Date
03 FEB - 16 FEB
About This Tour
Experience the beauty and character of several magical kingdoms during this highlights tour of a region the French once called Indochine. Luxuriate in lavish hotels, spend one night on a deluxe “junk” on Halong Bay, experience the swirl of Saigon and the French colonial feel of Hanoi, enjoy the mystical quietude of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and revel in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang in Laos. Toto Tours continues its tradition of offering exciting, exotic destinations with this unique feast for the senses, with three distinct Asian flavors. Join us, and savor the glories of Indochine!
Tour Highlights
- Ho Chi Minh City, modern and colonial Saigon
- Cholon (Saigon Chinatown)
- Mekong River Delta
- Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Temples of Angkor *
- Luang Prabang *
- Hanoi, Capital City of Vietnam
- Halong Bay *
- Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in Hanoi *
- Optional Extention to Bangkok, Thailand * UNESCO World Heritage Sites
ITINERARY
LEAVE HOME
This is a travel day, with tour services beginning tomorrow in Saigon. Book a flight from your home city to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam. When searching for flights online use the airport code SGN for Saigon arrival, and HAN for your Hanoi departure. As with most of our international tours, we recommend that you consider arriving a day early to get over jet lag. We will be happy to help you with a private hotel transfer and reserve additional night(s) at our group hotel if you decide to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City early. (Meals aloft)
ARRIVAL IN HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
You will arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport, located about five miles outside of Ho Chi Minh City, which the locals still call Saigon. Since most international flights arrive in the late evening, you will be met at the airport and transferred to our downtown hotel for your first overnight stay here. There are no official tour activities today, but those who arrive early and have the energy will gather for an impromptu dinner this evening. Tour activities commence tomorrow morning. (No meals included)
SIGHTSEEING IN SAIGON AND CHOLON
Our sightseeing begins with a tour of the historic center, strolling along Dong Khoi Street, the main shopping thoroughfare and heart of old colonial Saigon. Pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate City Hall (Hotel De Ville), the old Opera House (both may only be viewed from the outside), and pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Afterwards, dive into modern history with a tour of the Reunification Palace, the 1960s-style former residence of the South Vietnamese president which was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975, signifying the fall of South Vietnam. Continue to the harrowing War Remnants Museum, which comprehensively documents the travails of the long Vietnam War.
Next we go to the historic center of Saigon to visit the Emperor Of Jade Pagoda, before heading to Cholon (Chinatown). Explore the highlights of this fascinating area, beginning with a brief visit to the contemporary Binh Tay Market, the Thien Hau Pagoda, and finally the central Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts. This evening, Toto Tours hosts a Welcome Dinner at the Koto Saigon Restaurant. Overnight in Saigon. (All Meals)
MEKONG RIVER DELTA
After breakfast, enjoy an excursion to the Mekong Delta. From Saigon, transfer to My Tho, a bustling town in the Mekong’s rich agricultural region and visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, a beautiful temple which harmoniously fuses Asian and European architectural styles. Afterwards board a local boat to explore the Mekong River Islands, stopping at a fruit orchard to enjoy fruit and tea while listening to local music. The trip also includes a sampan ride through the tiny waterways that thread the Thoi Son islet. We return to Saigon and the evening is free. Overnight in Saigon. (Breakfast / Lunch)
SAIGON TO SIEM REAP
Enjoy a free morning at our hotel, before checking out and heading to the airport for our midday flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Upon arrival, we collect our luggage and transfer to our hotel. You will have time to freshen up and settle into your room before we proceed to “The Smile of Angkor” Restaurant for dinner and a show that relives the great history of the Angkor dynasty. Overnight in Siem Reap. (Breakfast / Dinner)
SIGHTSEEING IN ANGKOR
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing among the glories of ancient Angkor. Seemingly small in comparison to the other Angkor temples, Banteay Srei is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art, built in pink sandstone and adorned with unusually delicate carvings. Banteay Samre is a mid-12th century temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. Ta Prohm is one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the area’s monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. The five brick towers of Prasat Kravan date back to 921 A.D. and are notable for the bas-reliefs cut into the bricks on the interior walls. Sras Srang is a tiny island in the middle of a basin containing the stone base remains of what was once a wooden temple. Banteay Kdei Temple is a massive Buddhist temple surrounded by four huge concentric walls, dating from the second half of the 12th century. Thommanon mirrors Chau Say Tevoda to the north, as it was built around the same time and has a similar layout. Both are dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon for a free evening and an overnight stay. (Breakfast / Lunch)
ANGKOR THOM
