Day 1 Saigon: Arrival
Arrive on your flight. Welcome to Vietnam! On arrival you will be met in immigration for your fast-track arrival service. Look for the person with our welcome sign for you. Hand over your photo, visa letter and passport to the person meeting you. You will then be invited to sign the visa form already completed on your behalf before receiving the visa label in your passport. Collect your luggage and clear customs.
Your guide will meet you at Saigon (Tan Son Nhat) International Airport in the greeting area outside the exit doors of your arrival terminal for your private road transfer (up to 30mins) to your hotel for check-in. Look for the welcome sign with your name and our logo clearly visible on it and our representative wearing our company uniform.
Meals Included: None
Overnight at Hotel Des Arts – 1Double Deluxe Room
Day 2 Saigon: Culture and Culinary Experience by Motorbike and Truc Mai House Music Dinner
Saigon is a vibrant and bustling city. Relax as you sit behind your trusted driver on a motorbike for a journey where you can combine some of the classic historical highlights the city has to offer (Reunification Palace, museums, pagodas, Cho Lon…) getting a real insight into local life behind the main streets.
Meet and chat with local people, try special local cuisine at the different locations you stop by, and learn about daily life. Get to know Saigon with a refreshing twist to suit your culinary and cultural tastes. Our guides are the experts, and they will discuss the plan for the time with you in advance so that you get the very best experience designed just for you. Please note helmets will be provided. Today, you have 4 hours to explore with your guide.
Your guide and driver will transfer you to the Mai Family Home. The stories of Vietnamese history and culture can be heard and understood through its traditional music. Mr. Truc and Mrs. Ngo (husband and wife), along with the other members of the family, are experts at playing traditional Vietnamese musical instruments such as the monochord zither, bamboo xylophone, and stone lithophone, among others. They have been granted special permission to share their knowledge with guests in Vietnam and for an hour you will be taken on a journey back in time.
Enjoy a private concert as they tell you stories and play their traditional melodies. Then you will have the opportunity to try your hand at playing the instruments in their collection. At the end of the evening with these wonderful people, you will have unique personal insight into the culture and history of Vietnam. You will then be taken to a restaurant for your dinner and later returned to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Des Arts – 1Double Deluxe Room
Day 3 Saigon: Afternoon at Cu Chi Tunnels and Dinner with Veteran
Enjoy your morning at leisure.
This afternoon take an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels (about a 90 minute drive). Guerilla fighters constructed this amazing underground base and village network during the French Resistance and later strategically used these again during the Vietnam War. You will have the opportunity to experience the tunnels firsthand and crawl through a short section of the network or you can choose to listen to your guide’s story from above ground.
Finally, to end your trip, you will be taken to the private home of a war veteran of the Vietnamese American war. Here you will have the opportunity to meet and chat with him and his family whilst enjoying a delicious home cooked dinner before heading back to Saigon ready for your evening at leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Des Arts – 1Double Deluxe Room
Day 4 Mekong: Saigon – Cai Be – Vinh Long – Can Tho
This morning you will be driven to Cai Be Village in the Mekong Delta (approx. 2 ½ hours from Saigon). At Cai Be board a private boat to explore Cai Be Floating Market and visit local families making popped rice (a favorite of the team!), coconut candies, rice paper, and various other local homemade Vietnamese products from the Mekong area. Then you’ll have lunch in a beautiful traditional garden house where you will be presented with local dishes, such as Elephant Ear Fish rolled and wrapped with rice paper, as well as different Vietnamese vegetables and fruits served with tamarind dipping sauce.
After lunch, you’ll carry on with your boat trip to Vinh Long, passing small and beautiful canals with peaceful tranquil villages. Time permitting you can even visit a local brick/pottery factory. After this your private transport will pick you up in Vinh Long and will drive you to your hotel in Can Tho for check in and your evening at leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Azerai Hotel – 1Double River View Room
Day 5 Mekong: Can Tho
Can Tho is the largest city on the delta and considered to be the “economic capital” of the south of Vietnam. It also boasts the largest floating market in the region. This morning will be an early start at 5am in your reception for a road transfer to Phong Dien. On arrival enjoy a morning fruit drink, tea or coffee and explore the area.
