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The best of Vietnam plus the incredible Angkor temple complex of Cambodia
The day is free to recover from the flight or stroll amongst broad tree-lined avenues dating from the French period. There is a faded colonial charm where baguettes and good coffee are sold from doorways of grand buildings of a past era. This evening there will be a welcome briefing with your leader followed by an optional group dinner at a local restaurant. *Lan Vien Hotel or similar*
This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city that includes a visit to the Temple of Literature; the site of the oldest university in Vietnam with over 2000 graduates, Hoa Lo Prison & the Old Quarter of the city with its '36 Streets' where each street is home to shops selling particular products - e.g. 'silk street', 'gold street', 'paper street' and 'tourist souvenir street'. We have the afternoon free in Hanoi to wander around the Hoan Kiem lake and perhaps enjoy the view from a lakeside café. *Lan Vien Hotel or similar*
We make an early start for the approximately 4-hour journey to Halong Bay. This is one of the most stunningly beautiful sights in South East Asia with some 3000 limestone peaks rising directly from the clear emerald sea. We cruise amongst this amazing karst scenery, stopping to swim and kayak, allowing us to get to places inaccessible by boat (weather permitting), and enjoy a seafood lunch on board. We overnight on board in twin share cabins with en suite facilities. *Overnight Boat*
We continue to cruise around Halong Bay this morning before returning to port. We then drive back to Hanoi where the evening is free to explore or relax. There is the option of seeing a performance of the famous Water Puppets, which your leader can arrange if you have not already seen them and wish to do so. *Lan Vien Hotel or similar*
After breakfast we transfer to Hanoi Airport for a flight to Da Nang. In Da Nang, we climb Marble Mountain where we explore the large caves which were used by the Viet Cong as a hospital base during the war. From the mountain peak there are fantastic views over My Khe Beach and the surrounding countryside which leads on to Hoi An, our next destination. *Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spa or similar*
This morning will include a walking tour of Hoi An, the original European trading port in Vietnam dating back to the mid-16th century. It is now a living museum, with attractive wooden merchant's houses and pagoda-style temples with Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European architectural influences. It is also a marvellous place to wander around and enjoy the thriving riverside market and great silk clothes shopping. The afternoon is free to enjoy a town that has become a favourite for so many travellers to Vietnam. Options include a trip to My Son, the Cham civilisation's spiritual home, where Cham kings were buried as long ago as the fourth century. Although wartime bombing has destroyed much of the site, there's a number of interesting stone towers and sanctuaries. *Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spa or similar *
We spend the morning at the wonderful Red Bridge restaurant, located on the bank of the Thu Bon River. Visiting the colourful local market first, we shop for ingredients before taking a boat ride to the restaurant. Here we learn the intricacies of Vietnamese cooking. Under the supervision of an English-speaking Vietnamese chef you have the opportunity to create your own dishes. You don't need to be a proficient cook to enjoy this activity but be warned, you get to eat your creations at the end of the morning! You may choose to stay on and enjoy the idyllic garden at the restaurant or make your way back into Hoi An town for an afternoon at leisure, or jump on a bike (optional) for a ride through the countryside, passing markets, schools and villages before continuing on to Cua Dai beach (5 km). *Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spa or similar*
This morning we transfer to Da Nang Airport for the flight to Saigon, officially known as Ho Chi Minh City. This is an exciting and absorbing city where scooters pack the streets and temples stand defiantly alongside modern developments. Devastated by the Vietnam War, it is now a bustling free market city where anything goes. The Saigon River and Ben Thanh market, are within easy walking distance and are highly recommended. This afternoon a city tour will include a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. The Museum has an interesting photographic record of the Vietnam/American War. Please be aware that some images at the museum are very graphic. *Sila Urban Living or similar*
Today we leave the city behind us and head north to visit the infamous Cu Chi tunnels. Used by the Viet Cong during the war, the network covers 3 levels and incorporates around 240km of tunnels. Traditionally these were very narrow but some areas have been widened to allow tourists to explore the system. Claustrophobes may prefer to stay outside in the sunshine! In the afternoon we return to Saigon and the rest of the day is free for individual exploration. *Sila Urban Living or similar*
