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Trafalgar - Vietnam and the Temples of Angkor (01/2023 - 12/2023) (CTVCN18)

16 Days From Hanoi to Siem Reap
Tour Style: Asia
Trafalgar Brochure Price from $3,845.00
Brochures: Asia 2022, Asia 2023 v1
Visits: Vietnam, Cambodia

Journey from the beauty of Halong Bay to a spine-tingling encounter with the abandoned capital of Angkor Thom, left to ruin in the depths of the dense Cambodian jungle and revealing stories of a once-powerful Khmer empire whose ancient temples, tombs and shrines were left to rest for centuries.
Choice Highlights

Must-see Highlights
  • : Explore Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap
  • : Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, the Imperial Citadel in Hue, the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels, Siem Reap Old Town Market, the temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Wat Damnak and Ta Prohm
  • : View Ho Chi Minh's House in Hanoi and the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City.

Dive Into Culture
  • Hanoi: Visit Ho Chi Minh's house in Hanoi.
  • Hoi An: Visit the colourful market of Hoi An.
  • Hoi An: Join a Lantern Making Workshop or a Fishing Life Tour to learn about the lives of the local fishermen and have a go at casting your own fishing net.
  • Danang: Visit the Cham Museum in Danang.
  • Ho Chi Minh City: Visit the home of the former American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s.
  • Siem Reap: At Peak Sneng Village observe the locals weaving hats from palm leaves or folding Lotus flowers into delicate works of art.

Trafalgar Difference
  • Halong Bay: Stay on a traditional style Vietnamese Junk boat for an overnight cruise in Halong Bay.

Be My Guest
  • Hue: Enjoy lunch at one of the great remaining garden houses of Hue where you will gain insight into the lives of a local family and admire their fascinating collection of artifacts and mementos from the days of the former Royal Empire.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
  • Ho Chi Minh City: Have lunch at Blanc restaurant, which provides employment to those who are deaf or hearing impaired. You'll interact with the staff and communicate your meal order using sign language during this unique dining experience concept.
  • Siem Reap: Visit Artisans d'Angkor, where our visit contributes to creating job opportunities for disadvantaged rural youths and at Peak Sneng village, meeting local villagers and discovering some traditional Cambodian crafts.
  • Siem Reap: Visit Artisans d'Angkor, where our visit contributes to creating job opportunities for disadvantaged rural youths and at Peak Sneng village, meeting local villagers and discovering some traditional Cambodian crafts.

