Angkor Wat & North Vietnam

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Begin the excursion with a visit to the Angkor area, where we will spend an entire day exploring the wonderful ancient ruins such as the South Gate of Angkor Thom, famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the largest and most complete temple, Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was built in the 12th century and covers an area of approximately 210 hectares. 

Free lunch at a local restaurant. 

You will stroll around this enormous building, admiring the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, and ponds filled with water that reflect the towering temple; the jungle-covered Ta Prohm temple is a sight of rare beauty. Enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers embracing the stone foundations of the structure give the impression that man’s creation is being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. In the late afternoon, you will have the opportunity to admire the sunset from Bakheng Hill. Free dinner at a local restaurant and overnight stay in Siem Reap. 

Optional activity: A short Tuk Tuk ride and the opportunity to participate in a Buddhist ceremony where you will be blessed by monks wishing you happiness and prosperity for your holiday, with a surcharge of 10 USD per person.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

During the morning, you will visit the Banteay Srei temple, which houses one of the most extraordinary jewels of Khmer art. Built in the 10th century, this small pink sandstone temple, whose name means “The Citadel of the Women,” contains sculptural masterpieces still in a good state of conservation. André Malraux made it famous in the early 20th century following the recovery of several “apsara” heads that were returned to the community in 1923. During the trip, you will visit the Banteay Samre temple where, according to legend, a farmer became King: the king of sweet cucumbers. You will admire the remarkable sculptures of this classic temple, preserved with great care. Free lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will begin with a visit to the Preah Khan Temple, built by Jayavarman VII in 1191 in honor of his father, who is represented as the saving god of Mahayana Buddhism. The temple was originally a true city and a place dedicated to Buddhist studies. Belonging to the same era, Neak Pean, also called “Entwined Nagas,” is the only island-temple of Angkor. It is said to symbolically represent Anavatapta: the sacred and mythical lake of the Himalayas, revered in India for the healing properties of its waters. The large central basin is connected to 4 other smaller basins representing the four great rivers of the earth and the four cardinal points. Each of them has a gargoyle in the shape of a lion, horse, elephant, and man. The most interesting part is certainly a wonderful statue of Balaha, representing the legend of the rescue of a group of shipwrecked people. You will continue the visit of Angkor and depart to reach the two beautiful 12th-century temples of Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda, built under the reign of Suryavarman II. Here you will find sculptures in honor of Shiva, Vishnu, and the Devatas (particularly at Chau Say Tevoda). 

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Early morning wake-up.

Head toward the floating village of Kompong Khleang, located about an hour’s drive from Siem Reap and visited by thousands of tourists each year. Kompong Khleang is one of the most impressive villages due to the height and size of its stilt houses. Take a walking tour of the village to meet the inhabitants and enter a house belonging to a family that raises crocodiles. Afterward, you will board a local boat that will pass through all the canals toward the great lake, where the inhabitants move their houses according to the seasons.

Return to the village with free time for lunch at a local restaurant.

Free time to visit the Old Market until the meeting time for your transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your flight to Hanoi. Please note that rooms are available until noon.

Arrival at Hanoi airport. 

Welcome by the guide and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and overnight stay at the hotel.

Please note:

• Rainy Season (Aug – Jan): Take a boat to explore the village and continue toward Tonle Sap Lake (walking inside the villages is not possible).
• Dry Season (Feb – Aug): Take a car to the village, then a walking tour of the village. Afterward, you will board a local boat to travel through the canals toward the great lake whose inhabitants move their houses.

Breakfast at the hotel.

The day is dedicated to discovering the city of Hanoi, starting with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, which includes: the Mausoleum (exterior only, closed on Mondays and Fridays), the Presidential Palace, Uncle Ho’s house on stilts, and the One Pillar Pagoda, built of wood in 1049, which rests on a single pillar and represents the purity of the lotus flower. The tour continues with a visit to West Lake—the city’s largest natural lake—and the Tran Quoc Pagoda, located on the eastern shore of the lake. Not to be missed is the Temple of Literature, the ancient university built in 1070 in honor of Confucius to pay tribute to scholars and men of letters.

Free lunch at a local restaurant.

