Your Vietnam & Indochina DMC
Tour Overview
Explore Vietnam and Myanmar's rich cultures and historical wonders on the 12-Day Charm of Vietnam and Myanmar Tour! This Cultural Holiday to Myanmar and Vietnam takes you through the bustling Ho Chi Minh City, the charming port town of Hoian, and the awe-inspiring natural beauty of Halong Bay in Vietnam. In Myanmar, you'll visit the majestic temples of Yangon, explore the unique landscape of Bagan with its ancient pagodas, and experience the vibrant energy of Mandalay.
If you want to delve into the history, culture, and breathtaking scenery of Southeast Asia, embark on this unforgettable adventure with Asia Links Travel!
Tour Highlights
- Immense in the vibrant urban of Ho Chi Minh City - the city that never sleeps
- Explore the ancient town of a former trading port in Hoi An, Danang
- Enjoy an extraordinary cruise in Halong Bay - World Heritage
- Take a round trip to Vietnam’s capital city and stop by tourist attractions that perfectly define Hanoi
- Visit hundreds of magnificent temples and pagodas in Yangon
- Explore the unique architecture of Bagan City with thousands of red-bricked “cave" temples
- Join in the lively pace of living of the inhabitants in the city of Mandalay
Itinerary
Welcome to one of the biggest metropolises in Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City. You will be greeted and transferred to the hotel by our driver and private car at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Ho Chi Minh City is at the moment a young and vibrant city with its modern beauty from the perfect combination of temples and skyscrapers.
- Meal: On your own account
- Accommodation: Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City
You will start your first day in Ho Chi Minh City with the most remarkable construction of underground tunnels built from the days of the American war in Cu Chi province by private vehicle.
This sophisticated tunnel network is a complex labyrinth, which stretches more than 230 km all the way to the border of Vietnam - Cambodia. It was first used as hideouts, living quarters and supply routes for nearly 20,000 communist guerrilla troops to combat American force.
You can also have a chance to try AK47 shooting rifles at the battlefield in the area of Cu Chi tunnels.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant and will be on your own expense, we will provide some options for you to choose from.
In the afternoon, we are going to take a round trip of Ho Chi Minh metropolis and stop by some highlight spots including the Old Saigon Post office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Opera House and the famous Reunification Palace where marks the most significant milestone of Vietnam’s Independence.
Our last stop for the day will be at Cho Lon (Big Market) at the Chinese town district.
- Meal: Breakfast at the hotel
- Accommodation: Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City
In the morning, transfer without guide to Ho Chi Minh airport for a flight to Danang. Once arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to Hoian.
You will visit Hoian old town – an exceptionally well - preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century, its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site.
We start our walking tour to explore the ancient city of Hoian highlights with Phuc Kien Communal House, Tan Ky ancient commercial house, Japanese covered Bridge, and Phung Hung Ancient Trading House.
Meal: Breakfast at the hotel
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Hoian
Free to enjoy ancient town of Hoian at your leisure time.
Afternoon, transfer to Danang airport (without guide) for a short fly to Hanoi – the capital city of Vietnam.
Upon your arrival at the airport, our driver in Hanoi will meet and transfer you to the hotel for check in. The balance of the day is at your leisure.
- Meal: Breakfast at the hotel
- Accommodation: Overnight stay in Hanoi
After having breakfast at the hotel, you will head directly to Vietnam’s precious gem lying in the north - Halong Bay. On your way reaching Halong City, you will pass by greeny paddy fields and ranges of mountains of the countryside areas of Northern Vietnam.
Lying in the Gulf of Tonkin, Halong Bay is shaped by towering limestone pillars creating a fusion of emerald water and limestone karst landforms with a total of more than 1,600 islands and islets.
You will board a ferry and go on a ride for a short - transit from the main harbor to board the Junk Boat for an excursion among this extraordinary seascape, stop on a few island to explore caves with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.
En route, we will stop on the middle way to jump in the warm water of the the East Sea and have a close up view of the bay with romantic lights of the sunset. Tonight, you will spend your night on board.
NOTE:
It is advisable that you should pack lightly on your trip to Halong Bay as we will return to the same hotel in Hanoi. Your luggage are safely stored in your locked room.
Your transfer to Halong Bay is a shared shuttle bus with English speaking guide provided. In case you require a private transfer, please kindly notice us.
- Meal: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch and dinner on cruise
- Accommodation: Overnight stay on Cruise
It is one of the best chances to wake up early in the middle of the sea to bathe under the warmth of the sunrise and to take a deep breath of the wind breeze. Breakfast is served on board during boating time. The Junk Boat will dock at the harbor by noon, you will wait for the shuttle bus to ride back to Hanoi.
The rest of the day will be your free time to have a little walk on your own in Hanoi.
- Meal: Breakfast and Brunch on Cruise
- Accommodation: Overnight stay in Hanoi
On this morning you will be introduced tourist attractions in Hanoi City with a city-tour that stops by Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt house - where keeps many of Ho Chi Minh's belongings in former form and is the place of the last days of his life.
Thereafter, we move forward to the Temple of Literature to have a better understanding of Hanoian's study background as it is considered the first university in Vietnam.
In the afternoon, we will fly to Yangon from Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.
Warmest welcome from Myanmar, Mingalabar!
The city Yangon is formerly the capital city of Burma and still remains the largest city of the country. Ever since the day Myanmar started to open up with the world again, Yangon became Myanmar's commercial and artistic hub with its religious remarks and distinctions of South East Asia. Your tour guide will meet and pick you up from the airport to the hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast at the hotel
- Accommodation: Overnight stay in Yangon
For today, after breakfast, we'll head to visit the Kyaukhtatgi Pagoda, which owning a 70-meter reclining Buddha statue. Next, you will witness the way the Buddhist monks in Myanmar with their traditional routines.
