Colorful Vietnam and Cambodia Holiday from Hanoi - 17 days / 16 nights

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (G)
Hanoi is one of the top ten Vietnam holiday destinations where you can see the overview of Vietnam. Upon your arrival at the airport, Holidaytoindochina's private tour guide and driver will meet you with our welcome sign board then transfer you to the hotel (old quarter's area). Check in if the room is available (check in time at 14:00) before your tour guide does the briefing of the tour and give you some helpful information during your stay in Hanoi. Free at leisure and overnight in Hanoi.
Accommodation: Medallion hotel / Deluxe room

Day 2: Hanoi City tour (B, L) (G)
Spotlight of many Vietnam tour packages, Hanoi can be the most graceful, atmospheric and exotic capital city in Asia. Its appeal is instant, with sweeping boulevards, tree-fringed lakes, ancient temples and pagodas.
Today, your charming Hanoi City Tour includes Ho Chi Minh Complex (the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh (closed on Monday and Friday), Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts and One Pillar Pagoda), Temple of Literature then lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will visit the outlaying Museum of Ethnology (you can see the Museum of Fine Art, Museum of Women, Museum of History, Museum of Vietnam Military History, Hilton Prison instead), and then 1 hour cyclo or rickshaw will take you along narrow streets of the diverse Ancient Quarter. Stop at the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake to visit Ngoc Son temple and to enjoy a fantastic performance of the famous water puppet show. After the show, we will take you for a walk to "Bia Hoi Corner" to try some draught beer and have leisure time to talk, see and experience the breath of Hanoi. After some beer, our tour guide will take you back to the hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Opt: Street Food Tour (4 hours - US$ 45/pax): 
We first try Pho – Nice Noodle as its name has been known all over the world. Sit down, enjoy the taste of Pho, taste of life and get to know about the history of Vietnamese culture and cuisine... Next, we walk to explore everyday life of Hanoian and try some more different dishes.
Accommodation: Medallion hotel / Deluxe room

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D) (G)
We start at 8.00 A.M for the 3.5 hour drive (170 km) through the Red River Delta, which offers plenty of chances for taking photos of Vietnamese farmers tilling the vast green paddy fields. At half way, we'll have a visit to a handicraft workshop with fine clothes, embroidered paintings, stone statuettes and all kinds of gems mined in Vietnam such as star rubies or sapphires... Our destination is Halong bay – the most famous World Heritage Site in Vietnam, famous for its beautiful seascape, thousands of spectacular islands and islets jutting out from the sea, amazing caves with marvelous stalagmites and stalactites in different sizes and shapes.
Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed on board our luxury junk and treated with wine and fresh local seafood. As our junk gliding further into the tranquility of Ha Long Bay amid the towering mountain cliffs and on the emerald green water, you'll have relaxing time combining the fine tastes of the wine and the freshness of Ha Long Bay. During the cruise, we'll stop some times for visiting the amazing Sung Sot cave and the Ti Top white sand beach before anchoring for the night. Overnight on board the junk in the wild of Halong Bay.
Accommodation at: Oriental sail/ Superior cabin

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Street food tour (B, L, D) (G)
It is said that your Vietnam Tours will not be complete without a tour to Halong Bay and spending one night on romantic Halong Cruise. People describe Halong Bay as majestic and mysterious, inspiring and imperious and words alone cannot do justice to the natural wonder that is Halong Bay, a priceless collection of unfinished sculptures hewn from the hand of nature.
After breakfast, we'll take a little sampan to visit a secret lagoon of Ha Long Bay while the surrounding mountains are just waking up. After that our cruise takes us further into the Bay of Bai Tu Long traveling past the Human Head Island, the Turtle Island, and the Duck Islet... to the studio site where the famous Indochine film was shot. Around noon, our junk travels back to the harbor, pick up and drive back to Hanoi.

