Epic South East Asia Adventure in February 2022!
Posted on 24th August 2021 at 12:01
See the highlights of Indochina on this epic 22-day adventure!
See the highlights of Indochina on this epic 22-day adventure. Explore the vibrant cityscape of Bangkok, marvel at the majestic granite peak of Doi Suthep, and savour pad thai in Chiang Mai. Shop for souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh City and join the locals sipping coffee at a lakeside café in Hanoi. This adventure is the perfect balance between have-to-see highlights and free time to venture out on your own.
To book:
Call: 01234 581066
E-mail: marco.williams@bedfordshiretravelagents.co.uk
WhatsApp: 07486671475
Day 1 Bangkok
Today is arrival day, so there are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. Relax, explore the city, and adjust to the pace of life in Bangkok.
You MUST arrive on tour with your Vietnam visa. There is no way to procure this once the tour has commenced.
Meet Your CEO and Group activity
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Hotel Royal Bangkok @ Chinatown (or similar) accommodation
Day 2 Bangkok/Chiang Mai
Enjoy a 1-hr longtail boat tour of Bangkok's famous klongs (canals). The trip finishes at the Royal Temple of Wat Po for a guided tour.
After, there is time for shopping, a visit to Grand Palace or a stroll along Khao San Rd. In the evening, board the overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: Due to disruptions of Thai trains in the north during the monsoon season, trips running July through October may use alternative transport.
Klong Riverboat Tour activity
Bangkok
Travel by longtail boat on the busy Chao Phraya River and through the small canals of western Bangkok's Thonburi district. Observe colourful scenes of everyday life along the river banks.
Wat Po Guided Tour activity
Bangkok
Immerse yourself in Thai Buddhist culture and visit the famous giant 46m (151ft) reclining Buddha, covered in gold leaf. Relax with a traditional Thai massage at the country’s leading school of massage at Wat Po.
Free time activity
Afternoon
Use some free time in Bangkok to make the most out of this city.
Basic Overnight Train (beds) transport
Bangkok – Chiang Mai, 12h
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Optional Activities
Jim Thompson's House Visit
Bangkok
Tour the Jim Thompson House, a Bangkok museum that was once the home of American businessman Jim Thompson, the “Legendary American of Thailand.” See his collection of Buddhist and secular art, amassed while building his silk company.
Wat Arun Visit
Bangkok
Visit Wat Arun, a Buddhist temple and one of Thailand’s best known landmarks. Tour inside to see its central prang (a Khmer-style tower) adorned with colourful porcelain.
Grand Palace Visit
Bangkok
Visit the King’s official residence (made up of many buildings, halls, lawns, gardens, and courtyards) on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and see the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Royal Barge Museum
Bangkok
Located along the Chao Phraya River, the museum is home to many ceremonial barges. The barges are only used for special occasions so this is a chance to catch a rare glimpse of their ornate decorations and symbolic features.
Thai Massage
Bangkok
Lie back and soothe aching muscles with a wonderful Thai massage. Affordable and amazing—don't miss out!
National Museum Visit
Bangkok
See Thai artifacts on display from the Dvaravati, Srivijaya, Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods as well as other Southeast Asian collections.
Day 3 Chiang Mai
Arrive early morning and use some free time to explore. Choose from a range of optional activities or stroll the city independently. Explore the rural lanes of Chiang Mai in a tuk-tuk by pre-booking the Full Day Tuk-Tuk Adventure or experience the flavours and scents of traditional northern Thai cuisine by pre-booking the Northern Thai Cooking Class.
In late afternoon, set off to visit the temple complex, Doi Suthep. If you're lucky, you may witness the chanting of the monks.
Free time activity
Morning
With so much to do in Chiang Mai, make the most of your free time here.
Private Vehicle transport
Chiang Mai – Doi Suthep, 45m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Doi Suthep Guided Tour activity
Doi Suthep – Chiang Mai
Climb the 300-step naga (mystical serpent) staircase to one of northern Thailand's most sacred temples, or opt to take a cable car and enjoy the view. Learn all about Doi Suthep’s history from a local guide – built on top of a mountain, the temple sits among pagodas, statues, bells and shrines.