Then, you will spend your time downtown walking in the China Town area and take a look at the vibrant Khen Hock Keong Chinese Temple. The China Town area is full of its distinctive feature - the vendors selling fruits, vegetables, and small souvenirs, especially on the Shwe Bontha street and the 26th street. Make an exit to Anawratha Road, you'll reach the Sri Kali temple, which considered the most beautiful and colorful temple in Yangon.
On your next stop, you will spend most of your time in the day for this highlight of Yangon. You’ll go sightseeing in Kandawgyi Park and watch the sun slowly goes down behind the roof of the Shwedagon Pagoda.
The most magnificent view in the pagoda is the last sunlight shining upon the gold-covered (over 40 tons) chedi. It is possible to buy some small offerings, incense, monk robes, and other Buddhism-related objects at the front gate of the pagoda.
Our guide will explain the detailed instructions for the rituals of religious objects that you have bought. Shwedagon Pagoda is a mesmerizing place even for Burmese people, too!
- Meal: Breakfast at the hotel
- Accommodation: Overnight stay in Yangon
As the day begins, we will have ourselves a little treat from the hotel for breakfast. Then you will pack your bags and depart to the airport for the domestic flight to the city called - Bagan.
The city Bagan, standing by the side of the Irrawaddy River, holds a huge number of temples, stupas, and pagodas and was considered the country’s center from the 9th till the 13th century. The most stunning trademark of the city is more than 4000 red-brick temples situated all across the city, which creates a breathtaking view from above.
Your day in Bagan starts with a little expedition to the Nyaung Oo Market - the commonplace of the locals to trade fresh food and goods.
Then a short walk to get to know the Old Bagan and visit the famous Shwezigon Pagoda, which was built since the 11th century by King Anawratha to commemorate Buddhism events. The rest of the morning is the time to wander around the area to explore many other hidden beauties of the daily life of the residents in Bagan.
Follow the schedule, we will have time to visit one of the oldest workshops in Bagan, where artisans practice their traditional skills and technique, which inherited from generation to generation, in making lacquer wares and shop for eye-catching accessories.
- Meal: Breakfast at the hotel
- Accommodation: Overnight stay in Bagan
The second day in Bagan will be arranged for a tranquil morning at one of tourist attractive temples in Bagan - the Ananda Temple. Then we will stop over at the highest temple in Bagan - Thatbyinnyu, the distinctive brickwork from the great Dhammayangyi Temple.
Later in the afternoon, we make a transition to Mandalay with a 4-hour drive. Once you get there, you will have your time to check-in and relax.
- Meal: Breakfast at the hotel
- Accommodation: Overnight stay in Mandalay
A day to enjoy the most of Mandalay!
The guide will take you to Mahamuni Pagoda. The most impressive characteristic of the Pagoda that will surprise tourist is the Buddha statue inside is totally covered with gold leaves by the male devotees.
We then take a ride to the former capital city of Myanmar - Amarapura, to visit the Mahagandayon Monastery, where the majority of the monks in Myanmar gather and study monastic and religious disciplines. As the sun begins to be at its peak, you can see thousands of monks walking along the streets and queuing for lunch. A moment worths a shot of the camera.
Then we'll head to the Mandalay Palace Kyauktawgyi Pagoda with gigantic marble turned into Buddha statue. The following site is the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which famous for its footage of old sayings from Buddha - the “World’s Biggest Book” made out of 729 marble tiles.
Thereupon, we’ll make a stop for the Shwenandaw Monastery, which is still keeping the wood-carving art of Royal Palace’s structure from the beginning of the 19th century.
We will finish our day with a short walk or a bus to the U Bein Bridge, which is in the meantime still the longest teakwood bridge in the world’s record. As the sun goes down, it is the best chance to capture the most beautiful moment of the sun shines through the wooden poles. This historic bridge marks the remains of the Royal Palace.
- Meal: Breakfast at the hotel
- Accommodation: Overnight stay in Mandalay
Take a well-earned rest for today and pack your luggage. We will transfer to the Mandalay International Airport to catch the flight back home.
End of tour services with Asia Links Travel!
What's included
Trip Notes
Time travel: Possible to travel all year around
Rooms are available from 14.00 on arrival day until 12.00 on departure day, room supplement charge will be added for request of early/late check in/out.
Airfares (if any) may change without notice prior to e-ticket issuance.
Price for infants and children will be quoted as follow:
- Children under 2 years old: Free of charge (Maximum 1 child under 2 years old travels with 2 adults; from the second child, 50% of the regular fare will be applied)
- Children from 2 to 5 years old: 50% of the regular fare will be applied
- Children from 5 to 11 years old: 75% of the regular fare will be applied
- Children from 12 years: 100% of the regular fare will be applied
During Peak Season and special occasions, surcharges may be added to the price:
- Christmas and New Year’s Eve: Compulsory meals would be added during these times of the years, depends on hotels or resorts you will stay overnight.
- Vietnam Lunar New Year: 24 January – 27 January: Extra fee will be applied during holiday.
- Myanmar New Year: 12 April – 18 April: Extra fee will be applied during holiday.
Visa requirements:
For Vietnam: You must have a valid passport and a visa (or pre-approval letter for a visa on arrival) to enter Vietnam. Our consultant will be happy to advise you on visa requirements.
Your passport must be valid for six months beyond your planned stay, and you must have at least one blank page for each visa stamp.
Customer Reviews (5)
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