MYSTICAL INDOCHINA – VIETNAM, CAMBODIA & LAOS

Board your luxuriously appointed Singapore Airlines flight.
Relax and enjoy the in-flight service en route to Singapore.
Cross the international dateline.

Arrive in Singapore early this morning. Stay in transit and connect with your flight to Phnom Penh, capitalImported Photos 00074 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.

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. Evening enjoy a special dinner with Khmer cultural dance and music. BD

Start your tour visiting the 11th century Shiva Temple, Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre. Continue to theImported Photos 00058 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. B

Visit Les Chantiers-Ecoles and Angkor silk farm before flying to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly 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. B

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 guerrilla fighters during the long years of struggle for independence. B

Enjoy a leisurely morning before your short flight to Danang. Visit the open air Cham Museum housing the finest Cham art collection. Continue to the riverside town of Hoi An. En route the marble mountains and Non Nouc stone carving village. On arrival at Hoi An check into your hotel. B

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. B

Travel today 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.
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, 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. BLD.

Fly to Hanoi, present day capital of Vietnam, formerly known as Thang Long (Ascending Dragon). Hanoi is a charming city with its famous lakes, the Old Quarter shaded boulevards and former French colonial constructions. Visit the major sights of Ha Noi: the lotus shaped One Pillar Pagoda; remains of the Co Lao Citadel; Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum; Quan Thanh Temple; Temple of Literature, Restored Lake of the Returned Sword and Ngoc Son Temple. Enjoy a ride on a cyclo through the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, stopping at an ancient Vietnamese long house.
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. B

Travel by road through the rural countryside to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive at Cat Ba and board the Emeraude Boat (deluxe cabin). Enjoy a refreshing welcome cocktail upon check-in on the sun deck. The cruise commences, while a lavish buffet lunch is served at the restaurant. Travel by tender to see the Sung Sot Cave (Cave of Surprises), weather permitting.
The journey also includes the option of kayaking or swimming near Hang Trong, a Vietnamese cuisineImported Photos 00093 demonstration, complimentary canapes at the sun deck bar, a scrumptious international buffet dinner served at the restaurant, and an evening movie show at the sun deck. Overnight accommodation on board boat. BLD
Halong Bay cruise itinerary subject to change. Details given are for deluxe category.

Start the morning with Tai Chi exercises on the sun deck. Enjoy a breakfast buffet (or brunch) served in the restaurant. Disembark and retrace your steps back to Hanoi, visiting Phu Lang Village en route. Connect with flight to Luang Prabang in Laos, a country that is just awakening from its long slumber and explore its rich cultural heritage and pristine landscapes.
The city of Luang Prabang has remained almost unchanged for the last century and boasts of a fascinating array of shimmering gold temples, historic monuments and French colonial houses becoming a World Heritage site in 1995. This evening visit the night market and browse through local handicrafts including handmade textiles. B

An optional early start offers opportunity to participate in the alms giving ritual to Buddhist monks. You may also visit the morning Phosi market. After Breakfast embark on city tour visiting the oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong representing classical Laotian architecture. Board our boat to cruise along the Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves which houses thousands of Buddha statues of varying sizes inside a towering limestone cliff. Stop enroute at the small village of Ban Xanghai, where local rice wine is distilled. On return visit the riverside village of Ban Phanom where traditional Lao textiles are woven on ancient wooden looms. After lunch continue to Khouangsi waterfall, Lao ethnic minority villages of Ban Ouay, Ban Ou, Laoloum & Ban Thapene. Your last stop before returning to Luang Prabang in the evening is the village of Ban Xangkhong well known for silk hand weaving and traditional Saa paper. B

Your journey today includes a scenic drive through mountains to Xieng Khouang, famous for its “Plain of Jars.” Stop at will to photograph the villages, beautiful scenery en route. Arrive and check in at your hotel where rest of your evening is free. B

Visit Plan of jars this morning, an impressive archaeological site encompassing hundreds of large stone jars scattered throughout the plateau. Later visit the old capital of Muang Khoun province and home to Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people. Learn about their life, culture and vibrant history. Later fly to Vientiane, capital of Laos, once the royal capital of Luang Prabang and Xien Khuang. B

Tour the city today, visiting Wat Simuang, Vientiane’s most sacred site and the Religious Museum at Wat Sisaket, where thousands of statues of Buddha in wood, bronze and stone are displayed. The tour includes a stop at Wat Pra Keo, original home of the Emerald Buddha now residing at Bangkok, 16th century That Luang Golden Stupa, and Ratuxai Victory Gate also known as the Laos’ Arc de Triomphe. In the afternoon visit Buddha Park which houses an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, dating back to 500 years. End the day’s tour with a sunset along the banks of the Mekong River. B

Early this morning visit a local market to witness local life and trading.
Later, fly to Singapore for overnight stay. B

Return home, taking with you the beauty, history and diverse culture of Indochina …

OR extend your stay in Thailand, Myanmar and much more.