Private Vehicle transport
Doi Suthep – Chiang Mai
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
The Park Hotel (or similar) accommodation
Hotel
Optional Activities - Night Market - Chiang Mai
Pick up a a souvenir at this shopper's paradise. Wander through the market to find music, food, and local artists selling handmade crafts.
Full Day Tuk-Tuk Adventure
Chiang Mai
Learn how to drive a classic Thai mode of transport—the tuk-tuk—then set off for a full-day Northern Thailand adventure like no other. With your very own guide, explore the rural lanes of Chiang Mai, drive past rice fields and temples as you weave through the countryside, and experience Thai hospitality at its finest over lunch and chatting with the local people. Drinking water throughout the day, as well as pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Chiang Mai, is included. Please note: if you wish to drive the tuk-tuk, you must have a valid drivers license (manual drivers license for certain countries) and successfully learn tuk-tuk manual gear/stick shift during the training session, otherwise you will be chauffeured.
Khantoke Dinner and Show
Chiang Mai
Enjoy dinner northern Khantok style, with local entertainment. The main dishes on the Khantok usually include sticky rice, Hang-le curry (Burmese-styled curry), and some chilli pasted with crispy pork.
Chiang Mai Cycling Tour
Chiang Mai
Meander through Chiang Mai by bike and get an alternative view of this bustling city.
Northern Thai Cooking Class
Chiang Mai
Channel your inner chef with a home-style Thai cooking class. Take a trip to the market with your teacher and learn about regional flavours as you pick out fresh ingredients. Head back to the cozy kitchen for a hands-on lesson in whipping up delicious local favourites like hot and sour soup, green curry, and sticky rice.
Day 4 Chiang Mai/Chiang Khong
Drive to Chiang Khong, a sleepy trading town nestled on the bank of the Mekong River. En route, visit Wat Rong Khun — the dazzling 'White Temple'. Wander the local food market or sit back and enjoy a slower pace of life relaxing in Thailand with river views of Laos.
Meals included: Breakfast
Private Vehicle transport
Chiang Mai – Chiang Khong, 5h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) Visit activity
Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai
Visit Wat Rong Khun (better known among foreigners as the White Temple), an unconventional Buddhist temple designed by prominent Thai painter-turned-architect Chalermchai Kositpipat. Be wowed by the temple’s contemporary exterior made up of a mosaic of mirrors. View the interior walls that have a pop culture and sci-fi influence. Find murals of Batman, Superman, Predator, and the Matrix.
Nam Khong Guesthouse (or similar) accommodation
Day 5 Chiang Khong/Muang Pakbèng
Cross the border to the Laos immigration area, then take a songthaew (local bus) to a traditional slow boat.
Travel down the Mekong River and adjust to the relaxed pace of life in Laos. This predominantly mountainous country has unsurpassed views of the riverside villages, the tropical jungle, and the mountains.
Border Crossing (Thailand - Laos) activity
Chiang Khong – Ban Houayxay
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Mekong River Slow Boat activity
Ban Houayxay – Muang Pakbèng, 8h-10h
Enjoy the ride down the Mekong on our private boat (it’s pretty comfortable and spacious, and there’s a toilet on board). Have some fruit, tea, and coffee (free of charge); water and soft drinks are available for purchase. Bring some warm gear – it can be quite cold from November to February.
Mekong Riverside Lodge (or similar) accommodation
Guesthouse
Day 6 Muang Pakbèng/Luang Prabang
Continue on by slow boat down the mighty Mekong. Before arriving at Luang Prabang, enjoy a visit outside to the Pak Ou caves.
After, re-board the boat and continue to Luang Prabang, arriving in the early evening.
Meals included: Breakfast
Mekong River Slow Boat activity
Muang Pakbèng – Luang Prabang, 8h-10h
Enjoy the ride down the Mekong on our private boat (it’s pretty comfortable and spacious, and there’s a toilet on board). Have some fruit, tea, and coffee (free of charge); water and soft drinks are available for purchase. Bring some warm gear – it can be quite cold from November to February.
Pak Ou Caves Visit activity
Pak Ou Cave – Luang Prabang
Visit these dramatic caves considered an important spiritual site by many Lao people. See thousands of Buddha statues and images that line the limestone walls.
