Summary :

Live the history at entrance of the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. Hear the tales of how these tunnels were built while walking through the forest. Visit two sections of the tunnel where it is possible to crawl inside to experience first-hand what life was like living underground. Explore the impressive urban energy, the rapidly evolving beach scene to the east of the river in Danang, the biggest harbour city of Vietnam.

Take the best walk of your life in Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter of 36 narrow streets while learning about Vietnam’s traditional ways of life. Explore The West Lake while going back in time to admire the sixth-century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda and famed Temple of Literature. Spend the night in the heavenly UNESCO World Heritage area of Halong Bay on a charming boat. Experience the mystical scenery of Halong Bay where thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, sculpted into bizarre shapes and surrounded by colorful floating villages is a truly breathtaking destination. You can enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served in this dreamlike atmosphere while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations. 

Route : HALONG BAY OVERNIGHT CRUISE - HANOI - HO CHI MINH CITY - SIEM REAP

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival - Halong Bay (Wednesday 7th December 2022)

Upon your arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, your guide will meet, assist and transfer you to Halong City. Check in your hotel. Rest of the day you are free at leisure to explore Halong City by your own. Overnight in Halong City.

Day 2: ESTC 2022 Vietnam Conference (Thursday 8th December 2022)

Breakfast, Lunch, Gala Dinner Included

 

From 06:30 to 08:30 Breakfast 

Registration Process from 08:30 to 09:00

09:00 Opening Ceremony

09:30 to 12:00 Guest Speaker Session

12:00 to 13:00 Lunch Break

13:00 to 15:00 Guest Speaker Session Resume

15:00 to 15:15 Coffee Break

15:15 to 17:30 Final Speaker Session

19:00 – 22:00  Award Ceremony & Gala Dinner at Hotel

Overnight in Halong City.

Day 3: Destinations ESTC professionals B2B networking section (Friday 9th December 2022)

Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner Included

 

From 06:30 to 08:30 Breakfast 

09:00 - 10:45 Destination ESTC professionals B2B Meetings

10:45 to 11:00 Coffee Break

11:00 to 12:00 B2B Meetings Resumed

12:00 to 13:00 Lunch Break

13:00 to 15:00 Continue with B2B Meetings

15:00 to 15:15 Coffee Break

15:15 to 17:30 continue with B2B Meetings

19:00 – 22:00  Farewell Dinner at Hotel

Overnight in Halong City.

Day 4: Final Day for the 17th Destinations ESTC Vietnam Event (Saturday 10th December 2022)

Breakfast Included

From 06:30 to 08:30 Breakfast 

The perfect way to see the UNESCO World Heritage area of Halong Bay is to spend a night aboard a charming boat. The mystical scenery of Halong Bay where thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, sculpted into bizarre shapes and surrounded by colorful floating villages is a truly breathtaking destination.

 

Following breakfast, check out your hotel and transfer to Halong Bay Boat Marina and proceed with check-in formalities. After the welcome onboard, 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 aboard on Halong Bay.

Day 5: Halong Bay - Hanoi (Sunday 11th December 2022)

(Breakfast, brunch included)

 

Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer to Hanoi and check in your hotel. Rest of the day you are to explore Hanoi by your own.

 

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi City Tour (Monday 12th December 2022)

(Breakfast, lunch included)

 

Vietnam’s quaint capital is a city of wide tree lined boulevards with tranquil lakes and colonial villa’s and a more sedate pace than other Asian cities. Hanoi offers something for everyone and will leave on wishing that there was more time to explore this enthralling capital.

 

Today, depart for a full day tour of Hanoi. Begin with a visit to West Lake to admire the sixth-century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda.Next up is a short drive to visit the famed Temple of Literature. Wander around this incredible compound which was constructed in 1076. Become fascinated with the stories of the building and get a glimpse of the past when it served as a university and temple.

 

Afterwards, head over to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (closed on Monday). Here, browse informative exhibitions displaying artifacts and infographics that portray the remarkable diversity of Vietnam’s ethnic communities. Meanwhile, take a look at view traditional costumes on display which represent each of the ethnic groups. As an alternative to the Ethnology Museum, visit the highly-acclaimed Vietnamese Women’s Museum.

The museum is located near Hoan Kiem Lake and offers wonderful insight into the lives and heritage of Vietnamese women. Learn historic and modern-day traditions centered around births, weddings, motherhood, spirituality and more.