Trafalgar Tour Itinerary

Day 1Welcome to Hanoi
Relish the warm embrace of Vietnam and her welcoming people, who will touch you with their humility and entrepreneurial spirit throughout your journey across this intoxicating land. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception with drinks and local appetisers.
Visits: Hanoi
Meals: Welcome Reception
Accommodation: Melia Hanoi
Day 2A Day to Discover Hanoi Dive Into Culture
This morning is dedicated to the revolutionary leader who fanned the flames of Vietnam’s independence. We begin our day with a visit to the final resting place of “Uncle Ho”, the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. A short walk from here, we’ll find Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, where we’ll Dive Into Culture exploring the grounds surrounding the humble abode of Vietnam’s most famous son. We’ll continue to the Temple of Literature, the first university for the sons of Mandarins, to gain insights into Hanoian culture. This afternoon, we’ll embark on a cyclo tour, weaving through the lively Old Quarter past colourful shopfronts and street food vendors. Enjoy an evening at leisure or consider joining one of our recommended Optional Experiences to watch a show that uses the ancient art of water puppetry to story-tell the daily lives of Vietnamese people.
Visits: Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Melia Hanoi
Day 3Set Sail for Halong Bay Stays With Stories
We leave the busy streets of Hanoi behind, bound for the serenity of Halong Bay where we’ll board a traditional-style Vietnamese Junk boat. The limestone karsts and tropical islets rising up from the emerald waters provide an ethereal backdrop for our leisurely cruise. After lunch on board, we’ll take a small boat transfer to the Tien Ong Cave and Cua Van Fishing Village, whose residents still live in traditional floating houses. We return to our Junk boat for a cooking demonstration with the chef or enjoy a mesmerising sunset on the top deck before dinner and a peaceful overnight stay in this UNESCO-listed natural wonder.
Visits: Hanoi, Halong Bay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Jasmine Cruise
Day 4Onwards to Danang and Hoi An
The graceful practice of T’ai Chi eases you into your day as is the local custom. Join a Local Specialist on the deck of the Junk boat for a morning class in exquisite natural surrounds. You’ll have time for an early morning swim at one of Halong Bay’s quiet beaches and, if you’re feeling energetic, a brisk walk to catch one last view of scenic Halong Bay before your drive to Hanoi Airport to catch your flight to Danang. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.
Visits: Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Danang, Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Royal Hoi An
Day 5Uncover Historic Hoi An Dive Into Culture
Dive Into Culture this morning, embarking on a walking tour around the ancient town of Hoi An. Embrace its charm of yesteryear – the narrow lanes, colourful marketplaces and ancient temples providing insights into the Vietnam of old. See the old merchant houses and 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, before visiting Thanh Dong Organic Village where you’ll spend some time helping local farmers and learning about their daily working routines. Kick back and enjoy a relaxing foot massage that will set the pace for the rest of the day and evening at leisure.
Visits: Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Royal Hoi An
Day 6Local Life in Hoi An Dive Into Culture
Enjoy some free time this morning to explore Hoi An further or simply relax at your hotel. Your choice of activities this afternoon could see you learn how to craft your own colourful lantern or gain insights into life as a local fisherman (subject to weather conditions). Create a work of art to bring your home luck and happiness, or cast your net wide for the catch of the day – the choice is yours.
Visits: Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Royal Hoi An
Day 7Head to Hue via Red Beach Dive Into Culture
The healthy flavours of Vietnamese cuisine take centre stage as we travel by boat to the Red Bridge Cooking School to learn about the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food. We’ll have an opportunity to savour the dishes we’ve prepared for lunch before returning to Hoi An. This afternoon, our journey takes us over Hai Van Pass en route to Red Beach, where the American Marines first landed in Vietnam during the decades-long war. We continue to Danang for a visit to the Cham Museum before arriving in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, for our overnight stay.
Visits: Hoi An, Hue
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Imperial
Day 8See the Sights of Hue Connect with Locals
We’ll navigate the busy streets of Hue on the back of a cyclo en route to the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel, once home to Nguyen emperors. From here, we drive to Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's best-preserved religious monument. Boarding a local dragon boat next, we cruise along the Perfume River to the house of the former Princess Ngoc Son where we’ll Connect With Locals and meet a family member for a Be My Guest lunch to gain a glimpse of their life in this historic house. The afternoon is ours to enjoy at leisure or consider joining one of our Optional Experiences.
Visits: Hue
Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest
Accommodation: Imperial
Day 9Journey to Ho Chi Minh City Make Travel Matter
A short flight this morning brings you to Ho Chi Minh City, where you’ll enjoy some time at leisure before lunch at Blanc restaurant. Your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience visit supports a business which proudly employs a team of deaf or hearing impaired staff. You'll temporarily immerse yourself in a world of sign language interaction and communication, and tuck into tasty local dishes during this unique dining experience. The iconic sights of Ho Chi Minh are revealed on a walking tour of Dong Khoi Street next. See the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville. Then, wander up to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, designed by the renowned Gustave Eiffel. Continue to the War Remnants Museum where you’ll have a vivid glimpse of the war through the eyes of the locals. Your final stop today is Ben Thanh market, one of the earliest surviving structures in old Saigon, before arriving at your hotel.