In the morning we drive to Cai Be in the Mekong Delta (approx 2½ hours), known as the 'rice bowl' of Vietnam. This region produces most of Vietnam's fruit, sugar cane and coconuts. We take a boat trip on the mighty Mekong River, passing many orchards and friendly locals also travelling by boat. Recently, Cai Be floating market has become less crowded and smaller as fruit trading is mostly now done by trucks due to the bridge being built. However, this is still a great opportunity to see a local market and the trade being conducted traditionally on a smaller scale. We stop to see some small cottage industries such as rice paper and coconut candy, getting a chance to sample the produce along the way before enjoying the local speciality, ‘Elephant Ear Fish', for lunch. After lunch, we continue by boat to Vinh Long where our bus is waiting to take us to Can Tho. *TTC Can Tho Hotel or similar*
This morning we take a boat trip to visit Cai Rang floating market, the biggest and most lively floating market in the Delta, with great photo opportunities. It is a maze of hundreds of boats packed with fruits, vegetables and plants, where samples are hung from the tops of long poles so that buyers can see from a distance what is for sale. Later we drive back to Saigon where the remainder of the day is free. *Sila Urban Living or similar*
Today we transfer to Saigon Airport for the flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. On arrival in Siem Reap, we will be met by our Cambodian tour leader. Flight-time dependent we may have the opportunity to see the sunset at the temple-complex this evening. If not, we will enjoy this magnificent marvel tomorrow evening. *Tara Angkor Hotel or similar*
A full day spent exploring the Angkor complex. We will visit the incredible Angkor Wat and the many temples inside the Royal City of Angkor Thom, including the magnificent Bayon, which comprises of 54 intricately carved towers in one single temple. The Bayon certainly left an impression on an early traveller in 1925 who stated 'we stand before it stunned. It is like nothing else in the land.' We will also see other less-visited outlying temples. Particularly impressive are Banteay Srei and Ta Prohm, which is still covered in jungle as it was first found. Re-discovered in the 1870s and famously described as being 'grander than anything of Greece or Rome' by the French explorer Henri Mouchot, this World Heritage Site stands alongside Chichen Itza and Machu Picchu as one of the world's most spectacular archaeological sites. A truly magical experience and a photographer's paradise. *Tara Angkor Hotel or similar*
* 12 nights comfortable hotels, 1 night boat with twin share cabins, all en
suite
* Travel by private car/minibus/bus (subject to group size), 3 flights and
boats
* Some gentle walking in humid conditions
* Leisurely pace of travel
All breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner are included.
Thanks to the tropical climate, the long coast and the gigantic range of
mountains, Vietnam is blessed with numerous varieties of culinary offerings
and consequently maintains its reputation as one of the healthiest cuisines
in the world that still packs a punch with delicious, fresh and fiery
flavours.
Vietnamese food relies on fresh fish, vegetables, rice and a whole myriad of
verdant herbs and spices; lemongrass, ginger, basil and lime all play an
important role in the cuisine. The Chinese and French influence is felt
throughout the country where you are just as likely to be offered a Banh Mi
(stuffed baguette) as you are a hot steaming bowl of Pho (noodle soup).
Each dish is prepared with the Asian principle of Wu Xing in mind (the five
elements); meaning that the perfect combination of spicy, sour, bitter, salty
and sweet is the ultimate aim. Be sure to also seek out the national
beverages; Vietnamese coffee is served iced and sweet with condensed milk, a
real sugar and caffeine hit, and beer hoi (local beer, brewed daily) is
served on most street corners in the North out of large plastic jugs that are
perfect for sharing.
Food is cheap in Vietnam and you can generally avoid the spicier food if you
wish. Western food is readily available almost everywhere, with the exception
of the the Mekong Delta area.
Food is cheap in Cambodia and you can generally avoid the spicier food if you
wish. Cambodia's food is all about the contrasts—sweet and bitter, salty
and sour, fresh and cooked. It shares many dishes with its neighbours, and
you'll find noodle soup similar to Vietnamese pho, Thailand's refreshing
salads and sour soups, Indian-inspired curries, and noodles and stir fries
handed down from years of Chinese migration. From Cambodia's days as a French
Indochina colony, there's a national love of coffee, pate, and good bread.
Baguettes are served with soup, made into sandwiches, and sold by men riding
bicycles carrying baskets of long loaves. Western food is also available in
most of the places visited.
