19-Nights Alluring Vietnam & The Temples Of Angkor With Bangkok & Chiang Mai from $6,306

Globus

OFFER ID 1487888

What’s the most important thing to bring on a journey to Vietnam and Cambodia? Your bargaining skills! The art of haggling is a must at the bustling markets of Hanoi, Siem Reap, and Ho Chi Minh City where you can negotiate everything from luxurious silk to brightly painted ceramics to a tasty bowl of pho. The number one rule of thumb-always be willing to walk away. Luckily, there’s so much to walk toward on this extraordinary tour of Southeast Asia, including the fascinating wartime tunnels of Cu Chi, a fishing lesson on the Thu Bon River, and a breezy cyclo ride around the vibrant city of Hanoi. The picturesque pagodas of Hue and Hanoi are just a taste of what’s to come at the mystical temples of Angkor. Inside the "City of the God Kings," you’ll find the architecturally magnificent ruins of Angkor Wat delightfully much more than you bargained for.

Balance the high energy of Bangkok with the calming force of Chiang Mai by adding this extension to your Southeast Asia tour. In Bangkok, you’ll cruise through its famous klongs, visit calming Buddhist temples, and experience its vibrant city life. Then fly to Chiang Mai, where you’ll explore temples and visit an amazing elephant sanctuary to learn about the conservation efforts of orphaned and rescued elephants!

19 nights from $6,306 per person

Itinerary

Click here for Full Itinerary Details

Itinerary Details

Alluring Vietnam & The Temples Of Angkor With Bangkok & Chiang Mai

Day 1 ARRIVE IN HANOI, VIETNAMHello Vietnam Welcome to Hanoi, the nation’s capital and one of Southeast Asia’s most engaging cities, rich in Vietnamese history and full of opportunities to experience the traditional culture. Hotel check-in is available mid-afternoon.

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Day 2 HANOIThe Streets of Hanoi & Uncle Ho Take a [LF] cyclo ride and walking tour through the Old Quarter. Then, look at the life of Ho Chi Minh, the father of modern Vietnam. Visit the mausoleum and the humble cottage from which “Uncle Ho” ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969. Next on the agenda are visits to the One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh Museum. Lunch is served at Koto, a non-profit restaurant and hospitality program created to teach local children restaurant skills for stable employment opportunities. You will also visit the ancient Temple of Literature, more than 900 years old and Hanoi’s first university, followed by the infamous Hanoi Hilton (H?a Lò Prison). Join your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner this evening. (B,L,D)

LOCAL FAVORITE
OLD QUARTER PEDALING The ancient Old Quarter is comprised of 36 streets, which was once the thriving center of the city. The best way to explore this fascinating area is by cyclo (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi) and foot. Here, peddlers trade as they have for centuries and you can find them based on the street name, which reflects their trade - Fish Sauce, Silk, and Bamboo. Along the way, stop for an egg coffee, a Hanoi specialty!

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE Consider an outing to see a famed Hanoi water puppet performance. Dating back to the 11th century, water puppetry originated with farmers entertaining their family after the rice harvest.

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Day 3 HANOI–HA LONG BAYPeaks, Caves & Bays, Oh My Travel from Hanoi through the fertile countryside to Hon Gai, gateway to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Embark on your overnight cruise of Ha Long Bay. This afternoon. visit a pearl farm to learn the process of pearl cultivation before stopping at one of the islands for a swim or stroll. (B,L,D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
BAY BLAST Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, Ha Long Bay is dotted with more than 1,600 islands, limestone pillars carved into fanciful shapes by water and coastal erosion. Tunnels, caves, and uniquely shaped outcroppings with creative names can be found on many of the small islets that are sprinkled across the bay. Your overnight cruise explores the caves and is an opportunity to admire the beauty and scale of the many secluded bays.

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Day 4 HA LONG BAY–HANOI–HOI ANPeaceful Meeting Place This morning, if you choose, wake up early for a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck before a visit to one of the many caves found in the bay. Explore the caverns and their dramatic stalactites and stalagmites. Disembark the ship later this morning and drive to Hanoi and board your flight to Danang, on Vietnam’s historic central coast. Continue to nearby Hoi An, a cultural fusion and well-preserved trading port. The local cuisine and architecture here reflects the influence which Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French, and British traders had on Vietnam. (B,L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HOTEL ROYAL HOI AN Located on the banks of the Thu Bon River with a rooftop pool, bar and restaurant overlooking the enchanting river, your hotel is a perfect blend of historic charm and modern facilities, with a mix of Vietnamese and Japanese influence.