Treasure Hotel (or similar) accommodation
Hotel
Day 7 Luang Prabang
Take a tour of the Ethnology Museum — a great chance to learn more about the dress and customs of local people. Drop into Ock Pop Tok for an introduction to Laos textiles and handicrafts. Then, take a half-day trip out to the stunning Kuang Si waterfalls and be sure to pack a swimsuit.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Ethnology Museum Guided Tour activity
Luang Prabang
Take a guided tour of the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) to learn about the traditional arts and cultures of Laos’s many diverse ethnic groups. Shop in the TAEC Boutique for authentic village-made handicrafts and relax with a drink at the museum café.
Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre Visit activity
Luang Prabang
Visit Ock Pop Tok "East Meets West" Living Crafts Centre on the banks of the Mekong River to learn from artisans about Laos handicrafts and the importance of woven textiles in Laos culture. Opt to enjoy a drink in the cafe.
Meal with Local Family activity
Luang Prabang
Enjoy a delicious meal with a local family. Learn about Laotian cuisine and life in Luang Prabang.
Kuang Si Waterfalls Excursion activity
Kuang Si Falls – Luang Prabang
Journey to this magnificent tiered waterfall, where relaxing is highly recommended. Opt for a dip in the turquoise waters and explore multiple picture-perfect pools, framed by the jungle landscape.
Treasure Hotel (or similar) accommodation
Hotel
Optional Activities
Night Market Visit
Luang Prabang
Shop until your heart’s content at the night market in Luang Prabang – one of the best in Southeast Asia. Head to the market around dusk. Tour the vendor stalls lining the streets offering food, wooden statues, clothes, trinkets and souvenirs to dozens of people wandering up and down the market. Don't miss the opportunity to interact with the sellers and gently negotiate a good price.
Day 8 Luang Prabang
Enjoy a free day exploring all Luang Prabang has to offer. Options include cooking classes, temple visits, massages, night market shopping, and cycling.
Meals included: Breakfast
Free time activity
Full Day
There's a wealth of activities going on in and around Luang Prabang. Pick and choose what sounds best.
Treasure Hotel (or similar) accommodation
Hotel
Optional Activities
Cycling
Get on your bike and enjoy the ride.
Cooking Class
Refine your culinary skills with an optional cooking class. Discover the secrets of the delicious local cuisine.
Royal Palace Museum Visit
Luang Prabang
The ornate rooms of this royal palace-turned-museum house the country’s crown jewels, many religious artifacts, and a 50kg (110 lb) Buddha, cast of gold, silver and bronze. Gifts from visiting heads of state are on display, as are the beautiful silk screens crafted by the Queen.
Phousi Temple Visit
Luang Prabang
Climb more than 300 steps to the top of Mount Phou Si for a panoramic view of the sunset over Luang Prabang. Ornate Buddhist shrines dot the pathway up and the glistening seven-tiered golden pagoda of Wat Chom Si awaits at the summit.
Wat Xien Thong Visit
Luang Prabang
Once a royal temple where Kings were crowned, the importance of this 16th-century Buddhist temple as a religious monastery is not lost on visitors. Wat Xieng Thong stands resplendent among shrines, pavilions, chapels, towers and gardens, and its gilded wooden doors, mosaics, and ceiling displays are representative of typical Laos art and craft.
Wat Visoun Temples Visit
Luang Prabang
Originally built in 1513 and still operational, Wat Visoun is Luang Prabang’s oldest temple. Over the years invaders stole many of its priceless Buddha images, but this temple still offers some unusual architecture like the domed lotus flower stupa, designed by a royal and affectionately called "The Watermelon Stupa."
Royal Ballet Theatre
Luang Prabang
Enjoy a traditional performance at the Royal Ballet Theatre and learn more about Laotian culture through the art of dance.
Kayaking
Grab your life jacket and tour local waters by kayak. Get up close to marine life and see many sights you may miss on shore.
Day 9 Luang Prabang/Vang Vieng
Drive winding mountain roads through gorgeous scenery to reach Vang Vieng. Experience a local homestay in a nearby village.
