Vietnam & Cambodia

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Vietnam & Cambodia: Includes Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, in Vietnam, Me Kong Delta, Angkor Wat, Angkor Thon in Siem Reap, and much more...

• Staying in all the best hotels centrally located and boutique gay-friendly hotels.

 

PRICE INCLUDES:

• 13 nights accommodation included 11 nights in a hotel, 1 night on the train, 1 night on Halong cruise

• Airport transfer private car in Hanoi, Danang airport, HCMC (Ho Chi Minh City) airport, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap.

• Train station transfer in Hanoi and Da Nang

• All activities based on a shared group tour with a maximum of 16 persons (except for Halong Bay cruise)

• Boat cruise a mentioned in Phnom Penh

• Entrance tickets to all sites mentioned.

• Meal as mentioned: B= Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

• All government tax and service charges

• Experienced gay tour manager

 

CULTURE ASPECTS:

Expect some culture shock. You'll be exposed to signs of poverty and access to services may be sporadic. The food will be quite different from home and English speakers harder to find. Respecting the local culture will make it easier to fit in and really experience the location.

 

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY:

Day 1  Arrive Hanoi (Vietnam)

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be met and transferred to the hotel in Hanoi for checking in. Welcome buffet dinner will be served at the restaurant. Overnight at the proposed hotel.

Look out for our representative upon arrival.

 (D)

 

Day 2  Hanoi

After breakfast, you are picked up and start for city tour; visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One pillar pagoda, continue to visit Ethnology Museum.

Have lunch in one of the famous restaurants in Hanoi

PM: Visit Literature temple, the first University in Vietnam in the 16th century then have cyclo in the old quarter, enjoy water puppet show in the afternoon. Later in the evening, we can head over to have some drinks/cafe to a local pub and wander around the Hanoi downtown area.

 (B, L, D)

 

Day 3  Hanoi - Halong Bay cruise

07:45 – 08:00: Shuttle from cruise pick-up at hotel and start the scenic, 3 and ½ hour drive to Halong Bay.

12h30 – 13h00 Embark on  Cruise followed by a short cruise briefing.

13h30 – 14h30 Savor a delectable lunch on a cruise among the limestone islands.

15h00 – 16h00 Explore the amazing Sung Sot Cave – the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay.

16h00 – 17h00 Cruising to Titov island. Go swimming and relaxing at the beach of Titov or climb up to the top of the island for a panorama view of Halong Bay.

17h00 – 17h30 Return to the main boat and continue cruising to the quiet area while enjoying beautiful seascape on the way.

17h30 – 19h00 Enjoy Sunset Party on the sundeck and admire the best moments of the day when the sun starts to set.

19h00 Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests, take part in board games, fish for squid, or just laze around.

Overnight on board.

 (B, L, D)

 

Day 4  Halong - Hanoi - Hue

06h30 – 07h00 Start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt.

07h00 – 07h30 Have breakfast on board and enjoy the peaceful morning of Halong Bay.

08h30 – 09h30 Kayak among the hidden areas of the bay, around the Drum Cave.

09h45 Return to the boat. Freshen up and check out of your cabin.

10h00 – 10h30 Continue your cruise exploring the Bay, passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more.

10h30 – 11h30 While heading back to the harbor, watch the fruit carving demonstration, and participate in the Cooking Class before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch.

11h45 – 12h00 Check out.

12h15 – 12h30 Return to in the harbor around noon then drive back to Hanoi airport for the flight to Hue. Overnight in Hue.

 (B, L, D)

 

Day 5  Hue - City tour.

AM: we visit Royal Citadel, which was constructed by Emperor Gia Long in the style of French military architect Vauban during the first decades of the 19th-century visit Khai Dinh Tomb

PM: A boat trip along Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda, Minh Mang tomb, visit Dong Ba market. Overnight at the Hotel.

