21days Indochina & Burma

Welcome to your holiday with Your Vietnam Travel

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, either Domestic or International arrival, after clearing all customs procedures, please proceed to exit gate and look for your guide who will be waiting at the lobby, holding the Your Vietnam Travel's signboard with your name on it.

(Early check-in is NOT included and subject to hotel’s availability). 

Breakfast at hotel, 8.00 you will take a short sight-seeing: The indepependent palace, the War Remnants Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Have a lunch at local restaurant before taking a half-day excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels with the tunnel system stretched over 250km, from Saigon to the Cambodian border, and was three levels deep. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens.

Pick up you at hotel at 8am. We will then depart for My Tho, where we will take a boat ride along the river. View the stilt houses and the fruit plantation along the river bank as we approach the My Tho fishing village – a floating fish farm. Proceed to Tortoise Island and have lunch in the orchard. Enjoy a boat ride through Tan Thach natural canal in Ben Tre, cruising under the shadow of the water coconut trees. Next we visit a family business that epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle. Enjoy a row boat ride along the creeks. After trekking through the fruit plantation, return to the village. The full day of activity will conclude with a relaxing drive back to Ho Chi Minh and overnight in Ho Chi Minh.  

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Morning flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for check in. 

Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, meets and transfer our local guide to the hotel for check-in (Early check-in is NOT included and subject to the hotel’s availability). Today you will start with a short drive to the Roulous temple group. The ruins of Roulous are among the oldest Khmer monuments in the area, dating back to the 9th-century reign of King Indravarman I. Witness the evolution of these magnificent temples from the early days of the Khmer empire up to its peak with the Angkor temples in the 13th century. There are three key Hindu structures that remain at Roulous; Lolei, Bakong, and Preah Ko, which were all part of the ancient city of Hariharalaya. You will peacefully explore the temples and soak up the local atmosphere away from the crowds. Walk a total distance of 3km from one temple to another and meet local friendly villagers on the way. Dinner with Apsara Dance Show at the local restaurant.

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Banteay Srei temple this morning. This red sandstone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings which have been preserved remarkably well. They provide an excellent into the Angkor civilization and their beliefs. It was built in the 10th century and was dedicated to the Hindu god – Shiva. Continue on a pleasant drive through the countryside to Beng Mealea, a sprawling jungle temple constructed in a distinctly Angkor Wat style by King Jayavarman II in the early 12th century. It preceded and may have served as a prototype for Angkor Wat. Contrary to Angkor, few carvings or bas-reliefs are evident. Today the temple is largely overrun by vegetation and the stone walls are crumbling which adds to its charm in a unique way. Accessibility has improved as elevated walkways have been set up throughout most of the temple, although to see all corners does require a sense of adventure as you will need to climb over stone blocks or walk through narrow passageways. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the shady surrounds of the temple before transferring back to Siem Reap for 1.5 hours. (It is advisable to wear sturdy, walking shoes with a decent grip

Early morning at about 5.00 am, you will be transferred to visit sunrise at Angkor Wat – After sunrise, we continue to visit Angkor Wat, one of the modern wonders of the world. Be amazed by the sheer size of the temple and learn how the Khmer Empire prospered between the 9th and 13th centuries, around the time when Angkor Wat was built. Stroll through the intricately carved hallways that show hundreds of fine carvings and discover small shrines still in use today by the local people. 08.00 am, return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, visit Angkor Thom, the ancient royal city of the Khmer Empire with its centerpiece; the Bayon temple. As you approach, you will notice the enigmatic faces of former King Jayavarman VII looking in every direction. Your guide will take you to the Terrace of the Elephants, which served as a platform from where the King could welcome back his victorious army, and the Terrace of the Leper King, which holds detailed carvings winding along a narrow passageway that leads to the Baphuon complex. Enjoy the homemade lunch at the local house, then continue to visit Neak Pean, East Mebon temples, and end the day with Ta Prohm temple. This beautiful temple is overgrown with fig trees, giving a haunting yet exotic atmosphere. The magnificent roots of the trees have merged over the centuries with the temple’s huge stone blocks, emphasizing a ‘forgotten city’ feeling.

After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred by our local guide and private car to Krabei Riel Village where will enjoy walking and ride the ox-cart to visit the daily life and daily activities of the villagers. A short stop to one of the local house, enjoy the fresh seasonal fruits and coconut juice, then we continue by our private van to Tonle Sap lake to ride the boat to visit the floating village in fresh water lake which is one of the biggest fresh water lake in tonle Sap Lake. End of the tour, transfer to airport for flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel in Hoi An for check in. 

Today, it is free time for you to explore art and handicraft galleries, try on clothes tailor-made, relax at the riverside restaurants or take the short journey to the nearby beach. Overnight in Hoi An. 

Cycling through the countryside to the small farming community of Tra Que Vegetable Village. Here you can enjoy the lush green countryside and see the farmers at work, later learn to make Vietnamese spring roll and free on foot massage by herbs.

Afternoon, visiting a lovely old house, still occupied by the descendants of the merchants who built it over 200 years ago, before seeing the elaborate Japanese Bridge, a Chinese temple, the bustling market. Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, transfer to Hue via Hai Van Pass with a stop at Lang Co Beach and  the Marble Mountains en route which is fascinating maze of cave and temples, hidden with five sacred marble rocks. 

When you arrive Hue, you will board on the boat for a cruise on the romantic Perfume River heading out for the countryside; stop to visit the charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda). Thien Mu Pagoda is considered the symbol of Hue, and of Buddhism in Vietnam. From here you will rejoin your car and visit King Minh Mang’s Tomb OR King Tu Duc’s Tomb, contiune to visit Hue Citadel at afternoon and Dong Ba Market. Overnight in Hue.

