HANOI - HALONG - HANOI - HUE - HOI AN - DANANG - SAIGON - SIEM REAP OPTIONAL: BANGKOK Asia Prime Tours HEAVEN & EARTH (12 Days) EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT Save $100 per person with reservation and deposit submitted 90 days or more prior to departure! Tour Information Dates & Fares Hotels Gallery Option Testimonial Featured Location HEAVEN AND EARTH 12 Days/10 Nights   A JOURNEY THROUGH VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA (Optional Extension to Bangkok) HANOI, HALONG, HANOI, HUE, HOI AN, DANANG, SAIGON, SIEM REAP    This trip has covered all the major attractions in Vietnam and Cambodia. For our repeat customers, a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia will bring you new exciting experiences. Itinerary B: Breakfast • L: Lunch • D: Dinner Day 1 (Mon) US/HANOI Take international flight from the US for Hanoi Vietnam. Day 2 (Tues) HANOI transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day for leisure. Overnight in Hanoi. Hotel: Boss Hotel or similar. Day 3 (Wed) HANOI    (B) Sightseeing in Hanoi. Head to HOAN KIEM LAKE and Ngoc Son Temple, located in heart of Hanoi, which contains an islet with the tiny TORTOISE PAGODA. From there, walking to explore the OLD QUARTER. This fascinating network of narrow alleys and shop houses is also known as The 36 Streets, each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics to crafts to medicines to tombstones. A handicraft lover paradise and a endlessly interesting place to explore local life. Afterwards, visit the MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY (closed on Monday & Vietnamese New Year), which brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Inside the museum are detailed descriptions of minority groups, with examples of their traditional clothing and way of life. Outside are faithful reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries and other distinctive ethnic buildings. Overnight in Hanoi. Day 4  (Thurs) HANOI/HALONG   (B/ L) By vehicle from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Excursion by boat through Halong Bay including lunch (4 hours). Board your charming traditional wooden junk for cruising through the Bay. En-route lunch will be served. Following cruise by rock formations with such names as Stone Dog, Incense Burner (Dinh Huong), Fighting Cock (Ga Choi). At the core of the islets, there are two wonderful caves and grottoes to visit as Thien Cung (Heavenly Residence Grotto), Dau Go (Driftwood Grotto). Disembark at Halong pier. Overnight in Halong. Hotel: Saigon Halong Hotel or similar. Day 5  (Fri) HALONG/HANOI/HUE   (B) Morning at leisure. By vehicle from Halong to Noi Bai Airport. Flight from Hanoi to Hue. Overnight in Hue. Hotel: Festival Hui Hotel or similar. Day 6 (Sat) HUE   (B) Excursion to Thien Mu Pagoda with a boat trip on the Huong Giang river. Embark on a local boat and cruise down the PERFUME RIVER to the iconic THIEN MU PAGODA, an elegant seven-tiered octagonal tower which has become Hue’s most widely recognizable monument. During the early 1960s, this became a center of anti-government protest, and the site of the famous self-immolation of the monk Thich Quang Duc. Sightseeing in Hue. Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years. It houses ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style edifices. It was established in the 17th century. Visit the Old Imperial City. Located in the heart of Hue is the IMPERIAL CITADEL, a vast complex built in the early 19th century and modeled after the Forbidden City of Peking. The original walls stretched for 10 km and were surrounded by a wide moat. Today, most of the buildings have been destroyed due to bombing during the Vietnam-American War, but the monuments that remain provide a fascinating glimpse into the court life of the Nguyen Dynasty. Approach the city past the striking FLAG TOWER, where a giant Vietnamese flag waves proudly overhead, to the imposing NGO MON GATE, the main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure. Enter into an area of spacious courtyards and serene lotus ponds, and visit DIEN THO Residence ( Dien Tho palace) is where the Queen mother lived, visit THAI HOA PALACE, the magnificently decorated reception hall, the HALLS OF THE MANDARINS, and the original NINE DYNASTIC URNS, among other sites. Visit the Imperial Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Venture into the countryside around Hue to the IMPERIAL TOMB OF TU DUC. Tu Duc, the longest reigning Vietnamese emperor, designed and built this elegant tomb during his lifetime, using it as a retreat for meditation, reading and theater performances. Take some time to soak in the tranquil atmosphere, wandering among the gracefully proportioned pavilions, courtyards and lotus ponds. Afterwards visit the IMPERIAL TOMB OF KHAI DINH, dramatically located on a hillside. The last of the monumental tombs of the Nguyen dynasty, completed in 1931, this tomb incorporates distinct European elements into the traditional Vietnamese architecture. Overnight in Hue. Day 7 (Sun) HUE/HOI AN   (B) By vehicle from Hue to Hoi An with sightseeing in Danang. Journey from Hue over scenic mountainous roads with spectacular views over the coastline. Halfway between Danang and Hue lies the dramatic HAI VAN PASS, the high dividing line between the climate zones of north and south Vietnam. Continue southwards passing LANG CO, a lovely stretch of beach curving outwards between a clear blue lagoon and the South China Sea. After arriving in DANANG, tour the CHAM MUSEUM, an elegant colonial building which now houses the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world and briefly pass NON NUOC BEACH, a famous spot for American soldiers during the Vietnam-American War. Continue south to Hoi An, stopping enroute to visit the MARBLE MOUNTAINS, five stone hillocks, once islands, that now rise sharply from the surrounding ricefields. Riddled with caves and shrines, they are said to each represent one of the five elements of the universe. