Day 1, Saturday, November 3rd: Hanoi

Upon our arrival (evening) we will be met at the airport by our local guide and transferred by private vehicle to our hotel.

Day 2, Sunday, November 4th: Hanoi

Welcome to Vietnam and the beautiful city of Hanoi. This morning enjoy a walk through Hanoi Old Quarter. This old section is often called the “36 Old Streets” The area is famous for its small artisans and merchants, including many silk shops or try out some delightful Vietnamese cuisine before returning to your hotel. Afternoon will be at leisure to explore or adjust to the time change. This evening we will enjoy a group “Welcome Dinner” at a local restaurant then to the famous Water Puppet Theatre to enjoy a performance.

Meals: B, D

Day 3, Monday, November 5th: Hanoi

After breakfast we will visit the National Museum of Ethnology where we will learn more about the various Vietnamese hill tribes. We’ll have a stop for lunch (on own) before we continue our trip to the highlight of the day - Bat Trang ceramics village with a half-millenary historic development south east of Ha Noi centre. As time passes, the village’s products have developed and become well known for the best quality, style and glaze, both domestically and internationally. Many of the products are now customized for aristocratic families and religious needs. Its popular foreign markets are Japan (under the brand "Kochi (Giao Chi) ware"), the Netherlands, Britain, Portugal, Southeast Asia, etc. This evening we’ll enjoy a group dinner with our Broad Horizons travelling companions.

Meals: B, D

Day 4, Tuesday, November 6th: Hanoi / Bhaya Classic Cruise

Following breakfast we drive from Hanoi through the Red River Delta to Halong City where we will arrive at the Bhaya Café and prepare to embark on the Bhaya Classic cruise. Once on board we will enjoy a welcome drink followed by a cruise briefing. Then it’s time to sit back, relax and savour in a delicious Vietnamese buffet lunch as the Bhaya Classic heads to Bai Tu Long Bay. On our afternoon journey we will pass towns such as Hon Gai and Cam Pha, Oan Lagoon, Mat Quy (Monster Head) and Am Tick (Teapot).

This afternoon, we will have the opportunity to visit the fishing village of Vung Vieng by local rowing boat and enjoy the beauty of Vung Vieng where families have lived for generations. We will then return to the vessel where we will have some time at leisure. Consider renting a Kayak or swimming near the Bhaya. Enjoy some of the onboard activities or relax on deck while enjoying the breathtaking views.

Later in the day we will cruise through the Bay on board the Bhaya cruise to its overnight anchorage near Ho Dong Tien. Join us on the Sundeck as we enjoy a Vietnamese cooking demonstration. Tonight on board we dine on a sumptuous menu of seafood. After dinner take in a movie on the Lounge Deck or retire to your cabin as we float through the Red River Delta. Overnight aboard Bhaya Classic.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 5, Wednesday, November 7th: Bhaya Classic Cruise/Hue

Enjoy a delicious breakfast on board. Perhaps start your day with Tai Chi on the Sundeck, or sit back and enjoy your morning coffee/tea while enjoying the scenery. The Bhaya Classic will raise anchor to cruise through the bay passing beautiful spots like Trong (Drum), Trinh Nu (Virgin) and Me Cung Caves and Coc Ngoi (Toad) Islet where we will have some time to explore Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave. We will then return to the Bhaya Classic for a delicious lunch and cruise back leisurely to the harbour in Ha Long City to disembark. We then drive back to Hanoi for our domestic flight to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue we will be transferred to our hotel for an overnight. The rest of the evening is at leisure.

Meals: B, L

Day 6, Thursday, November 8th: Hue

We begin our journey by a boat cruise on the romantic Perfume River (Huong River) to visit the charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) while taking in scenic views of the Perfume River and surrounding area. We will also visit Ming Mang King tomb and have time to explore Dong Ba Market. We will have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we head to Phuoc Tich. The ancient village of Phuoc Tich is surrounded by O Lau River, bordering with Quang Tri province 40Km north of Hue. It is considered an untouched and valuable ancient village, not only in Central Vietnam but the whole country as well. Visiting the village, we will have a chance to see various pottery wares and scenic landscapes. Dinner will be arranged at the home of one of the villager’s before returning to our hotel. Overnight in Hue.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 7, Friday, November 9th: Hue – Danang – Hoi An

Today we drive to Da Nang and on the way we pass through the Hai Van pass, one of the most beautiful panoramas of Vietnam offering stunning views over the central coastline. A further stop comes at the white sand beach of My Khe and Museum of Cham Sculpture. Upon arrival in Hoi An we will enjoy a walking tour to become familiar with this historic town, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Feel the ancient atmosphere while visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, Tan Ky Ancestral House and the Japanese Bridge. Overnight: Hoi An