Vegetarian food is widely available, however the offering will be fairly
similar in most places. Please advise at time of booking if you have any
dietary requirements.
* 12 nights comfortable hotels, 1 night boat with twin share cabins, all en
suite
* Travel by private car/minibus/bus (subject to group size), 3 flights and
boats
* Some gentle walking in humid conditions
* Leisurely pace of travel
*This trip is rated Activity Level 1- Leisurely*
This is not a rushed trip and although there are early starts, the focus is
on spending time in each area in comfort, with few long road journeys. Both
Vietnam and Cambodia are humid and this can be tiring at times as we explore
some cities and sights on foot. We have included three flights to reduce the
amount of travelling time to a minimum as much as possible but please be
aware that delays can occur at times.
Hotels & Boat
During this trip you will spend 12 nights in comfortable hotels and 1 night
aboard a boat with twin share cabins, all of which feature en-suite
facilities. We have selected hotels both for their character and relative
luxury and we utilise the best hotels available in each area.
Please be advised that the accommodation listed in each location on the day
to day itinerary are the standard hotels used. However, there may be some
trips where you will stay at similar hotels of the same standard and quality.
Single supplements are available (on request) and only available for 12
nights of the trip (hotel nights). Please advise the sales team at the time
of booking if you would like to request a single supplement.
The trip is led by locally qualified Vietnamese and Cambodian
English-speaking leaders.
All breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner are included.
Thanks to the tropical climate, the long coast and the gigantic range of
mountains, Vietnam is blessed with numerous varieties of culinary offerings
and consequently maintains its reputation as one of the healthiest cuisines
in the world that still packs a punch with delicious, fresh and fiery
flavours.
Vietnamese food relies on fresh fish, vegetables, rice and a whole myriad of
verdant herbs and spices; lemongrass, ginger, basil and lime all play an
important role in the cuisine. The Chinese and French influence is felt
throughout the country where you are just as likely to be offered a Banh Mi
(stuffed baguette) as you are a hot steaming bowl of Pho (noodle soup).
Each dish is prepared with the Asian principle of Wu Xing in mind (the five
elements); meaning that the perfect combination of spicy, sour, bitter, salty
and sweet is the ultimate aim. Be sure to also seek out the national
beverages; Vietnamese coffee is served iced and sweet with condensed milk, a
real sugar and caffeine hit, and beer hoi (local beer, brewed daily) is
served on most street corners in the North out of large plastic jugs that are
perfect for sharing.
Food is cheap in Vietnam and you can generally avoid the spicier food if you
wish. Western food is readily available almost everywhere, with the exception
of the the Mekong Delta area.
Food is cheap in Cambodia and you can generally avoid the spicier food if you
wish. Cambodia's food is all about the contrasts—sweet and bitter, salty
and sour, fresh and cooked. It shares many dishes with its neighbours, and
you'll find noodle soup similar to Vietnamese pho, Thailand's refreshing
salads and sour soups, Indian-inspired curries, and noodles and stir fries
handed down from years of Chinese migration. From Cambodia's days as a French
Indochina colony, there's a national love of coffee, pate, and good bread.
Baguettes are served with soup, made into sandwiches, and sold by men riding
bicycles carrying baskets of long loaves. Western food is also available in
most of the places visited.
Vegetarian food is widely available, however the offering will be fairly
similar in most places. Please advise at time of booking if you have any
dietary requirements.
We use private car/minibus/bus dependent on group size. Boats are used at
various points in the itinerary; these are nearly always private, and vary
from converted trawlers to small riverboats. There are three domestic
flights, all bookings on flights are made in economy class.
*Tet Holiday Period (Vietnamese New Year)*
During the Tet holiday period, 10-17 February 2021 and 31 January- 4 February
2022 and two weeks either side of Tet, our itinerary is subject to minor
change as despite booking hotels and trains in advance, rooms and seats are
difficult to obtain during this busy festive period when people are
travelling home to celebrate with their families. It is unlikely that changes
will occur and if they do it is likely we will just need to use alternative
accommodation.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London: 16 Days*
The group flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before
Day 1 of the itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We normally use the scheduled services of Thai Airways or Singapore Airlines
(depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change
regularly, we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your
agent to confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a
later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before
departure.
Long transit in Kuala Lumpur on return, ask at time of booking for details.