Your return journey will be by private boat to catch the hustle and bustle of both Phong Dien and Cai Rang floating markets. Watch the poles on the boats to see what the traders are selling today. Ask your guide to stop and step on board some local traders’ boats to sample some of the fruits they can freshly prepare for you, or to enjoy some banter with local sellers and learn of their stories. We can request a take-away picnic breakfast along the way if you wish, or some snacks to tide you over until you return for breakfast, and after some more exploring we’ll head back to the hotel for some leisure time.
You may like to enjoy the spa or relaxation time poolside during the heat of the day. Mid-afternoon transfer by road to explore the local waterways (small canals) by local sampan where you can hop and off to see rice paddies, gardens and fruit farms in the fertile countryside. Return to your hotel to freshen up before meeting up in reception for your evening foodie tour. Head out on foot with your guide for a fun evening.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Azerai Hotel – 1Double River View Room
Day 6 Can Tho to Danang and Wander the Ancient Town
You will be transferred to Can Tho Airport for your flight. You will be met at Danang International Airport in the greeting area outside the exit doors of your arrival terminal for your private road transfer (around 45 minutes) to your hotel for check-in. Look for the welcome sign with your name and our logo clearly visible on it and our representative wearing our company uniform.
On arrival you will be met in the immigration arrivals hall for your fast-track arrival service. Look for the person with our welcome sign for you. Your host will simply handle any airport formalities with you for your fast-tracked service.
Your guide will meet you at your hotel at 8am and together you will head out on a walking tour of Hoi An for a few hours. Visit the Ancient Town, which is home to the beautiful Chua Cau, (roofed bridge), as well as Hoi Quan, the ancient meeting places, some ancestral family homes and some of the lovely hidden pagodas. Time permitting, you have the option to head outside the Ancient Town and learn more about the Hoi An of today.
In the spirit of tradition, you’ll also have the chance to enjoy the famous cuisine of Central Vietnam in a local restaurant in the old part of town. You have up to 4 hours to explore with your guide today. Discuss today’s schedule with your guide.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner
Overnight at Anantara Hoi An Resort – 1Double Deluxe Balcony Room
Day 7 Hoi An: Kayaking and Sunset at Hoi An Lantern Town
Your guide will transfer you to Cam Thanh Village, the starting point of your kayaking adventure. Your 2.5 hour fun on the river will begin between 2:30pm to 3pm at the starting point.
Safety is paramount, and so first of all take some time with your adventure guide to learn the basics and feel comfortable. When ready set off together paddling along the palm islands and begin your wonderful adventure on the Thu Bon River to the Hoi An Ancient town.
Enjoy the beautiful landscapes and life on the river as you paddle along. As you approach the iconic lanterns, experience the sights of Hoi An from a unique water level perspective. Catch the reflection of the old houses of the Ancient Town on the water at the magical hour when the sun goes down. Your guide will transfer you back to your hotel.
Note: Bring a waterproof camera (or a clear cover/zip bag for your camera), so you can capture some great photos along the way. Bring a spare change of clothes and a small towel with you just in case you get wet. You will have the opportunity to change at your ending point, however, there are no showers.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Anantara Hoi An Resort – 1Double Deluxe Balcony Room
Day 8 Hoi An: Day at Leisure
Have a free day to explore on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Anantara Hoi An Resort – 1Double Deluxe Balcony Room
Day 9 Hanoi: Arrival, City Art Tour & Meeting with an Artist and My Village Show
You will have a private road transfer (around 45 minutes) to Danang International Airport and our team will ensure that you arrive in time for your onward flight – Vietnam Airlines VN168 departing from Danang at 10:30 & arriving in Hanoi at 11:50.
Your guide will meet you at Hanoi (Noi Bai) International Airport in the greeting area outside the exit doors of your arrival terminal for your private road transfer (up to 1hr) to your hotel for check-in. Look for the welcome sign with your name and our logo clearly visible on it and your guide wearing our company uniform.