Here, enjoy traditional Laotian food while getting to know your host family. Your CEO will provide insight into the way of life of village residents.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Private Vehicle transport
Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng, 7h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Vang Vieng Homestay activity
Vang Vieng
Learn about life and local culture in Vang Vieng on this memorable homestay. Experience typical Laotian cuisine; eating (and sleeping) arrangements are shared as a group (usually between two houses). A vegetarian option for the evening meal will be available.
Homestay Vangvieng (or similar) accommodation
Hotel
Day 10 Vang Vieng
Opt to pre-book the "Vang Vieng Adrenaline Bundle" on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Meals included: Breakfast
Free time activity
Full Day
With many options for Vang Vieng, choose what suits you best.
Vilayvong Guesthouse (or similar) accommodation
Guesthouse
Optional Activities
Cycling
Get on your bike and enjoy the ride.
Vang Vieng Adrenaline Bundle
Vang Vieng
Head North of Vang Vieng where you’ll grab a kayak and depart downstream on the NamSong river. Passing greenery, mountain karst, and small rapids, you’ll arrive at the Tham None cave. Adventure through the cave to the other side of the mountain where you will enjoy lunch before continuing on towards Vang Vieng. The last stop will be at the infamous Blue Lagoon; swim or hang out along the banks after an afternoon of adventure before heading back to the town.
Day 11 Vang Vieng/Vientiane
Head out of the mountains to one of Asia's sleepiest capital cities. Opt to visit some of the highlights of Vientiane including Wat Sisaket, one of the city's oldest and most fascinating temples, and Wat Phra That Luang, Lao's national symbol and one of her most sacred sites.
For those who like to shop, don't miss the morning market, which, incidentally, is open all day!
Meals included: Breakfast
Private Vehicle transport
Vang Vieng – Vientiane, 3h-4h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free time activity
Afternoon
Opt to visit the sights, get a massage or indulge in one last day of Laotian cuisine in Laos' capital city.
City Inn Vientiane (or similar) accommodation
Hotel
Optional Activities
Wat Sisaket Visit
Vientiane
Visit one of Vientiane’s oldest and most fascinating temples featuring a cloister wall filled with thousands of Buddha images.
National Museum Visit
Vientiane
Learn about the history, culture, and people of Laos at the National Museum, including the story of the Pathet Lao. See exhibits containing ancient items ranging from dinosaur bones to early Khmer sculptures.
Wat Pha That Luang Visit
Vientiane
See Laos’ national symbol and most important sacred monument, Pha That Luang (Great Stupa), completely covered in gold leaf. Every November, devoted Buddhists come here to celebrate Vientiane’s most important festival, Bun That Luang, with parades, music, and religious ceremonies.
Buddha Park
Vientiane
Travel approximately half an hour from the city to visit Vientiane's famous Buddha Park, or Xieng Khuan as it is otherwise known. Marvel at the scale and detail of the hundreds of religious statues that inhabit the park, including a 40 metre high statue of Buddha. Please note that transportation to Buddha Park will cost an additional $50.
Day 12 Vientiane/Hanoi
Take a short flight from quiet Laos into the bustling city of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Opt for a leisurely walk through the Old Quarter.
Meals included: Breakfast
Plane transport
Wattay International Airport – Noi Bai International Airport, 2h
After the short flight to Hanoi, a private vehicle will transfer the group 45 mins to the hotel in the city centre.
Free time activity
Afternoon
With a free afternoon in Hanoi, head out and start exploring.
Bonne Nuit Hotel (or similar) accommodation
Hotel
Optional Activities
Old Quarter Orientation Walk
Hanoi
Take an orientation walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter, a maze of streets, each one traditionally devoted to a different product or industry. Each street is named after the trade practiced on that street for several generations; it's an interesting glimpse into the life of a Hanoian in one of the oldest parts of town. Need a rest? Stop at Bia Hoi corner and pull up a plastic stool. Drink the local brew with the locals and make new friends.
Day 13 Hanoi
Visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, and the former president's house on stilts for insight into an important figure in Vietnam's history.
During the afternoon, use some free time to explore this beautiful city. Opt to visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the Museum of Ethnology or just sip delicious Vietnamese iced coffee in a café along the lake. In late afternoon or early evening, attend a performance of Vietnam's famous water puppets before sampling one of Hanoi's amazing eating venues.
