AUTHENTIC VIETNAM WITH EXTENSION TO ANGKOR - 19 DAYS

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Hanoi – Arrival

  Arrival at Hanoi airport. Welcome by the Authentik Vietnam guide and transfer to your hotel in the city center. Free time to rest. In the afternoon: you will take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake (the returned sword) and visit the Ngoc Son temple on the lakeside. Then, a cyclo ride through the old quarters of the 36 guilds of Hanoi will give you an overview of the lively life of the Hanoians. A foot massage session to relax after the long tiring flight. Walk in the old quarters of Hanoi. Return to the hotel for a shower. Welcome dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. Check-in time at the hotel: 2:00 pm.

• day 2

  Hanoi – visit of the city of Hanoi

  A whole day dedicated to discovering Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam. This millennial city is the most important political, cultural, and religious center of the country. At first, it was called Thang Long – the “Soaring Dragon,” spiritually signifying the strength and prosperity of the city. After several changes and different names, it is now called Hanoi, which geographically means “the city beyond the river.” Morning: you begin the guided tours of Hanoi with the residential district where the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the former palace of the Governor General of Indochina (exterior visit), his stilt house, and the One Pillar Pagoda are located. You continue your discovery of Hanoi with the Temple of Literature, which is the "first university of Vietnam," as well as the Tran Quoc Pagoda (the defense of the Homeland), the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, located on the edge of West Lake. In the afternoon: you visit the Museum of Ethnology, which gathers costumes, tools, musical instruments, and displays some typical houses of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam (closed every Monday). Water puppet show, a folk theatrical art born from the wet rice civilization of the Red River Delta of Vietnam. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 3

  Hanoi – Mai Chau – Poom Coong village – Mai Hich village

  Departure for Mai Chau via charming small roads. Arrival at the village of Mai Hich, home of the Thai - Mai Chau, around noon. Mai Hich is a small village located southwest of Mai Chau. Unlike the villages of Lac and Poom Coong, which have long been well-known tourist destinations, Mai Hich has only recently opened its doors to welcome travelers. The village is a peaceful place, ideal for those seeking a calm Vietnamese lifestyle experience and wishing for interesting exchanges with the White Thai ethnic group, who are welcoming and warm. Accommodation with a local family in the village. Afternoon: short walk (or bike ride) around the village or through neighboring villages. Beautiful landscapes of rice fields and bitter melon gardens. The walk allows for an up-close experience of the authentic and rural life of this region of Vietnam. Dinner with a local family. Participation in traditional dances of the Thai minorities. Tasting of rice wine ("Can") made from fermented sticky rice. Overnight with a local family – stilt house.

• day 4

  Mai Chau – Ninh Binh – Van Long

  After breakfast, departure by the mandarin road to Van Long, in the Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province. Upon arrival at Van Long, boarding a local boat for an excursion in the Van Long nature reserve, lasting 1h30. The excursion offers magnificent views of the landscapes and rural life. Compared to Tam Coc, Van Long is much more primitive and completely untouched; it is also called "the terrestrial Halong Bay." Travelers who visit the reserve have the opportunity to discover a rich fauna and flora within the most biodiverse flooded area in Vietnam. After lunch at Trung's, in the village of Lang Van, a few kilometers from Van Long. In the afternoon: bike ride through the villages of Van Long. Stops are planned to interact with the locals. Arrival at the Thung La area, 9 km from the village of Lang Van. Visit the beautiful Thung La temple, particularly calm and not very touristy. Then, continue the ride for 1 km to reach Thung Lau (valley of reeds). It is a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains, where the Dinh Tien Hoang temple is located. Return to the village of Lang Van along the dike that crosses superb rural landscapes: rice fields and villages on the right, river and mountain landscapes on the left. Possibility to observe flocks of birds returning to their nests at the end of the day (around 5:00 pm). An impressive sight! Return to Trung's. Dinner and overnight stay with the locals. Note: The 20 km (round trip) bike ride is non-touristy and includes several stops to interact with the population, make visits, and take photos. If this is too tiring for travelers, it is possible to do only the outward or return journey by bike.

• day 5

  Ninh Binh – Halong – Cruise and overnight on the junk

  Departure in a private bus in the morning to Halong Bay via Nam Dinh and Thai Binh. The journey, in the heart of the Red River delta, takes place through endless rice field landscapes. Boarding in the afternoon on a traditional junk for a cruise in Halong Bay. Discovery of a fantastic landscape and visit to one of the many caves that the bay contains. Fresh seafood meals served on the junk. Overnight stay in comfortable and private cabins.