On arrival you will be met in the immigration arrivals hall for your fast-track arrival service. Look for the person with our welcome sign for you. Your host will simply handle any airport formalities with you for your fast-tracked service.
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and together you will head out for a half day tour of Hanoi’s art scene. Start by discussing options with your guide about what you would like to do and see today, and then have fun! We recommend starting with the Museum of National Fine Arts, which hosts a variety of exhibits from international artists. The Museum also sponsors traveling exhibitions of Vietnamese culture and history.
You may also choose to visit the home studies of well-known artists such as Mai Hien, an expert in Lacquer Painting or other. Other artistic highlights in Hanoi include Green Palm Gallery, Apricot Gallery, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, and some of the older houses. If you need a break at any point, sit and relax with a cup of local Vietnamese coffee and watch the bustling city life swirl around you.
Lang Toi (My Village) is a delicate merge of tradition and innovation, where poetic beauty of Northern Vietnam’s village life is presented under new cirque approach. Farming, building activities, traditional games, lifestyle of Northern villagers are recreated by ancestral bamboo props, breath-taking cirque and acrobatics, rhythmic dance, to distinct folk music from more than 20 musical instruments.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel – 1Double Luxury Room
Day 10 Hanoi: Full Day City Tour
Hanoi, originally named Thang Long or “City of the Ascending Dragon,” became capital of Vietnam in A.D. 1010. Situated in the center of Northern Vietnam, Hanoi ranks in the top 20 biggest cities of the world. Among Hanoi’s sightseeing highlights is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, where you can see ‘Uncle Ho’ laid out to rest. Ho Chi Minh was the founder and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
Highlights also include the National Art Museum or Fine Art Museum; the Hoa Lo Prison; central Hoan Kiem Lake where Hanoians enjoy their early mornings with Tai Chi and “Vietnamese style” aerobics in the peaceful atmosphere; the Old Quarter where streets are named after the trades practiced here since the 15th century; the Hanoi Hilton museum where John McCain and other prisoners were held during the war; the Ethnology museum; and the Temple of Literature which serves as an excellent example of Vietnamese architecture.
Hanoi is Vietnam’s cultural center, and the galleries, puppetry, music, and dance performances are worth staying at least a few days to take in. This morning start by discussing options with your guide what you would like to do and see today. Your guide will be with you all day so discuss what suits you and then have fun!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel – 1Double Luxury Room
Day 11 Hanoi: Traditions and Cycling in Duong Lam Village / Flight to Luang Prabang
It is best to start earlier today so as to enjoy the coolest and quietest time in the area. Your guide will meet you at your hotel reception at 7am for your 1.5hr road transfer to Duong Lam Village, a heritage agricultural village of the Northern Red River Delta that escaped the bombing during the Vietnam War.
A cycling tour in Duong Lam Village and the surrounding villages and countryside is a wonderful opportunity to trace back the origin of Vietnam’s culture and Vietnam’s traditions. This is also the great chance to explore architecture of ancient houses along narrow alleyways, visit temples dedicated to former kings, and most interesting of all, chat with locals living in the ancient houses. It is worth noting that Duong Lam village is the only hamlet whose original village entrance gate remains intact. Our guides are experts and will discuss with you on how to avoid the heat of the day, take advantage of shady routes and wonderful people to meet along the way.
The village maintains many traditions amongst which are local candies that are enjoyed at various festivals and events throughout the Vietnamese year. Spend some time with a specialist candy maker who will show you how to make a selection of these. Amongst our team favorite is kẹo lạc (peanut brittle), delicious! You will join in and have a go at making some to take home with you.
Late afternoon, you will arrive back to your hotel in Hanoi.
For an effortless and smooth departure, we have arranged for a special fast track check-in service for you. Your host will facilitate and support you all the way through to the boarding gate.
Your guide will meet you at your hotel for your private road transfer (up to 1hr) to Hanoi (Noi Bai) International Airport and will ensure that you arrive in time for your onward flight. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Avani Luang Prabang Hotel – 1Double Avani Deluxe Room
Day 12 Luang Prabang: Morning Alms and City Tour with Lunch at Ock Pop Tok and Afternoon at Kuang Si Waterfall
Wake up at sunrise to give monks morning alms. You’ll be accompanied by your guide who can demonstrate the proper method of alms giving and explain this daily Buddhist ceremony. Return to your hotel for breakfast.
