Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia
*Fully escorted from Australia
Guaranteed SINGLE room throughout
Departing  Australia 09 January, 2011

Hanoi 3 nights, Halong Bay luxury junk 1 night, Hoi An 3 nights, Ho Chi Minh City 4 nights,
Luang Prabang, Laos - 2 nights, Vientiane, Laos 2 nights, Angkor Wat, Cambodia 3 nights

Visiting Vietnam is a life changing experience. It is a country overwhelming to the senses; the smells, the heat, the traffic, the food, the beautiful beaches and scenery.  Liberated from years of war, occupation and isolation, the Vietnamese are focused firmly on the future and are revealed as a people of great charm and dynamism. Influenced by Chinese and French culture, they have maintained a strong sense of their own uniqueness while embracing new outside influences.   

Today Cambodia is symbolised by awesome Angkor Wat, the largest manmade religious structure in the world and one of the most breathtaking sights you will experience.   Cambodia is also home to unspoilt beaches, pristine forests and beautiful colonial cities but it is the gentle, polite and friendly nature of the Khmer people which makes Cambodia such a memorable destination.

With the smallest population of all the Indochinese countries, devoutly Buddhist and largely undeveloped, the Lao are a gentle and welcoming people with a relaxed pace of life.  Laos is a mountainous, landlocked country sharing borders with the countries of Vietnam on the East, and Cambodia to its south. Laos also shares borders with the nations of Thailand on its west with the north being bordered by Myanmar and China. Laos has no coastlines, though it does possess several small or medium sized rivers and lakes or ponds.  Providing quite a contrast to Cambodia and Vietnam, we spend time in Luang Prabang, a perfectly-preserved blend of rustic colonial architecture and gilded monasteries and Vientiane, the laid-back waterside capital which is one of Asia’s most atmospheric cities.

 

Day 1  09 January, 2011  Australia - Kuala Lumpur  Depart with Malaysia Airlines for flight to Kuala Lumpur.   Accommodation:  Parkroyal (or similar)  2 nights

Day 2  10 January, 2011  (B)  Kuala Lumpur Full day at leisure to relax, shop or take an optional sightseeing tour.

Day 3  11 January, 2011  Kuala Lumpur - Hanoi    (D)  Morning flight to Hanoi.    On arrival we will transfer to our hotel for evening at leisure.  Join your tour escort for dinner in a local restaurant.  Accommodation: Maison d'Hanoi Hanova Our charming boutique hotel is ideally located right in the heart of the historical capital within 3 minutes walk to the famous Hoan Kiem Lake with its walking streets and colonial architectures.  

Day 4  12 January, 2011  (B,L)  Hanoi   Morning tour of Hanoi by cyclo for an hour along the Hanoi Old Quarters, pass by Dong Xuan market then continue to the Old Citadel to Literature Temple and Quoc Tu Giam.  We then visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda and  continue to visit the Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda with lunch at a local restaurant.  Afternoon is at leisure.

Day 5  13 January, 2011  (B,L)       Hanoi (B,L)   After breakfast we enjoy a leisurely time around Hoan Kiem Lake and a short visit to nearby Ngoc Son and Quan Thanh Temples. Continue to visit the One Pillar and Tran Quoc Pagodas. Lunch at local restaurant.

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 Day 6  14 January, 2011  (B,L,D)   Hanoi -  Halong Bay   This morning we travel east to Halong Bay - Vietnam’s greatest natural wonder and board our boat in time for lunch.  Spend the day cruising among some of the 3,000 limestone islands that rise out of the sea, explore spectacular caves and grottos and enjoying wonderful evening sunset.  Dinner and Overnight on board our private boat.

Day 7  15 January, 2011  (B,L)    Halong Bay – Hanoi - Hoi An After breakfast we  travel by road to Hanoi and transfer to the airport for our flight to Danang and Hoi An. On the way we stop at the Cham Museum then the Marble Mountains, with their cave and hill side temples and scenic views. Visit the nearby China Beach before continuing on to the enchanting Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An Riverside Hotel (or similar)  3 nights   Hoi An Beach Resort is a four-star resort situated between the romantic De Vong river and famous Cua Dai Beach. It consists of luxurious old Vietnamese-style houses and villa rooms. It is recognized by travellers worldwide as "an oasis of peace where the river meets the ocean"  and is just four kilometers from the historic town of Hoi An.

