Wonderful Vietnam Myanmar & Thailand

Xin Chao! Welcome to Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City!

Being the largest metropolis in Vietnam, Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City is a very dynamic city that contains a big blend of old and new, East and West. This place is characterized by busy traffic, fast moving daily life, skyscrapers, exciting nightlife and is home of some best street foods. 

Upon arrival at the airport you will be greeted by your guide and transfer to hotel for check in. The remainder of the day is free to relax or wander around for catching up with some first sights of the city’s busy life.
It is good idea to head out to the night market where you have chance to mingle with the hustle atmosphere and enjoy street food crawl. Another option is Pham Ngu Lao street - the tourist hub in Saigon - where you can grasp a cold beer, enjoying the colorful night there or, get up the the top of Lanmark 81 buiding for a cocktail and enjoy fantastic view of Saigon by night.

Overnight in hotel in Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City.

Summary of inclusions

Take a morning ride on cyclo through busy Saigon streets, catch up interesting moments of local life and visit to city’s some featured sights. Explore the War Remnants Museum where you learn something about serious wars that happened in the country in the last century. Continue to the Reunification Palace, former Presidential palace of the Saigon regime where display many interesting objects that related to occupants of the building before it was captured by the communist army in 1975.
Walk across the street to the nearby Notre-Dame Cathedral and then Central Post Office, two of some prominent French gothic architecture in the city. From there you will take a ride along the Dong Khoi Street (former Rue Catinat, made famous by Graham Greene in his best-selling book - the Quiet American) and passing the historical building such as municipal theatre, hotel Continental, Rex Hotel and so on.
Drop to visit a colorful Hindu temple, where you will see most of the payers are not Hindus, to learn more about the local spiritual life. Your last visit in the morning will be the Ben Thanh market.

In the afternoon you will take a tour to Saigon’s China Town. Wander through colorful streets and shops at Binh Tay Market (Cho Lon) and visit to the Thien Hau Pagoda.
Back to your hotel and the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, leave Saigon for a 2 hour drive through scenic country land to the Mekong Delta with stops to visit a Cao Dai church of Caodaism whose architecture that could have come straight from a Walt Disney fantasy and where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious cocktail, and the Vinh Trang Pagoda, a special Buddhism architecture in Mekong with more than hundred year history.

In the Mekong, you will take boat cruise on a branch of the Mekong River, exploring lively activities along river such as fishing, water transferring etc, visiting to local cottage industries such as coconut candy processing, sleeping mat weaving, salt making, pottery making and so on.
Also, we will have an exciting ride on motor cart (or bicycle) along shady paths, pass by coconut forest, green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on real life and find out about this fascinating tropical land and take little sampan rowing along meandering canal to explore the local way of life.  
Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City for a short flight to Da Nang, gateway to Hoi An. Pick up from Da Nang airport and transfer to the hotel in Hoi An for check in.
Remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Nested by the bank of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An ancient town once was the largest sea port the Centre Vietnam from 15th to 19th century and was the hub for merchant boats from both East and West. The town is characterized by medieval streets with yellow painted ancient houses, communal halls, temples all are designated as part of the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1999. The exceptionally well preserved architecture, traditions and life style along with benficialbe tourist services making Hoi An today one of the top destinations in the World.

Today you have a free day to enjoy your walk around Hoi An and exploring featured sights of the town such as central market, former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese communal halland Hoi An museum and so on…

As Hoi an is a paradise for shopping lovers, it is the chance for you to indulge yourself with some fantastic shopping of tailor made clothes and souvenirs.
Along the walk you will also have chance try some local specialties such as: Cao lau, Quang noodle, white rose, VAC cake, fried wonton, chicken rice and so on.

Overnight in hotel in Hoi An.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast at the hotel then meet up with your guide for for an exciting bicycle tour to explore Hoi an country.  
Cycle our way through stunning villages and green farm lands, visiting Tra Que herb garden veggie village, meeting local farmers, listening to tour guide explained why it is called “Organic farm” and how it is consumed around Hoi An and local people.
Joining into farming activities like: hoeing soil, using seaweed, transplanting and watering vegetable…
Keeping biking to the rice paddy field throughout the shrimp farm, on the ways, taking picture about duck farms, shrimps farms, cows, birds, bamboo...
Later, enjoy a round bamboo boat rowing trip thru the water coconut forest which war the lair of Viet Cong during the war and listen the story about the history of the land.
Back to hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, take a scenic drive through green lands, pristine beaches, spectacular lagoons and verdant mountains to Hue. Located in the central Vietnam, Hue is the old imperial capital and the treasure of the country’s royal past. The place is known for its both historical values and beautiful natural landscapes.