After that, you can enjoy a lot of street food around Hanoi Old Quarter. We first try Pho – Nice Noodle as its name has been known all over the world. Sit down, enjoy the taste of Pho, taste of life and get to know about the history of Vietnamese culture and cuisine... Next, we walk to explore everyday life of Hanoian and try some more different dishes such as:
Banh Cuon (Rice noodle roll)               
Trung Vit Lon (Fertilized duck eggs)
Bun Cha (Grilled Pork noodle soup)
Ca Phe Trung (Egg coffee)
Bia Hoi (Draught beer)
Note: Other dished can be added on request.
After 3 hours walking, eating and learning about Vietnamese cuisine and local food, we take you back to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Accommodation: Medallion hotel / Deluxe room

Day 5: Hanoi – Flight to Danang – Hoi An​ (B) (G)
After breakfast, free at leisure until our tour guide and driver will take you to the airport for the short flight with Vietnam Airlines to Danang where your private tour guide is waiting for. Met and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An. Check in and free at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.
Accommodation: Phu Thinh hotel / Deluxe room 

Day 6: Hoi An Biking Tour (B, L) (G)
Spend a day leisurely cycling though the scenic countryside of Vietnam, far from the traffic the motor scooters, and the noises the city. You will cross the islands on the Song Thu river delta using local transportation, including ferries and floating bridges...
This tour will take you on a visit to artisans making bricks according to age-old. You will discover how wooden river boats are made and learn the secret of weaving the colorful straw Hoi An sleeping mats. Try the renowned Vietnamese basket boats. You will spend the day with first-hand contact with one of the rural inhabitant of the region, far from the usual tourist circuits. At lunchtime you will be invited into a local home for a traditional Vietnamese meal, and learn their customs and traditions. After you have relaxed for a while under the shade of a mango tree, you will begin your return towards Hoi An, which will take about an hour. Overnight in Hoi An. 
Accommodation: Phu Thinh hotel / Deluxe room

Day 7: Hoi An free day (B)
At leisure. Relax on the private beach, by the resort pool or optional is to rent a bicycle to ride into Hoi An to explore the picturesque central of town with its restored 18th century merchants’ houses. Hoi An also boasts some of the best silk shops, art galleries and handicraft shops in Vietnam as well as dozens of excellent restaurants serving the delicious local specialties. Overnight in Hoi An
Accommodation: Phu Thinh hotel / Deluxe room

Day 8: Hoi An – Danang - Flight to Ho Chi Minh City (B) (G)
After breakfast, we drive to Danang for the short flight to Ho Chi Minh, the most exciting city of Vietnam . Warmly welcomed by your private tour guide and transferred to your hotel for check in (if the room is available, check in time at 14h00). Free at leisure and overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Accommodation: Phu Thinh hotel / Deluxe room

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels & Ho Chi Minh city half day (B) (G)
Morning pick up from the hotel for Cu Chi Tunnels tour arrival in Cu Chi, we visit the incredible underground tunnel network of approximately 200 kilometres hand-constructed by Vietnamese guerillas during the long struggle for independence where you will understand more about the Vietnam War or American War, a must see Vietnam Tour for any tourists to learn about Vietnam past and present days. Afternoon drive back to Ho Chi Minh visit the War Remnants and the former Presidential Palace. From there, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office and Ben Thanh Market.
Accommodation: Sunland Hotel / Deluxe room

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta (Cai Be Floating Market) – Can Tho (B, L) (G)
Today we will start our exploration of the Mekong Delta, a major rice producing area. This must be one of the most fascinating riverine deltas in the world. The Mekong splits into nine major arteries. A vast network of rivers and waterways with thousands of ships of all sizes plowing the waters gives the Mekong Delta a very special atmosphere and no double one of the most favorite destinations for Vietnam Tours. On arrival, we will make a boat trip to the Cai Be floating Market, visit villages and meet the people of the Mekong Delta. Continue your boat trip to An Binh Island for Lunch in a local family and bike trip in the afternoon. Continue to Can Tho – the heart of Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Check in on your arrival, free at leisure and overnight in a Can Tho hotel.
Accommodation: Iris Hotel/ Deluxe 

Day 11: Can Tho – Cai Rang floating market – Chau Doc (B, L) (G)
Want to explore Mekong in depth and see a real Vietnam during your Vietnam holiday? Chau Doc will be the next stop. Depart early, ideally at around 6.00pm, to travel by boat to the fruit gardens in Can Tho and the floating market at Cai Rang.  Then drive to Sa Dec, a romantic and charming little Mekong town, for a walk through the lively and authentic local market before a visit to the house of ‘The Lover’ of the famous love story written by French novelist Marguerite Duras. The family house of ‘The Lover’ in this apparently autobiographical novel has been lovingly and faithfully restored and you will lunch here. After lunch, drive from Sa Dec to Chau Doc, arriving at Chau Doc at around 5.00pm. Overnight in Chau Doc.
Accommodation: Chau Pho hotel / Deluxe room

