DAY 01
Mon 29 Mar
D |
HANOI
Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, is a city of lakes, parks, trees and villas. You will be met on arrival and transferred to the SILK PATH HOTEL
www.silkpathhotel.com where you spend two nights. This new, well appointed hotel is centrally situated in the heart of the Old Quarter, close to Hoan Kiem Lake and shopping areas. The rest of the day at leisure to recover from any jet-lag.
Welcome dinner this evening at the Wild Rice Restaurant, where the special menu will introduce you to the best of Vietnamese cuisine. |
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Day 2
Tue 30 Mar
B L |
 HANOI
Morning Hanoi city orientation tour of the tree lined streets of Hanoi, resplendent with French colonial architecture, including the restored Opera House and Hoan Kiem Lake, Lake of the Restored Sword.
Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum housing the embalmed remains of Ho Chi Minh and the Ho Chi Minh Museum, with the rustic small house in which “Uncle Ho” lived out his final years. See the One Pillar Pagoda, built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong in the 1th century.
Continue to the Temple of Literature - a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways. This monument is one of the best-preserved examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius - the site of Vietnam's first university.
Lunch at the Hoa Sua restaurant. Return to the hotel for some free time.
In the late afternoon take a cyclo tour through the streets of the Old Quarter, finishing at the Water Puppet Theatre to attend the early evening show.
Free for dinner this evening.
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Day 3
Wed 31 Mar
B L D |
 HANOI - HALONG BAY
An early start this morning for the
drive to Halong Bay, Vietnam’s greatest natural wonder.
Board the luxury junk PARADISE
www.paradisecruises.org for an overnight
cruise.
Departure on the Halong Bay cruise while enjoying an Asian buffet lunch.
Afternoon visit to Surprise Cave (Hang Sung Sot) to explore this famous
grotto.
Disembark at Cua Van Fishing Village for a fascinating insight into the life
of the local people.
Continue cruising in the beautiful bay with a stop at Dong Tien where there
will be time for swimming or kayaking. This will also be the overnight stop.
Buffet dinner this evening. |
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Day 4
Thu 01 Apr
B L |
 HALONG
BAY CRUISE – HOI AN
For the early risers, Tai Chi lesson on deck. Opportunities for swimming and
kayaking.
Buffet breakfast before checking out.
Disembark at 10h30 and travel overland to Hanoi Airport (3.5 hours) with
rest stop en route visiting local ceramic village.
Picnic box lunch today.
Please note cruise itinerary and programme subject to change without notice.
Late afternoon flight to Danang, to transfer to Hoi An for check in at the
HOI AN TRAILS RESORT & SPA
www.hoiantrailsresort.com.vn in a delightful
country setting, surrounded by rice paddies. Spend two nights here in deluxe
rooms. Free for dinner this evening. |
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Day 5
Fri 02 Apr
B L |
HOI AN
Morning visit to the Central Market followed by a walking tour of Hoi An.
This picturesque riverside town was one of South East Asia’s major
international ports from the 17th to 19th centuries. Untouched by war, Hoi
An’s Chinese, Japanese and European architecture bears witness to a
cosmopolitan past, allowing a glimpse of Vietnam that no longer exists
elsewhere. Lunch at the famous Cargo Club.
Afternoon and evening at leisure to explore on your own, or to relax. The
hotel offers a free shuttle service to a private beach 1 km away, or you
could make use of the free bicycles offered by the hotel.
Free for dinner this evening. |
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Day 6
Sat 03 Apr
B L |
 HOI AN – HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
Transfer to Danang Airport for a mid morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City,
better known as Saigon.
On arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, followed by an orientation
tour with stops at the colonial Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral.
Reunification Palace, formerly the Presidential Palace, where the first
Communist tanks rolled into Saigon on the morning of 30 April, 1975. Visit
the lush Botanical Gardens, the History Museum and the Temple of King Hung
Vuong, a tribute to the Hung Kings, said to be the first rulers of Vietnam
prior to the Chinese invasion. Visit the Ben Thanh Market, the Central
Market, filled with colourful stalls selling everything from fresh bread,
flowers and fish, to linen, handbags and lacquerware, all under one roof.
