Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia

Day 1 - Saturday 11 March 2017

Melbourne - Saigon - Siem Reap

Our Adventure begins!  Meet your Sisterhood hostess and fellow travellers at Melbourne Airport for our flight to Siem Reap Cambodia via Saigon.  Sit back relax and enjoy the inflight hospitality of Malaysian Airlines.  An afternoon flight arrival into Siem Reap with a transfer and check in to our hotel.  Our hotel for the next 3 nights will be the beautiful Shinta Mani Club, a training hotel where the staff are in training to gain employment in the hospitality industry.  A fantastic hotel with friendly and enthusiastic staff.  Overnight Shinta Mani Club - Superior Room.

 

Day 2 - Sunday 12 March 2017

Siem Reap (B,L)

Early morning, we'll head by private vehicle to see the “gem” of the Angkor area, the pretty temple of Banteay Srei, in the best morning light. The so-called “Citadel of the Women” was built between the 11th and 13th century and remains the best preserved in Cambodia. It displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art as this small temple is noted for its truly remarkable fine bas-reliefs depicting Hindu god Shiva. Banteay Srei is unique in that it is constructed of pink sandstone which is seen nowhere else in Angkor.

On the way back to town we’ll visit the ‘Wisdom of the Forest’ project where the Institute of Khmer Traditional Textiles focuses on the restoration of the natural environment for producing materials to make traditional textiles and cultivates a vegetable garden to feed 30-40 families working on its 22 hectares. After the descent, lunch will be served at Asian Square restaurant. Overnight Shina Mani Club - Superior Room.

Day 3 - Monday 13 March 2017

Siem Reap (B,D)

Today we visit the mystical Angkor Thom, the Bayon, The Terrace of Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.  In the afternoon we’ll visit the famous Angkor Wat one of the largest religious temples in the world.  It is truly impressive!  Think Lara Croft (from Tomb Raider) as we explore this mighty relic.  Dinner tonight will include a traditional Aspara dance show.  Overnight Shinta Mani Club.

Day 4 - Tuesday 14 March 2017

Siem Reap - Hanoi (B)

This morning, we'll Kampong Phluck, a village where you will see houses on stilts that are submerged when Tonlé Sap Lake extends. Embark on an interesting boat trip on the Tonlé Sap Lake, where you will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake. You will pass floating houses and impressive flooded forests, portraying life on the water. Tonle Sap is South East Asia’s largest freshwater lake with its size varying greatly depending on the season, as it is swelling to about 4 times

(NOTE: Due to low water levels during the dry season, the boat trip is only possible from June to March, but we can arrange an overland visit to Kampong Pluck that is an equally interesting experience, as you can walk among the stilted houses). Back to hotel and leisure until the transfer to the airport for our flight to Hanoi.

Welcome to Hanoi, upon arrival, visa formalities, then you will be greeted by your local guide and then transferred to hotel in Hanoi for check-in.  Dinner at leisure tonight with plenty of restaurants within walking distance.

Overnight Silk Path Hotel – Premium Deluxe Room.
 

Day 5 - Wednesday 15 March 2017

Hanoi (B,L,D)

Today we'll visit a charming art café for an introduction to modern Vietnamese history. The next stop is the National Museum of Fine Arts housed in an impressive former French convent. Beginning with artworks from the colonial era guests invited to see how European styles fused with traditional Vietnamese materials to give birth to modern Vietnamese art.

Continue to the adjoining room where works made during the two Indochina wars are displayed. War time sketches, propaganda poster and impressive, government commissioned lacquer works will help visitors understand essential role of artists in revolution and reconstruction of a nation.

Our tour continues in an air-conditioned vehicle to one Hanoi’s longest running galleries. Here visitors are invited to see the rapid changes Vietnam underwent after the war with the arrival of a contemporary art market. Guests will also see the works of the first generation of young contemporary artists.

