Best of Vietnam and Cambodia April 15, 2015 SEATTLE – SEOUL Today we board Korean Airlines to Seoul departing at 2:15 pm. April 16, 2015 SEOUL - HANOI We arrive in Seoul at 5:55 pm and transfer to our Korean Airlines flight departing at 6:45 pm. We arrive in Hanoi at 9:30 pm and transfer to our hotel. Overnight in Hanoi at Pullman Hanoi April 17, 2015 HANOI After breakfast at our hotel, we embark on a tour of the capital city of Vietnam. Narrow lanes and traditional shop houses invite an exciting exploration by walking, while it’s many beautiful public spaces - lakes, parks, tree-lined boulevards and monuments - give the city an air of elegance and harmony with nature unique among Asian capitals. We begin by visiting the vast Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex, beginning with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where visitors can pay respects to the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. We continue through the park to Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the simple two-room dwelling where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 until his death in 1969. Next we visit the Temple of Literature, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, and one of the best examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam's first university. Next visit the Museum of Ethnology, which brings to life the ethnic diversity of Vietnam with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Inside the museum are detailed descriptions with examples of their traditional clothing and way of life. Outside are faithful reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries and other distinctive ethnic buildings. In the afternoon, we visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, located in heart of Hanoi, which contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda. En-route, pass other colonial landmarks such as the Opera House and St. Joseph’s Cathedral. We will also take a walking tour in the Old Quarter with its crisscrossing narrow lanes, crowded with small houses and local shops, brimming with the daily activities of the local people. We visit an old house at 87 Ma May Street, an example of traditional living space where the essence of historical Hanoi is well preserved. Overnight in Hanoi at Pullman Hanoi (B)
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Best of Vietnam and Cambodia April 15, 2015 SEATTLE – SEOUL Today we board Korean Airlines to Seoul departing at 2:15 pm. Apri l 16, 2015 SEOUL - HANOI We arrive in Seoul at 5:55 pm and transfer to our Korean Airlines flight departing at 6:45 pm. We arrive in Hanoi at 9:30 pm and transfer to our hotel. Overnight in Hanoi at Pullman Hanoi Apri l 17, 2015 HANOI After breakfast at our hotel, we embark on a tour of the capital city of Vietnam. Narrow lanes and traditional shop houses invite an exciting exploration by walking, while it’s many beautiful public spaces - lakes, parks, tree-lined boulevards and monuments - give the city an air of elegance and harmony with nature unique among Asian capitals. We begin by visiting the vast Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex, beginning with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where visitors can pay respects to the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. We continue through the park to Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the simple two-room dwelling where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 until his death in 1969. Next we visit the Temple of Literature, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, and one of the best examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam's first university. Next visit the Museum of Ethnology, which brings to life the ethnic diversity of Vietnam with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Inside the museum are detailed descriptions with examples of their traditional clothing and way of life. Outside are faithful reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries and other distinctive ethnic buildings. In the afternoon, we visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, located in heart of Hanoi, which contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda. En-route, pass other colonial landmarks such as the Opera House and St. Joseph’s Cathedral. We will also take a walking tour in the Old Quarter with its crisscrossing narrow lanes, crowded with small houses and local shops, brimming with the daily activities of the local people. We visit an old house at 87 Ma May Street, an example of traditional living space where the essence of historical Hanoi is well preserved. Overnight in Hanoi at Pullman Hanoi (B)
April 18, 2015 HANOI After Breakfast, the day is at leisure. Ful l Day Optional tour: $65 (based on a minimum of 6 persons) Trang An & Hoa Lu Journey just outside town to TRANG AN GROTTOES, southwest of Hoa Lu ancient capital inside Trang An Eco Tourism Complex. This area is includes limestone ranges, valleys, caves and rivers; Trang An Grottoes also hosts Vuc Vong Temple, and the Khong residence. Embark on a small, hand rowed sampan, and begin your journey along green waterways. Continue to HOA LU, the birthplace of the Vietnamese nation. In the 10th century, it was here that the first capital was established. Today only the foundations remain of the original palace, but visitors can still see two temples, DINH TIEN HOAN TEMPLE and LE DAI HANH TEMPLE, dedicated to the rulers of the first two dynasties of the nation. These temples are a sight to behold, with traditional courtyards and lily ponds, set among the dramatic rice paddies and karst formations of the area. Overnight in Hanoi at Pullman Hanoi (B)