In the morning, your guide will take you on a tour of the city which will include visits to The National Museum, Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Sen, Wat Visun and Wat Aham. Your guide will take you to have lunch at the Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Center located on the Mekong River surrounded by a garden and artisans on the outskirts of town. Afterwards enjoy a free afternoon taking in the laid back vibe of Luang Prabang.
After lunch, your guide will take you on a scenic drive to visit the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall. Driving through the countryside you may wish to stop along the way to visit a local village to observe a traditional Lao community. Before reaching the waterfall you can visit the Kuang Si Butterfly Park and the Free the Bears Projects to learn about these local organizations plight to educate on and protect native species. Once you reach the falls you can hike up to the many levels of the waterfall or take a dip in the serene pools before heading back to town.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Avani Luang Prabang Hotel – 1Double Avani Deluxe Room
Day 13 Luang Prabang: Life along the Mekong
Today you’ll escape the tourist hubs in town and see Luang Prabang through local eyes. First, you will drive to the south of Luang Prabang to see the small weaving village of Ban Phone Xay, where you’ll enjoy a weaving demonstration and have a chance to purchase handmade items directly from the source. Learn the story behind who really makes the beautiful textiles sold at the night market. After that you would continue drive up the Mekong to the village of Pak Ou. From here board a small boat and take a tour of the local fishing area, checking traps with fishermen along the way and collecting any fish you might find.
Afterwards, you will go a bit up river to the quaint 120 year old village of Ban Kok that is only accessible by the river. Have a walk around with the chief of the village before joining him for a home cooked Lao lunch in his humble home. Please note that a portion of your tour fees will go into a Ban Kok fund set up to help the village primary school and the students with needed materials and supplies.
Then travel downstream to visit the Pak Ou Caves, famous for the thousands of Buddha statues left inside by locals who have made pilgrimage to this revered site. Board your long tail boat for a scenic ride on the Mekong until you reach the Luang Prabang. At the end of the day you’ll be the only tourist in town who knows the real story behind the bottles of Lao Lao, the grilled Mekong fish and textiles sold at the night market.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Avani Luang Prabang Hotel – 1Double Avani Deluxe Room
Day 14 Siem Reap: Arrival and Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus
You will be transferred to the Luang Prabang airport in time for your flight.
Welcome to Cambodia! On arrival you will be met in Immigration for your fast-track visa service. Look for a Journeys Within representative who will be holding a welcome sign for you and hand them your photo and passport. While your visa is being issued you can continue through Immigration to collect your luggage and clear Customs. Your passports will be returned to you as you wait for your luggage. Take a short walk through to the arrivals area where you will find your driver who, together with our Journeys Within representative, will transfer you to your hotel.
Arrive in Siem Reap where you will be met by a Wild Frontiers representative and transferred to your hotel.
This evening you will be treated to a unique performance by the Cambodian Circus, also known as the hugely talented Phare Ponleu Selpak from your VIP seats. Literally translated as ‘’the brightness of the arts’’, this Artistic and Social Center has been running as a non-profit association since 1994, and was founded by a group of young ex-refugees from Battambang Province. With your reserved VIP seats, there is no need to wait in line your seat is reserved for you! Sitting in the center of the big top tent, you will witness some remarkable acrobatics and visual arts while supporting one of Cambodia’s most inspiring projects. Performances start at 8:00pm.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Jaya House River Park – 1Double Deluxe Room
Day 15 Siem Reap: Angkor Wat Sunrise and Blessing Ceremony, Angkor Thom and Local Night Out
Wake up early and head to Angkor Wat for sunrise and a morning tour of the temple before the crowds arrive. Head back to your hotel mid-morning and spend some time relaxing through the heat of the day.
Your guide will take you to an active Wat, where you should change to clothes you can get wet in as here you will experience the ceremony “Srouch Tec”, which roughly translates into “pour water”. A monk will chant in ancient Pali as he splashes water over you, washing away your sins and bad luck so you can start fresh and by being a good person can increase your good luck.