Day 8  16 January, 2011 (B,D)    Hoi An    Sightseeing this morning includes Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old house, Assembly Hall, Chinese Phuc Kien Pagoda and  Hoi An Museum. Remainder of day is at leisure.    The cuisine of Hoi An reflects a multicultural history, with Chinese and European influences. This evening let’s attend and assist at a cooking demonstration and celebrate the fruits of your labour over dinner to learn some of the secrets of the town’s cuisine.

 

Day 9  17 January,  2011  Hoi An  (B,L)  Half day tour to Tra Que village.   After a short drive through the local countryside we arrive at Tra Que Village, and the home of your host, Mr Tuan. A welcome drink of freshly picked fruits is waiting, before we take a walk around the village and learn about the history and customs of this charming village. We walk through the market gardens where hundreds of local farmers work their fields using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago - no electrical machinery here.     We return to the home of Mr Tuan, and this is where the real fun begins. Everyone is given a farming instruments, and we set about joining the farmers in preparing the land for sewing. Our guide describes the traditional farming methods while we help fertilize the garden using seaweed from the local river, and then water it using huge tin cans strapped to our back. Time is then spent picking vegetables and herbs, and learning how to wrap them to prevent damage.   Many of the local herbs are used by the farmers for traditional village medicines - this includes the herbal pillow, which helps relax your body and mind, ready for a good night's sleep.  It's now time to try are hands at making the village speciality named “Tam Huu” spring rolls - using the local herbs and vegetables we have just picked or Xeo Cake ( Banh Xeo). We then sit down and enjoy a lovely local meal before returning to Hoi An and remainder of day at leisure.

Day 10  18 January, 2011  (B,L)     Hoi An – Danang - Ho Chi Minh City    Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). We will visit some of the city’s famous sites including the ornate Thien Hau temple, Binh Tay Market and a walk through the city centre, stopping at famous landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the Centre Post Office, Grand Theatre and Dong Khoi Street. Remainder of day is at leisure. Accommodation:  Grand Hotel (or similar)    4 nights     One of the oldest hotels in Ho Chi Minh City since 1930 and completely restored in 1997, nestled in Saigon's scene riverside area and within walking distance to major commercial and entertainment addresses,  the Grand Hotel still maintains its French colonial style.

 

Day 11 19 January, 2011 (B,L)      Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels - Ho Chi Minh City   After breakfast we begin our  tour to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, which are 70 kilometers North West of Ho Chi Minh City, created since 1948 to assist the Viet Minh to combat the French. This is an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapon shops, field hospitals, command centers. During the American War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated a fire free zone and was heavily bombarded. From 1988, two sections of the tunnels have been open for visitors. Lunch at local restaurant.  After the tour we drive back to Saigon.  

 

Day 12  20 January, 2011  (B,L)        Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City   After breakfast depart Ho Chi Minh City and drive to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta. On arrival, take a boat cruise along islets and tropical orchards. Cruise through Xep Canal and reach a small island where a horse-drawn cart awaits you. Enjoy a tour through the island and discover small villages. Stop en route to taste tropical fruits, enjoy folk song performance and visit a bee farm then continue on a rowboat through narrow, tree-lined canals. Enjoy lunch on Turtle Island then visit handicraft villages and a coconut candy factory before returning to shore and driving back to Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Day 13  21 January, 2011   (B)    Ho Chi Minh City     Full day at leisure.  
 

 Day 14  22 January, 2011  (B)     Ho Chi Minh City – Luang Prabang Morning is free after breakfrast and at 2pm we transfer to the airport for departure to Luang Prabang.   There is free time to explore Luang Prabang night market   Accommodation:  Villa Santi (or similar)  2 nights    Recognized by many international travelers and distinguished guests as the country’s most charming boutique hotel, the Villa Santi is located in the heart of Luang Prabang, at walking distance from many historical places such as the former Royal Palace, the Sacred Mount Phousi, many ancient temples dating back to the 16th century and beyond, and the various handicraft markets.   All Deluxe Rooms are set with authentic Lao rosewood furnishings and genuine Lao silk textiles. All rooms are complemented with individually controlled air conditioning, mini bar, writing desk with stationary, in-room safety box, bathtub with hot and cold shower, bathrobes and slippers
 

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Day 15  23 January, 2011  (B,L)      Luang Prabang Bus trip to Khuangsy waterfall. On the way back to Luang Prabang visit Ban Phanum - the weaving village. Lunch at local restaurant. After lunch we visit the National Museum (formerly the Royal Palace) with its collection of personal artifacts of the Lao Royal Family and end the day by climbing Phousy where you can find a lovely view of Luang Prabang and see sun set.

