What to expect
Visit Angkor Wat
Largest religious monument in the world
Unique Experiences
Cruise the beauty of Halong Bay
City Life
Explore the historical heart of Ho Chi Minh
Unwind in Paradise
Soak up the sunshine at Mui Ne Beach
About this trip...
What's Included
Scheduled return flights London – Siem Reap; Siem Reap – Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City - London & transfers-
2 Internal flights Siem Reap - Hanoi & Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City
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Transfer by a private air-conditioned vehicle - Drinking water and refreshing towels are provided in the vehicles
Twin/double room for single use with private facilities
Solos Board: Breakfast daily, 7 lunches and 3 dinners
Welcome drink & Information Meeting
Overnight cruise in Halong-
Sightseeing programme as listed in the day by day itinerary with English speaking guide for tours
Late check out on day 14
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Fully financially protected
What's extra:
- Cambodia visa 36USD (can be arranged on arrival, passport photograph is required)
- Insurance - see here
- Meals, drinks, tips, personal expenses and all services not noted specifically mentioned in the program
Itinerary
- Depart UK
- Arrive Siem Reap
- Explore the Temples of Angkor
- Explore Angkor
- Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake - Hanoi
- Hanoi
- Hanoi - Ha Long
- Ha Long - Ho Chi Minh City
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Ho Chi Minh City - Phan Thiet (Mui Ne Beach)
- Phan Thiet (Mui Ne Beach)
- Phan Thiet (Mui Ne Beach)
- Phan Thiet (Mui Ne Beach)
- Phan Thiet - Ho Chi Minh City Airport
- Arrive in UK
What you'll be doing
Day One: Depart UK
Day Two: Arrive in Cambodia
- Dinner Included
Day Three: Explore the Temples of Angkor
Today we visit Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. At the heart of Angkor Thom is the 12th Century Bayon - the mesmerising, if slightly mind-bending, state temple of King Jayavarman VII. This masterpiece temple of grandeur is well known for its 54 towers of enigmatic faces, representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. Our next stop is the Terrace of Elephants which was used by Angkor's King Jayavarman VII as a platform from which to view his victorious returning army. We will also see Terrace of the Leper King, the statue that depicts the Hindu god Yama, the god of death.
In the afternoon we will visit the Ta Phrom Temple, the most atmospheric ruins at Angkor. Swallowed by the jungle, the ruins resemble the monuments of Angkor that appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them.
We end the day with a visit to Wat Thmey, also called Monk Temple as well as an exhibition hall that displays Khmer Rouge’s crimes. The inside is filled with the skulls and bones of people who were killed in the massacres.
- Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day Four: Visit Angkor's atmospheric ruins
After breakfast at our hotel, we'll drive to Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th Century, Angkor Wat is the best-preserved temple in the entire complex and has remained a significant religious centre since its foundation. Constructed in the classical style of Khmer architecture, it has become a symbol of Cambodia, even appearing on the national flag!
In the afternoon we head to the North of the Angkor area and visit the temple of Banteay Srei, carved in beautiful pink sandstone. It is also called The Citadel of Women and is one of the best-preserved temples in Cambodia. On the way back to Siem Reap, we will visit a local craft centre.
- Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day Five: Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake - Hanoi
We depart to Tonle Sap Lake and board a Sampan (flat-bottomed wooden boat) and head down the Roulos river to Kompong Phluk, a floating village on Tonle Sap Lake. We will see the village houses on stilts, flooded forests and learn about the daily life of the local community. Following our tour, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to the airport for our flight to Hanoi. After arriving in Hanoi, we transfer to our hotel in Hanoi.
- Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day Six: Discover Hanoi's markets and museums
Today we tour incredible Hanoi! We begin with a visit to the Temple of Literature, the first university for the sons of mandarins. Then, it’s onto the Museum of History. We’ll also stroll through the bustling Dong Xuan Market, the Old Quarter's largest wholesale market, where you can discover exotic plants, fresh fruits, vegetables, and sweetly fragrant flowers.
Afterwards, we will have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (outside visit) and his personal residence, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Tran Quoc Pagoda.
- Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day Seven: Cruise the otherworldly beauty of Halong Bay
This morning, we depart for the stunning Halong Bay (3 ½ hour drive), located in the Gulf of Tonkin. Undoubtedly one of Vietnam's most popular tourist destinations, with over 1600 islands and islets, most of which are uninhabited. Soon after arriving in Halong City, we check-in and board a traditional junk boat, with lunch served on board as we cruise towards the bay. During the course of the afternoon, we can enjoy some visits and activities, or simply relax on board (possibility to swim in the bay if weather permits). Dinner is served on the boat.
