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Joined: 15 Feb 2005
Posts: 14
Location: VietNam
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Vietnam & Cambodia Enchantment (promotion)- www.batour.com
Tour Price: $1380 per person. Departure dates: 2005 April 2nd , May 7th , June 4th , July 2nd , August 6th , September 3rd , October 1st , November 5th , December 3rd
Vietnam & Cambodia Enchantment
Our itinerary starts in Hanoi city- the heart of Vietnam, with a visit to the Temple of Literature- built in 1070, which was the first university in Vietnam to bear the names and achievements of who received doctorates; the Fine Art Museum containing objects, restored articles, antique pottery, lacquer paintings, and ancient stone sculptures showing the origins and evolution of Vietnamese fine arts; the Quan Thanh Temple, which was established during the Ly Dynasty and was dedicated to Tran Vo- God of the North; and the One Pillar pagoda which is built of wood on a single stone pillar to represent a lotus blossom - considered a symbol of purity.
We then travel by road to Halong Bay, about 100km from Hanoi, to admire the fantastic landscapes - 3000 islets and islands rising from the clear, emerald waters in strange shapes and forms, and bearing names such as ‘the cock fight’, ‘the fairy’, ‘the kettle’, ‘the toad’ etc….
Then we take a flight to Central Vietnam to visit some of the interesting sites recognized as World Cultural Heritage sites by UNESCO. Hue city- located on the romantic Perfume River flows peacefully by the fruit gardens and hills hiding the ancient royal tombs of Emporer Minh Mang on the left branch of the river, Emporer Tu Duc, one of the most romantic and splendid masterpieces and Emporer Khai Dinh. We take a tour of the Imperial Citadel with flag pole, the noon gate, the courtyard for royal ceremonies, the palace of supreme peace, the memorial temples for Nguyen Kings. We cross the Hai Van (Ocean Cloud) Pass- the most beautiful pass in Vietnam to reach Danang city to visit the Cham Museum, built in 1915, Marble Mountains (also called the site of the 5 elements Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Water) then relax on China Beach nearby. About 70km from Danang are the temples of the Cham holy see of My Son, comparable with Angkor in Cambodia. Now, we go to Hoi An- the ancient town to visit some old houses made of wood showing architectural influences of the Chinese and Japanese.
Our trip then continues to Ho Chi Minh City to discover the former Sai Gon- known as the ‘Pearl of the Far East’ by local people, where we visit the Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, the History Museum,a lacquer ware factory, the Thien Hau pagoda and Binh Tay market in noisy Chinatown.
From HCMC it is a two hour drive into the Mekong Delta where we witness the rustic country life of the delta. Here we will take a motor-boat cruise on the river, visiting green orchards, enjoying the fresh sweet tropical fruits combined with traditional music performance presented by local people. We visit arts and crafts villages, for example villages making coconut candy, rice-paper, and keeping bees - you can buy some of the products for souvenirs and then enjoy the busy activity taking place at the floating markets on the Mekong river in Can Tho province.
Finally we leave Ho Chi Minh on board our international flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia to visit the amazing antiquities at Angkor – the South gate of Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple complex and Angkor Wat, then watch the Sunset on Phnom Bakheng. Our journey ends with a short flight to capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh to visit the Royal Place, Silver Pagoda, Raung Damrei Museum, National Museum of Fine Arts, Toul Sleng Museum of Genocide and killing Field Museum.
Itinerary Descriptions
Day 1: Hanoi- Arrival
Arrive Hanoi, Vietnam. Our guide will be at the airport to welcome you & transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour includes Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple in the Old Quarter of Hanoi plus China town. Evening to see the world famous Vietnamese Water Puppet show in the theatre. Accommodation at Guoman hotel or similar (4*).