Opt to pre-book the "Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Meals included: Breakfast
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum Visit activity
Hanoi
Please note: the mausoleum and museum are closed for refurbishment from October-November each year.
Free time activity
Afternoon
Choose what interests you most with some free time in Hanoi.
Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre Performance activity
Hanoi
Watch a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show with beautiful live music and intricate puppets dancing in a water stage.
Bonne Nuit Hotel (or similar) accommodation
Hotel
Optional Activities
Tran Quoc Pagoda Visit
Hanoi
Visit one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam located on the eastern shore of Tay Ho. Learn about Tran Quoc's history from the 17th-century stela found on site. View it later in the day, if you can – the tall structure is striking against the setting sun.
Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu) Visit
Hanoi
Visit this sprawling temple built to honour Confucius, sages, and scholars. Dedicated to learning, it housed the country’s first university in 1076. Explore its five courtyards, containing various gates, altars, sanctuaries, shrines, the stelae of doctors, and the Well of Heavenly Clarity.
Museum of Ethnology Visit
Hanoi – Luang Prabang
Learn about Vietnam’s various ethnic groups on this visit to the Museum of Ethnology – considered to be the finest modern museum in Vietnam.
Optional Welcome Meeting for Travellers on Combos
You may be a seasoned pro at group travel by now, but there will likely be some new travellers joining the group. Sit in on the welcome meeting to meet the newest members of your group and learn about the next leg of your tour.
Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour
Hanoi
Indulge your inner foodie with a street food tour through bustling Hanoi. Follow your guide through the back streets and markets of the city’s old quarter, sampling local fare along the way. Mingle with city natives and experienced street food artists alike, as you taste a variety of Hanoi faves like “nem ran” and “banh goi.” Stop at a streetside bar to savour a draught beer like Hanoians do. Cap off the tour at the Hanoi Food Culture restaurant, a G Values Fund Project, and try the city’s signature specialty coffee.
Day 14 Hanoi/Ha Long
Drive to Bai Chay harbour, the jumping off point for Ha Long Bay. Thousands of islands with intricate cave systems rise dramatically from the waters. Sail past limestone karst mountains in the junk boat and stop to visit some of the islands and caves.
In the evening, devour a seafood dinner, then opt to enjoy a drink on deck under the stars.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Shared Van transport
Hanoi – Ha Long Bay, 3h
Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.
Junk Boat transport
Ha Long
Skim across the water aboard this iconic traditional Asian sailboat.
Halong Bay Overnight Cruise activity
Board a traditional junk boat at Ha Long Bay harbour and cruise out onto serene waters. Marvel at massive limestone karst mountains jutting out of the water, creating unforgettable spectacular scenery. Swim, kayak or go cave exploring on one of the islands, if conditions are right. Indulge in fresh seafood meals with a variety of dishes to sample. Drift to sleep in a cozy cabin on board.
On rare occasion Halong Bay is closed to tourist vessels by the government authorities due to extreme weather conditions. Should this occur, an alternate activity will be provided.
Optional Activities
Kayaking
Ha Long Bay
Transfer from boat to kayak in this guided water tour, giving you the chance to get even closer to the stunning natural surroundings.
Day 15 Ha Long/Huế
Interested in local cuisine? Opt to pre-book the "Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour" activity on the checkout page to include this optional on your tour.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Free time activity
Afternoon
Spend a few hours exploring this beautiful capital city. Visit some shops, have a bia hoi on a street corner or grab a coffee in a lakeside café.
Basic Overnight Train (beds) transport
Hanoi – Huế, 13h-14h
Drive about 15 mins to the station and then board the southbound train for the overnight journey.
Private Vehicle transport
Ha Long Bay – Hanoi, 4h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Asia Hotel (or similar) accommodation
Hotel
Optional Activities
Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour
Hanoi
Indulge your inner foodie with a street food tour through bustling Hanoi. Follow your guide through the back streets and markets of the city’s old quarter, sampling local fare along the way. Mingle with city natives and experienced street food artists alike, as you taste a variety of Hanoi faves like “nem ran” and “banh goi.” Stop at a streetside bar to savour a draught beer like Hanoians do. Cap off the tour at the Hanoi Food Culture restaurant, a G Values Fund Project, and try the city’s signature specialty coffee.