 

After lunch (own arrangement), visit Ho Chi Minh complex and see the famous Mausoleum from a viewing point. (Note: it is closed Monday & Friday weekly). Then, take a short walk to Ho Chi Minh’s former house (closed on Monday Afternoon). Built on stilts, this was where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 to 1969 as he orchestrated the movement that eventually leads to Vietnam’s independence. Walk around the serene grounds while learning about Ho Chi Minh’s life and legacy.  There is an option to take a tour of the nearby One Pillar Pagoda. Built in 1049, it’s one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples.

Finish the day by embarking on a walking tour through Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter. This area of 36 narrow streets is a lively place to walk around while seeing and learning about Vietnam’s traditional ways of life. Continue through the busy Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. Snap photos and chat with the locals on the way.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 7: Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City (Tuesday 13th December 2022)

(Breakfast included)

You are at leisure until transfer to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon your arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, your guide will meet, assist and transfer you to the hotel. Rest of the day you are free at leisure to explore Ho Chi Minh City by your own. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels (Wednesday 14th December 2022)

Breakfast, Lunch Included

 

Today’s tour will begin at 08:30. After breakfast drive away from the city centre toward the Cu Chi district. Leaving the city behind, the scenery changes to views of rice paddies, villagers drying noodles by the side of the road and other scenes typical to southern Vietnam. 

 

Arrive at the entrance of the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. Hear the tales of how these tunnels were built while walking through the forest. Visit two sections of the tunnel where it is possible to crawl inside to experience first-hand what life was like living underground. There are also several other informative displays and war relics around the area to explore.

 

After this morning’s Cu Chi Tunnels tour, return to the city centre, then take a closer look at the city itself, starting at Binh Tay market, one of the oldest markets in Ho Chi Minh City. The market has a history of nearly 100 years. A wealthy merchant from China built it, and the people often refer to him as Quach Dam. Today, at the Binh Tay market, there is still a statue of him to commemorate the merits of his market construction. Previously, there was Cho Moi in Saigon where the traders came to exchange goods. But after a period of operation, Cho Moi became too narrow because the business was busier and busier.

The wealthy trader Quach Dam spent his own money to build a bigger market than Cho Moi, so many people also call it Cho Lon, which is another name of Binh Tay Market. This market was started construction in 1928 after two years, and in 1930, this site was officially completed and put into use.

 

Return to the hotel and reflect back upon this incredible day of history and local culture.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (Thursday 15th December 2022)

Breakfast, Lunch Included

 

This tour begins at 08:30. Leave the busy streets and modern buildings of Ho Chi Minh City behind on this Ben Tre day trip. Following breakfast, drive south of the city to the Mekong Delta, a remarkable agricultural area referred to as ‘the rice bowl of Vietnam’. On arrival in Ben Tre Province, take a boat to sightsee activities along the riverside such as fishing and water transferring. Stop at a brick kiln and depending on the day, get a chance to observe how bricks are made in a traditional style. 

Continue to visit one of the many coconut processing workshops and watch how the locals open coconuts by hand (coconut husking) before cruising along the canals to a coconut candy workshop. Get a chance to learn all about the coconut candy making process. Taste honey harvested by the residents and the different kinds of tropical fruits. Cruise along local creeks through the villages to enjoy the tranquility of the countryside. Then take a walk to a family workshop that makes sleep mats. Afterwards, go on a 4 km bike ride or choose to travel by Lambro – short for Lambretta, which was once the iconic vehicle and main means of transportation in southern Vietnam dating back to the 1960s.

 

Ride through tranquil villages and see vegetable gardens that provide a touch of real life and tropical culture from peasants. At the end of the tour, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Please note: Route can change subject to client’s interest. Travel by Lambro needs to be reserved well in advance due to limited vehicles.).

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - flight to Siem Reap (Friday 16th December 2022)

Breakfast included.

 

Breakfast at your hotel. You are at leisure until transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at Siem Reap airport, meets and transfers to hotel for check in.

 

If time permits, pay a visit to the unique interior brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, Srah Srang ("The Royal Baths" was once used or ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei(surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake) and Preah Khan temple, Built by the King Jayavarman VII. Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation.

 

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 11: Siem Reap - Angkor Wat (Saturday 17th December 2022)

Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.

 

Visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12 century): the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Lunch at local restaurant.

 

After lunch, continue your visit to the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Enjoy wonderful sunset from the top of Pre Rup Temple. Overnight in SIem Reap.

Day 12: Siem Reap - Departure (Sunday 18th December 2022)

Breakfast included.

 

You are at leisure until pick up and transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for onward flight. Tour ends. Thank you and wish to see you again in our next tours.