Check in for the next three nights at the MAY HOTEL
www.mayhotel.com
centrally situated in downtown Saigon.
Free for dinner this evening. |
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Day 7
Sun 04 Apr
B L |
 SAIGON
Morning visit to the Jade Emperor Pagoda and War Remnants Museum, which
provides an intense and disturbing look at the effects of war on this nation
as seen from the side of the Vietnamese, from the French times through to
the American occupation.
Our tour continues to Cholon and the Binh Tay Market, bustling with trading
activity. See Cha Tam Church where President Diem sought refuge shortly
before his assassination in 1963 and visit the impressive Thien Hau Temple
dedicated to the goddess of the seas.
Lunch at a local Vietnamese style restaurant |
Day 8
Mon 05 Apr
B L |
 Rest of afternoon at leisure.
Free for dinner this evening
SAIGON
This morning visit a lacquer workshop to see the artisans at work,
followed by a visit to the Cao Dai Holy See Temple. The Cao Dai
religion is unique to Vietnam and is a blend of both ancient and
modern beliefs. We will be able to observe the colourful but formal
service held at midday. Following the service, enjoy lunch at a
local restaurant.
In the afternoon visit Cu Chi to see the vast underground network of
tunnels built first as a defence against the French, and later
expanded during the American war. It was from here that the North
Vietnamese waged their guerrilla warfare and you will marvel at
their ingenuity and resilience. See secret trapdoors, underground
kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms. For those preferring to
remain above ground, there will be ample opportunity to view
excavated areas from above. Free for dinner. |
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Day 9
Tue 06 Apr
B L |
 SAIGON, MEKONG DELTA – CAN THO
Journey south of Saigon by road to the Mekong River town of Cai Be,
where you board a motorised sampan for an introduction to life on the river.
Cai Be is known for its large floating market, where displays of food are
hung from bamboo poles over the host boat to attract customers. Continue
across the upper reaches of the river through a maze of tributaries and
fruit plantations. Lunch at a local farmer’s home before continuing the
cruise to Vinh Long. From here drive and ferry to the Delta’s economic hub,
the city of Can Tho.
Check in at the luxurious VICTORIA CAN THO HOTEL situated in lush gardens on
the banks of the Hau River.
www.victoriahotels-asia.com/eng/hotels-in-vietnam/can-tho-resort
Free for dinner. |
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Day 10
Wed 07 Apr
B L |
MEKONG DELTA – CAN THO, SAIGON
Early morning cruise to the bustling market town of Cai Rang, for a sampan
ride through the colourful congestion of women and children jostling for
space and vying to sell their wares. On shore visit the riverside cottage
industries and the Can Tho Market Hall.
Afternoon departure from Can Tho for the drive back to Saigon. Overnight at
the MAY HOTEL.
Free for dinner. |
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Day 11
Thu 08 Apr
B L |
 SAIGON, CAMBODIA, SIEM REAP
Morning departure to airport where we say farewell to our Vietnamese guide,
before boarding the flight to Siem Reap.
On arrival in Siem Reap, we will be met by our new guide and taken to
Viroth’s Restaurant for lunch.
Check in at the VICTORIA ANGKOR HOTEL where we spend two nights.
www.victoriahotels-asia.com/eng/hotel-in-cambodia/angkor-resort-spa
Afternoon visit to Angkor Wat, the world’s largest temple, with a volume of
stone equalling that of the Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt. Inspired by 12th
Century Hinduism, its symmetrical towers were conceived by Suryavarman II
and took an estimated 30 years to build.
The well preserved temple is believed to have been a funeral temple for the
king and has been continuously occupied by Buddhist monks.
Our visit is timed to enjoy the sunset at Angkor Wat.