Please note: As you will be getting wet, we recommend either changing your clothes before this tour or bringing a change of clothes with you.
In the afternoon head to Angkor Thom, the famous walled city, and see the many temples within its borders, including the fascinating Bayon temple with its many magnificent faces smiling out. There are several beautiful spots from which to watch the sunset. Discuss with your guide where you would like to be and then relax and enjoy a memorable end to your day at the temples.
Head out in a tuk-tuk with one of the Journeys Within staff for a taste of the local nightlife. Plow Hoksep, or the Road 60 Fun Fair is a perennial favorite for families and young Cambodians alike. Take in the hustle and bustle of this busy street, sampling Khmer fruits and snacks as you go. From deep fried beetles and bugs to some of the tastiest barbeque in Siem Reap, enjoy all the local flavor this hotspot has to offer.
As you make your way through the crowds, your guide will give you the rundown on the Khmer food you sample. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about contemporary Cambodian cuisine and culture. When you are finished, your tuk-tuk will be waiting to take you back to your hotel or into town for dinner if you haven’t filled up on local treats.
Please note: Your guide & driver for this tour will be different than your temple guide.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Jaya House River Park – 1Double Deluxe Room
Day 16 Siem Reap: Hidden Temples Cycling Tour and Other Temple / Flight to Saigon
This morning your guide will meet you at the hotel after breakfast and you will head into the temple complex, driving through the quiet of the morning until you reach the south gate of Angkor Thom, where your bicycles will be waiting for you. You will cycle along the lesser known wall of Angkor Thom which offers a jungle track leading to visit one of the lesser known corner temples, before reaching the East Gate of Angkor Thom where you will be welcomed by the beautiful smiling faces of Bayon.
From here you continue your search, following hidden routes and pathways through the jungle, discovering along the way some spectacular hidden temples. Continue on to enjoy a delicious lunch overlooking the royal bathing pool of Sra Srang, after which you will be transferred back to your hotel by car, arriving at approximately 2pm.
Please note: You can continue on to some other temples after lunch if you would prefer, before being transferred back to your hotel late afternoon.
Mid-morning continue on to visit Ta Prohm and Banteay Kdei, two of the most beautiful temples in the complex. You will then be transferred back to your hotel.
Your driver will meet you at your hotel for your private transfer to the airport, where you will arrive in time for your onward flight – Vietnam Airlines VN812 departing from Siem Reap at 18:30 & arriving in Saigon at 19:45.
Your guide will meet you at Saigon (Tan Son Nhat) International Airport in the greeting area outside the exit doors of your arrival terminal for your private road transfer (up to 30mins) to your hotel for check-in. Look for the welcome sign with your name and our logo clearly visible on it and our representative wearing our company uniform.
Welcome to Vietnam! On arrival you will be met in the immigration arrivals hall for your fast-track arrival service. Look for the person with our welcome sign for you. You have already obtained by yourself in advance either your visa stamp in your passport or Visa on Arrival Approval Letter. Hand over your photo, visa stamp fee and visa letter and/or passport to the person meeting you. Your host will simply handle any airport formalities with you for your fast tracked service. Collect your luggage and clear customs.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Hotel Des Arts – 1Double Deluxe Room
Day 17 Saigon: Departure
Your driver will meet you at your hotel for your private road transfer (up to 30 mins) to Saigon (Tan Son Nhat) Airport and will ensure that you arrive in time for your onward flight.
For an effortless and smooth departure, we have arranged for a special fast track check-in service for you. Your host will facilitate and support you all the way through to the boarding gate.
Meals included: Breakfast
Tour Rate: $ 8,550.00 per person based on 2 people traveling
Price includes:
- Air tickets Can Tho – Danang – Hanoi – Luang Prabang – Siem Reap – Saigon
- Boat tickets as specified above
- Accommodation as specified above
- Air-conditioned car/van with driver
- Licensed English speaking guides
- Tours and admission fees as mentioned above
- Meals as specified in itinerary, including water
- Price excludes:
Personal expenses:
- Visa fees
- Drinks (except water) and meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Tips