Apri l 19, 2015 BHAYA CRUISE ON HALONG BAY After breakfast at our hotel, we travel to Tuan Chau Marina to embark on a Bhaya Classic cruise. After a welcome cocktail and a cruise briefing we will savor a delicious Vietnamese buffet lunch as we cruise south on Halong Bay passing beautiful spots like Chicken Rock and Titov Island. Transfer to row boats to discover the floating village of Vung Vieng then continue to Vung Ha Beach for swimming. This evening enjoy happy hour and a Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the Sundeck followed by a sumptuous seafood dinner. Overnight onboard (B, L, D) Apri l 20, 2015 HALONG – HANOI – DANANG – HOI AN Start your day with Tai Chi on the Sundeck with complimentary tea and coffee. Today we cruise to Titov Island for swimming or you can climb to the top of the island. Explore the Sung Sot (Surprise Cave), one of the biggest caves in Halong Bay with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Back on board we enjoy a buffet brunch while we cruise leisurely back to harbor. We disembark and transfer to Hanoi for our flight to Danang. We then transfer to Hoi An, a picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Overnight at Hoi An Trails Resort & Spa (Brunch) Apri l 21 , 2015 HOI AN After breakfast at our hotel, we will take a walking tour of this beautifully preserved historic city. Our first stop is the Japanese Covered Bridge Pagoda. The first bridge on this site was constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. Sa Huynh Museum is located near the bridge and contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history. Tran Family Chapel was built about 200 years ago with donations from family members to worship their ancestors. The architecture of the building reflects the influence of Chinese and
Japanese styles. Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall is a Chinese pagoda built around 1690 and then restored and enlarged in 1900. It is typical of the Chinese clans that were established in the Hoi An area. The temple is dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau (Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors and Fishermen). We also visit the lantern making workshop where we will watch locals adorning silk cloth on lantern frames. Your afternoon is at leisure. Overnight at Hoi An Trails Resort & Spa (B) Apri l 22, 2015 HOI AN – HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON) After breakfast at our hotel, we will transfer to the Danang airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City, a vibrant metropolis, teeming with energy, activity and motion. Everywhere you look, you see the meeting of traditional and modern life. The emerging modern skyline mixes in with colonial buildings and traditional temples. Outside on the streets, young professionals zip by on motorbikes, chatting on cellphones. Inside quiet temple courtyards, worshippers pray amidst clouds of incense. Our city tour begins with a visit to the Reunification Palace. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s style building was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates. Next we drive to the historic center to visit the Emperor of Jade Pagoda, one of Saigon's most interesting pagodas. We also visit the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. We will pass by the classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate City Hall (Hotel de Ville) and the old Opera House. Finally, we end up at the central Ben Thanh market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts. Overnight in Saigon at Liberty Central Hotel (B) Apri l 23, 2015 HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON) After breakfast at our hotel we visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Never discovered by American forces, the tunnels were an important Vietcong base during the war. Stretching over 120 miles, this incredible underground network, dug by hand out of laterite, connected command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapons factories. We will walk through the area and lean about the day to day life of the Vietcong, see the cleverly disguised entrances and elaborate booby-traps and venture inside the tunnels, some of which have been modified to accommodate tourists. Overnight in Saigon at Liberty Central Hotel (B) Apri l 24, 2015 HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON) – SEIM REAP After breakfast at our hotel we transfer to the airport for our flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Upon our arrival we will transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Seim Reap at Shinta Mani Hotel (B)
April 25, 2015 SIEM REAP After breakfast at our hotel, we checkout and store our bags at reception. We first visit Angkor Wat, the crown jewel of Khmer architecture. It is the largest, best preserved and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples. Cross a vast moat then continue along a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades. Upon entering the main structure, ascend through a series of galleries and courtyards before reaching the central sanctuary. Every surface of the temple is adorned with stone carvings. The outer gallery walls contains the longest continuous bas-relief in the world which depicts stories from Hindu mythology. Next we visit the fortified city of Angkor Thom, which covers an area of 6 square miles. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats; the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter by the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper Kings, former spaces for public ceremonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the Baphuon, Royal enclosure and Phimeanakas before continuing to the mysterious Bayon Temple. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where you will find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle. Later we watch the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple. In the evening we fly to Seoul, departing at 11:25 pm. Apri l 26, 2015 SEOUL – SEATTLE Our flight arrives in Seoul at 6:35 am. Our flight to Seattle departs at 6:15 pm. Korean Airlines provides a complimentary day room where you can relax, or you can take a free tour of Seoul. It departs from the airport at 8:00 am and returns at 1:00 pm. On the tour we will visit Cheonggye Stream, the Gyeongbok Palace, Insadong Street and Jogyesa Temple. Tour Price: $3050/person double occupancy; $830 single supplement Includes: International airfare, domestic airfare, boat cruise and all taxes 9 nights accomodations Breakfast Daily, one lunch, one dinner Bottled water on tours Airport transfers and ground transportation Sightseeing tours and entrance fees Service charges, room tax and baggage handling Flights: Korean Air # 20 Depart SEATTLE April 15 at 2:15 pm; Arrive SEOUL April 16 at 5:55 pm Korean Air # 679 Depart SEOUL April 16 at 6:45 pm; Arrive HANOI April 16 at 9:30 pm Korean Air # 688 Depart SIEM REAP April 25 at 11:25 pm; Arrive SEOUL April 26 at 6:35 am (A complimentary day room will be provided at the Seoul airport or you may sign up for the half day tour of Seoul) Korean Air # 19 Depart SEOUL April 26 AT 6:15 pm; Arrive SEATTLE April 26 at 12:15 pm
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