 

Day 16  24 January, 2011  (B,L) Luang Prabang – Vientiane  Breakfast at the Hotel. Boat trip to Pak Ou (Tham Ting Cave) which houses thousands of statues representing Lord Buddha. On the way back to Luang Prabang visit Ban Xang Hai to view the rice wine distillation village and Ban Xienglex (a handicraft village). Transfer to airport for departure to Vientiane by Lao Airlines    Accommodation:   Lao Plaza (or similar) 2 nights    In a capital city which is famous for its temples and monuments, Lao Plaza Hotel has been created to dominate the growing skyline.   As the country's first international caliber hotel, the Lao Plaza Hotel is the center of the emerging capital's business and entertainment world. The hotel's opening provides Laos with it's first taste of international class luxury accommodation. The seven floors, highest in Vientiane, contain 142 delightful rooms and suites.   The appeal of a decor strongly influenced by Lao culture is thoughtfully complemented by rooms with every conceivable modern convenience. Each room is equipped with the satellite TV, Direct access to fiber optic Internet from rooms, door locks, IDD, room safe, room temperature control and more, at your fingertips.

 

Day 17 25 January, 2011  (B,L)  Vientiane Visit Vat Sisaket, the only original temple in Vientiane (built in 1818 - it is the sole survivor of a Thai invasion in 1828), the Ho Phrakeo, the former Royal Chapel where an Emerald Buddha dating back to the time of the Lane Xang Kingdom was enshrined. Lunch at local restaurant.  After lunch we'll visit Nongbouthong village where you can see many Lao handicraft styles.
 

Day 18   26 January, 2011  (B,L)  Siem Reap Morning flight to Siem Reap where we'll visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, visit the most famous of all the temples on the Angkor plain: Angkor Wat.   Accommodation:  Victoria Angkor (or similar)   3 nights    Within the five star Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa enjoy the comfort, elegance and superb refinement of the French Art de Vivre in the heart of Siem Reap.    The building's graceful colonial architecture of the 1930's provides a sense of peaceful tranquillity. The Hotel has been designed to be in total harmony with its natural surroundings and is enchantingly situated in the heart of Siem Reap, opposite the Royal Park. The Hotel is located within close proximity to World Heritage listed Angkor Temples, the quaint old market town of Siem Reap and only 7km (4.3 miles) from the International airport.
 

 

Day 19   27 January, 2011  (B, L)  Siem Reap      Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, you will continue your temple visits. Included are Prasat Kravan (with its unique brick sculptures) Srah Srang ("The Royal Boths" was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by four concentric walls), Eastern Mebon (guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation) and the "Mountain Temple" of Pre Rup until sunset. In the afternoon, transfer to the archaeological site and continue to the temple tour. Visit Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples in the area. Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Visit Takeo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda temples.
 

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Day 20  28 January, 2011  (B) Siem Reap    After breakfast visit the floating village of the Chong Khneas where you'll take a traditional wooden boat for a ride on the Tonle Sap, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia and the largest in Asia.  In the afternoon, visit "Les Artisans d'Angkor – Chantiers Ecoles" of Siem Reap and time at leisure at the local market.

 

Day 21  29 January, 2011   (B)  Siem Reap - Kuala Lumpur - Australia  Transfer for to the airport for our homeward flight.

 

Day 22  30 January, 2011   Arrive Australia

 

                                                                                                                    Tour cost  $AU9370 ** includes:

Tour cost does not include:

** Please note: This tour involves services which are settled in a number of currencies and the exchange rate has been calculated on
rates current at the time of uploading this tour onto our website.
Should there be a fluctuation of exchange rates of more than 3% from this time to the time we receive payment, we reserve the right to pass on an exchange rate surcharge.

These prices are based on 2011 estimates and are subject to increase and/or currency surcharge
 

To contact us
Destination World Travel
P O Box 2040
South Plympton   South Australia  5038
Australia

Phone: 08-8293-6988  Outside of Australia telephone 61 8 8293 6988
Fax:      08-8293-5988  Outside of Australia fax   61 8 8293 5988

Email:  destinationworld@internode.on.net

Lic. TTA 156054