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Vietnam & Cambodia 12 Days |
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Visit: Hong Kong - Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City- Angkor
Tour Code: RTVNC12 |
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| Detailed Itinerary |
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Day
01 |
USA - Hong Kong, China |
| Check in for our transpacific flight to Vietnam. Our destination is Hanoi, its capital city. |
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| Day 02 |
En Route
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| Spend the night aboard the jetliner as it crosses the international date line. |
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| Day
03 |
Hong Kong - Hanoi, Vietnam
(D) |
| Arrive at Hanoi. Our guide will take you to our luxury accommodations. On the way to the hotel, we note that Vietnam has an abundant 4000 year old history with Chinese and French influences. It is a nation rich in culture and natural beauty. Dinner is served at our hotel this evening. |
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Hotel: Sofitel Plaza Hotel or similar |
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| Day
04 |
Hanoi
(B,L,D) |
| For most of its independent history, Vietnam has been ruled from the city of Hanoi. With a population of over 3 million, Hanoi is actually quite small and enjoys a reputation of being a laid-back, low-keyed city with lakes and shaded boulevards. Our first stop is at One Pillar Pagoda, constructed by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong and designed to resemble a lotus blossom. Continue on to the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 to be dedicated to the famous Chinese scholar Confucius. Right in the heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda topped with a red star. Schedule permitting, we also visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and enjoy a view of the Opera House, a magnificent 900 seat opera house built in 1911. The afternoon is spent at leisure. If we desire, admission tickets (optional) to the Water Puppet Show are available. |
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Hotel: Sofitel Plaza Hotel or similar |
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| Day
05 |
Hanoi
(B,L,D) |
| Journey away from the city by motorcoach to famous Halong Bay, recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Area. Enjoy a boat ride exploring Halong Bay, passing the islands of Truong, Mai, Am, Chen and Cong Troi. It is impossible not to appreciate the exceptionally beautiful scenery and natural wonders of the area. We stop at one of the islands for a brief visit before returning back to Hanoi. |
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Hotel: Sofitel Plaza Hotel or similar |
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| Day
06 |
Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City
(B,L) |
| Enjoy some free time in Hanoi this morning. After lunch, board a flight to Ho Chi Minh City, previously known as Saigon. Today is a travel day with no sightseeing planned. |
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Hotel: Renaissance Riverside Hotel or similar |
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| Day
07 |
Ho Chi Minh City
(B,L) |
| Saigon started its life as a small fishing village and was the capital of South Vietnam before the War. Its official name is Ho Chi Minh City, named after the founding father of modern day Vietnam. Our schedule this morning includes various scenic spots in Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown). Notre Dame Cathedral is set in the heart of Saigon's government quarter. It was built between 1877 and 1883 and constructed in the neo-Romanesque form. Next we visit Vietnam's largest post office, the Central Post Office; it is a French-style building with a glass canopy. Continue on to the hundred-year-old City Hall before visiting the War Remnants Museum. Here we view the collections of weapons and photographs from two Indochina wars. Finish off today's sightseeing by visiting Ben Thanh Market, Binh Tay Market, and the Thien Hau Pagoda. The afternoon is at leisure. |
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Hotel: Renaissance Riverside Hotel or similar |
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| Day
08 |
Ho Chi Minh City
(B,L) |
| Take an excursion to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an important base during the American War because of its strategic location. The Vietcong built an elaborate 200km long network of tunnels connecting command posts, hospitals, shelters and weapons factories. Dug of of hard laterite by hand tools without the use of cement, this amazing network of tunnels was never discovered by their enemies. The afternoon is free for us to explore Saigon at our own pace. |
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Hotel: Renaissance Riverside Hotel or similar |
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| Day
09 |
Ho Chi Minh - Angkor, Cambodia
(B,L) |
| After breakfast, board a short flight to Angkor. Cambodia is a predominantly Buddhist nation with a population of just over 13 million and is the successor to Khmer Empire which ruled the nation for 300 years. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel; the rest of the evening is free at leisure. |
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Hotel: Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa or similar |
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| Day
10 |
Angkor
(B,L) |
| Visit Angkor Wat, a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu by King Suryavarman II. In 1992 UNESCO declared the monument and the entire city of Angkor a World Heritage Site. Continue on to Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, the Former Royal Palace, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and Phnom Bakheng. |
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Hotel: Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa or similar |
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| Day
11 |
Angkor
(B,L,D) |
| Our sightseeing tour of Angkor continues today as we visit Ta Prohm, one of the most popular attractions of Angkor, Ta Keo, Chau Say Tevoda and the Roluos Group. In the afternoon, we finish our city tour of Angkor with Lolei, Preah Ko, Bakong, and Les Chantiers Ecoles. |
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Hotel: Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa or similar |
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| Day
12 |
Angkor - USA
(B) |
| Bid Vietnam and Cambodia a fond farewell as we board our homebound jetliner. |
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