Vietnam & Cambodia

You will start with a flight from your hometown by WestJet to Vancouver or Toronto, and connect by China Eastern Airlines to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon, Vietnam) via Shanghai. Start your worry-free vacation with the guidance of your Canadian tour escort.

Cross the International Date Line and arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon). This is the largest city by population in southern Vietnam and famous for its French colonial architecture, including the Notre-Dame Cathedral, made entirely of materials imported from France, and the 19th-century Central Post Office. Upon your arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport you will be greeted by your local guide who will then transfer you to your hotel.

Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City (5 Star)

Free morning, after lunch, we will go for a tour of a suburban district of Ho Chi Minh City called Củ Chi. This place, served as base for the 269th Aviation Battalion of the United States Army in 1967, and is famous for its Củ Chi Tunnels which were constructed during the Vietnam War, and served as headquarters for the Viet Cong. At night enjoy a Special Welcome Dinner Cruise along the Saigon River, and after dinner we will walk around the food stalls that line the streets of the bustling Ben Thanh Night Market.
( B / L / SD)

On this day we will visit the Thien Hau Pagoda. Then drive to My Tho, the heart of the Mekong Delta which is a vast maze of rivers, swamps and islands, home to floating markets, Khmer pagodas and villages surrounded by rice paddies where boats are the main means of transportation. Here you will see the beautiful landscapes of the country side. We will sail along the Mekong River to Phoenix Island where local handicrafts and sweets from coconut are produced. Enjoy fresh seasonal fruits while listening to some Traditional Vietnamese Music and Songs. Take a Horse Carriage ride to a typical local house for a taste of homemade honey-tea. After that we will hop on a rowing boat and sail through small canals and side-arms of the river to observe the daily life of Vietnamese people who inhabit the river banks. Go for a stroll on Turtle Island where you can find different types of tropical fruits such as longan (member of the soapberry family), sapoche (Sapodilla fruit), grapefruit, plum, mango, and jackfruit. Enjoy a Special Fish Lunch then head back to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.
( B / SL / D )

This morning will start our day touring the Saigon River, The Opera House, The Town Hall, The Notre Dame Cathedral, The Reunification Palace and War Museum. After Lunch, transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Head to the hotel upon arrival; dinner by your own arrangement.
(B / L / D )

Crowne Plaza West Hanoi (5 Star)

Our day will start with a visit to the Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh Complex. Then, enjoy a Cooking Class. After Lunch we will go for a city tour of The Hilton Prison – Hoa lo Museum, the Hanoi Opera House, and go for a Rickshaw tour around The Old Quarter of Hanoi. At the end of the day we will stop for a drink at Pho Co café. Have some free time to take photos of this local family house and enjoy an overview of Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter from the rooftop of the house.  In the evening, enjoy a performance that dates back as far as the 11th century when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam called the Water Puppetry Show.
(B / L / D)

After breakfast we will drive to northern Vietnam’s number one tourism hub, Halong Bay (a World Heritage Site since 1994), an area of ethereal natural beauty with more than 1,500 towering limestone pillars and tiny islets topped by forest that rise from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Halong Bay’s scatter of islands, dotted with wind- and wave-eroded grottoes will take your breath away. Once we arrive we will board our cruise ship, have a welcome drink and then lunch. Go for a boat ride around Bai Tu Long Bay. Here we will explore the well-hidden Thien Canh Son Cave and Hon Co Island. Head back to the cruise and enjoy a set dinner meal aboard.
(B / L / D)

Halong: Victory Star Cruise (5-Star Halong Bay Cruise Boat)

Note: The itinerary above may be changed depending on Victory. It will be changed because of weather condition and other case of force majeure.

On this day you can join a Tai Chi class that will take place on the sundeck at the break of dawn. Then have breakfast and head out on a rowing boat for a tour of Vung Vieng Fishing Village. At noon return to the cruise for an International Buffet Lunch. We will return to Hanoi in the afternoon. At night enjoy a Special Vietnamese Dinner that includes a Music Performance. (Brunch / SD).