Your afternoon tour of Hue starts with a visit to Thien Mu, the oldest pagoda in Hue and is iconic symbol of the city then, one of ancient garden home originally belonged to a Royal family members where you can learn something about this historical land and its traditions. 
Following, take a walking tour through to The Imperial Citadel & the Forbidden City where Kings of the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. The ancient citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today.

Later of the day you will enjoy your visit to Dong Ba Maket, the central market of the town with plenty of local produces, for sightseeing and perhaps trying some local specialties.
Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Get transferred to the airport for a short flight to Ha Noi. Pick up from the airport and transfer to hotel to check in.
Boasted as one of the liveliest and loveliest city in Asia, Hanoi – the capital city of Vietnam with its thousand year history retains in it a deep sense of tradition and at the same time containing very sparky character of a fast growing city.

In the afternoon you will spend our time to explore city’s some highlights including the Temple of Literature - Vietnam's first university that built from 1076 - where remains nearly a hundred huge stone slabs erected on backs of stone turtle, bearing names of more than a thousand men who received doctor laureate through royal examinations; the memorial complex for the historic figure and father of modern Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh that consists of the Presidential palace, Uncle Ho's humble house on stilts, One Pillar Pagoda; Hoan Kiem Lake - the heart of the city with the Ngoc Son Temple built on a small charming island where a legendary turtle is reserved.

Later of the day, enjoy a walking tour through the maze of colorful streets of Hanoi Old Quarter for sightseeing and enjoying food tasting of Hanoi specialty and ends your day with a cup of special egg coffee at a hundred years old family shop.

Evening is free for you to join with local people at the night market or walking around and enjoy the the festive atmosphere around the Hoan Kiem Lake (weekend)

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, depart Hanoi center for a 1.5 hour drive to Ninh Binh province that is famous with spectacular karst landscapes and rustic countryside.
Visit the Hoa Lu ancient capital dating back 10th century and surrounded by a nature wall or high limestone mountains, visiting temples dedicated to National heroes and Kings of the Dinh and Early Le Dynasties then climb up the Ma Yen Mountain for the beautiful view over the karst landscape in the area. Following, take a bicycle ride along country road passing rice paddies, villages and mountains to Tam Coc.

In the afternoon, take a boat rowing journey and glide on stream amongst jutting mountains of Tam Coc, passing through lush rice fields and 3 nature caves. The scenery along the gentle row is stunning and it is deserved to be the highlight activities of the day.
Later, spend some time to explore the Bich Dong Pagoda on the nearby Ngu Nhac Mountains, comprising three structures built on mountain cliff, dating back 15th century.
Drive back Hanoi and remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast is at the hotel then get picked up for a drive along the fertile land of the Red River Delta to Hon Gai pier where you board the boat for cruise on spectacular Halong Bay & Bai Tu Long Bay. 

Said to be one of the most beautiful nature wonders in the World, Halong Bay consists of thousands of limestone islands soaring up from the emerald water of the bay. The different shape of islands here is the result of the work of wind and water through millions of year. With dotted pristine beaches, floating villages, amazing natural caves and fascinating scenes, Halong and its surroundings is the must-see for travelers to Vietnam.

Check in on board upon arrival at noon time. Have lunch while leisurely cruising to the core of the bay amongst thousands of dramatic lime stone islands.
In the afternoon we will enjoy kayaking through the karsts and breathtaking nature or swimming on one of the beaches
Enjoy sunset partywhile our cruise is sailing to the overnight anchorage.
Dinner and overnight on board amongst islands and under star live sky.

Note: the cruise itinerary can be different depending on tide condition, boat and route assigned.

Summary of inclusions

Wake up early in the morning if you wish to catch the sunrise over the Bay’s spectacular landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. 
After breakfast, take a rowing boat tour around to visit to explore a tunnel. Later, you will cruise to visit another part of the Halong Bay.
Lunch is served on your way cruising back to the harbor.
Disembark the boat at early noon (11.30 – 12.00 depending on boat and tide). Drive to the airport for your late afternoon flight to Yangon of Myanmar. Good bye Vietnam!. 
Met and greeted upon arrival in Yangon then take a short transfer to hotel to check in.

Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Yangon or Rangoon, the former capital of Myanmar is home to a fascinating blend of impressive colonial architectures, tree-lined boulevards, exciting street life scenes and glittery temples dotted around, making it the most exciting place in the country.
Spend your day for an exciting tour of multifaceted culture of Yangon. Start your exploration with a visit to the Yangon Post Office that noted for its red-brick color, charming beaux-arts portico and ornate stucco work.
Continue to the the glittering Burmese style Sule Paya on the junction of busy Yangon streets and then the century old Rangoon Synagogue. From here you procede to the Indian and China town where you take stroll along bustling streets with maze of colorful shops and thousands of photo opportunities around you.
Following, enjoy a visit to the Bogyoke Market, also known as Scott’s market, a wonderfully colorful place where there are lots of handicrafts and other local products to browse through. Wander around, enjoy some shopping if you wish and perhaps, take a sit down at a local tea shop enjoying typical Burmese tea drinking experience.

In the afternoon, spend time to visit some other prominent sites of Yangon such as St Mary's Cathedral, a gothic style architecture dates back from 1899. Continue to the Kandawgyi Park, a beautiful and greenest spot of Yangon where you see the impressive Karaweik Hall, a replica of Royal Barge that floats on a vast lake, reflecting it glittering image on peaceful water surface with stunning background of surroundings. Following is the Chauk Htat Kyi temple which is home to a 66-meter long reclining Buddha, one of the most revered Buddha images in the country, where locals gather to pay homage and pray every day.
Your last visit is the Shwedagon Pagoda, the most famous landmark in Yangon with spectacular view ofthe 100-meter tall chedi gilded by 40 tons of gold leaf. The view of Shwedagon become most spectacular during the sunset and when lights are on.

Summary of inclusions

Transferred to the airport for short early morning flight to Bagan that is claimed to be one of the greatest sites of ancient religious architecture in Asia, with more than four thousands impressive red brick temples scattered on a vast dry plain.

Met and greeted upon arrival and go straight on your tour exploring the ancient Bagan. Spend time to wander through colorful and bustling atmosphere of a busy local market where you gain an insights into local life and business.
Following, you will spend the rest of the day to explore the architectural masterpieces of Bagan with a diverse selection of some most important shrines and temples in the area. Walking around, listen to your guide for interesting stories behind each of these impressive monuments, look at fantastic works and be amazed at how people created this magnificent site.
In the late afternoon you will take a climb to the top of an elevated temple for spectacular view of sunset over the Bagan. Just sit back relax and be overwhelmed by the striking landscape as the sun is slowly setting down behind the background of mystical towering temples.
Evening is free at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Bagan is special not just by its magnificent temples but the rural life and surrounding landscapes also another interesting fact that makes the land.
This morning will spend time to explore some traditional villages around Bagan where you have chance to witness the authentic way of life in those ‘living museum’ and interact with friendly locals. Travel along little paths through charming rural sceneries and make stops for visits and gaining the taste of the rural Myanmar with different perspective.  
Later, hop on horse cart for an exciting ride to explore hidden side of Bagan.
In the afternoon, you will board a private wooden boat for a fantastic cruise on the Irrawaddy River to Nyaung U where you will spend time to explore the famous thousand years old Shwezigon Pagoda complex which impresses you with a massive cone-shaped gilded stupa where enshrines a bone and tooth of Buddha. The ground of this pagoda is also magnificent.  
Cruise back the town and it is the chance for you to enjoy spectacular sunset over the water and mountain background from afar.
Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Get transfer to the airport for a short morning flight to Mandalay, the second largest city of Myanmar and one of the ancient royal capitals on the banks of the Irrawaddy River.
Get pick up upon arrival at the airport and go on tour exploring the beauties of Mandalay.
Visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, the most important pilgrimage site in Mandaday. This pagoda houses the greatly venerated statute of Mahamuni Buddha which is central to local’s spiritual life. Day by day and over the years, the statue continues to be covered with gold leaf by devotees and this application of gold makes the image unique with special uneven contour.
Next, visit the Shwenandaw Monastery also known as Golden Palace Monastery, a special architecture built of teak wood dating back from 1878 that is famous for its wonderfully intricate carvings.
As Mandalay is famous for traditional crafts, during your discovery of the town, you will also have the chance to visit some local workshops where you can observe the production of gold leaf making, wood and marble carvings, with special techniques remain unchanged for centuries.
Continue to the well-known Kuthodaw Pagoda whose 729 white stupas, each houses a huge marble slabs carved with Buddhist scriptures, have earned the title ‘World’s largest book’.
End the interesting day tour with your visit to the legendary U Bein Bridge, the longest teakwood bridge worldwide with the total length of 1.2 kilometer across the Taungthaman Lake. Take a leisurely walk along, enjoy the breeze and stunning view of the lake with colorful boat skimming on the smooth as silk water surface. This centuries-old bridge is most photogenic during the sunset.
Evening is free at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, get to the jetty and board a private boat for a relaxed 1 hour journey on of the Irrawaddy River to Mingun, a historical site about 10 kilometer from Mandalay. This place is known for its never-finished stupa Mingun Paya, a massive construction begun and unintentionally left unfinished by King Bodawpaya in the late 18 century. The uncompleted 50 meter high monument was expected to be the greatest and highest in Myanmar and perhaps in the World at that time with intended height of 150 meters and is now recorded as the ‘largest brick pile’ in the World. Wander around, admire the grandeur and listen to your guide about interesting story about it.
Nearby is a Burmese style pavilion called zayat which houses the Mingun Bell, a national treasure of Myanmar, weighing 90 tons and claimed to be the World’s heaviest functioning bell several times in history.  
Following is the Hisnbyume Pagoda, an impressive white temple built by King Bagyidaw in dedication to his eternal love and memory of his beloved wife, reminding you the story behind the Taj Mahan in India. This temple consists of seven concentric terraces representing seven mountain ranges surround the main high stupa which resembles the holy Mount Meru.
Also, spend some time wandering around the neighborhood of Mingun, visiting local village of cottage industries where you have chance to interact with craftsmen and friendly locals.
Back to Mandalay downtown and this afternoon is for exploring of the compound of Mandalay Royal Palace which dominated by dark-red color roofs and golden patterns reflecting pomp and circumstance of the last Burmese monarchy.
Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Get transferred to the airport for a short morning flight to Heho, the gateway to one of Myanmar's most charming destinations, the Inle Lake.
Located in Nyaungshwe, a township of Shan State, Inle is a vast natural water body at the elevation of 800 meter above sea level and is the second largest lake in Myanmar. Dotted around the lake bank and on the water are numerous small villages of different ethnicities who remain very well their unique culture and life style. This beautiful lake is fringed by marshes and floating gardens, wooden houses perched above the water on stilts and glittering temples rise above the serene water surface. The typical image of Inle is the Intha fishers in traditional costume fishing on the lake with distinctive rowing style with one leg on the rear of the boat and the other leg wrapping around the oar.

