AMAZING VIETNAM & MYANMAR TOUR – 16 DAYS

Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival

Day 2: Hanoi Half-Day Sightseeing Tour – Street Food Tour in the afternoon

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong bay

Day 4: Halong – Hanoi

Day 5: Hanoi – Morning flight to Da Nang – Hoi An Sightseeing Tour

Day 6: Hoi An – Ecotour with biking, fishing, cooking & gardening

Day 7: Hoi An – Leisure Day

Day 8: Hoi An – morning flight to Saigon

Day 9: Saigon private City Tour + Cu Chi

Day 10: Saigon – Group Tour to Mekong Delta

Day 11: Saigon – Flight to Yangon – Half-day sightseeing tour

Day 12: Yangon – Flight to Bagan

Day 13: Bagan Sightseeing Tour (half-day cycling tour)

Day 14: Bagan/ Heho – Flight to Inle Lake

Day 15: Inle – Indein – Inle 

Day 16: Inle Lake – Yangon/ Heho – Departure

DAY 1: ARRIVAL – HANOI 

Upon arrival at Noibai Airport, you’ll be met by our tour guide & transferred to your hotel in Hanoi for a Check-in.

The rest of time, you’ll be free on your own.

O/N in Hanoi.

DAY 2: HANOI HALF-DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR – STREET FOOD TOUR (B/-/D)

Breakfast at hotel

From your hotel, we take you to visit Ho Chi Minh complex, walking around Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum – the final resting place of Vietnamese great father or Uncle Ho, President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house – where Ho lived on and off from 1958 to 1969… The next place is One Pillar Pagoda a group of structures consisting of a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square pond. Leave One Pillar Pagoda for the Temple of Literature the first college of Viet Nam dedicated to Confucian. Back to Hoan Kiem Lake and have a stopover with Ngoc Son Temple

Afternoon: At 18.00, Our tour guide will welcome you at your hotel lobby, then start the tour to Hanoi Old Quarter “36 streets” to visit some famous and specialized- food families or stalls/ local restaurants, shops where they run their business everyday, certainly you will watch and taste some particular dishes, we can customize vegetarian or special food too.

Special thing that tour guide would like to introduce some popular authentic food in lovely mini restaurants (not luxury restaurants) where you feel comfortable to sit down and enjoy some favorite dishes and nice drinks too.

It’s interesting to hear from tour guide about the history of the old quarter in Hanoi, it is thousand years old and today retains much of the old flavor that made the area special in earlier times, each street was the exclusive domain of one trade (guilds) so there are whole streets of blacksmiths, silver shops, paper shops, headstone makers and more. Originally there were just 36 streets in the old quarter but today there are more than 50 streets.

After all. Food on Foot Tour will give you an unique experience to try the foods of the local Hanoi people, we ensure the food is handled hygienically and provide a comfortable venue for the tastings. The benefit also goes back to the vendors or restaurants/ families as we buy directly from them.

At 21.00, our tour guide say goodbye to you, and will help you order taxi or show you direction back your hotel.

O/N in Hanoi.

DAY 3: HANOI – HA LONG BAY CRUISE (GROUP TOUR) (B/L/D)

7:30 – 08:30: Our SHUTTLE BUS with tour guide will pick you up at your hotels (Note: This pick-up is just applied for those who use our shuttle bus service)

10h30: Stopover in Hai Duong city where you can experience our hand-made Vietnamese handicraft products.

12h30: Arrive in Tuan Chau Marina Pier (Tuan Chau Island). Followed by activities:

+ Boarding HALONG BAY CRUISE for departure.

+ Welcome drink will be served and cruise briefing, safety instructions, check-in cabins by Cruise Manager.

+ Great lunch is served while cruising passing by islets, through Hoa Cuong floating village.

+ Exploration of Halong Bay passing by Soi Sim Beach, Coconut Three Island. Then arrive in the area of Surprising Cave.

+ Kayaking & swimming or climbing up to the mountain and getting a complete view of Halong Bay at Titov Beach

+ Joining our COOKING CLASS on the sun-deck. Let’s see how to make the fresh/fried spring rolls and mix fish-sauce.

+ Enjoy sunset party with fruits and wine.

19:30: Under the magnificent night sky, our luxury set-menu dinner is served with a variety of Vietnamese and Asian foods.

Evening activities include:

+ Join the SQUID FISHING on boat with our crews. You can enjoy the squid cooked with assistance from our chef.

+ Or Laze yourself with our happy-hour drinks at the bar.

Overnight on Halong Cruise 

DAY 4: HA LONG BAY – HANOI (B/L)

06:15: Tai Chi class on the Sun-deck.

07:15: Have breakfast with Coffee, tea and Bakeries on board.

08:00: Visit the SURPRISING CAVE (Hang Sung Sot) discovered by the French in 1901. Opened for tourists since 1936, now it is a must-to-see and a symbol for geology value of Halong.

09:30: Check out time. Then relax on the sun-deck or inside the restaurant to enjoy the bay’s scenery.

10h15: Enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch while cruising back to the pier.

12:00: Disembarkation at Tuan Chau Pier. Our car will be at your disposal to pick you up then drive back to Hanoi.