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day Eight: Ha Long - Haiphong - Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast on board, we can enjoy the fresh morning in the bay, with the cruise ending around 12pm. If time permits, stop at Hai Phong City for a short city tour (Hang Kenh Temple, The Central Market, Hai Phong Museum) before going to Haiphong Airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. (Please note: Internal flight baggage allowance is 20Kg) Upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh airport we will transfer to our hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Breakfast Included
Day Nine: Discover Ho Chi Minh City
Today we enjoy a full day exploring the city. We visit the former Presidential Palace, or as it is known today - the Reunification Palace. Then we will head to the historical heart of the city and visit the Notre Dame Cathedral (outside visit only due to its renovation). The red bricks of the cathedral walls were originally from Paris. From there, we take a short walk to the old Central Post Office. After that, we will visit the best-preserved buildings from the colonial era, the Opera House and the Hotel de Ville now home to Saigon’s municipal authorities. Later, we will continue to the Catinat building. Built in 1927, in an art deco style, it has once again become a hub for fashion conscious Saigonese and contains many designer boutiques, galleries, restaurants and cafés.
- Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day Ten: Ho Chi Minh City - Phan Thiet (Mui Ne Beach)
After breakfast, we drive to Phan Thiet (3 hrs drive) and once we check-in to our hotel, the rest of the day is free to spend as you wish.
- Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day Eleven: Phan Thiet (Mui Ne Beach)
Today we can enjoy the day however we wish. Take in the sights & delights of the local area or spend time at the beach. You can also join one of the optional day tours. Further details of the day tours can be found in the FAQ’s.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Twelve: Phan Thiet (Mui Ne Beach)
Another relaxing day taking in the sights & delights of the local area or strolling the sands.
- Breakfast Included
Day Thirteen: Phan Thiet (Mui Ne Beach)
Enjoy a third day unwinding on white sands or taking a dip in the ocean.
- Breakfast Included
Day Fourteen: Phan Thiet (Mui Ne Beach) - Ho Chi Minh Airport
After breakfast, we spend the day enjoying a final half day at the beach, thanks to a late 2pm check-out. We'll then transfer to Ho Chi Minh City Airport for our flight home.
- Breakfast Included
Day Fifteen: Arrive in London
Overnight flight back to the UK, arriving today morning in London.
Accommodation
Cambodia & Vietnam
- Hari Residence three-star+ - Siem Reap
- The Ann Hotel four-star or Sunway hotel four-star - Hanoi
- Peony Cruise three-star+ - Ha Long Bay
- Wink Hotel four-star - Ho Chi Minh City
- Pandanus four-star - Phan Thiet
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
Please note:- Optional excursions are not guaranteed and are based on minimum numbers. The prices quoted are guideline only and may involve other non-Solos holidaymakers.
During your leisure beach stay you will have opportunity to join following optional excursions:
OPTION 1: PHAN THIET – WALKING BEYOND THE FAIRY STREAM & WHITE SAND DUNNE – HALFDAY
Pick up at your hotel, heading to the Fairly Stream. It is breath-taking and simply beautiful. Prepare yourself since you will have to walk around and the weather is relatively hot, however, the feeling of warm shallow water streaming between your toes is just great. Continue the visit at local Fishing Village to learn more about the farm and their working. On your way back, visit the White Sand Dunes, which is among the top attractions at Mui Ne after the beach itself.
The best time to visit is at sunrise and sunset when you can fully enjoy the beauty of this attraction. The sand at this moment will be in its full pink or light red splendour. Transfer back to your hotel. Note: Riding on sand dune by jeep is excluded and can be booked as extra services on spot if you wish.
OPTION 2: PHAN THIET– SIGHTSEEING AND TA CU MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE – HALF DAY
Pick up at your hotel and transfer to Ta Cu Mountain where you will enjoy a cable car ride to the peak of the mountain. Visit Linh Son Truong Tho Pagoda and admire the panoramic view of the enchanting forest and magnificent mountainous scenery around. Continue on to Takou temple lying one of the biggest Buddha statues in the region. On the way back to your hotel, stop at a local dragon fruit’s farm and learn more about the cultivating process of this beautiful tropical fruit.
After that, visit Poshanu Cham Tower built during the old Champa Kingdom and now remained as the worship place of the Cham minority in Mui Ne; and Van Thuy Tu temple, which is famous for the whale skeleton of 22 meter in length and 65 tons in weight – the largest fishbone in Vietnam and South East Asia. The final stop will be a sand painting workshop. It displays a collection of art works made from sands in different themes. Transfer back to your hotel