 (B, L, D)

 

Day 6  Hue - Danang - Hoian

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the ancient town of Hoi An over the Hai Van Pass to Da Nang, stopping at Lang Co Beach, the Cham Museum and Marble Mountain en route.

Lunch in Hoian.

In the afternoon, take a walking tour of Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries, and enjoy the traditional architecture and relaxed lifestyle.

Visit the centuries-old homes of merchants, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and the colorful, bustling market…

Evening free to have dinner and explore the town.

 (B, L, D)

 

Day 7  Hoian - Day at leisure

Free at leisure in Hoi An for tailoring, shopping, exploring ancient town…

 (B, D)

 

Day 8  Hoian - Ho Chi Minh City

AM: free at your leisure

PM: take a flight to HCMC in the afternoon, arrive in HCMC you are picked up to the hotel to relax.

 (B, D)

 

Day 9  Ho Chi Minh City tour

Full day city tour from 8 AM; visiting the former Presidential Palace, the War Remnants Museum, and the famous architecture and buildings in the city center including Notre Dame Cathedral, City Hall, the Municipal Theatre, and Xa Loi pagoda, ending with stops at Ben Thanh market and China town, Cholon. Overnight at the Hotel.

 (B, L, D)

 

Day 10  Ho chi Minh - Mekong Delta

Pick up at the hotel at 8:00, this morning we set off for a drive through the Mekong Delta to the town of Cai Be, well-known for its floating market.

Here we will board our private boat for a cruise along the maze of waterways and canals to Vinh Long.

We will stop at the home of a Bonsai gardener for a sumptuous Delta lunch, including the popular dish of ‘Elephant ear fish’, before continuing our exploration of the tributaries and canals of the delta.

Drive back to HCMC for overnight

 (B, L, D)

 

Day 11  Ho Chi Minh - Siem Reap visit Small Circuit

AM: Take a flight to Siem Reap on arrival you are picked up and have tour visit Small Circuit to witness the Prasat Kravan (Cardamon sanctuary), where we will experience the stunning image of the eight-armed Vishnu in the largest central tower.

Then we get going to Banteay Kdei, a massive Buddhist temple with four concentric walls; Srah Srang (Royal Bath); especially to Ta Prohm, which is best known for its originally charming look, with trees and roots intertwined with the carvings and chambers of the buildings. Overnight in Hotel.

 (B, D)

 

Day 12  Siem Reap - South Fate of Angkor Thom

AM: we start our tour to South Gate of Angkor Thom, then go to Angkor Thom (the temple) which was built by Angkor's greatest king, Jayavarman VII.

The major attraction of Angkor Thom is the Bayon, whose exact function and symbolism is still unknown until now, then go to Baphoun which is one of the most spectacular of Angkor's temples in its heyday; Terrace of the Elephants was used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king's grand audience hall; Terrace of the Leper King is another of Angkor's mysteries.

In the afternoon visit the World Seventh Wonder which is well known as Angkor Wat, which is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia.

Angkor wat stretch over some 400 sq. km, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire.

 (B, L, D)

 

Day 13  Siem Reap / Great Lake Visit

In the early morning, we enjoy our time with sunrise at Angkor Wat then back to the hotel for breakfast.

After that, we are heading to Pre Rup (the pyramid-shaped temple) then to East Mebon, Ta Som, Neak Pean, Preah Khan, and Baksei Chamkrong that all represent the unique feature of Angkorian sites.

The afternoon is the time to experience boat trip on the Great Lake Tonle Sap, which is renowned for its basin of freshwater fish (10 tons/ 1Square Km in the 60s).

Visitors may also view the freshwater exhibition where we can see various kinds of fish in Tonle sap Lake before continuing to visit the Floating Village.

 (B, L, D)

 

Day 14  Siem Reap - Departure

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning free time for shopping etc. Early lunch then transfers to  International Airport for departing flight.

End of service.

 (B)

 

This itinerary is correct at the time of issue and in good faith but is liable to change at any time or place for any reason.

 

 (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)