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DAY 1
Overnight flight
DAY 2
Arrival in Hanoi
Arrival in Hanoi
Welcome to Hanoi! After clearing customs, you’ll meet your EFCB Tour Guide and the rest of your group. Did you know that there are more than 600 pagodas and temples in Hanoi?
Welcome dinner
Get to know the other travelers in your group over an included dinner.
DAY 3
Sightseeing tour of Hanoi (local guide)
Sightseeing tour of Hanoi (local guide)
A professional local guide introduces you to this unique capital city, known for its French-style architecture, shaded boulevards, and public parks. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a pilgrimage site for many Vietnamese. This stone monument houses the embalmed remains of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s national hero. (Note: the Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays, and in October and November). Next, arrive at the Temple of Literature, a peaceful area of walled courtyards and gateways. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was the site of Vietnam’s first university.
Hoa Lo Prison
Hoa Lo Prison
First used by French colonists for political prisoners, Hoa Lo Prison became famous as the “Hanoi Hilton” when it was used by North Vietnam to hold POWs during the Vietnam War.
DAY 4
Overnight junk boat cruise in Halong Bay
Overnight junk boat cruise in Halong Bay
Discover the spectacular beauty of Halong Bay on an overnight junk boat cruise. Often called Vietnam’s eighth wonder of the world, Halong Bay is known for its limestone outcroppings, cliffs, and coves. Today, you’ll sail aboard a traditional Chinese-style junk boat and meander through the area whose name translates as ‘Where the dragon descends into the sea.’ Stop at an islet and climb through a series of breathtaking caves and grottos, where you’ll marvel at some of the most impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations in the world.
DAY 5
Return to Hanoi
Return to Hanoi
This morning, disembark your junk boat cruise and transfer to Hanoi. Stop in a local village to browse the handmade ceramics and pottery.
Flight to Hue
Flight to Hue
Board your evening flight to Hue, the former capital of Vietnam.
DAY 6
Boat excursion on the Perfume River
Boat excursion on the Perfume River
Explore Hue by boat as you travel down the Perfume (Huong) River that cuts through the city. You’ll see the Imperial Citadel and the Thien Mu Pagoda, two important structures that highlight this city’s history.
Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh
Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh
Explore two very different tombs from the Nguyen dynasty. First, visit the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. Built with traditional architecture, the tomb has paved walkways, peaceful pavilions overlooking tranquil lotus ponds, and a small forest for hunting. Then, continue to Khai Dinh’s Tomb, which was designed with a bold colonial flair.
DAY 7
Transfer to Danang
Transfer to Danang
Arrive in Danang, a major Vietnamese port city and once the center of the ancient Cham civilization.
Cham museum
Cham museum
Check out the unique sculptures left behind by the Cham people. This culture, which was Hindu in origin, abandoned Danang when they were pushed southward by Vietnamese invaders around the 15th century.
Photo-stop at the Marble Mountains
Photo-stop at the Marble Mountains
En route to Hoi An, stop for photos at the Marble Mountains. These five rocky outcrops are said to represent the natural elements. The source of many mysterious legends, the mountains were also once temples and even served as an army hospital.
DAY 8
Half-day bike tour
Half-day bike tour
Explore the heart of rural Hoi An on a half-day bike tour, and get a glimpse of everyday life in a local village. As you bike through the village, under a canopy of bamboo thickets, pass by local homes, vegetable and fruit gardens, a village temple and a husking mill. Depending on the season, you will have the opportunity to see the local farming community threshing and harvesting.
Walking tour of Hoi An
Walking tour of Hoi An
Walk through the picturesque old town of Hoi An, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. An important port and trading post from the 16th to the 18th century, Hoi An is now a quaint, historic town full of landmarks. Browse through shops selling handmade crafts and sample the delicious regional cuisine at the local restaurants.
DAY 9
Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
Board your morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the captivating city that is known to much of the world as Saigon.
Sightseeing tour of Saigon (local guide)
Sightseeing tour of Saigon (local guide)
Visit the Reunification Palace, formerly known as the Presidential Palace and now preserved as a museum. Explore the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the Vietnam War. Continue to the Vietnam History Museum, which houses an excellent display tracing the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese. Be sure to check out the water puppet performance. Also see the ‘wedding cake’-style Hotel d’Ville (the former City Hall), the former U.S. embassy, and Notre Dame, an impressive neo-Romanesque cathedral in the center of city.
DAY 10
Chu Chi Tunnels
Chu Chi Tunnels
Journey out of the city center to the Cu Chi region. Visit the vast underground network of tunnels built as a defense against the French and later expanded during the Vietnam War. It was from here that the North Vietnamese waged their guerrilla warfare, and you can see their secret trap doors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms. The more adventurous may explore the deeper tunnels. For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above.
DAY 11
Flight to Siem Reap
Board your internal flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia this morning.
Angkor Thom
Angkor Thom
Visit the monumental magnificence of Angkor Thom. See the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the stunning Bayon temple, a 12th-century archaeological wonder at the very center of Angkor Thom. The highlight of the temple is the more than 200 sculpted “faces” with their famous half-smiles. Later, take in a magnificent sunset over the temple Angkor Wat.