• day 6

  Halong Bay – Hanoi

  The day begins with a Tai-Chi class on the upper deck of the junk. Possibility to take photos during sunrise over the bay. Then, breakfast while the junk continues to sail in Halong Bay. Kayak excursion. Arrival at Titop beach, where it will be possible to enjoy the beach or climb to the top of the island for a panoramic view. Return to the junk for a quick cooking class at the end of the morning, before lunch. Disembarkation. Return to Hanoi at 4 p.m. Free time in the city. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 7

  Hanoi – morning flight to Hue – visit of the Imperial City

  Transfer to Hanoi airport to take the flight to Hue VN1541 09:00-10:10. Welcome by the driver upon your arrival at Hue airport. Transfer to your hotel. You begin the discovery of the city of poetry, Hue, the former capital of Vietnam, which charms visitors with its romanticism and historical monuments. Visit of the imperial city, the only exemplary vestige of what was once an imperial city of Vietnam. It is nestled within the Citadel, facing the imposing Flag Tower. At the end of the day: discovery of Dong Ba market, the largest market in Hue, where you can find all kinds of goods, including souvenirs. Return to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 8

  Continuation of the city tour

  Boarding the boat for a cruise on the Perfume River, which flows through the quiet city of Hue and divides it into the old town in the north and the modern city in the south. Several stops are planned during the cruise to visit Thanh Thien village, the old Bao Vinh wharf, then a bike ride in Sinh village, specialized in the making of paper prints. Visit of the Thien Mu Pagoda (the Heavenly Lady), a symbol of Hue. Lunch on board the boat during the cruise, to discover the daily life of the inhabitants who live along both banks of the river. Then, you leave the city center to visit the tomb of Tu Duc, located in the middle of a vast pine forest, 8 km from the center of Hue. The tomb is one of the most impressive royal tombs of Hue, with its stilt pavilion and the funeral courtyard adorned with statues of civil and military mandarins, horses, and elephants in gray stone. Return to the city center. Stop along the way to visit the incense stick village. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 9

  Hue – Hai Van Pass – Da Nang – visits – Hoi An

  Heading to Hoi An by taking the Mandarin Road which passes through the Hai Van Pass. Possible stop at the pass to enjoy the breathtaking and grand view over Da Nang and its surroundings. Other stops are planned along the way. Visit to the Cham Museum in Da Nang. It has the largest collection in the world of objects related to Cham culture. Next, a 30-minute walk on My Khe beach. It allows you to enjoy an impressive view of the statues of the goddess of mercy and to observe the activities of the village fishermen. Then, visit to the Ngu Hanh Son mountains, a group of five marble mountains, resembling the five fingers of a hand, by the sea. In the 19th century, they were named by King Minh Mang according to the five elements of the cosmos: Thuy Son (the mountain of water), Moc Son (the mountain of wood), Hoa Son (the mountain of fire), Kim Son (the mountain of metal), and Tho Son (the mountain of earth). Visit to the village making marble products at the foot of the mountain. Continue the road to Hoi An. Arrival in Hoi An. Check-in to the room. In the evening: free walk among the old houses with hanging lanterns. A magical and multicolored image of the city of Hoi An. Tasting of local dishes in a lovely little restaurant, folk games, and floating lanterns set on the Thu Bon river. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 10

  Hoi An – visit of the old town of Hoi An – My Son archaeological site

  Departure at 8am for the visit of the city center of Hoi An, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The visit includes: the Museum of Antiquities, the Japanese Bridge, the Chinese quarter, the Phung Hung house, the market, and the old port. The latter was particularly lively in the 15th century, as boats and junks from all over the world docked there to trade. In the afternoon, transfer to the My Son archaeological site, a group of ruined temples and sanctuaries built in a basin 50 km from Hoi An. This site, which was the capital of the Cham kingdom from the 5th to the 13th century, offers a new insight into the history of the Cham's Malayo-Polynesian culture. Possibility to attend the Cham singing and dancing show before starting the discovery of the site (session at 2:30pm). In the evening, free walk in the old quarters of Hoi An. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 11

  Hoi An – visits to the villages in the countryside of Hoi An

  Welcome at the hotel by the guide. Bike ride around Hoi An towards the fishing village of Van Lang and the Bay Mau water coconut forest. This entire region is surrounded by a mangrove forest, canals, and houses covered with water coconut leaves. It was a refuge area during the war against the Americans and today it is the most productive seafood region in Vietnam. During the journey, several stops are planned: the typical local market of Ba Le, the rice fields where the cemeteries are located, and even some schools. Arrival at the village and welcome by the fishermen. After some explanations about their traditional fishing techniques, departure for a cruise in a "Thung chai", the basket boats. Then, bike ride to the vegetable-growing village of Tra Que, a place that produces more than 10 tons of vegetables per year. No pesticides are used for cultivation. Welcome by Mr. Minh, whose family has been present for 3 generations. Tasting of a glass of "basil juice" to refresh you. Walk around the village. Return and preparation of lunch with the family. Preparation of dishes such as: crispy pancakes, Hoi An spring rolls, Tam Huu, grilled fish in a banana leaf. Then, tasting of the prepared dishes. After lunch, relaxation with a foot massage with medicinal herbs, a traditional therapeutic practice. Return to your hotel. Free time to discover the city of Hoi An (walk, shopping, beach, etc.). Overnight at the hotel.