Crowne Plaza West Hanoi (5 Star)

Enjoy a free morning, take an afternoon flight fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia). Be greeted by your local guide upon arrival and then head to your hotel.  At night enjoy a Cambodian Dinner accompanied of Music & a Dance Show.
(B/L/SD)

Empress Angkor Hotel (5 Star)

Our day will start with a visit to a world’s famous temple complex in Cambodia known as Angkor Wat (7th Wonder of the World). This is the largest religious monument in the world, on a site measuring 162.6 hectares. Angkor was the capital of Khmer that existed from 802 to 1431. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be a prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks – the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond.

After lunch, we will visit Wat Thmey (Killing Fields). This is an area that served as one of the killing fields during the Khmer Rouge regime in the country. The Khmer Rouge was Cambodia’s ruling party from 1975 to 1979 and was responsible for one of the worst mass killings during the 20th Century under the leadership of Pol Pot. Once here you will be able to see a Memorial Stupa erected to remember those who were killed at the hands of the Khmer Rouge and that sacrificed their lives for their country.  Tonight, a night tour to Angkor Night Market will be arranged. Dinner on your own.
(B/ L)

Our day will begin with a tour of the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire, Angkor Thom.

Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area it contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat, the Bayon Temple, the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the Ta Prohm Temples.  In the afternoon we will go to The Artisan D’Angkor art school to learn about locally made arts and crafts. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner at your hotel. (B / L/ SD)

Enjoy the day at your leisure. Explore or relax at the hotel (a late check-out has been arranged). Take the late evening China Eastern Flight to Canada (via Shanghai).  Arrive home on Day 13.
(B/ L)

This morning will be free in the hotel, take the late afternoon flight fly to Luang Prabang (Laos).

“Sabaideeeee” – your guide will greet you upon arrival in Luang Prabang. Nestled on the banks of the Mekong River and surrounded by mountains, Luang Prabang is one of Asia’s most beautiful and enchanting cities. Transfer to your hotel before dinner.
(B / D)

Grand Luang Prabang Hotel (5 Star)

After breakfast you will visit Wat Visoun; this 16th century temple serves as a small museum for religious artefacts’ and considered one of the most important temples. Wat Xiengthong (considered the most beautiful), is a 16th century temple which more than any temple in Luang Prabang, epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang’s architecture. Drive to Kuangsi Waterfall (30 km) south of Luang Prabang, and enjoy its spectacular and green surrounding. En-route visit Ban Na Oune, a small village of the hill tribe called “Hmong”, a renowned minority group in Laos. Relax in the park and enjoy a picnic lunch nearby Kuangsi water fall. Visit Luang Prabang Night Market at night.
(B / L)

Optional: Morning Alms offering to Monks: This morning you may want to rise early and participate or (just watch) in the early daily morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black alms bowls being given offerings from the local people. Return to hotel for breakfast.

Today enjoy a boat ride (a few hours) upstream on the Mekong River. Watch slender canoes bobbing by the shore, floating poles marking the location of nets and fish traps, children playing on the sand beach, and locals washing laundry. Visit Pak Ou Cave, situated in the side of a lime stone cliff and opposite of the mount of Mekong and Ou rivers. Two large caves are home for one thousand Buddhas which are estimated to be more than 300 years old. It is believed by the locals that many good-natured spirits reside in these caves. Climb the stairs to visit a small royal cave Wat nearby and you will see Lao typical villages a screen of foliage, slender canoes bobbing by the shore, bamboo poles and floats that mark the location of nets and fish traps. Stop at Ban Muangkeo, well-known for the famous Lao welcome cocktail ‘lao khao’. Visit a rice alcohol-processing plant and learn the step-by-step traditional process of creating rice wine. Return to Luang Prabang stop by Ban Xang Khong and Xiëng Lek. These villages are well known for their jute paper production, silk weaving and natural dying. Learn the step-by-step processing techniques used to manufacture these products which have been used since ancient times.
(B / L / D)

After breakfast visit the exquisite Royal Palace Museum. Built in 1904, during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family, architecturally it combines a blend of traditional Lao motifs and the French Beaux-Art styles. This museum houses a wonderful collection of objects of art, costumes from the Royal Theater, jewellery and other interesting treasures belonging to former king. After lunch, transfer to Luang Prabang airport take the flight fly to Siem Reap. After arriving in Siem Reap, check in your China Eastern Airlines flight to Canada (via Shanghai).  Arrive home on Day 16.
(B / L)