The Best of Myanmar & Vietnam Tour – 14 Days
Tour duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Starts: Hanoi - Vietnam
Ends: Yangon - Myanmar
Tour Route: Hanoi arrival - Hanoi City - Halong Bay - Ho Chi Minh city - Cu Chi Tunnels - Mekong delta - Yangon - Bagan - Mt. Popa - Mandalay - Amarapura - Sagaing - Inle - Indein - Yangon - Yangon departure
Dates: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish.
Tour Type: Landscape, Culture
Activity Level: Regular itinerary
Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
BRIEF ITINERARY:
Day 01: Hanoi arrival (B)
Day 02: Hanoi City Tour (B, L)
Day 03: Hanoi - Halong Bay (170km) / Overnight on Junk Boat (B, L, D)
Day 04: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
Day 05: Ho Chi Minh City Tour - Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L)
Day 06: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
Day 07: Ho Chi Minh City - Yangon (B)
Day 08: Yangon – Fly to Bagan (B)
Day 09: Bagan – Mt. Popa (B)
Day 10: Bagan - Fly to Mandalay - Amarapura - Sagaing - Mandalay (B)
Day 11: Mandalay - Inle (B)
Day 12: Inle - Indein - Inle (B)
Day 13: Inle - Fly to Yangon (B)
Day 14: Yangon departure (B)
DAY 01: Hanoi Arrial B)
Upon arrival at Noi Bai international airport, Welcomed by our well-experience guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
DAY 02: Hanoi City Tour (B, L)
We begin a full-day city tour by visiting the Ho Chi Minh complex, including the One Pillar Pagoda, the former leader’s house on stilts and his Mausoleum. Continue on, transfer to West Lake to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda as known the oldest pagoda in the city, originally constructed in the sixth century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De, and then keep walking to Quan Thanh Temple, as one of the Four Sacred Temples of the capital.
Keep forward to the peaceful Temple of Literature - the first university of Vietnam.
Lunch will be served at a local Vietnamese restaurant.
In the afternoon, proceed to the Ethnologic museum, which focuses on the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam, it is widely considered to be the finest modern museum in Vietnam and a tourist attraction in Hanoi.
Back to the city central, visit Ngoc Son temple then take an hour cycle tour around the old quarter and attend the performance of the unique water puppetry before finish the day-off.
Overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 03: Hanoi - Halong Bay (170km) / Overnight on Junk Boat (B, L, D)
We depart Hanoi for Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea“ as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Ha Long bay has more than 1.000 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes
Upon arrival at Ha Long Bay we embark on a boat trip to cruise discovering this magnificent UNESCO World Wonder. This is a great journey among surreal islands rising from a tranquil emerald sea.
In the late afternoon, we anchor for the night on the bay and enjoy a delicious seafood dinner on board.
Overnight on a junk boat in Halong Bay.
DAY 04: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
Waking up and having breakfast served onboard. Continue cruising around the bay. Take sampan to visit Luon Cave and come back to the boat. Having brunch before disembarking and van will pick you up at the pier and transfer back to Hanoi. Visit Dong Trieu ceramic and pottery village on the way. Continue to airport for flight VN1165 (19h00 - 21h00) to Ho Chi Minh city. Pick up on arrival and transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Stay overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
DAY 05: Ho Chi Minh City Tour - Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L)
IIn the morning, the tour guide will pick you up at the hotel and today you will visit all interesting sites and landmarks in Ho Chi Minh city. First stop is Notre Dame Catholic Cathedral and short visit to French built Post Office nearby, and then we will proceed to see the Reunification Palace, formerly the Presidential Palace governed by the US-pro government of Republic of Vietnam. Touring the building and then we will visit the War Remnants Museum, which primarily contains exhibits relating to the American phase of the Vietnam War. Break time for lunch. In the afternoon, we drive to Cu Chi district, 50 km to the Northwest of Ho Chi Minh city, the tunnels of Cu Chi are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels are part of a much larger network of tunnels that underlie much of the country. The Cu Chi tunnels were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War, and were the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam's base of operations for the Tet Offensive in 1968. Touring the areas and then you will be transferred back to Ho Chi Minh city. Free time at leisure or shopping at Ben Thanh Market nearby.
DAY 06: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
This five hour river cruise takes you through Vietnam’s most productive agricultural area which produces 38% of the country’s annual food crop. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of coconut palms, sugar-cane groves and fruit orchards from the vessel as you head to the Cai Be floating market. Here you can cruise through the colorful barges full of fruits and vegetables and then proceed to local home factories such as rice paste making, rice popcorn, coco candies, and longans drying processing. The trip continues along the Mekong canals to Dong Hoa Hiep Island located between Vinh Long and Cai Be. Along the way you will find the local people engaged in their daily tasks and see brightly coloured Khemer pagodas. Stops on the way can be made upon request for particular visits or photos making. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still remain unknown to many people. Arrive at La Residence de Phu An resort where you will be welcomed and served Vietnamese culinary delights. You will then walk along a narrow canal to an air-conditioned vehicle that will transport you back to Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY 07: Ho Chi Minh City - Yangon (B, L)
After breakfast at hotel, you are free until check out and transfer to the airport to take onwards flight to Yangon. Upon your arrival at Yangon airport. Welcome by our local guide and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, sightseeing of Yangon start with Sule Pagoda, dating back over 2000 years, the Mahabandoola Park with its Independence Monument and walk around the downtown area. Wide streets, orderly town planning and neglected public buildings revive visions of British rule, while busy streets scenes and shimmering pagodas, bursting through a leafy canopy, hint at the rich local culture. Skyscrapers and glaring neon billboards have yet to overtake the capital. Then drive to Mawtin Jetty and take a rickshaws for a short trip along the the Yangon River.