You will begin the afternoon with a “xich lo” (cyclo) ride through the Old Quarter, the city’s historic center—a place with a thousand-year history teeming with vitality and commerce. The Quarter consists of 36 streets, each dedicated to the sale of a specific product and therefore bearing the name of that product; for example: the street of spices or the street of shoes. These streets often begin with the word “Hang…” followed by the product name (e.g., Hang Ma). You will pass through a lively city market to reach the Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem). You will visit the Ngoc Son Temple, an oasis of peace and tranquility offering a beautiful view of the Turtle Tower (Thap Rua). The day concludes with a Water Puppet show.

Free dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Arrival at Lao Cai station around 06:00 – 06:30 AM.

Welcome by your local English-speaking guide. Breakfast at a local restaurant.

Departure for the mountainous areas of Lao Cai province; during the journey, you can enjoy breathtaking views of mountains, rivers, and lakes. The Lao Cai region is well known for its vibrant and colorful weekly markets, surrounded by an enchanting landscape of wild nature. The markets are not only for exchanging goods but also serve as the epicenter for cultural encounters between the different ethnic groups living in harmony in this region. You will visit a colorful ethnic market held once a week (Alternatives: Coc Ly market – Tuesday, Sin Cheng market – Wednesday, Lung Khau Nhin market – Thursday, Lung Phinh market – Friday, Can Cau market – Saturday, Bac Ha market – Sunday). You can browse the market and see the products sold, such as vegetables, poultry, horses, and buffaloes. Your attention will surely be captured not only by the liveliness of the market but also by the many minority groups in their most colorful traditional clothing.

After visiting the market, you will take a short walk through some small ethnic villages interspersed with cornfields, cassava hills, clay houses, and plum gardens.

Free lunch at a local restaurant.

Finally, we will head toward Sapa. Return to Sapa. Free time in Sapa.

Free dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Sapa or a lodge in the village (4–5km from Sapa center).

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure from Sapa at 9:00 AM. During the journey, you will cross the Muong Hoa River, traveling along small dirt roads with alternating climbs and descents to reach the village of Lao Chai, inhabited by the Black Hmong. Along the way, you can admire the spectacular panorama of colorful terraced rice fields, with the opportunity to visit families from the ethnic groups living here. You will cross rice fields and small rivers to head toward the village of Ta Van, inhabited by the Giay (Zday) ethnic group. Descending toward the Muong Hoa River and crossing a small suspension bridge, you can admire a site featuring ancient rock carvings. From this point, you can choose between a quick return to Sapa or continuing along the road toward the Hmong and Dao villages located further south.

Return to Sapa in the afternoon and free time for shopping. Free lunch at a local restaurant. Shared Limousine from Sapa to Hanoi. Free dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Sapa, located in a splendid valley near the Chinese border and dubbed the “Queen of the Mountains,” is beautifully nestled in a scenic spot overlooking a stunning valley, surrounded by high peaks that soar above the city from all sides. This is the premier destination in northwestern Vietnam, a gateway to another world of mysterious cultures of diverse ethnic populations and enchanting landscapes. The spectacular scenery surrounding Sapa includes cascading rice terraces that spread across the mountains like a multicolored quilt.

Departure for Halong by shuttle bus (provided by the cruise company) or private car.

A fascinating and majestic place: words alone cannot do justice to the natural wonder that is Halong Bay. The bay is considered one of the new seven natural wonders of the world. It features thousands of limestone karsts and islets, making it a highly picturesque location that attracts thousands of travelers from around the world every year.

The journey to Halong takes about 4 hours and includes a short stop.

Arrival in Halong around noon; boarding and check-in on the cruise ship for the bay excursion. Follow the cruise program.

Meals on board based on seafood. Overnight stay on board the junk in a private cabin (with air conditioning and shower).

Notes:

• Lunch and dinner with seafood tasting on board the junk (included – drinks not included).
• Overnight stay on board in a deluxe private cabin (with AC and shower).
• The cruise itinerary may vary without notice depending on weather conditions or decisions made by local authorities.
• Only one English-speaking guide, provided by the cruise company, is present on the junk.

Breakfast on the deck of the junk where, while sipping your coffee, you can admire the splendid bay at sunrise.

Spend the morning relaxing on the cruise amidst the magical landscapes of Halong Bay.

Brunch on board.

Disembarkation and return to Hanoi.

In the evening, free time to explore the city of Hanoi.

Free dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time in the city. 

Greeting and transfer to the airport for your return flight. We wish you a pleasant journey home!!!

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