Day 16 Huế
Arrive early to Hue, once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Start the day with a visit to the Tien Mu Pagoda followed by a visit to the tomb of one of Vietnam’s former emperors. After, opt for a vegetarian lunch at a local nunnery.
While in the city, try some local Hue specialties such as banh khoai (Hue savoury pancakes), and banh bot loc boc tom thit (thin rice paper filled with meat and shrimp). Wash it all down with a Hue beer.
Opt to pre-book the "Hue Motorbike Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Tien Mu Pagoda Visit activity
Huế
Visit Tien Mu, one of the tallest and, perhaps, most elegant pagodas in Vietnam, at seven storeys high. Take a step back in time touring this historic temple - built more than 400 years ago along the north shore of the Perfume River, it has been the site of many political protests.
Imperial Citadel Tour activity
Huế
Tour this one-time capital city and UNESCO World Heritage site. See the walled fortress and former palace, which has many palaces, gateways, courtyards, and gardens to explore. The Forbidden Purple City (modelled on China's Forbidden City) inside the citadel was once home to the imperial family and was significantly damaged during the Vietnam War.
Royal Tombs Visit activity
Huế
Visit the Royal Tombs along the Perfume River in Hue. Embracing the concept of Feng Shui, these tombs are extremely ornate and provide fantastic insight into the lives of the former rulers.
Asia Hotel (or similar) accommodation
Hotel
Optional Activities
Hue Motorbike Tour
Huế
Grab a helmet, hop on a motorbike driven by your experienced local guide, and get ready for a crash course in authentic Viet culture. Spend the next four hours exploring the stalls of a local market, making a Vietnamese conical hat, sipping on fresh green tea with a local family, learning to plough and make rice, and seeing the most iconic local sights. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Day 17 Huế/Hoi An
Cross the Hai Van Pass (weather permitting), with fantastic views in all directions, before arriving to Hoi An in the afternoon.
With three nights here, there's plenty of time to explore all this charming town has to offer.
Meals included: Breakfast
Private Vehicle transport
Huế – Hoi An, 4h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free time activity
Afternoon
Use free time in this quaint town to explore any way you like.
Vinh Hung 2 Resort (or similar) accommodation
Hotel
Day 18 Hoi An
Explore all Hoi An has to offer. Dive into the culture, hang out on the beach or get clothes tailor-made in one of the many shops around town. Enjoy a noodle making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures-supported project.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Oodles of Noodles Demonstration and Lunch activity
Hoi An, 2h-3h
Try some of the oodles of noodles (more than 26 types!) available in the city in this tasty cooking class. Run by our G for Good partners, STREETS International, this class was developed exclusively for G Adventures. Former street youth that are part of this hospitality training program, will help you prepare and cook a number of different types of noodles. This program helps these youth practice their English, increasing their skill-set and opportunities available to them in the tourism industry. Enjoy your yummy creations while learning more about the local cuisine and this initiative which empowers street youth through skills and employment training.
Free time activity
Half Day
Explore this charming city.
Vinh Hung 2 Resort (or similar) accommodation
Hotel
Optional Activities
Bike Rental
Rent a bike from a local shop and head out to explore.
Tailor Shops
Hoi An
Go home with some new (handmade!) clothes from one of Hoi An’s famous tailor shops. Walk the streets lined with hundreds of local shops that turn out gorgeous suits, dresses, winter coats, shoes, purses – almost anything – in a day's time to create next season's wardrobe.
Thu Bon River Boat Trip
Hoi An
The Thu Bon River plays an important part in Hoi An's history and culture. Take a trip down the Thu Bon by river boat for an alternative tour of the city.
Hoi An Cooking Class
Hoi An
Take a cooking class to learn more about Vietnamese food and its distinct flavours. Tour the local market to buy fresh ingredients before preparing some popular regional dishes. Enjoy your creations when you're done!
Mỹ Sơn Excursion
Mỹ Sơn
Travel approximately one hour from Hoi An to arrive at My Son. Tour these Hindu temples built between the fourth and 14th centuries; the site is widely accepted as one of the most important Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia. Learn about the architectural style and history of a site that’s often compared to Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Bagan in Burma.