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Day 5 HOI ANSail, Tackle & Stroll Cruise on the Thu Bon River and participate in a [LF] fishing lesson. Later, explore historic Hoi An on a walking tour including an old merchant house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese assembly hall, and the famous Japanese covered bridge. For dinner, participate in a cooking class where you will learn about traditional Vietnamese spices and how to prepare Banh Xeo (Vietnamese crispy rice pancake). (B,L,D)

LOCAL FAVORITE
CAST YOUR NET Join a local fisherman to learn about local fishing methods and learn how to throw and retrieve a traditional round fishing net called a “ro.” Afterward, you will have a chance to throw the net yourself and see what you catch!

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PREPARE & SAVOR Participate in a fun cooking class for dinner and learn to make Hoi An specialty dishes including fried spring rolls, grilled fish in banana leaves, and beef salad in a bamboo basket.

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Day 6 HOI AN–HUERest & Ride Time at leisure this morning. Depart the hotel and top at China Beach, landing point for U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War, and then continue over spectacular Hai Van Pass, considered one of the most scenic in all of Vietnam, before arriving in Hue. One of Vietnam’s former capitals and the last royal dynasty in Vietnamese history, Hue is a beautiful, welcoming city that remains a cultural and religious center. (B)

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE Spend time at the beach, visit nearby My Son, or explore pottery and wood carving workshops and stores in nearby villages.

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Day 7 HUEDynastic Hue This morning’s sightseeing provides a unique window into Vietnam and its complex past. Along the banks of the Perfume River visit the tombs of the Nguyen Emperors: the Khai Dinh Mausoleum and the Royal Tomb of Tu Duc. After lunch, a cyclo tour of the city visits the Thien Mu Pagoda, the unofficial symbol of the city, which is the tallest religious building in Vietnam at seven stories. Continue to the Imperial Citadel built between 1804 and 1833. This heavily fortified structure is still very much the heart of modern-day Hue and despite a checkered history, the fortress remains superbly intact. (B,L)

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Day 8 HUE–HO CHI MINH CITYSeeing Saigon Today, fly to Ho Chi Minh City, still known as Saigon to many. After some free time, join your travel companions for a special dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

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Day 9 HO CHI MINH CITYMeandering Streets, Landmarks & Markets A walking tour introduces you to the city’s famous and historic landmarks. The route winds through the heart of the city along Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat) past the Opera House, Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh Square, the Municipal Theatre, Central Post Office, and Notre Dame Cathedral. Next, visit the War Remnants Museum, followed by Ben Thanh Market, the largest and oldest in the city. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy some free time. (B,L)

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Day 10 HO CHI MINH CITY–CU CHI TUNNELS EXCURSIONTunnel Vision Drive through vast expanses of rice paddies to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles long that was used by the Viet Cong as a hideout and secret village during the war. Return to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. (B)

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE The city is booming, and pulses with contagious energy day and night. Sample local food from a street vendor, get a foot massage, or spend more time on Dong Khoi Street. Tonight, be sure to stop at one of several rooftop bars for a drink and magnificent views of the city. Your Tour Director will be on hand to assist with recommendations.

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Day 11 HO CHI MINH CITY–SIEM REAP, CAMBODIACaptivating Cambodia This morning, board your flight to Siem Reap, your base during your visit to Angkor, considered by many to be the most spectacular archaeological ruins on Earth! Enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening. (B,D)

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Day 12 SIEM REAPAwe-Inspiring Angkor Spend the day exploring the Angkor Temple complex. Begin with a visit to Angkor Thom, the ancient royal city of the Khmer Empire. Stops here include the Bayon Temple, Terrace of the Elephants and Leper King, and the Baphuon complex. After an included lunch, visit the most famous of all the temples, Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers more than 81 hectares and is comparable in size to Beijing’s Imperial Palace. (B,L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
IT’S COMPLEX Constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries, the Temples of Angkor were built around the Khmer interpretations of Indian religious and political beliefs that evolved from Hinduism to Buddhism. The complex architectural grandeur of the temples is arguably unmatched among the world’s ancient ruins. Start your exploration at Angkor Thom to see the Bayon Temple. One of the few Buddhist temples in Angkor, it features more than 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers and impressive bas-reliefs. Next stop is, the best preserved and most famous of all the temples, Angkor Wat, dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu. Featuring five trademark towers and stunning bas-reliefs, it has become a symbol of Cambodia.

