Cosmos Vibrant Vietnam & the Temples of Angkor (2725)
16 days from Hanoi to Siem Reap
With their long histories, interesting cultures, and sprawling landscape, Vietnam and Siem Reap offer something for everyone. Sightseeing tours in the cities feature the must-see sites, including Hanoi’s One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049; Hoi An’s Japanese Covered Bridge; and Hue’s impressive Imperial Citadel. In Ho Chi Minh City, your sightseeing includes the War Remnants Museum, and the Cu Chi region, where you'll get to explore the deep, narrow tunnels constructed by the Viet Cong during the war. Vietnam isn’t just home to beautiful temples and historic sites though! You'll enjoy seeing some of Vietnam's most gorgeous sights and destinations via the water. A highlight of the trip is your cruise on Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the world's most amazing limestone formations. You'll sail by islets, caves, beaches, and floating villages. In Ninh Binh, a boat ride through the Trang An Landscape Complex, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, takes you through more spectacular scenery. You'll also enjoy a cruise in Hoi An on the Thu Bon River, where you'll pass unspoiled countryside.Continue to Siem Reap to explore the rich history of the Khmer Empire. Explore the spectacular ruins of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Angkor Thom; 10th-century Banteay Srei Temple, known for its intricate decorations; and more. You’ll also interact with children at a local school. These are just some of the many highlights on this tour through Vietnam and Cambodia. From the historic sites to the stunning scenery, this tour designed for savvy, value-minded travel lovers is a vacation of a lifetime!
Itinerary (2024)| Day 1 | HANOI, VIETNAM | | | Welcome to Vietnam’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for a mid-afternoon check-in. | | Day 2 | HANOI | | | Today’s included sightseeing tour takes you to many of the city’s highlights, including the Temple of Literature, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and gateways, and One Pillar Pagoda, designed to resemble a lotus blossom. You will also see Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the fascinating network of alleyways and shop houses that make up the Old Quarter. Enjoy lunch at Koto, a non-profit restaurant and hospitality program that teaches local children restaurant skills for stable employment opportunities. This evening, you may choose an optional performance of Hanoi’s famed water puppets. (B,L) | | Day 3 | HANOI-HA LONG BAY | | | Drive to Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s favorite destinations, and board your afternoon cruise through the stunning bay. Enjoy lunch on board as you sail through the dramatic limestone islands, then explore the Sung Sot (Surprising Cave) and visit Titov Island. (B,L) | | Day 4 | HA LONG BAY–NINH BINH | | | Drive to Ninh Binh, often referred to as Ha Long Bay on land. This afternoon, visit Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a cruise through the stunning scenery of rugged peaks and valleys lined with rice fields. You’ll also visit Hoa Lu, the first capital of Vietnam dating back to the 10th century. Continue to your resort. (B,L,D) | | Day 5 | NINH BINH | | | Start your day with a visit to the Bai Dinh Temple complex with its towering 13-floor pagoda and 30-foot-high bronze Buddha statue. Then, visit Bich Dong Pagoda a three-tiered ancient pagoda nestled into a mountainside along with a cluster of cave temples. Lastly, travel to Mua Cave viewpoint to take in stunning vistas of this breathtaking area. Save your energy as there are said to be some 500 steps to the top! Enjoy some time at leisure this afternoon. (B,L,D) | | Day 6 | NINH BINH–HOI AN | | | Drive back to Hanoi where you’ll board a flight to Danang on Vietnam’s central coast. On arrival transfer to nearby Hoi An, Vietnam’s active trading center and a town that has been largely preserved. Architecture here reflects the influence of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French, and British traders. (B) | | Day 7 | HOI AN | | | Start today with a walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town including an old merchant house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese assembly Hall, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. For lunch, sample Cao Lao noodles, Hoi An’s most famous dish. The smoked, chewy noodles have a distinctive taste and are only made in Hoi An. Afterwards, take a cruise on the Thu Bon River, passing unspoiled couintryside before visiting with a local farmer. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B,L) | | Day 8 | HOI AN | | | Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps spend it at the beach, take an excursion to My Son, or explore pottery and wood carving villages. (B) | | Day 9 | HOI AN–HUE | | | Visit the Cham Museum, then continue through the spectacular Hai Van Pass (weather permitting) to Hue. After lunch, get a glimpse of Vietnam’s unique past when you visit the tombs of the Nguyen Emperors: the Khai Dinh Mausoleum and the Royal Tomb of Tu Duc. (B,L) | | Day 10 | HOI AN–HO CHI MINH CITY | | | Begin today with a vist to the Imperial Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda, the unofficial symbol of the city with its seven tiers, each dedicated to a step assumed by Buddha to reach enlightenment. Later, fly to Ho Chi Minh City. (B) | | Day 11 | HO CHI MINH CITY | | | Today explore Vietnam’s largest and most vibrant city. Your walking tour takes you along Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat) past the Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh Square, the Municipal Theatre, Central Post Office, and Notre Dame Cathedral. Next, visit the War Remnants Museum, followed by Ben Thanh Market, the largest and oldest in the city. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B) | | Day 12 | HO CHI MINH CITY. CU CHI TUNNELS EXCURSION | | | Today, visit the Cu Chi tunnels, an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles long that was used by the Viet Cong as a hideout and secret village during the war. See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas, and meeting rooms. If you are feeling adventurous, you may enter and explore the deep, narrow tunnels. This evening, join your travel companions for a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. (B,D) | | Day 13 | HO CHI MINH CITY–SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA | | | Today, fly to Siem Reap, which will act as your base during your visit to Angkor, considered by many to be the most spectacular architectural ruins on Earth! (B) | | Day 14 | SIEM REAP | | | Today, visit nearby Angkor, the ancient Khmer capital. Start your exploration at the best preserved and most famous of all the temples, Angkor Wat, honoring the Hindu god Vishnu. Featuring five trademark towers and stunning bas-reliefs, it has become a symbol of Cambodia. Next stop is ANGKOR THOM to see the BAYON TEMPLE. One of the few Buddhist temples in Angkor, it features some 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers and impressive bas-reliefs. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B,L) | | Day 15 | SIEM REAP | | | This morning, visit Banteay Srei, a unique temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva that was built on a small scale from red sandstone, which can be carved like wood. Unlike the other temples, Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched and surrounded by jungle, with tree roots growing over and through the ruin walls. You’ll be able to experience the temple with the same wonder as the early explorers who discovered it. You’ll also visit a local school to interact with the children and help them practice their English. This afternoon and evening are at your leisure. (B) | | Day 16 | SIEM REAP | | | Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
Included Cosmos Meals 15 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 3 dinners
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