Met and greeted upon arrival and take private transfer to hotel for check in.
Following, hop on a private local boat for sightseeing around Inle. Cruise pass the endless charming floating gardens where locals use weeds from lake bottom and put on floating beds to grow fruit and vegetable, houses and monasteries built on stilts.  During this tour, you will also visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, an impressive religious structure and the most revered site in the Inle Lake area and southern Shan State, and local villages on the bank of the lake where you can interact and observe local craftsmen using traditional techniques for silk weaving, silversmith, boat building and making cheroot, a kind of Burmese cigars.
Enjoy the authentic scenes that shine on the lake and get for you wonderful photos.
Back to the hotel and remainder of the day is at your leisure. 

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, start your another interesting day in Inle by a visit to the colorful local market which rotates through villages around the lake and including a day on the lake itself when trade is conducted from small boats. This is where and when you will see local hill tribe people in the colorful traditional dresses congregating to barter and purchase. A very nice scene!
Continue by boat along winding and scenic canals to Indein, a little yet fascinating village on the western bank of the lake. This place is known for its two groups of ancient pagodas and stupas with hundreds structures in many shapes and sizes varying from authentic crumbling state with trees and plants entwine around them to the restored, gilded and tacky one, offering an impressive sight of evolution through successive generations.
It is wonderful to see people having bath in the river, boats moving about on water, colorful shops and stalls, the mythical world of gods and life of ordinary smiling people. Wander through, walk up the hill along colonnades and enjoy the cram-full sight of exotic scenes around.
Following, visit a weaving villages with houses perched on stilts, interact with “long neck” tribal women who working on traditional looms and of course, you will not miss the chance to observe and take wonderful photos of the Intha men fishing on the lake with traditional tools and typical one-legged rowing technique.
Back to the hotel and remainder of the day is free to relax.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast at the hotel then get transferred to the Heho Airport for a short flight to Chiang Mai with transit in Yangon.
Get pick up from the airport and transfer to hotel for check in. Remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Being the most vibrant city in the northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is known for its dazzling temples, colorful street life and friendly locals, excellent foods, exciting night markets and fascinating surrounding landscapes.
It is a good idea to spend evening wandering around the colorful night market then take a seat in a bar with a bottle of beer watching people moving by in the sparkling neon lights.

Summary of inclusions

Start your sightseeing day with a scenic drive along winding mountain road to the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep which is considered the holiest temple in Chiang Mai, sitting on a hill thousand meters above the surrounding landscape. Enjoy sightseeing the temple, ring the holy bell and perhaps pray for your good luck and get treated with great panoramic view from up there.
Next, we will take a scenic ride on a steep and windy road across the forested mountain to quaint and picturesque Meo Hill Tribe Village thatset in an attractive hillside spot and interact with the Meo tribesmen dressed in their colorful traditional costumes.