DAY 12
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat
Visit Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world. With architecture inspired by 12th-century Hinduism, the temple’s symmetrical towers are depicted on the modern Cambodian flag. Angkor Wat is generally believed to have been a funeral temple for the king Suryavarman II, and it has been occupied continuously by Buddhist monks since its construction.
Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm
Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm
This afternoon visit more of the area’s amazing temples, starting at Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm. Unlike most of the other monuments of Angkor, Ta Prohm was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle over the years. Today it looks very much as most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. You’ll also visit Takeo, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda and Srah Srang.
DAY 13
Preah Khan
Preah Khan
Built by King Jayavarman VII in honor of his father, the Preah Khan temple was allegedly constructed on the site of a battlefield on which the king had defeated invaders from Champa. Its name means “sacred sword,” and it is one of a group of temples situated on a small artificial body of water called a baray. You’ll also visit Prasat Kravan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Meborn and Pre Rup.
Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei
Visit this tiny enchanting temple. Built of red sandstone in the 10th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the temple is adorned with exquisitely carved male and female figures. After your visit, enjoy some shopping at a nearby local market.
Dinner and dance show
Dinner and dance show
Tonight enjoy a dinner of local cuisine and watch a traditional dance show.
DAY 14
Ton Le Sap Lake
Ton Le Sap Lake
Drive to Ton Le Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and the lifeblood of the Cambodian fishing industry. Hop on board a small shaded boat and experience daily lake life as you coast among the floating homes and small fish farms.
Les Artisans d'Angkor Project
Les Artisans d'Angkor Project
On the way back to Siem Reap, stop at a development project that teaches young adults stonecarving, woodcarving, and lacquer application. The goal of the project is to achieve local development through traditional craftsmanship.
Flight to Bangkok
Board your flight for the Thai capital. Did you know the Thai name for Bangkok is Krung thep?
River of Kings dinner cruise
River of Kings dinner cruise
Enjoy a moonlit dinner cruise on Bangkok’s majestic “River of Kings.” Savor the sights, sounds and beautiful scenery of Bangkok as you eat a delicious meal and float along the water.
DAY 15
Grand Palace
Grand Palace
Visit the Grand Palace, an enormous compound whose high walls once separated the kings from the commoners. Also go inside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and see Thailand’s most sacred Buddha image.
Thonburi Klongs cruise
Thonburi Klongs cruise
Travel by longtail boat through Bangkok’s klongs (canals), and see the family homes, temples and daily life that earn the city its nickname “Venice of the East.” Stop and snap some photos at the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), whose 260-foot spire is one of Bangkok’s most recognizable landmarks.
DAY 16
Optional excursion to Ayutthaya (extra cost)
Optional excursion to Ayutthaya ($75 pre-booked)
Opt for a full-day trip to Ayutthaya, one-time capital of Thailand. This was one of the most impressive cities in the Orient until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767. You’ll visit the amazing Summer Palace, a magnificent mixture of Thai, Chinese and Gothic architecture, before returning to Bangkok by riverboat along the Chao Phraya River.
DAY 17
Flight to Phuket
Fly to the island province of Phuket, which was on one of the major trading routes between India and China.
Optional FantaSea dinner and show (extra cost)
Optional FantaSea dinner and show ($95 pre-booked)
Opt for an evening at Phuket FantaSea, a 140-acre theme complex packed with activities and entertainment. Enjoy a festival village with games, handicrafts, and shopping; a 4,000-seat restaurant offering a buffet of Thai and international cuisine; and a breathtaking Las Vegas-style show, where you’ll witness Thailand’s myths, mysteries and magic through state-of-the-art technology and special effects.
DAY 18
Phuket Island tour
Phuket Island tour
After free time this morning, enjoy an afternoon touring the island. Visit Phuket Town, with its Malacca-style houses and bustling markets, before stopping to admire one of Phuket’s most famous temples. As you make your way along the coastline, you’ll have the opportunity to admire some of the island’s famously spectacular panoramic views.
DAY 19
Phang Nga National Park
Phang Nga National Park
Enjoy a chance to explore true, undisturbed nature. On board a sea canoe, discover the sea caves, hongs and tunnels of Koh Panak and Koh Hong. A hong is an open-air, cliff-lined lagoon connected to the outside world only through caves. Also visit Lawa Island, where you can canoe on your own, swim, or just relax on the beach.
DAY 20
Free day on Phuket
Free day on Phuket
Today is your chance to enjoy Phuket on your own. Most will take advantage of a full day by the sea—Phuket’s beaches are considered by many the best in Thailand.
DAY 21
Return to Bangkok
Return to Bangkok
Fly back to the capital city for your last night.
Free time in Bangkok (nighttime)
Top 5 nightlife suggestions:
1. Cheap Charlie's – Have a beer and strike up a conversation with the locals and tourists who flock to this wooden shack.
2. Joe Louis Puppet Theatre – See the latest take on the ancient art of Thai puppetry (lákhon lék) at this renowned theater.
3. Bamboo Bar – See internationally recognized jazz bands perform live at this bar located in a historic hotel.
4. Q Bar – This is Bangkok's most renowned dance club, with an industrial feel, thumping techno, and an extensive bar.
5. Thai kickboxing – Go to a thrilling match of this traditional sport.
For more ideas and details, see our Bangkok city guide.
DAY 22
Flight home