largest lakes in Asia. This is an opportunity to enjoy stunning views of the lake and see some of the local fishing villages and floating communities that call it home.

After the lake tour, head to downtown to visit Artisan’s D’angkor, the carving art school, where you can witness the intricate art of stone carving and other traditional crafts. Next, continue your visit to Wat Thmei, a beautiful pagoda that is known for its memorial stupa that contains the skulls of Khmer Rouge victims.

Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

At 15:00 PM, We transfer you to airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh (depart at 18:30 PM – VN 812) then take connecting flight to Sydney (depart at 21:20 PM – VN 773).

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End of service!