The final destination is a vibrant art space cafe housed in a stunning colonial era villa. Here guests will have the opportunity to view the current exhibition before being given a lively and informative presentation about the work of Vietnamese contemporary artists. The future of Vietnamese art and the next generation of Vietnamese artists are discussed. Afterwards transfer back to your hotel.

Lunch will be arranged at local restaurant.

In the late afternoon, visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter also known as the ‘36 streets’. Take a cyclo tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. Then we’ll take a Hanoi Street Artist tour where we’ll meet the artists who work on carving pens and rulers and other souvenirs.  Have your name engraved on some artwork as a memento of your Indochina adventure.  This evening we’ll visit the famous Water Puppet show before dinner at a local restaurant.

 Overnight Silk Path Hotel – Premium Deluxe Room.

 

Day 6 - Thursday 16 March 2017

Hanoi - Halong Bay (B,L,D)

After breakfast we'll depart for the 4-hour drive to Halong Bay.  Arrive at our jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After our welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.

Overnight Indochina Sails Cruise – Superior Cabin.
 

Day 7 - Friday 17 March 2017

Halong Bay (B,L,D)

After breakfast we'll transfer to our day – trip boat with our crew and cruise to the bay’s most untouched areas. Enjoy swimming on quiet beaches, visiting water tunnels, fishing villages or kayaking. Lunch served on board.

Overnight Indochina Sails Cruise – Superior Cabin.

Day 8 - Saturday 18 March 2017

Halong Bay -Hanoi - Sapa (B)

In the morning there will be time for a further excursion and breakfast (or brunch) as our boat weaves its way back to the dock. On arrival your driver will meet you for the transfer back to Hanoi.

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will check-in a mini hotel to freshening up before your overnight train trip.

We’ll transfer to train station for our overnight train adventure to Lao Cai. 

Overnight on Fanxipan Train – Private Cabin

Day 9 - Sunday 19 March 2017

Lao Cai - Sapa (B,L)

On arrival in the border town of Lao Cai, we'll have breakfast before driving to visit Bac Ha on Sunday. Here you’ll see mostly Flower Hmong however Phu La, Black Dao, Tay, Nung hill tribe groups also gather here. The market offers a variety of local products, which could not be found in others areas such as an interesting animal market where pot-bellied pigs, cows and buffalos can be seen.

Continue with a short walk to a hill-tribe village. Here you’ll have the opportunity to visit some local homes to understand more on the daily life of these tribes as well as their culture and traditions

Afterwards we'll transfer by road up through the mountains to the former hill station town of Sapa, a base for tourists visiting the mountainous northwest. In the terraced hills and mountains of this area, the monotony of the expansive green landscape is enlivened by the colors of its hill tribe population - flashes of shining silver jewelry from the necks and wrists of indigo-clad H'mong and the scarlet hues of the turbans worn by the Red Dao can be seen. It is here you will find hands stained with color from fabric dyes and shades of blue, red and green intricately embroidered and stitched into jackets, waistcoats, pants, skirts, caps, purses and leggings

Overnight Victoria Sapa Hotel – Superior Room.

Day 10 - Monday 20 March 2017

Sapa (B,L)

This morning we'll leave Sapa at about 8.30am, driving north with several stops to admire the view of Mount Fansipan and Sin Chai valley en route. We'll turn off the main road into a valley passing jungle-clad mountainsides and several waterfalls before arriving in Ban Khoang, a remote and little visited village of the Red Dao ethnic group, who still maintain a traditional way of life. The Red Dao people cultivate rice on the terraced fields with cardamom farmed under the shade of trees in the forest. Spend an hour or so walking through the village, as your guide helps you to understand local life.