16:00: Arrive in Hanoi. End of the trip!

O/N in Hanoi.

DAY 5: HANOI – FLIGHT TO DANANG – HOI AN SIGHTSEEING TOUR (B/-/-)

Breakfast at hotel. You have free time by your own to have more experience in Hanoi until transfer to the Hanoi airport to catch a flight to Danang on VJ533 (10:30 11:50)

In the afternoon, you will cycle across the off the beaten path to explore the different side of Hoi An. On the road, you will enjoy the relaxing feeling when cycling along the riverside and beautiful countryside with rice fields, fish & shrimp farms. On arrival, you will visit a mat weaving family where you can experience how to make the colorful mats from raw reeds in a very traditional way. Next, you go on cycling to discover Hoi An culinary culture with a visit at local house where making two specialties of Hoi An named Banh Dap (smashing rice papers) and My Quang (Hoi An noodles).

Coming here, you will be introduced the making procedure from rice flour and have chance to make these dishes by yourself. This is absolutely an interesting experience to know more of the local rustic food in the this countryside area. After that, you stop at a local liquor workshop to explore more of the daily life of local people here.

Then you take a short walk to the boat pier for making a boat trip on Thu Bon river to Cam Nam fishing village and learn fishing for more experience under the instruction of the local people. Especially, you will practice by yourselves how to catch fish, how to catch the net into the river…Return to Hoi An town.

O/N in Hoi An.

DAY 6: HOI AN – ECO TOUR WITH BIKING, FISHING, COOKING & GARDENING (B/L/-)

8:00AM: Our guide welcomes you at the hotel in Hoi An and takes you to Cam Nam fishing village to learn fishing for more experience under the instruction of the local people. Especially, you will practice by yourselves how to catch fish, how to catch the net into the river… Then you will visit green Bay Mau water coconut forest. Coming here, you have chance to row the basket boat to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere, explore the revolutionary base of Hoi An in the Vietnam War and learn how to use fishing tools to fish the field crab.

Then you will be transferred to continue to cycle to Tra Que Vegetable Village 3km from Hoi An Ancient Town. Along the road are villages and beautiful countryside. On arrival, you are welcomed with the friendly smiles and special drink: “E” water or local tea. Here is the chance for you to join a cooking class with the family. Under the instruction how to prepare ingredients, you will cook Hoi An special foods. Have lunch at the family.

Pm: You will dress in farming clothes, take a short walk around to visit the garden where local farmers work and use the traditional methods without having electrical machines support. After that you are under the instruction of household; he will show you how to prepare and make the land, you fertilize green manure before growing vegetables. Watering the vegetables, which you have just grown, is the last activity in the procedure of planting them.

After that, you come back the house to relax by soaking your feet in Vietnamese herbs. This is one of the ways to refresh ourselves after the hard working time on the farm of Vietnamese.  Then you will be transferred back your hotel in Hoi An and end tour.

O/N in Hoi An.

DAY 7: HOI AN – LEISURE DAY (B/-/-)

Breakfast at hotel, you’ll be free on your own to discover the hidden charms of Hoi An or laze on the beach (No Car & guide)

O/N in Hoi An.

DAY 8: HOI AN – DA DANG – FLIGHT TO SAIGON (B/-/-)

In this morning, you will be at leisure at your hotel or strolling around the town to get more sightseeing or shopping before moving back to Da Nang airport for flight to SAIGON on VJ639 (10:00 11:25)

The bustling Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafes.

O/N in Saigon.

DAY 9: SAIGON HALF-DAY CITY TOUR + CU CHI TUNNELS (B/-/-)

Today we spend a half day exploring the captivating Ho Chi Minh City. The most places of interest are located near the town center. We pass by the now-demolished wartime American Embassy on our way to the Reunification Palace. This famous edifice was a former residence of the President of Southern Vietnam until end of Maril 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. We follow these with a visit to the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum with a wealth of images from the notorious conflicts. The sightseeing ends up with a walk around the retail Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale!

Afternoon: Transfer about 30km north-west of Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi town. Cu Chi tunnels were used as the base from which the Vietnamese mounted their operations of the Tet Offensive in 1968. The incredible underground network in Cu Chi stretched over 200 kilometres and became legendary during the American war. The extensive tunnels have been specially constructed with living areas, weapon factories, filed hospitals, command centres, plus accommodation. Today we have an excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels to visit an exposition hall and a widened section of the tunnels to get a feel of the underground life. There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range

O/N in Saigon.

DAY 10: SAIGON – GROUP TOUR TO MEKONG DELTA (B/L/-)

PICK UP: 7:30am – 8:15am RETURN: 17:30pm

ROUTE: HCMC – My Tho – Ben Tre – HCMC

Highlight: A trip to Mekong Delta to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and the rich culture of the vibrant southern Delta region. Boating down the river to experience the local life, fishing port, fishing floating house, enjoy the local folk song music and seasonal fresh fruit. Itinerary: Leaving the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and start your trip to depart for My Tho, the town lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Boarding the sampan and cruising down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.Stop over at Unicorn Island, go walking around country lane and seeing orchards, enjoy tropical fruits, folk song music which performed by the local people.