Day 12: Chau Doc – Boat Trip to Phnom Penh (B) (G)
After breakfast, we will take the boat trip to Phnom Penh. Welcome to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant then set out on a city tour to acquaint yourself with Phnom Penh’s major sites. Start your visit learning about the Khmer Rouge and Cambodia’s recent history on a guided tour of the TuolSleng Genocide Museum. Our cultural exploration continues as we visit the National Museum, an excellent introduction into ancient Khmer art and civilization, and the Royal Palace, home to the royal family and the opulent silver pagoda.
Enjoy some free time to rest and freshen up before driving to the dock to catch an evening boat cruise along the Mekong River. Savor a welcome dinner on board as you watch the sunset over the shimmering lights of Phnom Penh. Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh
Accommodation:  Le Grand Palais hotel/ Superior room

Day 13: Phnom Penh city tour – Killing Field (B) (G)
Breakfast at hotel. You will visit Royal Palace, the sacred Silver Pagoda, which is well known for its 5000 silver tiled floor. Heading out of this area, you will follow your trip to Independence monument and Wat Phnom which is the symbol of Phnom Penh. 

Afternoon, visit Toul Sleng genocide musuem and Cheung Ek killing field which provides a deep insight into the painful rule of the Khmer Rouge. Then, explore Psar Toul Tompong or Russian market where everything is sale. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Accommodation: Phu Thinh hotel / Deluxe room

Day 14: Phnom Penh – Flight to Siem Reap (B) (G)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Phnom Penh airport for taking domestic flight to Siem Reap at 10:40-11:25 or 12:40-13:20. Upon arrival at Siem Reap airport, you will be welcome and transferred to hotel. 
Free at leisure for relaxing and overnight in Siem Reap.

Accommodation: Central Boutique Hotel/ Boutique room

Day 15: Siem Reap – Angkor Thom – Angkor Wat – Siem Reap (B) (G)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning, visit to south gate of Angkor Thom with two rows of its huge statues of demons and gods depicting the churning of the ocean of milk arranged on both sides of stone bridge  and Bayon temple, a forest of heads. Visit Baphoun, Phimean Akas, terrace of elephant, which used to be a base for the king’s grand audience hall; Terrace of Leper king supposed that it was a terrace housed the royal crematory. 
Afternoon, visit Angkor Wat, the most balanced, the most harmonious, and the most perfect Khmer temple. It shows Khmer art, which reached the height of it glory in the 12th century. The temple is a temple-mountain and was built by king Suryavrman II and dedicated to god Vishnu. 
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Accommodation: Central Boutique Hotel/ Boutique room

Day 16: Siem Reap - Petit Circuit - Rolous Group - Siem Reap (B) (G)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning, visit Prasat Kravan, Srah Srang (royal bath), Banteay Kdei. Then visit an amazing view of Ta prohm Temple which has been deliberately left as it was discovered. and Ta Keo - an unfinished state temple for unknown reason. 
Afternoon, visit Roluos Group, dating from the late ninth century. In Roluos Group, you will visit three temples: Bakong, the first temple-mountain in Khmer architecture initiated by Jayavarman II on his discent from Kulen hill; Preh Ko, which means in Khmer “The sacred ox”, the funerary of Jayavarman II and of the ancestors of his second successor, Indravarman and Lolei, the last brick temple in the group located on an island in the middle of the Indratataka - a large ancient reservoir. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Accommodation: Central Boutique Hotel / Boutique room

Day 17: Siem Reap departure flight (B) (G)
Today is free at leisure till transfer to airport for departure flight. Holidaytoindochina.com would like to thank you so much for your traveling with us. We hope you had a great Indochina tour and wish to welcome you back.