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An. Hotel: Van Loi Hotel or similar. Day 8 (Mon) HOI AN   (B) Sightseeing in Hoi An with a boat trip on the Thu Bon River. The exquisitely preserved merchant town of HOI AN was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Its colorful shophouses and temples reflect a diverse heritage, dating back to the 16th and 17th century, when it was a major port for Western, Chinese and Japanese traders. Today it is a thriving center of traditional crafts and a shoppers paradise, best explored on foot. Wander through the cobbled streets, past low tile-roofed buildings, the bustling central MARKET and the small HARBOUR where colorfully painted boats are moored. The walking tour will include visits to a PRIVATE HOUSE, where members of the same family have lived continuously for centuries in a traditional setting; to one of the FAMILY CHAPELS built by prominent merchant or official families as centers for ancestor worship; and to a typical CHINESE-STYLE PAGODA or ASSEMBLY HALL. Continue to SA HUYNH MUSEUM, located near the Japanese Covered Bridge, it contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An’s history. Visit a handicraft workshop in Hoi An where local products are being made by the industry itself. Finally, continue to the famous JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE PAGODA, first constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. In the afternoon, board a local boat and cruise down the THU BON RIVER, enjoying the unspoiled countryside and stopping to visit a POTTERY VILLAGE and a WOODCARVING VILLAGE before returning to Hoi An harbour. Overnight in Hoi An. Day 9 (Tues) HOI AN/DANANANG/SAIGON   (B) By vehicle from Hoi An to Danang. Flight from Danang to Saigon. Sightseeing in Saigon. A vibrant metropolis, SAIGON teems with energy, activity and motion. Everywhere you look, you see the meeting of traditional and modern life. The emerging modern skyline stands cheek by jowl with colonial buildings and traditional temples. Outside on the streets, young professionals zip by on motorbikes, chatting on cellphones; inside the quiet temple courtyards, worshippers pray amidst clouds of incense. Begin your tour into modern history with a tour of 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. Afterwards driving to the historic center to visit EMPEROR OF JADE PAGODA, one of Saigon’s most interesting pagoda. Proceed to pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL and the CENTRAL POST OFFICE. Pass by the 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). Finally, end up at the central BEN THANH MARKET, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste. Overnight in Saigon. Hotel: Elios Hotel or similar. Day 10 (Wed) SAIGON/SIEM REAP   (B) Today you will take a departure transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, the capital of Cambodia. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day for leisure. Hotel: Ankor Holiday Hotel or similar Day 11 (Thurs) SIEM REAP   (B) Today’s excursion takes you to Angkor Thom, the fortified city of ANGKOR THOM covering an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor’s most popular sights; Angkor Wat, the crowning jewel of Khmer architecture. Angkor Wat is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia; 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 Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. You will also visit a temple for sunset. Day 12 (Fri)  SIEM REAP   (B) Take a departure transfer for your own booked flight back home. (Flights out of Siem Reap may be available at additional cost upon request.) Optional Extension Tour to Bangkok: Day 12 (Fri) SIEM REAP/BANGKOK   (B) After breakfast, take a departure transfer to the airport for flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred from the airport to your hotel for check-in. Hotel: Park Plaza Bangkok Soi 18 or similar. Day 13 (Sat)  BANGKOK   (B) This morning you will visit 3 of the most impressive temples: the Golden Buddha-Wat Traimitr that houses a solid gold statue weighing 5.5 tons; the Reclining Buddha at Wat Po, an enormous Buddha covered in gold leaf and lying majestically on its side; the Grand Palace has no equal and is the “Must see” for every visitor to Bangkok. Elegantly situated close to the banks of the Chao Phraya (The River of Kings) the Grand Palace is the perfect example of an ancient Siamese court. Within the compound is the Temple of The Emerald Buddha-Wat Pra Kaew-which houses Thailand most precious image of the Lord Buddha. The Emerald Buddha is believed to have supranational powers and is dressed in robes according to the season by the king of Thailand himself. Afternoon is free at leisure for your own activities. Day 14 (Sun) BANGKOK   (B) Breakfast and day at leisure until transfer to Suvannabhumi Airport for your onward flight. Tour Features English-speaking guide. Meals according to itinerary / Breakfast box in lieu of ABF when early morning flight. Flight ticket(s) as mentioned in the itinerary. Flight from Hanoi to Hue. Flight from Danang to Saigon. Flight from Saigon to Siem Reap. Boat ticket(s) according to itinerary. Airport transportion by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver Seat-in-coach sightseeing incl. admissions fees according to itinerary. Accommodation in hotels as mentioned above or equivalent. Optional Extension Tour to Bangkok:  Air Fare from Siem Reap to Bangkok. Sightseeing tours and transfers as detailed in the itineray. Accommodation at above indicated hotel with daily breakfast. Meals as mentioned in the itinerary. English speaking guide. All entrance fees and boat fees for visits as mentioned. Transportion by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver. To reserve this tour, simply fill out our online reservation form and our representatives will contact you Land Package Tour Fare (double occupancy): $1795 Single Supplement: $495  Airport Tax(for intercity flights):  $50 Departure: Monday (with arrival in Hanoi on Tuesday)  Minimum of 2 Passengers Optional Extension Tour to Bangkok: Departure Dates Tour Fares Single Supplement Jan.-Mar. 2020 $740 $195  Apr.-Oct. 2020 $710 $170 Nov.-Dec. 2020 $799 $260 • Daily departure with a minimum of 2 passengers. * The tour fares for optional extension to Bangkok have included one way air fare from Siem Reap to Bangkok. • Airport Tax of $28 per person is not included in the tour fare. To reserve this tour, simply fill out our online reservation form and our representatives will contact you Hanoi Boss Hotel  Halong Saigon Halong Hotel Hue Festival Hui Hotel Hoi An Van Loi Hotel Saigon Elios Hotel Siem Reap Angkor Holiday Hotel Bangkok Park Plaza Bangkok Soi 18 Hotel