Vietnam and Cambodia

Mary and Jan’s itinerary for the tour to Vietnam and Cambodia:

Day 1: Wed 20 Oct 10

Depart Cape Town / Johannesburg

Day 2: Thu 21 Oct 10 (D)

Arrival around noon in Hanoi – the traditional capital of French Indochina - transfer to hotel to rest and freshen up. In the afternoon we take an exhilarating one hour cyclo ride (three wheel cycle - don’t worry someone else is doing the pedaling in the hectic scooter traffic) through Hanoi’s old quarter, enjoying the late-afternoon colors and visit a traditional Vietnamese “long house”. Afterwards we attend a performance of the renowned Water Puppet theatre whose origins date back over a thousand years.

 A welcome dinner with a traditional music show concludes our first day in Vietnam.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Fri 22 Oct 10 (B/L)

This morning we do a city tour, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Temple of Literature.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Rest of afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4: Sat 23 Oct 10 (B/L/D)

Leave Hanoi for the drive to Halong Bay – a natural wonder of extraordinary beauty – where we board a junk and set sail on an overnight cruise amongst the thousands of unusually shaped (and named) limestone islands that dot the bay.

After a delicious fresh seafood lunch we drop anchor for a visit to Surprise Cave and swimming and / or exploring at Titov beach (weather permitting). Enjoy dinner on board and also night fishing if you so wish.

Overnight on board.

Day 5: Sun 24 Oct 10 (Brunch)

In the morning cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay, Fire-, Bo Nau Island and a fishing village. After brunch we moor again at Halong wharf around noon where we disembark. En route to Hanoi we visit Bac Ninh, the cradle of traditional Vietnamese music and theatre. A horse-drawn cart through country lanes bring us to Dinh Bang communal house and Do temple. Enjoy local folk songs.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6: Mon 25 Oct 10 (B/L/D)

After breakfast we fly to Hue, the former Imperial Capital of Vietnam. After lunch at a local restaurant we visit the Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba market. The spectacular Citadel is built on the same principles and design as Beijing's Forbidden City and contains a series of palaces, ornate halls,

libraries, residences and colleges. This evening we are treated to an Imperial Dinner, serving the specialities of the region.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 7: Tue 26 Oct 10 (B/L)

This morning we drive to Hoi An, via the Hai Van pass and Lang Co beach – the famous China Beach where American soldiers use to hang out during the Vietnam war. En route we visit the Cham museum - an open air collection of Cham sculptures for an insight into the Cham culture.

Lunch at the restaurant in Danang – the largest city in central Vietnam.

Then to My Son Holy Land – the ancient capital and religious centre of the Cham people - a

World Heritage site. Then on to Hoi An, our base for the next few days.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: Wed 27 Oct 10 (B/L)

Today we enjoy a walking tour of the ancient centre of Hoi An – a photographer’s paradise - old merchant houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi An market, Chinese Assembly Halls, and some typical 18th century Vietnamese houses. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon leisure time for shopping or relaxing.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Thu 28 Oct 10 (B)

A full day of rest – much needed as the going so far has been quite hectic. For those interested we are offering an optional excursion:

Optional Vietnamese Cooking Tour – start with a visit to the market for typical Vietnamese ingredients. A leisurely 25 minute cruise on the Hoi An River to the Cooking School where we will learn how to cook some of Hoi An and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. Each dish is first demonstrated by the chef before you prepare it yourself. Then sit down and enjoy what we have prepared for lunch. Back to Hoi An town by boat.

Overnight Hoi An

Day 10: Fri 29 Oct 10 (B/L/D)

In the morning we fly to Ho Chi Minh City – still called Saigon by the locals. After lunch we go on a city tour to the Reunification Palace, War Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral.

This evening enjoy a dinner cruise on the Saigo River.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 11: Sat 30 Oct 10 (B/L)

Full day tour to the fascinating Mekong Delta. After our bus trip to My Tho, a private boat will take us cruising to a floating fish market and along small creeks to the Mekong River estuary, then to Phoenix Island where we drop anchor for lunch at a garden restaurant. The boat cruises along natural creeks to the quiet villages in Ben Tre Province. Visit orchards, bee-keeping farm, taste natural honey and honey wine, enjoy tropical fruit, traditional music, wander around a distillery, explore the local coconut candy production process and see how the waterways form an integral part of the locals’ day to day existence. Tour ends late evening.

Overnight Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 12: Sun 31 Oct 10 (B/L)

Morning visit to Cu Chi, an intricate underground tunnel network constructed by Vietcong fighters during the Vietnam War (or American War from the Vietnamese viewpoint). Unbelievable to think that people lived in these dark and narrow tunnels for long periods of time.

Afternoon back to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch and free time for shopping.

Overnight in Saigon.

Day 13: Mon 1 Nov 10 (B/L)

After breakfast we fly to Siem Reap – gateway to Angkor. After check in at our hotel we will have lunch – our first taste of Khmer cuisine. Afternoon transfer for our first experience of the world famous  antiquities of Cambodia – monumental Angkor Wat - an expansive fortified temple city dating as far back as the 9th century.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 14: Tue 2 Nov 10 (B/L/D)

Breakfast at hotel, transfer to continue our exploration of Angkor - visit the famous South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of Leper King and Phimean Akas temple. After lunch other Angkor Ruins such as Chao Say Tevoda, Takeo and Taprom (the famous jungle entangled ruins used in Tomb Raider). Relaxing evening spent at a Dinner and Khmer Traditional Dance (Apsara) Show.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 15: Wed 3 Nov 10 (B/L)

A cruise on the Tonlé Sap Lake, visit a floating village and experience the lifestyle of the fisher folk. Then we visit Chantier Ecole-Artisant d’Angkor – a tour of the classes and workshops offers a glimpse of Cambodian artistry.

After lunch we fly to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.

Overnight Phnom Penh.

Day 16: Thu 4 Nov 10 (B/L)

After breakfast we go on a city tour which includes visits to the impressive golden Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda - Preahkeo Morokot and the National Museum situated in the stunning old art school in the old Cambodian style. Our tour ends at the famous Russian Market for a last chance to buy Khmer products and souvenirs.

Transfer to airport for our flight home.

Day 17: Fri 5 Nov 10

Arrival Johannesburg / Cape Town