Morning fly to Hanoi/ Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for check in. 

Our guide will pick you up at hotel at 8.00 & start a sightseeing today includes explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas, start a Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and stilt house), the Presidential Palace, the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Temple of Literature; West Lake including the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda; and one of the city’s museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). End the day’s explorations watch a special Vietnam traditional Water Puppet Show. Then free shopping at the Old Quarter. 

08.00 AM, our guide and shuttle bus will pick you up at lobby of hotel and start journey east to Halong Bay, through picturesque rice-farming villages of the Red River Delta, where we see every day Vietnamese village life. On arrival, we board a beautiful traditional junk and spend a full day and night cruising the bay’s 3000 magnificent limestone islets. In the evening when the boat is anchored in the middle of the stunning lagoon, we enjoy a wonderful seafood meal. Overnight on board. 

Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Halong. Have brunch on board before returning to Halong pier to get back Hanoi. 

Free until transfer to airport for flight to yangon. Upon arrival, you will be greeting by your guide who will accompany and transfer you to your hotel. Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage make it one of the most fascinating cities in Southeast Asia. 

(Early check-in subjected to room availability).

After morning breakfast, you will transfer to Yangon Railway Station to take the local Circular Train journey to the outskirts of town (20-30 minutes ride). The slow-traveling train gives a unique opportunity to observe the lively and colorful life of the rural Burmese people.  Disembark to visit Kyi Myin Daing Market where a variety of street vendors sell colorful wares.  Enjoy exploring the market and meeting friendly locals before returning by road to Yangon.

In the afternoon, visit the downtown area to see the Old City Hall, and Maharbandoola Park. Then stroll along the old street ending at the old Strand Hotel. Next, drive to Botahtaung Pagoda which features golden decorations inside. Continue to Bogyoke Market which sells many Burmese traditional handicrafts including stone, wood and bronze carvings, and much more. In the afternoon, visit Kandawgyi Park near Chaukhtetgyi Reclining Buddha Image – one of the largest in Yangon. Continue to the highlight of Yangon: the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, which has been described as one of the wonders of the world. Shwedagon plays a very important role in the Old Burmese History and also is an important Buddhist icon. Enjoy the sunset over the pagoda.

Overnight in Yangon.

After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Nyaung U. Bagan, located on the banks of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, is home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins in the world with many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries. On arrival, your journey begins with a visit an elevated temple from where you will have a panoramic view of the magnificent plains of Bagan. Continue with a visit to the golden Shwezigon Pagoda, first and prototype monument, which was built in Myanmar style in 1087. Then, visit to Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple Wetkyi-Inn Village which is well-known for its exquisite jataka mural paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. 

This afternoon begins with a visit to a traditional lacquer ware workshop where you can observe the production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. Continue to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples.  Built in the early Mon-style, Ananda contains two unique Buddha images whose expressions seem to change depending on the distance from which the statue is viewed. From here, you will visit to Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, massive Dhammayangyi Temple, noted for its remarkable brickwork, and Sulamani Temple. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the plains from the upper terrace of one of the temples.

Take a break from temple touring in Bagan to visit Mt Popa, an extinct volcano standing 1518 metres high. Mount Popa has played an important role in Myanmar culture, religion and history since earliest times. Its shrine is dedicated to the worship of the 37 Nats, the Burmese ancient animist spirits. (Climb is optional!). In the afternoon, we’ll then begin the drive to Bagan, a one-hour journey. Along the way, we will stop in a local village where the people use the fruit of the palm tree to make wine and molasses. Witness the incredible production process. Then transfer to your hotel and take time to relax.

Overnight in Bagan.

Today, you will take the overland drive from Bagan to Mandalay. You will arrive at Mandalay in the afternoon and transfer to the hotel for check in and relax. In the afternoon, we'll visit to Mahamuni Pogada, 13ft-high sated Buddha image which is one of Myanmar's most famous. Continue your tour of Mandalay with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda, whose 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures have earned it the title ‘World’s Biggest Book’. Continue to Shwenandaw Monastery, the only remaining building from the 19 th century Royal Palace. This grand teak building is known for its exquisite woodcarving. Head to the top of Mandalay Hill to enjoy magnificent views of the city and Irrawaddy River. 

Overnight in Mandalay.

Today we'll explore the historic sites around Mandalay. Visiting to iconic attractions include Minguns gigantic stupa stub, Sagaing's temple-studded hills and U Bein's Bridge in Amarapura. This morning we'll take a drive to visit Mingun Pagoda. Then, continue your visit to the world's largest uncracked bell called

Mingun Bell. Across the road, you can visit a Buddish nursing home for family-less elderly folk which is always glad of donations. (Donation is own account). Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant. Return to dry land by boat and take a drive to Sagaing by crossing a bridge over the Irrawaddy River. Uncountable white-and-gold stupas are highlights of Sagaing. Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar.  It is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers and you will visit pagodas such as Swan OoPon Nya Shin and U Min ThoneSae. We’ll also visit Sagaing’s local market, a typical Burmese market that few tourists visit. Here you will find a range of items for sale including locally made pottery, silver and other handicrafts. We will also stop at a small pottery village to see the process of making the ubiquitous water pots found throughout Myanmar. After touring this tranquil site, continue to U Bein Bridge, the world’s longest and 200-year-old teak bridge. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge and the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams.

Today, you will transfer to the airport for your international departure flight.