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE You may consider exploring the temple complex further, a cruise on Tonle Sap Lake to see a floating village, or an exciting performance of Phare, The Cambodian Circus. This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus.

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Day 13 SIEM REAPTempting Temples & Study Session This morning, visit Banteay Srei, a unique temple outside the main complex dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. This temple was built in the 10th Century on a small scale in red sandstone and boasts exquisitely carved figures. On your return journey, stop at a local school to interact with the children. Then on to Ta Prohm, which has been left relatively untouched and is surrounded by jungle, with tree roots growing over and through the ruins. You’ll be able to experience the temple with the same wonder as the early explorers who discovered it. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. (B,D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
DINNER & DANCE Join your Tour Director and travel companions for a farewell dinner followed by a traditional Apsara dance performance, where the ancient Khmer culture is brought to life by talented dancers, singers, and musicians.

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Day 14 SIEM REAP–BANGKOK, THAILANDCapital Gains Today, fly to Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city, where you’ll spend the next three nights. (B)

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Day 15 BANGKOKBangkok Bliss Explore Bangkok with our Local Guide. Start the day with a boat ride through the klongs, Bangkok’s famous canals, to see family homes, temples, and the way of life that gives this city the nickname “Venice of the East.” Next, stop at Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, whose 260-foot-tall spire has become identified with Bangkok. Continue to the Grand Palace, comprised of the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Lastly, visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok. It houses more than 1,000 Buddha images, including the 49-foot-high and 151-foot-long massive Reclining Buddha. (B,L)

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Day 16 BANGKOKFree to Wander Enjoy a full day at your leisure. (B)

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE You may consider a visit to Jim Thompson’s House, a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River, or an excursion to the vibrant Damnoen Saduak floating market.

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Day 17 BANGKOK–CHIANG MAIRun to the Hills Today, fly to the mountain town of Chiang Mai, the “Rose of the North.” (B)

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Day 18 CHIANG MAI–ELEPHANT SANCTUARY EXCURSIONTake Sanctuary Today, join your Local Guide for a visit to an [LF] elephant sanctuary to learn about and interact with the elephants. Enjoy lunch at the sanctuary before returning to Chiang Mai. (B,L)

LOCAL FAVORITE
PACHYDERM PARADISE This morning, travel out of the city to visit Elephant Nature Park, established in the 1990’s to provide a sanctuary for rescued and orphaned elephants. You will hear the personal stories of the elephants and see how they became a proud herd and free from abuse for the first time in their lives. Watch these majestic animals thrive in the natural surroundings within the rehabilitation center. You’ll also see tree-planting efforts at the park.

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Day 19 CHIANG MAIStepping Up Start your guided sightseeing tour at vibrant Wat Phra Singh with its famous Buddha image. Then, explore Wat Doi Suthep, a temple tucked away in the mountains. For the final ascent to the temple, you can take a tram car or walk up the Naga (dragon-headed serpent) staircase, with more than 300 steps. Free time this afternoon. (B)

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE Perhaps take in a Khantoke dance show with dinner, participate in a cooking class, or simply explore the night market and absorb the lively atmosphere.

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Day 20 CHIANG MAISo Long, Farewell Your southeast Asia adventure ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Featured Destinations

Bangkok

Hoi An

Hoi An is an ancient port town that was designated an UNESCO World Heritage site. It is one of the rare places in Vietnam to discover genuine Vietnamese architecture. Walk through the Old Quarter and get a glimpse of a medieval Vietnam that no longer exists in the other areas of the country. Visit the Phuc Kien Pagoda, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful bazaar

Excursions

Tien Sa Port

Hoi An Culinary at Market Restaurant (5-6 hours)

On arrival in Danang (Tien Sa port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Drive for 1 approximately hour to the ancient town of Hoi An. Learn the secrets of preparing traditional Vietnamese cuisine with a market tour and cooking class. Set off to a local market with a chef from the Market Restaurant and Cooking School. Your chef will share shopping tips including how to select fresh eggs and ripe fruit and which herbs are used in Vietnamese cuisine. Continue to the school, an elegant old building with a French colonial-style exterior and traditional Hoi An interior. Then participate in an entertaining, hands-on cookery course held in one of three teaching areas with modern equipment for a truly immersive cooking experience. Chat with your chef to learn more about typical ingredients of Central Vietnamese cuisine then enjoy tasting what you have prepared.