Day 2: Hanoi
Full day city tour includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (closed on Monday, Friday and the whole of October-November) and Residence, One-Pillar Pagoda, Army Museum. After lunch at a local restaurant we visit Temple of Literature, built in the 11th century as Vietnam’s first university, Fine Art Museum, Quan Thanh Temple. Accommodation at Guoman hotel in Hanoi.(B/L)
Day 3: Hanoi - Haiphong –Halong
Enjoy the 100km journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to Haiphong, Vietnam's third largest city. Haiphong still has many impressive examples of classic European colonial architecture in its town centre. There is time for lunch and a visit to Hang Kenh tapestry factory and the Du Hang Pagoda, founded over three centuries ago, before continuing to Halong Bay. Transfer to hotel on arrival in Halong Bay. Overnight in Halong at Heritage hotel or similar (4*). (B/L)
Day 4: Halong – Hanoi
A morning cruise in a private junk on the emerald green waters of Halong Bay, among the 3,000 spectacular limestone islands. The cruise ends with a fresh seafood lunch on board. Return to Hanoi by road in the afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi at Guoman hotel or similar (4*). (B/L)
Day 5: Hanoi – Hue
Transfer to airport for your flight to Hue. Arriving in Hue, pick up & transfer to your hotel. Today our city tour includes the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. In the afternoon visit the elaborate mausoleums of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Overnight in Hue at Huong Giang hotel or similar (3*). (B/L)
Day 6: Hue - Hoi An
This morning's tour starts with a boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River to visit Hue's best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda. Afterwards drive to Hoi An via Danang. The scenic route climbs over the Pass of Ocean Clouds before dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. On the road from Danang to Hoi An visit five sacred hills known as the Marble Mountains containing dozens of Buddhist shrines. On arrival in Hoi An in late afternoon, transfer to hotel & overnight at Dong An Beach Hotel or similar (4*). (B/L)
Day 7: Hoi An
Hoi An was a major Asian trading port in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and its picturesque architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit former merchants' houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market. Afternoon trip to visit the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son. Here, 40km southwest of Hoi An, in a lush green valley, are dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the seventh and thirteenth centuries. Return to Hoi An & overnight at Dong An Beach hotel or similar (4*). (B/L)
Day 8: Hoi An - Hochiminh (formerly Saigon)
Drive to Danang & transfer to airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Pick up & transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour includes The Reunification Palace (former Presidential Palace), Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Lam Son Square, Ben Thanh Market, Thien Hau pagoda, The Museum of HCM Campaign etc. Evening dinner cruise along the famous Saigon River. The 2-3 hour cruise includes dinner, music & performance plus the lovely views of Saigon City on one side & the sleepy countryside on the other. Accommodation at Rex hotel or similar (4*). (B/L/D)
Day 9: Hochiminh - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi – Hochiminh
Enjoy a morning drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to Tay Ninh Province in the west of Vietnam. At Tay Ninh visit the incredible Cao Dai Great Temple, with architecture that could have come straight from a Walt Disney fantasy and where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious cocktail. In the afternoon visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. Return to HCMC & overnight at Rex hotel or similar (4*). (B/L)
Day 10: Hochiminh - Mekong Delta
A full day trip to the watery world of the Mekong Delta, just a couple of hours by road from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City's streets. Depart for Vinh Long, 150km southwest Ho Chi Minh city. A motor-boat takes you along the
Mekong river and follows small canals flowing sluggishly between banks of luxuriant vegetation to Cai Be floating market, one of the most typical floating markets of the Mekong Delta. Experience the exotic sights, sounds and smells. Lunch at a bonsai garden with speciality food - "Elephant's Ear" fish. Visit a ceramic tile factory, a tofu and fish sauce factory, a blacksmith's, a roof thatcher's and a rice husking factory. Return to HCMC & overnight at Rex hotel or similar (4*). (B/L)
Day 11: Hochiminh - Siem Reap
Transfer to airport for your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Pick up & transfer to hotel. After lunch at a local restaurant, take a boat trip & enjoy the wonderful views of Tonlesap Great Lake in the afternoon, also visit the beautiful Phnom Krom temple by the Tonle Sap Lake. Evening at local restaurant with traditional Cambodian dance performance on stage. Overnight in Siem Reap at Angkor Village or similar. (B/L/D)
Day 12: Siem Reap (Angkor)
Full day visit to the ancient royal capital of Angkor Thom: Bayon, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda, Terrace of Elephants and Leper king and Taprohm temple. Lunch at Tonlesap restaurant. Afternoon Visit to the 7th World heritage wonder of Angkorwat temple, Ta Som, Ta Keo, Pre Rup temples return to town. Dinner at Samapheap restaurant. Accommodation at Angkor Village or similar (4*). (B/L/D)
Day 13: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh
Transfer to airport for your flight to Phnom Penh. Pick up & transfer you to your hotel. Today city tour includes Royal Place, Silver Pagoda, Raung Damrei Museum and National Museum of Fine Arts, Independence monument, Central Market. Dinner at city restaurant. Accommodation at Cambodiana hotel (4*). (B/L/D)
Day 14: Phnom Penh – Departure
A visit to Toul Sleng Museum of Genocide plus a trip to see the world famous Killing Fields (optional). After lunch at leisure until transfer to airport for your flight departure. (B)
Tour Prices:
Tour Price: $1380 per person
Tour includes:
Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
Full land transportation
English speaking guide
All entrance and boat fees
Domestic airfares (Hanoi- Hue, Danang- HoChiMinh) and domestic airport tax
International flight from Saigon to Siem Reap
Tour price does not include:
Visa and airport tax
Personal expenses and other services which are not mentioned in itinerary
Departure dates: 2005 April 2nd , May 7th , June 4th , July 2nd , August 6th , September 3rd , October 1st , November 5th , December 3rd |
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