Visit the fruit plantation. Riding a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and treat yourself in the beauty of the countryside, visit the family business, visit honey-bee farm, enjoy honey tea and coconut candy workshop. Have lunch at local restaurant. Break time. In the afternoon, time for cycling around the Tan Thach village, meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong delta. Hammock relaxing and enjoy cool breeze for those can’t join the cycling trip. Return to Ho Chi Minh City. End trip.

Tour price includes: A/c van/bus pick up (centrally located hotel), transfer & sightseeing as per program, boat trip in the Mekong delta, English speaking guide (guide speaking other languages upon request), all entrance fees, meals as indicated in the program (L = Lunch)

O/N in Saigon.

DAY 11: SAI GON – FLIGHT TO YANGON – HALF DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR (B/-/-)

After breakfast, you will be free till escort to Tan San Nhat airport for a flight to Yangon 0 Myanmar.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your guide who will accompany you and transfer to the hotel. Before reaching the hotel visit to Visit Shwedagon Pagoda of Rudyard Kipling fame and one of Myanmar’s most sacred places. The massive bell shaped stupa is plated with gold and the tip of the stupa is set with diamonds and rubies, sapphires and topaz – a stunning sight as the sun sets and a most fitting place to begin our trip in this “Golden Land”.

O/N in Yangon.

DAY 12: YANGON – FLIGHT TO BAGAN by MORNING FLIGHT (B/-/-)                                                       

After breakfast, this morning sightseeing features the colourful Nyaung Oo Market, the Shwezigon Pagoda and its magnificent golden stupa, Wetkyi-Inn, a cave temple with exquisite jatakas murals paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations.

In the afternoon, visit Ananda, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temple with two original standing Buddha images show facial expression change depending on the distance the statue is viewed from. The Ananda Okkyaung is one of the few surviving brick monasteries from the early Bagan period and the next temple to be visited, Thatbyinnyu, is the highest in Bagan, rising to 61 meters. End the day with a horse and carriage tour among the temples passing by the traditional village of Taungbi, Sulamani Temple and the massive Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork. End the day with a enjoy sunset at some nice area where available places, one of the ancient temples in Bagan or at view mount area. After sunset return to hotel. O/N in Bagan.

DAY 13: BAGAN SIGHTSEEING TOUR (HALF DAY CYCLING TOUR) (B/-/-)                                      

After breakfast at the hotel, spend a half day biking around the ancient temples.Start with visit to the monuments of Myinkaba, Gubyaukkhi, an early period Pyu-style temple of Hindu influence with some of the oldest mural paintings in Bagan, Manuha and Nanpaya temples. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to the countryside village of Minnanthu, the least visited temple area in Bagan.

Observe the local farmers‘ way of life together with a visit to some of the most interesting temples such as Payathonzu, with its unusual architecture and Tantric Buddhism influence, Lemyethna and Nandamannya temples. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy River to watch the sun set over the planes.

O/N in Bagan.

DAY 14: BAGAN / HEHO – INLE LAKE by MORNING FLIGHT (B/-/-)                                            

After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Nyaung U  Airport for the flight to Heho. From Heho a 1-hour scenic drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Board a private motorboat to visit Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s best-known sights. Pass villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by the local Intha people. Visit Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, which houses dozens of Shan Buddha Images, but is more famous for its unique ‘jumping cats’ who jump through hoops in the air!  Continue to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf.

Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand.If time permits, there may be time to enjoy a short walk through one of the lakeside villages. O/n in Inle Lake.

DAY 15: Inle – Indein – INLE (B/-/-)

After breakfast, visit the lake’s morning market. The market rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a 5 day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their wares. (Note: market is daily except on dark moon day and full moon day).

From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the Pa-oh village of In Dein.  Explore the area on foot, strolling around the village, visiting a local school, and wander through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area.  Alaung Sitthou is filled with picturesque ancient stupas and has magnificent views of the lake below. In the late afternoon return to Inle Lake and before sunset you will take canon for one hour and enjoy the sunset over the the Lake. Return to hotel.

O/N in Inle Lake.

DAY 16: INLE LAKE – HEHO/ YANGON DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Heho airport for your flight back to Yangon. On arrival Yangon transfer  to International airport for your onward flight.

End of Services!!!

*3 Star Hotels in use:

*4 Star Hotels in use:

INCLUDING:

• Accommodation twin or double basis with breakfast
• English speaking station guide
• All transfers and excursions with private air-conditioned vehicles
• All monuments entrance fee
• Private motorized boat in Inle Lake excursions
• Horse cart tours in Bagan
• Sunset boat in Bagan, Boat trip in Halong & Mekong
• Meals as indicated
• Daily water and fresh tower
• Porter fees at airports
• Domestic flight tickets: Hanoi – Danang – Saigon, Yangon – Bagan – Heho – Yangon

EXCLUDING:

• International ticket to/from Yangon
• Visa arrangements for Myanmar
• Visits not mentioned in the program
• Drinks and personal expenses
• Tips and porters at the hotels
• Any other items not mentioned.