NOTES

There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
Tour duration: 05-06 hours

Meal: Lunch
TOUR INCLUSIONS

Inclusive of:	Non-inclusive of:
· Private transfers and transportation on tour · Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides · Meals as per specified · Entrance fees and boat rides if any · Cold towels and water on sightseeing days · Welcome pack · Dock permit · Tips & gratuities	· Vietnam visa · Accommodation on board · All meals where not mentioned in the program · Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners · All flights & airport taxes · Hotel early check in/ Late check out · Overweight luggage · Personal expenses · Travel insurance · Other services not listed in inclusive column

Chiang Mai

Halong Bay (Hanoi)

Meaning “Bay of the Descending Dragon,” Halong Bay’s water is calm and undisturbed despite the jutting limestone mountains that soar out of the water and toward the sky. As if a tail of a Dragon plunged into the earth, the mountains are craggy, sharp, and barren, and are dotted with thousands of small caves of various depths and heights. At dusk, they all take on mysterious shades of gray, mauve and olive, lending credence to the local legends.

Excursions

Ha Noi City Tour & Street Food Tour – 12 hours - Hanoi

Ha Long Bay Cruise (5 hours)

Ha Long Bay Cruise (7 hours)

Siem Reap

Hue

Hue is at the heart of central Vietnam. The landscape – with its misty Perfume River and pagodas – has long been a source of poetry and paintings. Always an important cultural, intellectual and historical city, Hue remains one of Vietnam’s main attractions.

Excursions

Hoi An’s Countryside & Ancient Town – 8 hours - Hue

Full Day Hue Classic Tour / Chan May Port

On arrival to the port (Chan May port) disembark and meet your guide. Then drive 1.5 hours to Hue along a scenic coastal route passing mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. Upon arrival Hue, enjoy a short cyclo ride from your hotel to the Imperial Citadel at the centre of the Complex of Hue Monuments inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Enter through the towering main gate and appreciate the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains the events and the intrigue surrounding the former royal court. Despite being heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, there are some incredibly well-preserved sections intact and others which are being carefully restored.

Lunch is on your own.

After lunch, drive to the Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument. Built in 1601, the seven-storied tower pagoda, perched on top of on a hill overlooking the Perfume River, is one of Vietnam’s most recognizable icons.

Continue to visit the elaborate Khai Dinh Royal Tomb. Its architecture and atmosphere showcase elements of eastern art and western designs. Make a stop for a drink at Vonh Canh hill which offers an amazing view of breath-taking scenery and ancient relics. The hill itself is now covered with pine trees and daisy.

Later, transfer by road back to the port to embark the ship.

NOTES

There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
Tour duration: 08 hours

Meal: None
TOUR INCLUSIONS

Inclusive of:	Non-inclusive of:
· Private transfers and transportation on tour · Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides · Entrance fees and boat rides if any · Cold towels and water on sightseeing days · Welcome pack · Dock permit · Tips & gratuities	· Vietnam visa · Accommodation on board · All meals where not mentioned in the program · Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners · All flights & airport taxes · Hotel early check in/ Late check out · Overweight luggage · Personal expenses · Travel insurance · Other services not listed in inclusive column

Hanoi

Hanoi is a city with a history that dates back to the 7th century. In 1954 Hanoi was declared the capital of the Democratic Republic of North Vietnam, and in 1976, following the Vietnam War, it became the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This political history has made Hanoi one of the country's most fascinating cities to explore. The most renowned of all the monuments is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It is dedicated to Vietnam's most well-respected President, who in 1945, led his country to independence. Other highlights include the Museum of History, containing ancient artifacts from Cambodia, Thailand, Japan and China, the 11th century One Pillar Pagoda and legendary Sword Lake.

Excursions

Hon Gai / Hai Phong Port

Hanoi Full Day Tour (10 hours)

On arrival to the port (Cai Lan /Hongai/ Halong port) disembark the ship and meet your guide. Then take 4 hours’ drive to Hanoi for an informative city tour.

With ochre-colored colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes, Hanoi is full of charm. Start the tour at the Temple of Literature, the first University for the sons of mandarins, for an overview about Hanoian culture and appreciation for ancient Vietnamese architecture. Then head to the Vietnamese Women’s Museum that offers a broad insight into Vietnam’s people including its 54 ethnic groups through a lens of women’s topics. Walk through diverse exhibitions from street vendors to marriage to family life to traditional fashion.

Lunch is on your own.

End the trip with a cyclo tour from the museum to the Old Quarter. Ride through its narrow streets to indulge yourself in the bustle and hustle of the local daily life. Later, drive back to Halong to embark the ship.