Meals: B, D

Day 8, Saturday, November 10th: Hoi An

This morning we partake in a “Farming to Fishing” tour. This is a special tour which will bring us to the beautiful countryside to learn about the farmers’ and fishermen’s life in Hoi An. Those who are adventurous can explore the little narrow roads along the countryside on a bicycle. Those who prefer the comfort a vehicle will have an option to travel by auto/mini-van through the rice paddy fields to our destination. Upon arrival in the fishing village we experience catching fish with the local fishermen’s net and learn how to ride the unique “basket boats”. Enjoy a seafood lunch before cycling (or transportation) back to our hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: B, L

Day 9, Sunday, November 11th: Hoi An – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast we proceed to the airport in Da Nang for our departure flight to Ho Chi Minh City. We’ll check into our hotel and have lunch on own prior to our afternoon excursion through Vietnam’s busiest and largest city. This afternoon’s visit will include the historic Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum, followed by the architectural treats of the French Colonial Notre Dame Cathedral and the Post Office. Enjoy the culinary delights of the bustling Chinese district of Cholon and Ben Thanh market - a shopper’s paradise! This evening we’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and then discover traditional Vietnamese music performed at Truc Mai House before returning to the hotel. Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: B, D

Day 10, Monday, November 12th: Ho Chi Minh City – Ben Tre

This morning, we will drive approximately two hours to the Mekong Delta, located southwest of Ho Chi Minh City. The Mekong Delta is known as the rice bowl of Vietnam. Upon arrival, we will take a boat cruise around islets and tropical orchards through the canal of Vam Xep, followed by a relaxing walk along shady, palm fringed trails passing by local villages where we can experience their peaceful daily life. En route we will visit a bee farm, sip traditional tea with honey, sample fruits with a local family and listen to their stories of life in the Mekong Delta. We will visit a small coconut workshop to get a glimpse of typical family run business in the area.

We will stroll to a lane where horse-drawn carts await to transfer us to the handicraft village and a coconut candy factory. We will enjoy tropical fruit, traditional music, and relax as we take a boat ride through the narrow tree-lined canals of the Mekong River. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for dinner (on own) and overnight.

Meals: B, L

Day 11, Tuesday, November 13th: Ho Chi Minh – Flight to Siem Reap

This morning we say farewell Vietnam as we transfer to the airport for our flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival we will be met by our Cambodian guide and transferred to our hotel. While in Cambodia, we’ll have an opportunity to give back to the community. Today we will visit the Crisis Centre in Siem Reap, a place where women from vulnerable situations are invited to come to receive vocational training to improve their skills and provide them with a better opportunity in life. Many of these women were originally working in the dangerous environments, brick yards and kilns around the country. At the centre we’ll visit the training areas, and will get a chance to meet some of the ladies currently in the program. Areas of training include, hairdressing, sewing and upgrading education. Once the women graduate from the program they are encouraged to use these vocational skills to gain employment or start a small business of their own. Return to our hotel and regroup for a group dinner this evening. Overnight in Siem Reap

Meals: B, D

Day 12, Wednesday, November 14th : Siem Reap

Rise early this morning to enjoy the cool morning air and witness sunrise over the beautiful rice fields towards the Tonle Sap Lake. Experience Cambodia as villagers wake and go about their morning rituals. We may even be lucky enough to witness a moving alms ceremony before returning to our hotel for breakfast. We continue with our morning sightseeing tour of Angkor area where we will spend a full day exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. We’ll also see the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimean akas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. Enjoy the sunset at Angkor Wat before returning to Siem Reap.

Meals: B

Day 13, Thursday, November 15th: Siem Reap

This morning we will drive through lively villages and kilometers of rice paddies to the remote Beng Mealea temple through the typical Khmer countryside. Here we will explore the long abandoned ruins of Beng Mealea (11th century), still strangled by the overgrown jungle. A further 1 hour drive brings us to the impressive temple complex of Koh Ker, situated in the northeast of Siem Reap. Discover the long abandoned temples in the forests of northern Cambodia. Also known as Chok Gargyar, it served as the capital of Jayavarman IV (reigned 928-42). There are a remarkable number of religious buildings in the Koh Ker region, considering the short space of time that it was the capital of the empire. There are more than 30 major structures and experts believe there may have been as many as 100 minor sacred buildings in the region. We will also visit the killing field of Wat Thmei before returning to Siem Reap. This evening we will have dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: B, D

Day 14, Friday, November 16th: Siem Reap

Today we will enjoy a cooking class with local traditional Cambodian food. We will first visit the local market with our guide to choose the ingredients, then learn the cooking techniques and enjoy the lunch which we have helped prepare. Tonight we gather for our farewell dinner and show as we reminisce with our fellow travellers about the memories and experiences through Vietnam and Cambodia.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 15, Saturday, November 17th: Siem Reap

Today is a leisurely day to explore Siem Reap on a “Tuk Tuk” experience. We’ll ride our Tuk Tuks around Siem Reap, visit a local market, finish some last minute shopping and explore this vibrant city. We’ll gather for a late lunch prior to our transfer to the airport for our evening flight home.

Meals: B, L

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. Broad Horizons reserves the right to change itinerary when deemed necessary, or desirable.