END OF SERVICE

Inclusion:
•    All transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
•    Accommodation based on twin/double sharing
•   3 Flight tickets: Hanoi -  Danang, Danang – Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (Economy Class)
•    Train tickets: Hanoi - Lao Cai - Hanoi
•    English speaking guide (Other languages on request)
•    Entrance fees to indicated sights and activities as indicated
•    Meals as indicated in the itinerary
•    Bottled mineral water during touring days

Exclusion:
•    Drinks
•    Other meals
•    Insurance
•    Personal expenses
•    Expenses for any optional tours or activities during free time

If you do not know how to plan your Vietnam tour and Indochina holiday, please read our FAQ's below to get some information or send us an email at info@holidaytoindochina.com and one of our experienced travel consultants will be ready and happy to answer your questions as well as organise your amazing holiday in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and combination.

How to plan my Vietnam tour/Indochina holiday with you?
1. Send us an inquiry by submiting one of our online forms (Click). Tell us as much information as possible. For example;

• Please tell us how many people will be traveling with you, date of birth, if you have children, please tell us how old is/are the kid(s).
• Please tell us your preferred hotels, level of hotel (3, 4 or 5 stars), type of hotel, type of room...
• Please tell us your type of travel, length of travel and activities that you are interested in. For example; Family with kids, Couple's vacation, Honeymoon, Friends, Shopping, Sightseeing, Leisure and Relaxing, Cuisine & Cooking, Kayaking, Caves & Grottoes, Fishing, Swimming, Hiking, Minority, Adventure & Discovery...
• Please tell us where and what you want to visit, if you do not know much about Vietnam, just give us your travel plan and ideas.
• Most of our tour guide are English speaking tour guides, but if you want another language like French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese... we can always arrange. Please tell us what you do you expect from your guides, for example; you want a guide with sense of humor? Good knowledge in history & culture? Male/Female guide? Talkative/Untalkative? Young/Old guide?
• Please advise if you want breakfast included only or also Lunch and Dinner, and please let us know if you are a Vegetarian, the food you can eat or cant not, if you want local food in local restautants or western food in tourist restantant...?
• Actually, you do not have to send us all information, but the more we know, the better we plan your Vietnam tour.

2. After we receive your enquiry, one of our professional Vietnam travel consultants reply and send you the suggested tour itinerary as soon as possible.

3. If you accept the suggested tour itinerary (you may modify it till you are satisfied with), we will calculate the tour cost and send you the tour price. If you accept it, please confirm that you would like to book it.

How to proceed to book Vietnam tour/Indochina holiday with you?

• When you decide to book your Vietnam tour/Indochina holiday with us, please send us your full name (name on passport) for hotel and domestic flight reservations, and your international flight details (in and out) for airport transfers.

How to pay the deposit and the balance?

• Deposit: When the booking is completely confirmed, we will send you confirmation details including confirmed itinerary, invoice, voucher. Then you are required to send the deposit which is about 30% of the total tour cost (can be less). You can pay by credit cards (via onepay gateway, pay online), wire/bank transfer, western union. The deposit is used to pay the flight tickets, hotels, train tickets in advance.
• Balance: You can pay the outstanding balance 2 weeks before your arrival, or you can pay us on your arrival in Vietnam by credit cards, cash (AUD, USD, EUROS, VND...)
• More about credit card payment via OnePay: ONEPAY - ONLINE PAYMENT GATEWAY (VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEX & JCB ACCEPTED)
  Like PayPal, OnePAY is a payment gateway but specialized in Vietnam where the PayPal has not yet reached. This is a perfect and the first payment processor which gains reputation among clients about its efficiency and timely friendly support.

  OnePAY in cooperation with biggest bank in Vietnam - Vietcombank which has been implemented this service among many tour operators in Vietnam.

  OnePAY is approved by MasterCard for this payment collection on the behalf of us. OnePAY uses SSL Verisign® over internet transaction under 3D-Secure program by respective creditcard companies so you are free from worries your card information disclosed. OnePAY payment portal also meets standards of international financial system such as PCI DSS of PCI Security Standards Council, 3D-Secure of Visa, MasterCard and JCB.

Note: Before coming, please make sure you have all travel documents such as; confirmed tour, invoice, flight tickets..., especially the visa to Vietnam and Indochina is done.

What about tipping?

• The tour guides and drivers expect tips, but it is not mandatory. You can tip more or less, or nothing that depends on the serviced provided. We recommend that you trip the tour guides; US$ 10 - 15  per day anddrivers: US$ 7-10 per day. Tipping at restaurants, tuk tuk, cyclo, taxi..., our tour guides will give you the advice.