NOTES
· There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
· Tour duration: 10 hours

Meals: None

TOUR INCLUSIONS

Inclusive of:	Non-inclusive of:
· Private transfers and transportation on tour · Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides · Entrance fees and boat rides if any · Cold towels and water on sightseeing days · Welcome pack · Dock permit · Tips & gratuities	· Vietnam visa · Accommodation on board · Other meals where not mentioned in the program · Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners · All flights & airport taxes · Hotel early check in/ Late check out · Overweight luggage · Personal expenses · Travel insurance · Other services not listed in inclusive column

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is often referred to as Vietnam’s jewel and the Pearl of the Orient. Located in south Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is the country’s largest city, with more than six million people and over one million motorbikes. Under the current regime the city is once more being rebuilt. Whole blocks are disappearing, being replaced by concrete, steel and glass structures. Central Saigon, which is still the official name for the city center, shows evidence of the French colonial city, with wide, tree-lined boulevards, sidewalk cafés and elegant French architecture. The city is divided into two sections: Saigon, the municipal and historical district, and Cholon (Chinatown), where the entrepreneurial talent and private funds are concentrated. Cholon appears to be the most populated and in general the most vigorous part of Ho Chi Minh City. It is well worth a visit for its bustle and activity and its pagodas, which are reputed to be the finest in the whole city.

Excursions

Cu Chi Tunnels & Sai Gon Highlights Tour – 10 hours - Saigon

Highlights of Ho Chi Minh City Tour – 10 hours - Saigon

Mekong Delta Tour – 10 hours - Saigon

Saigon Port

Full Day Saigon City Tour (8 hours)

On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong Port), drive 20mins to the city centre for a tour of some of Saigon’s historic landmarks reflecting its French and Chinese influences. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France (entrance is only permitted when no services are being performed). Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. Appreciate the restored exteriors of the Saigon Opera House and the elegant City Hall (the former Hotel de Ville), two of Saigon’s most stunning colonial monuments. If time permits, we will visit the iconic Ben Thanh Market, one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and popular wholesale market for local handicrafts, textiles, souvenirs and street food.

Drive to the former residence of the US Ambassador of South Vietnam in the early 1960s, Mr. Henry C. Lodge Jr., who supported the overthrowing of the South Vietnamese Government. Enjoy a cold drink while watching a 10min documentary film about Saigon during that time.

After lunch on your own, we then drive to Saigon’s Chinatown to visit the beautiful Thien Hau Pagoda, built by the Cantonese community in the early 19th century to honour the Goddess of the Sea. Take time to make a wish, write it on a small card and attach it to one of the incense coils according to local custom. Continue your visit to FITO, the first museum of traditional medicine in Vietnam, offering insight into the history and application of traditional medicine in everyday life before taking the scenic route through the city back to the ship.

NOTES:
·       There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
·       Outside visit only due the renovation at Notre Dame Cathedral until further notice
·       Tour duration: 08 hours

Meals: None
TOUR INCLUSIONS

Inclusive of:	Non-inclusive of:
· Private transfers and transportation on tour · Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides · Entrance fees and boat rides if any · Cold towels and water on sightseeing days · Welcome pack · Dock permit · Tips & gratuities	· Vietnam visa · Accommodation on board · All meals where not mentioned in the program · Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners · All flights & airport taxes · Hotel early check in/ Late check out · Overweight luggage · Personal expenses · Travel insurance · Other services not listed in inclusive column

Half-Day Saigon: History of Architecture with History Researcher (4 hours)

On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong Port), drive 20mins to the city center for a tour of some of Saigon’s historic landmarks reflecting its French and Chinese influences. Meet with a local cultural and history researcher at your hotel lobby and take a short trip to local coffee shop for an overview of the impressive history of the city once known as “The Pearl of the Orient”. Then take a step back in time to visit several of the very best examples of “storytelling” architecture. Start at Jade pagoda established in the early 1900s to get a glimpse of ancient history when a group of Chinese fled the new regime to Saigon around the end of 17th century under the reign of Lord Nguyen.

Then wind your way to Archbishop's Palace – with a prayer house more than two hundred-years old (outside visit) as the home for the first French Catholic missionary. Gain an overview about the first approach of the French during the Cochinchina period in the early 18th century. Stroll around the University of Social Sciences & Humanities which used to be the 11th infantry regiment colonial military barracks for an insight into French campaigns against Viet Minh at the time. Your stop will be at the former residence of the US Ambassador, Henry C. Lodge in the 1960s for a drink and watch 10-min movie about Saigon back in the day.

