Discover the Best of Southeast Asia with Halong Bay Cruise Included

Discover the treasures of Southeast Asia from ancient temples to local villages, majestic rivers and bustling cities, with all transport and accommodation organised for you. Immerse yourself in local culture and sample authentic regional cuisine as you discover these fascinating destinations from both land and water.

What You’ll Love…

The Tour – See the legendary Angkor Wat, Halong Bay, Ho Chi Minh City and more

Be sure to clear some space on your camera as the photo opportunities on this action-packed tour are endless.

Your experience begins in Vietnam. Discover the fascinating ancient city of Hoi An with its medley of architectural styles and discover the secrets behind Vietnam’s fragrant cuisine with a local market trip followed by a cooking class.

Discover Vietnam’s diverse capital, Hanoi, from the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to the ancient Temple of Literature (circa 1070), the first university in Vietnam.

Cruise the emerald waters of the spectacular Halong Bay, where verdant limestone islands rise majestically from the surface, visiting pristine beaches, islands and caves along the way.

The magic of Laos awaits in Luang Prabang. Enjoy a cruise of the Mekong River, attend a traditional daily alms giving ceremony at sunrise together with local Buddhist monks and immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the local market.

In Cambodia, behold one of the world’s most incredible wonders at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Angkor Wat, Siem Reap’s legendary temple complex dating back to the 12th century.

Vietnam’s bustling Ho Chi Minh City is bursting with treasures to discover - both old and new - from historic landmarks such as the 19th-century Saigon Central Post Office and the Romanesque Notre-Dame Cathedral, to glamorous modern-day skyscrapers and shopping malls. Discover the network of underground Cu Chi Tunnels used in the war and pay a sobering visit to the War Remnants Museum with its artefacts from the Vietnam War and Indochina War.

Your Package Includes:

• Return international flights from Melbourne or Sydney (other departure airports available for surcharge, see ‘Fine Print’ for details)
• Internal flights from Hoi An to Hanoi, Hanoi to Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang to Siem Reap and Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City
• Premium nightly accommodation such as the five-star Pan Pacific Hanoi overlooking West Lake
• Daily breakfast and select additional meals as noted in the itinerary
• Overnight Halong Bay cruise
• Cooking class in Hoi An
• Cu Chi Tunnels visit
• All entrance fees, sightseeing and local boat rental fees for experiences listed in the itinerary
• The services of a local, English-speaking guide in Vietnam
• Bottled water during tours

Return international flights from Sydney or Melbourne are included in your package. Departures from Brisbane, Adelaide or Canberra are available for a surcharge of AU$800 per person, and departures from Perth for a surcharge of AU$500 per person, payable directly to the tour operator. Airlines used are at the tour operator’s discretion and can include Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways or similar. Includes one piece of checked luggage at 23kg and one piece of carry-on luggage at 7kg.

Day 1: Australia – Danang – Hoi An

Welcome to Danang, the third largest city in Vietnam. On arrival at Danang airport, you’ll be picked up by a guide and transferred to check in the hotel in Hoi An.

Meals: In-flight meals

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Day 2: Hoi An

Today is spent exploring the riverside town on foot, visiting its main attractions such as an old merchant’s home, the Japanese Covered Bridge and a local Chinese temple. Proceed to the Hoi An Market where you’ll meet a chef for strolling around and learning about different ingredients that the local people purchase for their daily life. Round off your trip with a cooking class and sample your own dishes.

Meals: Breakfast

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Day 3: Hoi An

Take the day to explore the delights of this wonderful city at your own pace. Or, perhaps choose an optional tour from below to enhance your holiday.

Optional Tour to Golden Bridge: Vietnam is worth visiting not only because of its natural beauty but also its manmade attractions. Today, join us to explore the Golden Bridge, whose golden hue stands out amongst the surrounding forest. This unique work of architecture features a main bridge supported by huge stone hand sculptures, creates a beautiful and surprising vision. The trip also includes a visit to Linh Ung Pagoda with its sophisticated architecture, 27m high Shakyamuni statue and romantic flower garden – Le Jardin D’Amour. Back to Hoi An later to enjoy the rest of time at leisure.

Optional Tour: Tra Que Vegetable Village – Tra Que is a charming small village located just a few kilometers from Hoi An. The village is named after the sweet-scented vegetables which grow in the village, which are used to spice famous Hoianese delicacies. Depart from your hotel either by private car or bicycle. Stroll through the atmospheric Tra Que vegetable village to observe and try the local farming activities. Learn the process of planting vegetables: raking the ground, sowing, watering and picking. After the farm trip, you will see how good Vietnamese is with ‘Banh xeo’ (sizzling cake). This Vietnamese savory pancake is popular and favored throughout Vietnam. Finish with a visit to the local market. A light meal will be served during the tour time.

Meals: Breakfast

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Day 4: Hoi An – Danang – Flight to Hanoi

After breakfast, say farewell to Hoian with a transfer to Danang airport for a morning flight to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. On arrival at Noi Bai airport, transfer to your hotel for check in.

This afternoon, enjoy the city tour to visit the iconic sights including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside), One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of literature, which was the first university of Vietnam.

This evening is free for your independent exploration or you can sign up an optional tour to enhance your holiday.

Optional Tour: Hanoi Street food - Enjoy a walk around the Old Quarter in the late afternoon and have a taste of Northern Vietnamese delicacies such as unique egg coffee, Vietnamese baguette sandwich, traditional noodle soup and fresh brewed beer. Hanoi’s tempting food stalls and family-run cafes await.