• day 12

  Hoi An – Free day

  A whole day free in Hoi An… Free time at the beautiful An Bang beach, which is still wild, or at Cua Dai beach. You can also take advantage of your time in Hoi An to rest, take a walk in the old quarters of the charming city of Hoi An, enjoy the calm life, taste local specialties, shop or have clothes made. Hoi An is a small, charming and romantic city where you can stay for several days without getting bored: there are many things to see and do… Many Vietnamese couples have chosen Hoi An for their honeymoon or to create their wedding photo albums. Night at the hotel.

• day 13

  Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City

  You are transferred by the driver (no guide) to Da Nang airport to take the flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) VN107 09:35-10:55. Welcome by the guide and driver of Saigon upon your arrival. Transfer to your hotel to drop off your luggage. The afternoon is reserved for discovering the largest and most active city in the South. You will find streets filled with people, shops, and street vendors. Visit the Reunification Palace, which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975. Next, visit Notre-Dame Cathedral (which was built between 1877 and 1883; the stones used for its construction were imported directly from France), the Central Post Office, and the City Hall (exterior visit) – among the best examples of French colonial architecture. Visit Ben Thanh Market or Cho Lon Market in the Chinatown district, where you will find products of all kinds, including souvenir gifts. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 14

  Saigon – My Tho – Ben Tre

  You leave the bustling city of Saigon and head towards Ben Tre, a beautiful region of the Mekong Delta renowned for coconut candy production. From the Hung Vuong pier, you take a boat trip on the Ben Tre river to discover the daily life of the locals. Stop to visit Mr. Tu Lo's brick kiln and discover the traditional methods of brick making. This is followed by a visit to the coconut product factory. This will be an opportunity to taste fresh fruits. Continuation of our boat trip on the canals to the village of Nhon Thanh. A short walk helps you to discover local life in depth. This is an opportunity to taste fresh fruits. Then, a tuk-tuk ride through small paths in the villages while observing coconut groves, rice fields, and vegetable gardens. A short walk helps you to discover local life in depth. You finally arrive at the house where you will spend the night. Late afternoon: possibility to prepare dinner with the owner. Dinner with the host Night with the host in Ben Tre.

• day 15

  Ben Tre – Sa Dec – Long Xuyen

  Breakfast with the locals. Then, visit to the village's local market. Road towards Long Xuyen, in An Giang province via Sa Dec. In Sa Dec, you will visit the Kien An Cung pagoda and the old house of Huynh Thuy Le, who was the lover of the French writer Marguerite DURAS. The house is famous for its original architecture and attracts visitors thanks to the famous film "The Lover" and the novel of the same name (translated into 40 languages). Visit to the Sa Dec market, very rich in fish, fruits, and vegetables. Continue the road to Long Xuyen. Visit a Cao Dai temple on the way and the crocodile farm. Arrival in Long Xuyen, check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 16

  Long Xuyen – Long Xuyen floating market – Saigon - Flight to Siem Reap

  You board the boat to visit the Long Xuyen floating market on the Hau River. This market remains very authentic, little visited, and less lively than other floating markets in the Mekong Delta, such as Cai Rang or Phong Dien. Hundreds of boats loaded with agricultural products such as sweet potatoes, vegetables, sugar cane, and tropical fruits (bananas, pineapples, dragon fruit, etc.). Some sell gasoline, breakfast dishes, or offer repair services. Boats selling the same goods are grouped together. In particular, you see rowing boats that are tied to each other by a long rope and all are pulled by a motorboat. This is because after loading goods, these rowing boats cannot go back up the river and need to rent a motorboat to return home. An extraordinary scene that exists only at the Long Xuyen floating market! Visit Cu Lao Ong Ho where the small museum of our late president Ton Duc Thang is located. Disembarkation. Return to Saigon. Arrival in Saigon at the end of the afternoon. Transfer to HCM City airport for the flight to Siem Reap. Arrival, welcome and transfer to the hotel. Free time to freshen up. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 17

  Siem Reap - visit of the temples of Angkor

  In the morning, visit of Angkor Thom (Great City) starting with the South Gate, the famous Bayon from the 12th and 13th centuries, Baphuon (11th c.) dedicated to Brahmanism, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, Phimean Akas (celestial palace). In the afternoon, discovery of the wonderful temple of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Phnom Bakheng (mountain temple). Overnight at the hotel.

• day 18

  Siem Reap

  In the morning, you continue the visit of Banteay Srei (Citadel of Women), dedicated to Shiva, whose architecture and pink sandstone sculptures present a masterpiece of Khmer art. On the way back, visit Sras Srang (Ablutions Basin) and Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist temple adorned with Garuda. In the afternoon, visit the temples of the Roluos group (9th century), the ancient Hari Haralaya, the first Angkor, about 20 km to the southeast. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 19

  Siem Reap - Tonlé Sap Lake - Return flight

  The morning is entirely devoted to the excursion on Tonlé Sap Lake, which is connected to the Mekong by a 100 km long channel. We set off by boat on the lake's waters, meeting the fishermen and the stilted lake village of Chongneas. The rest of the time is free for you to rest before the transfer to the airport for the evening return flight.