Leaving Ban Khoang behind we'll drive about 10km further to the scenic valley of Ta Giang Phin, where a few small Black Hmong villages lie beside a peaceful stream. Enjoy a simple picnic lunch before walking along the path which connects village to village, catching glimpses of everyday village life as you walk. Traditionally the men of the village will be out ploughing the fields, planting or harvesting or perhaps building or repairing houses, while women stay at home making traditional costumes. The walk ends mid-afternoon and your driver will collect you for the drive back to Sapa (30km / approx. 1 hr). Your total walking time today will be around 4 to 5 hours, along gently undulating tracks and village paths, with plenty of stops along the way.

Overnight Victoria Sapa Hotel – Superior Room.
 

Day 11 - Tuesday 21 March 2017

Sapa - Hanoi - Hue (B)

Free time at leisure, before we check-out o four hotel and transfer by private vehicle from Sapa to Hanoi for our flight from Sapa to Hanoi airport by private vehicle.  Upon arrival in Hue, we will be greeted by our local guide and then transferred to hotel in Hue for check-in.  Hue was the nation’s capital under the Nguyen Dynasty emperors for 150 years until the early 20th Century and today the historic monuments and imperial architecture add to its laidback charm. The city boasts a wonderful location along the banks of the Song Huong River (Perfume River), relatively quiet streets and a locally famous cuisine. Its most famous sites include the Imperial Citadel, Forbidden Purple City and Thien Mu Pagoda which together have been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight Eldora Hotel – Deluxe River View Room.

Day 12 - Wednesday 22 March 2017

Hue (B,L,D)

Today we’ll visit Hope House, the vocational training centre for disabled and underprivileged children.  Souvenirs are made and sold to visitors from all over the world. Lunch will be arranged in local restaurant

In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. The ancient citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern (the Royal Citadel was badly damaged in the latter stages of the war) but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today. From here take a cyclo through dai noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax; full of lotus flowers in summer there are many local style coffee shops around the lake where university students come to study.

After exploring the ruins of this wonderful monument, depart to the tomb of the former emperor Khai Dinh which is traditional Vietnamese in design with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. Dinner will be arranged in local restaurant

Overnight Eldora Hotel – Deluxe River View Room.

Day 13 - Thursday 23 March 2017

Hue - Hoi An (B,L)

Today we'll kick off our morning with a Vietnamese coffee or fresh juice at a local cafe, where we’ll meet our tour guide and get ready to get off the beaten path of Hue for our Our first stop will be a family temple, where we'll get to learn about the strong traditions and responsibilities that come along with Vietnamese family culture. Then take a stroll down the street, learning about the French colonial influence on architecture and the struggle the locals have to preserve their beautiful riverside homes. The short stroll will finish at a local bustling market, where we'll see the daily hustle of Vietnamese women and the selling point of ancient worshiping materials. After the market, hop on a small ferry to cross the Perfume River, where we’ll find our Vespas waiting on the other side.

Zooming through small countryside streets, we'll find ourselves getting further from city life. We'll stop at a small workshop producing worship materials. Next stop we'll have a chance to make our own small folk art print while sipping on some green tea. Then make our way through the vibrant rice paddies by Vespa and a local ancient bridge hangout where people of all ages go to relax and enjoy the cool river breeze. We'll have the perfect opportunity to mingle with the locals.

Lunch will be arranged in local restaurant

After lunch we'll say goodbye to our Vespas and depart Hue for Hoi An (140km /approx 2.5 hrs). You will take the scenic route over the Hai Van Pass, also known as the Pass of Ocean Clouds, and through the fishing village of Lang Co – a very picturesque journey. In Danang stop to visit the Cham Museum which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world.

Overnight Hoi An Historic Hotel – Deluxe Room.
 

Day 14 - Friday 24 March 2017

Hoi An (B,L)

Today we have the opportunity to participate in a cooking class with trainees who are disadvantaged youth supported by the Streets International.  Our tour starts at the local market where we’ll choose ingredients before being transferred to the Training Centre for our cooking class.  We’ll learn some basic Vietnamese cooking and experience first-hand the rich and rewarding encounter of working together with these trainees.  We’ll then enjoy lunch at the Streets Café.  Dinner at leisure tonight.  Take a walk downtown to see the beautiful lanterns lighting up the restaurant area.  Send your own floating candle (and wish) down the Thu Bon River – it really is a magical place at night. Overnight Hoi An Historic Hotel - Deluxe Room.