Free for dinner this evening. |
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Day 12
Fri 09 Apr
B D |
SIEM REAP
Morning visit to the monumental Angkor Thom - last capital of the
Khmers, with its Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the
stunning Bayon temple.
 This 12th century masterpiece lies at the very centre
of Angkor Thom and is an archaeological wonder of symmetry and grandeur. The
exterior gallery walls have extensive bas-reliefs but the highlight is the
“faces” - more than 200 of them, silent but with the famous half-smile
playing on their lips.
Enjoy an Elephant ride around the Bayon Temple.
Return to the hotel for
lunch at leisure.
This afternoon, visit Ta Prohm, the temple that has been left largely in its
natural state since its “re-discovery” by French explorers. Surrounded by
jungle, its labyrinth of stone hallways is overgrown with the roots and
limbs of massive banyan trees. It is noted for its mystical charm.
Continue to Preah Khan, "The Sacred Sword", an extensive monastic complex
built by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a monastery and teaching complex.
The monastery covers an area of over 56 hectares,.
 One of a group of temple
complexes situated on a small 'Baray', Preah Khan is the site of the World
Monuments Fund ‘prime’ Asian project of painstaking renovation, whilst
maintaining it’s mysterious allure and superb original structure.
Our tour has come to an end and we meet in the hotel’s lovely garden to
enjoy a farewell drink together. This evening we visit Angkor Village
Theatre for dinner and a Cultural Dance Show. |
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Day 13
Sat 10 Apr
B |
SIEM REAP
At leisure until time for transfer to the airport for departure on
international flight. |
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PRICE:
USD 1,895.00 per person sharing USD 815.00 single supplement
Price based on a minimum of 20 passengers
Prices are subject to currency fluctuations and possible increases in cost
of flights and taxes
For participants departing from South Africa, flights on Singapore Airlines
Johannesburg/Hanoi – Siem Reap/Johannesburg, R7,990.00 excluding taxes
(currently R2,377, subject to change) depending on availability at time of
booking. |
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 Included in Price
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11 Nights Accommodation in 4* and Deluxe Hotels
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1 Night Cruise aboard the luxury junk Paradise
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Full breakfast daily
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3 x Dinners and 10 x Lunches as per itinerary
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Individual private transfers airport/hotel in Hanoi and hotel/airport in Siem Reap
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Land transport in best available air conditioned coaches
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Cyclo Taxi tour in Hanoi
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Elephant ride at Angkor
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Boat tickets as specified in itinerary
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Sightseeing and entrances in Vietnam as per itinerary
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Best available seats at Water Puppets Show in Hanoi
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Best available seats at Cultural Dinner/Dance show in Siem Reap
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Sightseeing, entrances and Temples Pass in Cambodia as per itinerary
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Domestic flights Hanoi/Danang/ Saigon
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International flight Saigon/Siem Reap
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Services of National Registered English speaking guide throughout Vietnam
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Services of local English speaking guide in Siem Reap, Cambodia
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Tour Escort from Pannell’s Tours
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Porterage at hotels and airports for luggage handling
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Service charges and tips at restaurants when meals are included
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All tips & gratuities to guides, drivers & boat crew
Not Included in Price
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International airfares into Hanoi and out of Siem Reap
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International Departure Tax from Siem Reap (currently USD25)
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Vietnamese Visa (to be obtained prior to arrival)
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Cambodian Visa (Currently USD20 cash with one passport size photo, on arrival)
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Meals not mentioned in itinerary
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Drinks
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All items of a personal nature
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Notes about this tour
This is an active tour that includes a fair amount of walking. – some of it over uneven and rocky terrain at the sites of historic buildings and ancient sites. Tour participants should be in good health and be able to walk reasonable distances over such terrain. Paths and walkways could present difficulties for anyone with physical disabilities. However, the amount of walking done will be at your discretion and you may choose not to do some of the lengthier or more difficult walks.
We are unable to provide individual assistance with walking to any of our passengers needing such support. Anyone requiring assistance should to be accompanied by an able companion who can provide whatever help is needed.
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