NOTES:
· There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
· Total duration: 04 hours

Meals: None
TOUR INCLUSIONS

Inclusive of:	Non-inclusive of:
· Private transfers and transportation on tour · Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides · Entrance fees and boat rides if any · Cold towels and water on sightseeing days · Welcome pack · Dock permit · Tips & gratuities	· Vietnam visa · Accommodation on board · All meals where not mentioned in the program · Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners · All flights & airport taxes · Hotel early check in/ Late check out · Overweight luggage · Personal expenses · Travel insurance · Other services not listed in inclusive column

Half-Day Saigon: Retracing the Past (5 hours)

On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Commence with a visit of the shrine outside of the US Consulate then continue to the former CIA building (outside visit only), where helicopters evacuated the remaining US citizens in 1975. Head to the rooftop café of the Rex hotel, a familiar landmark for Americans during the Vietnam War. Sit down for a drink, enjoy the view and this piece of history which your guide will help to explain. Then visit the Reunification Palace for a guided tour of the former headquarters of the South Vietnamese Government and residence of the presidents. Drive to the former residence of the US Ambassador of South Vietnam in the early 1960s, Mr. Henry C. Lodge, who conducted a mission to overthrow the South Vietnamese Government. Watch a 10 minutes documentary film about Saigon during that time while enjoying a cold drink. Then drive to a secret weapon chamber which VC used as a place to hide and store weapons during Vietnam War. Then weave through tiny back alleys and meet and chat with the locals who are living in tiny houses. Head to a historic venue for a late lunch of “pho” (noodle soup). The house number 07 on Ly Chinh Thang Street (former Yen Do street) is now known as Pho Binh restaurant which used to be the headquarters of Viet Cong Commanders where they gathered to plan for the 1968 Tet Offensive. Take a walk upstairs to learn more about the history through the family’s photo collection. Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.

NOTES:
· There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
· Total duration: 05 hours

Meals: None
TOUR INCLUSIONS

Inclusive of:	Non-inclusive of:
· Private transfers and transportation on tour · Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides · Entrance fees and boat rides if any · Cold towels and water on sightseeing days · Welcome pack · Dock permit · Tips & gratuities	· Vietnam visa · Accommodation on board · All meals where not mentioned in the program · Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners · All flights & airport taxes · Hotel early check in/ Late check out · Overweight luggage · Personal expenses · Travel insurance · Other services not listed in inclusive column

Half-Day Saigon: Culinary Experience at Former Ambassador's Residence (4 hours)

On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Drive 20 minutes to Ben Thanh market to buy all the fresh ingredients before continuing an historic Ambassador's home for a private hands-on cooking demonstration. The American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, carried a mission of overthrowing the southern government at that time. When Lodge arrived in Saigon, an old villa in District 3 was converted into the Ambassador’s residence. Mr. Lodge lived in this home between1960-1965 and the architecture is a mix of Vietnamese, French and American. Today it remains a private residence owned by Trails of Indochina and it has been fully restored to its former glory. The guide will provide an orientation tour of the house while the chef prepares the ingredients. Learn typical Southern style dishes throughout the morning. The chef will show you how to serve each dish before the meal, and you will need to master the chopsticks before you can savor your own culinary creations in the old world ambiance of the villa.

After lunch, transfer back to your ship.

Note: There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.

Meal: Lunch

TOUR INCLUSIONS

Inclusive of:	Non-inclusive of:
· Private transfers and transportation on tour · Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides · Lunch · Entrance fees and boat rides if any · Cold towels and water on sightseeing days · Welcome pack · Dock permit · Tips & gratuities	· Vietnam visa · Accommodation on board · All meals where not mentioned in the program · Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners · All flights & airport taxes · Hotel early check in/ Late check out · Overweight luggage · Personal expenses · Travel insurance · Other services not listed in inclusive column

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

11/03/2024 - 11/22/2024

from $6,306 per person

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $6,306 per person

Length

19 Nights

Air City

Call for airfares from your city.

Vacation Rating

Deluxe

Remarks

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1487888

Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.

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Inclusive of:	Non-inclusive of:
· Private transfers and transportation with Local English speaking guide · Cold towels and water on car · Dock permit · Tips & gratuities	· Vietnam visa · Accommodation with daily breakfast · Entrance fees · All meals · All flights · Personal expenses · Travel insurance · Other services not listed in inclusive column