Meals: Breakfast

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Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise

This morning we drive at the ‘Jewel in the Crown of Vietnam’, Halong Bay. Arriving just before lunch, you will embark on a traditional Vietnamese junk boat cruise. Have lunch on board and enjoy the afternoon and overnight cruise as it provides you with a fantastic view of the fabulous scenery and some 3,000 limestone islands which rise magically from the emerald waters. The limestone formations are dotted with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves, some of which you’ll get to visit. Enjoy a wonderful dinner on board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Luang Prabang

The Halong Bay tour continues today with a morning spent cruising on to the Man’s Head, Tortoise Islands and then Luon Cave by small bamboo boat. After brunch, continue to travel through Bai Tu Long to Bai Chay before disembarking. Then, our guide and driver will transfer you to Noibai airport for a flight to Luong Prabang, the ancient capital of Laos. On arrival, pick up by another local guide and transfer to hotel to check in. The rest of day is at your leisure.

Meals: Brunch

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Day 7: Luang Prabang

In the morning, embark on a cruise along the Mekong River towards to the sacred caves of Pak Ou, which shelter hundreds of Buddha statuettes. Back to the town where you’ll enjoy the rest of day at leisure or you may sign up for an optional tour with us to enhance your holiday.

Optional tour: Elephant camp – This half-day tour offers a chance to visit an elephant camp. You’ll take a ride along the stream to the remote villages for an insight of local life.

Optional tour: Baci ceremony – Baci (also spelt basi) is a specific ceremony in Laos which has been practised for hundreds of years. The term commonly used is “sou-khuan”, which means “spirit enhancing or spirit calling”. The ceremony involves the tying of white cotton strings around the person’s wrists and the prayer saying or well-wishing for the person that the ceremony is intended for.

Meals: Breakfast

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Day 8: Luang Prabang – Flight to Siem Reap

Wake up as the sun rises. We will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temples to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets. From there, we will visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. The local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetables, to fish, or chicken. This is the best chance to experience the flavor of local life. After breakfast, we ascend to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, you will visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. Your city tour continues with a visit to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall.

Then, transfer to the airport for a flight to Siem Reap, the gateway into the Khmer Temples. On arrival, transfer to the hotel to check in. The rest of day is at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

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Day 9: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples

Spend a full day discovering the mystical Angkor temples. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed site features soaring towers and extraordinary bas reliefs. It is one of the most amazing man-made monuments in the world. Visit Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm Monastery, Angkor Thom, Bayon and the Elephant Terrace.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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Day 10: Siem Reap – Flight to Saigon

Take the opportunity to explore Siem Reap at your own pace. Be sure to check out some local restaurants for a taste of world-famous Cambodian cuisine. Or, you may sign up for an optional tour with us to enhance your holiday. Late afternoon, take a flight to Saigon which is known as the oriental pearl. On arrival, pick up and transfer to the hotel to check in. The rest of day is at your leisure.

Optional tour: Tonle Sap Lake – Tonle Sap Lake, or “Great Lake”, is a magnificent water wonder by nature. During the rainy season, the lake expands to 2,600 square kilometres in size and becomes the biggest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Plus, being rich in bio-diversities, the lake can power a whole civilization floating on it since ancient times. You will be picked up at your hotel then start a Tonle Sap lake tour with a visit to floating Kampong Plug village. Enjoy watching seasonal activities of Cambodian agriculture and aquaculture.

Meals: Breakfast

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Day 11: Saigon City Tour & Cu Chi Tunnels

After breakfast, you will embark on a half-day tour of Ho Chi Minh City with highlights including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Post Office and the War Remnant Museum. Plus, soak up the atmosphere at Ben Thanh market, one of Ho Chi Minh’s liveliest areas. In the afternoon we continue on to Cu Chi Tunnels. During the Vietnam War, guerrilla fighters built a labyrinth of narrow tunnels, using them to hide in during bombing raids and to stage surprise attacks. Today, the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction, giving visitors a unique understanding of what life was like during the Vietnam War.

Meals: Breakfast

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Day 12: Saigon

Today spend the day at leisure or choose to go on an optional tour.

Optional Tour: Mekong Delta – Start your Mekong Delta experience in Ben Tre Province to embark on a cruise on the Ben Tre river (one of tributaries of Mekong River, with sight-seeing and lively activities along the river such as fishing and water transferring). See how to make bricks in the traditional style by printing and baking. Next, visit a coconut-processing workshop located along the canal. Go to a local village and take a walk to a family workshop making sleep mats and enjoy fruits and tea. Continue taking a motor cart (xe lôi) or bicycle riding under tree shades, pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to touch on daily life and find out about local culture. Lunch is served at the restaurant riverside. In the afternoon, take a rowing-boat along water palm creek and boat back to Hung Vuong Pier, where your transport is waiting back to Saigon.

In the evening, enjoy an authentic Vietnamese dinner on board a Saigon River Cruise. The Saigon River flows from Cambodia through Southern Vietnam before merging into the South China Sea. Dinner on a river cruise offers the opportunity to witness another side of Saigon.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Saigon – Depart to Australia

This morning you will have some free time for any last-minute sightseeing or souvenir shopping before your transfer to the airport for your flight home to Australia.

Meal: In-flight meals

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Day 14: Arrive back in Australia

Arrive home today.