This morning, tour the scenic Siem Reap town in a tuk tuk. Zipping around town in one of these open air vehicles is quite an experience. The fortified city of Angkor Thom 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 serpent deity. 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 ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas before continuing to the mysterious Bayon Temple to explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs. Enter the central sanctuary, where you will find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle. We return to the hotel for a break after sightseeing and then go out to a local restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Siem Reap. (Breakfast / Dinner)
SIEM REAP TO LUANG PRABANG
Enjoy a free morning to relax at the hotel or do some additional sightseeing on your own. After check-out, transfer to the Siem Reap Airport for our flight to Luang Prabang in Laos. After check-in at our beautiful hillside hotel, we go into the heart of this gorgeous World Heritage Town for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (Breakfast / Dinner)
SIEM REAP TO LUANG PRABANG
Enjoy a free morning to relax at the hotel or do some additional sightseeing on your own. After check-out, transfer to the Siem Reap Airport for our flight to Luang Prabang in Laos. After check-in at our beautiful hillside hotel, we go into the heart of this gorgeous World Heritage Town for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (Breakfast / Dinner)
MEKONG RIVER CRUISE / LUANG PRABANG SIGHTSEEING
This morning, we take a boat excursion to the Tham Pak Ou Caves, in steep limestone cliffs overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers and filled with Buddha images, of every style and material imaginable. Our afternoon tour includes: Wat Visunalat (Wat Visoun) with its gilded wooden Buddhas from the 15th and 16th centuries; That Pathum, one of the more unusually shaped stupas in Luang Prabang; Wat Aham with its two large banyan trees; Wat Xieng Thong, perhaps the most beautiful monastery here. Finally we climb Mount Phou Si for sunset, ascending 328 steps from the entrance side (or 410 steps on the Khan River side) to the small temples atop the 500-foot mountain, which stands in the middle of town and offers beautiful views over the temples and river. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (All Meals)
LUANG PRABANG TO HANOI
This morning, enjoy a half day sightseeing tour in Luang Prabang, visiting the National Museum (former Royal Palace). In front of the Palace is Hor Phrabang, a dazzling new temple built to house the Royal Buddha Image, cast of a gold, silver and bronze alloy. We continue to Wat Mai, constructed in 1821 as the residence of Phra Sangkharaj (the Patriarch of the Buddhist clergy), followed by a stroll through the Talat Naviengkham Market. After lunch, we return to our hotel to check out and transfer to the local airport for our late afternoon flight to Hanoi, Vietnam. Upon arrival, we transfer to our centrally located hotel for an overnight stay. (Breakfast / Dinner)
HALONG BAY
After breakfast, we drive from Hanoi to Tuan Chau Marina Port, where we board our Paradise Luxury Halong Bay cruise boat for an overnight stay in the serene beauty of this famous natural landmark. A welcome drink is followed by a safety briefing and cabin check-in. We depart begin our cruise on Halong Bay as a Vietnamese buffet lunch is served. Arrive at Surprise Cave (Hang Sung Sot) to explore this most famous grotto in the bay. After enjoying some free time to go exploring, return to the ship and we continue cruising while enjoying a cooking demonstration to learn about Vietnamese cuisine. At Titop beach, hike up 400 steps up to the peak of the island for a spectacular panoramic view, or you may prefer to kayak (not included) or go swimming at one of the most beautiful beaches in Halong Bay. Enjoy a five course dinner, followed by a relaxing evening aboard one of the most luxurious boats on the bay. You can enjoy movie night, board games, or spa services. Overnight in a deluxe cabin. (All Meals)
HALONG BAY / RETURN TO HANOI
Experience a tai chi session on the sundeck early this morning, or sit on deck and enjoy the view while enjoying tea, coffee and pastries for a light breakfast. Explore Luon by local rowboat or explore on your own by kayak (not included). Cruising back to port, enjoy a full buffet breakfast and the check out of your cabin. We drive back to Hanoi for sightseeing in the Old Quarter, one of Vietnam’s most lively and unusual places with over a thousand years of history. We walk through the maze of back streets where there are endless things to see. We check in to our hotel for a free evening. Overnight in Hanoi. (Breakfast / Lunch)
SIGHTSEEING IN HANOI
Although it is the modern-day capital of Vietnam, Hanoi still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries. Begin your day visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, followed by the simple two-rooms of Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, where he spent his final years. We explore the vast park-like setting of Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex, including the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways. Finally, visit the Museum of Ethnology which brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country.
After a break for lunch, we make an afternoon visit to Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, located in heart of Hanoi, which contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda. Enroute, we pass other colonial landmarks such as the magnificent Opera House (may be seen from the outside only) and St. Joseph’s Cathedral. In the evening, Toto Tours hosts a festive Farewell Dinner to celebrate the highlights of our Indochine journey. Overnight in Hanoi. (All Meals)
DEPARTURE
The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. We provide your transportation from the hotel to the airport timed to meet your recommended advance check-in time. If you would like to extend your stay in Hanoi, please let us know on the reservation form so that we can keep your room available for another night.(Breakfast)