Do you offer any discounts?
Yes, we offer discounts for;

•  Family with kids and children < 12 years old
•  Disable people
•  People of old ages (> 65 years old)
•  Repeated clients who have the second trip with us
•  Travel in big group of friends, families (the more people, the cheaper the price is)
•  We offer big discounts in low season (May - September)

Is there any charge if i change my travel dates, tour itinerary, hotels...?

• We are happy to work on your requests, and will not charge you any money for all extra work. However, if it is too urgent and the date is too close, the hotels or airlines may charge you some money, in this case we will let you know.

What is the latest time that I can make my reservation?

• We suggest you make reservations at least one month before the departure date. If you decide to travel to Vietnam/Indochina from October to April which is peak season, we recommend that you make the reservations two months (at least one) before your departure date. Late reservations can not be guaranteed for the availability of domestic flights, hotel rooms, etc. However, we can accept urgent booking, just 1-2 days before arrival. Things are possible at Holiday to Indochina.

What about Cancellation policy?

• In case of cancellation, we will not impose any charges if we are not being charged and possible to get refund from our suppliers but if our suppliers apply charges for cancellation, you will have to pay those charges that apply. Cancellation policies vary, depending upon the type of service, the time of year, and the reason for cancellation. We will pass on to you all details of any cancellation policy with our transparent reply upon demand.

General cancellation charges that applied by travel services in Vietnam and Indochina.

• Domestic flights: 25% of the fares
• 3 star hotels, train tickets, no charge if you cancel 3-5 days before your arrival. (FIT)
• 4 star hotels, 7 - 10 days before your arrival (FIT)
• 5 stars hotels, 10 - 15 days before your arrival (FIT)

However, in peak season, we may have to pay the hotels one month before your arrival to secure the booking, and in this case, the cancellation policy will be based on the hotels' cancellation plolicies.

Can we get refund?

• For the unused services, Holiday to Indochina will refund you.

How do I get a visa?

• Vietnam Visa - For those who would like to avoid the perhaps lengthening visa procedures with their local Vietnam's Embassies, the service of  Vietnam Visa On Arrival is available for help. It is legitimated and supported by the Vietnamese Immigration Department. We recommend that you choose visa upon arrival, as picking up visa at the Vietnam int'l airport/border is quite simple, easy, no additional charges and no fail.

Steps to obtain Visa on arrival
a) Please provide the following information for us to apply for your visa.

• 1) Full name on passport (male/female)
• 2) Passport number
• 3) Date of birth
• 4) Nationality
• 5) Date of arrival
• 6) Date of issue
• 7) Date of expire
• 8) Please make sure that your passport is still valid for 6 months

b) How long does it take?

• It will take 2-3 days (Normal process), 01 day (Urgent process) to get the “Visa Approval Letter” which we will send you via mail. What you need is to print it out and take it along to get the stamp at airports/borders

c) Get the stamp

• Upon arrival, you will need to fill in a certain form with your personal information, get the stamp and visa will be done. For this process, you will need to prepare 02 photos (4*6) and $45 USD each in cash which is stamping fee.

Do our tour guides and drivers have meals with us?

• The guide and the driver in each destination will dine at the same restaurant as yours. But, they will not join you unless you invite them.

Where can I change our money into Vietnam currency?

• We advise you to stop in any Vietnamese bank during the tour (Our tour guides will take you to the bank), you can exchange money at your hotel, but the exchange rate is a bit lower than the bank's exchange rate.

Can I use credit cards in Vietnam?

• Major credit cards such as Master Card, Visa, Diner's Card, American Express and JCB can be used to purchase goods in large shopping malls and stores in the big and medium cities, to pay for hotel rooms and for meals in some of the fancier restaurants, and to buy plane tickets with them.

Note: If you are to travel to those small cities or even remote rural areas, only cash in Dong can be used.

Do I need to bring my medical record with me?

• Yes, we suggest you take your medical record with you in case that you need it in the event of an emergency, and please also take with you your doctor's name, address and phone number, emergency contact name and phone number, and your insurance company's name, address and phone number.

When I finish my tour in Vietnam, if I still have some local money, what can I do?

• Upon leaving Vietnam, if you still have some local money, you can change them back to foreign currency with your passport and the exchange memos given by the banks or money exchange counters. So please keep those exchange memos well whenever you change money.