Day 19 Hoi An
Spend a free day exploring all Hoi An has to offer.
Meals included: Breakfast
Free time activity
Full Day
Enjoy free time in this charming town.
Vinh Hung 2 Resort (or similar) accommodation
Hotel
Optional Activities
Thu Bon River Boat Trip
Hoi An
The Thu Bon River plays an important part in Hoi An's history and culture. Take a trip down the Thu Bon by river boat for an alternative tour of the city.
Hoi An Cooking Class
Hoi An
Take a cooking class to learn more about Vietnamese food and its distinct flavours. Tour the local market to buy fresh ingredients before preparing some popular regional dishes. Enjoy your creations when you're done!
Mỹ Sơn Excursion
Mỹ Sơn
Travel approximately one hour from Hoi An to arrive at My Son. Tour these Hindu temples built between the fourth and 14th centuries; the site is widely accepted as one of the most important Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia. Learn about the architectural style and history of a site that’s often compared to Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Bagan in Burma.
Day 20 Hoi An/Ho Chi Minh City
Drive to Da Nang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, once the capital of South Vietnam and the country’s commercial centre. Start exploring the small alleys and busy streets, keeping an eye out for laquerware shops and delicious local food stalls.
Meals included: Breakfast
Plane transport
Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City, 1h
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Lotus Boutique Hotel (or similar) accommodation
Hotel
Day 21 Ho Chi Minh City
With some free time in the city, opt to visit the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas and stroll through the immense Ben Thanh Market. Also well worth a visit are the Reunification Palace (the residence of South Vietnam presidents before 1975), the city's Chinese quarter of Cholon, and the War Remnants Museum.
Meals included: Breakfast
Cu Chi Tunnels Guided Tour activity
Củ Chi
Take a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex network of tunnels that the Viet Cong lived in to protect themselves from opposing forces during the Vietnam War. Try crawling through some of the tunnels (if you’re not claustrophobic). These tunnels stored ammunition, had underground hospitals, and served as a hidden base for attacking allied forces.
Free time activity
Afternoon
Get out and explore this frenetic city.
Lotus Boutique Hotel (or similar) accommodation
Hotel
Optional Activities
War Remnants Museum Visit
Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi
Visit the War Remnants Museum, a gut-wrenching but worthwhile experience that includes three storeys of exhibits and military hardware. Learn about the devastation that occurred in Saigon during the Vietnam War, a period that greatly contrasts the joy and liveliness of the Vietnamese people today.
Ben Thanh Market
Ho Chi Minh City
Wander this bustling market for more insight into Ho Chi Minh City. Pick up souvenirs, sample local cuisine, and experience local living. Learn a little history along the way; Ben Thanh started as a cluster of street vendors selling wares by the Saigon River, and was formalized into a true market in 1859.
Cholon Visit
Ho Chi Minh City
Take in the busy rhythm of daily life in Cholon, the Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City. Tour the area full of teahouses, pagodas, and people, and learn a little more about the unique culture within the city.
Thien Hau Pagoda Visit
Ho Chi Minh City
Visit the Thien Hau Pagoda, a beautiful temple in the Chinatown district of Ho Chi Minh City. Learn more about the customs associated with this 19th-century monument – it is dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau (the 'Lady of the Sea') who is worshipped in Chinese communities throughout Asia by those who depend on the sea for their livelihoods.
Reunification Palace Visit
Ho Chi Minh City
Wander the historic halls of the Reunification Palace (Independence Palace), a landmark in Ho Chi Minh City. This former home of the South Vietnamese president during the Vietnam War became the location of the end of the war when a North Vietnamese tank pushed through the palace gates on April 30, 1975.
Dam Sen Water Park Visit
Ho Chi Minh City
Get away from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City at this nearby water park. A lush setting and refreshing water make Dam Sen the perfect place for the whole family to cool off and have some fun—splash around or take a ride down one of the slides.
Giac Vien Pagoda Visit
Ho Chi Minh City
Find this hidden pagoda behind some small alleyways – it’s a rare treat of a monument that has been spared the over-restoration that has been done to so many temples. Tour the inside of this 18th-century pagoda to see nearly 100 carvings of divine beings.
Day 22 Ho Chi Minh City
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Tagged as: Tours
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