HIGHLIGHTS OF VIETNAM + Cambodia Extension

DAY 1: ARRIVE HANOI

On arrival in Hanoi, meeting assistance by A Classic Tours Collection representative and escorted to the hotel of your choice. Rest of the day free to adjust with time difference etc.. This evening enjoy a Water Puppet Show- a remarkable Vietnamese art form that combines traditional music, fireworks, underwater puppeteers and elaborate puppets floating gracefully over water followed by Dinner. HOTEL- D

DAY 2: HANOI CITY TOUR

After breakfast embark on a guided half day tour to explore the architecture and history of Hanoi. Visit the one Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature and Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Lunch is at a local restaurant. This afternoon is at leisure or

Optional Half day tour: Quan Ho Folk Song: Drive to Bac Ninh, the cradle of traditional Vietnamese music and theatre. On arrival take a horse-drawn cart through country lanes to visit the Dinh Bang communal house and Do Temple. Enjoy local folk songs before returning to Hanoi. B

DAY 3: HANOI/HALONG BAY/BOAT CRUISE

Early breakfast at Hotel and travel overland to Halong Bay. Board a refurbished wooden sailing junk for cruise through magnificent Halong Bay. Fresh seafood lunch is served on board. Take a swim in the emerald waters (weather permitting). Afternoon visit a Grotto and spend the evening and overnight on board boat.  BLD

DAY 4: HALONG BAY/HANOI/HUE:

Spend the morning cruising through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong bay. After brunch on board, disembark and return to Hanoi, stopping en route at the Dong Trieu ceramic factory. On arrival in Hanoi board flight to Hue, the most beautiful city in Vietnam, Hue was the country’s capital from 1802 to 1945 and has long been a major cultural, religious and educational center. Meeting assistance upon arrival and transfer to hotel. HOTEL- B

DAY 5: HUE TOURING

After Breakfast, enjoy a boat trip down the Perfumed River to visit the Imperial Tombs, Thien Mu Pagoda. Stop at Dong Ba local market – a photographer’s paradise. Visit the Imperial Citadel constructed by Emperor Gia Long from 1804, Nine Holy Cannons, Imperial Enclosure, Palace of Supreme Harmony and Halls of the Mandarins. Attend a performance of Hue Court Music, Nha Nhac. Rich in spiritual content, Nha Nhac provided the means of communicating with and paying tribute to Gods and kings. This evening’s dine on traditional Hue dishes, Vietnam’s finest cuisine. The restaurant is also known for its collection of rare ‘Bleu de Hue’ ceramics and traditional Hue glassware. HOTEL- B

DAY 6: HUE/ HOI AN

After Breakfast, travel overland to Hoi An, the ancient town. Take a walking tour of this ancient trading port. Visit a school, traditional Chinese Communal House, Hokkien Temple, Ancient Merchants’ Houses, 400 Year Old Japanese Covered Bridge, and a colorful local market. Visit a workshop where artisans create Hoi An’s famous lanterns. Learn how they are made with a chance to create your own lantern (if interested). This evening take a relaxing sunset boat trip on the Thu Bon River and visit the pottery village of Thanh Ha. HOTEL-B

DAY 7: HOI AN/ DANANG / HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)

Breakfast at the Hotel. Travel overland to Danang. En route stop at the marble mountains and Non Nouc stone carving village O. Also visit the open air Cham Museum housing the finest Cham art collection. Continue to the airport and board flight to Ho Chi Minh City.  Formerly  known as Saigon the largest and busiest city in Vietnam. Modern high-rises dominate the city’s skyline but the Saigonese continues to live in their traditional life style, an interesting contrast of old and new. Meeting assistance o arrival and transfer to Hotel where rest of your day is free. HOTEL – BL

DAY 8: CITY TOUR & CU CHI TUNNELS

 After breakfast Start your tour with a visit to the former Presidential Palace, the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the bustling Chinese district of Cholon, Binh Tray market & Thien Hau temple. After lunch travel to Cu Chi to visit the impressive underground tunnel network built by Vietnamese guerilla fighters during the long years of struggle for independence. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening at a local restaurant.  HOTEL- BD

DAY 9: HO CHI MINH CITY DEPART or Cambodia Extension

After breakfast transfer to the international Airport to board your flight or extend your stay to visit Cambodia. Tour extension to Laos, Thailand and Myanmar also available. B

CAMBODIA EXTENSION- 4 Nights/ 5 days-

DAY 1: TUESDAY- HO CHI MINH CITY / PHNOM PENH- Cambodia

Transfer and board flight to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia situated at the meeting point of three mighty rivers, the Mekong, the Tonle Sap and the Bassac. It is also home to the spectacular Khmer architecture and strong French colonial influence is evident from classical French villas and tree-lined boulevards. Afternoon, tour the Royal Palace, Golden and Silver Pagoda also Khmer art displayed at the National Museum. The hillside setting of Wat Phnom is the ancient site where the modern city’s name was derived. HOTEL-BD

DAY 2: WEDNESDAY- PHNOM PENH/SIEM REAP

After breakfast fly to Siem Reap, base for visiting the fabulous sites of the Angkor region, unquestionably the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The grandeur of this ancient civilization is truly astounding. Tour the Angkor Thom meaning Great City. It has more Buddhist influence with its three dimensional representation of Buddhist cosmology and sculpted images of Buddha-like images on its temples. Covering an area of four square miles was built by King Jayavarman VII (1181-1218AD). Visit the ruins at Bayon, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, Royal Palace, Elephant and Leper King Terrace. This afternoon, see the Angkor Wat, viewing its extraordinary architecture and bas-reliefs. Essentially a three-layered pyramid, Angkor Wat has five distinctive towers, 64 meters high. On the outer wall are eight panels of bas-relief depicting scenes from the Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata.. HOTEL- BL

DAY 3: THURSDAY – ANGKOR WAT EXCURSION

Start your tour visiting the 11^th century Shiva Temple, Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre. Continue to the three-tiered temple hill of Pre Rup to view Bantey Kdei with its rarely seen sculpted female deities, Srah Srang Lake, Ta Phanom Temple, Ta Keo, Chau Say Tevada and Thommanon temples. Enjoy a spectacular sunset from Phnom Bakheng before returning to the hotel. HOTEL- BL

DAY 4: FRIDAY – SIEM REAP- Day at leisure

Breakfast at Hotel and rest of your day is free to explore city on own. Evening enjoy a special dinner with Khmer cultural dance and music. HOTEL- BD

DAY 5: SATURDAY – SIEM REAP- depart

Breakfast at hotel and time free until transfer for your flight homewards.

OR Extend your stay to visit, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar & more. B

FOR PRICES AND MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT – 888 605 TOURS (8687) OR 310 373 1001.

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