Visits: Hue, Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Sofitel Saigon Plaza
Day 10Meander along the Mekong Delta
The mighty Mekong beckons today, as we take a day trip to My Tho, a nearby Delta market town. We’ll transfer to a small sampan boat and navigate the maze of small canals before stopping for a lunch of delicious Mekong Delta specialities. After a short walk along village roads, we’ll visit the house of a former soldier, a Local Specialist who survived fighting the Khmer Rouge. Indulge in the family’s colourful stories and learn how they make a living crafting rice paper, before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for an evening at leisure.
Visits: Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong River Delta, Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Sofitel Saigon Plaza
Day 11Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels Dive Into Culture
We’ll delve into Vietnam’s turbulent history from the previous century with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an immense network of connecting underground tunnels built to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. We’ll explore the underground compounds with a VC veteran and gain an understanding of the history of the tunnel, which once served as living quarters and housed hospitals, food and weapons caches. Returning to Ho Chi Minh City by private speedboat, we’ll enjoy some free time this afternoon. Later, we’ll Dive Into Culture during a visit to the home of the former American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, followed by a Farewell Dinner.
Visits: Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Accommodation: Sofitel Saigon Plaza
Day 12Continue to Cambodia
Transfer to the airport for the short international flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. On arrival meet your Cambodia Travel Director and check in to your hotel.
Visits: Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap Resort
Day 13Amazing Angkor Wat Make Travel Matter
Today, we venture deep into the Cambodian jungle, through a pyramid-shaped gateway into an ancient world. Serene stone faces watch over us as we cross the causeway suspended over a moat into the spiritual heart of the ancient lost city of Angkor. A Local Specialist and renowned Khmer scholar brings to life the stories behind the intricate carvings and murals of celestial nymphs and mythical serpents along the abandoned hallways of Angkor Wat. Our next stop are the terracotta-hued walls of Banteay Srei Temple – the “Citadel of Women” dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. We’ll have time to admire the 10thcentury carvings of women, said to have been too delicate to have been carved by a man, hence its name. We’ll return to Siem Reap for some free time and this afternoon embark on a walking tour of the Old Town. We'll witness the revival of Khmer arts and crafts and help support the lives of rural youths during our visit to Artisans d'Angkor; a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Later we’ll visit Wat Damnak and participate in a private blessing ceremony during which a sacred thread will be tied around our wrists to protect against evil spirits. Our final stop today is to the labyrinthine Old Market, where the locals spend their early mornings shopping for fresh fruit, vegetables and spices. Wander past the busy stalls and smell freshly baked baguettes, a remnant of the country's French heritage.
Visits: Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: FCC Angkor by Avani
Day 14Temples of Angkor
Our intimate encounter with a lost empire continues today, as we uncover other iconic sites of the ancient abandoned city of Angkor that have been devoured by the Cambodian jungle. We explore its ancient ruins in the company of saffron-clad monks and monkeys that clamber up and over the roots of centuries-old trees that have carved their way deep into the Great City's walls. Our first stop today is a visit to the fortified Angkor Thom, where we’ll see such iconic sites as the Terrace of Elephants, the Royal Enclosure and the Temple of Bayon with its giant smiling faces of Buddha. We venture underneath the dense tree canopy to the crumbling, moss-covered ruins of the Buddhist temple of Ta Prohm, which featured as the location for the film ‘Tomb Raider', exploring its towers courtyards and corridors to uncover the intricate stone reliefs that are shielded by the surrounding foliage. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure or consider joining an Optional Experience to learn the secrets of Khmer cuisine.
Visits: Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: FCC Angkor by Avani
Day 15Visit Peak Sneng Village Dive Into Culture Make Travel Matter
We begin the day in the company of local Khmer villagers with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience visit to their local school and opportunity to chat to some of the children, who will join us on our walk through the village to see how they spend their day-to-day lives. We’ll Dive Into Culture, gaining insights into their time-honoured craft traditions, such as weaving Cambodia's national hats made from palm leaves, or folding Lotus flowers into delicate works of art. After the rest of the day at leisure, this evening to say farewell to those not continuing on to Phnom Penh tomorrow, we’ll join our Travel Director and fellow expeditioners for a Farewell Dinner with Apsara dance show.
Visits: Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Accommodation: FCC Angkor by Avani
Day 16Depart Siem Reap
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Visits: Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast


Available Room Types: Single, Triple, Twin
Child: ages 5 to 11

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