A Taste of Northern & Central Vietnam with Siemreap 12 Days

Welcome to Vietnam! Arrival in Hanoi. Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, your guide will present you with a welcome packet including all necessary documentation and vouchers and all contact information of your guide and local offices.

Vietnam is rapidly developing but holds onto the charming traditions and culture which make it such a fascinating holiday destination. History has left its mark on Vietnam by way of Chinese, French and American influence.

Transfer by air conditioned vehicle to your hotel and time for leisure.

Full day tour features many highlights: Tran Quoc Pagoda, Presidential Palace (façade only), One Pillar pagoda, the Temple of Literature and Hoan Kiem Lake. Enjoy a traditional cyclo ride through Hanoi's Old Quarter

Transfer to Halong Bay (by Junk’s bus) for an overnight cruise. Relax and enjoy beautiful landscapes. Participate on-board activities. Enjoy visiting grottos, swimming, kayaking, cooking demonstration, and squid fishing.

Early risers can join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Late morning, say farewell to the crew and transfer back to Hanoi by Junk’s bus. Then our private transportation (without guide) drive to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue.

Transfer to hotel in Hue for check-in.

 Flight Hanoi - Hue (offered separately)

Visit Thanh Toàn tile-roofed bridge, Vọng Cảnh Hill, Hổ Quyền Arena. Stop at a local cafe with a special war items collection. Next, visit Tu Hieu Pagoda which is oldest pagoda in Vietnam. Afternoon visit the former Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba market. 

Our driver with a private transportation (without guide) will pick you up at the hotel and depart for Hoi An. Check in the hotel. Overnight in Hoi An

Optional biking along the country roads. Visit an organic vegetable village then join in farmer’s daily activities. You can experience riding a water buffalo and paddling bamboo basket boat in the river. Lunch at Tra Que Village. Afternoon, take a walking tour in Hoi An featuring Phung Hung Ancient House, Museum of Hoi An, Kwan Kung Temple, Japanese Covered Bridge, Workshops of Traditional Handicrafts and Hoi An Market. 

Have breakfast at the hotel, free time is at leisure.

Optional Red Bridge cooking class with lunch, Surcharge (group from 02 persons): CAD90.00 per person  

We start the day (8.15am) with a welcome drink at Hai Café-our meeting point. Visit Hoi An’s colorful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. We board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy.

On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – the Red Bridge chefs first demonstrate each dish before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). 

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap (driver only). 

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, pick up and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day free at leisure.

Flight Danang - Siem Reap (offered separately)

ANGKOR WAT is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings.

Next visit Ta Prohm, one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. 

Stop at the North Gate of Angkor Thom, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant faces. Enter by the monumental SOUTH GATE over a causeway lined on either side by statues8 of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS and the TERRACE OF THE LEPER KINGS, former spaces for public ceremonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas before continuing to the mysterious Bayon Temple.

Visit Preah Pithu, a group of five structures almost hidden away north of the Kleangs and east of the Terrace of the Leper King. None of the temples are especially large or monumental, nor have they been restored at all. Enjoy sunset at Pre Rup Temple 

Excursion to Banteay Srei & Banteay Kdei Banteay Srei Temple -Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples, Banteay Srei is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Banteay Kdei Temple- a massive Buddhist temple dating back from the 2nd half of the 12th century. The temple is surrounded by four concentric walls, the outer walls measuring 500-700 meters. 

Free at leisure until transfer to airport for your departure flight.