***Travelling land only: 14 days starting in Hanoi and ending in Siem Reap*
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Hanoi in the afternoon of
Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided
in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before
departure.
Free transfers are only applicable if booked in advance directly through
Exodus before a trip commences.
The weather will be hot and humid throughout with temperatures during the day
usually between 28ºC and 34ºC. It is only a little cooler at nights.
There is quite a range of seasons between the north and the south: the south
up to Hue has a distinct dry season between December to April and then a
rainy season from May to November when it tends to come in short heavy bursts
with bright sunshine in between. Hanoi is cool in autumn, and even gets
chilly between November and February (with a drizzly rain).
There is no ideal time to visit Vietnam; it is quite pleasant at any time of
year, though due to the shape of the country it is unlikely that the weather
will ever be perfect for the entire duration of any trip.
Please be aware that the boat trip on Halong Bay can be subject to short
notice change if certain adverse weather conditions develop during your trip.
These could occur all year round, but especially in monsoon season (from
October to April). Boat trips on Halong Bay are governed by the local
authorities who are authorised to make such appropriate safety decisions. If
your Halong Bay trip is affected by adverse weather, this could either result
in a reduced excursion on Halong Bay for your group, or less likely, the need
to re-arrange the itinerary if it is not possible at all to go out on Halong
Bay. Whilst this is not a frequent occurrence, our local team and leaders are
well equipped to handle such situations and have long offered appropriate
options to groups in the instances where this may occur.
In Cambodia the weather will be hot and humid all year round. The dry season
is late October to May and the monsoon is normally between May and October;
though there is an obvious transitional time between those settled
periods. The dry season is as it sounds, with hot days and generally clear
skies, though you can expect the odd shower. The monsoon is characterised by
short, sharp bursts of rain and is generally overcast all day though this
does not detract from the enjoyment of the place; you just need to take an
umbrella or buy a cheap local poncho!
* Casual clothes. As it is generally hot and humid, light cotton clothing
is recommended for most of the trip, though it will be cold in Hanoi
between November and early March and you should bring a warm jacket,
woolly hat, and trousers if you are travelling at that time.
* Please remember that you will be expected to cover your legs and arms (to
the elbow) during visits to temples. Sandals are useful as they are
cooler and are easier to take off when visiting temples and you will need
comfortable footwear for exploring the Angkor complex.
* A first aid kit is carried on each trip, but you should bring your own
first aid kit with diarrhoea treatment, painkillers, rehydration sachets,
plasters and a blister treatment kit.
* Insect repellent is also highly recommended. Repellent containing DEET is
thought to be highly effective.
* You may wish to pack a bag that can be used as an overnight bag. For the
night in Halong Bay and the Mekong Delta you will be required to leave
your main bag behind at the previous hotel for the night.
* Refillable water bottle (1-2 litre capacity)
There will be plenty of opportunities to get laundry done locally at a very
affordable price so fine to pack light.
Internal flights in the destination country are subject to a weight limit of
20kg. As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is
subject to change, we suggest you check the airline's website for the latest
information prior to your departure.
* A sun hat, sun cream, swimming costume for Halong Bay.
* We recommend you bring a torch for the Mekong Delta and Marble mountain
cave/grottos.
* A money belt and light waterproof or an umbrella are useful.
You will need about 225‐275GBP/300‐365USD for all other meals, which will
allow you to eat well. Apart from the food, you should allow money to cover
drinks (more if you like a beer/alcohol) and souvenirs.
*Optional Excursions*
There are a number of optional activities, which if you wish, your leader can
help arrange for you and advise of costs locally.
*Hanoi*
Water puppets 4GBP/6USD
*Hoi An*
Tu Bon River boat trip 5GBP/7USD depending upon numbers
Tipping is entirely at your discretion, but is customary in Vietnam &
Cambodia. In order to take the hassle out of tipping, the leader will suggest
you contribute to a tipping kitty of approx 32GBP/42 USD per person. This is
used by the leader to tip drivers, staff at hotels, on boats etc. but it is
not used at restaurants.
In addition, a tip for the leader at the end of the trip is greatly
appreciated if you are happy with the service you have received. As a
guideline we recommend a contribution of 2-4GBP/3-6USD per day for your
leader but this amount is just a suggestion and entirely up to you. Our
local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus.
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (available on request)
* Visas or vaccinations
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.
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