Overnight in Yangon.
DAY 08: Yangon – Fly to Bagan(B)
Breakfast at hotel. Take the early morning flight to Bagan where you will spend the whole day exploring the architectural masterpieces of this amazing ancient town, living treasure house of Buddhist architectural beauties. Bagan, one of Asia’s most popular archaeological destinations and one out of two most pre-eminent religious old cities in South East Asia. The sightseeing starts with a visit to Nyaung U Market – a typical local market; followed by visits to most distinctive pagodas such as Shwezigon Pagoda – the holiest one believed to be enshrined with Buddha tooth and hair; Htilominlo Temple- the largest temples of Bagan, Ananda Temple- King Kyansittha’s masterpiece and the crowning achievement of the early style temple of architecture, Thatbyinnyu Temple- the highest building on the Bagan plain.
In the afternoon, continue to Myinkabar Gubyaukgyi Temple- well known for its wall painting depicting scenes from the Jataka, Manuha, Nanbaya, Dhamanyangyi Temple- built by King Narathu in 12th century which displayed the finest brickwork in Bagan. Enjoy sunset over bagan from Shwesandaw Pagoda.
Overnight in Bagan.
Glittering Karaweik Hall, photo taken from the left side
DAY 09: DAY 09: Bagan – Mt. Popa (B)
Early breakfast at hotel, drive to Mount Popa, visit the great extinct volcano. Rising out of the shimmering heat, the solitary volcanic crag of Mt. Popa is home to Myanmar's most powerful "nats". Visit the Nat Museum with its life-sized statues of the 37 Nat Gods. Walk up the steps to the stupas and shrines that top the hill above the museum, seeing many pilgrims along the way. The way by the roadside can see the locals climbing up the palm tree and making jaggery. Drive back to Bagan and free at the leisure.
Overnight in Bagan.
DAY 10: Bagan - Fly to Mandalay - Amarapura - Sagaing - Mandalay (B)
After breakfast, transfer to airport for domestic flight to Mandalay. Arrive Mandalay International Airport. First, excursion to Amarapura: Maha Gandayone Monastery – home to several thousand young monks where you can watch the whole monastery having their meal silently, 200 years old U Bein teak bridge built in 1728 at the time when Amarapura was Royal capital. Visit traditional hand – woven silk workshop teak posts. Afternoon excursion coach to Sagaing by passing Ava Bridge. We do sightseeing for its famous Pagodas. Enjoy the panoramic view at the top of the hill. Visit Silversmith & Kaunghmudaw Pagoda.
Overnight in Mandalay.
DAY 11: Mandalay - Inle (B)
After breakfast, transfer to airport for domestic flight to Heho. Arrive the Heho airport, drive to Nyaung Shwe. Then, take an excursion by boat on Inlay lake will include sights of the famous leg-rowers, typical Floating gardens, typical and traditional ways of fishing and village life. Further visits are made to Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, the weaving village of Inphawkhone and other sights.
Overnight in Inle Lake.
DAY 12: Inle - Indein - Inle (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
An excursion by boat on Inle lake will includes sights of the famous leg rowers typical floatin gardens, local methods of fishing, village life and magnificent sceneries. Visit one of the local markets in the Inle lake region (on market days by days). And then, an excursion by boat to the Western Shore of Inle Lake to the beginning of a stair path leading to the hidden and unknown Inn Dein Pagoda complex. Return back to hotel . Free and leisure . Enjoy sunset at hotel.
Overnight in Inle Lake.
Stupas and Mandalay Hill in background
Inle Lake
DAY 13: Inle - Fly to Yangon (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight back to Yangon.
Upon arrival, meet our tour guide then start for a full day city tour of Yangon. Take the City Circle Train for a 02 ½ hours ride through rural areas, stopping at numerous stations watching cigarette sellers betelnut sellers, fortune tellers and and and…. then continue sightseeing of Yangon: the splendid National Museum, including the gem-studded royal regalia and the Lion Throne of King Mindon and King Thibaw, the last kings of the Myanmar Kingdom. In the afternoon you have enough time to wander around the sprawling Bogyoke Market through fascinating local neighborhoods. You can also explore evening market in China town.
Overnight in Yangon.
DAY 14: Yangon - Departure (B)
After breakfast at hotel, check out and free at your leisure for shopping until transfer to the Yangon International Airport for your departure flight.
End of services.