Later, take our visit to the Royal Park Rajapruek that covers an area of 80 hectares of landscaped gardens and spend your time to sightsee beautiful palaces, Orchid garden and explore the architectures and gardening cultures from different countries around the world.
Today you will also visit Bor Sang village that is well known for paper umbrella-making and Sankampeng village where you will have chances to explore other famous traditional handicrafts such as silk weaving, woodcarving, silversmith, and lacquer wares making.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast at the hotel.
Today you will have a free day to enjoy shopping, exploring Chiang Mai at your own pace. You may just wander around on foot to enjoy the local atmosphere or pick up a bicycle and take a leisurely ride to explore the surrounding country. There are also many Thai cooking schools where you can take and interesting course to learn about wonderful Chiang Mai’s cuisine.
An optional visit to Elephant camp or other day tours also alvailable at your disposal.
Hotel in Chiang Mai.

Summary of inclusions

Morning flight to Phuket, Thailand’s largest island that listed as one of the world’s finest beach destinations. This island city is known for its great stretches of powdery white sand with coconut palms, emerald water, warm sunlight all year round and striking town atmosphere offering little something for everyone.

Get pick up from the airport upon arrival and transfer to hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is at your leisure for kicking back with sun, sea, sand and cocktails.
In the evening, it is time to join in exciting nightlife of Phuket with neon lights, sidewalk open air restaurants, bars and nightclubs. A visit to one of Phuket night markets would be great, otherwise consider one of exciting cabaret shows.   

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast is at the hotel. Enjoy your day for sun, sea and sand.
Also, you may like to take an optional trip to visit the Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary and the Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre located in the remaining untouched rain forest of the island, and take wonderful swimming in the nearby Bang Pae waterfalls. Another option is the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary or the Tiger Kingdom where you can get close contact with these big animals.

Overnight in hotel in Phuket.

Summary of inclusions

Catch a morning flight to Bangkok, the “City of Angels", the capital of Thailand and one of Asia's most cosmopolitan cities. 
Today we will spend time to explore some highlights of Bangkok with the first visit to the majestic Grand Palace, one of the most beautiful samples of an ancient Siamese court and used to be the residence of the Kings of Thailand. Within the precinct of the Grand Palace is the Temple of Emerald Buddha regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in the country, home to the famous statue of Buddha meticulously carved from a single block of jade that is deeply venerated as the country's palladium. Afterward, continue to visit the Wat Pho - classed as the highest grade of the royal temples, with an incredible 46-meter long gold-plated reclining Buddha inside.

Remainder of the day is your free time to explore the bustling Bangkok, wander around the colorful the Khao San Road – the so-called tourist mecca, or indulge in a Thai massage, and enjoy street food crawl.

Summary of inclusions

This morning you will take a long-tail cruise down the Chao Phraya River and enjoy a discovery trip into the winding ‘khlongs’ (canals) of Thonburi where you really see an another Bangkok with traditional lifestyle so well preserved and has hardly changed over the years.Travel like Indiana Jones’s adventure through the wild “Venice of the East”, passing flamboyant temples flickering behind lush green, wooden houses built on stilts along the both banks with little shrines in the front adorned by colorful garlands, tropical orchard laden with fruits, bustling markets and vendor boats serving up delicious Thai food. Life along these ‘khlongs’ has long been an inseparable part of the Thai lifestyle. 

Later today you will spend time to explore Bang Krachao, the “Bangkok’s green lung”, a hidden jungle oasis offering wonderful escape from chaotic streets of the capital. Surrounded by the Chao Phraya River, Bang Krachao is some kind of a wetland that comprises several square miles of evergreen mangrove forests, ponds and lakes, small homesteads, with elevated pathways running zigzag through scenic tropical abundance. This land is unique and amazing in its own right, providing a taste of what one could expect from Thailand’s amazing national parks.
Take a bicycle for a leisurely ride, enjoy the serene natural setting as you paddle along pathways precariously perched above the canals under foliage of jungle, visiting floating market (weekend), local temple, explore Thai village life, and why not grab a beer at a tree house bar and enjoy the splendor of your surroundings – you'll find it hard to believe you're near the centre of the Thai capital.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy your time for relax. Check out time hotel at 12.00AM.
Get transferred to the airport for your flight home or to onward destination. .
Safe travel and see you again!

Summary of inclusions