 

Day 15 - Saturday 25 March 2017

Hoi An (B)

Today we'll enjoy a leisurely bike ride in the countryside.  We'll from our hotel at 07:45 for our transfer to the centre of Hoi An. Hop on our bikes and head to Hoi An’s main boat pier for the 10-minute journey across the Thu Bon River aboard a local ferry. Once on dry land and in the countryside we'll peddle through picturesque villages, alongside rice paddies, water coconut forests and waterways – the riding is easy and flat and plenty of water will be supplied, which is essential in the hotter months. En-route we'll visit local cottage industries such as boat building yards, wood carving workshops where everything from furniture to ornate statues are made, traditional brickworks, basket boat makers and an ice works. A Vietnamese lunch will be served near a family home Following the meal head back to Hoi An town by taking a 45-minute boat cruise, arrive back to town at 14:30. Overnight Hoi An Historic Hotel – Deluxe Room.

Day 16 - Sunday 26 March 2017

Hoi An - Free Day (B)

Today a free day to explore this quaint town at leisure.  Organise your tailor-made outfits, shoes even prescription glasses today or perhaps enjoy a spa treatment at the many spa retreats dotted throughout the town.  You might like some downtown at the hotel pool today – the choice is yours - Today is your day to explore.  Overnight Hoi An Historic Hotel.

Day 17 - Monday 27 March 2017

Hoi An - Danang - Saigon (B)

After breakfast this morning we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight to Saigon.  With a transfer to our hotel and afternoon at leisure to explore.  Saigon is a bustling and dynamic city offering a fascinating history, great shopping and dining and an atmosphere of excitement and energy.  Markets galore in Vietnam’s second largest city with plenty of choices for dining tonight. Overnight Libery Central City Point Hotel.

Day 18 - Tuesday 28 March 2017

Saigon - Mekong (B,L)

Today we travel the bustling highway into the surrounding countryside where we will board our motorised sampan for a unique experience on the Mekong Delta Waterways.  We’ll sample delicious fruit before continuing via even smaller waterways to lunch.  We will then make a stop to view the Vinh Trang Pagoda

Day 19 - Wednesday 29 March 2017

Saigon (B,D)

A free day in Saigon to continue your exploring.  Saigon is truly a mecca for shopping enthusiasts.  Everything from handicrafts to imitation brand name clothes and shoes are available at a fraction of what it would cost at home.  Saigon seems to have a specific street for everything and shoes is no exception.  Ly Chinh Thang street is lined with shoe shops which carry all sorts of shoes.  If you need to buy luggage to bring home your shopping there is an entire street of Luggage shops well known for brands such as North Face and Samsonite.  Watches, handicrafts, antiques, paintings and fabric you name it you’ll find all of these in Saigon.  Happy shopping!  Tonight we’ll regroup and upon dark we’ll enjoy an “After Dark Tour” of Saigon by Vespa to see all that the nightlife has to offer including a farwell dinner.  What a way to finish our fantastic Cambodia & Vietnam adventure!

Day 20 - Thursday 30 March 2017

Saigon (B)

A free day until our late evening transfer to the airport for our flight home.  Time for last minute shopping or maybe a pampering spa treatment.  We say farewell to Vietnam and relax and enjoy our inflight entertainment as we head towards home.

Day 21 - Friday 31 March 2017

Welcome Home

This morning we arrive back into Melbourne approx. 9.30am.  What a great trip we’ve enjoyed.  We encourage you to stay in touch with your new found friends after your tour!  Thank you for travelling with Sisterhood Womens Travel and we look forward to welcoming you to your next adventure!